xXx Marks the Spot

When I was at Hollywood Video the other day renting Orange County (not bad at all), I saw the Guranteed in Stock or Free shelf where "xXx" would go. I thought, "Aha! A free rental!" Sadly it was not to be. That day was a Monday and they were prepping the shelf for New Video Tuesday, as Tuesday is the day almost all new DVDs come out. The sullen teen behind the counter told me he was so excited about renting that he was coming in early the next day to get it. "What? They won't hold one for you? No perks?" He told me they get free rentals, but the movies must be 2 weeks old. So for this one, he had to pay, and was coming in when the store opened to rent it.

Feh.

I thought I would come back on a Saturday when the movie was sure to be out to get a free rental raincheck. So I came back and you know what? The shelf was full of copies of "xXx!" Damn! I mean, this was a big action flick, there should have been no copies left on a Saturday! So, for now, I am holding off on renting it. But in a way, that there were so many copies on the shelf may be telling of how good the movie really is.

You see, that's how I work this deal. Each week Hollywood Video gurantees that certain movies are "In Stock or It's Free." I go in when they are sure to be out, and get my voucher for a free movie when it is in stock. Simple. Saves money. Plus, it is kinda risky. Because you never know if they will just give it to you, or go through the pile of returns to find one. I think it depends on the worker. I have had a guy go outside to the drive-by drop-off to avoid giving me a free rental voucher. Others just say "OK" and give me one. Kinda liek gambling, but not really.

OK, now that I have admitted how much of a cheapskate I am, I am going to leave you with this to ponder: how are we supposed to pronounce "xXx" anyway? Ecks, ecks, ecks? Or "Triple ecks?"