On sharing a loveseat with a new friend...
05/30/2011 05:25 a.m.
At precisely 5:57 pm
After a crowded Sunday Market day
I went to the “discount theatre”
Right next to the Voodoo Room,
All owned by the same folks, apparently.

I was first in line
For the second run
Of an early spring release.

I felt sort of silly,
Being such an early bird,
But I’d heard there was “always a line”,
And that, for under twenty bucks,
You could enjoy a movie,
A big tub of popcorn,
A very large soda,
And a king size Snicker bar.

Being so early,
I’d at least get to sit upstairs.
I’d heard all about “the balcony” too,
And the beer-n-pizza they’d deliver
Right to your own private little table
In front of a really comfy loveseat,
Along with how fast the balcony
Fills up, meaning you have to be in line
At precisely 5:57 pm or before.

As I stood there, all alone,
Waiting for someone to man the ticket booth,
A petite woman, short grey hair,
Whom I’d guess to be around 60 or so,
Crossed the street
At a spry little jog,
And spoke to me in that way,
That small town familiar way.

“A line already? You must be one determined customer!”
Not feeling particularly talkative,
I just nodded, and smiled.
“Well, I’m gonna jog around the block,
And I’ll see you when I come back around.”

With that she disappeared.

When she reappeared about five minutes later,
She said,
“Look at you! You ARE determined, aren’t you?”
This time I answered,
“Well, I came all this way,
So I figure I may as well get a good seat.”

She decided , right then, that since the ticket boy
Was still back flirting with the popcorn girl,
That she’d sneak into the Voodoo
And have a beer.

To my surprise, she inquired,
“Wait, are you 21?”
(Which, of course, is the RIGHT thing to say
To someone who’s actually 48)
And promptly invited me to have a beer with her.

When we finished, and were neatly back in line for the show,
She said,
“Usually I sit in one of the two single arm chairs
They set aside just for me. But tonight,
In celebration of finding a new friend,
I’d much rather share a loveseat with you,
If you think the idea appeals.”

And it did.
So we did.
And now I’m one friend richer.