I worked at a second run movie theatre during my senior year of high school and a little bit after. I remember a girl I barely ever talked to at all who worked at first-run and she would occasionally spice up her wardrobe with a movie shirt. I wouldn't say that I was jealous of the shirts she was wearing in particular, but that the second run never got any free shirts at all.

Well, fortunes change at unexpected times and unexpected places. A film of, I am assuming, modest success came to our theatre after its run at the sister theatre across town with stadium seating.

It is my guess that Blast From The Past didn't do too well because not just one person got a shirt, all non-managerial people had to wear this shirt to work at least for one day. I believe we were allowed to wear it for the entire first week that it was at our theatre.

The reason that it is so odd that we got the shirts is because by the second run, the studio is getting a real small portion of the money by the time it gets to the 2nds. The real money for the studio comes from the first week when they get something like 90% of the money collected. The amount drops from there as time continues. However the theatres don't mind because they aren't making the money on the motion pictures, they make their piece at the snack bar. Surely, everyone must notice how marked up everything for sale is at the theatre. I recommend, if possible, that if you really have to eat while watching a movie in the theatre that you try sneaking the food in, as this will save you money.

The people who clean the theatres find all sorts of stuff after the shows end. For example: there was a used condom on the floor on Easter Sunday. I forget what film was playing, but I do know that it was a kid's film.

In any event, I hope those reading this were able to infer that unless they printed a bunch of extras, that it wouldn't be financially prudent to give the employees shirts. Who are they? I am not exactly sure who footed the bill, but I want to say Cinemark Theatres of Plano, Texas, because of the back branding. I, however, have no proof, so I should not have even brought it up.

Molly, one of my former co-workers at the theatre, upon seeing me wear it to pick up a check one Thursday late-night made the remark that she thought it was odd that I would wear the shirt outside of the original context, and then we laughed. She because she didn't understand who would wear such a silly shirt, I because I enjoy free shirts that much. I understand that she is now a born-again Christian and not willing to talk to people outside of the flock. That is a shame, she was a really nice person when she was less Christian. As is the case with a lot of born-agains. I know of only one born-again I respect more after their conversion, and sadly she is not a donor to the free shirt archive, yet. There is something about thinking you know the word of God because another person told you that makes most born-agains unbearable.

Movies 8 wasn't that bad of a place to work at until I was one of seven staff members. I will certainly not forget some of the times I had there, nor will I ever forget some of the people. Although, I'm glad I left, because it could be a drag. I may return to this page to launch into my anti-movie spiel, which only got firmer after working at a movie theatre.