less than the sum of its parts

It was A's birthday yesterday. . . I took her out for fancy dessert and a movie at Pix Patisserie. I thought movies and dessert would be a birthday-worthy combination. They show movies every Tuesday night, usually ones that I like, ones that I have been meaning to see, or have had recommended to me. This week's was Cradle Will Rock. A and I were the only ones there when the movie started. It was great. We chatted with the cashier, watched the movie, ate fancy fancy desserts - the kind that I feel a bit sad eating because they are so pretty. My pear-rosemary-chocolate tart was delicious. I was ready to make movies at Pix my regular Tuesday night activity.

About 30 minutes into the movie, far enough to figure out all of the enormous cast (Bill Murray, Jack Black, John Cusack, Joan Cusack, Hank Azaria, Susan Sarandon, Emily Watson, Westley from the Princess Bride, the guy from American Splendor, etc.) and what is going on, when people started coming in. At first, it was just a few people to get things to go, then a couple to stay, then a group of ladies having a night of wine and chocolate. And more. And more. As the noise level rose, we moved closer to the TV. Eventually, when ever table in the place was full of folks having loud conversations, we couldn't hear the movie. We decided to give up our table and move on.

If Pix is going to have a movie night, they need to institute some sort of noise control. Their business is successful enough they probably don't need to do the movie thing, though. A line for tables on a rainy tuesday - impressive.