Retro is the first word that comes to mind, a theater that could be found during the 70s. The same seats that line the isles, the same wallpaper in the girl's bathroom. The same bathroom, at that. And cheap. This small one-screen theater in the main part of a small town, where the doors open at 7, the movie starting at 8, and the doors being closed at 10:30. A place for the teenages to hang out, a place to keep their money in their pockets, admission is 3.75 , and the snacks areeven cheaper.

The Monopoly man owns it. He smiles nicely at you as he takes your money, and as you step inside, you wonder how it use to be like.

If the seats were as uncomfortable as they are now, if there were cracks in the ceiling then-and how long have those couches been there? They are placed in the front and in the back for people who are willing to pay a little extra for comfort. Can you imagine just what has gone on on those couches? I sure wouldn't lay myself out with my special someone, or even with the girls.

The screen has a stage in front of it, and I always have the urge to jump up, to perform on that very stage. I cannot dance, and I cannot act, but a dream none the less. Some of the wooden seats make noises when you move around, loud and annoying. I put my legs up against the seat in front of me, even though I know that my knees will fall asleep half-way through the movie. I take the hand of my beloved. He's used to fancy theaters that cost 8.50 to get in, that have all the lastest movies, and seats that lean back.

Welcome to my town, baby-love.

Where no matter which day of the weekend you come on, you can always find someone that you know.

Where the Monopoly man marches up and down the isles with a smile on his face to make sure there's no hanky-panky or illegal recordings.Where someone's bound to see you kiss if you are in the front rows.

But it feels like home.

My friend is climbing over the seats because I refuse to move. I see the popcorn tub on the floor, and I realize that I should warm him about where he puts his feet...but I stay silent, and end up shaking my head when he spills the yellow-white puffson the floor. He gives me a look, like it was all my fault, then I move. I might as well let him get more popcorn.

The girl's bathroom is in the back, where there is only one stall and sink with soap that is probably older than myself. When you step inside, it's like going back in time. The wallpaper has showgirlsagainst light blue. Something from the 70s, no doubt. The trash can is red, and one of those foot pumps to lift the tin lid. When I open the door, I half expect to hear music from the past vibrating in my ears, but I only hear the movie and people's laughter. Of course, I had to miss the funny parts.

That's the theater, the Star in everyone's eyes, where you can go back in time, just for a couple hours, where you can spend less than 10 smackers and still get what you want.

When as soon as I step out into the chill night, I expect and feel the past streaming out behind me. The ghosts that are still stuck in the past, and my imagination creating the hair-sprayed chicks and the flipped up collars of the boys. The theater that still holds on to the past, and gives a little of it away, too.