My friend Heather and I are experts at Dollar Theater entertainment. We have a sting operation that involves a very large purse, some sweet and salty cravings, and the $ .75 tickets on Monday nights.
Over the years we have smuggled whole pies, barbqued pulled pork sandwiches, sushi, sodas, skittles, m&m's, popcorn, donuts and other goodies into the theater. I know it sounds silly, but it makes me feel kind of rebellious and dangerous knowing that I have a purse full of contriban, and the pimply faced kid behind the ticket counter has no idea!
Last night was one of those adventures. I arrived first to purchase the tickets, and waited for Heather to follow behind. She had stopped at the grocery store to buy the "forbiddens" so I got a chance to people watch for a few minutes.
It's so funny all the different types of people that you will see at a discount store, and also at a discount theater.
You get the teenagers who are out on a first date, or really just any date that they can afford for that matter. She has her hair perfectly done, and he buys the tickets and the popcorn. Ah, young love. They are so cute!
Last night I also saw a pack of elderly people. I believe they travel in packs sometimes, kind of like wolves with no teeth. This group may have been in their late 60's or early 70's, now on a fixed income, and most with lifes scars on their bodies. The pack leader still has the remnants of a stroke in her speech, but she herds her group to the ticket counter with all the poise of a mother hen. She makes sure they get the special of the night. (Remember folks, these tickets are a mere $ .75!) She then leads her pack on to the popcorn counter. I distinctly heard her request the $6.00 bag, but noticed a few minutes later that she was walking away with the monster $6.50 BUCKET. Way to go Gramma Wolf! She has fed her pack well this evening!
There is something about the elderly and disabled that touches me. I feel so touched and humbled when I see someone that our society can walk all over, having an independent and wonderful time. It truly brings tears to my eyes.
Also in the theater last night I saw our "city folk". They may or may not need housing assistance, they may or may not have steady jobs. They also are like a herd, and are also touching to me. I love to watch people, because it makes them "real". It makes them "touchable". This group looked as if they had seen less than "Rainbow" days. One of them was walking through the lobby with a joint in his hand, and right out in the open. The funny thing is, it didn't look like he cared at all.
As I watched them, I wondered about their life stories, and how much love they've known. How rough were their lives?
There was the mother with her 3 small kids, all with frizzy hair, and coke bottle glasses. One of them just kept singing "I love my Mama, I love my Mama".
I saw other 20 - 30 somethings just like me and Heather, who just wanted a cheap movie and a night out.
It's so amazing that movies bring so many different people together. Many of those in the lobby were in my theater. Watching my movie. Laughing when I laughed.
How funny when you think about it.
All of us. So varied, so distinct. We don't have much, if anything in common, but we did share this one experience; On this one night, we saw a movie together.
I love when a movie touches my life. I love when a story makes me think about me, and my life, and how I can affect the world.
That's the kind of movie I want to make. Is there such a thing as a movie missionary? I guess not. Perhaps I'll be the first........
