Open Letter to Bill and Marsi who sell
slot machines (among other ventures and artstuff...)
"So many lovely machines, so many memories to be recalled; the pull of the "arm", and hoping to do it "just right" -- with that magic combination of wishes and tension that would result in the sound of the coins dropping -- and bells ringing -- to see the belly of the machine get more and more full, pregnant with coins, knowing that this is, really, I just KNOW it, the "right" pull (..I think)! Oh, it was such a tangible joy on family driving to Fla. from CT, my home way back when, leaving, oh so early in the AM, during school break (occasionally taking one extra day off early to miss the throng of cars heading south--what a bonus!). Dad is behind the wheel, not letting Mom drive. The family rotating "shot-gun" seat (i.e. keeping Dad awake....) and then the stop for lunch, or coffee in MD? was it? where they allowed slot machines!!! Early on, we'd sneak in under our parent's girth to sneak a pull at the machine, later we passed, or were of age..until they (Maryland) closed it down and the slots were taken away, leaving only Las Vegas as a place to try the notorious, yet sublime, one arm bandit. By the time I managed to get to Vegas, the machines had changed so much to have been rendered without thrill or charm, or the closeness one feels communing with the gears, it was now blind luck and all lights and noise and no charm or finesse. By this time, the only game I'd play with any joy was blackjack. But, Bill, as long as I can remember, I've been wanting one (a slot machine) sooooo badly I can taste the metal of the coins ready to take a chance -- and your machines are beauties! Now, that the "net" has made this longing renew itself, hope springs eternal...!
Were that I can afford one of your beauties? Please send me the pricing on your machines, and I hope I will be able to work something out with you. I do live on Whidbey Island, WA now, so the shipping may be a bear. Please keep me posted! And keep up your good work restoring these bits of time-travel machines.
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Some Gems of Yesteryear...:
This is actually a portable one! It's called the "Vestpocket"
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