Th Fight

The Fight

 

 

They decided to see Raiders of the Lost Ark, again.  Sure they had seen it together 4 times and had a combined total viewings of 11, but it was a Friday and it was playing and what the heck. 

 

The ride to the theatre was a bit trying for Rich.  For some reason Gregg was on this rampage about finding him a date.  This always got under his skin.  Sure Gregg was out every other night with another of his young “groupies” but Rich wanted more from a relationship than “the old slap and tickle” Gregg referenced his meaningful relationships as.  Little did Rich know, this was going to be a night to remember.

 

They arrived at the Plaza theatre about 30 minutes before the show.  Gregg had this uncanny need to be early wherever they went.  As they approached the ticket counter, Gregg stepped ahead.  “I got this,” he commented.  He gave the cashier a bit of a look.  She seemed to be about 17, cute, blonde, and reading a page worn copy of Watership Down.  “Two for Raiders, eight fifteen show”, he pushed a ten dollar bill through the slot and awaited the tickets and change.  She barely glanced up at the two of them, took his money and delivered back two tickets, a crumpled dollar bill and two quarters. 

“Enjoy the show,” her voice was barely audible between the glass and her face being down, looking back at the book.

 

“Hey,” Gregg started.  Rich felt a knot form in his stomach.  “What time do you get off?” She looked up with a start, glanced at him, as a smile slowly formed on her lips.

 

“Well, elevenish.”  These a bit louder than her earlier comment.  “Need to clean up after this show and close up.”  She let the book close and began to twirl her hair with two fingers.  “Why do you ask?”  She leaned in slightly towards the glass separating the two of them.

 

“Come on, let’s go!  I wanna make sure we get good seats,” Rich grabbed at Gregg’s arm which was unmovable.  “Every time,” this to himself, “why does he have to do this every time?”

 

“Well, I was just thinking,” his voice got a bit quieter, almost sounding shy, “uhm, well, if you aren’t doing anything after the movie you might want to . . .” he paused for affect.  Rich started to turn away as he rolled his eyes.  “Go to Denny’s with my friend here.”

What the hell!!  The expression on Rich’s face clearly expressed the words he was thinking. “Uh, Gregg, what did you . . . “he couldn’t complete the phrase as he turned away.  Angry, embarrassed, a little of both?

She looked over Gregg’s shoulder to see Rich clearly for the first time.  The smile faded slightly.   “Well, I don’t know I have a lot of work to get done this weekend and . . . “Rich pulled Gregg away by the arm.

“Sorry, he’s a bit out of place, don’t mean to bother you,” Rich said over his shoulder as he dragged Gregg away.  “What the heck are you doing?  I don’t need you to be fixing me up.  Especially with kids.”

“Lighten up.  Just a little harmless fun.”  Gregg pulled away from Rich’s grasp.  “It’s just, well, I never see you dating anyone and thought maybe . . . “

 

“Here’s an idea,” Rich was genuinely getting upset, “Do what you’re best at and stop thinking.”  The comment struck Gregg as more funny than anything else and he looked up at Rich with a smile.  Rich couldn’t hold his anger, shook his head, and smiled, making sure Gregg didn’t notice.

 

As they approached the candy counter Gregg turned to Rich, “Hey, I gotta go to the little boy’s room.  Can you get me a large Popcorn, no butter, Jujy Fruits and a Coke?” He reached in his pocket but Rich stopped him.

“Sure, and hey, you got the tickets, I got this.”

“Thanks,” and he headed across the lobby to the Men’s Room.

Five minutes passed, and Gregg caught up to Rich as he was attempting to gather all their food while retrieving his change from the girl behind the counter.  She was brunette, probably about 21, and carried an air of authority about her.  “Must be the manager or something,” Gregg thought as he reached for the large bag of popcorn.

“Perfect timing,” this from Rich as he slid the large soda over to Gregg.  He pocketed his change and began to pick up his medium popcorn and small soda.

“Hi there,” Gregg smiled at the young lady.  “Gregg Stickeler, Damn glad to meet you.”  He feigned a salute with the hand holding the popcorn.  As a small amount fell to the floor, Gregg thanked the writers of Animal House for the umpteenth time.  The girl smiled cordially and hoped someone else was in need of some candy or drink as she turned away.  “I see you’ve met my good friend Rich,” he stressed the name just a bit too hard.

“Please shut up,” Rich looked to the ornate ceiling of the lobby.

“We’re heading over to the VF tavern after the flick and it would sure be nice if you could join him, I mean us,” the correction of words was purposely obvious.  “I know you probably get out about eleven or eleven thirty.  I’m sure he won’t mind hanging around.  I have a friend meeting me there so I’m sure she won’t mind picking me up here first.”  He was really pushing the issue.

“Thanks, I’m flattered,” she looked towards Rich, feeling his pain, “but I just don’t think so.  You seem like a nice guy, Rich is it?  But I don’t think my boyfriend would understand.”  She looked at the usher approaching the counter from Theatre 1.

“Let’s just go see the movie,” Rich smiled absently at the counter girl as he nudged Gregg to Theatre 2.  “Will you please stop it!”

They found seats in the middle of the theatre which was oddly only about a quarter full for a Friday night.  Granted the movie had been out a few weeks already, but still, it was Raiders.

 

They watched the movie.  After the credits, Rich did his best to rush Gregg out of the theatre to avoid the counter girl, the usher, and the cashier.  They drove to Denny’s and ordered their traditional Saltines and Coke.  They sat for 30 minutes or so discussing the movie and the new things they had spotted.  “No,” Gregg insisted, “that was not See Threepio on the pillar.”  He then went on with his usual diatribe about how Lucas’ concept was really good but Spielberg didn’t know how to direct a chase scene.

Gregg grabbed the check, eyed it, and turned to Rich.  “Well with tip it’s like three dollars each.”  He reached into his wallet and pulled out a credit card.  Rich handed him three dollars, which he pocketed.  He put the bill and the card at the edge of the table.

“Let me get that,” a woman’s voice, “Bob just went on break.”  Gregg looked up.  For the second time that night, Rich felt a knot in his stomach.  She was probably at least thirty.  Attractive, Gregg thought, in an older woman sort of way.

“Hi there,” after all these years Rich was still surprised at how Gregg was just able to turn that smile on without a seemingly second thought.  “You new here?”

“Nah,” was that a slight Jersey accent? “I usually don’t work the weekends but my husband’s out of town and we really need the money so . . . “  Gregg was able to maintain the smile even with her incessant gum chewing Rich knew he couldn’t stand.

 

“Husband, huh?  That’s a shame.  I’ve been trying to find a date for my friend here for a concert next weekend, and . . . hey, wait,” inspiration flashed in his eyes, “you got any friends?  He’s a great guy.”

 

Rich stood up, more embarrassed than angry this time.  “Look, I’ll wait for you in the car.”  He left, not saying a word to the waitress as he slid past her and out into the night.

 

“This is getting ridiculous,” Rich, in a rare moment of annoyance, almost yelled.  “Could you just stop it!”  All Gregg could do was just smile, almost as if he was telling himself a joke.

They drove off in a rare silence.  The radio was on but not a word was spoken.  Rich slowed the car and stopped at a red light.  Gregg peered out the passenger window as red VW beetle pulled up beside them.  The convertible top was down and he could clearly see a very attractive red head in the driver’s seat.

“Hi!” Gregg yelled to her in order to be heard over the dueling radios. “What’s your name?”

From behind her shoulder, a man’s face appeared, a very angry looking man.  “Who the hell wants to know?”

Gregg didn’t skip a beat.  “My friend here was wondering. .. “ he never completed his sentence as the light changed and Rich sped away down the street.

 

At least that’s what they were planning to tell everybody.