Visiting the 1931 theater each summer, reminds me of the rigid in-place modis operandi, of certain managers regarding this historical landmark.

————

Outside the white clapboard Art Deco Theater, patrons drifted into small groups on a warm summer's evening.

People ignored other conversations,

they and we waited…

fidgeted our pockets,

opened purses,

stared at the moon.

When, out of the door came the manager

with a history of crowd control.

And atop the lofty summit of

the stairs, gestured grandly,

corralling to a single file, the now impatient

crowd of fifteen, and threatened

NOT to start the movie

until demands were met.

Barking…

"EVERYONE LISTEN!!”

As politeness shifted to the “stink eye,”

the once cordial group reluctantly

shuffled into place, grumbling,

trying to remember their position in line.

Did we get here before

those people?

Hmm, I know damn well we were

here before them.

Their glares focused on us,

smiling back at them,

already behind the velvet rope.

By Antoni Ooto

From: United States

Website: http://www.ooto.org/blog/