This was an assignment for comp.
Friday’s Debate
It is Friday night again. The weekend has arrived. A familiar debate is building in millions of households. Husbands and wives are sizing each other up, looking for signs of weakness, preparing to fight. It starts with a sideways glance, a tiny test of the water. “Honey, what do you want to do this weekend?”
The debate is on. What should we do? Husbands around the country are constantly promoting the long-standing tradition of dinner and a movie for date night, that is, a movie at an overcrowded theater. They wind up and pitch an enthusiastic review of the latest action flick. Wives can barely suppress a groan as they think of the kung fu, explosions, and car chases they are facing. Husbands, in an effort to entice their better halves, begin to gush about the new theater with an enormous screen and 5.9 digital surround sound with super amplifying something-or-other.
If my household is any indication, then maybe a translator is needed. Someone needs to explain to my husband that when I hear him extol the virtues of surround sound, I think of plugging my ears in the fight against headache-inducing bass speakers. Playing up the incredible mind-numbing level of sound is not going to motivate me to change my stance. I am perfectly content with the speakers at home. I actually prefer lounging on a soft couch instead of shifting on uncomfortably hard chairs with sticky armrests.
My husband does not seem to understand that after a long week at work, going to a movie can seem like too much effort. There are a myriad of required steps to face before going out: do my makeup, fight with my hair to find a style other than my typical ponytail, and find an outfit that does not make me look like an overweight, frumpy housewife. The work does not end there. The chore of finding an overpriced babysitter for the kids falls on my shoulders as well. The cost of an evening, including theater tickets, food, and babysitter, can easily run $100! That is for the “privilege” of standing in an overcrowded line for tickets and trying to ignore the obnoxious kids who will not stop talking during the feature itself.
I need a way to explain to him that staying home requires only the effort to pick the movie on pay-per-view. We can put the kids to bed and cuddle on the couch. There is no fussing with babysitters or movie schedules. The pause button allows bathroom breaks and snack breaks anytime. Snack options at home are much better than the greasy movie popcorn. Wearing pajamas and snuggling under a blanket while watching a romantic movie is a much better way to spend a relaxing weekend.
He wraps his arms around me, and gently reminds me of the romantic chick flick that we have not seen yet. As he whispers in my ear how fantastic I look when I get dressed up, I begin to smile. He tells me he is thrilled to be seen next to such an amazingly hot girl in the ticket line. He gently kisses my neck and suggests that we make out while we wait for the previews to start. A low laugh escapes my throat, and I realize that going out is worth the effort. Relaxing at home can wait for another day.