Skee Ball

My balls drop and I go for the tightest hole. 100,000. The coveted hole in the top left corner.

Aim, fire. Gutterball. Aim, fire. Gutterball. Aim, fire Gutterball. Hmmm…

The guy on my left is steady sinking the middle hole. 10,000 points a pop. 3 in a row.

I’m down, but whatever. With 7 more shots to go, it’s early.

I focus and pay attention to my technique for the next couple shots. None of them hit, but I’m getting closer.

Meanwhile, the guy on my left slipped up. Gutterball. Ha! Gutterball and he was shooting for that big wide 10,000 point ring. What a dope.

We each have 3 balls left.  I take aim and… awwww, in and out! Are you kidding me!? I couldn’t have come any closer. The guy on my left sinks another 10,000. 70,000 to 0.  What an asshole…

I shoot again and… wayyyy offf! Oughh. I’m down to one ball.

I wait and watch the guy on my left out of the corner of my eye. Let him take his last two shots before I skee my final ball. He makes no complaint about going twice in a row, because he’s unaware we’re competing.  I don’t even know the guy.

10,000. 10,000. Guy on my left finishes with a respectable 90,000.

“One shot left. Let’s see what you got man.” Says the guy on my left with a smile.

What a dickhead! Has he been tracking me this entire time? Treating this like some sort of competition. Who does that!?

My only chance of winning is to hit the 100,000. The hole I’ve missed on 9 previous shots.

The arcade lights and pop music fade from perception. I see nothing but that sweet little hole in the top left corner.

Ready… aim, fire. 100,000! Booya bitch.

The loser on my left walks away.  As I step back to take in my winning scoreboard a 7 year old swerves in front of me and wipes the slate clean, inserting his quarter to start a new game.

Despite my victory, I can only hope this newcomer aims for the big middle ring. It’s a more sensible way to play.