Lucky's Night 1955

Lost another job today
And my empty pockets don't help
Can't say the future's mine
But the past wasn't mine too.
So as always I'll live on account
Jamie was there the night I rolled 300
And all she managed to say,
"It musta been fixed."

Leaving me all alone.
So I took the prize
The chance to lie between the thighs
Of the youngest waitress at the bowling alley bar.
Doreen left at dawn
Taking all my winnings
I walked to my home.
Jamie had wrote a note
She and the kids were Laredo bound
I don't know what is in that town.
Now beer cans litter my bed sheets
I have enough change for a six pack of Lone Star beer
No home
No family
No money
And no friends answering the phone
So I'll do what I've always done
I'll roll another 300.
Lucky has to come my way again.

Bowling For Prosperity

Back in the 1980s no one other than Rockets Red Glare was fat and these days he might pass for husky.

We loved he nightlife.

New York was the capitol of the world.

Every place else on Earth was second-rate, except for Paris and Pattaya.

Both those cities knew sin.

However New York could mix bowling with sex, drugs, and rock n roll at the University Lanes in the Village run by Alan Platt.

The girls were beautiful.

We knew their names.

Especially Wendy.

We will always have the University Lanes and Paris.

Forever, although we never bowled in the City of Light.

ps my best game was a 187 and I was beaten by John Conti who scored a 199.

Journal Entry December 28, 1977

This afternoon I stopped into Dojo's on St. Marks Place for a coffee. The waitress is Jaci, who has ignored me for months, but when I raised a finger for my check, the long-haired brunette said, "My boss isn't here, so there's no charge."

"If I had known that I would have ordered lunch." I loved their fish tempura sandwich.

"Yes, you should have, "she laughed and I asked, "Are you working tomorrow?"

"No."

"Would you like to go bowling?" I stood and mimicked the swing of a heavy ball in my right hand.

"I haven't bowled since I was 12. It might be fun drunk, but I can't tomorrow. I have a band practice."

"Tough break."

"Like a 7-10 split."

"I'll see you later." I was disappointed that Jaci hadn't said yes. I liked bowling and I liked her. She caught me on the sidewalk and said, "Sorry, I'm a little cold to men after my last romance."

"Not to worry. Some day we will love again." I quoted from the Searchers song and headed toward the library on 2nd Avenue. It was at least warmer than a love-lost woman's heart.

Later.

I went to work at 5 at Serendipity 3. Andy came by near closing and laughed that I was only a busboy.

"Fuck you. At least I can support myself."Andy was a hustler of 53rd Street and stole from the trcks. He was handsome and the queens didnt care about his stealing as long as they fucked him again.

"And that's a good thing."

He waited till I left and we went to drink at the Subway Inn on mytip money.

The drinks were very cheap.