January 3, 1943

Dear Shirley,

Here's hoping you are not offended by not receiving a valentine from me, but as I see it, your heart must belong to some one else because I haven't been hearing from your as I regularly as I used to.

Of course, this no doubt is my fault for not being prompt on answering your letters.

I went to a show last night and saw "Casablanca".

We got to the theater fifteen minutes before the show began but still the show was jammed and the line extended half way to San Antonio, ten miles away.

They had three guards at the ticket entrance keeping the crowd back. Five feet from the regular entrance is a door that goes into the theater office. A quick glance told be that there was no one in the office. I walked past the three guards, into the office, past three more guards and got the last seat in the house. Don't get me wrong, it isn't the fifteen cents it's the fact that it's impossible to get in without using the ol' noodle. "Ahem"

Another night the same situation prevailed, so I got at one of the side exits and waited for the first show to let out . As soon as a few came out, I took my hat off hid it in my pocket, walked in the door and told the guard I left my hat on the seat. If you would have any good ideas let me know. After all two heads are better than one.

As ever,

Al