Comment from Thesis

Excellent

Ok, now most of today's generation has no idea what a drive-in is.

But for the rest of us, it certainly brings back lots of memories.- Thesis

 Comment Written 10-Jul-2009

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reply by the author on 11-Jul-2009

What a sad truth, Thesis. Drive-ins have decreased from over 4000 to now only number in the hundreds. I feel pretty fortunate to have one a few miles away. I remember the first drive-in movie I saw was "Journey to the Center of the Earth" and I loved watching it in my jammies and eating popcorn in the car.

Thanks for the review and comments, Thesis.
Indy :>)

Comment from Judian James

Excellent

Well you did it! Gosh, I hadn't thought about a drive-in in years, and just recently someone else posted a piece about hot sex at the drive-in years ago! This is really good Indy and not a single S to spare! well done

 Comment Written 10-Jul-2009

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reply by the author on 10-Jul-2009

Thanks for your review, Jude. Lots of the drive-ins closed down because of its reputation for being a "passion pit". It sure was a great place to make-out that's for sure. lol
Indy :>)

Comment from MaureenC

Excellent

Indy, I do envy your talent so much. (In a good way)LOL...
I just know I could not write as prolificly as you and still make the reader laugh, cry, think and so on.
I remember our drive-ins here in Aus and the great times had with the kids in PJs and having fish and chips for dinner in the car. Lovely memories.
Good luck in the contest.

Hugs and blessings
Maureen

 Comment Written 10-Jul-2009

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reply by the author on 10-Jul-2009

Thank you for this great review, Maureen. While doing my reasearch, I found that Australia still has about 10 drive-ins in operation and that there remains a few scattered across Europe. I was kinda surprised because I thought it was an American thing.
Thanks!
Indy :>)

Comment from Allezw2

Excellent

Lady Aye Aye,

Now are we not truly fortunate to have such a fabulously rich language as our native tongue?

Think of the poor French whose language is still fighting a rear guard action against the corrosive and adulterating influence of English words insinuated into the rigidly formal language required of the native speakers.

Fantasist

 Comment Written 10-Jul-2009

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reply by the author on 10-Jul-2009

Thanks for your kind review of this s-less wonder, Fantasist. I feel pretty lucky to have one of the few remaining drive-in theaters a few miles from me.
Thanks!
Indy :>)

reply by Allezw2 on 10-Jul-2009

The best part of the drive-in theaters here in the Valley, was that they permitted walk-ins. Kids could ride their bicycles or walk to the theater and use the benches in front of the recreation area to watch the show.

In those days the Valley was only a few thousand people and nearly all agricultural, not the near 1,000,000 and increasingly industrial or huge multi-family dwellings.

Did you ever see the 1951 movie, "The Thing From Another World"?

I did one evening. It was about four miles from the Van Nuys Drive-In to our house. Streetlights were few and far between in those immediate postwar years, so I was riding most of the way in pitch darkness that night. I had no headlight on the bicycle, so I was really testing my night vision.

Now that is one scary movie. So, shall we say, I was really primed.

About a block from the house a terrible noise erupted and my next recollection was that I was riding this big, balloon-tired bike lickety-split across the plowed field on the west side of the street. My next impression was recognizing the noise as the yapping of the small dog trailing farther and farther behind me as I opened up a lead across the field.

At that point I realized what had happened.

On the east side of the street, there was a compound where the Mexican crop workers, the "braceros", lived. There was also a small dog there that used to chase me when I rode home from school. It was laughable, that tiny animal, with its short legs an absolute blur while it tried to catch me.

Well, this night the little critter came out way ahead. I didn't hear it coming and when it began its shrill barking, my adrenalin output went into hypedrive and I was standing on the pedals and gearing for a launch.

The amazing part, and a saving grace, is the curbs were asphalt that coved. It rolled up as a gentle radius from the street so it was a sort of ramp for my excursion into the field.

Once I realized what was happening, I was able to reorient and ride back onto the street. I guess the dog went back home, surely laughing to itself how it had frightened the living daylights out of that gringo kid.

reply by the author on 10-Jul-2009

WOW!!! See? This is what I mean...what a great story this is, Fantasist! I wasn't familiar with the title of the movie, so I looked it up. I don't think I ever saw this Howard Hawke's movie, Fantasist. I can't imagine your riding your bike home in the dark after seeing this. No wonder that dog scared the crapola outa ya! LOL

Comment from prodigal

Excellent

Not sure about the rules for this one, my friend, but you sure paint a nice picture of nostalgia. I think you did well. Few words, good scene setting. What more can you ask for. Good job- sam

 Comment Written 09-Jul-2009

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reply by the author on 09-Jul-2009

Thank you, Sam, for your kind comments and for taking the time to review this s-less masterpiece. LOL
Smiles,'Indy :>)

Comment from Lon Frank

Good

Whoopsie...


Is it poSSible? Could so many reviewers have made a poSSible mistake in the first line? PoSSibly, you could have a poSSible boo boo, but I'm just a ghost, so who knows?

LOL! Indy, it is such a treat to come back here and get the chance to bust your chops. You know I luv ya!

 Comment Written 09-Jul-2009

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reply by the author on 09-Jul-2009

LMAOOOOOO you turd!! Sure, you pop back here to rip me to shreds and laugh like a maniacal maniac. Gosh, how I miss your madness here. LOL

I had a different first line that another reviewer thought ill advised, so I changed the dern thing and forgot what contest this was. What a dork, huh? There were a few reviews after her though, that saved my ginormous boo boo just for you. Did you pay them not to mention my goof until you could get here? I bet you did, huh?

Well, I fixed it and now it's too long and have to go fix it again. Sheeesh.

I just posted another story and mentioned you at the end. lmaoooo

It's great to see you here, Potato Man. All your ladies will be drooling. You can bust my chops any time, ya know...I luv ya, too!!
Indy :>)

reply by Lon Frank on 09-Jul-2009

Well, I do see that you mentioned me, but nobody will know who you are talking about. I'm just a broken down hack (sniff). I think I'm aspiring to be one of those brilliant but forgotten writers who die homeless, penniless, and forlorn; faceless souls lying face down in the gutters of a society which has moved beyond their call. Well, okay, all of that except the 'brilliant' part.

Anyway, no one has sneaked a peek inside my pantaloons- er, make that my portfolio - in a long time now. It's tough to be a 'has-been', especially when you've never been an 'are now'.

The bayou shack is long gone now, but the Payette river is right outside my cell window. And the old guy who cooks the weekend bar-b-que down at the gas station is from back near Breau Bridge. So who knows, maybe my muse will sober up and find her way to Idaho and give me a story. Of course, that means I'd have to send old Tom a fiver, and that could be a real problem....

Comment from Ms. Gray

Excellent

I enjoyed reading your story this evening. You did a great job avoiding the letter in question and telling a nice tale. I could relate to your memories of the drive-in. I think we have one or two of them left in Virginia. Good job.

 Comment Written 09-Jul-2009

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reply by the author on 09-Jul-2009

Thank you for your kind and encouraging review, patticarr. It's great to hear from you and I appreciate your comments.
Indy :>)

Comment from jeslaf

Excellent

Ah, it's been ages since I've been to a drive in, and I thank you for the bit of Americana and original photo. I've spent more years than I'd like in big cities and their big suburbs, and your piece has me wishing for that small town feel I often crave. Congrats on your achievement--excluding the letter 'S' is tricky business!

Thanks for sharing. :)

 Comment Written 09-Jul-2009

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reply by the author on 09-Jul-2009

Hello jeslaf! Thank you for taking the time to read and review this shortie. The number of drive-ins in the US has gone from over 4000 to just in the hundreds...maybe there's one close to you, though. Thanks for your kind comments.
Indy :>)

Comment from Mike K2

Excellent

I enjoyed the piece very much; nicely written and detailed. I only watched one double feature at a drive in. This review was done with out that letter too. Unlike the content of the note. LOL

 Comment Written 09-Jul-2009

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reply by the author on 09-Jul-2009

Thank you for reviewing this s-less story, Mike. It's always a challenge to find words without an 's' and still have it make sense in a story format.
Thanks!
Indy :>)

Comment from joan marie

Excellent

Wonderful use of the prompt. I miss drive-ins. They were so much fun to go to. As you said all your friends pilled in and there was a lot more privacy. I loved falling asleep in the back seat when I was little and went with my parents. Great memories you have brought back. Good luck, joan marie

 Comment Written 09-Jul-2009

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reply by the author on 09-Jul-2009

Hello joan marie! Thanks for taking the time to read this one and for your great comments. I really feel lucky to have this wonderful alternative to see a movie or two. It's so much cheaper than the multiplex...and waaaay more fun. Thanks!
Indy :>)

reply by joan marie on 09-Jul-2009

That one brought back so many great memories. I watched a show about them slowly going out of business. I guess air conditioning and no mosquitos is a big draw. LOL jm