Fear and Loathing in Pizza Land
I wondered at who would design carpet like that so far past the art deco movement, or the kitsch of the seventies, the oranges and purples scattered in geometric shapes, littered by white and yellow accents. Even more appalling is that the carpet, meant to be appealing to children, had been ruined by those it was intended for; coke stains, pepperoni grease, and urine (no doubt) muted the vibrance of the once loud floor.All over children ran around, hitting one another, slamming joy-sticks to their limits, gasping over a failed attempt to win one hundred and fifty tickets, and begging at the expense of their parents' trousers for just another five-spot to win. I saw a seven year old with a water cup full of tokens, plugging in coin after coin, as if it were Vegas, a kiddie Vegas.
The machine he was on was a five-and-up slot machine; he was wasting his entire cup for the chance at winning a bucketful of tokens. He wasn't the only one washing his parents money down the ticket drain. Every machine was occupied by kids bouncing on their tip-toes, clapping their hands in nervous anticipation, squealing at the slightest chance of hitting the jackpot. My God, I thought, we are teaching our children to gamble.
