Journey to Ukazoo

Slide 14: The Video Game

2:00 p.m.  Level One   0 points

Just walked into the video arcade with a couple of people I connected with in Los Angeles, California. Off to my left, I heard the sound of coins fed into a video game by an odd looking chap. I only say odd due to the two multi hued mismatched socks he was wearing with tasseled sandals and a “sun glasses needed” pair of Lime Green Madras shorts.

2:30 p.m.  Level 3    3,386,000 points

The odd chap, I was informed ,was Oglethorpe Oscar Pearlynski, video-game wiz and semi-permanent fixture of the arcade. A legend. Oglethorpe once tried to make the Arcade his Postal address. At a level change, noticing a new face, he gave me a welcome nod.

3:05 p.m.  Level 7    7,910,350 points

Of the Arcade’s 65 video games and 17 pinball machines that listed top scorers, Oglethorpe’s initials, OOP, were at the top of every one except “Space Alligators”.

3:55 p.m.   Level 12    15,530,825 points

Of the 30 sets of initials listed in “Space Alligators”, OOP was typed in from 30 to 2. Number One was ALI, typed in three years ago. Arthur Linquest Ibecki’s top score, 71,417,560 points.

4:35 p.m.   Level 16   25,040,540 points

Oglethorpe’s top score, 67,752,750 points. His initials, for that game, typed in 3 months and 228 quarters ago. We took a break to get a bite to eat with the expectation of returning to check on Oglethorpe’s progress. As we left, a few regulars started to drift towards Oglethorpe’s game.

6:25 p.m.   Level 27   47,860,675 points

Just after we returned, I took this picture of Oglethorpe at level 27. A friend, Lewis, had just replenished his Root Beer and box of Popcorn. The few regulars now became a fair size circle of spectators. At level changes, Oglethorpe received unobtrusive pats on the back and soft words of encouragement.

7:30 p.m.   Level 33  63,950,105 points

A crisis moment. Oglethorpe’s right leg fell asleep and he started to lose both his balance and  concentration. Friends rushed to stop a possible fall and dispense karate chop massage motions up and down his leg till his nod assured them he was fine. He was nearing his top score. The circle of spectators now swelled to form a crowd.

7:50 p.m.  Level 35   69,360,800 points

With a tight grin of confidence, Oglethorpe surpassed his top score and both regulars and curious onlookers started making calls, taking pictures, and posting to internet accounts. Oglethorpe was locked in for the game of his life. Undaunted, Arthur’s top score was next.

8:00 p.m.   Level 36   71,810,350 points

At level 36, a special bonus Blue Striped Alligator Mother Ship and it’s subsequent destruction pushed Oglethorpe past Arthur’s top score. The place went nuts! His appreciative look and nod quickly silenced the crowd as he now maintained his focus on creating some distance.

8: 50 p.m.   Level 41  92,117,560 points

Clocking just under seven hours, an Invisible Three Headed Mutant Alligator, shedding it’s cloaking device at the last moment, wiped him out. Glassy eyed, tired, hungry, and badly in need of a bathroom break, Oglethorpe punched O O P in “Space Alligators” number one spot. After all these years it was now OOP/ALI and not ALI/OOP

Art notes:

All images and text are copyright Craig L Haupt

Postings of Journey to Ukazoo Slides are every Monday Evening, Except Slide 15 which will post Sunday Morning, Sept. 8