Date & Time
In the "Middle" section of Date & Time (that is actually at the end), Kaye spends a lot of time speaking
about the early days of the internet and what he would do for fun. His poem "Yellow Bouquet" discusses
the novelty of the arcade. The arcade was a proto-internet phenomenon where people, mostly teenagers
and younger, would gather to play video games. I always consider the internet and technology to be
something that separates people as opposed to bringing them together, but in this case, arcades
momentarily brought people together. The process of exchanging money for tickets and tickets for little
prizes is also interesting.
Last year when I volunteered at Bridges, every week without fail there would be a student that came in
with Dunkin'. There is a Dunkin' right below the Loft, so it makes sense for them to stop on their way.
However, they would also leave while they were doing homework to get Dunkin', and Mr. Lindsay, one of
the directors, frequently gave people Dunkin' giftcards or $5 to get a donut and a drink. The way Kaye
describes begging for quarters from his mother and needing the prizes reminds me of this experience at
the Loft. The process of asking all the staff members for $5 and then finally getting it was necessary for
the students. They needed Dunkin' to do their work, even though there are snacks and drinks that the Loft
provides. This would bring students together, as they travelled down the stairs, down the sidewalk, to the
restaurant, and back again.
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