Star Date #1
We went bowling.
Because I really don't like first dates that are just sitting in a bar and talking. There's more to life. There's more to see, do, feel, experience. And also an activity really helps to overcome that first awkward few hours of spending time with a completely new person.
And also also, because I've always wanted to go bowling on a first date - awkward and stupid remember? And this being a fantasy tale of epic proportions, what better place to start than a bowling alley. Does anyone else love The Big Lebowski as much as I do? Probably.
Anyway, her first ball went right through the middle of the stack (that's what I imagine pro bowlers call the 10 pin arrangement of their mortal enemies, they probably don't).
- Also, can I just intervene here once and tell you that when not writing for a client I really, really don't care for all the rules and regulations of punctuation and grammar? Language was invented by us gosh darned. It's our little plaything.
And if I want to end one sentence halfway. And start a new one right after. And. Then. (really) PLAY. With whatever kind of 'crazy' keyboard concoctions I can come up with. I feel I'm completely in my right. I'll be a nazi (grammar one, don't worry) on every project I do for you. No preferred spelling or double space is going to get past me.
But when I'm in my own little storytelling sandbox I'll bend and/or destroy every rule there is to better express myself to my heart's delight. On board? Nice.
x!
Right through the middle of the stack. Knocking down 6 pins and leaving a perfect 2-2 split at the end of the lane. Amazing. What's even more amazing is that her ball never seemed to return after that first throw. We both had a beer so we were like 'let's just hang back, the system's prolly a little jammed.
But after a while our beers were getting close to done and we were getting kind of anxious to throw at least one other ball for the 30 some bucks we paid for this whole hour of pin killing. So we did what any two normal, law abiding, scarcely acquainted, freshly dating citizens would do. We walked up the lane to go take a look ourselves.
Because f regulations and we both have always wanted to see what craziness goes on backstage of a bowling alley.
It was paradise. All matters of ropes and gears. All whizzing and whirring. Wheels turning round, picking up pins, putting them back. Bowling balls striking through stacks (please, if anyone knows what it's really called let me know) and clanking down into the pocket (also a term I just came up with. But what do you want? This is Dating 404, not bowling 101) only to be wheeled back to the front for the next thumping throw.
Every lane except ours seemed to be in perfect working order. Balls would come in, knock over pins, machines would take care of the pins and a little conveyor belt thing would roll the ball back to the bowlers. Our lane had al the parts needed, it seemed, and everything looked to be in working order. As far as we, without a clue, could tell by simply looking. Wiggling stuff here and there didn't seem to help. Also our ball was nowhere to be found.
We both got down on our knees and leaned into the contraption for a better look. This way, if it would suddenly spring to life we would at least both lose our heads simultaneously. Sparing either one of us the humiliation of having to run back to the front to pick up a severed head from the ball return (this is an actual term!! I Googled it). Kneeling down we exchanged another look. Like the first one we had when I came walking into her place of work. It was a glorious look. Full of meaning.
Suddenly she glanced to the side, and her eyes became really big. Inside the wheel of the pin-getter-backer (whatever) a sort of glowing light could be seen, slightly rippling. Then she looked back at me. We both knew right then and there. This bowling lane, was a portal.