There is that old saying that we here all the time and it is, “If you want something bad enough, you will find a way.”
That is so true and unfortunately, it applies to everything and as a 14 year old, entering my sophomore year of high school, it applied to me.
There was a new movie that was opening up that everyone wanted to see in August of 1983. That movie, Risky Business. We had seen the trailers for weeks on the movie and on that Saturday, we were all going.
One problem. The movie was rated R. Yes, this movie of teenage angst was rated R and the scuttlebutt was that the theaters were going to be on the lookout for us “punks” who were going to sneak in.
Go back to the top and remember, if you want something bad enough, you will find a way. We were going to find a way.
The movie was being shown at the Belle Forge theaters in Antioch and our plan was to buy a ticket for a PG movie, which got us inside, then plan B would go into effect.
Sounds great but sophomores in high school typically don’t have a plan B and that was us. But hey, we were in the building so that was a confidence builder.
Also, we were smart enough not to wear McGavock football shirts or anything that made us look under 18. Although my raging acne should have been a dead giveaway that I was no where near 18.
As we got our popcorn and drink, I remembered, just act as if you belong and no one will say a word. No one.
As we made our way up, we noticed that no one was taking tickets. The theater was absolutely packed and I thought to myself, it cannot be that easy. The movie was being shown in the far theater and as we approached, there he was.
The Usher.
He was taking tickets as you walked into the theater itself, not up front. Remember, if you want something bad enough, you will find a way. As he looked at us, we went into the movie across the way. It was called The Star Chamber. It was starting at the same time was also rated R and no one batted an eye as the four of us went in.
“What do we do now?” That was asked by all of us and we waited a few minutes for the commercials to start and I peeked out and saw that the usher was gone.
Soon, just like a scene from the amazing movie, The Great Escape, we made our way to see Risky Business. Two would go, then wait 20 seconds and the other two went. As we made our way across the hallway, our plan was already awry, because we were four strong, just like Washington crossing the Delaware. Except this trip wasn’t revolutionary, it was far more than that.
I opened the door and I had never felt so free in my entire young life until, I spotted him.
The Usher.
He had moved inside and was watching the commercials. He looks at me and says, “I doubt you will find four together, so y’all might have to sit by yourself.”
Huh? Was I really hearing that? I faked laugh and faked a deep voice and said, “It will be fine. Thank you.” All of this cloak and dagger and ducking into theaters and being scared to death and finally, we were in.
I ended up sitting in the front row and had no clue where anyone was sitting but I remember this because it is the only time I have set up front in a movie.
The only time.
But, we found a way. Now, I hope my son doesn’t read this.
@BigJoeOnTheGo