10:10 pm: So here I am, a supposedly mature 40-something woman, sitting in a theater surrounded by teenagers. The debut of The Hunger Games starts in two hours. Two hours. And yet, here we are. My son has been in line since 3 pm. But he's 13. What's my excuse?
I did enjoy the book. And the previews look awesome. But will it be enough to keep me awake?
Technology, at least, can keep our impatient, tired minds distracted. I write this, and Ben plays recorded TV on his iPhone--Jimmy Fallon doing David Bowie. We each use one of the earbuds. The surrounding teenager conversation has so far focused on: "those Kardashian bitches," candy, blue jeans, video games, music, sex, and how many times they all saw, and cried at the end of, Toy Story 3. At least teenagers, as far as the evidence suggests, haven't changed much since I was one. I won't count the years....
Emmett and his friend Phil are in the back row and god only knows what they are talking about. I bought them energy drinks to see them thru--an unprecedented concession, naughty mama--so they are likely being as squirrelly as teenaged boys can be. A lot of people are playing solitaire on their iPads, or reading books on their Kindles. The more things change, the more they remain the same, as they say.
My how time flies. The movie already starts in...96 minutes! Maybe I need some Raisinets.
11:00 pm: and it's off to the lobby. I'm suspicious of movie theater cappuccino but may have to go for it. A "mocha," perhaps. Junior mints? It's all silly I guess, the while midnight-premiere-on-a-school-might thing, but also festive, and an event. I think it's an ancient impulse to gather together at weird hours and celebrate stories we love. That's cool. Even if people profit greatly off 7 dollar vats of popcorn covered in...whatever that stuff is. "Buttery topping." I wonder how that would go with a "mocha." I think Ben and I are literally the only people in this theater over the age of 30. As I re-enter the theater, the mini marquis scrolls: "starts in 52 minutes..." I deliver popcorn to the teenagers that belong to me. I keep the "mocha" and the juniors mints to myself.
12:00: Getting...so...catatonic...but it's about to start. So...c'mon, buck up, get excited, the teenagers know enough to increase the volume of their chatter...the moment is almost here, the waiting is almost over...and ready...set...*action*!
