Let’s go to the movies

"Hey, Hannah!" Chelsea nudged her friend.

"Wake up! The movie's over. I can't believe you slept through a movie, that you wanted to see!"

Hannah woke up with a start.

"I can't imagine why I fell asleep. Suddenly, as I was settling in, I started to get so drowsy!"

"Well, at least it's a good thing that you don't snore! Although the theater is pretty empty, so I guess that wouldn't have been a problem!"

"How was the movie? I can't believe I missed most of it!"

"It was boring," Chelsea said. "But then, I'm not really a fan of romance dramas. I wanted to see the action flick. At least with all the noise, you would have stayed up!"

Hannah didn't even bother to answer. She was truly disappointed about missing the movie and promised herself that she would try to see it another time.

The credits were rolling, and at this point, she was ready to leave the theater. She nudged Chelsea to get up. But Chelsea wasn't moving.

"Hey, let's go!"

Chelsea sat frozen in her seat.

"Chelsea, are you okay?" Hannah asked concerned.

"Yeah, I'm fine. I just can't move. What's happening?" Hannah tried to get up herself and she too was stuck!

This was all very weird. Both girls looked around the theater and saw that it had emptied out. Although it had been a midday show, there had been a few people in the audience. But now it was completely empty. Everyone had been able to leave their seats. Why couldn't they?

Hannah heard the background music as the credits continued to roll. It was odd. She was waiting for the theater lights to go back on. That usually happens at the end of the movie and during the credits. But the lights remained off.

"Why are we still here when everyone else has already left?" Chelsea asked Hannah as she started to panic.

"I don't know, Chels," Hannah responded.

How were they going to get out of here? Hannah was never one to panic, but now she was getting a little nervous. There had to be a reason for this.

Finally, the film stopped running. The screen became black and so did the theater. There was darkness and total silence. The girls kept trying to get up, but remained stuck in their seats. Now, Hannah too, began to panic.

****

"What are we going to do?" Chelsea exclaimed.

"We're going to try and figure this out," Hannah said in a calm voice. She was feeling anything but....

"And how are we going to do that? It's pitch black in here and we are glued to our seats. Did you try your cell? Mine is dead. Maybe we can call someone to get us out of here!"

"There's no signal. I can't make any calls!" Hannah was starting to lose it!

"Now what?" Chelsea asked.

"I don't know!"

Hannah had been facing Chelsea. Both girls turned back to the screen and saw swirling colors. Then the screen went black again.

Although Hannah was sitting right next to Chelsea and both girls were looking at the same screen, the images they each saw were very different....

****

Chelsea was surprised to see an image of her house. She continued to watch the screen. The image disappeared and now a movie was starting. Chelsea was mesmerized. She saw her mom coming out of the house and she appeared to be looking for something, or maybe someone?

Chelsea had slammed out the door earlier that day, angry at her mom, for the usual reason. Her mom didn't like her boyfriend and she let her know it every minute, of every hour, of every day. Chelsea didn't want to deal with it. Mom had finally hit a new low! She had forbidden Chelsea from seeing him ever again. Like that was going to happen!

As her mother was standing outside the door, Chelsea saw Randy, her boyfriend, coming up the front walk. All of a sudden the audio was turned on, and Chelsea could hear them arguing.

"I thought I told you never to come back here again," Mom spoke softly. That always irritated Randy. He said that wasn't normal and always tried to get a rise out of her. It never worked.

"I came for Chelsea. We had a date."

"Well, she's not here. It seems that she forgot about your date. You should forget about it too!"

"You're lying! She would never forget me!" Randy was shouting and Mom was very calm.

"Obviously, she did. I hope she forgets about you permanently. You use, you sell and you think that makes you a big man. I happen to know that the drugs you sold my neighbor's son, killed him. So add murderer to the list! Stay away from my family."

The screen went black. Chelsea didn't know what to think. Was the scene she just watched real? She knew that Randy smoked some weed occasionally. That didn't bother her. A lot of the kids she knew smoked. Chelsea was not interested in weed or anything else. She thought drugs were dumb. But, the question is, was Randy dealing? If he was, that would really bother her!

Now that Chelsea thought about it, Randy had never introduced her to any of his friends. Why? When they went out, it was mostly with her friends.

All of a sudden, as Chelsea was thinking about Randy, and what her mother had said to him, the screen came back to life. This time the scene was on a street a few blocks from her home. Chelsea watched as Randy put his hand in the pocket of his jeans. He was talking to a boy, who looked like he couldn't have been more than fifteen years old. The kid was holding an envelope and Randy was eyeing it, as he pulled out a bag of pills.

"Hand me the envelope and let me count the cash to make sure you didn't short change me. Then I'll give you the stuff!"

"Why would I short change you? You sell to me and then I sell it on the street. It's a win win for both of us!"

Randy took the envelope and pulled the money out and counted.

"Perfect!" He said as he handed the drugs to the boy, who counted out the pills. The street they were on was dark and secluded. They were able to finish the transaction and separated without a word.

Chelsea was overwhelmed. Was Randy really dealing? Was this movie even real? She would have to wait until she was able to get out of the seat and leave the theater to find out. The screen again faded to black. But, for only a few seconds. The next scene sent chills down Chelsea's spine.

The scene took place on another dark street. Randy was walking alone. All of a sudden, in the still of the night, there was a blast of sirens. Randy started running! Chelsea could only assume that Randy may have had more drugs on him to sell. Otherwise, why run?

Randy didn't get too far. He was not exactly quick on his feet. Chelsea watched in horror as the cop car pulled to the curb and two policemen jumped out, chasing after Randy. One caught him.

"What do you want from me?" Randy asked in a panic.

"We have it on good authority that you just sold a lot of pills for a lot of money."

"You can't prove anything?"

"You ran, didn't you? Why?"

Before Randy could answer, he looked at one of the cops and his eyes opened wide. Chelsea saw that the cop was actually the supposed fifteen year old boy that Randy had just sold the pills to. The police had been on to Randy all along, and had set him up!

Chelsea was still questioning whether any of this was true. And how did this story end up on the screen? Chelsea looked over at Hannah and saw tears pouring down her face. What was she watching that had made her cry?

****

Hannah looked at the black screen wondering what was going on. Why were she and Chelsea stuck to their seats, unable to leave and go home?

Hannah watched Chelsea who was totally immersed in whatever she saw on the dark screen. Because, that was what Hannah saw, a dark, blank screen. Until she didn't. To her surprise, the screen started to light up and there were images forming. It took a minute before Hannah could make out the face of her brother. Her long lost brother. The one who died from an overdose of a drug purchased from someone on the street. Unbeknownst to Hannah she was about to watch the whole sordid story unfold on the screen in front of her. She held her breath.

****

When Sammy had died, Hannah had been devastated. They were close in age and best friends. Hannah could talk to him about almost anything. He would listen and give her sage advise when she needed it. But that ended when Sammy decided he would try pills that a friend had offered him. Sammy was suffering from depression, but he hid it well. One day he mentioned it to his friend Randy.

"I've been feeling low lately. I don't want to bother anyone with my problems. Money is tight at home and the parents are fighting a lot. Hannah is great, but why should I bother her?" Sammy told Randy one day.

"What are you thinking of doing about it?" Randy asked innocently.

"I don't know. I just know that I can't stand how I feel. And I don't want to talk to anyone."

"Well, I have a possible solution to your dilemma, if you're interested, that is," Randy responded carefully.

"Really?"

"Yeah."

"What have you got?"

"If you want to try, I can get you some pills. I heard that they relax you. You will definitely feel better. If you like, I can fix you up with just one. If it works, I can probably get you some more. What do you think?"

"I don't do drugs. I really don't want anything like that. There has to be a better way."

"Okay, Sam. I won't push. But if you need me, know that you can call any time." Randy offered helpfully.

And that was the end of it, for awhile.

****

Hannah watched the screen and the exchange between her big brother and Randy. She was gritting her teeth. She had not really realized how deep Sammy's depression was. He had hidden it well. Yes, there were days he seemed sad, but he seemed to overcome it somehow. Or was he just faking it? If only she had known how badly Sammy was hurting.

Hannah had also known about Randy and had suspected that he was dealing. When Chelsea introduced him to her as her boyfriend, Hannah tried to dissuade her from seeing him, but as she had no proof of his drug dealing, Chelsea had tuned her out.

Now Hannah was watching a different scene play out.

Sammy was in his room feeling really low. He looked like he was thinking about something, but then seemed to make a decision.

He picked up his cell and plugged in a number. Hannah was able to see who Sammy had called and hear both sides of the conversation. She heard the phone ring and saw Randy picking up.

"Hey, Sam! What's up?" Randy's voice was cheerful.

"Do you remember what you offered me? Is that offer still on the table? Been feeling really low these past weeks." Sammy's voice was somber.

"Sure is. Do you want me to hook you up?"

"I really just want to try and see if this helps. I only really want one pill. Is it possible to get just one?"

"Well, if it really helps, you may want to continue taking them. How about if I give you a week's worth and see how it goes. If you are not happy, you can always give me back the rest. But I don't think that will happen. Then I can get you more, if you need. Just consider me your doctor! Hahaha!"

There was something very sinister about Randy's laugh. It's a pity Chelsea never wanted to listen to Hannah about breaking off her relationship with Randy.

The scene faded. The next to emerge was of Randy and Sammy in a dark alleyway somewhere in town. For a moment Hannah didn't recognize the place, but then she realized it was behind one of local bowling alleys.

"This is a pretty shady area," Sammy muttered to himself. "Why am I doing this? Because I feel lousy and no one can help me." Sammy stopped talking when he saw Randy approach.

"Hey, dude! I have your meds here," Randy said.

"That's an entire envelope! I only asked for one," Sammy said.

"I know, and I told you I would hook you up for a week."

"I don't want a week's worth. Just one. I told you I don't do drugs. I just need something to make me feel better for now."

"Okay. No worries. After all, I don't do drugs myself and I don't push them." Randy said. But he gave Sammy a knowing look. Randy was sure that once he started, Sammy would definitely be back for more.

Sammy took the pill from Randy's outstretched hand and put it in his pocket.

Hannah watched as the scene changed from the alley to Sam's bedroom. That was where she had found him. Sprawled on his bed, dead from the one pill Randy had given him. She saw herself knock on his door, and when he didn't answer she went in. He was lying in an odd position. She had learned first aid, and she checked for a pulse. She called for an ambulance. It arrived. But it didn't matter anymore. Sammy had died as soon as he had ingested the one pill.

The final scene that played out on the screen was Sammy's funeral. So many people had attended. Including Randy. He had walked in with Chelsea.

"What are you doing here?" Hannah screamed, tears pouring down her cheeks.

"I'm here to pay my respects. What's the matter with you?" Randy responded. He did not want to be part of a scene, especially as people were starting to gather around.

"You have no right to be here! You killed my brother!"

"I know you're crazed with grief, but where do you come off accusing me?"

"You sell pills. You know it and I know it. One day I'll prove it, and you'll go to jail. You murdered my brother as if you had taken a gun and put it to his head! Now get out of here!" Hannah stood there trembling, the tears continuing to pour down her face.

****

The screen faded to black. Hannah wiped her eyes and turned to Chelsea. Chelsea had a stricken look on her face. Had she watched the same scenes that Hannah had? Had she watched her boyfriend kill her brother?

****

"I can't believe what I was just watching!" Hannah exclaimed.

"Me neither," Chelsea said softly, nodding her head.

"I really want to get out of here."

"Me too!"

Hannah got up out of her seat without a problem, this time.

Chelsea did the same. They beat a hasty retreat out of the theater and into the bright sunshine of the late afternoon. The parking lot was empty so Chelsea was able to find her car easily. The girls jumped in and Chelsea drove off.

Both were quiet at first, still processing what they had watched. Then Chelsea and Hannah began to talk at the same time. They shared their experiences and how they felt, and wondered if Randy had truly been arrested for his crimes.

Chelsea was upset over losing Randy, but she knew she would get over it. What she couldn't imagine, was what Hannah must be feeling at the thought that her brother had been killed by her best friend's boyfriend!

****

It's been a while since the strange movie experience that Hannah and Chelsea had shared. They had been talking a lot since then and were closer than ever.

One morning, Chelsea ran out to get the paper. On the front page was the story detailing Randy's arrest for selling the drugs that were killing so many people. It happened exactly as Chelsea had seen it in the theater!

Randy had pled guilty to all charges in exchange for a lesser sentence for naming the dealer who had given him the pills to sell.

There was a wave of shock and horror when the dealer turned out to be a beloved and well respected member of the community, who also happened to be the director of the largest drug rehabilitation center in the city!