We’ve all been to the bowling alley before, but what few of us consider with every strike, spare, or gutter ball tossed is the hidden world of electro-mechanical ingenuity governing these events, restoring order from chaos, turn after turn. While some alleys have upgraded to newer equipment, others like the Queen Anne’s Bowling Center on Rt. 213 are still using the same machines that were designed half a century ago.
With the owner’s permission, we were given access to this world, which is inhabited most of the time by one man, Ben Cambier, a 23-year-old trouble-shooter mechanic. When the chaos machines succumb to chaos themselves, it is this guy’s job to fix them.
A natural storyteller in his own right, Ben speaks of his experiences working behind the lanes where he has learned the machine language, and also the tale of Earl, a long deceased trouble-shooter mechanic whose specter is thought to haunt the lanes.
Videography by Alex Evans
Tess says
Simon, I love this!
Joe Diamond says
Ah, Bowling!
I Haven’t done that since herding kids there for the BOWLING ALLEY BIRTHDAY PARTY. Hmmmmmmmm! Could be as much fun as pitching bon mots at The Spy. And, like basketball, you have to be smarter than the ball to win.
I’m rolling,
Joe
Michael Troup says
I should add about our bowling alley that it is one of the few in the vicinity that have duck pin lanes. Duck pins are the great equalizer. Your five year old has as good of a chance to break 50 as you have.
Steve Payne says
I love it too!
Did Jean-Pierre Jeunet help on this?
Kelly Castro says
What fun! Thanks, Simon.
faith wilson says
Thanks, for a wonderful story….on so many levels. I loved seeing how the bowling alley operates….what wonderful machines, even though it sort of dispelled my fantastic idea of the pins magically reappearing, it was worth it. And Ben, what a cool kid.
Marge Fallaw says
I hope Ben will start using ear protection to preserve his hearing. In fact, his employer should provide him with the proper equipment (and perhaps is supposed to by law). It would be a real shame for such a young person to have significant, permanent hearing loss from this job when it can be prevented.
Byron says
Great Alex, Simon and Ben!
Wendy Morrison says
Simon and Ben, I really got a kick out of this? Good fun!
Bennett Price says
Love this !