Strangers on a Train

            Paul instantly felt a surge of relief to escape Brad Pitt. He secretly wished he could escape Brad Pitt forever. Paul rose quickly to his feet only to receive hisses and muffled threats as he blocked the screen for the couples in the rows behind. He glowered back at the hissers but quickly realized that he could see non of them in the dark theater.

Jerks! Paul thought- Brad Pitt isn’t even in this scene, but he stooped anyway as he sidestepped towards the aisle. Reaching the aisle, Paul quickly strode for the lobby and certain freedom. He was just about to push through the doors when he ran right into someone in the darkened aisle. Surprised he began to apologize when he stared into the frightened eyes of a woman.

It was Caitlin Marshall.

Paul reached out and grabbed Caitlin’s left arm and yanked her towards him then pushed out the door. They both burst out into the spacious lobby of the theatre. Paul angrily held onto her arm as he walked into the lobby as if he intended to throw her out. She struggled ineffectually to get free. She must have realized she was trapped in his momentum. Paul felt a surge of power and sexual arousal at the idea that he had this power over her. With a burst of energy and inspiration he pulled her up to him then all but hurled her forward in front of him as they neared the front doors.

 “Just what the Hell?” Paul began, turning on the woman. He saw a man in a maroon blazer and tie spin around from the concession counter even as he heard the words echo off the walls.

“Is everything okay?” A voice questioned over his shoulder.

How had he gotten there so fast? Paul thought in frustration.

“Would you mind your own business!” Paul snarled without turning, still glaring at Caitlin- who stood like a girl needing desperately to go to the bathroom.

for some reason I can see Paul realizing this need and imagining it

This is probably closer to what he was thinking later
bot pics are from Strangers on a Train

[It's curious what comes to my mind as I rewrite this so many movies (and years) later.]

Prelude: Paul Murray Goes to the Movies

 

“How much of our lives are in the movies?

                                                How much of the movies are in our lives?”

                                                                                                (Anonymous)

                      “Nothing is as certain as death and taxes.” Joe Black reflected, as the movie dragged on about certainties in life. Paul Murray stifled a yawn and wondered again how he had let Peggy drag him out to the movies. He was a busy man and movies did not usually make his schedule unless the movie was a prelude to sex. In this case it was. Peggy was his regular girl- though he kept others on the side whenever he got bored of her. She was good enough for a laugh and in the sack, but Paul always liked to keep his options open.

Peggy Milsap sat to the right of Paul in the darkened theatre, desperately trying to hold back the tears as Brad Pitt steamed up the screen. Paul glanced at the tearful Peggy then back to the screen to watch Brad Pitt confess his love to another beauty that one could actually conceive of dying for. Not that Paul would have died for anything- or anyone for that matter. He certainly would not have died for Peggy even though he believed he loved her, but only occasionally, in moments of weakness.  He was instantly grateful he hadn’t married her, although he had nearly asked a year ago. Paul knew that he would never dare marry Peggy or any other woman; he could not afford such a character flaw in his life or professional career. Unless, of course, he did actually run for office- then maybe he would chance it. But it was unlikely, Paul Murray had far too many skeletons to hide to make a very public run for elected office. No, it was better to remain where he was; especially since he knew where the real power lay.

He stifled another yawn wanting to look away from Brad and his all-to-beautiful partner engaged in the love scene. He looked to his left at the couple, five or six seats down, all snuggled together as they watched the movie. Disgusted, he looked back at Peggy, wondering if he could stand such an entanglement. He wondered as to why they were still together. He found no reasons intellectually, so he appraised her physically instead.  Peggy for the most part was a plain woman in appearance, slender and small. She had a round doll-like face with a narrow nose and small mouth framed by straight black hair. Her mouth was sweet to kiss but had left no lasting impression. On her nose rested a pair of full-rimmed glasses, librarian size and shape. Peggy only wore them when she went to movies or to read. She reads too much, Paul thought, as his eyes wondered on down. He glanced briefly at her slim arms which were crossed under her breasts- the only feature that he could see at that moment that held much interest and longing for Paul.

            Paul gazed at Peggy’s breasts, which were pushing hard against her tee shirt. Her nipples protruded against the flimsy bra that Paul made her wear when they went out. Paul smiled, Peggy’s breasts were small and hard; he realized at that moment, in the dark, that was why he stayed. A low fever of desire rose inside Paul as he stared. Paul now satisfied with this newfound answer relaxed and sighed. A fresh feeling rolled over him as he looked back at his sole reason for staying, something stirred deep down inside of his being. Paul purred.

This purring noise was deeply “guttural,” a sound-like that of a lion looking at his next meal. Peggy gave him a look of real surprise. Her face had reddened from her tears and now a fresh blush came into her cheeks and she almost smiled. Her smile froze on her face, like a tongue on frozen metal, as she saw where Paul’s gaze was glued. Her frozen smile melted into a grimace of disgust, her arms quickly cutting off his view.

“Paul!” she hissed almost to loud to be a whisper.

“Paul!” she repeated lower with sharper inflection.

Paul snapped out of his reverie like a rubber band freshly sprung. He looked into her icy expression.

“Yes my sweets?” He managed to choke out.

“Would you get me a Pepsi” She quickly added, “diet please.”

“Okay Honey.”