Right Next To The Potatoes And Gravy!

Two strips of bacon and an onion ring. Plus ketchup, mustard and pickles.
They call it the Western Burger.
You wouldn't think that a bowling alley could make a good burger.
The Narrows Plaza Bowl snack area proved me wrong.

I was watching the ninth inning of the USA-Canada baseball game when I sat down at the booth. American J.J. Putz allowed a run to score, bringing Team Canada within one. Man on second, one out.
Stepping up to the counter is Ray. A guy who had decided to conquer baldness by shaving his head completely. Short and stocky and the makings of a goatee. If I had worn his t-shirt, it would have been a futile attempt at irony. In his case, he was promoting a world view that blended Darwinism and 2nd Amendment rights.

"Customer service at the party office."

Above a frolicking deer, a mid-flight duck and an immobile turkey were the words: There's A Place For All God's Creatures...

"Welcome, everyone to the TAP Nine-Pin Tournament. Looks like we have 80 participants so far..."

Beneath the animals - a fork and knife arranged on a red-and-white checkered napkin. The punchline is complete.

"How was your burger?"
"Really good. The onion ring hit the spot." The fries were nice, too. Orange-colored seasoning that reduced the need for dipping in condiments. I crush the ice in my mouth. Putz strikes a Canadian out. Pins fly and sometimes stumble drunkenly on the hardwood. The standing ones cause clenched teeth and quick bodily protests. But really the bowlers are mad at themselves. They entered a tournament where knocking nine pins down qualifies as a strike. It should be easier.
The competitors are wearing custom shirts. I was hoping for shiny garments with ridiculous logos and nicknames. They are nothing but red or blue polo shirts with stitched names. I'm guessing equipment expenses are more important than fashion. Performance over flash. Most of these men are through caring about body image. They realize $1,000 is on the line.
Canadian Jason Bay flies out to right field. American Adam "Big Country" Dunn is celebrating in the dugout.

Next up is the Panama-Puerto Rico game. P.R. has the sweetest sounding outfield in the game: Rios, Beltran, and Bocachica. A law firm with Latin flare.