Yesterday was municipal elections day here in Maine. Across the state there were many important issues being voted on, but one town’s question to rescind a ban on pinball really caught my attention. Apparently back in 1981 a town in Maine passed a law in which children had to be 16 years or older, and have a proof of their age with a valid birth certificate, in order to play pinball. If someone under that age was caught indulging in a game of pinball, they faced a $20 fine! And not just any business could have a pinball machine. The owner had to be deemed in good moral standing by the police chief, and not charge more than 25 cents per game. This has all the makings of Maine’s version of Footloose, but without the big dance at the end! I’ve already started working on the screenplay…
[Deep, ominous voiceover]
In a world plagued by rules and restrictions, where childhood joy is a distant memory, a forbidden game holds the key to freedom. Get ready for a heart pounding journey into a dystopian reality, where pinball becomes a symbol of rebellion and hope.
[Scene opens on a desolate waterfront community, filled with somber faces, gloomy skies, a menacing churning ocean, and the mournful cry of a seagull]
Narrator: In a society where innocence is crushed and laughter is silenced, a simple game has been banned. But for these children, it’s more than just a game… it’s their chance to break free.
[Quick cuts show children dressed in flannel and LL Bean boots huddled together in a bait shack, whispering and sharing secret strategies]
Narrator: In this world, only children aged 16 and older are allowed to experience the thrill of pinball. But those who dare to defy the rules will face dire consequences, and a $20 dollar fine!
[Montage of pinball machines being confiscated and destroyed by authoritarian figures, who are also wearing flannel and LL Bean boots]
Narrator: The chief of police, a formidable enforcer, maintains a tight grip on this decaying society. He wields the power to grant or deny licenses to pinball machine owners based on their moral character.
[Closeup shots of the chief of police scrutinizing potential pinball machine owners, dressed in their best flannel and LL Bean boots]
Narrator: With each investigation, the chief of police uncovers hidden secrets and darkness lurking beneath the surface. But amidst this chaos, a group of determined youngsters discovers a hidden truth that could change everything.
[Dynamic scenes of children sneaking into a fish market with pinball machines, their adrenaline pumping]
Narrator: Will they find themselves caught in a lobster trap, as they fight to protect their right to play, to dream, and to reclaim their stolen childhood?
[Intense action sequences with children, weighed down by the quarters in their pockets, dodging the beam of light from a lighthouse to hide their identities, as they outrun patrol officers]
Narrator: As the stakes rise and the oppression tightens its grip, they must risk everything to unite, to stand up against a tyrannical regime, and to challenge the very core of their society.
[Emotional scenes of children rallying others to join their cause, their determination shining through, while their elders look on in horror, slamming down bowls of chowder outraged by their defiance]
Narrator: In a battle for freedom, they must confront their deepest fears, expose the hidden truths, and unleash the power of rebellion!
[Final dramatic shot of children surrounding a glowing pinball machine, their eyes filled with determination]
Narrator: From the director who brought you true life tales of UFOs, comes a story of courage and resilience that will ignite your spirit and redefine the meaning of freedom.
[Title fades in with epic music playing and lots of explosions]
Title: “Pinball Prohibition Protest: One Quarter. One Game. One Destiny.”
[Release date and studio logos appear on screen as “TBA”]
Narrator: Ayuh, prepare for an epic pinball adventure where tilting the law doesn’t mean game over!
[Cut to black]
Narrator: Pinball Prohibition Protest… coming soon.
[Explosive crescendo of music with seagulls screeching, trails off with sound of diesel lobster boat engine puttering off into the distance]
