We entered the arena, which in some vague way resembled the right-hand section of the big classroom in the basement of the Dick building. We came in from the rear, to walk down the steps and find chairs in the pseudo-stadium-like seating arrangement. The chairs were hard, wooden (or metal painted to look like wood?) flip-up style; the kind you would see in a sporting arena. Was this a sporting event?

I think it was N who had managed to get us the tickets, since he had all those connections at CU. [So much for disguised identities.] We were going to try to get seats in the middle, but that area looked quite crowded, so we settled for a row of seats in the upper right hand area. Everyone thought they would suffice well enough.

We all sat down, and thought about maybe ordering something to eat. Maybe the concessions would have something good?

What event was going to take place here again? I couldn't quite remember.

Before further thoughts of food could be entertained, the lights went down, and the screen began to flicker in the familiar pattern. Of course! We were at the movie. I sat back and started to relax. There's always time to enjoy a good movie.

What movie was it, again?

An image of pure pastel blue filled the screen. The camera panned down from the sky, and around to reveal a typical movie-style modern suburban neighborhood.

UH oh. Now I remembered what movie this was going to be, and the guys were not going to like it. Sure enough, as the thought flashed through my head, the title appeared onscreen: "Crossroads". Fuck that MTV advertising.

Somehow, it was MY fault that we were here. How, I don't know, but it was. In the seat to the right of me, G groaned. This was not going to be pretty.

"Starring..." I already knew what was coming, even before the blond with the nauseating grin and exposed navel could appear onscreen to load stuff into the minivan. "Britney Spears", printed in a nice, curly, pseudo-feminine handwriting font.

G suggested that we try and see what else was playing in the megaplex. Maybe it wouldn't be too late to catch... whatever it was.

But I didn't want to get up. I wanted to stay and watch the movie. I said I would stick around and watch the film. Other people could do what they wanted. I didn't care if it was going to suck. Even if it wouldn't be a great film by any stretch, it should be entertaining enough to be watchable, it had already started, and I was in the mood for it, so I wasn't going to go anywhere.

Inevitably, the group began to divide into those who would stay, and those who would go in search of better entertainment. I wasn't surprised when the vast majority started to get up in preparation to leave. "Goddamn bigots," I thought. "The only reason they're so opposed is because SHE is in it. It might even turn out to be a moderately entertaining film, but they'll never know, because their minds are so closed."

I held out hope that at least the one whose handle begins with Z would stick around. After all, he had been known to endure (and enjoy) just about any of what Roger Ebert might term "mindless Hollywood claptrap". Would he not be swayed away by peer pressure?

Just as the deserters were about to leave, the screen went black. Projector malfunction. The crowd started to get restless. What was going on back there?

I looked back, and could see through the open door to the projection booth. A whole bunch of equipment had accidentally been knocked over by the projectionist. They were scrambling frantically to put everything back in place. Then wires had to be connected. Maybe the film had gotten knocked off its spool too?

The technicians tried powering it all back on. A shrill tone erupted over the speakers. Quickly, the technicians adjusted several of the knobs, and the sound returned to normal. The movie started again. Satisfied, I directed my attention back to the screen, and watched. It didn't occur to me to realize it until after the movie was all over, but during the commotion, everyone in the group except me had left.

After it was over, I got up and made my way to the back of the pseudo classroom arena cum theater. Everyone else was standing there, waiting, apparently. The movie had been reasonably entertaining, but I couldn't remember anything that had happened. I asked G how theirs had been, and he said it was good.

Then I realized that I was hungry. I hadn't eaten. All the others had. They must have gotten out before I did, and eaten their food while I was still watching, oblivious. I asked the others if it would be ok for me to grab a quick bite before we leave. They said sure, but I had better hurry because the concession stands would close soon.

I quickly made my way down the stairs, went to the counter, and placed my order. As I waited for the food to be prepared, the group talked about random stuff which slips my mind.

Just as they were shutting down all the food machines, and closing the lines, several trays were brought to the counter for people to pick up. I looked at them, trying to figure out which one was mine. It had rice, beans, and... something else. A wierd cross between Mexican and Chinese food. I wasn't totally sure, but I finally decided that this tray was mine. The guy behind the counter confirmed this.

Eew, there were mushrooms in it. I didn't know they were going to put mushrooms in, or I would have asked them to hold that part. Yuck. Oh well, I could eat around them. No big deal. At least it was food.

I took my food to go, and we headed out the door, to return to... ?

[fade out]