Chapter 58: Blurred Vision

I woke up very early.

It was just before dawn.

Perhaps it was jet lag.

Even the difference between the East and West Coasts counts as jet lag.

Staring blankly at the ceiling of the cabin, I suddenly felt like I might be going insane.

It was only the weekend, yet I had actually flown thousands of miles from New Haven to a strange small town, staying in a bedroom provided by a boy I barely knew.

And that boy now had a girlfriend.

Well.

That had nothing to do with me.

Perhaps, ever since that day on a beach when I heard a boy playing wild guitar tunes, I've always wanted to do something crazy.

If we don't get crazy now, we'll be old.

Yesterday afternoon was my first time skiing.

Watching him rush from the top of the mountain to the base like lightning, Lisa, who also loved skiing, screamed in excitement as she explained how incredibly talented he was, and then she dashed down after him.

Then, at the top of the mountain, two fools who could only snowboard were left, Jenny and me.

So embarrassing.

Fortunately, there were two of us, someone to keep me company.

I tried hard to learn, inevitably falling several times, and I still hurt all over.

But the excitement in my heart is still ongoing.

Unfortunately, I have to leave hurriedly this afternoon.

I have classes tomorrow.

Plus, I can't tell my parents about this; they would kill me. I've been the good girl for many years.

I can only keep it to myself.

I don't know how long I was daydreaming, but it felt like the day was fully bright. So, I carefully sat up, picked up the wristwatch on the nightstand, and looked at it: 7:30 AM.

His movie premiere is at 9:00 AM, so we definitely need to head there early.

I wonder if he's awake.

Maybe, I should prepare breakfast for everyone.

Yeah.

Surely I'm not thinking about anything else.

I'm a good girl.

After dressing up and freshening up, I even tied up my hair in front of the mirror.

I'll have to let it down when I wear a hat outside.

But.

He occasionally sneaks peeks at me with my ponytail.

Haha.

Caught red-handed.

Can't I notice?

Without calling Lisa, I quietly left the bedroom and tiptoed to the kitchen.

Then I got a shock—he was already busy in the kitchen. Hearing his greeting, I hurriedly responded, feeling as if I was caught planning something naughty.

Still, I gathered the courage to help out.

Jenny and Lisa soon got up too.

After breakfast, at 8:10 AM, the four of us drove away from the resort's apartment and arrived at the Egyptian Theater in downtown Park City.

Having done my homework beforehand, I knew it was a very mini film festival and not very popular. Looking at the Egyptian Theater with over 400 seats, I was secretly worried. Yesterday, I noticed the streets of Park City were not lively, and now, in such cold weather early in the morning, even fewer people would be willing to wake up for a movie.

If too few people showed up to watch, it would be really embarrassing.

So, I actively volunteered to distribute promotional flyers outside the theater.

I'm quite pretty, so I should be able to attract a few more guys.

Lisa and Jenny did the same, holding stacks of flyers. Lisa already idolized him, and being naturally enthusiastic, it was understandable for her to do this.

Jenny's participation surprised me.

She looked like someone used to a life of luxury, yet she was willing to do this, which showed she truly loved him.

Then, I quickly realized that my worries were perhaps unnecessary.

Starting at 8:30 AM, people began to gather at the Egyptian Theater in small groups. By 9:00 AM, the line extended more than ten meters outside the theater, and suddenly there was news from the ticket counter that all tickets were sold out.

Turning to look inside the theater from the street, it was packed with people, and there was loud questioning.

A couple nearby even argued a bit. From their conversation, they had watched two movies yesterday with only about 20-30% occupancy, so the guy thought they could come later and even lie in a bit.

But they couldn't get in now.

Looking at the time, it was almost 9:00 AM, and the screening was about to start. I exchanged glances with Lisa and Jenny.

The theater hall was full. How could we three get in?

After hesitating for a moment, we still braved our way inside.

Explaining our situation to the staff, we were let in, immediately followed by dissatisfied murmurs from behind.

Entering the screening room, it was packed with people, buzzing with conversation, lively and buzzing.

Recalling the couple's words, I felt a

 bit proud.

He really was different from others.

Somewhat nervously, Jenny and I made our way to the front row, fortunately, he had reserved seats for us right next to him, three in a row.

I also saw Robert Redford sitting on his other side, chatting amicably.

Although I knew Robert Redford was the founder of this film festival, seeing him there was still a surprise; I really liked "Out of Africa" from two years ago and had even bought the VHS.

Meryl Streep and Robert Redford.

Karen and Denys.

Me and him.

An odd little projection, and oddly melancholic.

I sighed softly.

Jenny sat down next to him, I sat next to Jenny, and Lisa giggled and took the seat next to me, looking very excited.

Such a carefree creature.

9:00 AM.

The lights in the screening room dimmed on time.

Surprisingly, this was a film festival, yet there was no interaction? I soon realized that maybe it was scheduled after the movie, from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM, three hours long.

The opening was a quote from British poet T.S. Eliot: "We shall not cease from exploration, and the end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we started and know the place for the first time."

I knew Eliot, a Nobel Laureate in Literature. His works were always obscure, and I wasn't much of a fan.

But since he used it here, I planned to ponder it thoroughly.

Then.

The ticking of a clock, the urgent ticking of a second hand, the insistent sound of music, Lola's explosive scream, completely interrupted my attempt to think, leaving only the image of her sprinting through the streets of Santa Monica in my mind.

Red hair, blue tank top, green pants, big clunky shoes.

Her name was Lola.

Running Lola.

A completely overturned image.

A completely subverted film.

Surprising, suddenly realizing for the first time, that movies could be made like this, that animation could be used this way, that camera movements could be so sharp, that cinematography could be so cunning.

And the music.

And the visuals.

Until the last frame, I was snapped out of a dreamlike journey, immediately looking forward to watching it a second time.

But then feeling a bit regretful.

I definitely won't be able to see it a second time soon unless the movie hits mainstream theaters.

Such an outstanding film, it definitely will hit mainstream theaters.

I had no doubt about that.

But I still knew some things about Hollywood; even if it did, such an unconventional film wouldn't be widely released.

Yeah.

Even if it wasn't in New Haven, New York would definitely have it.

Somewhat distracted by these thoughts, I didn't pay much attention to the slowly descending credits, while the audience around started whispering quietly.

I didn't mind, nor did I think much of it.

After all, the movie had ended, and they would definitely love this film too.

Then, Lisa suddenly poked me: "Jenny, did you notice?"

"Hmm?"

"The end credits," Lisa said, glancing at me a few times, discontented: "Such a fantastic movie, and you were distracted?"

"I, of course, wasn't," I quickly shook my head guiltily, arguing: "I was just thinking about when I could see this movie again."

"Alright," Lisa shrugged, yet she added: "You really didn't notice the credits?"

Concerned that Jenny and he might hear, I signaled for Lisa to lower her voice before asking: "What about them?"

Lisa gestured with her hands: "Lots of names, Simon's name."

Still a bit puzzled.

Lisa, with a tone that clearly suspected she might have been seeing things, repeated: "Producer, director, screenwriter, cinematographer, lighting, music composer, set designer, editor, and several more, all Simon's own name."

This time, I finally understood.

But I also felt, Lisa might have been seeing things.

Just as I was about to tease her, the credits ended, and the lights in the screening room came back on.

With the bright light, the murmurs in the dimness immediately weakened a bit. After a brief pause, enthusiastic applause broke out.

Ten seconds later, the staff set up chairs on stage, and Simon, along with Jenny and Robert Redford, walked up together. The applause that had quieted down flared up again.

It quieted only after Robert Redford, smiling, gestured with his hand.

Then, Robert Redford took up the role of host, holding a microphone: "I promised everyone at the opening ceremony on Friday that after watching this movie, you definitely wouldn't be disappointed. Now, no one should doubt my judgment, right? But, if you still don't like this movie, then you'll have to deal with Simon."

Amid light laughter from the audience, Robert

 subtly joked again: "Of course, before you do that, you'll have to make sure you can take down this young man next to me. Now, if anyone has questions, please raise your hand."

Whooosh—

As Robert Redford's words fell, dozens of hands in the screening room shot up, with some people hesitating mid-motion, seeing the situation, reluctantly lowering their hands.

Scanning the audience, Robert Redford pointed to a bespectacled brunette in a forward position.

The woman stood up, habitually adjusted her glasses, and looked up at Simon on stage: "Mr. Westeros, I'm Jane Trevor from Variety, and I'm honored to have watched 'Run Lola Run,' a novel anti-genre film. However, I just counted, and there were at least ten roles in the credits listed under your personal name. Although it may seem presumptuous, I still find it hard to believe that you completed all these roles by yourself?"