Chapter 19: Hit Me

“YAHOO!” shouts Melvin. “We did it!” The scoreboard makes it clear – the game is over, and you won! The blue robot stomps grimly back to the dugout.

As you head back to the locker room, Charlie is there to congratulate you. “Nice job, kid! You’re on your way!”

“That was the weirdest game of baseball I ever played,” you say. “I had to do all the pitching, all the hitting, and all the fielding, not to mention telekinetic control of the ball. I’m exhausted.” You don’t even want to think about the red robots that looked just like you that served as base runners. “And I have to play how many more games like this?”

Charlie claps you on the shoulder. “Ha, yeah, Home Run baseball has a lot of… character. But don’t worry about that – you’ve graduated to the big leagues now! I’ve got you lined up for a Realsports™ game.” 

Melvin is excited. “Wow! That’s great, when?”

“Just as soon as we come up with the $500 entry fee.”

Melvin looks skeptical. “So, more slot machines?”

“No way!” says Charlie. “You’re moving up to the big time. Blackjack is our game! You get cleaned up, and I’ll see you back at the Casino!” He briskly heads out the door.

“That guy seems to really like the casino,” says Melvin.

“You’re telling me.” You shower and change, and then you and Melvin head back to the casino. The blackjack tables are in a more elegant part of the casino.

“Hey!” says Melvin, pointing at an excited woman with a rounded bob haircut. “Is that… Carol Channing?”

You shrug, looking for Charlie, who is already there and playing. You arrive just in time to watch him bust. He seems disappointed, but he sees you, he is all smiles. “Hello, Player!” he beams, and gestures to the seat next to him. “You know how to play, right?”

“Yeah, more or less.”

“Alright! Then place your bets! Here we go!” Charlie rubs his hands together, as the robotic dealer sends two cards your way.

Put the Blackjack cartridge into your Atari 2600. Set the left and right difficulty switches to a or b, depending on your rules preferences. Play until your total is $500. Post a link to a video in the comments section of yourself completing the challenge.