Interesting Night at the Dollar Theatre

So tonight since most of my friends were busy it seemed I decided to go to a movie alone. I had been at home all day and needed to get out. Also, my roommate Tam came home with her practically live-in boyfriend and she was going to teach him guitar lessons and I wasn't about to stick around for that. I decided to go see Coraline in 3D in west valley. First off there were stupid drivers everywhere so my road rage was well...a rage'n. I was running late too which adds to it. Anyway got to the theatre and found a good seat and the previews had started. I liked my seat but unfortunately it was near this guy who laughed at everything and very loudly (he might have been a little "special"). Well, I couldn't take it so I moved. Still could hear him though but the movie is pretty dark so there wasn't much laughing once we got into the movie. I liked it but not as much as I thought I would.

Well, it was still kind of early and I didn't want to go home yet so I looked up on handy dandy phone what else was playing. Nothing really, so I decided on Twilight at the dollar since I didn't really want to fork another 8+ dollars for something I'd already seen. There was a 10:20 showing but it was only 9:30. Well, I drove around for a bit, picked up some food and ate it in the parking lot until it seemed close enough to go in. I had a book with me so I figured I'd just take a seat and read until the movie started. It was a good plan, just didn't happen. There was a small line for the tickets and then line after line for each movie to go in. Mine was last. The theatre was short staffed I guess and so cleaning each theatre was taking longer than usual. So when we finally got to go in it was already past the time for the show to start.

I sat in the back row second seat in. There were two people in front of me but one seat over and then this middle aged asian guy comes and sits on the end seat in the row in front of me so I had a perfect view of the screen and could crouch in my seat. The previews started and this guy kept looking back and up at where the projector screen and looking at me but I don't make eye contact I just keep my eyes on the screen until he speaks.

"Do you think it's too loud?" I shake my head no, thinking we're in a movie theatre it's supposed to be loud. Ironically, when the next preview starts the sound is a lot quieter and then goes very quiet so you can barely tell what the people are saying. The longer this lasts the more people go out one by one to tell an employee. And I'm thinking how I'm not having very good luck at dollar movies these days as last week I went to see Australia at a dollar theatre in west valley and they accidentally started playing The Tale of Despereaux. At least they fixed that quickly. Not the same for Twilight. The movie came on and kept playing with really low sound. The asian guy kept looking up at the projector and at me. He looked at me a lot, at least to the point that I was bugged. Someone came in and announced they were working on it and I overheard someone say they had asked if the movie would be rewound but were told it wouldn't be. About five or ten more minutes in the lights come on. I start reading my book and the asian guy still keeps looking back at me every now and then.

Finally a manager comes in and announces they are still working on it but probably won't be done anytime soon so our options are to get a refund, a rain check or go see the 11:30 showing in the theatre down the hall. I opted for the last one and headed to get a good seat. I stuck to the back. It was a much bigger theatre than the last one and much colder. It's ten minutes to eleven so I pull out my book but decide to text Julie and Aly while I'm waiting. Aly didn't answer right away but Julie did even though she was in bed reading and ready to go to sleep. So we texted a bit and I read in between texts and then as Julie dropped off Aly started texting me until about 11:25.

Next thing I know I hear, "What book are you reading?" I look over and it's the asian guy! He's sitting across the aisle from me.
"Confessions of a Shopaholic," I say.
Smiling, "Are you a shopaholic?" Seriously I am so bugged right now. Why is this guy talking to me. I'm not even looking at him because I'm pretending to be texting until Aly responds.
"No, it's just a silly book."
"Oh, it's a movie too, isn't it?"
"Yep." Still not looking. Evading eye contact.
"Is that the 3G?"
"Yep."
"Is the service expensive?"
"I pay $70."
"Oh that's not bad. Is that T-Mobile?"
"No, it's AT&T. I have the cheapest plan."
"Is that unlimited?"
"It's only 400 minutes."
"But the phone costs a lot?" I just nod. "$400?"
"Yep." Then the lights go down and the movie starts. Thank goodness. I think he was still looking at me for a little bit but I'm not sure. As soon as the end credits started rolling I grabbed my stuff and headed out. At first glance as I was getting out of my seat it looked like the guy had fallen asleep and then as I headed toward the door I glanced back and still in his seat he was looking at me as I was leaving. Slight eye contact. Creepy! I picked up my walking pace and didn't look back until I got to my car. Fun night at the movies.