In each pair of clues, the solution to the clue on the right sounds like the solution to the clue on the left with a syllable added. In each case, this syllable sounds like the name of a letter. (The clue in the flavor text is M + TEA = EMPTY):
- C + SON = SEASON
- O + ZONE = OZONE
- L + SEE = ELSIE
- O = MITT = OMIT
- R + GONE = ARGON
- L + DUST = ELDEST
- E + STIR = EASTER
- S + TEAM = ESTEEM
- S + CAPE = ESCAPE
- B + LINE = BEELINE
- I + PATCH = EYE PATCH
- L + BOW = ELBOW
- L + FIN = ELFIN
- I + RATE = IRATE
- A + GENT = AGENT
- R + GOLLY = ARGALI
- D + SIDE = DECIDE
- S + CHOIR = ESQUIRE
- O + PULL = OPAL
- R + CANE = ARCANE
- B + WEAR = BEWARE
The added letters spell out the phrase COLORLESS BILLIARDS ORB, which is a CUE BALL, which of course sounds like Q + BALL.