Greetings from the last week of class…and also the last week before my birthday! How’s it going? This past Christmas, I shared some of my old poetry on the blog. If you missed it, you can click here to read those “Memories Monday” posts.
This time, I dug into the Anna Archives (AKA my old writing binder) and pulled out a story. I wanted to do this so I could devote the time I saved to studying. However, I only had a hard copy of what I’m about to share with you, so by the time I read it, read it to my sister, discussed it with my sister, and typed it up while reading the dialogue in funny accents…well, it didn’t save much time, but it was fun to remember writing the story.
Backstory: I wrote this story in 2007, when I was fourteen,and I had intentions of making it into a book. I only ended up writing the first three chapters (yeah, they’re short), which kind of stands alone as a short story. So that’s what you’re about to read.
I wrote this before I knew much about story structure, so it may be lacking in some areas. But that’s what I love about it: I wrote it for myself, without feeling pressured to make it a certain way for an assignment or to please other people. It’s straight from my overly dramatic, adolescent heart.
Plus, weirdly enough, the characters in this story kind of match up with the main characters in the novel I wrote last year…the newer characters are several years older and have different names, but their friendship and personalities are similar. It’s funny how that turned out.
So without further ramblings, here’s “The Theater Disaster!”
“The Theater Disaster”
By Anna Schaeffer, 2007
“Which one’s better? The Green or the blue?” Lynne asked as she held two shirts in front of her. “Wait, no, I could layer green and blue for a layered look! I think that’ll work.”
Lynne’s best friend just rolled her eyes. “You are so dramatic! We’re just going to the movies. The movies are dark, so no one’s gonna see you. No one’s gonna care about your outfit.”
Now Lynne rolled her eyes. “You just don’t get it, Mandy,” she said. “You look gorgeous no matter what you wear. Your hair always looks stunning, your shoes always match your clothes, and you never look like you just got out of bed!”
“Stop, Lynne. You know that’s not true. You’re gorgeous too, and you know it. Besides, do you honestly think I would be best friends with an ugly slob? No, you know me better than that. Wear the layered look if you want, but hurry! We have to leave in about five minutes!”
“Five minutes?!?” Lynne gasped. “I haven’t even picked out my accessories yet!”
Mandy sighed before answering her best bud. “You just worry about getting changed. Leave the minor details to me.”
So while Lynne changed into her movie-going outfit, Mandy dug through Lynne’s drawers until she found what she was looking for: a silver bracelet and matching earrings, as well as a white belt.
“You know,” Many said as she handed the accessories to Lynne, “It sure is a good thing you’re not allowed to wear makeup yet: if you did, we’d NEVER make it to the theater!”
“Yeah, right. It’s a shame I can’t wear makeup yet. My freckles just bug the juice out of me!” Lynne said, frowning at her face In the mirror. She put on the earrings and bracelet, then fastened the belt around her waist.”
“I think your freckles are cute. Besides, you’re only thirteen. My mom says we should enjoy being carefree or whatever, ‘cause it won’t last long.”
“My mom says that, too.” Lynne agreed. “Okay, I think I’m ready. Just let me grab my money and we’ll be out of here.”
Mandy let out a BIG sigh, “Finally!”
On the way to the movie theater, Mandy asked Lynne about her sudden interest in fashion.
“Lynne, you used to wear a t-shirt and jeans and not care how you looked! Why have you changed?”
“Well,” Lynne said carefully. “You know how I want to be a famous actress! I’ve heard that tons of stars have been discovered just doing normal stuff. I wanna look my best when someone finds me.”
Mandy wrinkled her nose, “You’re crazy! Walk a little faster, Wild Woman, the movie starts in ten minutes!”
Lynne laughed and ran alongside her friend .The movie theater was only tw blocks from Lynne and Mandy’s houses. Next to the theater was bakery, where the girls often enjoyed pastries and soda. Lynne was thankful she and Mandy were allowed to walk by themselves.
“So, after the movie your mom is going to pick us up, right?” Lynne asked Mandy.
“Yeah,” she answered. “I borrowed her cell phone so we can call when we’re finished. To be honest, I’m glad we’re not allowed to walk home in the dark! This town is a scary place at night!”
Lynne had to agree, “Yeah, it is, but at least we can come on our own.”
By now the girls were at the theater. They went inside, purchased tickets, bought some snacks, and entered theater.
“This is really strange,” Lynne commented once they were seated. “I think we’re the only ones in here!”
“You’re right. I saw people go into the other room, but not this one. I don’t know why! This movie is supposed to be awesome!”
Just then, Lynne heard a crinkling noise. “What’s that?!? I thought we were alone in here!”
“We are,” Mandy replied. “At least, we’re the only humans.”
Lynne was confused by Mandy’s answer. She was just about to ask Many to explain, when all of a sudden she spotted a giant black rat dash down the aisle!
“Ahhhh! Look, a rat!” Lynne cried. She quickly put her feet on theater seat and wrapped her arms around herself.
The rat was the size of Lynne’s foot, and twice as fat! He had beady red eyes and a tail as thick as a sausage and as long as a ruler.
Suddenly, another rat appeared, then another, and another, and another until there were five rats running around the room.
Mandy squealed and grabbed Lynne’s hand. “Wh-wh-what do we do?” She stuttered. Her eyes were round with fear. “D-d-do we sc-sc-scream f-f-f-or help?”
“No,” Lynne answered. “N o, we don’t. I say we run as fast as we can to the door.”
Mandy hesitated, but then nodded slowly. “Okay…” she said. “On the count of three.”
Lynne swallowed hard, then began counting. “One…” the girls stood up in their seats. “Two…” they prepared to dash. “Three!”
The girls had never run so fast in their lives! Without even looking around, the girls had jumped from their seats and dashed across the room, screaming as they went.
By the time they burst out of the movie room’s doors, a crowd had gathered to see what th matter was.
“Are you okay?!?” A worker asked the panting girls. Lynne nodded, and Mandy blushed with embarrassment.
“Yes, I think so…” Lynne felt like she was about to cry. She sniffed really hard then slowly told the worker what they had seen. When she got to the size of the rats, she head a woman gasp. She then watched the woman run out of the building, dragging her two children behind her.
By the time Lynne ha finished explaining, the theater’s manager appeared. “Ladies, are you sure of what you have seen?” He asked seriously. “Killer Merchants is a scary movie, maybe you were just frightened…”
“No sir,” Mandy spoke up. “We’re sure of what we saw! In fact…”
Mandy was interrupted by Lynne, who said, “Killer Merchants?!?” We were gonna watch Fran’s Farm, which is about…”
“I know what it’s about, and I also know you ladies are mistaken! I sold you tickets to Killer Merchants because you asked for them!” the worker said harshly.
“No sir, we did not. We asked for Fran’s Farm.” Lynne was becoming angry. Why didn’t these two men believe them?!?
“Well, it could have been a misunderstanding. Nevertheless, I will send Damon in to show you there are absolutely no rats in there.” The manager said, pointing first at the worker, then at the doors the girls had run out of.
Damon muttered something to himself, then walked into the “rat room.” He emerged a few seconds later, his eyes round with astonishment.
“Uh, Boss,” he said, “These girls are right. There are giant rats in there!”
The manager stared at Damon for a few seconds, then went into the room himself. Sure enough, he emerged a few seconds later, his face identical to Damon’s. “Well girls,” he said, “I’m a little embarrassed for not believing you. There are rats in there, and I would really appreciate it if you didn’t mention it to everyone,” he said, winking. “It would be bad for business, you know. Tell you what,” the manager reached into his pocket and withdrew some money. “How about I give you a refund for your tickets and give you two free tickets to Fran’s Farm instead of Killer Merchants?”
Lynne looked at Mandy before answering. By the look on her best friend’s face, Lynne knew how to answer. “We appreciate the offer, Mister, but I think we ought to head home. I’ll just call one of our parents to pick us up, if that’s okay.”
The manager nodded kindly. “That sounds like a good idea. Take these two tickets in case you want to come back. And again, ladies, I’m very sorry for everything.” He looked like he meant it, so Lynne smiled as she walked out of the building, Mandy still clutching her hand.
A few minutes later, as they climbed into the car, Mandy looked like something was wrong.
“What is it?” Lynne asked. “Not another rat, I hope!”
Mandy shook her head.” No, but I just remembered something.”
“What?”
“We left our popcorn in the movie room!”
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