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At The Cinema
Category: Stories
Old theaters had come and went with a change of times. Few of them seemed to have any relevancy anymore in society. As culture drifted to different means of entertainment, it was difficult to ignore the sense of borrowed time that the cinema had.
When Tony heard that an old theater across town was airing old films, he was intrigued. How old was the question, since people had their own definition for what constituted of old films. In his mind, the golden age of cinema was the 1930s up to 1960s. All the classics were from that time frame. Movies he watched in rundown theaters in Cuba long before his journey to America. Pictures of Humphrey Bogart, James Cagney and the like. He'd once bragged that his father was an American and taught him how to speak the English language.
The memories of watching classic films took a whole different meaning in the years past. A sense of nostalgia washed over him when he thought about the most precious, special someone in his life.
When Sofia returned to Miami over 10 years ago, she spent time with him watching movies. It was one of his most favorite memories to sit alone with her in a dark room and forget about the day through viewing old films projected on a large TV screen.
Sofia had an interest in black and white films. Tony was surprised someone in his life wanted to watch them despite how much time had moved past with technological advancements to newer cinema. By this point, they had become old pieces of history. He quickly took in the mutual appreciation they shared for this fine art.
He could still remember the first movie they watched together. 'The Roaring Twenties' staring James Cagney and Humphrey Bogart from 1939. She sat next to him on the couch, sharing a bowl of popcorn that night.
A decade had passed since then and he had the chance to share that memory with her again, but in a public place this time around. One with a much larger screen to project the flickering images of a timeless classic.
Casablanca was the film of choice by the theater's owners.
Tony was so excited to arrange this date for Sofia. He didn't tell her where they were going, only insisting that it would be a surprise for her to find out later.
She dressed for the occasion, as she always did. Sofia had a unique style to her, favoring black and red colors. Today's choice was a black dress and matching stilettos. She wasn't worried at all about the summer heat to go out like this. Tony noticed her colors of choice and would pick his suits to compliment whatever she was wearing. Sometimes it was the same color. Other times, he went the opposite.
Today's choice was black on black.They were both going to sweat out in the heat for a few minutes before entering the air conditioned building.
It was a short drive downtown in the black Mercedes-Benz. Tony enjoyed driving Sofia to places when he could. They didn't always get to share time together in a car, but when they did, he felt relaxed with her at his side. The ride was short. They had to stop in a parking lot, then get out and walk.
Tony liked to get out of his car and walk to the passenger side. There he would open the door and offer his hand to her. Once he pulled her out of the car, he would shut the door, and then they began their walk. Her heels clacked against the pavement below as they moved to the street and began to walk past buildings.
"Oh, this is why you didn't tell me. We're going to the movies," she said in excitement as she noticed the theater. To hear her gasp at the vintage movie poster made Tony blush in delight. She recognized it, "are we going to see Casablanca?"
He nodded, "yes we are, darling. That's why I didn't tell you anything to spoil the surprise."
Seeing her smile and then let go of his hand to dash to through the door was such a lovely sight. The joy and excitement Sofia displayed brought a level of happiness to Tony he couldn't feel from anyone else in his life.
Two large drinks and one big bowl of popcorn were all that was required with tickets.
Inside the screening room were rows of seats. It brought back memories of when cinemas were a place of socialization and carried an aura of importance for enjoying films as a hobby. That was long before the rise of VHS tapes and home media changed everything. In Sofia's lifetime, she couldn't relate to it like he did. Tony remembered those days.
There were people in the theater, shockingly to his eyes. Tony had to raise an eyebrow upon witnessing the groups of people that were here at a screening of a movie that was 82 years old. No one in the theater was alive when the film first came out, but here they were appreciating the value of something that had become timeless over the course of decades.
Tony and Sofia sat together, side by side in the 2nd to last row. From the middle they had a great view of the large screen. The lights flickered with that crude aesthetic of black and white frames as the music began, kicking off the movie.
He watched her raise the drink to her lips and sip from the straw. Some talking was heard among people in the upper row seats, but Tony ignored them. As the movie began, he sat back and relaxed in his seat. Sofia held the bowl of popcorn and passed it over to him, but he brushed off her invitation of a snack.
Twenty minutes into the movie, Tony had lost his interest. It wasn't that he had seen Casablanca many times before. The only reason he wanted to do this was to have her company. To have her next to him while out of the house in a place where they could relax.
Sofia caught his wandering eye gazing in her direction. She didn't say anything as their eyes met. For that brief moment, it felt as if time had stood still between them.
Tony held his arms out, quietly gesturing for her to get up and sit in his lap. Sofia dropped the popcorn bucket in her abandoned seat as she got up and moved over to him. She nestled her way into his lap, sitting there where he could wrap his arms around her and hold her close.
Her smile was one of a proud joy. Sofia had his complete undivided attention despite the large screen in front of them and loud audio to the movie. All of it was just background scenery. To hold her in his arms was all he ever wanted and needed. Sofia remained smiling as she glanced down and saw his left arm around her waist and the right one close by. She glanced over at his drink sitting in the holder and grabbed it. Their eyes met again as she raised the straw to her lips and went for a sip.
After the drink, Sofia sat it back in the drinker holder. Tony moved his hand over hers, gently caressing her skin. She glanced down to see his right hand over hers. Her eyes shifted back to his and then she smiled again. Sofia's smiles could appear smug in the way she curved her lips, but it was a gesture Tony never grew tired of seeing. He moved her hand into his, holding it gently.
As she looked into his eyes, he raised her hand to his lips and gently kissed it. Sofia gasped, still looking into his eyes. Her big brown hues were so wondrous. If eyes were truly a window into the soul, Tony felt he could read her eyes better than most. When he moved her hand away from his mouth, she pouted.
That exaggerated pout and then the look on her face told him that she wanted more. Any other time, Sofia was a chatterbox who couldn't stop talking. Not once did he complain. Tony loved to hear her talk. The sound of her voice brought him so much comfort. When she would read aloud from books to their son, Tony always relaxed at her voice. Sofia could've read a phone book in her spoken word and he would've enjoyed it.
Within this movie theater, she was quiet as a mouse. Not once glancing away from him, Sofia centered all her attention onto him and refused to be distracted by anything. She didn't have any care of other people witnessing them share this moment.
Those deep eyes. What they were telling him in silence were of daring moves. His angel, the only one who could shine light on his darkest days was no doubt tempting him with her expressions. Sofia had a way of bringing out his naughty side. She wouldn't hesitate, even if they were in public with strangers watching them. But for Tony, their love making ranged from passionate to the most dirty rhythms only their bodies could move together. It was their truth and not for any other person to witness.
He raised her hand to his lips again, this time kissing around her knuckles. Sofia's smile faltered after a few seconds. Her eyes were telling him that she wanted more than the simple gesture of him kissing her hand. Tony shifted his hand, holding hers again. Palms rubbing together, he moved his fingers in place, lacing them with hers so he could hold her hand tightly against her.
Yet this wasn't enough. She pouted again. Another silent gesture telling him that she wanted more. So far, he was only teasing her. Tony liked to take his time while thinking of how she was melting in his arms. He gently pulled her arm outward, shifting her closer to him. Once her lips were in reaching distance, his right arm moved slightly from her waist, bringing her closer to lock lips.
His tongue slid into her mouth, gently moving against hers as he kissed her tenderly. A slow dance, playing with the tip of her tongue. He could feel her hot breath blowing through her nostrils against his face. Eyes closed, Tony embraced this moment of kissing her again.
Time was standing still. The movie carried on, as did everything else around them. But for Tony, nothing else mattered. he could feel Sofia's excitement from the way she breathed into his mouth. Her body tensed up in a way as if she were about to explode like a firecracker in his arms.
Their kissing continued. He didn't want to stop. Sofia threw her arms around his neck as an invitation to continue what had become a passionate makeout session throughout the movie. They had both forgotten the runtime and their close surroundings.
They didn't stop until the credits rolled. Only then did Tony pull away from Sofia. They had been making out for so long the bright pink color of her lipstick covered his own lips. Kissing her for so long was worth every last second. When the lights came on in the room, it was time to leave. Tony felt good to walk out of the theater still tasting her tongue within his mouth. They forgot about the drinks and popcorn, leaving it behind for someone else to clean up. Just so long as he was holding her hand on the way out, he was happy to go.
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