The Switch

Last night was an anniversary on a couple levels.  And so, I went to a restaurant I'd gone to seven years before on this night with the woman I went there with then.  It was once an enviable restaurant, expensive and cozy, set back from the road on a property fronting a lake.  The Italian faire was wonderful and quite expensive, and at the end of the meal, the owner would come out and pour expensive grappa for you (and then put it on the bill).

Things change.

The restaurant now smells of mildew.  The waiters are no longer from the old country, and it looks as though the interior has not been attended to in a while.  The food was nothing to speak about.  But the bill was much the same.  And so, disappointed, I ordered some scotch and left to make an eight o'clock movie.

I wanted to see the new Robert Duval film with Bill Murray, and we got there in plenty of time.  I got a glass of wine and went into the theater.  There were not many people inside, but there was a group of teenage girls sitting a few rows ahead of us.  "Why would they want to see this movie," I asked.  "It is kind of dark and complicated, I think.  I can't imagine these girls having any interest whatsoever.

"Are you sure you want to see this?" my friend asked with a smirk.

"Sure.  I read great things about it."

Previews over, the movie began.  And I was looking at Jennifer Anniston.  "The Switch" was about to begin.  I hadn't been certain of the title and guessed at this.

"You knew, didn't you?" I asked my laughing friend.

"Well, there were posters all over the theater.  I asked you if you were sure."

She was happy and I had wine, so we stayed.  It was that kind of night.  And really, I didn't mind watching it so much.

But tonight, definitely, I will see "Get Low."