That’s right, not even Pacman, it’s Ms. Pacman. The diner near my house, has this Ultimate PacMan Video Game, that I can’t walk past without making a quarter or two donation. I’m competitive by nature, and have always been obsessed with Pacman, in general. The first time I played this particular machine, the settings were on Ms. Pacman, so I didn’t change it. Figuring the last person must have played it and I would attempt to beat their score. Fast forward a year, and I haven’t come close to cracking the All-Time Top 10.
The game provides an escape for me during my daily grind and something to look forward to other than work or working out. But the catch is that the game is in the lobby of the diner, where people both enter and exit. This means, while playing the game, people are periodically walking past me while passing judgment. A 5 year old kid had the best reaction, while tugging at his mother’s jacket last week saying, “Hey Mom, that guy is really good!” Just shy of my 30th birthday, at that point I realized a compliment is compliment at any age, regardless of the fact it was referring to my ability to play a video game and he was only 5!
Logically, Ms. Pacman doesn’t have the most masculine sound effects or theme music. After completing one of the levels, two grown men walk past me before exiting the diner. Without hesitation or giving them enough time to think, I say aloud, “I’m in the zone today, fellas!” It took them a few paces before sinking in then looking at each other and laughing. The translation of their facial expressions said, “Is this guy serious?” Very serious, in fact I can’t seem to break 100,000 points and 200,000 is needed to break into the Top 10.
The manager at the diner has told me, I’m not the only person that plays this game on a regular basis. It’s not that I needed the reassurance, because short of the diner going out of business, there isn’t much else that will stop me. I will be playing Ms. Pacman until one of 3 things occur: I break the Top 10, I become broke with no more quarters, or the diner goes out of business. It’s sad that those are my only options, but it’s a lot of fun at the same time and I enjoy it. Anyone else have any sad addictions that they care to share?
Thanks for reading,
Joel
PS. I’m not sure what the electricity bill to run this machine is, but I’m certain it’s at least breaking even over the past few months.
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