The Arcade
As a young woman I enjoyed the video arcade
There was an arcade next to a laundramat
Quarters for laundry
Quarters for Pacman
One day waiting for newly-washed clothes
whirling dry in an industrial dryer
I entered the arcade to pass the time
Playing a machine I racked up some credits
but was glad to leave when my dryer stopped.
Next to me was a kid, maybe 10
He'd been watching me play and I offered up my machine
full of credits
for him to play to the end
With big eyes he took the controls and as I walked away
I heard a slap
skin on skin
and a threatening voice
never take money from strangers
and a man pulling the child by one arm rushed past me
in the doorway
It's too bad that some people don't want to accept any kind gestures like yours.
ReplyDeleteWhat a sad story. Good visuals -- I can really see the setting and the action.
ReplyDeleteWhat an incredibly strange thing for the father to do. Sounds to me like a power play. I can't help wondering if he's an abuser.
ReplyDeleteHow terrible for the child to learn a lesson like that.
ReplyDelete