At the Movies – Is it just me, or is there something wrong with this picture?

In the community where I once lived, there is a particular movie theater that had these little handicap “corrals.” The disabled were kept in these corrals during the movie, so they didn’t get in anyone’s way or bother anyone.  They were basically little walled-in areas at the back of each theater with no seats (presumably, the disabled don’t have anyone to sit with).  Well, on one occasion I not only showed up with one friend, but three.  After the theater staff got over their initial shock, they offered my friends these little folding chairs on which to sit.  Two hours later, I could see that my friends didn’t look too comfortable, and when the movie finished, they confirmed that these chairs were the worst on which they’ve ever sat.

The next time I went to this theater, I went with my friends, Wit and his wife Sue.  Sue was about eight months pregnant at the time, so I didn’t want to subject her to the tiny, uncomfortable chairs of the handicap corral.  I also did not want only Wit to sit with me, leaving Sue alone, and I didn’t want to sit in my designated area alone, while Wit and Sue sat in the “normal” seats.  So, I opted to sit in the aisle, right next to Wit and Sue.  I was very careful where I parked the chair; as close as possible to the other seats so I wasn’t blocking the aisle, and not up too far or back too far.  This way, people could easily get in and out of the row I was in and the row behind me.  Also, we were in the back, so I was careful not to block anyone’s view.

After the movie was over, I was waiting for all the other movie goers to exit the theater, when I noticed that someone pulled Wit aside.  This actually isn’t uncommon, as people often did this to ask Wit about me, or discuss some other disability issue. After the theater was pretty empty, I started to maneuver out when Wit came back and informed me that the manager of the theater had a problem with where I was sitting.  Now, usually I don’t set out to cause trouble (honestly, I don’t), but I must have been in the mood, because I just had to have it out with this guy.  With Wit and Sue standing in the background, far out of harm’s way, I rolled up to this guy and said, “Excuse me, I understand that you have a problem with where I was sitting.”

He looked at Wit, then at me, and hesitantly said, “Yes sir.  Where you were sitting, you were blocking the aisle and were a fire hazard.  We do provide areas for you to sit.”

I simply smiled and said, “First of all, if you ever have a problem with me, I’d appreciate it if you’d come directly to me, and not drag my friends into it.”

“I’m sorry,” he said, “but I didn’t think you could talk.”

Now I’m looking at him with this look of amazement on my face.  “Did you try to communicate with me?” I asked.

“Well, no, I didn’t.” he replied.

“Don’t you think you should have tried to talk to me before you made that assumption?” I asked, trying my hardest to make him feel as incredibly stupid as his original statement.

“Well, yes, I guess I should have.” he said with a look of defeat on his face.

“Yes, you should have.” I said.  I could see he was injured, so I decided to go in for the kill.  “Secondly,” I said, “the last time I was here, my friends were in pretty bad shape after sitting on those little chairs you provide.” Nodding to Sue I said, “There’s no way I was going to ask her to sit on one of those.  I wasn’t going to ask her to sit alone while Wit sat with me, and I didn’t want to sit alone either.”

“Yes, I understand, but…,” he started to say.

“Furthermore,” I interrupted, “I made very sure that I wasn’t blocking the aisle and being a ‘fire hazard.’ There was plenty of room to get by.”

“But there are codes we have to follow!” he retorted.

“I know all about the codes, but if you don’t have suitable seating arrangements, what else should I do?” I asked, starting to get a little pissed. “And don’t tell me again about that area again.  Those seats are terrible!”

“Well,” he said, “next time come and find me, and I’ll make sure the seats are more comfortable.”

Now I was really getting feisty, “Why do I need to come find you when I want to watch a movie.  Do you seat everyone? You need to get some better accommodations.”

“I understand, but you really can’t sit in the aisle.” He said.

Finally I said, “Listen, until you do something about your little area over there, I think I’ll be sitting in the aisle.  Are we through here?”

“Yeah, I guess…”

“Thank you.” I said smiling, “Now you have a good night.”

“You too.” He said, I’m certain completely happy that our conversation was over.

Now, I’m not saying I had anything to do with it, but since then, the handicap corrals are gone, and the seating for wheelchairs have greatly improved.  Score one for the quad!