Automated Replay

The streetcar line let off right near the hum of a basement bowling alley, so I wandered in to avoid walking in the sun. Playing actual bowling involves lifting a massive rock, which is completely out of the question. Up on the counter of a quiet lane sat the automatic ball return. Pure mechanical genius. I climbed onto the plastic bench and reached over to the overhead console keyboard. With a lazy tap of my plastic finger, I pressed the large red reset button. Whirr-thump. Down in the trench, the heavy conveyor belt whined into motion and pushed a glossy green ball straight into the metal cradle right beside me. Watching heavy things roll around automatically while sitting completely still is peak leisure. Sigh. I could watch this loop forever.