Last Tuesday night I was miserable: my father in law had been in the hospital quite a bit in the past few weeks, and not up to snuff. The preceding Saturday, I went down to mow his farm, which still takes a couple hours with a commercial zero-turn even when you know what you're doing (I don't). Now I didn't mind to do it, but knew my allergies would make me pay dearly. And that they did: by Tuesday it was painful to keep my eyes open and they watered uncontrollably with a headache to boot. Ah well, I've earned my sick days, so that night I prepared to notify the office I wouldn't be in for Wednesday.
While doing this, a CL alert email came into my phone. I opened it and my jaw dropped. Couldn't believe what I was seeing (stupid watery eyes, quit trolling me). After my wife heard me muttering and made me repeat it, I still didn't believe it. Only posted a half hour ago...? A rare title, $500, lights but non-working. But I could fix that and even lesser titles go for more non-working. What gives?
So here's the thing: Everyone says "be ready with the truck and cash at a moment's notice". And sometimes you don't question - reply first to get the in and ask questions later. But I've lost out on deals within 15 minutes several times, and this one seemed even harder to believe. Ah well, 9:00 on Tuesday night isn't the best time to post a deal, so what the heck - I don't feel good, it seems scammy, but I'll send the email anyway. If it's real I'll be there with cash in the morning, assuming I feel well enough to wake up.
Late that night I got the email thanking me for my interest, and would I please text to confirm arrangements? Um. What? No way!
So the next morning was not easy. I still didn't feel so hot and should have stayed home. Even trying to get going, the universe conspired against me as if to reinforce the stupidity of my decision, so I was late heading out. And there must have been some kind of manhunt because I saw so many troopers (16!!!) busting traffic on both sides of the state border, that there was no chance of a leadfoot make up. It was a longer drive and day than I planned for in even the worst case.
But I found the place. And even right in front of me I couldn't believe it:
I asked to see the boards since during the drive it dawned on me that if "lights" meant GI but no displays.... that could get pricey in a hurry. When we opened the backbox I could see the driver board not well connected to the MPU. But both looked really clean. Huh, could it be? Pushed them together, turned it on and... displays! Would not play but I could figure that later.
Seller looked at me and said "By this morning I realized I priced it too low because I've had people bugging me all morning, including someone from Chicago asking to pp $1200 if I would hold it for him... but I just wanted it gone, and you were first, so looks like you got a nice deal!"
Loaded it up and suddenly my watery eyes were tolerable and the headache seemed to subside
Got it home and went at the obvious stuff: a hacked transistor blew a 7402 which kept all the special solenoids and flippers from working. Disconected wires and signs all under the playfield that a desperate owner had no idea what to do. Replaced three parts on the driver board and BOOM: game plays!
Needs other random TLC fixes and lots of cleanup as these finds tend, but still. What a find and lucky strike! I'll remember this one for a while.
So when they say be ready at a moment's notice, they're not kidding. Add me to the choir.
For such a simple and cheaply designed game, it's surprisingly good. Programmed and designed in two weeks - the LSD theme makes PERFECT sense now!
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