.................................................................................................................................................. Chapter Four: MYSTERIOUS FILM Emmett enters an old theater with Brian following close behind. They pay two dollars for their seats and walk in one of the three opened doors. The lights inside are dimly turned down with the exception of the large bright screen in front of them, showing different previews of up coming movies. They walk inside and sit down in the back seats, on the last row. The seats are dark red and tiny lights are following the rows like perfectly aligned beads in a pearl necklace. Large worn-out satin curtains awkwardly hang on both sides of the screen and an aging balcony is suspended above the last row. As if on cue, the movie starts just as they sit their asses down on the dusty red fabric of the seats. The film playing is some kind of an outdated Hollywood production. “Is that it? You wanna take me to some reeking old cinema?” Brian loudly says. “Shhh, keep it down.” Emmett whispers, placing his index finger to his lips. “What for, were alone.” Brian says. “Are we?” Emmett points to a silhouette sitting in one of the first rows. “See him?” The figure is obviously a man, he looks dark and mysterious but they can’t quite see him from their distance. “What about him?” Brian asks, beginning to feel uninterested. “Chris,” Emmett articulates. “Has been coming to this theater for nearly two years, every night, to watch those old movies…” “Pitiful.” Brian softly exclaims. “You think? Ever since he was young, Chris went in the park by the big fountain. He used to throw his pennies in the wishing-fountain. He would make a wish almost everyday, hoping to come true someday, but in the end, he did nothing but wait and wait. And his wish never came true.” Emmett says emotionally. “I’m not waiting for my dream to come true.” Brian exclaims after listening to Emmett’s tale. “I know, just don’t throw your life into meaninglessness like a certain someone, okay.” Emmett says, showing that he cares about his friend. Brian observed the individual with a bored look on his face. “How do you know that’s the truth?” “Look at him, he’s miserable.” Emmett says, stating the obvious. “Maybe his wish was to become a poor movie-lover and waste his life in front of a screen just like that, you never know.” Brian says in his natural, blunt fashion. “He’s not poor. He has all the money in the world, just like you, but money can’t give you a hug when you need it.” Emmett tells Brian, knowing that there’s a chance that it's how Brian sometimes feel. “No shit.” Brian purses his lips. “How do you know about it anyway?” Brian asks. “I used to talk with him.” Emmett explains. “Let me guess, he comes from Hazlehurst, Mississippi?” Brain says, not necessarily mocking him. “No, we used to watch Loretta Young and Audrey Hepburn’s movies together.” Emmett says with his sweet smile. “Of course.” Brian says, eying Emmett in the corner of his eye. As Brian laughs off Emmett’s lovely quality, Emmett can’t help but smile back as he sees a beautiful smile form on Brian’s lips. It’s been a while, but he won’t comment on it. “Come on, let’s leave.” He grabs Brian’s sleeve and pulls him towards the exit. They walk out the shaded cinema room. “Wait, I gotta piss.” Emmett says heading to the men’s room. Brian leans against the dark wall and waits for his friend, when a young girl walks by him, holding her mother’s hand. The girl walks closer to Brian. “Mommy, is that man gonna die?” Speaking loudly and pointing at Brian, who stays motionless, looking at her with his usual unreadable look. “Sweetie, don’t talk to strangers.” The little girl’s mother tenderly smiles to her child, taking her by the waist and drags her away, completely ignoring Brian’s presence. Brian carelessly leans his head against the wall with a tuck and lets out a long breath. Emmett walks out the washroom, half-skipping, and they head out the old theater's squeaking doors. ............................................................................................................................................