Night at the Cinema

Mitchell and I have never been close, but the idea of going to the movies together has always lingered in my imagination. I know his habits – how he carefully selects his treats at the grocery store, how he hesitates by the freezer section – and I can already picture the moment he’d suggest sneaking in candy from the supermarket.

I’d humor him, of course. Let him pull out those carefully selected treats from beneath his jacket, nestled close to his body for warmth and secrecy. But me? I’m different. The concession stand is my sanctuary, my ritual. There’s something sacred about the overpriced popcorn, the syrupy soda, the individually wrapped candies that cost twice as much as their grocery store counterparts.

“We could save money,” Mitchell would whisper, his eyes darting around the movie theater lobby. His hand would be tucked inside his jacket, fingers wrapped around a package of candy or a bag of chips. But I’d shake my head, already walking towards the bright lights of the concession stand.

The smell of fresh popcorn is intoxicating. The way the kernels are popped to perfection, the careful drizzle of butter, the crisp paper bag that crinkles with anticipation – these are experiences you can’t replicate with smuggled snacks. Mitchell might save a few dollars, but he’d be missing the entire ritual of movie-going.

I’d watch him slip his contraband candy into his pocket, a mischievous glint in his eye. And I’d be standing in line, wallet out, ready to pay the premium for my movie snacks. The teenage rebellion of sneaking in candy? Not for me. I’m all about the authentic experience, the bright lights of the concession stand, the anticipation of that first buttery handful of popcorn.

The movie would start. Mitchell’s smuggled treats would be quiet, carefully unwrapped. My popcorn would be loud, each handful a statement of my commitment to the movie-going experience. Some might call it wasteful. I call it tradition.

In the darkness of the theater, our different approaches would merge – his secret snacks, my loud concession stand purchases. Two boys, one movie, a world of snack possibilities between us.