Double Bentry

Friends. Teammates. I have a story for you. Today I had one of the most surreal experiences of my life.

Setting: Classic Fun Center

Date: 10:53 AM MST Friday, November 7 2025

Subject: Myself (Ben)

Clutching my arcade card, I searched for a free machine. Ski-ball? Too little return on investment. Claw machine? Absolutely rigged and the prizes are awful.

Then I see it. A 2019 Namco DC Superheroes Coin Pusher. The vibrant colors and soft clink of coins draw me closer. I see a number of friends already crowded around.

"Want to try it?"

Andy's voice breaks through my hypnosis. "Here, I'll go first."

My fingers itch as he takes position in front of the blinking arcade game. Rage swells as he scans his card in before I am able to. My patience is tested as I watch coin after coin drop onto the sliding tray. But coin after coin fails to deliver the precious cargo to my rival.

Finally he runs out of tickets. The sweat on my neck feels cold as I breath a sigh of sweet relief.

My turn.

My first attempts are fruitless. I quickly burn through my credits, but I need more. More credits. More chances.

I find Trey first.

"Trey", I say scratching my hand, "do you have extra arcade credits you're not going to use?"

He hands his card to me and I scamper back to the machine.

No luck. Shoot.

But then a hero arrives. Mikayla, an angel from the darkness, walks forward. "You can use some of my tickets..." she says. I can hear the hesitation in her voice. Is she worried about enabling me? No. Impossible. That would have to mean I have a problem. And I can stop anytime. I snatch the card from her.

Slowly a crowd forms. Sweat beads my brow. I can't stop. I won't. I need a Bandai Namco DC Collectible Card. I deserve a Bandai Namco DC collectible card. I will get a Bandai Namco DC Collectible Card.

The coins fall faster. The clunk of my fingers against the button fills my mind. I barely hear the cheering behind me. The stack of donated arcade cards grows as more and more people join the spectacle. At some point I see Brady filming. Voices blend together.

"Is he still going?" "It's never going to happen." "He's so close!" "Is this little card really worth the $40 that must have been used by now?"

What have I become?

It doesn't matter. The card is almost within my grasp. The elusive piece of plastic taunts me as it slides back and forth amongst the tumbling coins.

Silence, then thunderous noise as a single card frees itself from the fray and drops to the prize tray. People clap my back. People cheer and say, "It was all worth it!"

I look at the stack of spent arcade cards. The sweat on my palms. The concerned glances from Andy.

I can't think about that. This is my life now. This is what is important. I may only have one card this time, but I will be back. And next time I'll get them all. I need them. I deserve them.

- Ben