Cruise Ship Cinema was an older style movie theater that had been converted to a multiplex as best as the architecture of the antiquated building would allow. There were eight theaters and an oversized entry lobby. The projection loft was on a second floor that ran above the lower ceiling hall that separated the theaters into two banks of four. It ran the entire length of the building and had visual access to all eight of the theaters. Cruise Ship was managed by a portly, Elmer Fuddish, man named, Mr. Puege. He always said, my name is Puege and it rhymes with huge but everyone who worked there had taken to calling him by his childhood nickname, Mister Pudge, and he accepted that.
“Tommi, can you and Valerie handle the late show and close up for me? I am coming down with something so I’ll make the deposit and go home to a lemon, and bourbon hot toddy and some sleep.”
“Sure, Mr. Pudge, We’ve got it under control. There are only three films running tonight. I can handle tickets and Val knows the projectors well enough. But I’ll go up and check on her as soon as the lobby clears.”
“Thanks, Tommi, you’re in command. What would I do without you?”
“Not to worry, Mr. Pudge.”
“In Command. Why that’s just my favorite place to be.” Tommi mouthed as she watched him lock his office and leave though the lobby. “...And the question is, what would I do with you?” Tommi knew by the way he flirted that he would be easy prey. She imagined him tied up to the thick rings in her bedroom doorjamb while she raised little red patches on his naked ass with her fly-swatter crop. Mr. Pudge turned back to wave goodbye and she shot him a smile. “Someday, Mr. Pudge,” she said, low enough that he probably heard, “goodbye, Mr. Pudge.”
Three wise guys almost knocked him over as they barged through the double doors into the lobby. They strode towards her, at the ticket counter, wisecracking and shoving each other. Tommi could smell the tangy aroma of alcohol and pot.
“Let’s see, what’s running Tonight, Darling.” The first of the three said, leering at her full breasts.
“Talk to the face ‘cause the tits don’t understand,” Tommi thought.
Tommi hated these pejoratives, Sweetie, Little Lady, Darling. She stood her ground while they ran their mouths, reading titles and show times. The lead man, “Mr. Cock of the walk,” was tall and wiry with a bad complexion that told it all. He was nothing of interest to her. The second, “The lieutenant,” was also of a type she disdained but the third guy, who hung back slightly, was another story. He was handsome with a good triangular build--nice shoulders and arms that showed in his sleeveless sweatshirt. His soft black hair set off well-defined features and bedroom eyes. He remained silent while the others continued to show off.
“Why don’t we go to three different flicks? Then we can compare notes later.” The other two consented. “I’ll take one for Master and Commander, Sweet Thang.”
Policy was that within ten minutes of starting time, even if only one person came in to see a film, they would start it. The person at tickets would call the projectionist and inform them to run that film.
“…And I’ll take one …adult ticket for …Elf.” The lieutenant snorted towards his accomplices as he spoke.
The dark one looked in her eyes when he stepped up. “One for Matrix…”
Tommi could tell he had “Please” on his lips but would never say it in front of the other two. She saw his unmistakable glance, first into her eyes then away when he saw the cool resolve there. Tommi rang up the tickets and slid them to them one at a time.
“Val, spool up, Crow, Elf and Reeves, we’ve got three patrons.” Tony spoke quietly into the wireless hand piece.
“Tommi, that’s six projectors. You know I’m new at this. Could you come up when you’re done and help me? You know, just to make sure I’m doing it right. Tommi, you wont tell Pudge, will ya?”
“Sure, Val, But your working up a pretty big debt.”
“I know. I’ll pay you back, …promise.”
Valerie had only been at Cruise Ship for a month but she had known Tommi since moving east from San Diego last summer. Tommi had helped her get the job. She also knew about Tommi’s Dominant lifestyle. She couldn’t wait to pry the details out of her about every new adventure Tommi had.
“No, Val, I mean like a weekend of, you be my sex slave, kind of pay.”
“Tommi, stop it will you.”
Tommi loved the idea of getting her payback. The thought of getting pretty Valerie Pacheco over her knee sent a shiver through her. She had been zeroing her sights in on her blond friend from the first day they met. She hung up and stepped the few paces to her right to sell the three musketeers over-salted popcorns and bucket sized sodas.
“Enjoy your movies, Gentlemen.”
Up in the Loft Val said, “Tommi, you have to see these assholes. First they had a popcorn fight in theater six; then they ran back and forth from theater to theater, now they’re sitting together in the matrix. I’ve got six projectors running with a handful in one theater and two or three in Master and Commander and these three jamokes in the Matrix Reloaded.”
“That’s five, dummy. Where’d you learn to count? You know you can use those pretty fingers for other things besides diddling yourself. Valerie.” Tommi loved to push Val’s buttons.
“Oh, yeah, there is that old guy sitting alone in the Meg Ryan movie. You know the one who always talks to you. I think he has a thing for you, Tommigirl.”
“Paleese, Give me a break. He’s older than my father. Hey, Valerie, your so curious maybe he’s the perfect guy to give you a good old fatherly spanking on that cute little badionka dionka of yours.”
“Tommi…stop it, will you.” A crimson hue spread up her cheeks.
Tommi grinned then looked through all the little windows into each theater to see for herself. A couple was making out in the back row of Master and Commander. Another two women were sitting up closer ogling Russell Crow, oblivious of the couple’s amorous activities.
“Jesus, Val, I think that chick’s giving her boyfriend a blow job down there.”
“Let___me___see___that.” Valerie syncopated her words with her steps as she rushed over to crowd Tommi at the little window. She shouldered up to her and Tommi stared at her profile while Valerie strained to see.
Where? I can’t see it.”
Tommi leaned back to give her room in front of her. Valerie’s blond hair fell forward revealing her long neck and Tommi leaned in close to take in her “Ralph.”
“Right there. He has the biggest cock I’ve ever…”
“No, Sir. They’re just kissing.” Tommi laughed and went over to the Matrix window,
“Would you look at them now. The idiots are playing with laser lights. That’s it. I’m going down right now.”
Tommi tugged her red vest, tightened her Black bowtie and started down to the theaters. She was dressed in black under her vest and tie as requested by management. She knew the bowtie was a way of management controlling the girls from wearing open and revealing blouses.
“I have to speak with you gentlemen about your behavior. First of all, you purchased tickets for three different movies and now you are sitting in one while the other two are running empty. Second, you were running from theater to theater. Third, you’ve made a mess in here. And now you’re sitting down here flashing your little laser key rings at the screen.”
The three smirked at her. Ringleader said, “I paid for my ticket and I don’t see anyone complaining, so fuck off, Sis.”