Play Meter

f ROM THE EDITOR How will we remember these times K athie became my very best friend when I was in the sixth grade. I had just moved from Ft. Wayne, Ind., to Atlanta and felt lucky to find such a good friend. I spent virtually every afternoon at her house after school and on weekends you might as well say I lived there. Her mother forced me to eat my vegetables just like she did Kathie and fussed at me when I did something wrong. No doubt about it, she treated me like another daughter. We stayed inseparable until I moved to New Orleans right before my senior year in high school. Kathie and I relive some of our fondest memories over the phone every few months, as we have done since we graduated from high school. When I was in Atlanta a couple of years ago, I visited her parents (who have not changed a bit). I found out after all these years that Kathie's mom remembered a lot more than I thought she even knew in the first place! Ironically-and it's hard for me to believe-Kathie and I have not seen each other for 25 years. She married Ken (who had a best friend that I datedJ and moved to Texas. I never left New Orleans, although my parents moved to Virginia while I was in college. Katie and I have shared our lives through many cards and just as many phone calls. I cried when she lost her son and still think of her loss. She grieved with me. I love the photos of PLAY METER 10 JUNE 1992 her two girls and can't wait to hear the latest about them. But what I look forward to is reliving a little of the past through our conversations. It never ceases to amaze me that although we lived through so many experiences together, our memories of them are oftentimes different. She mentioned a boyfriend I once had and reminded me that I thought I'd die if he didn't love me back. I don't remember it like that at all. In fact, I don't think I ever talked to him; I only drew his name all over my notebook. She can recall with precise detail how we took her mom's car out for joyrides way before we even had our driver's licenses. I remember setting her mom's clocks up an hour so dinner would be "done" earlier and we could leave the house sooner. (Her mom recalled with uncanny clarity that particular event!) But no matter which of the many events we laugh about, we often do not recall them the same way. She is sure that we did occasionally make it to the library, while I think we only told our parents that. But we're both so sure! Bonnie mentions in her "Video Gaming Outlook" column in this issue that those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it. And while it's so true, the problem is that not everyone remembers the events of the past the same way. Right now we're involved in political battles that will have profound effects on the future of this business. Are we remembering political upheavals we've gone through before? Are we using what we learned? Or is it more likely the facts have become distorted with time? I'm asking but I couldn't provide a definitive answer. On one hand, I'd say, yes, we learned a lesson and are using it to full advantage. On the other hand, I'd have to say that we haven't remembered very well. One of the most important lessons that we should have learned by now is the importance of unity. How can anyone hope to convince legislators of anything, whether it be allowing operators to be involved in video lottery or lowering taxes, when there is war among the operator ranks even before a law is passed? The Washington Conference is just a week away. AMOA and AAMA will be joining forces to present a united industry front to those who are scrutinizing us. Sure there's differences between the two groups; that's expected. But I'm convinced that they need to be a strong unit in dealing with legislators. There's one saying I remember from somewhere in the distant past that seems to ring true, especially today: "United we stand, divided we fall. " No one could have said it better-if that's really what was said! D Valerie Cognevich Editor