Kapitel 150: Chapter 150: The Opening
[Chapter 150: The Opening]
As soon as they entered the screening room, Drew dashed away from Nicole and ran toward the front row where the crew members were seated. Nicole noticed Drew muttering a few words to Tom Hanks, who was sitting next to Eric. Hanks smiled, stood up, and offered his seat to her.
While Nicole felt a pang of jealousy, she knew she didn't even have the right to sit in the front row, let alone ask anyone there to give up their seat for her. Though a bit reluctant, she settled for a seat in the middle of the theater.
As more people filed into the screening room, she unexpectedly found herself next to a man in his thirties, wearing glasses and looking rather dapper. He seemed to casually glance at her, his eyes widening just enough to show his surprise at her presence. He initiated a conversation: "Hi there."
Although his tone was casual, Nicole, who was used to these kinds of encounters, quickly realized he was trying to flirt. While she felt some annoyance, she couldn't ignore him since he had greeted her so politely. She replied in a neutral tone, "Hello."
The man seemed unfazed by Nicole's cool demeanor. A seasoned charmer, he figured if he let a little initial coldness deter him, he'd never stand a chance with women: "I apologize for my abruptness, miss, but you are simply stunning, especially your hairstyle combined with your facial features, giving you an air of classic beauty. You know, many girls these days are into puffy waves, which look terrible, like a bird's nest. A girl with your taste is such a rarity."
As she heard his compliments, Nicole showed no signs of pleasure; instead, a slight awkwardness crept onto her face as she replied, "Thank you for your kind words, sir."
"Not at all," he smiled back, introducing himself, "I'm George Norse, a film critic for a magazine."
"You can call me Nicole."
"Nicole, is that n-i-c-o-l-e? Wow, I just realized that name seems like it was meant for you. In Greek, 'Nicole' describes a physically beautiful yet delicate young woman who is strong and independent inside," he added.
Before George could continue, the lights in the screening room dimmed. For some reason, reflecting on Eric's recent coldness toward her made Nicole feel a bit annoyed with her attentive suitor, so she gently reminded him, "The movie is starting, Mr. Norse."
"Of course, I understand." George realized he had been too eager, straightened up in his seat, and turned his focus back to the screen.
...
After the Columbia Pictures logo faded, a little girl in a red hoodie released fireflies, drawing a beautiful pattern in the sky, only to become the brightest star among the cosmos. Then, the screen fell briefly into darkness with the sound of footsteps echoing, but the visuals did not appear right away. Instead, the names of the cast and crew rolled up the screen.
As the audience awaited in curiosity, the imagery finally brightened to reveal Tom Cruise, wearing sunglasses, expressionlessly climbing a staircase, while a mysterious and sorrowful male voice began to chant.
Nicole was engrossed in the screen when she overheard two girls behind her whispering. They were clearly fans of Cruise.
"Oh my God, I just realized that little Tommy walks so handsomely! Michi, I'm losing it," one girl exclaimed.
"Me too, Erika! After this, we have to rush up and get Tommy's autograph," the other replied.
Nicole felt a similar excitement, although she couldn't quite understand why.
Fortunately, George Norse, being a professional critic, caught their enthusiasm and leaned closer to Nicole to softly explain, "That's the result of the atmosphere that's been created -- the echo of footsteps, the mysterious chanting, the cold shot, and the silent protagonist craft an incredibly infectious scene. It's no wonder they feel that way. Eric Williams is truly a genius; with just a few simple shots, he established a style that is completely different from his previous films. If the lighting were normal, the music and echoes changed, and even if they used different music, the impact of those shots wouldn't be the same. While it may look straightforward, perfectly blending these elements to create an irresistible impact requires a high level of artistic skill."
While discussing other men in front of a woman might not be the wisest move when trying to impress her, George Norse treated Nicole like a typical movie fan. He didn't think she had any connection with Eric, so he freely praised him, subtly showcasing his own expertise in film appreciation.
...
After reaching the rooftop, the music turned heavier as the camera followed the leading man to the edge. The scene began shifting between memory and reality through the dialogue between Andy, played by Cruise, and a doctor, revealing that Andy had only four weeks to live.
"Uh, Tommy wouldn't jump off, would he?" came the worried voice of one of the girls, echoing the concern of many fans in the theater.
"Of course not, Erika! Look at Tommy -- he's got a backpack. He must have other things to do. Who jumps off a building carrying a bag?" the other tried to reassure her.
"Michi, do you think Tommy will die?"
"Definitely not! I've heard stories about many terminal cancer patients surviving, and this is a movie -- miracles happen in movies. Tommy never dies in his films; he can't die!"
"Let's hope so." Erika clasped her hands over her chest, praying, eager to see what Cruise's next move would be at the edge.
...
But the film didn't immediately reveal the answer. After the title card, the scene shifted to a restaurant where Hanks, playing Sean, leisurely read the newspaper while having breakfast. The camera quickly swung to the bar where Andy was calmly eating, also looking at a sitcom on TV with a hint of longing in his eyes.
When the two main characters appeared simultaneously, the audience assumed they'd face off in the restaurant, but the scene quickly cut to different imagery.
"I bet this scene with Cruise will reappear. It's a time cue set by the director. Nicole, did you notice Cruise's expression? He has only four weeks left, which is why he's so focused and nostalgic while eating, drinking, and watching TV. It seems he wants to imprint the beauty of this world into his soul during his remaining time. I can confidently say Cruise will die by the end," George Norse couldn't resist showcasing his knowledge again.
Nicole merely nodded to acknowledge his words, keeping her eyes fixed on the screen as she gradually immersed herself in the narrative.
*****
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