Taking in a movie in Benghazi

Benghazi, Libya---1964

.....Two nights ago, we went to an American movie in the
town’s movie theater. It had Arabic subtitles, and I think we were
the only Westerners in the theater. All movies in Libya have an
intermission, and during that intermission there was a clip of the
radical Egyptian leader Gamal Abdul Nasser, making a fiery anti-
Western speech.
We’re leaning back, not paying any attention to the film clip
until we begin to hear shouting and cheers. Soon the place is
bedlam. Every person—but us—is standing—some on their seats—
chanting, yelling, and screaming at the top of their lungs.
We are in shock, and I take one look at Vertis, and whisper,
“We need to get out of here. Just follow me, and don’t run or act
as if you’re afraid. Smile and nod your head in a positive manner,
if you make eye contact.”
I stand up, and with Vertis hanging on my belt, I gently push
my way up an aisle full of shouting Libyans. I nod, smile, and
occasionally clap my hands seemingly in support of the speech. It
is the longest 20 yards I have ever walked, but we are not having
any problems leaving the theater. Several times, as the Libyan men
look at us, I shake my head vigorously, smile, and yell out, “Yes!”
in Arabic. That’s always enough to elicit a handshake and even a
couple of hugs.
I’m sure that if I understood what Nasser is saying, I would
be furious because he is known for his anti-Western rhetoric. We
make it to our car before either of us says a word. Finally, I smile
and say, “Damn, we missed the last half of the movie.”
Vertis gives me a shove and says, “Go on back and catch a
ride home. I’ll take the car.”
“Well, actually, it wasn’t that good of a movie,” I reply,
crawling behind the wheel.