Snack Shack 2024

The summer of ‘91 was shaping up to be anything but ordinary for 14-year-old friends A.J. Carter (no specific actor mentioned) and Moose Miller. With a penchant for entrepreneurial ventures, they had already tried their hand at betting on dog races and brewing their own beer to peddle at school parties. But when their beer-making operation was shut down by their parents, they set their sights on finding more conventional summer employment.

Enter Shane Workman, an older friend and Army vet recently returned from the Gulf War, who worked as a lifeguard at the local community pool. He tipped them off about the snack shack at the pool being up for rent, and A.J. and Moose saw it as the perfect opportunity to make some real money. With A.J.’s college savings account providing the necessary funds, they overbid on the rights at a city council auction, much to the dismay of A.J.’s parents, Judge and Jean.

Undeterred, the pair threw themselves into running the snack shack, which quickly became a huge success, raking in an impressive $1,600 in revenue on its first day alone. Just as things were looking up, a new neighbor moved in next door to A.J. - Brooke, the daughter of a military man who was only in town temporarily before being reassigned. With her carefree spirit and penchant for spontaneous photography, Brooke quickly captured A.J.’s attention, despite his allergies causing him to shy away from her at first.

As the days turned into weeks, A.J. found himself growing more and more smitten with Brooke, but things took an unexpected turn when Moose also developed a crush on her. As the two friends’ rivalry for Brooke’s affections intensified, so did their conflicts with a pair of local bullies, steroid-pumped wrestler brothers Randy and Rodney Carmichael. With tensions simmering between A.J., Moose, and their adversaries at the pool, it seemed like only a matter of time before things came to a head in this small-town summer saga.

As A.J. navigates the complexities of dating and life, he finds himself turning to his trusted friend Shane for guidance. The two make plans to embark on an adventure-filled hiking trip in Alaska next summer, a journey that promises to test their physical and mental limits. Meanwhile, A.J.’s efforts to repair his relationship with his parents pay off as he repays the debt he owes them, accompanied by the added bonus of concert tickets. Amidst this renewed sense of stability, A.J. finds himself drawn to Brooke, who reciprocates his interest with a growing closeness.

Their budding romance is marked by a night out at a party in an abandoned movie theater, where they mingle with their peers and indulge in reckless abandon. However, when Moose catches wind of A.J.’s growing attachment to Brooke, he becomes consumed by jealousy, leading him to concoct a vicious lie that threatens to destroy the fragile peace between them. As tensions escalate, Brooke’s presence silences the would-be drama, and the trio finds themselves hiding behind the movie screen as police arrive to disperse the party.

The following day at the Snack Shack, Moose’s deceitful nature is revealed, leaving A.J. reeling from the betrayal. Shane’s words of wisdom help soothe his friend’s wounded pride, reassuring him that Brooke’s interest in him is genuine and that she’s simply waiting for him to make a move. At a subsequent party, A.J.’s growing confidence culminates in a passionate kiss with Brooke, which Moose happens upon, prompting him to vanish into the night.

As the days pass, A.J. and Moose find themselves avoiding each other, leaving the Snack Shack to fall into disrepair. However, when Moose is caught cleaning up after a night of vandalism, the two former friends agree to separate their shifts, marking the beginning of a tentative truce.

Tragedy strikes when A.J.’s father, the Judge, delivers devastating news: Shane has been killed in a car accident, leaving both A.J. and Moose reeling from the loss. As they grapple with their grief, Brooke’s impending departure to Germany adds an extra layer of heartache to their already heavy hearts. In a poignant farewell, Brooke presents A.J. with a personalized hanky for his allergies and a photograph of himself and Shane together, serving as a bittersweet reminder of the memories they shared.

As Brooke departs, A.J. shares a tender moment with the Judge on their front porch, sipping beers and reflecting on the fragility of life and the importance of cherishing those we hold dear.