SandScript 2023 [Digital Exclusive]

Weeds choked the light posts around the entrance, sprouting from ugly cracks in the
concrete. The rough brick walls, painted in graffiti of sloppy designs and errant symbols, were
accentuated by empty wrappers and broken beer bottles. The chipped and cracking façade
still held the frames of old poster displays, with their glass long since warped, shattered, and
scored to oblivion.
Simon stepped up to the ticket booth, his wiry six-foot frame appearing blurry in the muddled,
smeared glass of the box office window. He could barely see the graying hairs on his chin
through the grime. He sighed. He took a jingling ring of keys from his pocket, fiddling with the
lock on the door. The rusty mechanism turned with a whine and the glass doors ground open,
leading Simon into the darkness beyond.
Simon soon found the breaker for the house lights, his hand hovering over the controls. Taking
a deep breath, he flipped the switch. The lights came on with a faint hum, revealing a lobby
covered in tattered wallpaper and decorated with mottled brass light fixtures. Wires jutted
out from odd angles in little nooks and crannies along the wall. The last vestiges of registers
and arcade machines manifested in tangled cords springing up just like the weeds breaking
through on the concrete outside.
Simon found himself drawn to the front of the lobby where an old ticket collection booth stood
like a sentinel guarding the main doors–a lone bastion resting in a sea of run-down concession
stands and fraying carpet. Simon placed his hand on the pulpit-like stand, his mind flashing
back to paper stubs and smiling in anticipation. He slowly brushed a thin layer of dust off the
stand with gentle fingers.
A voice startled him out of his silent reverie.
“I hope that you don’t mind me coming in through the back door, kiddo.”
Simon clutched his chest laughing. “That’s okay, but at least let me know when you’re going
to be coming Bert!” he said as he straightened himself up.
Bert smiled. “Sorry. Guess I was a bit distracted by my memories of the old place.”
“She’s certainly seen better days.” Simon pursed his lips.
“That she has, kiddo. But then again, the last owner didn’t have his entire life savings invested
in its revival.” Bert winked.
“Nobody’s that crazy,” Simon replied sardonically, trying to hide a silly grin. “I’m just glad you
stuck around to help me with this mad quest, Bert. It wouldn’t be the same without you.”
“You’re lucky I’m still alive to save you from your sentimentality.” Bert smiled, a certain
wistfulness resting behind his eyes.
“Even if you weren’t here, your ghost would probably stick around to criticize me.” Simon laughed.
“You’re right about that!” Bert chuckled.
Turning around, Simon drank in the lobby’s atmosphere for a moment. “Want to climb up to
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