the cinema

Typical movie theater experience for Tabatha:  Pay for overpriced ticket, mull over the popcorn vs. candy decision, then just decide to eat the Raisinets/grapes/taco that I brought in my purse (it varies). Sit down, remember I have to pee, leave and come back, then make a big show out of searching for my friends who I must have lost in that time I was gone to the bathroom.  They usually wave their hands wildly while I squint and block the imaginary light from my eyes, scanning each row, then walking out the door again "looking" for them.  Obviously.

This time was a little different.  I am usually pumped to go to a movie and participate in the culture...this was more like nervous.  Wearing a new risqué blouse-nervous.  Is everyone looking? Do they know I'm alone?  Maybe they'll think I'm meeting someone...

Here's where I went, in the booming metropolis that is Salina, the only movie theater -- in the mall.

Yes, the prestigious Cinema 10.  Where the girl behind the concessions walked away from her open drawer, not even completing her last transaction with me next in line, to talk to a very tan and make-upped girl about why she "quit school."  I almost cleared my throat, it was so rude.  She left me standing in line for two minutes while she carried on a personal conversation, with her money drawer wide open.  So unprofessional, these children.

I almost forgot to mention how I made the decision to see "Easy A."  I did what any 20something might do -- I trusted the internet.  

Naturally, I didn't choose "The Town" because there's someone I'm saving that gem for.  I had heard of "Easy A" a while back, but wasn't entirely sold.  But...I love Emma Stone and especially love Penn Badgley.  So there I was.

I loved it.  It was clever, well-timed, and full of interesting language that I was immediately proud of.  I love when other people impress me with vocabulary.  I laughed out loud more times than I can count, and it was so new not to look around for validation of that laugh.  Typically I would throw my head back with laughter and glance from side to side making sure my friends knew it was funny, knew I thought it was funny, and I knew they thought it was funny too.

On a side note -- you will hate Lisa Kudrow in this movie.  At first, I thought, "Yay!  Lisa Kudrow is in this?! And look at her cute dress/belt combo!"  Then I thought, "I hate you Lisa Kudrow."  And suddenly her nose looked larger than it ever has to me.  A side effect.

Moments I loved about being alone at the movie theater include, but are not limited to:  noticing when the man in front of me needed a penny for his bill of 12.01, and then giving it to him; studying the dreadlocks of the man near me intensively, laughing and not missing parts of the movie because of the need to see if everyone else thought it was funny too, running into a friend and still sitting by myself (triumph!), and laughing loudly period.  Whenever I wanted.  Even when the gaggle of girlfriends and distracted couples were silent.

Moments I did not love:   walking in a parking lot at night by myself, getting caught taking pictures of myself, and not finishing my concessions.  Just remember -- a medium popcorn is too much for a Onederful date such as this.

Oh, the waste.  I cringe.  So I brought it home.  And I probably won't eat it.  But at least I attempted to not be wasteful.

And then I took an awkward photo of myself.  I was being secretive, not only because I was in public, but I was afraid they'd confiscate my camera, mistaking me for a bootlegger.  Never.  Nevah, nevah.

Safely back in my car, I could take a picture of myself, anything at all...and this is the nugget I came up with.  

Go see a movie by yourself.  At the late show.  Not the matinée, because that seems like it could be okay to go by yourself in the middle of the afternoon.  Do it when it's the most shocking, and when you normally would have needed a friend.

That's what she said.