The RocNaNo blog offers weekly Wordless Wednesday writing prompts. Last week’s was this:
Far Far Away
The wind whipped Trey’s hair over his eyes again. He swept it aside, wiping his tearing eyes at the same time. The icy wind cut through his thin synthetic coat. He longed for his woolen cloak, but after experiencing the stares and mumbled comments the last few times he wore it, he felt the need to blend in more. So long as he didn’t have to speak, no one would know he wasn’t from this town
The wind gusted again. Trey coughed, blinking up at the flashing sign. What madness is this?
Hanna had tried to explain what they were going to see. It was called a ‘movie.’ Hanna said this one was a classic tale of good versus evil. There was apparently some sorcery in it, and swordplay, and amazing vehicles that could fly between planets.
Trey guessed this would be a lot like the TV that he sometimes watched. TV made him miserable. He could never tell whether what he watched was truth or lie. Hanna assured him that as convincing as this movie would appear, it was all fiction.
Flakes of snow stuck to his eyelashes. He swept them off, still gazing up at the sign. “Star Wars” it said. He wrinkled his nose.
Hanna snatched his hand. “Come on!” She dragged him into the building.
It was warmer, at least. There were signs lining the walls. “Those are for other movies,” Hanna said as she dragged him along. “But we’re gonna see Star Wars. This is a great movie.” She stopped abruptly and turned to him, holding up a finger.
“But, remember, it’s just a story. They’re only acting.” Hanna pointed down the hall. “And none of the actors know the first thing about read swordplay.” She poked him in the chest. “No yelling at the screen!”
“Me?” said Trey. “When have I ever?”
Hanna frowned.
“No shouting. Of course, dear Lady.”
Hanna grinned. “Then come on!” She tugged him to a window where she traded money for some slips of paper. They continued past a pair of glass doors, then through a pair of thick wooden doors into a huge chamber that had rows and rows of seats. About a quarter of the seats were occupied by groups of people whispering to each other and eating snacks from boxes and bags.
“A theater?” Trey muttered.
“Yup. Movie theater,” said Hanna, as she guided him toward some seats near the middle.
“And there’s the stage,” said Trey. “This I like.”
“Only no stage,” said Hanna as she plopped into a chair. “Just a big screen.”
Trey looked around. Behind them, above the doors and high on the wall was a series of windows. A woman two rows back gawked at him. Trey bowed and quickly sat.
“A screen, you say?”
The room darkened. “Yes. Look,” said Hanna, pointing ahead.
The curtains opened. A light flashed briefly and images appeared of dancing popcorn and candy. Trey gaped. “It’s enormous.”
“It gets better. Just watch.”
Penny Higgins - Storyteller • Artist • Scientist 