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I don’t resent hi It’s time I contribute to the household Not everyone can have it as easily as Jihts have to lead back to him lately?? I shakesonna have a blast, Pa I just hope you’re ready for all the onna sneak home after my shifts”

To that, he laughs warettin’ yourself into trouble now!”

“No way,” I return through a chuckle

My pa drives off, and then all the humor drops off my face like rain off a windshield I turn to face the building with a sigh It’s Spruce’s onlyfive proud screens and a lot of outdated technology The big glass s of the box office facethere in a suspender-and-bowtie outfit thatcurly bush of red hair nearly drowning her round face, and she’s got her head propped up at the chin with one crooked, lazy hand She lass preventsclearly

I wonder suddenly if Jimmy is still asleep at his house, or if he has woken up by now Maybe he’s in the shoashing away his thoughts Or he could be hanging with his brother, who’s a totally annoying early-riser Or heup at the ceiling, bored, sucking on his tongue Maybe he went to church with histo Trey or Reverend Arnold talk about God and preaching their Sunday love

Why do I care so ht now?

I blink away the thoughts, then proceed through the glass doors into the in my first day at the Spruce Cinema 5

After ten er Mr Lemon, I find him to be starkly different than he hen he interviewedwhose perfect part of hair is the only part of him under control; his off-centered tie, the sweat stains under his pits, and the scuffs on his dress shoes reveal awith s

Such as: “You do not want to dump the popcorn kettle early, because the oil will burn your hands right off, and the hot seeds will jump down your shirt like molten pellets of lava And don’t bump the popcorn tray It’s loose and all your popcorn will fall out”

Then in a supply closet: “You do not want to loves, because these acids will o blind, sear your skin, or cause diarrhea if just a drop is ingested”

And finally upstairs in the projectionist rooht with your hand here, here, here, or here” He points at each area of the huge, clacking projector for emphasis, his eyes manic and his jaw clenched “Or else you’ll lose a limb And your job And mine”