Different Flavors

BEFORE AND AFTER

Sandra and I were leaving the late movie at the Brookline. I had tried to get out of seeing ‘Stranger’ but Sandra kept telling me it had four stars, so it had to be good. She had to just about twist my arm to get me to agree until finally, I did. The movie house was almost filled. I spotted three seats with only one man sitting in the middle. Politely I asked if he would mind moving over so my friend and I could sit together. He didn’t reply, just lifted his jacket, and moved to the aisle seat. The third seat in remained empty. Sandra and I put our coats on it.

Just as I figured it would be, ‘Stranger’ was not my cup of tea.  It was more like drinking a bottle of arsenic. The murder scenes were perhaps works of theatrical excellence, deserving of an Oscar in April, but my eyes and mind were closed to it most of the time and I could not offer a fair judgement. Besides I don’t watch those long-winded, boring Academy shows and have no vote anyhow.  

‘Let’s stop in Dunkin’ Donuts,’ I suggested to Sandra. I can use some good coffee to get that foul taste out of my mouth.’ I ordered two custard filled donuts and Sandra asked for one chocolate mousse and one butterscotch. Taking the last bite of my first custard donut, I felt Sandra poke me in the ribs. ‘Look, look who just came in.’ I looked but saw nobody special. ‘Turn a little to your left. He’s just sitting down. You know, the man who moved for us in the movie.’ ‘You’re right, Sandy.’
Sandy warned me again, ‘Don’t look at him, don’t.’ My attention moved to squeezing the last custard out of its empty doughy shell.

To pass a little time, I ordered six assorted donuts to go. Timing was perfect. The stranger had left. Sandra and I were concerned about getting my car. I had to park on the rear lot and now those lights were ½ out. The ½ that was on was inadequate.  My car key was in my hand as
we walked quickly towards my silver Hyundai. Something was wrong. The key wouldn’t turn. ‘Sandra,’ I shouted. Let’s get out of here NOW!’
She asked no questions, ran to my side. Together we made it to the street where there was lots of traffic, a few cabs going by. I managed to flag one. Our ride was only a few blocks but that gave us time to realize that we were making a lot out of nothing. The movie had frightened us both.

I dropped my friend off in front of her house, watched while she unlocked the door, switched on some lights and went in. Before I came to my place, sirens were screaming, police cars were flying in the opposite direction from mine. My driveway light came on automatically as soon as I turned up the path. The Security alarm had not been triggered. I hit the code numbers and went inside.

 All night my entire house was lit, from the basement to my attic. If a      floor creaked, I held my breath, pulled my blanket tighter around me.
 Surely there were dreams, times where dreams were motionless. It seemed forever until morning came and I could go downstairs, switching off lights, fixing my breakfast, dressing for work. Sandra didn’t answer the phone when I called to check on her. Where could she be so early in the morning?

As usual, I turned on Tov. news so I could relax with a second cup of coffee and one of my donuts. Oh, God, I screamed aloud when I saw ‘Woman murdered behind Dunkin’ Donuts last night.’ The few released details were very similar to the movie ‘Stranger.’ Before doing anything, I gave it a lot of thought and called the police to tell them about the man Sandra and I thought was following us. An officer arrived within fifteen minutes as did Sandra. She had heard the news and wanted to talk it over with me before she called the police. Together we described the man as best we could. The officer wrote it all down.

When I came home from work, there was a voice message for me. It was from Officer Horton who had been to my house in the morning.
He thanked me for my careful description. The man had been identified. He happened to be the Manager of the Dunkin’ Donut eatery where we had seen him. He loves murder mysteries and took the evening off to see ‘Stranger.’ Of course, I called Sandra but he had also left her the same message.

We both felt kind of stupid but had no regrets about calling the police.
As I said before, I don’t like murder stories, scary movies.

The bill at the Brookline changes weekly. This week we will see what I like, a re-run of ‘Chicago.’ Sandra’s foot tapped all the way through.