Once upon a time, students who wished to catch a cinematic screening at the Loews Fresh Pond Theaters faced a daunting trek. After dashing down the alley path from the T, avoiding vehicular death on Rindge Avenue, adventurers found themselves atop a mountain from which they could spy the neon movie sign glowing like a beacon in the distance. Only the bravest could carry on; the mission demanded they rappel down the gravely dirt mound and, finally, leap from the wall to get to their flicks.

No longer. A few weeks ago, five black steps appeared. Dusted in footprints, but still mud-free enough to showcase their newness, the steps have proven popular. Strangely though, no one seems to want to take credit for the deed. Loews denies installing the steps and the Fresh Pond Shopping Center's legal consultant, William M. O'Brien, declines to comment at all on the matter. Vivian, a ticket seller at the movie theater, was cut off by her superiors before she could reveal what she knew, but acknowledged that the stairs are gaining a following. "It was about time they did something." But who is they? Maybe MIT graduate student Kenroy Cayetano got it right when he mused, "Someone's just trying to make the world a better place."