If you’ve been to a movie lately you know things have
gotten pretty loungy. Now days, you can
pick where you want to sit and if you’re the plan ahead type, you can even
reserve your Dreamlounger (Recliner) online. Just make
sure you understand the seating map…unexpectedly finding yourself in the front row can give a permanent kinked neck and seeing cross-eyed for a week!
Besides the usual popcorn and candy options, there’s a
roundup of other choices. Mini donuts,
pizza, wings, corn dogs, nachos and ice cream. What’s next turkey drumsticks and corn on the cob?
Even more exciting, you can actually “legally” have
alcohol (not the hidden in a paper bag kind) at the movies. This is quite a change from the old-fashioned
cinematic days. They’re serving up cocktails,
wine and beer along with a menu of selections in the cinema lounge before the
movie even starts.
Don’t feel like waiting in the concession line? You can have it delivered right to your Dreamlounger. Whaaat? No more
wading through a sea of popcorn cracked moviegoers and Milk Dud junkies. Honestly, this is the only time I become a Twizzler
addict. We all have our theater food
weakness. What’s yours?
Once in the theater, find your Dreamlounger, kick back,
recline and snuggle in with a glass of wine and Twizzlers. Wow, it’s almost like being at home. What’s missing? Perhaps it’s your blanket, pillow and the dog
at your feet.
However, some things at the old movie house never change
and that’s the 20 minutes of previews before the featured show begins. This is when you crack open the
Twizzlers! Let one marinate in your wine
awhile for some “liquored up licorice.”
Hey…I think I’m onto something!
It turns out these Dreamloungers are pretty comfy and I've grown quite accustom to reclining. I
don't think I can go back to the old seating ways of watching a movie.
As movie night winds down and it's time to come back to an upright position, it certainly doesn't mean the action-packed drama has to end there.
That's how it felt
when making a pit stop in the bathroom after the movie.
Of all the bathroom stalls in all the towns in
all the world this one enters into mine. I couldn't have known that the one stall I chose turned
out to be a death trap. Well, ok maybe not quite that fatal. But, how was I to
know that one turn of the stall’s door lock after entering would require a
mission impossible stunt to get out.
It was supposed to be
a quick tinkle and a swift stall exit. Instead, I found with one
turn of the door latch it would prevent me from doing just that. I stood there
trying to unlock the door, but it just spun round and round. No matter which
direction I turned it, the latch would not move.
It had locked, but it
wouldn't UNLOCK. I was stuck in a 3x5 metal enclosure with a commode and
a roll of toilet paper. Holy crap!
It suddenly became
apparent to me. Houston we have a problem!
My instant reaction
was to get someone's attention on the outside to let them know my
dilemma.
"Ahh hello out
there, I seem to be locked in this stall!" "Could someone get help
please?"
A voice on the outside
sharply responds, "Are you talkin to
me?" Followed with "surely
you can't be serious?"
I reply, "I am serious and don't call me
Shirley."
It seemed no one took me
serious. People walked in and walked out; free to pee and leave with not a care
in the world.
I, on the other hand,
was forced into solitary confinement staring at an advertisement board for
Exotic Meat and a banner to shop the Stall Mall. Really? That’s a
thing?
Then it dawned on me. Desperate times, desperate measures.
The writing was on the
wall. Literally, it was! I could either call Magic Mike for a good time or I
could save myself and survive this toilet trap! I needed to pull off a "Mission
Impossible" stunt that even Tom Cruise would say "mission accepted." "We can do it!"
I looked up and then I
looked down. I thought what would be more suitable and easier for a fifty-something
"eager to live" woman. Climbing over the top of the stall or crawling
under? What would Tom do? He'd probably climb OVER.
So...I crawled UNDER.
It may have been
easier, but if you really think about it, this was Filthy Dangerous. That didn't stop me; I maneuvered under the door
like a stealth cat. I grazed just low enough under the door and just high
enough above the skanky infested floor while wearing a white jacket, no
less.
As I emerged from
under the stall like an Alien making its shocking appearance, I couldn't help
but shout, "Heeere's Johnny!"
Of course, the look of
amazement and surprise from other bathroom patrons questioned my actions. They
may have thought I was drunk on liquored up licorice or maybe that I had just
pulled off a magnificent impossible mission!
Frankly, wenches, I don’t give a damn! I just survived a traumatic toilet incident! Hence, I proudly walked out with my head held high.
No worries, I'll Be Back for another movie night as I still
enjoy the reclining Dreamloungers while watching a good movie with wine and
licorice.
You can be sure I'll
check the locks on the stall door before entering the next water closet. You
should too!
As they say in the
movies, "life is like a box of
chocolates; you never know what you're gonna get."
By the way, after making my Great Escape, Magic Mike (Mister O) was waiting in the thick of a crowded corridor. I told him about my heroine experience and with a burst of laughter he wrapped his arm around me and responded affectionately, "here's looking at you kid." Yeah, alright, I made that part up!
Going to the movies? Grab a Dreamlounger and Let the Force Be With You!
Put your smile on,
Too funny! I honestly don't think it would have occurred to me to crawl out. I probably would have texted my husband to get someone and just sat there helplessly waiting for assistance. Way to save yourself!
ReplyDeleteKaty, texting the hubby was actually my thought too before deciding I could just crawl under the door. Believe me...I'll check the door locks from now on. Thanks for taking the time to stop by. :)
DeleteHa! I think under was the way to go...and we don't yet have those dreamy loungers...worried they might put me into dreamland. At least for the freaking kids movies I sit throug.
ReplyDeleteFunny you should mention falling asleep. My hubby nodded off and actually started to snore one time. That was embarrassing! I had to do a few elbow nudges. Can't take 'em anywhere. LOL Glad you stopped by Anna!
DeleteThis is laugh out loud funny! I believe crawling under was the safest of two very dangerous alternatives, and would have reluctantly done the same. Good thing they have generous floor drains in these bathrooms to handle the liquored up licorice post escape barf fest. And since I fall asleep in the most austere movie theater conditions, if this luxury experience ever comes to my neighborhood, I'll never make it past the previews. Great post!
ReplyDeleteMolly, thanks for the love! Be forewarned to always check the stall door locks before entering. Wouldn't want you to end up in a mission impossible situation!
DeleteConfession: this has always been a fear of mine, having to crawl out of a filthy commode cube!
ReplyDeleteIt's mine now! And, dressing rooms. 😳
DeleteOMG I would have died on the spot! I love to go to the movies, but from now on I'll inspect the locks on each bathroom stall door!
ReplyDeleteYes, Marcia, lesson learned. I'll be checking from now on. Besides, crawling under stall doors at my age is questionable!
DeleteThis was the first blog post I read this morning - and I am still laughing! Clearly I need to get out more - never having experienced a theater with a dream lounger! But then again - I have never been been stuck in a bathroom stall. Knock on wood! Thanks for visiting my blog today - I'm glad to have found yours!
ReplyDeleteYour Dreamlounger may be coming soon, it's seems to be the new movie theater experience. Glad I could bring a laugh - that's what it's all about!! Thanks for sharing!
DeleteI've always had that fear of that happening to me! I can't believe when you called out for help, the other ladies didn't take you seriously! I would have done the same in crawling out from the bottom. What a nightmare! So glad you were able to get out ok.
ReplyDeleteCarolann from sassytownhouseliving.com
Thanks Carolann! I don't think they took me serious because they thought I was joking around and didn't think it could happen. Let's just say your fear is legitimate. At least it made for a good laugh afterwards. :)
DeleteI laughed out loud, Laurie, but bet it wasn't too funny at the time. Reminds me of when I went to the passenger loo on a French train and the automatic lock opened mid-tinkle!
ReplyDeleteLol, I think the opposite happening with the door flying open during mid-tinkle would be just as traumatic! Thanks for stopping by and sharing your bathroom memory!
Delete