Chapter Text
The crash of rubber, resin and hardwood rumbles through the bowling alley. Peter the ocelot groaning aloud seeing the seven and 10 pins still standing on either side of the lane.
“You’re trying too hard at a sport that should be fairly care-free.” Chimed in the mongoose, by the name of Mario. “At least watch me and Scott take a couple shots so you might learn something?” The mongoose gestures to the human of the group as he offers, the Ocelot flumping himself down onto the smooth plastic seating. It’s clear he’s not really listening, swivelling his head about to look everywhere but at the groups’ lane.
“Yea yea yea, I’m sure the ladies will be reeaal impressed.” Peter waves a hand to dismiss the mongoose. Scott has stepped up, finding his ball on the returns rack. He takes a quick glance at the scoreboard for their lane. Mario is in the lead at 64pts, Peter at the back with 48pts, and Scott in the middle on 59pts. Seemed it was going to be another night of Mario smashing everyone to get 1st place, as he had already won the previous round with an almost 20pt lead. Scott takes a moment to glance back at Mario, who is sitting smug. To no surprise, Scott catches Peter slinking off again.
Scott shakes his head, focusing on his own attempt to bowl. He takes the shot, sending the ball at a decent pace rumbling down the alley. He cringes internally as he watches it veer off to the side, hoping the impact will take out more pins than it looks. He has no such luck, only dropping four on the left side. He groans, twisting back towards the rack to wait for the ball return to do its thing.
“Pfft, damn man, I said Peter should watch us to improve, not to show him it’s not done, hah!” Mario casually jabs. Scotts’ ball returns, and he steps up to the line to attempt to score a split. The ball rumbles down the lane, staying in the middle for about two-thirds of the distance. To Scott’s misfortune, it veered to the left near the end. He closes his eyes thinking not more pins would be felled, but the clatter of resin smacking wood snapped his eyes back on the pins. He’ll take knocking down two more for his score. He returns to Mario, who is already gathering himself to stand for his go.
“Not that it matters, he snuck off again” Scott remarks as he passes Mario.
“Bloody git is going to get us charged overtime with this.” The Mongoose facepalms and shakes his head in frustration at the Ocelot. “If you’re not back fast, I’m gutter-balling him.” The Human chuckles as he steps down off the bowling lanes slight platform. With a few swivels of the head, he spots the try-hard ladies man, trying hard to put the moves on a Mountain Lioness near the shoe hire. Walking up, He could already hear the ocelot hyping himself up.
“Ye, I’ve been here plenty. Working on perfecting my Strike Streak for the top score. You know how it is?” The 5’4” feline continued to make a spectacle of himself for the benefit of the over 6’ catamount. “Before you get settled in with your party, why don’t you and I talk more over some drinks at the bar?” Scott had carefully timed his approach, slapping a hand down on the Ocelots’ shoulder as he finished.
“Not while you still have a game to finish Mister Third Place out of three.” Scott chuckles, suffering the glare from the shorter man with a smug smile on his face. The catamountess had also been laughing quietly, and had taken the opportunity to saunter away while Peter was distracted. “Come on, or Mario is gonna tank your precious ‘Strike Streak’ with a volley of gutterballs to your name.”
“Cock blocking dick!” The ocelot growls with only half a heart in it. He glances around, seeing the catamountess had already disappeared. “I coulda been a contender!” He slouches a little in defeat. His friend offering back pats of consolation.
“I’m sure your chances have not been hurt in the slightest by my interruption.” Scott to his credit pushed himself to not try to laugh, knowing that Peter had a horrible history of attracting any woman, let alone getting anywhere with the rare handful he did. “Maybe you should actually take Karl up on his ‘Ride Along’ offer? Provided, of course, you actually pay attention.” The ocelot grunts in defeat as the pair return to the lane.
“Ahh, perfect timing!” Mario calls out as they arrive. “Peter, you somehow managed to gutter twice already, and Scott pulled a Strike out his ass.” The Mongoose smirked at the feline, who’s only response was the groan before slumping onto the waiting bench and knock back the rest of his beer. “I doubt he’ll pull it off a second time though.” A smug wink thrown at Scott with the comment, the returns rack clunking aloud to remind the human to play a turn.
“I wouldn’t put money on it, even if I were a gambling man.” Scott replies as he collects his ball and gets into position for his first shot. With a thunk and rumble, the ball makes a quick journey down lane, staying roughly in the middle. He nearly forgets to breath as the ball gets within the last foot still on target. Until finally, with a mighty crash. Nine pins get obliterated from the field.
“Oooh, so close!” The Mongoose cheers.
“Lucky bastard” the Ocelot grumbles through a smile.
Scott lets go of the breath he had been holding, turning to his friends with a shrug. The pins were cleared, the ball was returned, and so he squared up for the second shot. He had to shift around to get a good line on the pin. With a step forward, a swing of the arm, and a just the right twist of the wrist..
The ball went straight into the gutter after the first two meters. All three guys roared in a combination or surprise, cheer, and indignation. The parties in the neighbouring lanes looked over with confusion briefly. In defeat, Scott shambles back to the waiting bench. Mario looking incredulous as he stands for his final round, while Peter gave a sympathetic laugh and a consoling hand on shoulder.
“You almost make me feel good for all my strike outs, haha!” Peter continues to show he has the worst way with words possible. Scott replies by groaning and flopping back against the seat.
To no surprise to the unfortunate pair, Mario managed a final double strike with his three shots. He is a gracious winner, thankfully. Peter steps up for his last round. Much to the surprise of his friends, he scores a Spare and an extra six points. Scott rolls up for his last round. Perhaps it was the weight off his shoulders from the previous round, but he also managed to score a Spare, but snagged an extra nine points on his last shot.
“Oh surprise surprise, Mario reigns supreme in the bowling halls.” Peter grumbles with a smile as he gathers his things together. Mario just chuckles, and gives a pantomime bow of gratitude.
“Maybe spend more time in the lane than trying to pick up ladies beyond your charisma level, and you might not come last place as often.” The mongoose dons his trench coat, and gives the ocelot a hearty slap on the back. “And maybe Scotts’ game won;t be hindered by having to drag you back between each round, eh?” Mario had tried to get Scott’s attention at the end, but noticed he was staring off into the arcade portion of the hall.
“Unlike here, it looks like someone is gaming up a storm in the cabinets.” Scott points to a crowd that had gathered in the rail-shooters portion of the arcade. “Shall we go check it out?” The other two men give semi-enthusiastic agreement.