A Long Time Ago in a Theater Far Far Away

In my daily scouring of the internet, I came upon a news announcement regarding the release of yet another version of Star Wars. Two reasons why this caught my fancy was I grew up on this movie and an internal thought, How many versions have they released already?

It just may be closing in on the Bond series for the most different versions the studio can come up with to get the fan base to fork out more money on something they already own, multiple times. At last count I do believe this may make 6 or 7 versions of Star Wars that has been released.

In most cases a new release usually has something more or extra added to make the fan (or uber-geek) need to own this version. The uniqueness of this release is that the film makers have decided to release the original theatrical version of Star Wars in it’s basic form. Nothing special added, no fancy effects. Just the basic movie. The really sad part is they will probably still sell a crap load of them.

But in learning all this I thought back to the very first time I ever saw Star Wars on the big screen and the excitement it brought.

It was a warm night in Vancouver, B.C. on May 27, 1977, or should I say late afternoon. Star Wars had just opened on Friday and by Sunday night, (late afternoon), the frenzy was well underway. My parents decided to see what all the hype was about and since my father never gave into hype of any type, we all went to the theater.

Now being a young lad of almost 13 years of age, I was in awe of the quantity of people lined up already. Past movie experiences had not had this much buzz or hype. I personally don’t think there was much of a line up for Herbie The Love bug or The Apple Dumpling Gang releases.

Thankfully we had the good fortune of having Star Wars come to a theater that both my Mother and Grand Father had worked in. Knowing that the manager was still and being a very good family friend, there we were able to bypass the incredible line-up and proceed directly into the theater for the first show of the night. What we didn't know was close to 600 people had already entered the theater before us and this left us with only two choices for seats, at the extreme front, or the very back of the balcony. The kids out voted the parents 3 votes to 2 for the front. Unfortunately for the kids, parents get double votes. We sat at the back.

Now the Dunbar theater was one of those classic long throw theaters that had a balcony. Not very wide, it still held about 700 people. The place was all abuzz with excitement. Popcorn was being consumed with eager anticipation of the movie to come and there wasn’t a spare seat in the place. As I sat at the very back I could just barely see the whole screen. The bottom being cut off by a gigantic head, (back then all adults heads were gigantic). So I stood up and sat on a wall behind the last seats. Now I could see the whole screen. Then the theater dimmed, the screen curtain opened and the audience let out a deafening scream of excitement.

Now I am not one to bore you of the minor details of what trailers played but then again I don’t remember. I know there was no damn commercials that’s for sure. But I do believe I started in on a new chapter of my life when the opening bars of the main theme accompanied by the emblazed Star Wars logo came across the screen. You could see everyone reading the scroll and then the pan down to the Tatooine planet lulled us into a sense of calm.

Then it hit.

One of the greatest moment in cinematic history. The Star Destroyer coming over from the top of the screen. From that moment on, Earth did not exist. I have been transported to a new place. I had nothing here now, I needed to come with Ben and learn the ways of the Force.

Unfortunately the movie had to end and us poor Earth bound souls had to vacate the theater. As I left I walked by all the eager souls who stood in what was by far the longest line-up I had ever seen. How little I knew that this was only the beginning of the line-ups.

The summer of Star Wars had begun and I had to go back to school the next day.
Thankfully it was only a half a day. So I promptly left at noon, convinced my friend to join me on a hike and off we went to the theater once again. Not wanting to repeat the experience I opted for the front row. I was not to be out voted this time.
It was just as good the second time around, new stuff that was missed on the previous night was seen, jokes were laughed at again and the booing of Darth Vader was done. The thrill was still there and thankfully it has never left.

Isn't Love Grand

He had seen her across the room. She gave him a look that called out to his soul. He had to go to her. It was primal in nature but he had no choice. She beckoned him and he came.

He had never seen a model like this up close yet as he approached he knew something electric was happening between them. The evening would become a blur.

Many hours later he was still in her company. He was slowly caressing her body, touching her arm, stroking it gently.

“Come on baby, you know you want it. You know I’m the man for you”, he softly spoke to her. “Don’t tease me any more”.

She looked at him with her big eyes. Yes she was teasing him, testing his resolve. Finding out just how long she could make him wait, make him beg for it.

“Come on baby”, he whispered again, “how much longer are you going to make me wait?”

Again she kept quiet, well maybe a little seductive hum but she didn’t have to say a word. Her eyes talked volumes. Her body said mouthfuls. Her presence spoke like the gods.

Then as he was nearing his breaking point she knew she couldn’t hold on any longer. She relented.

His eyes opened in astonishment as she finally spoke. “oh yes, oh yes” she cried out.

He was overjoyed and delirious all in the same breath. “That’s it baby, give it to me.”

His eyes were blinded by the lights of passion, by the sound of adrenaline ringing in his ears. He was giddy pure and simple.

“More, more, give it to me. Don’t stop, keep it coming” he shouted at the top of his voice.

“I know you have it baby, you can give so much more. Give it to me faster, oh much faster.”

This could have never happened to him back home. Only in the fast pace of the Las Vegas light life could he have encountered such a beauty. All night he had spent his time flattering her, giving her his undivided attention. All night he fawned over her, told her his secrets, spent his money on her. Finally all his hard work and his patience was paying off. Oh how this beauty gave him a ride he would never forget.

“I like it, I like it, keep it up, keeeeep it up” he exclaimed.

The sweat was dripping from his brow. His knees were weak and his heart pounded from so much pleasure. Again he cried out to her, “I love you baby, give me more.”

He knew it wouldn’t last, that it would have to end sometime. She had held back for so long but she had a lot to give and he wasn’t tiring either. He would try and make this last as long as possible.

Grasping her he shouted, “more, oh more”, as if it would assist in extending the ecstasy.

“Send me to heaven baby”.

Then as soon as it had started it abruptly came to an end.

He sighed a hefty “thank you”, as he looked down at this vision of beauty. Gently caressing her body he whispered, “this was the greatest night of my life” and bent over and kissed her on the tip of her head.

She kept quiet, kept to herself. He was just one of many who had come through her door and probably wouldn’t be the last.

Then he wiped the sweat off his brow and gave her a smile of total contentment.

“Isn’t life grand” he said to himself, “and sometimes isn’t it worth a grand”.

He gave her one last look, then turning, he slowly walked away from the now quiet slot machine.

Terror Stalks the Stables

This short story was originally written by Christie for a school project. It was re-worked for the blog. Enjoy.

It was a dark and stormy night. As wind howled down at the Sea to Sky stables, there was a quiet and eerie feeling in the air. Natalie was just finishing up her daily routine when she was startled by an unsettling noise.

Turning around quickly, her eyes opened wide with fear. There in the distance, surrounded by darkness, two green eyes staring straight at her. Stepping back she stumbled. Landing on her backside she tried to retreat from the on coming danger. The muddy ground slipping under her as she pushed with her feet.

A growling grew closer and closer. The mud becoming slippery and slippery.

Not wanting to turn away from the danger, Natalie reached behind her, feeling for something to grab a hold of. Fumbling, her hand moved frantically across the ground. Finding nothing Natalie broke her stare and looked away from the direction of the noise.

There not two feet away was the handle of a fallen pitch fork. Spinning her body she scampered as best as she could in the mud. With every step she took she could feel the ground shaking from the heavy thump of the menace behind her. Faster and faster her feet kicked out. Louder and louder the thumping became.

With her fingers outstretched and grasping the pitch fork handle, Natalie gained her footing and spun to face the darkness. Armed with the four deadly spiked tongs, she gazed back at the darkness with a strength she knew she had inside her.

The horses in her stables could be heard above the howling wind. With their whinny and hoof stomping, they tried to warn Natalie of the danger that was closing in. A foul odor filled the air. Then Natalie saw a large black shadow out of the corner of her eye. Spinning quickly she lunged the pitch fork in it’s direction. Striking nothing she held her ground. A deep heavy breathing slowly circled her. Keeping the pitch fork will in front of her, Natalie’s knuckles turned white from her tightened grip.

Then it happened.

Through the darkness a thunderous beast broke into the light. Natalie stabbed forward with the pitch fork. The beast screamed out in rage. It’s heavy paws thumping the ground around it. Natalie looked at the tips of the pitch fork. A red crimson liquid dripped from the tips. She had made contact. Only now the beast was more upset. It’s breath hung in the air like dead meat, rotting and fowl.

Natalie was able to get to her feet quickly enough. Both of them circled each other in the glow of the overhead light. Beads of sweat had formed on Natalie’s forehead, while the beast left droplets of blood.

Then the beast raised it’s immense body, towering over Natalie. With a yelping cry it swooped down it’s large paw. Barely missing Natalie as she ducked, the paw smashed the door knocking a kerosene lantern into the stable. With a crash the lantern exploded into flame and timbers from the stable lit up like dry kindling.

Backing up against the stable wall Natalie felt herself trapped. The fire flickering in the stable, bouncing off the saddles that rest on the railing. Feeling the increasing heat on the wall Natalie had to make her way to the main water valve to put out the fire. She feared not for her life but of her horses who were trapped in the stables.

Trying as she could, slowly she inched herself along the wall. Only five feet away from the door and she had to stop. The beast blocked the way. Growling ferociously it studied her every movement. It’s green eyes piecing her soul.

From within the stables Natalie could hear the horses getting frantic from the fire. Banging and kicking the walls as the flames made their way towards the trapped animals. The dry hay igniting quickly, producing flame and smoke.

In the split second that it took for Natalie to glance at the stable doorway, the beast raised it’s paw again and struck the pitch fork out of Natalie’s hands. Defenseless and trapped Natalie could only brace herself against the wall. The beast slowly made it’s way closer and closer to Natalie. Warm saliva dripping out of it’s mouth, drooling at the expectation of fresh warm flesh.

Raising up over Natalie, the best prepared for it’s final strike. Claws extended, teeth bared, in a deafening roar it stood menacing.

Fearing the worst, Natalie slid down the wall, curling up, hoping for a miracle. Tears forming in her eyes, she was beyond being scared. She only felt a sadness in knowing her horses might parish in the flames. Vowing not to go down crying, Natalie defiantly rose to face the challenge head-on. With her shoulders square and arms at her side she stared into the beasts shallow enraged eyes.

“Do your best”, Natalie screamed. “I’m not afraid!”

Then with a mighty roar the beast lunged at Natalie with it’s claw swooping down.

“CUT !! PRINT THAT ONE!”
The director yelled out through the megaphone.

Slowly the raging flames sputtered and went out, helped along the way by the various men with fire extinguishers. The mechanical horses stop their stomping and stood silent. Natalie was quickly surrounded by various people, hair, make-up and wardrobe. Each one attending to one aspect or another of Natalie’s appearance. From within the giant beast’s belly a zipper unzipped and a small man crawled out.

“Okay everyone”, called out the Assistant Director. “That’s a wrap for today. See you all tomorrow.”

Just another day in the world of movie magic.