I went up to the Pavillion to catch the 1:30 p.m. show of THE SQUID AND THE WHALE. I wanted to be among the first to see the movie that is about 1980’s Park Slope. There was a small line of people waiting to get in but the line was moving slowly.

When I got to the front of the line, the woman behind the glass pointed to a sign on the window and said to me, "You can’t bring your bag in here." I was carrying my Jack Spade bag, a black messenger-style bag that I use as a purse. It is 13 x 10 inches.

I looked at the sign, which said something like: As of today persons with brief cases, bags, large purses of any kind will not be allowed into the theater. This is for the safety of all of us.

"You mean I can’t get in with this bag? Can I take my wallet out and check my bag with you."
"No we’re not doing that."
"So you’re saying I can’t see the movie?"
"Yes, I’m saying that you can’t see the movie." she said.

So viewers beware. You will not get in to see THE SQUID AND THE WHALE or anything else playing at the Pavillion (and possibly other theaters too) if your bag is too big
you don’t let the management inspect your bag.

UPDATE: At the 4:30 show, the sign had changed. The same woman at the box office said that her manager had "sort of gone overboard." She agreed that the previous policy was "ridiculous." Now the Pavillion has instituted a routine back check.

This is obviously all part of the increased security around town. I thought that we were supposed to be concerned about the subway system and our local transportation network. I wonder if the Pavillion’s newly instituted security measure was their idea or on the advice of the NYPD.