The Outsiders: Before My Time | Sodapop

The Nightly Double

April 2, 1965

The afternoon was dull until Steve and Soda came home from work. After Darry's dinner of sloppy joes, the gang was trying to figure out how they wanted to spend the rest of their evening. Dally wanted to go to Bucks and Ponyboy wanted to go to the Nightly Double. We settled by going to the Nightly Double.

We arrived at the 7pm showing, I drove us there. The Nightly Double is close enough to walk, but walking at night isn't exactly safe for Greasers, as it has been explained to me. They like to go out in packs, like wolves. When they're by themselves that's when they find themselves in trouble. And Ponyboy told me that the Nightly Double is already a pretty tough hangout spot.

Dally wanted to sneak into the drive-in. Ponyboy told me that he hated following any rules. I, on the other hand, am the exact opposite. I don't even speed when I drive. I don't like getting into trouble and I hate confrontation.

The price to go in was only 25¢. Everyone followed Dally's lead and I didn't want to go through the entrance the rightful way by myself, so I sucked it up and struggled to climb the tall fence. Soda waited on the other side for me, he grabbed my waist to ease the drop to the dirt ground. I thanked him, and we caught up with the others.

The Nightly Double is an outdoor drive-in theater, I've always wanted to go to one. In the future, this lot is locked up and abandoned. Half of the property turned into a bank that my family uses. The sign is still there though, hidden by overgrown trees and slowly rusting. Forgotten by time.

Now, I saw the sign in its prime. I had to stop for a second to come to terms that this was the sign I've seen almost everyday for the past seven years. This sign was gorgeous, and shined prominently with red neon lights. I wished it still looked like that. It was almost sad how rusty and dull it looks now.

"You comin', Bri?" Soda snapped me out of my funk.

I dusted myself off and caught up to them. Soda waited for me and we walked together to one of the front rows. I sat in a seat, in the middle squished between Soda and Dally.

"Want somethin'?" Soda asked, gesturing to the concession stand.

"A Diet Coke would be great," I said.

Soda tilted his head at me like a confused golden retriever. "Huh?"

He looked at me like I was from another planet. I smiled wearily to avoid correcting my mistake. "Just a Coke."

"Dally, Ponyboy, Two-Bit. Y'all want somethin'?" Soda asked the others.

"I'll take a popcorn," Two-Bit said.

"Chocolate sundae for me!" Ponyboy said.

"No Pepsi?" Soda asked. Ponyboy is practically addicted to Pepsi.

Pony shook his head. "They only sell Coke here."

"Coke." Dally drummed his fingers on the arm rest.

"What do you want, Johnny?" I heard Soda say when he turned around to ask Johnny, who was on the other side of him. I didn't quite catch what he requested.

"Hey Steve, can you get all that?" Soda leaned forward and asked Steve, who had the seat next to Johnny at the aisle.

"Get what?" He wasn't paying attention.

"The food."

"What food?"

"Chocolate sundae, two popcorns, three Cokes, and a hotdog."

So I guess Johnny ordered a Coke, a popcorn, and a hotdog.

"Why do I have to get it?" He made a sour face, flexing his upper lip up to his gums, showing off his crooked upper teeth.