Start your story with two people sitting in a movie theater, waiting for the lights to come back on.

Posted in Sad on Nov 1, 2022

Submissions are closed

Sorry, we are not accepting submissions for this prompt as it is not part of an active contest. Make sure you don't miss our next contest by creating your free Reedsy Prompts account.

Or create a new Reedsy account:

Why not check out our active contest?

✍️ 72 stories

“The Last Row” by Amanda Russ

Submitted to Contest #147

"Mordie? Mordie? When are the lights going to come back on?" Edith patted Mordicai on the knee and inched her way to the front of the seat. "You know I can't make it down those steps without the lights on and everyone is leaving." Mordicai sat bone still in the chair beside her. He didn't move a muscle. He didn't even twitch his hands toward the button that would lower his feet to the ground. He lounged with his eyes closed. "Mordie. I can't find my purse. Do you know what happened to my purse?" Edith searched and patted around the chair...

4 comments 4

Read story

“The Good Guy” by Simon Pacis

Submitted to Contest #147

“So, what did you think?” he asked tentatively, hoping that she’d liked the movie as much as he had. “Kind of bleh, don’t you think?” “Oh yeah, kind of bleh.” He drummed with his fingers on the armrest, waiting for the lights to come back on. The silence lingered. “Uh, so, do you want to go for some drinks?” he ventured. “Mm, I really do have to get up early tomorrow, you know.” “Oh, right.” “Maybe some other time?” “Yeah, oh yeah, definitely some other time.” The lights still hadn’t come on yet, rendering the theater dark as night. Sh...

4 comments 4

Read story

“Eternal Reincarnation” by Nat Mirotta

Submitted to Contest #147

Note -- contains some concept of hell, but used for thematic effect.-- contains a sexual reference in a single paragraph, but is used for effect.-------------------------------------------------------------------------Click! Clack! Click! Clack! Slow at first, accelerating to a prattle. Then the strobelike countdown: 5…bleep, 4…bleep, 3…bleep, 2…bleep, 1…bleep. The sound of a vintage reel. My friend Jonathan and I had just finished work and thought we would catch a movie. And in the name of art–all in the name of art–we chose the o...

2 comments 2

Read story

“Midnight Terror ” by Scott Tibbs

Submitted to Contest #147

Content Warning: Mild Sexual Situation. Adam Baker and his fiancé, Jennifer Fox, were at a theater watching a scary movie called 'Midnight Terror.' It was the first screenplay Adam had written and he was anxious to see his name in the credits. The movie had several jump scares and sudden noises that startled Jennifer. During suspenseful scenes, she leaned into her fiancé, closed her eyes, and squeezed him tight.Near the end of the movie, Jennifer excused herself to use the ladies' room. When she returned and sat down, Adam said, "That was qu...

2 comments 2

Read story

“The Theatre's Darkness” by Travis Hitchcock

Submitted to Contest #147

[CW - Coercive control, trauma, violence] “Are they ever going to turn the lights back on?” asked Kathy with a quiver. “No. Not for a couple of years,” replied Alan. Kathy shifted in the luxurious seat. She thought about how, during different times, the rich and famous occupied each chair, observing the rapid advances in modern cinema. They saw the silent films of Chaplin give way to movies with chattering actors who spoke as if they were in the room with you. She had even heard rumours of films recorded in colour, just like...

2 comments 2

Read story

“Was I separated from a twin at birth?” by Abby Sanchez

Submitted to Contest #147

I’m in a movie theater. Godzilla vs. Kong just finished. Everyone left except for this girl and I. Now the credits are showing. On the other hand, this Girl and I are watching credits while waiting for the lights to come on. Due to the pandemic and with the movie theater just opening we are assigned seats and have to leave a seat open and wear a mask. We are two people sitting alone in a red dark theater wearing a black mask watching credits on the big screen. She comes over and sits next to me. In my head I’m thinking what does she wan...

1 comment 1

Read story

“Stay Awake” by Mike Rigby

Submitted to Contest #147

At least five minutes must have passed by now, I thought. This was dangerous territory. It was way too cosy. Too comfortably dark. The popcorn smell caressed my nasal passages and combined, harmoniously, with my snoozing breath. No. Wake up. You’ve got no more chances with this girl. If you fall asleep tonight, you will die alone! But sleep was more tempting to me than a woman. I scoured the earth for she that would accept a man that only wants to watch movies and sleep. To no avail, had been my efforts. So I accepted my fate. I m...

4 comments 4

Read story

“Curtain Call” by Bob Faszczewski

Submitted to Contest #147

Harold and Alice sat alone in the darkened West Ocean City theater waiting for the featured film to start. For about five minutes the silence enveloped them in a calmness that provided a pleasant relief from the cinematic bombardment they had endured during the barrage of trailers when they had first entered the cinema. Then a deafening din assaulted their ears as a blinding light took over their visual senses. Of course, since the theater’s chief offering for this afternoon feature...

1 comment 1

Read story

“Visitors” by Chelsea Vegter

Submitted to Contest #147

Will he hold my hand? I doubt it. We just started dating. When should we hold hands? Hmmm, what is normal? I guess we will wait in silence. Catherine fidgeted in her seat. At first, placing her hands on her lap, then she sat on them and finally crossed them across her chest. The movie was about the start. At least she hoped so. This being their third date she wasn’t sure about the protocol for girlfriend behavior. Am I his girlfriend yet? When does that happen? Mom didn’t explain this to me. Ahhh, this silence is deafening. I feel like ...

0 comments 0

Read story

“"Two People Sitting in a movie theater, waiting for the lights to come back on” by Valerie Clarke

Submitted to Contest #147

two people sitting in a movie theater, waiting for the lights to come back on Should I say something? She is so gorgeous, and I did have my eyes on her. She has lovely eyes too soft and looks kind. What are the chances she is sitting two chairs from me! But this is a movie theater – I just can’t go over to her – in the semi darkness at that. And – she is by herself. I wonder why though. Sigh – what to do. The lights are out. Perfect reason to introduce myself and have a little chit chat. I ha...

0 comments 0

Read story

“How far can the Imagination take us” by Adam Killbey

Submitted to Contest #147

Some implied violence and theme within.A wave of darkness settles over the room as the light fades from the explosive final scenes, slowly hiding the plush high backed grey cloth seats, and midnight blue carpeted walls. As the heavy deep red theatre curtains prepare to close, white text begins to scroll up the blackened screen. The small glimmering aisle lights showing where to step, flicker into life. With thoughts lingering on the movie he leans over and slowly caresses her cheek with the back of his hand, then follows her jawline to begin...

0 comments 0

Read story

“Lost in November” by SEAN MILLER

Submitted to Contest #147

So… there was a bit of a mix-up. As the lights went off in the movie theater I ruminated on what events had led up to this moment, sitting next to the person I was now. But to do that, we’ll have to backtrack a little. Mike Heusser had an extra ticket to the movies. It was to a premiere showing of Lost in November. Everyone in class had read the book. You know the type. One of those romance books but just… better? Not that cheesy shit that made people swoon and pulled on their heartstrings in cheap, cliched ways is what I’m trying to say...

0 comments 0

Read story

“S.A.D.” by Karen Leidy

Submitted to Contest #147

S.A.D. Celeste and Koen Tazro sat placidly in the quiet darkness, waiting for the lights to return in the movie theatre as the credits slowly descended on the spacious screen. “What did you think about it?” Koen asked. “I really liked it,” Celeste answered. “What about you?” Patrons pas...

0 comments 0

Read story

“WAITING IN DARK” by Mara Masolini

Submitted to Contest #147

WAITING IN DARK When she realized that one, she knew had followed her, had entered the room where she was sitting, the rather shabby room of a cinema club in the suburbs, despite knowing that if she had gone to sit two rows farther from the screen, she should have to put on her glasses, not to mention that , moving to change row and seat, she would inevitably miss some moments of the film she liked so much, to which she was paying a spasmodic attention, ( well) Keith had stood up and, walking hunc...

0 comments 0

Read story

“The Darkness Can Be So Enlightening” by Stephen B. Allen

Submitted to Contest #147

The Darkness Can Be So Enlightening The sudden darkness befalling the interior of the movie house of a small mid-western town was like a pall being thrown over the hopes and dreams of one Terrance Billings—for you can hide in the darkness—yet there was no hiding from the disaster which this night had been! As he sat amidst total darkness, Terrence yet again reflected on every mistake which he had made that evening. It is a Saturday evening in May; the cold grip of a long bitter winter has finally passed to be replaced by the promise...

2 comments 2

Read story

Load more stories

🌟 Similar prompts

Write about someone who has been nominated for a prestigious award, but isn’t sure they deserve it.

Sad – 25 stories

Start or end your story with someone realizing that life isn’t like the movies, for better or worse.

Kids – 35 stories

Write a story about someone who keeps being cast as the hero but is actually a villain (literally or metaphorically).

Adults – 21 stories

Write about a relationship that has been greatly impacted by a movie.

Kids – 26 stories

Contest #147

Enter our weekly contest!

This week's theme: Yes I Cannes

$250

Prize money

179

Contest entries

94

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - May 27, 2022 EST

Won by Cecilia Maddison 🏆

Title: Just Ask for Mercy

View details

Win $250 in our short story competition 🏆

We'll send you 5 prompts each week. Respond with your short story and you could win $250!

Menu

CONNECT

BLOG

APPS

TOOLS

ABOUT

Start your story with two people sitting in a movie theater, waiting for the lights to come back on.

Submissions are closed

✍️ 72 stories

“The Last Row” by Amanda Russ

“The Good Guy” by Simon Pacis

“Eternal Reincarnation” by Nat Mirotta

“Midnight Terror ” by Scott Tibbs

“The Theatre's Darkness” by Travis Hitchcock

“Was I separated from a twin at birth?” by Abby Sanchez

“Stay Awake” by Mike Rigby

“Curtain Call” by Bob Faszczewski

“Visitors” by Chelsea Vegter

“"Two People Sitting in a movie theater, waiting for the lights to come back on” by Valerie Clarke

“How far can the Imagination take us” by Adam Killbey

“Lost in November” by SEAN MILLER

“S.A.D.” by Karen Leidy

“WAITING IN DARK” by Mara Masolini

“The Darkness Can Be So Enlightening” by Stephen B. Allen

🌟 Similar prompts

Write about someone who has been nominated for a prestigious award, but isn’t sure they deserve it.

Start or end your story with someone realizing that life isn’t like the movies, for better or worse.

Write a story about someone who keeps being cast as the hero but is actually a villain (literally or metaphorically).

Write about a relationship that has been greatly impacted by a movie.

Contest #147

Enter our weekly contest!

$250

Prize money

179

Contest entries

94

Stories

Win $250 in our short story competition 🏆

Explore more writing prompt ideas: