So last night, or should I say this morning, I started to have an incredible dream. I NEVER have incredible dreams...sub par once in a while, nightmares if I eat past twelve, and blankness or irrecollection most of the time. But this morning...OH this morning. I had quite an intricate tale.
It began with me being on a bus, within a "movie" as one of the players. I didn't understand what I was doing within this movie or what steps were taken for me to get there...It was as if somebody had simply said "HER. She's in this movie", and my body was displaced in time until I found myself riding along on a bus, somehow just knowing I was "on camera". A few moments later I found out that the name of this movie was "Interactive Digital City". I couldn't comprehend the title when someone first whispered it in my ear, and it was a passenger next to me on the bus, of course, who let me in on the secret. But as the dream unfolded, it's meaning became quite clear....
The bus screatched to a halt. All the passengers got off. I followed, not knowing where I was, or what was about to take place in my new surroundings. As I exited the front of the bus, I noticed some children pushing open the back door, jumping out and making a loop like in a Chinese fire drill...It made me laugh, although I knew I was there for some purpose other than jaunting around with them. That is when I met the others. The remaining two players or should I say actors in the film. The first; a beautiful chestnut haired girl, with a slim frame and piercing blue eyes. I didn't recognize her as being someone famous the way I did the next actor; Ryan Renolds. Ahhh. Just saying the name to myself at the sight of him made me weak in the knees. He is one of my most favorite actors, and not particularly because I think him to be extremely honed in his craft. Nope. For me, the infatuation stems more from his physical being and charming disposition which I've studied for countless hours on his latest sitcom. Tall. Tan. Dirty Blonde. And eyes that are so sweet and sensitive that they burn a hole right through to your soul. But enough about my heartthrob crush, although I'm sure that is what positioned him before my subconscious (and closed) eyes in the first place.
After meeting these two actors I was sure I would gain some small insight into the story line of this alleged film I was now a part of. Maybe even get some lines to resight...You know, maybe throw in a mini rehearsal? Much to my surprise (and horror) I was to participate in the movie just as I was. A show with a loose plot. However, based on my reactions to certain situations, the script and plot would change accordingly, and the actors would improvise to get us to the final destination. I guess that is where the whole "Interactive" part came in for me. I became the "End User" in this so-called digital experience and my interaction changed the course. Another way of putting it: I was the single audience member participating in the cinema. At this point to me, it felt more like some crazy charade.
Just like the feeling of being displaced on the bus, the three of us were suddenly whisked to a subway station; ready to board with metrocard in hand. I felt strange, as if I might keel over and vomit from such a whirlwind of movement in space and time. Just as dreams often can be, things started to get fuzzy, and happenings began without justification or explanation. I was led along by the chestnut-haired girl and it seemed that she was hiding something from me. We got on the subway and before the doors could close she gave a quick peck on the lips to Ryan. My heart sank. They were in love. But I wanted Ryan to love ME. My mind began to race as I tried to conjure up a way to create the end result:
Ryan and I live happily ever after. The End.
'But how could I change the course of a film?' I thought. The plot was already there, complete with ending. No matter what I did, the ending was inevitable to occur, at least to some degree. As the chestnut-haired girl led me off the subway she told me to close my eyes. I did as I was told as we ascended up a steep stairwell, leading us to urban streets. I felt a cool wind hit my face as traffic sounds grew louder amongst us... And I also heard a whisper. Muffled at first but then I recognized the voice. It was Ryan...He was calling to someone...Was it me? OH how I wanted it to be me. I felt like a child awaiting a surprise as I had my eyes closed and ready to receive....But then there was nothing. I opened my eyes and I was alone. A single being on a quiet street. 'What now?' I thought. 'Is the movie over? Did Ryan and the beautiful girl who is everything that I'm not, magically snap their fingers and disappear? Run off to paradise?'
A few moments felt like eternity. But suddenly, just as before, my scenery changed. I blinked, and upon recognition, I was on a high speed, elevated train, rushing above buildings and streets. I lost my balance and fell over, luckily onto a seat, as Ryan and the girl materialized before me. Almost like pixels adding up to create an image, they became whole. I couldn't grasp the feelings that were being transferred. Where they in love? Did Ryan love me? I notice in a lot of my dreams, its not usually dialogue that conveys a feeling or message but the specific feeling itself which surrounds me. I felt surrounded by lust, deceit and yearning. Suddenly I had a thought. If I wanted the story to come out at all like I had hoped, I had to act. Become one of them. Set my own wheels in motion and change the film's fate. Judging on the feelings that were surrounding us, I reached out and grabbed Ryan's hand. He looked at me in confusion, wondering what was happening. This was not in the script. I turned and with one swift tug, sent us both soaring like a sling shot into the next car. If this was my dream, I was going to fight for him... I was ready for a happy ending. The girl seemed confused. She thought we were friends. Why would I all of sudden take Ryan away from HER? The love triangle was visible between us now, and she was unsure as to her next move. Should she go on with her script? Or back out fast. She pressed on and followed us into the next car. I willed her to leave, to be alone with Ryan. I hadn't even had the chance to utter one word to him yet, let alone show him any aspect of my personality so that he could fall (madly) in love with me. This must have been a strong force, because as quick as a touch of button, we were standing alone on a Manhattan rooftop.
There were clouds overhead. Complete silence engulfed us with only the slight sound of the fierce wind whipping. I looked around to see that it was just the two of us, where I wanted the story to end all along. I had gotten my wish. Created my fate. Brought myself the happiness I deserved. A feeling of complete calm and stability waved through me. The insane adventures of being spun around the city had ended.
But just when I thought the movie was finally over and Ryan and I could be detached from the entangled triangle, she appreared. Again, as though she was being comprised of little specks of colors; with intricate shocks running through her to reveal opacity. When she became solid, she approached us. I looked over the side of the quiet rooftop to see the East River below. We were at the edge of the city. There was no where else to go. I felt tired of running... Tired of fighting... Tired of wondering where the film would take me this time. That is when it hit me; throughout my entire urban escapade, the feelings being exchanged were between the girl and myself. Love...Lust...Hatred...Deceit. But never had we simply looked to Ryan, saw his emotions or questioned his feelings. He was the only one still attempting to follow the script he had been handed. In that instant we all knew where the fate of the film lay. We looked at him as if he were our answer. Our only way of getting on to the ending and the heck off of that rooftop. I felt a pull and tug of emotions, happiness and fear, and then....
"BLEEP - BLEEP - BLEEP - BLEEP"
My eyes opened to reveal a sunshiny day and a loud, piercing alarm clock blaring in my ears. I hit snooze as I tried to go back to where my fate was to be determined....But, nothing. I was awake. That did it. 'I hate alarm clocks' I thought as I groggily sat up.
So, movie viewers... er, I mean blog readers. My dream destiny is in the palm of your hands! Its up to you; your decision only! Who did Ryan choose? Or did Ryan even want one of us at all? Hell, maybe he got bored with all this urban trans-surfing and just hopped a jet to Las Vegas or Cali. Maybe he knew of a hot chick by the name of Amy who was to fulfill his every need and desire on the West Coast! Or maybe he woke up this morning to still (sadly) be engaged to Alanis Morsette.
The interactive experience goes well beyond my participation in this cinema. I won't be able to sleep tonight without knowing how my last dream has ended...
