A mother walks up to me with her two young sons, both seemingly hovering just under and over ten years old.

Mom: “I’ll take two kids’ tickets for the kiddie film.”

Me: “You mean the Toy Story re-issue?”

Mom: “What? No! The cartoon! That one!”

She points at the poster and display for the anime film that came out this weekend: ‘Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle’.

Me: “Ma’am, that film is rated R.”

Mom: “No, I’m talking about the cartoon! That one!”

She points again.

Me: “Ma’am, I know what film you’re pointing at, and I am telling you that the film is rated R for strong violence. At this theater, we require an adult to be present with all children, regardless of the rating of the movie, but in the case of that particular movie, it’s not a matter of policy, but the law. You would need to go in with them.”

Mom: “Ugh! That is very inconvenient! Fine, I guess I can sit with them. How long is it? Eighty minutes?”

Me: “Two hours and thirty-five minutes.”

Mom: “What?! Absolutely not!”

She turns to her two boys, who are suddenly looking guilty.

Mom: “You two tried to dupe me! You told me it was a cartoon, and I could just leave you there! Well, now you’re coming with me while Momma gets her nails done, and you two have to deal with it!”

She leads them off with protests of “but mooooom!” and I try to suppress a chuckle. Nice try, boys. Better luck next time.