The Tragedy of a Pinball Wizard

Of Dogs and Trees

Alright, its time to get back to the story at hand. Disregard everything that Oliver said in the last chapter. Question nothing. Take everything in this book at face value. There is no deeper meaning to any of this. It's nothing more than a stupid story about a guy who loves pinball.

Now, where were we? Ah, yes. Oliver and Mr. Otis continued to walk down the street on their way to Wally's Pinball Palace. Oliver turned to Mr. Otis and said to him, "you know, I've been meaning to ask you something Mr. Otis. Why did you piss your pants back there when I made Mr. Spencer go away?"

"Oh, that? Well, you see Oliver, it's my religion." Mr. Otis responded.

"Your religion?" Oliver was confused by Mr. Otis's response. "Remember what I just said about symbolism? Pay attention now."

"What the hell are you talking about Oliver? Symbolism? Pay attention? I thought I was the one telling a story, you should be paying attention to me!" Mr. Otis spoke with an almost scolding tone toward Oliver.

"You're misunderstanding, my friend. I wasn't talking to you; I was talking to the audience." Oliver reassured.

"The audience? You're a weird man Oliver. I hardly ever understand what you're talking about." He sighed.

"Yeah, whatever, that's nice. Now get on with the explanation Mr. Otis." Oliver was eager to hear the story.

"Right, my religion. You see Oliver, when I was in 'Nam, I had a friend that we all called Sparky. He was a great man. One day, that brave man, braver than any other ordinary man, was walking with me to the mess hall. Of all the people he could have chosen to walk with, it was me that he chose!"

Mr. Otis continued, "we were ambushed. The tigers came out of the woods and jumped us. They went straight for poor Sparky. The tigers got their man. We couldn't do anything to help him. He was a goner."

"So, how does this have anything to do with religion exactly?" Oliver asked.

"I'm getting there! Be patient, Oliver. Now, while the tigers were chomping down on Sparky's bones, he soiled himself as they worked. When they dragged him away into the jungle, he left us one finally message. 'I'll be back for you all! Mark my words, I'll be back!' he screamed. It was then that the entire platoon came to realize, he was coming back to save us! Sparky died for our sins Oliver. He died for my sins and he died for yours too." Mr. Otis almost looked like he was tearing up slightly at the story he was giving.

"So, what do you say Oliver? Will you accept Sparky for yourself? All you have to do is piss your pants, Oliver. Just piss your pants!" Mr. Otis begged.

"I don't know, Mr. Otis. Maybe I will later, but I don't really want to right now. It's kind of a hot day. I don't particularly want piss running down my legs at the moment." Oliver felt beside himself because of the story he was just told.

"I understand." Mr. Otis said dejectedly. "If you ever decide to change your mind, Sparky will accept you with open arms."

"Yeah, yeah, I got it." Oliver wanted nothing more than to change the subject. "Mr. Otis, have you ever actually played pinball before?"

"I did! I was quite good at it too!" Mr. Otis's mood seemed to quickly change from sad to elated. "In fact, at one point, I was the best pinball player in all of Vietn-..." Mr. Otis cut off abruptly.

He tried to continue, "Vietn-... Vietna-..." Mr. Otis stopped walking and just stared at the ground.

"Oh god. Vietnam." He thought to himself.

20 years in the past

"Been pretty quiet out there lately, right Oak Tree?" Sparky asked as he and Oak Tree sat on the ground in a quiet corner of the Saigon US military base.