boomerlaughs

As of yesterday I have become truly, deeply, immeasurably horrified.

My husband and I took a friend to see Quantum of Solace for his birthday.  We arrived during the discount hours.  The tickets were $8.00 a piece.  OK, I can handle that.  I appreciate all that goes into a movie.

Now, I have to say that over the past year cash has been tight to say the least and we have not been to a movie theatre since late last year.  I prefer to spend my cash on buying a DVD so I can have it for ever and ever.  Being a confirmed filmophile, this suits me just fine.  I have no problem watching a film that I love over and over again.  Besides, I have just about 4,000 of them so it’s not like I don’t have anything to choose from.

Well, last year we went to the same theatre as we did yesterday and paid $6.00 during the discount time period for each ticket.  I got a MEDIUM popcorn for $4.50 and a small water for $2.00.  Sorry,  if I go to a movie at a theatre I’m GOING TO HAVE POPCORN!  My husband doesn’t like it but it’s a non-negotiable item for me.  This all seemed fair for the ticket but a little over priced for something that portions out at less than $0.25 for a small bag and $0.10 if you add butter flavoring.  Add a bag at +/- $.10 and you’ve less than $0.50 into it, and that’s at retail prices, NOT bulk pricing.  OK, there’s the machine and electricity and some blank-faced teenager one must pay minimum wage to as a method of getting popcorn and butter into a bag and then exchanging that bag for money.  Granted, they do need to know a little math (emphasis on A LITTLE).  Then there’s the space for the concession stand.

And, they need to make a profit.  No problem there, I realize they are not a church.  However,  I sidled innocently up to the counter to get a small popcorn to feed my jones and a small bottle of water.  The little price board above the stand flips over and over and over showing prices, then and advertisement, then another advertisement, then prices again.  I am CERTAIN it is to play slight-of-price to the unsuspecting consumer.  The kid behind the counter was pleasant enough but never cracked a smile.  He then proceeded to charge me $7.00 for the popcorn and $4.50 for the water.

I looked incredulously at this product of the mid-nineties and asked him to repeat himself.  I reiterated to him that I only got a SMALL popcorn and 8 ounces of water purported to be special but that we all know comes from a well on the outside of town.  He explained himself again and pointed to the price board.

I stood there, people shuffling impatiently behind me, not knowing quite what to do.  I just could NOT wrap my head around that.  For the love of Pete………..I can get an entire meal at almost any drive-through in town for half that amount, get change back, and they actually have to have someone COOK the darn meal!

I shut up, paid and joined my party in their seats.  During the entire movie (which I really enjoyed, by the way…..we saw Quantum of Solace) my mind kept going back to wonder how I could get the concession contract at this theatre.  I wondered how many kids the theatre owners had that need to go to Harvard Medical School.  I wondered if they packed Louis Vuitton luggage to take with them on their holidays to the south of France.  I wondered where I could buy shares of their stock.  I wondered WHY I was so foolish as to actually pay  for the stuff in the first place.  Why didn’t I just walk away from the counter and be happy but popcornless?

When someone is in an accident and is injured they can often go into shock which can become a life-threatening situation.  When someone goes through a traumatic experience, same thing.  I was in shock.  I’m still in shock.

I am not so naive as to not understand that there are many, many variables here.  I am aware that there are ticket takers to pay, seats to be paid for and repaired when necessary, and the list goes on.  However, I so totally don’t understand how my snack order can nearly double in price for less food in about 10 months.

It is truly beyond me.  No more movie theatre visits for moi.  NOT gonna do it.  I am, truly, deeply, thoroughly appalled!