Bulls Eye in the Dark
Thank you, sir! cheered I, as the bar tender poured another sample and slid it over to me. This one was a Young’s Double Chocolate Stout, Lindemans Lambic Framboise cocktail.
That’s like drinking a slice of raspberry chocolate cake! Great for the Holidays, or any time. Thanks man.
I could not fill up on this sweet stuff. I had obligations. Obligations to pale ales and IPAs. So off we shimmied toward the pool table with a handful of quarters a nascent beer buzz. And although pool is grand and noble to be sure and a constant temptation, near by stood a dart board. Stood, I say, because it was one of those monstrous electronic types.
The bars in New Braunfels must have a contract with some company that makes electronic dart boards because none of the bars have real boards and all of them have identical electronic ones. These fancy boards have stymied us for years and thus threatened to end any possibility for the simple dart euphoria which we so badly craved. How could it be that we witnessed so many others master the myriad buttons, knobs and flashing lights, while we, mere spectators, looked on in despair and longing?
Not ones to give up on the prospect of fun, we hied ourselves over to the beast and fed it our shiny quarters.
Shooting Our Own Lights Out
It’s doing something. Hold on. We want to select two players. No – teams. No – two team players. Alright, we’ll read the directions.
I think we have it. No - let the board choose for us. No – we’ll control it. Why won’t it light up? Oh, more quarters, quick!
Alright, we’re set. Here goes…
We only put in enough quarters for one player?! Cripe! Why does is beep when we hit that number? That’s not even a cricket number!
We had indeed effed it up again. Anguish. Chagrin. Defeat.
Why don’t we keep score on a pad of paper? enthused Tammy.
Brilliant, Love!!!!!
I was incredulous, still reeling with rage and utter loss. Within seconds however I realized this was salvation, and it meant free dart play. Everything was going to be okay. She had done it! Out came the paper pad and the pen in a flurry of industrious excitement. Once again, we had bucked the system. Tammy went first. What could we do but stare blankly at one another after the first dart shot the light out over the dart board? After a brief moment we decided the glow from the dimly lit bar area would have to do and we played on. The dartboard light magically came back on at certain intervals. One of the employees even knew a secret switch on the back of the device that turned the light on and off, but after we shot the first dart of three, the light blinked out once more. Still, an amusing quirk rather than a nuisance.
Please share in comments your examples of resourceful improvisation in the name of fun!
8 comments about "Bulls Eye in the Dark"
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We are Tammy and CJ, and we are tickled pink you chose to spend time with us. Frolic about
a bit, poke around, and get
your snicker on. Now, get over here, so we can pet you and
feed you nuts.
I can’t think of any good examples from my own life
I would like to say though that I found your story to be hilarious. Thank you so much for sharing. It brightened my evening.
Mark Adam Douglass (@MADouglass) recently posted..Too Old For Skateparks
Thanks for commenting, Mark!! I guess that asking people to be as goofy as we are and then share it is a bit capricious, but you never know what you’ll get! And always happy to brighten your evening.
My logic-head (which also tends toward paranoia and worst-cases) says – Yep! A great salesman with a contract; maybe a “They scare me so nobody can have ‘em” ordinance; and “Insurance cost” threats (verging on “protection”?) about steel darts.
My Heart says “Way to go guys! Gaming another electronic monster!!”
Karen J recently posted..The Birthday Story
Ha! Spectacular, Karen J! Just ran a check on dart-related injuries in bars and came up empty. But in small towns like New Braunfels it may indeed be easy to trick owners into “protecting” their patrons. What electronic beasts might we slay in our remaining days off? Your congratulations inspire us to new heights!
Happy new year guys! Hope hoombah goes from strength to strength.
As for our improvised fun I’d have to say going for a drive together after locking ourselves out of the apartment we are staying at and going to a great beach instead. It beat being stuck inside!
Grace Pamer recently posted..Chance To Talk To You Love Quote
Great to find you over here so bright and early this morning, Grace! Electronic dart boards may never be our strength, but there are plenty of other things to work on. It brings us great happiness to know a couple can be flexible enough to have such an aggravating event literally transform into a day at the beach! You guys have it going on over at romanceneverdies.com!
Ah why thank you. The feeling is mutual! In fact I’d love to interview you guys for a post I’m planning on running. I’ll be in touch on email soon if that’s OK?
Big love
Grace
Grace Pamer recently posted..Share Your Dreams Love Quote
Well that would be grand! What a delightful surprise. Looking forward to it, Grace.