the sweet life » The Wal-Mart Midway
The Wal-Mart Midway
Cooper and I have a tradition when we go to Wal-Mart together - if he helps me shop then he gets to either ride the mechanical pony or have me try and win him a toy using the steel claw doohicky. I always make sure I have two quarters since they both cost $.50. Yesterday I couldn't find any quarters, so I stuck five dimes in my pocket as we left the house. Since Cooper was having a rough day I was looking forward to giving him a little pick-me-up.
He ended up choosing the steel claw booth, and I plopped my five dimes in the machine. No dice - it only accepts quarters. I looked in my wallet to see if I had a dollar I could use since the game also accepts $1 and $5 dollar bills. I didn't have a one, but I did have a five. At this point Cooper is getting all excited and telling me what he wants to try for, so I'm dreading telling him I have no money and we need to leave. I debated, then decided I could put in the five, play once and hit the coin return. At the very least I would walk away with four bucks in quarters.
With our first credit I positioned the claw over a cherry-red motorcycle Cooper had his eye on. The claw dropped, closed and came away with the prize in hand. My job was done and Cooper was happy. I hit the coin return...nothing happened. I had been conned. I had nine more credits and fully intended on making the machine pay. When all was said and done we walked away five dollars poorer, a little bit wiser, and in possession of the following loot:
- Red motorcycle
- Green race car
- I pair sunglasses
- Crazy ball that lights up when you bounce it
- The Betty Boop doll you see pictured above, which Cooper picked out for Julie.
Lesson learned? Always carry quarters when you go to Wal-Mart.
uh . . . can't wait to see what I get for Mother's Day. :)
Well, with that attitude... ;)
Ok . . . it was a very sweet gesture. :)