roller rink

In 1983, the author spent Friday nights at a local roller rink, which served as a refuge from school and chores, fostering friendships and providing a bully-free environment. The rink featured arcade games, where the author used their allowance to play classics like Spy Hunter, Pole Position, and their favorite, Tempest. The author later revisited the game Dragon's Lair on Steam in 2024, finding it frustrating despite its stunning animation. They realized their childhood failures in the game were due to a lack of skill rather than quarters. The PC version allowed repeated attempts and on-screen prompts, enabling the author to complete the game in 10 minutes, which felt anticlimactic. The author sought out a Dragon's Lair arcade cabinet but found none available, expressing a desire to confront the original game again with improved skills.