Goodbye Fox Theatres

A few more hours before I punch the clock for the last time at Fox Theaters. The place I have worked for over a year. It has been the place where I had the opportunity to work with some pretty awesome people. As I walk the hallway in this old theatre I realize that I will truly miss this place. No, its not grand or even modern, but it is a place where many families have come to watch a movie.

The scent of popcorn fills the building and  it hits me this is the last time I'll use the "BIG EYE" popper. Even the ugly yellow colored walls that I hate so much are extra yellow today.

I walk around this old theatre and smile. So many laughs, stories and friendships were formed here. I think about my time here and a memory of last summer invades my thoughts.

It was the first week "Finding Dory" came out. It was pouring outside and people who came to Ocean City on vacation didn't plan for the weather. Anyway, people are at the theatre doors yanking on them demanding to come in. Mind you us employees haven't even been on the clock for five minutes. We rush to pop fresh popcorn and set up before the first showing starts. Out of the kindness of our hearts we unlock the doors. I think about how my managers told me it gets busy on rainy days. I felt ready to face the crowd. Talking about it and doing it are two different things. We sold out for every showing of Finding Dory that day. Popped so much popcorn, sold so many drinks and candy. It was insane. Cleaning the theaters was a shit show. 200 ppl mostly kids and popcorn equals one hell of a mess.

I am suddenly brought back to reality when a customer asks where the restroom is. One of the silliest questions out of a million other questions I've been asked while employed here.

Some of my favorite questions asked by customers!
1. What movies are showing? (They looked at the movies listed in the box office.)
2. How much are tickets? ( again prices are listed in box office which they looked at for 10 minutes.)
3. Are you open? ( after pulling the door open and seeing a line of people.)
4. Why is the popcorn so expensive?
5. Do you have popcorn?
6. Do you have reclining seats?
And finally, my absolute favorite question is.... where are you located. ( example, a customer says, I'm inside the mall I don't see you in here.)
I could go on with the silliness of the questions we've been asked, but the list would be pages long.

Back to the matter at hand, most people look down on people like me for working at a movie theatre, but you know what I don't care. This wasn't my forever job or career it was my for now job. And besides someone has to do it. 

I am anxiously waiting for the end of my shift, families come in and I am filled with both a sense of happiness and sadness. I have enjoyed my time working at Fox theaters. I am grateful for the opportunity I received becoming a manager. I am also thankful I had a friend willing to put up with me at both work and school. I've also had some not so good moments while here. Some customers have cussed at me, yelled at me, or plain out acted like jerks, but you know what I didn't let their attitudes consume me. Frankly, none of us have. 

Tonight is bittersweet and I will truly miss my coworkers. However, in a sense this isn't goodbye it's see you later.  

To my Fox theatre coworkers, I wish you all the best in life. It has been a pleasure working with you all.

A SIDE NOTE: to my Nepali friends, I'm still waiting on those dumpling.

Thank you for the laughs and memories.

With much love,
Sam❤