I have always been a fan of historic buildings and attractions and seeing that I live in not only a small town but in a close proximity to a cluster of small towns in the Georgia mountains that all have some form of history still standing. Blairsville Ga, Haysville NC, Blue ridge Ga and Helen Ga there are quite a few to explore. One day as I was walking around the older part of Murphy doing some shopping in my favorite organic store I noticed that the old theater had been reopened.
Quick history for anyone that is interested The Henn Theater first opened in 1934 and has been family owned ever since, Of the 23 theaters ran by P.J. Henn, it is the only one of two that survived the Great Depression. In March of 2009 it was damaged by a fire but was thankfully reopened in May of the same year.
It's vintage red and white sign and show board that was illuminated in the old fashion flashing bulbs made it seem absolutely drawing. Taken Two was showing and I really wanted to see it. I noticed that the next showing was at two and I hate a crowded theater. So the timing seemed perfect, I looked at my watch and saw that I had about an hour and a half to get ready. I rushed home and freshened up called a few friends and asked if they wanted to go with me but they all had plans or had to work, so I just decided to go on my own.
When I walked inside I was thrilled to see original copies of classic movie posters of all sorts framed on the wall everything seemed to be original other than the soda machines and popcorn maker. You could tell the walls had been repainted along with the floor tiles but I am sure it was necessary. As I got my ticket the Man told me that I was the only one who had shown up for that showing, I asked if he was still going to be showing the movie and he said yes. I was so excited. Not only was I watching a movie that I really wanted to see in a historic theater but I was the only person there. No squeezing past people to get the perfect set or having to ignore people that were eating loudly or talking, or having to worry about someone putting their elbow in my side or knees in my back. Just Me and the theater attendant SWEET!
I get a soda and go to find my seat rows and rows of empty red cloth seats, a large balcony, decisions decisions I settled in around the middle row and had made it to just about the beginning of the movie when I heard somebody walk. I turned briefly to find the guy that was at the ticket booth had taken a seat on the back row. Ok, Cool so I went back to watching the movie. Right as I am once again drawn into the action of the movie I hear one of the seats squeak, even over the gun chase on the screen. It seemed to echo through the rows startling me, I automatically turned around only to find the guy still sitting there raising his hands as if to say what it wasn't me.
I turned back around and tried to focus on the movie but I had a bit of an uneasy felling that I couldn't seem to shake, but I chopped it up to the fact that I was watching a kidnapping movie in a huge theater with a strange guy that I didn't know sitting in the back row and I had a slight adrenaline rush going from the excitement of the movie. Ok, get Your head straight and enjoy the movie.
Not long after that thought I saw a little boy in a dark blue and white stripped shirt with denim shorts and mosey brown hair run down the aisle and take a seat in the front row. I was expecting the guy in the back to come and get him seeing that he is way too young to watch this movie not to mention where were his parents? But he never went to go get the little boy, when I once again turned around he was playing on his phone not paying attention. No reason he managed to get in, I looked around hoping to see anyone looking for him but oddly enough there was no one. So I got up went to the front row and sat down next to him, I watched for a moment as he swung his tiny feet his eyes wide staring up at the huge screen. "Hey", I whispered trying not to startle him," where is Your mom and Dad, we Should go find them." He never looked away from the screen and just stayed quiet. "Why don't You follow me," I whispered," we will go get you some popcorn and look for your parents. Can You tell me where they are?I'm sure your Mom is looking for You."
Finally the little boy looked up at me and smiled, I offered him my hand but he walked right past me I stayed right behind him following him into the lobby but nobody was there but a teenage girl behind the concession stand, "Did You see where the little boy went?" She simply raised an eyebrow and shook her head no, "Keep an eye on your own kid," she huffed and went back to the popcorn machine. I went outside and looked down both sides of the sidewalk but he was nowhere to be found. I still don't know how he is tied to the theater or if he was just a wondering spirit but I haven't seen him since. I haven't been back to the theater since then but I would like to go back one day.
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