I don’t mind going alone, but it’s just way more fun to have another person there for a chat afterwards over a glass of wine, while we dissect the parts we did and did not like.
Aaron and I saw some of the nominated movies together, but, as luck would have it, quite a few remained on my “to see” list that he had already seen.
I started calling friends to accompany me to the movies. One of my top movie buddies was Jerry. He and I met through match.com, but we hadn’t hit it off romantically. However, we became instant friends based on our love of movies.
He would even accompany me to The Arbor to see the artsy films; this was where most friends drew the line. Being a theatre major in college, I constantly sought the latest film that had gotten rave reviews from the critics. Most people proudly scoffed at such reviews. That’s ok. Scoff away. I’m used to it.
The deadline was drawing near, and the glamorous Oscar night was just around the corner. By the way, Oscar night is the Super Bowl to people like me…the World’s Series…the Wimbledon…uh… sorry, I’m out of sports analogies, but you get the idea.
The one movie I hadn’t seen was Inglorious Basterds. Aaron had already seen it. I searched and it wasn’t at the movie theatres anymore, and it hadn’t made it out in DVD yet. But I did find it on Movies on Demand on my cable TV.
I talked to Jerry to see if he wanted to watch it with me. We usually had some pretty insightful discussions. He eagerly agreed. I didn’t want to cook so I told him I’d make a platter of cheese, crackers and fruit for us to snack on. He said he’d bring some wine.
It did cross my mind that this would be the first time we’d been in my apartment …alone… with wine, but Jerry was more like one of my girlfriends so I dismissed any concerns. Nevertheless, when he arrived, I spread out a blanket on the floor in front of the TV and made sure the food and wine were between us.
We started the movie and settled in to watch. There was Brad Pitt in the most unlikely role.
Lt. Aldo Raine You probably heard we ain't in the prisoner-takin' business; we in the killin' Nazi business. And cousin, business is a-boomin'.
Hmmm wished they had chosen another actor. This character is just too much of a stretch because I know the usual Brad Pitt roles. And the accent, although funny, was a little over-the-top.
We sipped on our wine. Jerry’s phone rang. He turned it off, so I decided to turn mine off as well and really focus in on the movie. Rumors had it that this one might have a shot at several awards.
Shosanna Dreyfus: You either do what the fuck we tell you, or I'll bury this axe in your collaborating skull.
Ok it’s a little more violent than I usually like but in some kind of quirky way, the premise of the movie calls for it. I even caught myself laughing at quite a few scenes. Hmmm could this really be a comedy in disguise; after all it was directed by Tarantino. That would explain the over-the-top accent.
We snacked and continued sipping our wine. I noticed my phone was vibrating, but I ignored it. Whoever it was could wait. That’s the nice thing about being in a real theatre. There’s less to distract from the movie experience. (Methinks only a die hard movie lover would ignore a persistent phone vibrating.)
It was nearing the end.
Lt. Aldo Raine: I mean, if I had my way... you'd wear that goddamn uniform for the rest of your pecker-suckin' life. But I'm aware that ain't practical, I mean at some point you're gonna hafta take it off. So. I'm 'onna give you a little somethin' you can't take off.
I hid my eyes. I knew this was going to be bloody.
“No, it must be next door. I’m not expecting anyone.”
The next time there was no mistaking it. Someone was knocking hard on my door.
I paused the movie, went to the door and opened it.
Oh. My. Gosh. There stood Aaron… with his overnight bag in his hand.
“Aaron,” I said. My wide eyes and gaping mouth were the first clue I wasn’t expecting him. Jerry was the second.
“Uh Aaron, this is Jerry, my movie buddy. Remember I’ve told you about him. We go to movies together all the time. He is really a good friend, just like one of my girlfriends. Come in. We’re watching Inglorious Basterds. I know you’ve already seen it.” I babbled on and on and on and on.
Aaron walked in and stopped and surveyed the situation. A carpet picnic. Wine…. Clearly, a romantic set-up. He looked perplexed. I was still babbling nonstop.
He sat down and watched the last two minutes with us. I have no memory of how it ended. Then Aaron, who has never met a stranger, engaged Jerry in one conversation after another.
My mind was racing. “How can I get Jerry to go home in spite of the fact that Aaron is still chatting like crazy?” I walked over and sat down beside Aaron and held his hand...put my arm around him. Jerry and Aaron continued talking like this was absolutely normal. What next?
I interjected into the conversation, “Yes Aaron and I saw that movie together.” And we’d like you to go on home now… (ok that last part is a “wanted-to-say” not a “really-said.”)
Finally, I went over and got what was left of Jerry’s wine, corked it and brought it to him. Not subtle but I was past the point of subtle now.
The minute the door shut I turned to Aaron.
"Why didn't you tell me you were coming over?"
“Did you not get my text?”
“No, my phone is off.”
When we finally sorted out all the mysteries, here is what had happened. Aaron had sent a text asking if he could come over. He lives south and when he is in the north part of town, he sometimes does this. I am always happy to see him… well tonight "happy" was not the first emotion I experienced.. The overnight bag had taken up residence in his trunk for just such spontaneous occasions.
Aaron checked his phone. “See, look.” He showed me where he had pulled up an old email of mine that said, “That sounds good.” So assuming he had my permission, he drove on over from his nephew’s house where he’d been visiting.
I gave him a kiss and suggested he sue Blackberry.
Ava's website: www.edatinginsight.com
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