.............Sunday night was a game of squash with my mate Hugh, followed by a pizza supper from the local chippie then onwards to my bit, stick on some Marillion 'Misplaced Childhood", boot up the 64 and go try achieve the Dropzone highest score. Monday, Tuesday was school with nout planned at night but Wednesday was Computer Club night!!

Without fail, me and my best mate Grant would pack up our respective computers and head for Inveralmond High School's science dept. If we were lucky Hugh would pick us up in his Mum's car or my Dad would lend me his, more times than not though, we had to pack the stuff into a suitcase and haul it up the road, all 2 miles of it.

Here gathered together, was a collection of 'misfits' from all ages and walks of life. In the outside world we had little in common, but were brought together here in one room, all sharing the passion that was computer games There were all kinds, little scruffy kids who always had Spectrums, little rich kids who had both Spectrum and a 64 and guys my age (17) who preferred the 64 flavour of computer, we were the kings in there and got the respect of the younger ones. There were a few Atari 800 owners who tended to stick to their own. It was like RV all over again, the flashing lights and constant whine as another life was lost on Manic Miner and the persistant squack of yet another 48ker booting up a pirate game. We would setup the various systems and showcase the latest Epyx titles, somehow taunting and deliberately provoking the kids with runny noses who would come up and ask "what game is that" etc etc. "Invariably they would ask for a shot, usually resulting in a "Sorry pal, it aint my computer". Half way thro the evening we would make our way upto the canteen for a poke of chips and juice. The ZX gang would rarely actually play anything, most of their time was spent putting selotape over John Menzies C15 tape tabs to let then copy the latest offerings. Grant was a Speccy owner and being older than most always seemed to come away with most if not all of the ZX offerings. Bargaining was less of a problem when you were 17 and were one if the seniors. He was allowed in with us 64 owners however.

There was a guy whom looking back now it was quite tragic, his face was extremely disfigured and he put up with a lot of taunting, not from us olders ones I hasten to add. The fact he was one of the sole Atari 800 owners didnt help his cause. He was always quick to point out to us 64 guys that his versions of "Stealth" and "Ballblazer" were better....and he was right although we NEVER told him that.

There was a man who must have been a Janitor by day who "supervised", he very rarely came near us and on the very odd occasion only ever spoke to us older ones. I dont know whether he was either oblivious or just turned a blind eye to the 'pirating' excapades going on around him. There were a few who were the "Daddys". John was a cracker (he later became the RED BARON in Amiga circles) and had really shiny "Duran Duran" hair. I always wished I looked like him as he was quite 'hip' back then. John had contacts, even in 1985, he always had the latest US Gold stuff before it was released here. He never would divulge how he got the stuff, I didnt really care, I was within the small circle which gave me access to all of his stuff which was great. Never mind pissing about with tapes, I had my 1541 doing the business. I used a German copying program began with S but can recall the name.

Half past 9 came and it was time to pack up, dropping in to Grants on the way down to try out his 2 C90's. He did well when he achieved a 50% success rate. It always made me grateful to have a c64 when I watched him expertly control the Tape recorder like John Michael Jarre on Steroids......PLAY....STOP.....REWIND....PLAY....STOP....REWIND ....PLAY.....................PROGRAM: MMINER.........flash, flash, flash, LOADING SCREEN, flash, flash.............1982 Sinclair Research.

I never stayed too late, I had my treasure to play. Down the road, cup of coffee, disk in 1541 ......LOAD "*",8,1.. ...........DIR....LOAD "SUMMER",8, 1 - return.

There was the Epyx splash screen........I was a happy man back in 85.

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