The year is 2010.
I had just finished seeing a movie and was on my way out of the theater when I noticed a small crowd around an arcade machine. Normally I avoid crowds as I don't feel like I'd fit in well, but this time I saw a gal playing what seemed to be a two-player game -- by herself! She had a quick eye, but the level she was on was insane and she was getting hit faster than she could make the shots. To her credit, every shot she made was a head shot, however she missed a couple reload targets which in turn prevented her from reloading her gun by flicking it off screen briefly.
She had my full attention. I have no idea how close to the end of the level she was, but judging by her disappointment when her character was killed, she was probably close. With a heavy sigh, she returned the guns to their holsters as the "Continue" screen flashed a fifteen second countdown.
This machine was an old-school one that still used quarters, but had been retrofitted with a bill slot as well. I have no idea what came over me to reach into my pocket to find a few dollars, but I pulled out three singles. Everything that followed from that moment on still feels like a dream to me.
"Hey," I say getting her attention as she walks towards my general direction, "keep going!" handing her my bills.
"What? Seriously?"
"Yeah! Go! You have seven seconds left!"
She looks to her friend and they share a look of complete shock. Her friend doesn't say anything, but encourages her back to her game with a raised eyebrow.
The countdown is at '3' by the time she gets back to the machine, and it barely accepts the first dollar in time to save the games progress and let her pick up where she left off.
"Thank you. That was very kind," the friend says on her behalf.
"No problem. I've never seen anyone play two-player by themselves, so I wanted to keep it going."
This girl continues to kick ass at this game, but I can't help but notice her friend glancing at me from time to time. I don't consider myself one to really stand out from most guys, so I'm not sure what she's looking at, but she's incredibly adorable so I figure why not enjoy it while it lasts.
I'd say maybe ten more minutes go by, and part of the original crowd has stuck around to watch her through this level, and sure enough, she wins it! She blows on the tips of the gun props like a cow girl from the Wild West, and slides them back into the holsters, being greeted by her friend jumping for joy at her victory! The crowd swarms them in amazement, and I figure the ladies will forget about me soon enough due to their popularity, so I make my way to the bathroom with the intention of leaving for home afterwards.
When I exit the bathroom a few minutes later, the crowd is gone, and so are the girls... or so I think.
From behind me I hear, "Hey." The gun slinger is sitting with her friend on a bench, but is back to her feet in a flash. "I wanted to thank you for helping me out over there."
"Of course. She already thanked me for you though," pointing to her friend who has come to stand next to her already.
"I know, but I wanted to thank you personally. I've been trying to beat that thing for ages, and thanks to you, I did."
"Well it was very impressive to see you play the way you did. It was an honor to help."
With a smile, she holds out her hand, "I'm Cindy."
Good thing I washed my hands. "Brian," returning her gesture.
"This is Christie."
"Hey."
Christie quietly waves back with a smile of her own.
"You here by yourself?" Cindy says.
"Yeah. Was just on my way out actually. What about you two; coming or going?"
"Coming. We came for a show that ended up not being shown here, and then noticed they have a replay event going on for one of our favorite movies, so we decided to stay for that, only it was about an hour's wait. Instead of wasting a trip, I got invested in that game."
"And you? You just watched the whole time?" I ask Christie.
"No, I did other stuff and came back."
"Oh. Well, I hope you two enjoy your show... again. I heard about that event too, and yeah, it is a great movie."