“Cinematic Experience” — Leonard Peace McAllister ’17

Tick Tock. My eyes watched each sway of the hand, over me. He promised he would be here more than…ten ago. I stood stiff with my head dangling. Patted down my skirt. Whilst I raised up my dignity. I walked up to the box office. Greeted by a man. He was dressed in white from head to toe. “One ticket if I may, good sir?” I asked sincerely. “Of course young lady!” he responded.  I received a blank slip from the man. As I made my way to a separate booth, I approached a man in all black. He took my ticket. “It will be returned once your cinematic experience has been concluded. Enjoy.” he stated. “Thank you?” I said confused, this experience being a first of mine. The bright colors that engulf the darkness. The sound of the theater, compressed yet expansive. A new world: a departure. Once I returned to the lobby, I had been given back my ticket. Not so blank as before. Written in dark black, “REJECTION”. I enjoyed the theater and returned many times to escape but the enjoyment was accompanied by these strange words “DENIAL” “GLUTTONY” “DISTRACTION”. “One ticket, please.” I asked with a smile awaiting a new film in anticipation. “Why are you doing this to yourself ma’am?” asked the box office man. He looked up at me directly, a face weathered by time. I had looked but now I saw. It dawned on me, the final conclusion. One more time, I told myself. I tore the blank slip from his hand. Making my way to the booth, the man took my ticket again. I was shined by glowing lights which drew my attention frantically from one spot to the next. Music and noises of another world constantly enclosing me. Seclusion. I felt different leaving the theater. For the first time I looked around. People receiving their slips back before me. So many threw theirs away, but I could never bring myself to it. I was given my slip back…”COWARDICE”. My heart sunk as did the slip to the ground. Spiraling. I felt my confidence drop, the usual effect of these things. A message on the back, “FACE IT”. The tears gently fell but I decided to raise my feet as well as the paper and slipped it into my jean pocket. I practically fell over myself while I ran for the door. Bombarded by overbearing sunlight. The outside. I saw the slip finally. All black with white text, “LIFE”. My cinema was over and IT resumed.