That’s the Ticket! Pt. 3

That’s the Ticket! Pt. 1

That’s the Ticket! Pt. 2

Glenn was pacing around his tiny apartment for at least a half hour since his last shower. He had already taken three due to his excessive perspiration. He even had to throw the tee-shirt he had bought for this occasion in the dryer. Despite all this activity, he still had three hours to kill.

He already put the Sun Valley Mall into his GPS despite having gone there since he was a child. He could probably walk there blind folded if he had to. Apparently all the clocks in his house were broken because none of them were moving forward; at least in his perception.

This won’t do, he thought.  I’m going to go crazy waiting. He decided to go to the mall to pass the time. At least there was air conditioning there.

As Glenn pulled into the mall parking lot, he was down to only two hours before the big moment. As he strolled around, he was struck by how many happy couples there were. Admittedly, he used to feel a little envy seeing such happy pairs holding hands, sharing a good time. Not now, because he knew that would be him in the near future. He could see himself hand in hand with Heather. He pictured himself sitting on a footstool with her purse on his lap as she tried on clothes she didn’t really need but claimed she did.

With one hour left until starting time and a half hour until the rendezvous, he decided it would be better to go to the spot they decided to meet. He sat down and pulled out his phone. He took a moment to think of a clever thing to write to Heather.

-I don’t know what I am more excited about, the movie or meeting you-  perfect, he thought as he pushed send.

Riding in the passenger side of her boyfriend’s car, on the other side of town, Heather received Glenn’s text. She burst out laughing.

“Don’t tell me it’s that dork” her boyfriend said.

“That dork is the reason you’re gonna get to see the movie” she said, still laughing, “I almost feel bad for him, but, my God, how could he even think I’d give him the time of day?”

Meanwhile back at the Sun Valley Mall, Glenn sat staring at the two blue check marks next to his message that signified it was received and read. He all but held his breath waiting for a reply.

To be continued…

That’s the Ticket! Pt. 4

 

 

That’s the Ticket! Pt. 2

That’s the Ticket! Pt. 1

Glenn scoured the internet for tickets. He checked other zip codes. There were no tickets available in the whole tri-state area. Glenn’s anxiety had never been higher. He felt he was blowing his big chance. His hopes were hinging on taking Heather to the premier.

When he was about to give up hope, he received a text.

-Hey handsome. Did u track down a ticket 4 me?- needless to say, it was from Heather.

-Still working on it- he wrote back. He started and subsequently deleted the next text message twelve times before finally sending –Don’t worry, I’ll find one :)-

Glenn didn’t sleep that night. He saw the sun rise from behind his monitor. He went to work with deep circles under his eyes. When he closed his eyes, he saw movie ticket sites; start times and seating charts.

Seven cups of coffee got him through until lunch time. With a jittery hand, he reached for his cellphone. He was about to send a text of capitulation when he phone vibrated.

-Any luck?- Heather wrote.

-Well…- he started to answer back.

-I have an idea! I’m gonna call u- she wrote before he could wave his white flag of defeat.

His phone rang. He momentarily contemplated throwing it in the trash, changing operators and moving out of the state. Instead, he swiped the green circle and said “Hello”

“Hey! I bet you didn’t have much luck…Lord knows how hard I tried” Heather said.

“I searched the internet all night. I’m like a zombie today” he answered with a feigned laugh.

“Listen, I have a friend that works in the Cineplex at the Sun Valley Mall. He said he could easily get one of us in! Did you buy your ticket on Ticket-king.com?” she asked.

“Yes!” he answered, seeing his chances coming back like a boomerang that almost flew into a neighbor’s yard.

“Awesome! That means it can be used in any theater in the entire country. So, transfer your ticket to me, then we can meet at the mall and my friend will get you in. Then afterwards, we can get drinks at my place”

Glenn pretty much only heard that last part; at least it was the only part he paid any real attention to.

“That sounds great!” Glenn said, again with focus only on the last thing she said and not really analyzing the rest.

“Ok! Do it now, with me on the phone” she prodded.

“Done” Glenn responded after only a few beats of silence.

“Hmmmm, that was quick! I can’t wait to see you again. Send the confirmation code, please?”

“I already have”

That’s the Ticket! Pt. 3

That’s the Ticket! Pt. 1

 

All Glenn could think about for the past few months was the upcoming release of the latest installment of his favorite super hero movie. Just the mere idea that he would be whisked away to a fantasy land for a few hours in the dark, with popcorn in hand, gave him a thrill. It gave him a jolt of excitement he could feel in his belly. He even bought a new t-shirt, online, just for the occasion.

While in line for his morning coffee and bagel, a stunning woman caught his eye. He had to do a double take because he imagined that she was looking at him. Upon a second glance, it was confirmed. She was looking at him.

He immediately felt self-conscious. He must have had toothpaste on his face or his fly was probably open. Those would be reasonable motives for a woman of this caliber to be looking at him. The thoughts were washed away by sheer panic. She was coming towards him! He started to fidget. He contemplated running.

“Hi” the woman said, extending her right hand. Damn she moves fast, Glenn thought, “I’m Heather”

“Hi, I’m…” Glenn blanked, his mouth hadn’t felt this dry in a while. He managed to lick his lips and remembered his name after and awkwardly long time, “uh…Glenn”

“Hi Glenn, I love your tie” she said as she plucked it from his torso by her thumb and forefinger “I’m a huge fan myself” The tie was branded with images of Glenn’s super hero in a questionably tasteful manner.

“My mom bought it for me” Glenn said, immediately scolding himself for saying that.

“That’s cute!” Are you going to the premier?” she asked.

“I wouldn’t miss it for anything” Glenn said, “I already got a ticket!”

“Neat! I’d love to go but I don’t know anyone who would like to go with me and I hate going to the movies alone”

With clumsy timing Glenn blurted out, “You could go with me” his face instantly burned with embarrassment, he braced himself for rejection, yet he was proud of himself for his boldness.

“Why, I’d love that!” she said, “Let’s exchange numbers. We’ll work out the details”

Glenn was dizzy with euphoria and a touch of disbelief. He barely remembered his number and stammered as he recited it. As they parted ways at the front door of the bagel shop, Heather put her hand to her head with the thumb at her ear and pinky finger at her mouth and said, “Call me!”

As Glenn sat in his car and fastened his seatbelt, reality punched him in the gut. He said aloud “How in the world am I going to get another ticket? For sure they are all sold out! Shit, shit, shit!”

To be continued…

That’s the Ticket! Pt. 2