Must Be The Wiring

Tom loved going to the movies and tried his best to get there at least three times a week but he never saw the same movie twice. He felt that once you see it it's lost it's magic. Carman on the other hand would see the exact same movie four nights in a row if given the chance. She loved knowing what was about to happen next and it made her feel a since of ownership to the move like she was involved in the creation of the film. Both of them were very different in their approach toward the movie experience but they each had a love for cinema.

Tom loved to arrive about 20 minutes before the movie started in order to load up on snacks and take a quick bathroom break while Carman flew in like a windstorm right as the movie began with pockets loaded with candy and sodas.

On this particular night the local theater had a 9:45 p.m. showing of a new horror movie called, "Stay Calm." The show had been promoted all over the television and radio for the last month so Tom and Carman were geared up for a great time.

Things couldn't have went better for Tom except for the occasional coughing and candy wrappers being opened at the most inappropriate moments but all in all he loved the movie and actually thought to himself whether he may return for another viewing but that was never a guarantee with Tom. Carman on the other hand was disappointed in the movie for it's lack of slasher appeal. She was a fan of the 80's horror classics that seemed to always provide just the right amount of blood and guts she needed. As the movie came to an end Tom thought he would stay for a bit to let the crowd die down and to see if maybe sequel tease might pop up. Carman too stayed behind until it was only her and Tom left in the theater. The two sat in silence for what seemed like an hour to Tom due to his uncomfortableness around people but Carman was the laid back type so she didn't seem to mind much.

The lights eventually came on for a few minutes as they gathered their belongings and disposed of any trash but then suddenly the lights turned back off and the screen seemed like it was about to burst open with an exciting part two teaser and so the two waited, and waited, and waited until they realized something wasn't right.

Tom looked around to see if anyone was still in the theater and he and Carman spotted one another and shrugged their shoulders in disappointment. Tom thought for a minute about the situation and he then decided to sit down and make sure he didn't miss anything exciting. "Surely the director will make a another movie and not just leave us wandering what happened to the remaining characters who survived."

On isle G seat 7 Carman was growing restless but she continued to hang around for the lights to come back on. She soon realized this may not happen so she told herself she'd wait ten more minutes and then call it a night. Anyway, she still had some snacks left over and as she proceeded to eat the rest Tom quickly realized who was making all the racket during the movie and he was a little vexed at her lack of courtesy to he and the other movie goers.

The two sat quietly for about 5-7 minutes before Carman spoke up and said, "so you come here often?' Tom, finally realizing he was the target of the conversation said, "yes, this is my favorite place around. "What about you?" "You seem to have a zeal for the movie experience," in reality Tom didn't care whether she responded or not he was just trying to get through the time alone with another human. Carman then told Tom about how her dad took her to the movies every weekend since the time she was 4 years of age. This didn't impress Tom that much but he engaged the her statement with a smile and a well crafted, "Well you don't say." Carman was never the type to be shy around others and to share her stories. Anyway, she'd talk to wall if she had something on her mind that was worth conversating about. Eventually the two started running out of ideas on what to talk about and then the strange silence began which always put Tom into a near panic attack until he finally thought wait, "I have the perfect thing to say!" and so he sprang to his feet and for some reason he said, "It must be the wiring." He went on about how the theater had been around for years and years, "in fact my grandfather used to visit here and spend a nickel for a Sunday Matinee" he said. It must be that it's an old theater and maybe just maybe they have never thought of updating the electricals. Tom was then in sort of a detective mode and was curious about the cause of the black out but Carman had finally had enough and decided to head home but it was so dark she couldn't find the exit so she looked over at Tom who at first seemed annoyed he had to continue interacting with another human but he finally rose to his feet and led her out the door. As they exited the theater they each shared what they thought of the movie and that maybe they'll see one another again soon. As they each went their separate ways it dawned on Tom how different folks approach and enjoy experiences and that interacting with others might be manageable. Carman thought about this as well and as she made her way to the bus stop she couldn't help but laugh to herself and think, "as strange as that guy was he might actually be on to something" and maybe our differences come down to one simple solution", "the wiring," "Yup! "It must be the wiring."