Now A Former Theater Usher!

Back in October I turned in my broom and dustpan, shook the hand of the General Manager who was leaving the same time I was, and didn't look back. Some things were changing, some things never will. New management was on the way in with fresh ideas and old employees were on their way out, some to school, others to better paying jobs and me to a new wife.

I've been back to the theater twice since leaving. The bathrooms are just as dirty - but ushers no longer have to sign a sheet saying it was cleaned; nor do they have to sign an auditorium check sheet, they only have to stand at the front of the auditorium so you can see they're checking. The clocks have been removed - pretty stupid. The idea was that the employees were watching the clock too much, but we needed those clocks so we'd know when it was time to clean the next theater. Now ushers have to use their cell phones, which the management has forbidden on the floor. No one wears a watch anymore.

The combination to the doors have been changed, but the employees told me the new code - hoping I'll come back and shoot the breeze and complain about having to work for $6.50 an hour. But I'm not going back. I'm having too much fun going home to my wife after working my real job. We cook meals together, clean the house together, watch TV together, and do things together that are more fun than doing them alone.

I've seen "Australia" and "Quantum of Solace" as a paying customer. The movies were good, but the same customers are leaving their trash behind. Some things won't ever change.

This is the busy season for the theater. A year ago, I worked nine hours without a break, standing at the front door tearing tickets and greeting customers with "Merry Christmas". Then I went home and prepared a TV dinner. This year I'll be with my wife at her folks' house in Nebraska. Maybe there will be snow for Christmas! Perhaps I'll pause and reflect on my former co-workers who're making a whole $9.75 an hour for working on Christmas Day.

I think I'll check out Will Smith's new movie, "7 Pounds", and the new movie by Clint Eastwood, "Gran Torino".

Merry Christmas to all.