He sat in the center of the third row, the person nearest the screen in the movie theater. It was a weekday, and he was attending a matinee of the country’s newest blockbuster, which typically attracted teenaged-girls and their mothers. His massive arms snaked from the sleeveless shirt to claim the backs of the seats on either side of him. His friend sat two seats to his left, following some male rule about not sitting side-by-side in public places.

There was no movement, no conversation. Just a slumped individual, baseball cap fixed straight, staring at inane advertising on the screen.

As the theater’s lights, sound and visuals led the audience toward the promised viewing experience, the already quiet gathering of spring break viewers settled in. The trailers began, booming and blinding the audience, using the tried-and-true methods of stirring young male testosterone into guaranteed ticket sales on opening night. As…