Oh boy, how novel. An actual real penny arcade and Roy Orbison came to my head 'step up and play each machine seems to say as I walked round and round the penny arcade'.
If you are under 40 please do go to see and play what was entertaining and real cool in the 1950's and 1960's it'll cost you three quid. It's almost innocent compared to today.
I used to love going to the penny arcades in Warrenpoint and Omeath. I travelled back near 60 years and saw contraptions I'd long forgotten about but I recognised them on sight: the sailor, the fortune teller, the Egyptian mummy and the only thing missing was the smell.
We were there over half an hour. These arcades had a unique smell all of their own - it was not unpleasant but sure was distinct - just as railway stations had when steam and coal were in use.
They all made me smile. Like me they've seen better days and are worn but still going as the wonderful Paul Simon sang 'And I don't know a soul who's not been battered, I don't have a friend who feels at ease, I don't know a dream that's not been shattered, Or driven to its knees, But it's alright, it's alright, For we lived so well so long Still, when I think of the Road we're traveling on, I wonder what's gone wrong
I can't help it, I wonder what has gone wrong'? read more