MISSION: Movie Merriment

I love going to the movies. It’s a whole experience for me. I’ve gotta have popcorn or some other snack, an ice cold drink, and plenty of napkins (I’m kinda clumsy). I need to sit far enough back that I can see the whole screen without having to move my head, and I have to be near the aisle (I get sorta claustrophobic).

I know. I’m high maintenance.

But movies can be pretty expensive.  I mean, the cost of the ticket can be as much as $12 in some cities!  And add the snacks to that tally, and you need to take out a loan just to go see a flick.  Thankfully, Affiliated Agent KH extended kindness so that someone would save a few bucks on his or her next movie-going experience.

DATE:
Wednesday, 24 November 2010

OPERATIVE:
Affiliated Agent KH

LOCATION:
Sears
Pittsburgh Mills Mall
Pittsburgh, PA

TIME:
12:30 p.m.

I’ve completed my first mission!

You know, I think on some level, I’ve always wanted to be a secret agent. When I was a little girl, I had spy toys like periscopes, invisible ink, tiny hidden walkie talkies, and lots of every day objects that were secretly other things (like an “audio cassette” that unfolded into a game.) I had elaborate “dangerous” missions to undertake, like rescuing dolls that had been “kidnapped” and hidden around the house. So the fact that I got to do a random act of kindness while calling myself a Secret Agent was very exciting to my inner child – and apparently grown-up me, too, as I really did love the TV show Alias.

I wasn’t initially sure what to do for my first mission, all I knew was that I wanted to spread a little kindness in the world. It finally hit me while excitedly talking about plans to go see a movie about a certain famous boy wizard — a movie gift card! No matter what genre a person might prefer, everybody likes movies! With cold weather settling in, friends and families around for the holidays, and lots of new movie releases, a little cinematic escape might be just the ticket! And movie tickets are still fairly reasonable in my neck of the woods – only $5 on Tuesdays and first matinees, so a $5 gift card could be a free movie for somebody – or at least an almost-half-price movie if somebody was seeing a 3D IMAX spectacular.

When at the theater last week, I went up to the box office with my friend and got a gift card. I was planning on remaining coy as to why I was doing it, but I decided to let her in on the secret. As soon as I mentioned Secret Agent L, the friend responded, “oh, I’ve heard about that! That’s so great!”

I determined the best day for “the drop” was the day before Thanksgiving. I would be in the Pittsburgh Mills Mall early that day, so I could leave the card on a bench and nobody would be the wiser. However, it very quickly became clear that the plan was not going to work out! I only had the gift card, but I didn’t have any of the other supplies I thought I did! And before I could prepare a little notecard or the Secret Agent L business card to go along with it, I was going to have to go empty-handed to the mall and back again. Part of me was going, “Abort! Abort!” But I still thought that this would be the best time to get the card out there, so I went ahead and improvised.

So with the time of my return trip to the mall in question, I went about printing up a card (attached.)

Of *course* the printer was giving me sass while trying to do this! This mission was determined to give me lots of little issues, but it made me more determined to get the kindness going.

When I finally got back to the mall later in the day to drop off the card, I had a little trouble finding a good spot. Despite it being “standard business hours” (Wednesday around 12:30 pm,) there were still plenty of people in the mall the day before Thanksgiving. I found a nice bench underneath some indoor trees. I was waiting for people to walk by, when all of a sudden, an elderly gentleman decided to sit down across from me! So, again, abort! I realized I’d need to find a new drop spot. So I walked a little further through the mall and found a seating area outside of Sears Grand. No people in sight, so I was able to quickly sit down, set my little card package on the table, take a picture (also attached,) and scurry off before I could be discovered.

It was very exciting (and a little strange, honestly!) to just leave an envelope sitting there out in the open for a mystery person. I happened by the spot about 10 minutes later, and it was still there, left up to fate. I hope somebody found it, and I really hope it was a little pick-me-up and that he or she enjoys the free/discounted movie.

Affiliated Agent KH, I LOVE this mission for so many reasons!  Thank you for thinking of others this Thanksgiving holiday, for being so creative, for sharing such a personal and detailed narrative with us, and for participating in the SAL Project.  Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!  I know I’m thankful for YOU!