DIY History | Transcribe | Hevelin Fanzines | Black Flames, whole no. 1, January 1946

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Black Flames, whole no. 1, January 1946

Page 14

Once more I seated myself, this time a little more cautiously, and directed my attention to the motion picture. A tantalizingly delicious odour of buttered popcorn was wafted to me from the direction of my near neighbor. The aroma of it made my mouth water, although I wished that she wouldn't rattle the paper bag so. It distracted my attention from the picture. When she finally tossed the empty bag to the floor, I sighed with relief, even though it did hit me on the ankle and make me jump.

The film was quite the usual "boy-meets-ghoul" sort of thing, and after half an hour or so, I grew restless. My eyes had gradually become accustomed to the dusky gloom, and I now could distinguish with ease the presence of the other patrons of the theatre.

Some sense of curiosity made me glance over toward my neighbor. To my amazement, I saw that the seat was empty, and yet just a few minutes ago, the occupant had been sitting there, munching popcorn. In fact, I had felt the impact of the discarded paper bag collide with my ankle. 

I looked again, but the place still appeared to be vacant. I couldn't understand it. I could have become so interested in the picture, I supposed, that my neighbor might have slipped out unobtrusively without my being aware of it. And yet, I was sure that this hadn't been the case, as the motion picture was not interesting enough to warrant my devoting my wholehearted attention to it. Perhaps it could be explained by one of those "time lapses" one read so much about in Science Fiction...........

Oh well, it was really none of my business. I focused my attention upon the film once more. Ten minutes or so later, I was aware of the delicious aroma of rich, bittersweet chocolate pervading the atmosphere about me, and I heard the unmistakable sound of sharp little teeth coming in contact with a candy bar.

I glanced beside me -- no one there. I turned around. None of the people around me were consuming candy of any kind. Nonplussed, I again directed my attention to the screen. Thud! Again I heard the distinct sound of a paper wrapper being thrown to the floor. I looked down, and dimly I could perceive a ball of waxed paper, not more than a few inches from my foot. This was beginning to prey upon my nerves. Maybe I wasn't feeling very well. I had seen the entire film anyway, and it was late at night and time I was leaving.

I put on my cloak and began to slide toward the aisle, only to gasp involuntarily as I came into contact again with that someone in the next seat, that someone who, to all appearances, was not there. As I emitted an exclamation of amazement, I heard a silvery, tinkly laugh, and felt the person rise and follow me out of the theatre!

Saving...

Once more I seated myself, this time a little more cautiously, and directed my attention to the motion picture. A tantalizingly delicious odour of buttered popcorn was wafted to me from the direction of my near neighbor. The aroma of it made my mouth water, although I wished that she wouldn't rattle the paper bag so. It distracted my attention from the picture. When she finally tossed the empty bag to the floor, I sighed with relief, even though it did hit me on the ankle and make me jump. The film was quite the usual "boy-meets-ghoul" sort of thing, and after half an hour or so, I grew restless. My eyes had gradually become accustomed to the dusky gloom, and I now could distinguish with ease the presence of the other patrons of the theatre. Some sense of curiosity made me glance over toward my neighbor. To my amazement, I saw that the seat was empty, and yet just a few minutes ago, the occupant had been sitting there, munching popcorn. In fact, I had felt the impact of the discarded paper bag collide with my ankle. I looked again, but the place still appeared to be vacant. I couldn't understand it. I could have become so interested in the picture, I supposed, that my neighbor might have slipped out unobtrusively without my being aware of it. And yet, I was sure that this hadn't been the case, as the motion picture was not interesting enough to warrant my devoting my wholehearted attention to it. Perhaps it could be explained by one of those "time lapses" one read so much about in Science Fiction........... Oh well, it was really none of my business. I focused my attention upon the film once more. Ten minutes or so later, I was aware of the delicious aroma of rich, bittersweet chocolate pervading the atmosphere about me, and I heard the unmistakable sound of sharp little teeth coming in contact with a candy bar. I glanced beside me -- no one there. I turned around. None of the people around me were consuming candy of any kind. Nonplussed, I again directed my attention to the screen. Thud! Again I heard the distinct sound of a paper wrapper being thrown to the floor. I looked down, and dimly I could perceive a ball of waxed paper, not more than a few inches from my foot. This was beginning to prey upon my nerves. Maybe I wasn't feeling very well. I had seen the entire film anyway, and it was late at night and time I was leaving. I put on my cloak and began to slide toward the aisle, only to gasp involuntarily as I came into contact again with that someone in the next seat, that someone who, to all appearances, was not there. As I emitted an exclamation of amazement, I heard a silvery, tinkly laugh, and felt the person rise and follow me out of the theatre!