The operator/supplier of the video games and pinball machines at the bowling alley near my office in San Francisco swapped out two machines for Twilight Zone and Who Dunnit. It made me very happy because I could play Twilight Zone as much as I want during work.

The only problem was that Twilight Zone already had the error-dot on the DMD the day it arrived. I wasn't sure what the problem was until today.

The ball was rolling on the wire guide to the lane-diverter on the upper-playfield. The ball was caught by the lane-diverter as usual but, instead of dropping the ball on the playfield, the whole diverter until just shot off its assembly and fell on the playfield.

Damn...

I can't imagine an operator taking such awful care of their machines in such a way. Maybe that person has better things to do but, damn, it's just sad.

I took a 37-second video of the diverter on the playfield (sorry for the incorrect angle). I informed the person working behind the counter and he didn't care one bit.

Oh well. Guess I'll just save my quarters.

And I was finally understanding the play of this game as well and averaging over 250K per game.

Sonsabitches....

Yup. Agreed, Mr. Excalabur.

My first inclination was to reach under the machine to flick the "off" switch -- which had been removed. Didn't want to crawl under the machine to unplug it so I talked to the dude behind the counter.

I know a few operators in the SF area which take incredible care of their machines but am not familiar with the operator that supplies the machines to this joint.

If it's not out-of-order on Friday, I'm gonna tape a sign to it asking for some soldering and screwdriver love.