The Craziest Incidents at My Movie Theater Job

Working at a small town movie theater for years was a mixed bag of thrilling and bizarre experiences. While the job mainly involves short bursts of activity followed by downtime, some of the most memorable moments revolve around the playful mischief and sheer creativity of my co-workers. One particularly crazy story stands out as a testament to the unique workplace dynamics that often arise in such settings.

Planned Robberies Inside the Theater

Working at a smaller, 2-theater movie theater meant we often found ourselves in isolated environments with minimal security. During slow periods, it became a game to engage in mischief, with the manager and employees averaging around 21 and 16 years old respectively. On one occasion, a co-worker suggested a game we all found hilariously absurd.

The 'robber' plan was as follows:

One employee was instructed to wear a sweatshirt over his uniform to blend in. During a movie showing in a crowded theater, the designated 'robber' would grab the cash box where we kept cash reserves (we didn't have cash registers then) and run down the darkened aisle. Meanwhile, the others would stay at the entrance, watching the events unfold.

The young man, who suggested the game, in his uniform chased the 'robber' down the aisle, yelling 'robber!' for effect. The chase culminated at the screen area, where the manager pretended to beat the 'robber' until he fell. The manager then dragged his 'body' out the side exit door, all in the midst of a movie playing and a crowd of disoriented customers.

Our game lasted a few moments, but it was enough for a few confused customers to try and alert us to the commotion. We feigned ignorance, saying we didn't see anyone. The customers reluctantly returned to their seats and finished the movie, leaving us to our banter and laughter.

Oh, The Fights We Had

Another memorable incident involved an intense altercation between two co-workers, one of Scottish descent, and the other of German origin. During a break, these two men were circling each other, ready to settle a dispute over who was laughing at whom. The Scottish man called the German a 'stupid wanker,' while the German responded with 'Hitler youth.' At first, it looked like a comical scene, but the situation quickly escalated.

The two men began rolling around on the ground, smack-fighting and using thick accents to hurl insults. Despite the tension, there was a underlying joy in the spectacle, given the unconventional setting of a movie theater with a crowd of confused patrons watching on.

The Cheater’s Wedding and His Escape

One of the more dramatic moments at the theater was when a manager was caught cheating on his wife of 20 years. One day, his wife called in asking for her husband, but he was unavailable. To everyone's surprise, a few moments later, the wife herself walked in, all decked out in high-heels, a tight miniskirt, and bold red lipstick. She announced, 'I know he’s here! Are you hiding him from me?' Despite our protests and questions, she proceeded to steal his lunch and throw it at his car.

This scene was a blend of shock, amusement, and a touch of anxiety, as the poor manager tried to dodge the angry woman fleeing in a heated car chase. The sight of a woman in high heels speeding away in her car, no doubt chasing her cheating spouse, left all of us with a mix of admiration for her determination and feared for the poor manager’s vehicle.

Working at a small town movie theater was both a job and a shared adventure, filled with unexpected twists and turns. These stories are not just about the workplace but about the camaraderie and the unscripted moments that make life at the movies ever so memorable.