Disturbing

Last night the PLRH 3 (G-Man, my Sweetie, and me) saw Captain America. I know, two movies is one week! Isn’t that exciting?

Since it was opening weekend, the theater was packed and leaving the awkward empty seat between us and our neighbors wasn’t an option. To my left sat a little 8-year-old girl and on her other side, her father. I wondered why she was at a PG-13 movie but it wasn’t my place to judge.

This petite, dark-haired, bundle of enthusiasm was so excited when the previews started that I couldn’t help but chuckle. The first preview was for The Three Musketeers. She was so cute when she called them the three “Muchkinteers.” Of course she asked the same question that all kids ask,

Why are they called the Three Munchkinteers when there’s four of them?

The second preview was for Spider-Man. I have no idea why this story is being told again when it’s only been 10 years since the version with Tobey Maguire was made. Little Girl bounced up and down in her seat and exclaimed,

I want to see that! Oooo! I want to see that!

I thought that she must really like comic book heroes.

The third preview was for yet another Tom Cruise Mission Impossible movie. Really? Another one? Why?

Anyway, Little Girl continued to bounce up and down in her seat. At the conclusion of the preview she announced,

I want to see that one too! I want to see that one too!

Her father jokingly asked,

Do you want to see everything?

Little Girl replied,

I want to see EVERYTHING with KILLING AND VIOLENCE!!!!

WTF?

Her father and I both stared at her in disbelief. I think he was confused and I know I was horrified. Her father asked, What? as if he hadn’t heard her correctly.

I want to see EVERYTHING with KILLING AND VIOLENCE!!!!

The father remained quiet and leaned back in his seat. I moved over in my seat to get as far away from Scary Little Girl as I could.

Her comment disturbed me so much that I couldn’t watch Captain America. I spent the entire movie wishing for it to be over so I could hurry up and leave. I didn’t want to sit next to Scary Little Girl for one more minute. I sat in the dark theater staring at her from the corner of my eye and wondering at what age she would kill her family in their sleep.

As soon as the credits rolled, I was up and out of my seat. Once outside, I told my Sweetie what came out of Scary Little Girl’s mouth. He was more generous than me and gave her the benefit of the doubt. He figures that she must have repeated something she overheard. But if that was the case, why didn’t her father correct her? Also, why did I feel so darn uncomfortable sitting next to her for two hours and I still can’t shake the feeling?