FULL TILT

THE TIP OF GARY VOLLMER’S index finger touches the glass surface of a pinball machine and traces a hopeful path. Red and purple lights reflect off the walls of the inner cabinet as the game waits for the stocky, goateed 53-year-old to push the glowing green START button and pull back on his plunger. But first, Vollmer takes a moment to scout his moves.

“See that light flashing?” says Vollmer, tapping the tip of his finger above a twinkling white arrow embedded in the middle