Movie theater switcheroo.

• Author: Klosterman, Chuck
• Position: The Ethicist - Brief article

I go to the movies often. Sometimes I'll see something that's terrible or too violent for my taste. Is it OK to walk out and find a seat at another movie at the same theater? Or even ask for my money back?

Blaine Greenfield, Biltmore Lake, N.C.

I ASSUME YOUR LOGIC IS THIS: You've paid for a movie, so it's up to you to pick which movie you see. This would be justifiable if theaters sold tickets for three-hour blocks of time, which you could use however you want. But they don't. Your ticket gives you access to a specific movie in a specific location at a specific time. That's the transaction.

There's an assumed risk with subjective art. When you buy a ticket for an artistic...