Like any normal person I wouldn’t throw $12 in the trash, so I didn’t, but I did accidentally throw it on the movie theater floor.

I was with my twin sister at a local movie theater here in southern Connecticut, catching a double feature. The theater I was at isn’t really near anything fun, so I didn’t want to just go in for one movie. Transformers: The Last Knight, and 47 Meters Down, were some of the films playing, and I wanted to see both. With my offer to pay for the movie tickets on the table, my sister Jen accepted my invitation, and we headed to the local Bow Tie movie theater. I would like to note that we bought tickets for both films. Movie hopping isn’t cool guys.

After seeing Transformers, and then chilling in the lobby for a bit, I needed snacks for the next film. I got my popcorn refill (this theater does refills for a large tub), ordered two orders of mozzarella sticks, and a drink. Sometime during the wait I had mentioned to Jen that she might have to help me carry my food. I had paid for her movie ticket after all, so it was only fair. She said, “Alright,” completely happy to help out, but somehow, I completely forgot the plan, and put the mozzarella sticks in a drink section of the disposable tray I was using. We made it all the way to the theater door without incident, and were about to be the first ones in. A movie theater employee was leaving the room. He had clearly just cleaned the area, and that is when my mozzarella sticks fell to the floor. Both orders. All ten mozzarella sticks, and the sauce packets. Thankfully the sauce was sealed tight.

The movie theater employee guy didn’t bat an eye, and said it was alright, and that he would clean it up. I tried to insist that I would, only for him to insist he would. Finally, I said “Dude, I feel so bad.” He laughed, and again insisted. I just let it go, and went into the theater with my sister. I felt a cross of sadness, and content. Nothing bad had happened. I knew spilling my mozzarella sticks was the best representation of a first world problem, as I had money for more food, and still had popcorn. I felt bad for making the movie theater employees job just a little bit more extra, but I have cleaned spills at both my homeless shelter job, and seafood department job. So much worse has happened at both, so I like to believe he felt the same way.

Inside the theater the lights eventually dimmed, and we listened to that message about silencing our phones. I’m sure the movie would have been more enjoyable with mozzarella sticks, but at least my sister gave me a couple of her fries.

-Katelyn Avery