A note of caution, though, the .avi file is 19.2 MB and the story runs 0:06:12.

I think I compressed it with the Indeo 5.04 codec. If you need to download the Indeo codecs, click here for the setup program or go to http://www.ligos.com

My apologies to mac users. I don't have my quicktime stuff with me.

It was hard to see due to the digital artifacting, but did I see some 16mm projectors? What are they using for exhibition up there in Detroit? Maybe all of the customers are fighting because they want at least 35mm quality

Where I work currently doesn't seem to have problems with patrons being violent. Of course, we're not too far from a bar, and a Bar & Grill type restaurant will soon be opening next to us… So I'm sure that we ought to expect the occasional stray drunk being a pain.
Although, get a bunch of middle school kids together, and they can be a major nuisance! I have found ways of dealing with the brats! The other night, I saw two boys (12-13ish) squaring off, fists up, about two yards from the door to stairs. I was on my way up to start a few movies, had my keys out, glaring at the hood-rats, and simply said "Guys, this isn't the place for fisticuffs."
They of course found my comment to be amusing, and scampered away, across the lobby and outside.
Hehe, my glare has been practiced, and is quite effective.

~GLB

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On one occasion, I had a customer threaten to kill my box cashier because he wouldn't sell him a ticket until he presented ID for the show in question. He became so irate that he became violent. I got in his face, and told him to back down or he will have to deal with me instead of my tiny cashier. I was no bigger than my cashier, and this guy was at least 6 foot four and 220 on the muscle scale. He backed down.

I think a lot of keeping customers at bay is letting them know that you are in fact not going to allow this kind of behavior. Most pit bulls will back down if they know that even if they attack, it will get them no where.

As for guns and such, I know very well that many of my patrons probably had guns on them. But I never let them know that I was ever intimidated by them or that fact.

I never came off like I was cocky or anything, just assertive about that this was my place, and please respect that.

I will tell you that after each incedent, I always retreated to my office to have a panic attack and pray to god that I was thankful to not be dead.

I once stepped in to break up a fight between two teenage girls - about 13-14 years old girls. Luckily the off-duty local cops that we employed for security came in right behind me and we got them apart pretty quickly. I say I was lucky because when the cop searched the girls one of them had a hefty size knife on her!!

Cinema slasher sentenced to 20 years
Judge calls woman who cut teens at theater a 'time bomb'
By Michael Zeigler
Democrat and Chronicle
(May 29, 2002)

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There were 2 "projectionists" scheduled in the booth for a Saturday night. (Me, and another guy who started about 2 weeks prior to this) The ushers were getting behind, so the GM asked me to help them out while the other person covers the booth. A little while later, the other projectionst comes downstairs and starts lecturing the ushers about cleaning auditoriums on time. One of the ushers says "Whatever" and walks away while the other guy is still talking. So he runs after the usher down the hall, yelling something. Next minute I see the two of them beating the out of each other in the lobby!! A rather large customer throws his popcorn and drinks down and breaks up the fight. Really good PR for the theater.

Both employees were only going to get written warnings, but since the proectionist dropped a print the next day, he was let go.

We had a lot of little things go on within our theater but nothing like this. This had to have happened about 9 years ago.