CHAPTER XVIII
THE “NEW IDEA.”
“It’s too bad to pay out our good money here,” said Pep. “About half the people going in have complimentaries.”
“I noticed that,” answered Randy, “I suppose they want to make a good showing, though.”
“Yes, I overheard that man Slavin talking about ‘papering the house’ freely,” said Vic.
The three friends got beyond the ticket taker to look about the new playhouse with a good deal of curiosity. The place looked clean, but was poorly ventilated. There had not been much attempt made at ornamentation. The auditorium looked barn-like on account of its great width.
“They might better have had the stage at the side,” was Pep’s criticism.
“Say, fellows,” remarked Vic, “if you want to see anything clearly, you had better get seats on a line with the stage.”
“Yes, I see that,” nodded Randy. “Here we are. There’s quite a crowd,” he added, looking around the room. “It isn’t half bad for a common everyday movie, but it isn’t in the class of the Standard.”
“I should say it wasn’t,” retorted Pep, spicily. “Say, upon my word all the music they’ve got is an electric piano! Hope you see me,” added Pep in a quick undertone, but loud enough for his companions to hear.
As Pep spoke he stared back at a bustling, officious-acting man coming down the aisle, who was staring hard at him. This individual paused, as if taken off his guard. Then he scowled slightly, shifted his glance, and went on his way.