Empty Box Seats

„Sit down! Sit down! It‘s gonna start soon!”

“Don’t fret. You know Carl’s going to start when all are there. If nothing goes wrong.”

A large hand patted curly blond hair. Audrey looked up with shining eyes. A wide smile made her young face look even younger as her dimples deepened. She shuffled a few times in her cushioned seat before resting her hand against the worn red velvet.

“I’m just so excited, Matthew.”

The man chuckled and nodded gently. So far, only two of the seats in the former opera house turned movie theater were occupied. The lights were dimmed and the smell of aged wood, mixed with caramel and liquor lingered in the air. The girl started to happily hum the chorus of Skidamarink. Matthew’s foot tapped along in the rhythm for a while.

Audrey’s gaze wandered around the empty ranks. The smile still on her lips, she stared at a box seat at the right side. She blinked a few times. Then she turned to the man next to her.

“When was the last time we watched something together?”

The tall man her frowned while stroking his dense beard. Next to him Audrey appeared even smaller. After a few strokes he stopped the motion. The wrinkles on his forehead disappeared.

“Almost two months ago. Beginning of September. We watched Mr. Vampire.”

A giggle filled the empty movie hall. It just lingered for a few moments before it got swallowed by the soundproofed walls. Matthew’s mouth also stretched in a smile.

“It was really funny.”

“I’m glad you enjoyed it. I think Carl worked really hard to get it.”

“We should thank him. Maybe give him a present?”

Matthew stroked his beard again. Audrey focused on the movement and locked eyes with him, when he stopped.

“We should. But we need to discuss it with the others.”

A distinct nod ended the conversation. For a while both of them stared at the heavy black curtains at the front of the movie hall. Audrey’s eyes darted from one side to the other. Her lips moved slightly.

Matthew didn’t move at all but had his hands folded in his lap. His flat cap was placed on the seat next to him as was his dark-blue bomber jacket. It almost looked like there was a hole in the seat.

“Do you think they’ll replace it soon?”

Audrey’s question was accompanied by a dull vibration of her black Mary Janes banging the bottom of her seat. She swung her legs a few more times. Her flowy skirt billowed with the movement before the heavy hand stopped it.

“Why would they replace it?”

“You see. There … and there … and over there too.”

Matthew’s gaze followed the small pale fingers pointing at the curtain. He squinted. The swinging of the legs resumed although the banging didn’t continue. After a few more moments, Matthew’s eyes widened. Then he shook his head.

“You have an eye for detail. But I don’t think they are going to replace it.”

“Not even Carl?”

“No, I don’t think this is something Carl can decide.”

“But they should replace it. Father always says quality bears profit.”

“That’s an interesting thought. Still …”

“And Mother says we have to keep things tidy and neat.”

Suddenly, she clamped her mouth shut. Her hand darted to the back of her head, touching the oversized light-blue hair bow. After a few pats, she put her hand back into her lap. The pale cheeks showed a flash of a light rosy shine.

“You’re fine, girl. All proper and tidy.”

Matthew reached for his jacket, when suddenly there was a squeak behind them. Both heads snapped around. The heavy doors of the back opened. Darkness streamed in from the foyer. Audrey’s fingers tightened around the armrest.

“Maybe it’s …”

Matthew leaned down to Audrey to whisper in her ear, when the girl jumped up. Almost hitting his nose with her head.

“Madame Stein! Matthew! It’s Madame!”

With big gestures, stretching her short body the girl waved at the woman who had appeared at the entrance to the hall. She was tall and slim. Her updo hair made her look even taller. There were three feathers carefully arranged in her hair. Despite the dim light a few pearls shimmered shyly in her dark hairdo.

With a slow motion the lady turned her head and looked at the girl. A gentle smile appeared on her lips, which vanished immediately, as her gaze fell on Matthew.

“Madame Stein! You can sit with us. The others are not there yet.”

There was a minute of a nod. Then the woman slowly descended the small slope of the aisle.

“Matthew, I’ll get her. She will need some help. Make sure to greet her properly this time.”

Audrey rushed towards the woman. So, Matthew got up as well, to pull down his white shirt and adjust his hair. The moment he looked up, Audrey and Madame Stein were standing in front of him. There was a short pause. Matthew waited.

“Madame, please.”

Audrey tucked the woman’s hand a few times. The girl was pouting slightly and finally she sighed. With a fraction of a nod she looked at Matthew. Pressing his right arm against his stomach, Matthew bowed.

“Good evening, Ms. … I mean, Madame Stein.”

Audrey beamed while Madame Stein nodded her approval.

“Please, have a seat. The show might start soon.”

“True. Madame Stein, what do you think Carl picked for us today?”

Matthew was still standing, while Audrey helped the woman next to her to arrange her skirts. Just when Audrey sat down as well, dared Matthew to take his seat again.

“I wouldn’t be able to guess. But he is a reliable character. So it should be something we enjoy.”

“Did you enjoy Mr. Vampire, Madame?”

There was a short hesitation. The woman looked at the girl who had started bouncing ever so slightly on the cushioned chair. Small dust particles filled the air. In the gloomy light of the hall, the child looked like it was surrounded by a halo.

“Well, I assume it wasn’t that bad. Still, it’s not quite what I am used to.”

“But that’s what I like about you, Madame. You are so open-minded. Right Matthew?”

There was a short pause, when two pairs of eyes looked at the man.

“Yes, Madame is in fact quite open-minded.”

While Audrey and Madame Stein chatted on, Matthew pushed the left over popcorn with his foot under the seats in front of him. Just when the last piece vanished in the dark gap between floor and seat, the lights flickered. Then they went out.

“They finally came!”

With Audrey’s shout, the lights went on again. There were shouts and voices blending into each other. Audrey beamed and greeted old friends while Matthew politely bowed his head and Madame Stein let people come to her.

After a few minutes, the commotion was settled. The rows of the theater were packed. Audrey’s gaze wandered to the box seat again just to focus on the black curtain with a sigh.

“Maybe next time, girl. I’m sure they’ll make it next time.”

“That’s what you always say.”

The big hand patted the small one. Before the lights turned dark, there was an audible sniff from between Matthew and Madame Stein.

Carl pulled down his uniform, a black polo short with yellow rims. He straightened the name tag, before flipping the switch. A rumble went through the old motor but finally, the curtain was drawn. The cinema screen reflected light of the dimmed head lamps. With a straight back, Carl made his way to the middle of the small space in front of the screen.

“Mesdames et Messieurs. Ladies and Gentlemen. Welcome to tonight’s late screening!”

He waited and stared ahead. In his head, he counted to ten then he cleared his throat again. Speaking in front of the movie hall without a microphone was always a challenge.

“As by popular demand and to mark today’s special celebration, we will show you the movie Coco today. Please enjoy! Happy Día de los Muertos!“