The Story

All Kinds of Couples Come Here

As a dressed-up Travis walks toward his appointed date with Betsy, the camera captures him in slow motion. The date with Betsy begins on a positive note - he proudly gives her his gift-wrapped present. Incredibly and pathetically, the socially-inept Travis sabotages his budding relationship with her. He takes her to a cheap, 42nd Street porno theatre with a garish marquee. Two adult-oriented shows are advertised: "2 Exciting Adult Hits! Bold XXX Entertainment - 'Sometime Sweet Susan' and 'Swedish Marriage Manual.'" (A loud snare drum beat is heard on the soundtrack as he purchases tickets for them.) He steps up to the box office and buys two tickets. Now realizing that he is unbalanced, she is offended and shocked by his odd choice of films. Travis awkwardly gestures and touches Betsy to escort her into the theatre. Travis sits very low in his seat in a typical porno theatre slouch. After a few minutes of "Swedish Marriage Manual" (a subtitled pornographic film, presenting hard-core sexual scenes under the guise of teaching sex), she is offended when the film's discussion about sex in marriage quickly cuts to a couple copulating on a bed and a scene of a sexual orgy. Now embarrassed and angry, she climbs over him in the aisle and storms out of the movie theater. Travis is frustrated and confused and hustles out after her. He wonders why she walked out, again expressing his ignorance about movies as an excuse.