Movie Night with the Kids
The movie begins... "Envy," with Jack Black and Ben Stiller.
On cue, the fidgeting and mumbling commence... I can't quite make out what he's saying... but he's talking to himself, quietly and steadily. "Eddy? Do you not want to watch the movie?" The fidgeting stops momentarily; he is twisted, pretzel-like, improbably, no part of his body touching the chair where it was meant to do so. "I want to watch it," he answers. "Okay," I tell him, "then please sit still and keep your mouth shut tight. You can't watch and listen if you're talking non-stop, honey." He nods vigorously in agreement, as though it's just occurred to him how this might be true.
The beginning of the movie is typically a setup for all that follows; I try to focus on the screen and listen. From the corner of my eye, the recliner's occupant is a steady, arrythmic blur of movement. I take a deep breath and release it slowly... quietly. I strain to hear the movie soundtrack, the subtle, but steady commentary in the chair beside me acts as a damper. What IS he saying?
"Eddy!" I hiss. "PLEASE be quiet! I can't even hear the movie!" He clamps his lips together, miming the 'pick-a-lock' gesture, and I return my attention to the movie. What's just happened? Why is the main character...?! Oh hell. Never mind. I'll just keep watching and see if I can figure it out.
Like a carefully composed swell of inspirational music, Eddy's monologue resumes, building slowly but steadily in tempo and volume. I can't hear the movie, again, and shoot Eddy a look. He's oblivious... fingers weaving and twining together, foot tapping to a rhythm only he can hear, glazed eyes aimed at the ceiling, but seeing nothing of it.
"EDDY!"
"Huh?"
"Honey, please watch the movie with your mouth SHUT. If you can't do that or aren't interested in the movie, you may leave the room!"
"I want to sit beside YOU."
Sigh. "Sherry, would you mind trading places with Eddy for a bit?"
"I don't want to."
"I'm sorry to hear that. Trade places with him anyway; you can take turns sitting here with me."
She sighs, glaring at Eddy, and changes places with him.
Eddy puts an arm around me awkwardly, craving closeness but not sure how to achieve it. The position of his arm and hand are pulling my hair painfully; I take his hand in mine, and we hold hands sitting close together. Sherry alternately sulks and snuffles at her exile.
Now, what's happened in the movie? Oh for the luv of GOD, is that a new character?! Who IS it? We are 30 minutes into the movie.
On cue, the fidgeting and mumbling commence... I can't quite make out what he's saying... but he's talking to himself, quietly and steadily. "Eddy? Do you not want to watch the movie?" The fidgeting stops momentarily; he is twisted, pretzel-like, improbably, no part of his body touching the chair where it was meant to do so. "I want to watch it," he answers. "Okay," I tell him, "then please sit still and keep your mouth shut tight. You can't watch and listen if you're talking non-stop, honey." He nods vigorously in agreement, as though it's just occurred to him how this might be true.
The beginning of the movie is typically a setup for all that follows; I try to focus on the screen and listen. From the corner of my eye, the recliner's occupant is a steady, arrythmic blur of movement. I take a deep breath and release it slowly... quietly. I strain to hear the movie soundtrack, the subtle, but steady commentary in the chair beside me acts as a damper. What IS he saying?
"Eddy!" I hiss. "PLEASE be quiet! I can't even hear the movie!" He clamps his lips together, miming the 'pick-a-lock' gesture, and I return my attention to the movie. What's just happened? Why is the main character...?! Oh hell. Never mind. I'll just keep watching and see if I can figure it out.
Like a carefully composed swell of inspirational music, Eddy's monologue resumes, building slowly but steadily in tempo and volume. I can't hear the movie, again, and shoot Eddy a look. He's oblivious... fingers weaving and twining together, foot tapping to a rhythm only he can hear, glazed eyes aimed at the ceiling, but seeing nothing of it.
"EDDY!"
"Huh?"
"Honey, please watch the movie with your mouth SHUT. If you can't do that or aren't interested in the movie, you may leave the room!"
"I want to sit beside YOU."
Sigh. "Sherry, would you mind trading places with Eddy for a bit?"
"I don't want to."
"I'm sorry to hear that. Trade places with him anyway; you can take turns sitting here with me."
She sighs, glaring at Eddy, and changes places with him.
Eddy puts an arm around me awkwardly, craving closeness but not sure how to achieve it. The position of his arm and hand are pulling my hair painfully; I take his hand in mine, and we hold hands sitting close together. Sherry alternately sulks and snuffles at her exile.
Now, what's happened in the movie? Oh for the luv of GOD, is that a new character?! Who IS it? We are 30 minutes into the movie.
posted by Aunty Social at 10:36 AM
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