Flanked by a band of wizened and protective elders who had big dreams for the wolfgirl, her body buzzed with excitement on the big day.
Once in the dark room, she settled sweetly into her high-backed chair and snuggled the bikini-clad monkey destined to always be by her side.
She then watched Woody, Buzz, Jessie, Barbie, Ken and the other characters as they fought for significance and the true meaning of friendship.
And despite disruptions by her overzealous and enthusiastic mother, the wolfgirl made it through a good chunk of the story on the silverscreen.
Until, that is, she discovered the bathroom with automatic hand dryers, the free fliers in the theatre lobby, and -- most tantalizing of all -- the arcade outfitted with too many flashing lights and blinking-red buttons.
So she didn't see her mother wiping her eyes as the movie drew to a close. And she didn't understand why she couldn't stay at the movie theatre forever. But she knew that Woody is noble and that Buzz is hilarious and that Jessie is her favorite. She knew that a cold, dark theatre on a blistering-hot summer day can be magical.
And a new family tradition is born.
