Alternative Care

Chapter 6

After a short drive from the cafe, Wasabi finally managed to find a parking spot. S.F. Bowl was the only bowling alley in the city, a large white structure with oversized bowling pin pillars that flanked the entrance and held up a large metal awning.  Colorful banners hung between the pillars.  Pink cherry blossom trees lined the sidewalk.

"So, um, does anyone really know how to bowl?" Honey Lemon asked.

Fred cracked his knuckles and ripped off his jacket to reveal a radiant bowling jersey. He smiled and puffed his chest out.

"Not at all," he said, and plowed through the throngs of bowlers of all ages enjoying the high ceiling modern bowling alley.  He smiled knowingly at anyone who glanced his way, and gave a dual finger point to one man also sporting a bowling jersey as he passed by.

Thirty lanes filled the bulk of the nicely-lit building, and a dark color scheme pervaded in the walls and carpet. A variety of the latest arcade games created an exuberant din. Their flashy displays of graphics, designed to pull in potential players, flickered enticingly. Flat screen TVs depicted sporting events in the restaurant area, where a birthday party was in progress.

The group of friends heard rolling bowling balls, pins being struck, cheerful voices, and the faint sound of upbeat music. As they neared the bowling area, the distinctive smell of oil on the wood lanes, as well as that of freshly cooked pizza, filled the air.

"OK, so for the investigation..." Hiro whispered to his friends, then noticed Fred at the front counter with his wallet open.

"A game, and shoe rental. On me, guys," Fred announced cheerfully, and beamed to the others as they approached.

Hiro's mouth hung open slightly, and his brows knit together. "Fred, we don't have time for this. There's enough stress with us investigating the pin stacking robot that disappeared from here-"

"Without our suits. Armored suits, with weapons," Go Go added flatly.

"Yes, that," Hiro gestured to her. "And that with the processor the robot stole, some ridiculous villain is going to try to take over or destroy the city. Or take revenge on us," Hiro said, his voice rising a bit. He held eye contact with Fred, and the others looked at Hiro with concern.

Honey Lemon glided between Fred and Hiro, her large, expressive eyes locking with Hiro's.

"Um- Thanks, Fred!" Honey said over her shoulder with a forced smile to Fred, then turned back to Hiro. "Let's humor him, Hiro. Please," she whispered to Hiro, patting him on the shoulder persuasively.

Hiro opened his mouth to reply, closed it, then looked to the others. Everyone looked expectantly from Hiro to Fred, who finally handed over a credit card to the cashier. Hiro nodded, exhaled, then led the others to Fred.

They tried on shoes, swiftly chose a lane, chose bowling balls from the rack nearby, and set up scoring. Finally, Hiro stood, holding the ball, fingers in the holes. He walked forward and released the ball that curved to the left and into the gutter. Eyes half-lidded, he returned to a seat. The friends took their turns playing.

"No way!" Hiro said wide-eyed as Fred nailed another strike, the noise of bowling pins ringing through the lanes. He raised both lanky arms with his hands in fists as he sauntered back to the others. Hiro could only smile at him in response.

Go Go managed to knock down what pins she could, focused more on finishing the game quickly. Honey Lemon gasped when she got a spare, then walked back to Fred for a well-deserved high five. Later, after Wasabi managed a spare, he spun around, his face transformed from shock to joy.