Page 48 of Chaos Theory
Sandra clears her throat and addresses the audience. ‘Welcome to this special event organised by the Social Committee. We hope you enjoy our first Movie Night. And if you do, we might make it a regular thing, isn’t that right, Shane?’Did she just wink at Shane?
‘I’m sure you’re all wondering what the movie is,’ she continues, ‘and I know some of you are wondering why I’m all dressed up like this. Well, it’s just our little hint that the film we’re about to watch is a classic. And it’s in black and white.’
A groan goes up from the mid-section. Probably Dave.
‘Shane, do you want to say anything?’ asks Sandra.
Shane stops messing with the projector. ‘Nah – this movie needs no introduction. Now usually when people say that, they go on to do a big long introduction. But I’m just going to press play and turn off the lights, and you’re going to sit there and watch it, and love it. See you on the other side!’
And with that dramatic flourish, the opening credits roll and the room goes dark. The title card appears on-screen:Casablanca.
‘What’s up with you?’ Shane asks as the music swells and we watch the closing credits.
‘Nothing. Why do you think there’s something up with me?’ But I can hear an off-note in my voice – irritation maybe?
‘You’ve hardly touched your popcorn,’ he says with a smile, reaching into the box on my lap to scoop, elevate and pour saltytreats into his mouth. For some reason I think of the JCB digger I saw on the street outside the office this morning, moving a pile of loose pebbles from one location to another.
I nod in the direction of the unlikely trio a few rows up. Julia is orchestrating a selfie with Dave and Kobi. Dave is trying to do rabbit ears behind Kobi’s head without him noticing. ‘Kobi was invited to join the Dave and Julia gang.’
‘And that’s bad because…?’
‘It’s not bad.’ I surrender the box of popcorn entirely to Shane’s custody.
‘So it’s good?’
‘Yes, it’s good. Technically, it’s good.’ This is what I wanted, after all – Kobi being accepted by his co-workers.
‘And un-technically?’
‘I don’t know.’ There’s just something about it. I’m finding it hard to pin down. I sift through my thoughts. ‘You’ll laugh at this. I think it’s just that…Dave and Julia have never askedmeto join them.’
Shane does laugh. He rolls his eyes. He stops eating my popcorn and throws a piece at me.
‘What?’ I say.
He doesn’t reply right away. He peers into the popcorn box, then says quietly, ‘Well, if you throw a party and don’t invite anyone, don’t complain when no one turns up.’
I feel my face flush. I’m glad the room is still dark. ‘What’s that supposed to mean?’
‘Nothing.’ A pause. ‘Well, actually, I think you know what it means.’
I snatch the cardboard box from him. ‘Wow. Nice.’ I don’t really know what he means though.
‘Look, I have to go and help Sandra tidy up.’
‘Of course you do. Far be it from me to keep you from Sandra.’Where didthatcome from?
‘I’m not sure what that means, but okay.’
‘Fine.’
‘Fine.’
He makes his way to the end of the row, then turns around and says, ‘And by the way,Iasked you.’
Technically, you invited yourself,I almost say, but he’s already walking away from me. I watch him accept high fives and backslaps as he walks up the central aisle towards Sandra, like it’s his damned wedding day or something.
TWENTY-SEVEN
