At least the music had been the same.
I had punched the air when they announced the sequel after all these years. The first one had meant so much. All those gripping car chases, spooky treks through hidden temples, and punch ups atop speeding trams had been on repeat throughout my childhood.
But my first ever viewing of the movie was still the best. The core memory of heading to the cinema in the back of my brother's car. His cigarette smoke containing the first passive taste of independence. Unlimited pick 'n' mix funded by his temp job earnings. That blast of music when the film had begun was my first understanding of what true adventure was about.
So I had to go and see the sequel. Even if it meant going on my own.
A crowd of teenagers had attended the late afternoon screening. They sat far away from me, and talked all the way through. My seat had a rickety armrest, but the sweets still doled out their tangy rush of crystallised sugar.
The film had digital explosions, and the car chase was ten minutes too long. The wrinkles around my hero's eyes brought tears to mine. I think I enjoyed it. Maybe. At least the key music beats had been the same. Pulling me back to the screening all that time ago.
When the ending credits rolled and the teenagers rolled out with them, I realised quite how much I had banked on the last few darkened hours. How I had not thought for a second about what to do afterwards. And now it was afterwards.
I managed to lurch out my seat at least. Stagger to the purgatory of the corridor between the screen and the real world. But the music swelled again for the final stream of crew names, and my ability to walk faltered. I could not manage another step. I simply could not do it.
Take a breath.
Imagine beings exist that treat our world like a pond. If you thought of humanity as fishes, and saw one struggling,exposed in the open, you might be tempted to sort your dinner. Easy prey is easy prey.
The face in the wall must have had seconds to act. I would have had to move on somehow. The conditions of the deal may not have been acceptable to most people, but I made my choice.
I do not need my eyes anymore. The corridor must be gone, even if something cold and hard presses against my back. Walking is still an impossibility.
But my hearing is crystal, and the music keeps playing. My favourite part is on repeat without ever getting dull. The bombastic horns and soul stirring trumpets. Music that makes you want to search for gold at the bottom of the ocean, or creep through the jungle in search if hidden idols.
I can live with that. Even if this might go on forever.
Line: Imagine beings exist that treat our world like a pond.
