Marvin B. Connet from Wichita, KS

Pinball has been in my blood for some time. 

My parents used to celebrate Friday night in Kansas City when they were first married by going out to have hamburgers, fries, and a few games of pinball.  It was my dad who showed me the art of playing pinball.

In my hey day, I was pretty notorious on the college campus for playing the machines.  It never failed that I would attract a crowd.  Now, let me be honest in that they weren't there to witness any kind of distinctive technique or artistic show.  They knew that when I walked away from a machine, there would be free games for anyone who had stood there and watched me take on the beast.

This used to drive my dad crazy!

He would always say, "Son, why are you leaving games on that machine?"

I'd look him straight in the eye and say, "You know, Dad.  I put in one quarter (shows the timeframe, huh?) and I've been playing for a whole afternoon.  I've played the way you taught me.  Catch the ball.  Plan your shots.  Know the game.  And I wracked up a lot of free games.  I've played my fill.  I'm walking away from this machine a winner."

He'd start shaking his head in disbelief and then comment to those vying for position to play the remaining free games and say, "That's my son, you know."