Yellowed Centurion E305C variable speed cassette walkman device *Serviced* that plays "tapes" and has a volume wheel

Here is a rare but ultimately not really that great specimen indicative of the meteoric rise of soda, portability, and individual consumption choices as an inevitable monetization of identity in the interpersonal struggle for what can only be called "cool". It's a word so vague and yet so powerful it could be synonymous with "love" or perhaps "the". Not only does it display a brand name of soda (a product which surely has music in advertisements but is otherwise not at all associated with music or cassettes) but it also displays the manufacturer, each of which have a small tagline that serves as a type of subtitle--a phrase linked like cells in a body, like addressing a lover by their full name. One also notices some descriptive words (rather opposite the ones we've explored thus far) on the front of the product such as "Personal stereo cassette player", "Auto stop system", and "player" stylized in a penmanship-like cursive with an inexplicable red scribble behind it. From the left the scribble starts strong, only to decline linearly in amplitude, ending just prior to the word that it backgrounds. How apropos.

Indeed the controls are basic. Play, rewind, stop. I would also use the words "limited" and "insufficient". No fast forward, no eject, no record. And no internal speaker as well. And I guess these things used to be clear but because of time and chemical reactions and stuff it has turned yellow. I like the yellow personally, it's extremely ugly. It has also become brittle. I ask for you to turn your attention to the hinge side of the tape door and see the red duct tape that I've applied. This is on account of the plastic hinges breaking off upon a simple attempt at removal. Other advertisements I've seen for this product boast it being "lightweight" and indeed it is--At the cost of features and durability. The same ads are asking for the last of the last exceedingly desperate consumers to somehow conjure $200 for this lackluster specimen. It's honestly laughable and somewhat embarrassing. The last picture in this listing is from one said ad.

The keen-eyed among you will also notice that there exitsitstas a baby blue knob on one side, not present in the original. This is a modification (or "mod") to control the speed of playback. The range is about 50% to 130% of the standard speed. I have also installed a new belt and cleaned it up. It takes two (2) AA (double A) batteries (not included and sorry about all the parenthesis).

And where, I ask, is 7UP now? Still existing but largely forgotten. I admit I had to research if they were still a company. And as for centurion, they went bankrupt in 1985. No wonder no one desires these products and they are left to yellow and are discarded at goodwill or the municipal town-run trash heap we call "Gaerry". Indubitably, look forward, look back, alas.