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Roll sound. Roll camera. Rolling.

- So we're rolling?
- Scene one, take one, mark.

I don't know why you want
to do this.

It's a great story.

It's not what you think.

Most people don't even
know pinball was illegal.

Yeah, well.

Come on. You saved the game.

This is your legacy.

Oh, mnh-mnh, it's a footnote.

You ready? Yeah.

All right. Roger Sharpe,
take us back to that day in 1976

when you helped overturn
New York City's ban on pinball.

Tell us everything about
the greatest shot you ever took.

Hmm.

Well, uh,
if I'm gonna do this,

I have to start
from the beginning.

Uh, sure.

Because the history
is important.

Okay, that sounds great.

All right. So flashback, um,
University of Wisconsin, 1971.

- Wait. 1971?
- Yes.

Play John Lennon's "Imagine."
- No, no, no, no. Sorry.

That song, um...
it's just a little slow.

- Oh.
- It's also very expensive.

Oh, well, all right.

A little stumble
out of the gate, I guess,

but we'll work out
these kinks as we go.

This is where I went to college.

And this is where
I actually learned something.

In those days, I had no idea
what I was doing.

No focus, no control.

I was just flailing...
and I was really bad at pinball.

Damn!

What, um...?

Hey.

Ah, better. Just like looking
in a mirror.

Anyway, this is when
I noticed... the guy.

You play?

Not like that.

It's all about control.

Just you and the machine.

Nothing else matters.

- Here, I gotta go.

I can't let it drain.

Just have fun, man.

What do I aim for?

What do you want?

Roger.

Judy and I got married
in college,

and after graduation,
we moved to New York.

She wanted me to work
in her father's furniture store

in Jersey.

But I got a job in advertising.
I wanted to be a writer.

You should be happy.

You finally wrote
something important.

I believe everything happens
for a reason.

Sometimes the reason is

you're an idiot
and you make bad decisions.

Did I mention her family
owned the furniture store?

It wasn't the only thing
taken away on short notice.

Restructured?

Going down?

The origins of modern pinball
might surprise you.

The first pin games were nothing
more than nails

pounded inside
an inclined wooden box,

and the targets were simple
and obvious.

But the key feature
was a spring-loaded plunger

that launched
the ball into play.

Hi, yes, I'm following up

about a letter I sent last week
about submissions.

No?

Not quite what
we're looking for.

I also brought my portfolio

with some ad samples,
if you want to see those.

It seems a bit... safe.

I understand. Thank you.

Okay. Thank you.

Sometimes it's nice to remember
you're good at something.

This was the first pinball
machine I'd found in the city.

It never even occurred to me
that the game was illegal.

I just knew I needed to play.

Something captivated me--

something undefinable
but unmistakable.

For the first time
in a long time, I felt control.

Excuse me.
What time do you guys open?

This isn't weird, right?
- Man, it's an adult bookstore.

You don't even crack the top ten
of weird around here.

Hey.

What's your name?

Why?

Do you want to take over?

No.

- I have a job interview.
- Big man.

I can't let it drain.

Please?

Go.

Thank you.

I'll, uh,
I'll see you at lunch, okay?

All right.

Aw, hell.

The situation hadn't improved.

If anything,
I was down a few quarters.

Something inside that machine...
changed everything.

- Work here?
- What?

Uh, do you work
in the building?

No.

Oh.

I hope to.

Interview.
Ask me in an hour.

- You're asking me on a date.
- I'm sorry? No.

Oh, I'm kidding. I--
I'm, I'm just kidding.

Right. Right.

Yeah.

Although, uh...

maybe... lunch?

Oh.

I-I mean, only if you're,
like, remotely int--

- You know what? I'm sorry.

You know, I-I'm--

I might say yes to watch
you eat soup with that.

Oh, I don't eat soup.

- Good luck.
- Thank you.

Let me know how it goes.

Yeah.

It's a bit thin.
Is there more?

- Well, that--
- The geishas canceled on me.

We have to resched
the entire--

Oh, hello. Harry.

Roger Sharpe.

Art department?

Mr. Sharpe wants
to be a writer.

Explains the shoes.

Not the portfolio.

Well, I'm in advertising.

Uh, I used to be.

I didn't know what to bring. Um...

- Hmm.
- Lifestyles?

- Mm-hmm.
- Seems safe.

Right.

No, no, no, no,
no, no, no, no.

Safe is good here.

So tell me, what do you know
about Gentlemen's Quarterly?

It is a men's fashion magazine.

Yes. For men.

For all men.

But mostly rugged men.
Do you understand?

Absolutely.

I did not.
1975 was a different time.

The long struggle
for equal rights

was really just beginning.

New York was farther along
than most of America,

and most of America
was not reading GQ... yet.

To become a national brand,

I need writers with interests
that are more traditional.

- Conventional.
- Mainstream.

Straight.

- Safe.
- He's getting it.

- How about a test assignment?
- I can do that.

Monday, 1,500 words.

Everything a person
needs to know about...

buying a 10-speed bicycle.

Let's see what you can do.

You got it. Thank you.

♪ No matter what you are ♪

♪ I will always be with you ♪

Now you're in the top ten.

♪ Doesn't matter
what you do, girl ♪

♪ Ooh, girl, with you ♪

♪ No matter what you do ♪

♪ I will always be around ♪

♪ Won't you tell me
what you found, girl ♪

♪ Ooh, girl, want y-- ♪

♪ Ooh, girl, you girl ♪

♪ Want you ♪

♪ Ooh ♪

Just...

"Hello.

Ellen. It's Roger.
How are you?"

- Hello?
- Hello.

Ellen. Hi.

It's, uh, it's Roger.

Roger?

Yeah.

We, um,
we met in the elevator.

So it's Roger. It's good
to put a name with the mustache.

Did you get the job?
- Yes. Sort of.

Well, then, congratulations.
Sort of.

Thanks.

So how are you?

You don't call many women
up for dates, do you?

No, I don't.
I'm pretty rusty. Yeah.

I'm free tomorrow.

Really?

Great. That's great.
Okay.

Shoes off!

What?

Oh, I was just talking
to my son, sorry.

Son?

Yes, I have a son.

Oh.

Ah, yeah.

Um...

Is that a big son or little son?

- He's 11.
- So, like, medium.

Is this a problem?

No, no, no.
No, no, no, no, no, no, no.

No problem whatsoever.
Just, uh, you know,

I'll find a restaurant
with a children's menu.

I don't think there's any need
for that just yet.

Oh. But, um, we can still go
out for dinner, right?

- You said lunch.
- Right.

Um, I used to be in advertising,

so I guess the, uh, upselling
is second nature to me.

Well, I used to be married,

so I know a bit
about false advertising.

Is this going well?
Because I can't tell.

1:00.

There's a cafe off of 59th
and Madison. Do you know it?

I will.

You're into bicycles.

- Hello? Hi.
- That's okay.

Um, yes. Not really.

Um, it's for
an article, test assignment.

For the "sort of" job.

Yeah, not really
the next great American novel,

but it's something.

What can I get you?
I'll, uh--

- No, I, um, just.
- Yeah.

I got married at 19.

I had my son with a man who
is no longer my husband.

I am a secretary,
which isn't very interesting,

but it keeps us
from slipping back into welfare.

I-I do want to get
married again,

and I want
to have more children

not necessarily with you,
but I do want those things.

And-- And I think that

you should know that
I want those things.

I realize we met in an elevator
and this is all a little heavy,

but I think it's important
to be clear about who we are

and what we're after.

So if you just want to have,
you know, a bit of fun,

then we can just go
our separate ways,

and you don't have
to spend a dime.

Hmm.

Oh, my God. You two sitting
here staring at each other.

So cute.
What can I get you?

Tea?

Coffee, please. Black.

Okay. I wish my boyfriend
would look at me like that.

- I didn't scare you off.
- No, no. I'm still here.

All right.

All right.

So your, uh, son, um...
- Seth.

- Seth, he's, uh, 11.
- Yeah.

Well, I'm 32, if
that's what you're asking.

I w-wasn't...

No, you looked like
you were doing the math.

No.

That's great. That's great.
You're-- You know,

you're actually
the same age as my sister.

And I love my sister.

I-- She's like a mom to me,
you know? So...

Listen, I haven't been on
a date in a while.

Well, it's not a date.
It's a pre-date, okay,

to see if we're compatible
for a first date.

Right. Sure. A test date.

- Yes.
- Right.

So, it's your turn.

You're a writer.

- Trying.
- Uh-huh.

Have you written any books?
- I've started four.

- I see.
- Yeah.

I want to write something
that is meaningful...

you know, something
that touches people,

which, of course, is why
I got a job in advertising,

you know, writing headlines

selling stereo equipment
and laundry detergent.

And, uh, now I don't even
have that job,

so, um, I guess to answer
your question...

I'm 25, new to the city,

recently divorced,
and technically unemployed.

Have I scared you off?

Nah. I'm still here.

What?

- 25?
- Oh, yeah.

But I promise you,

the past few months
have aged me considerably.

I could run for president.
- Please don't.

- I'm sorry, Mr. Sharpe.
- Yeah.

Not to interrupt,
but we're making a film about--

- That is a game of chance.

- That is a game of skill.
- Is that so? Well...

Wait...

I know,
but the history is important.

I know.
I-I-I get that. I just--

I want to make sure
we're headed in that direction.

Okay. Okay, I get it.
Okay, so, um...

Do you have a bike?

No.

Don't write that in your thing.

Mm-hmm.

Mm-hmm.

The pay is low,
the hours are long,

your coworkers are insane.

Great.

Main conference room, reception,

uh, ad sales over there.

This is Bob. He's been here
forever. Back issues in there.

You definitely want
to take a look at those.

Uh, writers.

Uh, your desk will be over here.

And the art department.

And that was before
the champagne.

Oh, The Stache!

You've met Harry.

This is Pamela,
associate fashion director.

James, who isn't on staff,
but you'll see him around.

It's a pleasure
to meet you both.

Too friendly.
Where are you from?

- Uh, Chicago, originally.
- Oh, I love Chicago,

at least in September.

Ooh, we're gonna work
on those shoes.

- Harry.
- We are a fashion magazine.

So, what's your story?

Well, I've always wanted
to be a writer.

- Wife? Girlfriend?
- Boyfriend?

Divorced, actually.

Oh, so you're single?
Ow.

- Welcome to GQ.
- Thanks, Jack.

Aw, the fans would've loved me.

Wouldn't you root for me?
- Oh, for you? Sure.

The Yankees, though--
not a chance.

Okay, fine. Your turn.
Something embarrassing.

You have to be back
right away?

Um... W--

We're going in there?

Listen, if there was
any other place in the city,

I promise I'd take you,

but I've only been
able to find it here.

Found what exactly?

Hey, Jim.
Over here.

I used to play this
all the time in college.

- In an adult bookstore?
- Oh, no, no. In a bar.

Hmm.
And what's behind the curtain?

I don't know. I don't ask.

Are you any good?

It may be the thing
that I am best at.

This probably sounds weird,
but, um...

I feel like I'm connected to it.

It helps me think.
Helps me focus.

You know, when I'm here,
I can control the chaos.

I don't know what that says
about me. Is this too weird?

I'm still here.

- Okay.
- Okay.

Okay. Your turn.

Take this.
- Okay.

- Put your hands here.
- Mm-hmm.

Like that.

Like that.

What are you--
What are you doing?

Seriously?

The "let-me-show-you-
how-to-play-

cuddling-from-behind" thing?

Really? Seriously?
No, no, stop.

I mean... you know,
I know you're making a movie

and it's not gonna be
exactly exact,

but, I mean, come on.

This is, uh...

It's weird
and it's creepy.

Okay, great. Now, try and aim
for this target right here.

- What's a target?
- This thing right here.

That is a target.
- Yes, yes, yes, yes!

Great, great. Now, try and get
it back up to the top.

- Okay. No, no, no, no, no!
- No, no, no.

That's okay. You still got
an extra hundred points.

- No, but it went down the hole.
- The drain.

Yeah, sure.
It's always gonna do that.

- I wanted to win.
- Well, you can't win pinball.

It's just
about having fun.

Mm.

You're like a...
a kid in an adult bookstore.

Well, I promise,
from here on out,

I'll be incredibly predictable
and boring.

Sounds awful.

- You want to go again?
- Yes.

Profiles?

Gene Wilder and Manhattan
Transfer are confirmed.

Still working
on Cheech and Chong.

Automobiles?

Casablanca for the Jag,
chorus girls for the Pacer,

and I'm thinking Tarzan
for the four-wheeler.

- Tarzan?
- Swinging good time.

King of the concrete jungle.

- No monkey suits.
- No promises.

Fashion?

Harry wants a seaplane.

A seaplane?

Looks that travel
on land, sea, and air.

No, I get it.
How much is a seaplane?

I'll check on that.

- How fabulous is a seaplane?
- I'll check on that, too.

- Roger?
- Yeah.

Uh, well, I was thinking winter,
so a guide to skiing.

We just did skiing.

What else?

Right. Um...

How about a holiday gift guide?

Sharon does gift guides.

Did you not look
at the back issues?

What do you have that's new?

Anyone?

I expect better...

from all of you.

Come back with more.

Oh, we got trouble

right here in River City

with a capital T,
and that rhymes with P,

and that stands for--

In the 1930s, pinball pioneer
Harry Williams noticed

that players were lifting
his machines to cheat the game.

So inside, he put a metal ball
on a pedestal.

You move the machine
too much, and...

Part of the game was learning
how far you could push it.

History lesson?

Something like that.

Back issues.

Ah. My first week here,

I spilled coffee
all over the paste-up.

- Mm. Some coffee, some vodka.
- Mm. Anyway, you'll be fine.

Well, thanks.

A few of us
are going for drinks.

Actually, I have a date.

- Mm. How'd you meet?
- In the elevator.

- Is it Pamela?
- What?

No, she, uh, doesn't work here.

Mm. Chance encounter.
What's she like?

She's stunning.
Knows what she wants.

Oh, she wants The Stache.

- She's older...
- Mm...

...and she has a son.

- Oh.
- Yeah.

Well, kids are great.
I have two.

Oh.

Roger...

you know what they say
about books and covers.

A lot of us are here
on our second life.

Right. But if-- if it goes on
for a while

and it just doesn't happen
to work out,

am I a bad guy?

- Definitely.
- Yes. Yes.

Right.

But risk makes life fun.
Don't you think?

- You didn't have to park.
- No, no, no. I'll walk you up.

No, no, no.
You don't have to.

Listen, I don't know how these
New York guys do things,

but in the Midwest, we walk.
It's what we do.

You don't have to, though.

Did I do something wrong?

I-I haven't told Seth
about you.

Oh.

But if you want to have
that conversation...

No, no, no.
No, it's fine.

No, there's, um,
no need to rush things.

Okay.

But... maybe lunch tomorrow?

I'd like that.

Great.

Pick you up
at your office.

- Okay.
- Okay.

- Is it the mustache?
- Yes.

Sorry.

Mm.

Good night.

Mr. Sharpe, I feel like
we've gotten distracted again.

Can we get to the pinball?

Okay. All right.
I-I get it. I get it.

Hey. What are you doing?
What are you doing?

Why are they taking
the machines?!

We got busted.

But why are they taking
the pinball machines?!

Man, that's why we got busted.

You know how you'll watch
a movie based on real events

and then find out
that half of it was made up?

Well, this is the other half.

For over three decades,

pinball was banned
in New York City.

In 1933, Fiorello La Guardia
ran for mayor, promising to rid

New York City of corruption
and organized crime,

which was a laudable goal,
but not an easy one.

He needed a win, so he picked
on someone his own size.

Pinball, he said, was gambling,
ruled by the mob,

a racket to steal lunch money.

So, he banned it--
you know, for the children.

And it wasn't just a ban.

It was a public relations crusade.

Major raids throughout the city,
squads of police

swarming into bowling alleys, bars,

anywhere they could find them.

And in what has to be one of the
most heavy-handed metaphors

in US history,

the city used the legs
of the confiscated machines

to make new police billy clubs.

Whatever was left,
they dumped into the river.

All because of a little man
with a big chip on his shoulder.

So, there you go.

The antagonist is a piece
of paper in a filing cabinet,

and the bad guy
is not only dead,

he's got an airport
named after him.

So... good luck.

Ellen! Ellen!

You're never gonna
believe this!

You're never gonna
believe it!

They took them!
They took the machines!

The police--
police raided the bookstore

and they took
the pinball machines.

They smashed them to pieces,
all of 'em.

They had a warrant
for pinball machines!

You know, forget the thieves and
murderers. Go for the flippers.

I was gonna turn it.

I was gonna turn that machine,
and now it's gone.

The only place in the city.

I mean, it's unbelievable.
- Roger, this is Seth.

Hi.

Oh.

Hi. Hi.

Hello.
I've, uh, heard a lot about you.

What have you heard?

That you're 11.

Seth was supposed to be
with his dad,

but plans have changed.

Sure. Right.
Uh, of course. No, um...

How would you turn over
a pinball machine?

Oh, turning a pinball machine
is just when you score so high,

the numbers roll back to zero.

- Oh.
- You like pinball?

- I like bowling.
- Me too.

We should go.

Call me later.

Great. I will. Yes.

Sorry they took
your pinball machine.

Ah, thanks. It wasn't mine.

Then you should get one.

Mr. Warner.

- Chairman Warner.
- Yes. Sorry.

Uh, Consumer Affairs Committee, right?

- You're a reporter?
- I just have a question

about the pinball ban, sir.

Oh, God.
Are you with the motherf--

Eh, what rating
are we going for?

Uh, PG. PG-13.

Cursing?

Eh, you get one.

Hmm.

Okay. I'll save it.

Are you with
the motherlovin' MAA?

No, I just, uh...

- Who are you?
- I'm Roger Sharpe.

No. Who are you?
Who are you with?

Well, just myself.

Somebody keep these
damn kids away from me.

Wasting my friggin' time!

Music and Amusement Association.

That's coin-operated machines
and vending.

So jukeboxes, snacks,

and, yeah, we cover pinball.

Yeah.

Uh, Chairman Warner
had mentioned you guys.

I bet he did.

Probably with
a few extra adjectives.

You know, I had a, uh,
a bar I'd go to,

I'd play all the time,
but here, it's--

Yeah, illegal.

I know. We're trying.
We just lost a case in Albany,

so we're gonna take it
to the Supreme Court.

- US Supreme Court?
- Whatever it takes.

So, if I wanted to...
purchase one of these...

Yeah, well,
if your bar is in the city,

then the cops
will bust you eventually.

Oh, no bar. No bar.
It's for my apartment.

- Your apartment?
- Yeah.

Oh, yeah,
that's-- that's fine.

Wait. That's legal?

Well, if you're not
charging anybody.

Just, you know,
pick a game you like

because that's pretty much
all you'll be playing.

- Pinball?
- Yeah.

How to buy
a pinball machine for home.

The newest games,
best strategies, uh,

maybe a history lesson.

Broadway.

We block off the streets
and do a big spread

on all the stars--

A Chorus Line, Chicago, Pippin.

And what precisely is the cost
to shut down Midtown Manhattan?

- It's just Times Square.
- May I finish with Roger?

What are you pitching?

Um, pinball.

Hmm. Great art.

Lots of color photos,
games, family, kids.

And you can get a kid,
can't you, Roger?

Sure.

Do you require a seaplane?

- No.
- Great.

Take James with you,
wherever it is you're going.

Where are you going?

Hey, I have an idea for a date

that I can put on
my expense account.

Really?

For the three of us.

If-- If you're...
okay with that.

The three of us?

Mm.

Technically four of us.

How's it going?
- Hi.

- This is James.
- Hi, James.

He's gonna be taking
some photos today.

Of what?
Where are we going?

Oh, only where dreams
come true-- New Jersey!

It just needs a second.
It's cold. Hang on. Just--

I told you.

What's that?

Oh, this? Trade magazine.
It's filled with stuff.

Did you know that these are
a thousand dollars apiece?

And the guy says that, you know,

vendors may not even deliver
across the river.

They don't want to deal
with the city.

- Hey, Roger?
- Hmm.

What's so special
about Chicago?

What's so special
about Chicago?

Everything.

We have the world's
tallest building,

the best pizza,
the greatest teams--

the Bulls, Cubs, White Sox.

You root for the Cubs
and the White Sox?

I never saw a reason to choose.

- You have to choose.
- You have to choose.

- Do I?
- Hmm.

- But why pinball?
- What do you mean?

The machines, they all say
"Chicago" on them.

They all do?

This is crazy!

- What?
- I grew up in Chicago.

I never saw a game there
in my life.

Yep. Pinball was banned
there as well.

Dozens of major cities
had laws against the game--

Atlanta, New Orleans,
Los Angeles.

But Chicago
is the heart of pinball.

Banning it there is like
banning cars in Detroit.

Oh, come-- come--

- Thanks, Roger.
- Hey. Thank you, Seth.

Had a really good time.

Guess I'll...

...see ya.

Smart guy.

You didn't have to park.

Don't worry.
I'm not gonna try and come up.

- Seth is at his dad's on Friday.
- Really?

- Yeah.

I don't know.
I'm gonna have to check my--

Oh, yeah, sure. I'm open.

Okay. I think that you should
write restaurant reviews

and expense those, too.

- You're smart.
- Yeah.

See where he gets the brains.

- Good night.
- Good night.

Good night.

Good night.

Shoot.

Just hold-- Just hold on.

Uh--

You need to ask Seth.
- Seth?

If you're going to
stay the night,

you have to ask
Seth permission.

- Oh.
- Seth?

Yeah?

Uh...

My car won't start.

Oh.

And, um, well...

your mom would like me
to ask you

if it's all right if I can...

spend the night on the couch.

Okay.

Okay?

Okay.

Okay.

Okay.

I'll just be down the hall
if you need anything.

Great, great, great.

Thank you again.

Not anything anything?

Oh, no, I would
never think of that.

Never?

Only every hour of every day.

Hmm.

Good night, Roger.

Good night.

Yes. In Queens.

How much?

Yep. That's great.

All right, cool.

See you there. Bye.

Oh.

You like eggs?

Um...

- Made you tea.
- No, thank you.

I...was on the phone
with the tow truck company.

They're expecting me downstairs.

- Oh.
- Yeah.

- Okay.
- Yeah, yeah.

But, um...

thank you so much, and, um...

we should definitely
do it again. Yes?

- Okay.
- Okay, great.

You know what?
I won't be rude.

I will...

Mmm.

Seth.

This.

Thank you.

- Bye.
- Bye.

- Bye.
- Bye.

Hi. Come on in.
Uh, I'm almost done.

I just need to finish
this up really quick.

Seth liked you.

Yeah, he's-- he's great.

Wow. You're a monkey
on that thing.

What's wrong with monkeys?

I like monkeys.
They're cute.

Okay.

You know,
technically we're all...

Hmm?

We're all monkeys.

Uh, some of us have evolved.

Huh.

Ready?

How'd you do that?

I just feel
so connected to it.

- You're making fun of me.
- Let's go.

Okay.

This is good.

You know, there's a lot more
that I didn't even get into.

It's-- It's a whole industry

that no one's
ever written about.

For us, this is plenty.

Let me go to Chicago.

Quick trip.
I'll talk to the people there.

We could easily get ten pages
on this, or twenty.

- Or fifty. Or a hundred.
- Yes!

Sarcasm.
- I'm glad you're excited.

But it's an article, not a book.

A pinball book?

A big book with both our names
on it,

filled with your pictures.

Look, you can choose
the art director.

I just want to write it.
I know I can sell it.

And I really think--
- Sure.

Really?

Sounds fun.
You got a title?

The Great American
Pinball Book.

A lavish, oversized
coffee-table book

filled with history, people--

- Who's your photographer?
- James Hamilton.

Village Voice,
Gentlemen's Quarterly.

He's good.

He's great.

Well, as a first-time writer,
it wouldn't be a large advance.

Okay, open 'em.

You bought a pinball machine?!

Maaaybe.

Whoa!

- It's big.
- It's huge.

It's mine.

I thought you said
you couldn't afford it.

Yes, well...

When you sell a book,

they give you money in advance!
- No. Really? Really?

- Oh, congratulations.
- Thank you.

Should we plug it in?

Yes. Yes.
Wait, can I play it?

Oh, Seth, let Roger play first.

Call it.

Heads.

- Knock yourself out.
- Yes.

Hi.

It was tails, wasn't it?

Yeah. I unplugged it
before you guys got in.

I've been playing for hours.
- Oh.

When do you leave?

Friday.

Want to have dinner with me
when I get back?

The two of us?
Celebrate?

I thought you celebrate when
you actually finish the book?

Well, some photos,
some interviews.

It writes itself.

Okay.

- Did you see that?!
- What?

The-- The horse
kicked the thing!

- What thing?
- The guy!

- Do it again.
- Okay.

I did it again.

- Oh, my-- Did you see that?
- It's fun, right?

Mr. Sharpe?

Oh.
Sorry. Yeah...

Hmm.

Those were fun times.

Right.

So, when did the shot, um...

Yeah. Well, okay.

The article came out,
and it got some attention.

And I guess someone
from the MAA saw it.

You can always spot him
by the shoes.

Roger, you have a visitor.

Roger, Danny Frank. MAA.
You stopped by a while ago.

Right, sure.
Hey, how's the case going?

Not great.

On the same day
that the Supreme Court

rejected the pinball case,
they ruled in Baker v. Owen

that it was perfectly acceptable
for public-school teachers

to spank their students,
even if the parents objected.

You know, for the children.

We're gonna have to fight it
in the legislature.

We're gonna set up a hearing
at the city council.

Oh.

We read your article.

We'd like to ask you
to come in to testify.

Testify? To what?
I'm just a writer.

Which makes you perfect
because you know the game,

but you don't have any ties
to the industry.

You're safe.

Wow. Well, um, thank you,

but, um, I'm just not sure
if I'm your guy.

I'm sorry. Now, actually,
if you'll excuse me,

I have a plane to catch.

If-- If-- If you could just
talk to my boss--

Hey, good luck. Really.

We're just trying to bring back
the game, is all.

And I hope you win-- I do--
but it's not for me.

Wait. What?

Happy Holidays.

- You turned them down?
- Yep.

Really?

Yeah. I had my machine.

LaGuardia.

You know, LaGuardia Airport
was built on the site

of an old amusement park.

It's the truth.

Even in death,
the guy hated fun.

Hello. Um, Roger Sharpe
to interview Sam Gensburg.

Mr. Gensburg asked me
to fill in.

I'd be happy to answer
any questions you may have.

No, I'm sorry. I'm supposed
to talk to Sam Gensburg.

Unfortunately, Mr. Gensburg
doesn't give interviews.

Morning, Mr. Gensburg.
- It is.

- Mr. Gensburg?
- Who are you?

I'm Roger Sharpe, sir. I'm
writing a book about pinball.

- Why?
- Well, no one's written a book

about pinball yet, sir.

And no one's written a book
about my wife.

Doesn't make it a great idea.

- That's very good, sir.
- And I don't do interviews.

Talk to Debrah.
She'll show you around.

Sir, I just think--

You should have
the new schematics

right in front of you.

Uh, that's the updated board,
uh, and I think that--

Are you run by the mob?

What the hell
is wrong with you?

Do you make these games to
steal lunch money from children?

To get them addicted
to gambling?

You know I don't.

But no one else does because
you aren't talking to them.

- What? So I should talk to you?
- Yes!

Mr.--
Mr. Gensburg, respectfully,

you are the person
who created this company.

You know the history.
Debrah can't tell your story.

- No offense. You're lovely.
- Thank you?

- All right, listen, kid--
- Roger.

You want to know
how I survived?

How I kept this place running

when half of America seemed
hell bent to shut us down?

- Yes.
- I kept my head down

and my mouth shut.

There's already
too much attention

on this industry as it is.

Negative attention.

Did you happen to read
my article, sir,

in, uh, Gentlemen's Quarterly?

I don't read
Gentlemen's Quarterly.

Oh, well, it featured
your game, "Red Baron."

How are sales?

"Red Baron" sales are up.

I worked on "Red Baron."

- Oh, you did?
- Yeah.

Oh, well, it's a fast game.
I love the double spinner.

What's your name?
- Wendell.

Wendell.
What's this?

A whitewood.
It's a prototype

we're building for a new game.

- Really?
- Yeah.

Wow.

Well, that's great.
This is great.

Uh, sorry, Wendell,

uh, it looks like you need
an outside lane here.

Otherwise, there's no way
to get back up to the top.

Yeah, I was thinking that.

Put a spinner there and maybe
a couple targets next to it.

That way, in case anyone misses,
you know, you get some points.

Who else are you talking to?

Oh, everyone.

Gottlieb. Williams...

Harry?

Absolutely.

Come by Thursday.
You'll get your interview.

Now get out.

Okay.

I'll let you keep that.

- Who's Harry?
- I have no idea.

Alvin Gottlieb interview.

- What do you want to know?
- Everything.

Sam Stern,
Williams Manufacturing.

Well, it took off during
the Depression.

There were so many people
out of work

looking for entertainment.

Then comes this box
with pins hammered into it.

Easy to learn,
difficult to master.

Couple cents...

you could forget about
how terrible the world was.

It was an instant hit.

Hundreds of people
were making games,

many right here in Chicago.

- Wow.
- My dad couldn't make them

fast enough.

The bells were Harry's idea.

Harry Williams is
the Thomas Edison of pinball.

What he did with electricity--

solenoids, lights,
made it alive.

Now, Harry totally reinvented
the game.

Is he around, by any chance?

'Cause I'd love the opportunity
to talk to him while I'm here.

Well, that'd be tough,
seeing as he's, uh,

retired in California.

Oh.

During Prohibition, Chicago
was always making headlines.

Not the good kind, you know.

They said it was gambling.

Didn't help that some folks

got into manufacturing
slot machines

and payout games
in the same factory.

The first ban was in
the late '30s.

That got the ball rolling.

We all thought the flipper
would change things.

That gave players more control.

Finally, the politicians
would see it our way.

But no.

Tried fighting it in court,
but that didn't work.

They're trying to repeal
the ban in New York.

- Yeah, I heard about that.
- Mm-hmm.

You change things there,
others will notice.

Just needs a little nudge.

A mayor, a governor, a judge,
uh, somebody to step up.

That all you need?

Yeah, I think so.

Now get out.

Again?

I know.

I need to stay with him.

I think I can get free
on Thursday.

Thursday?

I think.

How's he taking it?

He was looking forward to it.

Okay. I have an idea.

- Seth Cammeyer.
- Mm-hmm.

And?

Roger.

Okay. Lane eight.

Thank you.

- Are you any good?
- Maybe.

My college also had
a bowling alley.

- Are you any good?
- I always beat my dad.

Well, I'm not your dad.

Obviously.

You showed up.

You know, Seth, I'm sure
there's a good reason.

There always is.

It could be worse.

I don't expect you to get it.

When I was 14,
my dad passed away.

Well... mine had a choice.

All right, fine. It sucks.

But since we're here,
what do you say you and I

beat the pants off all these
happy boys with fathers, hmm?

Dollar says I get
a higher score.

Gambling is illegal.

Bowl.

Watch. A strike.

You got it.

Which one's yours?

- Did you see that?!
- Are you kidding?

- Okay, try to beat that.
- I could beat that.

They're both mine.

Happens.

Can we go back to Jersey
this weekend?

I've got some extra quarters.
- Do you?

Oh.
- Straight to bed.

- Bye.
- Good night, champ.

Oh.

He paints?

Oh, no, that's...

You're an artist.

I am...

a secretary.

Do one for me, like this.

- Absolutely not.
- Oh, come on.

You've seen my apartment.
It needs something.

- It needs more space.
- I'll make room.

I thought you had
an early meeting.

Yes, but I can't go home.

Those walls--

They're crying for attention.

I missed you.

But you gotta go.

Okay.
- Okay.

Hey.

Tonight was sweet.

Yeah. No big deal.

Maybe to you it wasn't

but, you know,
be careful with him.

- Good night.
- Good night.

Hmm.

Almost done
with the monochrome.

I could pick up the color
in a week.

Oh, these are great, James.
Oh, keep?

I like. Yeah.

Um...

Probably not for the book.

If you're going back
to Chicago,

I wouldn't mind tagging along.

Well, the advance
is gone, so...

It was fun.

What's this one?

It's a magazine job.
Political fundraiser.

Play Spot the Congressman.

Every picture,
he's exactly the same.

Even in photos,
they don't change.

Blech.

This-- This is for you.

That's great.
Thank you.

I know exactly
where this is going.

Ready.

- Hi.
- Hi.

Are you sure
you don't want to switch?

For less room and more noise?

Yeah.
That was worth a shot.

Hello?

Roger? It's Danny
from the MAA.

Listen, my boss talked
to Alvin.

- Gottlieb?
- All the Chicago guys.

They say that you are
one hell of a player.

Look... it's happening.

We have a date set
for the hearing.

Listen, now's not
a very good time.

Yeah, it sounds like
you're real busy.

- Ready.
- Um, hold on.

Listen, I-I just--

Not right now, okay?

I've got to finish my book.

Look, you should
talk to my boss. He's--

I can't commit to
anything else right now.

I'm sorry.

Goodbye. Good luck.

- Whoop!
- Sorry.

- Who was that?
- Some guy from the--

Here.

Hello?

You the writer?

Listen, I told Danny
I'm not interested.

I thought you were
looking for me.

Who is this?

Well, I'm Harry Williams.

Mr. Williams!
Yes. Hello, sir.

Um, yeah,
I have been looking for you.

- Are you playing now?
- No, that's my, um--

Hey, Seth--

No, no.
Now, don't do that.

Damned if I'll be accused
of stopping someone

enjoying themselves.

Can you get yourself
to California?

California?

Let's say Thursday.

Do you like lemonade?

I have my own tree.

Thursday.

So he's important?

I mean,
everybody's talked about him.

I guess I don't have to
have him,

but I just feel like maybe
the book would be... incomplete.

You should go.

Yes, but the money is gone.

And...

flying across the country
last minute...

I'm already paying out of pocket
just to wrap everything up.

After my divorce,

I wrote a list of all the things
I want in my future husband.

Kind, tall, facial hair.

Money was not on the list.

Husband?

That wasn't the moral
of the story.

Of course. Right.

But...

You know I want
to get married again.

Mm.

That is the point of all this.

If this-- If this is just
a bit of fun for you, then I--

No, no. No.
This is not--

I mean, yes, of course
this is fun, but...

I'm just not sure
if right now is the time.

I'm not asking you to propose
in the bathtub.

Can we talk about this
when the book is finished?

Seth?

Well, we both know
you're going to California.

So, bring me back
something pretty.

And inexpensive.

Inexpensive, for sure.

Well, I stumbled onto one
of those early pin tables.

I remember it had
this beautiful plunger.

But there wasn't
much action to it.

So, I started designing better
machines for two dollars each.

New pins, new art.

Wait, you made the artwork, too?

Oh, sure.

I wanted to be
a Disney animator.

But the Depression hit.
Life changes directions.

The ball is wild.

You invented the tilt?

I saw guys cheating,
lifting the tables.

Didn't sit right with me,

so I...
I hammered nails in

so the points would stick out
beneath the cabinet.

Wasn't elegant,
but it worked.

I figured I needed
something less medieval.

That's great. That's great.

When was this?

Uh, '31, '32.

When Bally came out
with the bumper,

caught everyone with their pants
hanging down around their knees.

They had a patent on it,
but, uh, we got around that.

Risky.

The bigger risk
is not taking one.

What about Add-a-ball?

Lawmakers wouldn't let us
give away free games,

but Add-a-ball
only lengthened the game,

like, uh, an extra ball
in bowling.

We wanted to show
it wasn't a gambling device.

- Which didn't work.
- Not really.

So...

What makes a game good?

Simple, really.

A sense of accomplishment.
Cause and effect.

People want to know
that what they do matters.

That's what makes people happy.

You understand?
'Cause a lot of people don't.

Oh, my wife's back.

Hey, dear. Come on out
to the kitchen.

I want you to meet somebody.

- Congratulations.
- You too.

- Does that mean we can eat now?
- Maaaybe.

- Maybe means yes.
- Mm-hmm.

- Want to eat?
- Mm-hmm. Yes.

To the writer.

No. To the typist.

- To the pizza.
- To the pizza.

Ah. Close your eyes.

- What is this?
- It's... It's to celebrate.

I'm gonna get a refill.

It's not the Mona Lisa,
but it's...

- I love it.
- ...it's something.

I love it.
Thank you.

It's us.

Yeah.

- A couple of monkeys.

- Hmm.
- Hmm?

What?

So, now that the book's done,
what's next?

Oh, you know, fame and fortune.

- Naturally.
- Dinner parties, soirées.

- Soirées?
- Mm-hmm.

If you're interested, I probably
will be expected to have a date.

Just a date?

Well, I mean...

Well, I don't know.
It just--

It already feels like
we're, you know...

Yeah.

Yeah, I know.
It's just, um...

They have pinball! Look!

- They have pinball?
- Yeah, come on!

They have pinball.

They have pin--
They have pinball.

Really?
- Come on!

- Really?
- Come on, Seth.

What the heck?

- What's wrong?
- There's no plunger.

What, so you're supposed
to just launch it?

That's a new
compromised machine,

to comply with the law.

No plunger, no bumpers,

no payout, no free games.

City's pretty strict.

That's lame.
I'm gonna go play Pong.

Well--

- What can you do?
- Yeah.

Ben, Irving, this is Roger.

Sam Gensburg told me
about the book.

Says you got an eye
for the game.

Oh, well, uh, Sam is very kind.

Sam's a cranky jackass.

I'm surprised you even got
an interview with him.

Let's catch Roger up, shall we?

So we got a plan
all mapped out,

and we were hoping
that with the article

and with you writing the book,

that you could give
a little background on the game,

about how it's fun
for everybody.

I'm sorry.
You guys just want me to come in

and testify that pinball is fun?

Yeah, how it's not
just a game for kids.

After you soften them up,
Danny goes for the knockout.

For 35 years, you've banned
pinball in New York,

saying it's bad for morals.

But if you're letting this
in the city...

...why not pinball?

"Why not pinball?"
That's the plan?

That's the plan.

Sorry.
You guys represent the industry,

and the best you can come up
with is "It's not porn"?

Um, it shows the hypocrisy.

And ruins the legitimacy
of the game.

Sorry.

Irv, the councilman
that's sponsoring the bill

already signed off on this.

It's a safe bet.

What do you want to do?

Sir, I want to redeem the game.

I want to show
the city council members

that they've had it wrong
for all these years.

This is not a game of chance.
This is a game of skill.

Don't-- Don't bring that.

Bring that.

You want to play pinball
in the city council chambers?

Why not?

- Irv.

What's this?

So you can come in
and practice.

Oh.

I don't need to practice, sir.

We got one shot at this.

Practice anyway.

- I need advice.
- I wouldn't trim it.

It's like a big
testosterone flag over your lip.

Actually, it's about
my clothes.

What's the occasion?

City Hall.

- The girlfriend?
- The mom girlfriend?

No. No. No. No.

I'm testifying about pinball,
uh, to change the law.

Wait, there's a law?

You guys thought
I was getting married?

- Well, how should we know?
- Okay.

I need to be able to move.

Don't toy with her.
She has a kid.

In the hearing.

I need to be able to move
in order to play.

Oh. Well, even so...

Wait, wait, wait, wait.
Y-You're gonna play pinball

at City Hall?

Look, I don't know
what I've got myself into,

and I'm not even sure
why I agreed to do it,

but I am asking you, Harry,
help me.

You can finally get me
out of these shoes.

Well, keep the shoes
and the outfit.

It's at City Hall.

Then wear a tie, not a costume.

You'll never be comfortable
in someone else's clothes.

He's right.
Trust me.

Okay, but a suit
at least. Right?

Why?

So I can feel like I belong.

Don't you?

Yes... no...maybe.

Ah, this is our guy,
so he is a yes.

And he is, of course, a maybe.

Well, if they push back, we've
got to give them something.

The plunger?

No.

We should be prepared
to make some concessions here.

The plunger is part
of the game.

Roger, I've been doing this
for a long time.

These guys do not like
being told they're wrong,

and we're telling them
they've been wrong for 35 years.

Let's pick this up later.

Look, if we're unwilling
to compromise,

we could end up with nothing.

We could lose what we have now.

And things can go bad.

We're cutting the interviews.

Um, but that's half the book.

Exactly. It's much too long.
The rest is great.

The photos, the layout,
but all these interviews--

Well, they're important.

You see, all--
all these people...

without them,
the game wouldn't even exist.

They deserve to be recognized.

People buy a pinball book
because it's fun.

Page after page
of transcripts...

not fun.

No one wants that.
- I want that.

You wanted your name on a book.

That's what I'm giving you.

This isn't even my title.

This isn't--

This isn't what I gave you.

I'm sorry, but this is wrong.

Roger, when you get to
a certain point in your career,

you get to call the shots.

But writers who pull out of
their very first book deal

don't get a second.

So, what do you want?

- All my work, all those nights.
- It's a first step.

It's still a great book.
You're being published.

It's gonna be hollow.
You know, the heart is just

gonna be cut right out of it.

I know. I know it's not
what you imagined.

It's actually worse than that.
It's--

I'm going to pull it.
I'm just gonna pull the book.

What? No.

No. It means too much
to those people, you know?

Then you-- you can't just
toss it out

just because it's not perfect.

All this coming from the woman
who hides her art in the--

I'm sorry.

It's hard to have an art career

when you're fighting
to keep your son off of welfare.

And not everyone gets the chance
to take a chance.

You don't understand.

I do understand.

I put a lot of work
into that book, too, you know.

We made something together,
and that means something to me,

and I thought
that's what you wanted.

What I want is to actually
do something with my life, okay?

I'm trying to put
myself out there.

What do you think
I've been doing?

Oh, God.
With us. With Seth.

I'm-- I'm not
talking about that.

Clearly.

Okay, you know--

This isn't-- I'm--
I'm going to leave, okay?

Of course you are.

I hope you had fun.

What does that mean?

Every time I mention the three
of us together, you pull away.

- That's absurd.
- Really?

Because I'm sitting here

and you're standing there
with your coat.

My last marriage was a mistake.
So was yours.

There's gonna come a point
where you have to make a choice.

Are you leaving?

Hey.
Hey, there you are.

Where's Ellen?

Did you sleep?

I shouldn't be here.
This isn't me.

Did I ever tell you
how I became a photographer?

No.

- When I was--
- Roger?

Roger, come on.

Feel better?

Yeah. Great. Thanks.

Excuse me.

What are you doing?

Come on.

Yeah.

Let's go, let's go, let's go.

What are all these people
doing here?

Waiting for you.

Good morning.

Are we ready?

Um...

Yes, Your Honor.

Son, I'm not a judge.

Right.

Anytime.

Chairman, City Council, um,
my name is Roger Sharpe.

Who do you work for?

I'm sorry?

Whose payroll are you on?

Gentlemen's Quarterly.

But who paid you
to be here today?

Nobody.

Well, I understand
that you're writing a book.

So, who's funding that?

The publisher and myself.

You're spending your own money
to write a book about pinball?

Pinball.
It's not exactly Hemingway.

Well, both
were irrationally banned.

Is that so?

And pinball
is just as American.

American?
I thought the mob was Italian.

Pinball was not created
by the mob.

It was created
by the people of Chicago.

What's the difference?

Isn't pinball banned
in Chicago?

Since when did New York
follow Chicago's lead?

I don't care what happens
in Chicago

so long as it stays there.

This is my city.

The pin games of the 1930s

are not the pinball
machines of today.

Oh, look. All right.

Look, I'm not here for a history
lesson on gambling.

Well, it's not
a gambling device.

- That's for me to judge.
- Yes, Your Honor.

All right, wise guy.

Do people use that to gamble?

- I'm sure some do.
- Thank you.

But some people
just use this.

That's different. That's not
designed for gambling.

Just like
the off-track betting parlors

legally operating in the city.

They don't take money
from kids.

It's our job to control gambling
in this city.

That is a game of chance.

That is a game of skill.

Actually, no,
it's better than that.

That is a game of choices.

It's not random.

Everything that is
on that playfield

was put there for a reason.

Listen...

I've spent time with the people
that have created this game.

I've talked with them,
walked through their factories.

They're not criminals.
They should be celebrated.

During the depths
of a depression,

these people created
an industry from nothing.

They saw an opportunity,
they took a chance,

and they built something that
allowed all of us to understand

that we have control
over our lives.

Whenever I start a game,
I know that it's going to end,

but it's the choices we make

with the opportunities
that we are given.

That's what I love
about pinball.

It is messy,
it is uncertain,

and at times,
it does feel uncontrollable.

But that's what
makes it worth it.

The choices.

Are we done here?

Uh, a-actually, sir,
we have a demonstration.

Okay. All right, fine.

Do your little show
so we can all go home.

- Right.
- Not on that one.

That one.

No, Mr. Chairman,
that's just a backup machine.

How do I know
that one's not rigged?

- Rigged?
- That one or we're done here.

Fine.

Hold it.

Get those cameras up here.
I want everyone to see this.

We'll reconvene in five minutes.

Are you trying to anger him?

- Have you played it?
- I don't know. Probably.

You have got to stop pushing
the chairman.

- I have to go.
- Go where?

I'm sorry. I'm sorry.
Where are you going?

- Roger.
- What?

Roger, you forgot this.

Thanks.

- Hello?

It's me.

Ellen?

Ellen.

Okay. Listen.

I'm at City Hall right now.

I'm not sure how much time
I really have, but, um...

...it's not going well.

Actually, the whole thing
is kind of falling apart.

You know, the truth is,
is that I don't-- I don't--

I don't know which way
this thing is gonna go.

But that's okay.

You know, the only thing
that I keep thinking about

is that, um...

...you're not here.

There are so many people here,
but not you.

And that's my fault.

I'm sorry.

I just thought you deserved
to hear that.

Hello?

I'm still here.

The chairman isn't too happy
with me right now.

Big chairman or
little chairman?

Medium.

Did you say something
thoughtless to him, too?

Yes.
But he actually deserved it.

They want me back in.

Let me know how it goes.

I will.

Bye.

Well?

Every game has rules, objectives.

Everything on here
has a purpose.

With time, you learn
what to aim for.

Now, this game is set up
like billiards, pool,

a game that is
totally legal in New York

because no one ever gambles
on it.

These lights up here,
they correspond--

Skill, huh? Looks like you
got everything under control.

You know, the thing
about control...

...is that it's easy.

You see?

Control.

And I can keep it here
all day long.

Safe, predictable, boring.

But if you want
to achieve something,

you've got to aim for something.

How about, uh, 7-13?

12-15?

8-14?

Oh, shit.

The more lights I hit,
the higher my score will be

when I hit
the kickout holes here...

...and here.

Why is the center one
still lit?

Well, as you can see,
there's no outside lane

to get us back to the top.

But...

a skilled pinball player can use
every part of this machine

to their advantage.

Take the plunger.

If I pull it back...

just enough...

then the ball
should go right... down...

the center.

♪ I'm back,
back in the New York groove ♪

♪ I'm back ♪

You did it!
You did it!

No, no. Stop, stop, stop.
This is ridiculous.

This is--
This is a fantasy.

Nobody does that.
Come on.

What-- What are you doing?

I took the shot
and that was that.

I've seen enough.

The vote was unanimous.

- That was incredible.
- You've seen me play before.

Not you. Him.

I saw the exact moment

that a politician realized
he was wrong.

And, you know,
give that guy some credit.

He saw the evidence
and he changed his mind.

No, he wasn't a villain.
He was a unicorn.

Soon after that, pinball
was legal in the city again.

Other places took notice

and laws were rolled back
all over the country.

The book got good reviews,
sold well.

I did more writing.

I even got to work
in the pinball industry

and designed a few games.

And now I'm a consultant.

Well... what about Ellen?

She started an art school.

But did the two of you...

Now I will tell you about
the greatest shot I ever took.

Will... you...

let me marry your mom?

Maaaybe.

Maaaybe? Maaaybe?

Maybe means yes!

Yeeesss!

- Cheers!
- Cheers!

To most people, my legacy
is back at that courtroom.

But to me, it's here.
It's Ellen and Seth.

It's our other sons,
Joshua and Zachary.

The friendships I've made

in four decades
devoted to this game.

Listen, I may have nudged
the history of pinball a little,

but pinball changed
everything for me.

Life is defined by risk--

those you take
and those you don't.

The ball is gonna drain
no matter what,

so find what you want
and take the shot.

Is one of them yours?

Yeah, they're both mine.

Do you play?

Yeah. A little.

Now, I meant it when I said
the history's important,

so I want to set the record
straight about a few things.

First of all, I didn't practice
on El Dorado. I didn't need to.

Yes, the chairman
switched the games on me,

but it didn't matter.

I played everything.

And the book was completed
after the hearings.

The hearing's on--
right here on page 63.

There I am, right there.

Yes, and that's...
a real mustache. Yes.

And, yes, I did call the shot.

And, yes, I used my own money
to finish the book.

But-- and this is important.
I want to be clear about this--

Look at me.

Look, I never... ever...

sold my machine.

I'd never sell any of my games.

I mean, [chuckles] come on.

They're just like my children.