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(NOTE: In an earlier column
titled; "The Beginning", Len Nicholson told of how he got started
in bowling. Below is another story from those early days with Billy
Hardwick).
"Hey Kid…………"
When we were kids, we grew up in San Mateo, California, which is
a small town (that is on the peninsula), about 20-miles south of
San Francisco. Except for the famous Bay Meadows race track, not
much excitement went on in our little city. Back then, it was a
real big deal to go 'all-the-way-in' to the "BIG" city of San Francisco,
because doing "that" was reserved for the very special events like
the Junior Prom, or the Senior Ball.
However, we did have one fairly large event that took place every
summer at: "The Fairgrounds", and it was called: "The San Mateo
County Fair". It lasted for about 2-weeks and just about everybody
who lived in that area went to it. It was the usual type "fair"
or "carnival"; with amusement rides, livestock, game booths, a live
band, and maybe a new up-and-coming singer, or another semi-famous
performer that would be there to entertain.
This one particular night, Billy had a date and he asked me if I
wanted to go with him and her, to: "The Fair". We always hung around
a lot together, but I really didn't want to be with him and some
girl. He told me that she was a nice girl and that sometimes there
were some rowdies at these kinds of places. I think he actually
wanted me to be with him in case any wise guys started hassling
her. Even though he was 19 (I was 20) at the time, he still didn't
weigh more than 130 pounds. I felt like I was his bodyguard.
We did go and as we were walking down the midway, one of the "carney-guys"
(who was working a booth), said: "Hey kid, win your pretty girl
a kewpie-doll." The guy was tossing a plastic wiffle ball into a
wicker basket. He said, "Hey kid, c'mon, look how easy this is."
He was getting it in the basket every time. We went over to the
booth and the "carney-guy" goaded Billy into trying it. It looked
so easy. One ball - one shot, for a quarter. You only had to get
the ball into the basket one time to win the kewpie-doll prize.
Billy finally said that he would try it. Each and every time he
missed, the carney-guy would just pick-up the ball and easily toss
it in. Billy went through $25.00 (which was a lot of money back
then).
The carney-guy was on the other side of the counter, and being closer
to the basket was the reason it was so easy for him to do. It was
literally impossible to make it from the "side" of the counter that
we were on. What made it so bad was that this guy kept laughing
at Billy because he was getting so frustrated. You didn't laugh
at Billy.
Billy finally said to the guy, "Hey buddy, do you bowl?" The guy
said, "Yeah, I bowl and I average about 160, why?" Billy said, "That's
my average, too. Do you want to bowl for some money?" He was now
trying to hustle him, because Billy was actually averaging over
220 at the time. The carney-guy said, "Sure, but I don't get out
of here until about midnight, or so." Billy said, "That's ok, I'll
be down at the bowl waiting for you." The guy said, "I'll be there,
but I gotta tell you kid, I don't bowl for less than a $100.00 a
game." Billy said, "Ok."
We went down to the bowl, knowing that this was way too good to
be true. Billy called his sponsor and he met us down at the bowling
center. At about 1:00a.m., the carney-guy showed up. Billy told
the guy to pick a pair. The guy said, "I don't care what pair we
bowl on kid, you pick it." Billy said, "OK, let's use 15 & 16."
The guy said, "Fine." He then went to the desk and rented a pair
of shoes. Then he found a house ball and came over to the lanes
of choice, and put his $100-bill on the telescore table. Everybody
there knew what was about to happen and could hardly keep a straight
face.
After 5-practice balls on each lane, the match started and this
guy was really terrible. He bowled:137, which included 2-brooklyn's
and a nose-dive strike. Billy started with a double, left a 4-pin
and made it, then struck out for: 279. The guy said, "Hey kid, you
are a lot better than 160." Billy, still hot from getting hustled
at The Fair said, "So what, lets bowl some more." The guy took off
his shoes and pulled a thick wad of $100.00 bills out of his pocket.
Nobody there had ever seen that much money. The carney-guy stood
up, looked Billy in the eye and said, "Hey kid, you are really stupid.
If you were smart, you coulda had all of this."
NOTE: This is one of over 40-stories that are contained in Len Nicholson's
book (that is now a CD). The book was titled; "The Tour Would Be
Great, IF" You Didn't Have To Bowl." The 3, CD set is on-sale on
this website. Look for it in the "books and video's" section on
the left side of the home page. We know you will enjoy this Classic
collection of stories. Order yours today. Click
here to order the CD. |
