Original subtitles

-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.

-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, come on.

They're just like my children.