He took his place at the foot of the machine and inserted a clean quarter. With a dazzling salvo of lights and a cacophony of bells, the machine sprang to life and began to tremble ever so slightly. It was clearly anticipating the excitement that was sure to follow.

A ball rolled smoothly into the channel, coming to gentle rest against the tip of the plunger. He smiled, pulled the knob back, and released with a flourish. This one would not be getting away.

The steel sphere ricocheted off of the top plate and fell like a stone to the mouth below. He was not expecting to act so soon, but his expert hands were ready. They flew to the side buttons and activated the flippers just in time, sending the ball back into the fray. The intense game continued, a lucky save balancing every lucky bonus. The high score seemed within reach, but then, it was over. He had lost focus for only a moment, but a moment was all that was needed.

Marcus Thomson, father of three and loving husband, stopped breathing in his sleep.