your fateful future and YOU WANT TO TALK ABOUT HOW TO GOVERN
THE UNDERWORLD, seriously!!!” He shouted, openly grimacing at me.
Well, he had a point. I
hate it when someone else makes a valid point. But I just shrugged, not wanting
to answer. I tried to direct my mind into some serious issues here, but it had already
decided otherwise.
“Since we are here anyway,
I’m gonna utilize this façade. There are scarcely a few moments in my life
when I get to enjoy myself despite the circumstances. So, there’s absolutely nothing
you can do to stop me.”
On that happy note, I strolled
forward, admiring the world of fantasy and happiness so different from the real
world outside and altogether much more appealing.
Mr. Monster had no other
choice but to follow. Together we stepped inside Main street USA, glowing in
all its glory. This theme land area had been patterned after a typical Midwest town
of the early 20th century the typical train station, town square, city hall, firehouse,
shops, arcades, horse-driven streetcar, everything was portrayed as originally
known that I felt like I was travelling back in time. I wondered what it would be
like to be actually part of this world, living here away from all fear, hatred,
and misery.
Mr. Monster was silently
walking beside me, his eyes watching my every step.
“Paranoid are you?” Don’t
fret Mr. Monster. I won’t run away, not before I get to admire all eight fantasylands
here. You are my accountant, you see.
You may at least pretend
to appreciate the resplendent architecture here.”
I watched the big, old buildings
looming over us and remembered something I’d read. I clapped my hands excitedly.
“Did you know that the designs
used the technique of forced perception to create an illusion of height? They are
actually built in ¾ scale on the first level, then 5/8 on the second, ½ on third,
to reducing 1/8 part each level thereafter. Isn’t it fascinating?”
He was now in front of me,
again way too close, and watching intently.
“You really don’t care what
will happen a few moments from now? How can you be so calm and content talking about
all this?”
I shrugged, “Look, can you
do me a favor? Just one for once, leave all of your worries and sadness and tensions
outside of those gates and enjoy the moment.
I know I don’t have control
over the future, but that doesn’t mean I’m a coward. I promise you, I’ll try to
escape as soon as I’ll get a real opportunity. I’m stubborn that way. I don’t take
anything for granted. I’m not some rich daddy’s girl, who waits for someone to come
rescue the damsel in distress. I take care of my own responsibilities. I was brought
up that way.
But I didn’t want this one
evening spoiled either. Because the future is uncertain, I might not see the sun
again. While I can’t do anything about the former, I can enjoy the latter.
Thinking about the past
and worrying about the future won’t do any good at the moment. So, why not live
the present as it is? Appreciate the fact that you’ve been rewarded with this
ephemeral happiness. Then look around. Really look around, dropping all the scales
from your eyes, see the beauty of life God has granted you.”
Something changed in his
eyes. He regarded me more carefully, which brought him closer than before. His posture
relaxed. He closed his eyes for about a minute and when he opened them again, there
was a glint in them, like he was seeing me all over again with a much different
perspective. Then he smiled, not some sideways twitch, but a broad heartwarming
smile. I couldn’t help but smile myself. God! He was beautiful. I stopped counting
how many times I’ve said that in my mind.
“All right, Angel ,
let’s see what wonders this place has hidden within itself. I bet you have lots
of theories to explain everything.”
I swirled around and told
him all about the architecture and how there’s a Tomorrowland which shows
the future of mankind and how it