JUNE 2025-Hole In One-WIN A CIGAR

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RAIL CAR #72    HOLE IN ONE, WIN A CIGAR

This is no doubt the most boring and least played carnival game ever created. No carnival decor, bright flashing lights, loud music or even a pushy barker. It's a scene directly out of a country club practice putting green, complete with the Club Pro. It is designed to attract a very specific mark, an adult male. He is the 'Saturday Dad' (granddad, great granddad) that is happily given the job to take the kids for a day at the carnival............keeping in mind, he will cover the cost of each ride, game, food item and souvenir, multiplied by the number of kids in tow.

THE RUSE:

Appearing randomly located, every store (a Carney term for any attraction, ride, food concession, game, etc.) Is strategically placed to attract and funnel the various customer types to where they would potentially spend the most money. 'Saturday Dad' and kids are drawn into the pre-teen area of rides and games first, where each would ride every ride and play every game. From there, the next stop is the junk food concession area. Dad, now tiring, is about done for the day, when......of course they do......walk by the HOLE IN ONE game while heading for the exit. The game catches his eye, with a smile, he pauses, the kids take notice and insist he play, and with a simple nod from the Pro, he steps up with a dollar in hand. The Pro refuses the dollar and suggests he take a practice putt first. When the paid putt goes in, kids cheer, ego intact. His inner child quickly emerges, and they make a left, back onto the midway.

EPIQLOGUE:

Dad just won the world's most expensive cigar, and he doesn't even smoke.