Never that simple.
anonymous
March 26 2009, 06:37:40 UTC
After the movie ended - so awe-inspiring, so profound - the theater-goers filed out, stunned by the impact of the performance that shook their psyches. Some snapped back instantly, babbling nothings at each other concerning the everyday. Some spoke in simple fawning, about how certain actors were attractive, or certain explosions adrenaline pumping.
There were at least two patrons, however, who held a much more meaningful conversation as they made their slow way to the car, in no hurry to return to any place.
"The Dark Knight, hmm? I imagine you've always seen yourself as more of a Superman, Alfred," Arthur chuckled, a faint tone of condescension seeping into his voice.
"I try to, anyway," the American replied, gaze drifting towards the ground. The somber reply jolted Arthur, and when Alfred noticed, he quickly changed the subject, not wanting a dark cloud to hang over the conversation. "So, what was your favorite line from the movie?"
"Ah, I don't know. There were a lot of great ones," Arthur mused, jumping at the new thread in dialogue. He pondered over the matter briefly as they strolled towards the car, and made up his mind as he opened the car door. "That one line by Dent. What was it, exactly? Something like, 'Die a hero or live a villain.'"
"'You either die a hero, or you live long enough to become a villain'," Alfred murmured into the still of the night, the words having repeated themselves in his mind since they were spoken over an hour ago. He stared meaningfully, blankly at Arthur across the top of the car.
For a moment, nothing moved but the shadows they cast in the rapidly darkening evening, the orange streetlights flickering on in random pulses.
"I... I don't agree with it, Alfred," the Englishman finally mumbled, looking away. "I just thought it was a good line." After a pause, he added, "It's not that simple."
"Nothing ever is," the American sighed, and for the first time, Arthur saw the cynicism of age dodge the former's face. 'White Knight', 'Dark Knight', are there truly such things in the world? he reflected, thinking of his own past, then that of many others, some fallen in disgrace, some striding forward, and most wandering towards the uncertain future simply because there was nothing else to do.
The streetlight behind them came to life, coloring their shadows gray.
[[Short little thing that refused to leave my mind after seeing the prompt. Intentionally left very ambiguous. Much more of a pretentiously high-minded angst piece than I wanted - might fill again with something less grave, more action-driven. And more villainous, for that matter.]]
Re: Never that simple.
anonymous
March 26 2009, 15:39:03 UTC
Ffffff--that last line had me hook, line, and sinker. I really enjoyed your take on this prompt, and it was nice seeing Alfred being written with some level of depth.
And such lovely writing too, with just the right amount of description, lovely lovely lovely. :)
While I liked this drabblet, I would love to see you write another fill for this prompt, if only just to read more of your writing. But regardless, thanks for the fill!
Re: Never that simple.
anonymous
March 27 2009, 03:20:33 UTC
(OP here!)
Oh, so good! Thank you! I was totally surprised that you went the 'see the movie route' but it worked out really neat. I loved that you gave us a more thoughtful and contemplative America, and how he was thinking about the line so seriously. Really nice!
There were at least two patrons, however, who held a much more meaningful conversation as they made their slow way to the car, in no hurry to return to any place.
"The Dark Knight, hmm? I imagine you've always seen yourself as more of a Superman, Alfred," Arthur chuckled, a faint tone of condescension seeping into his voice.
"I try to, anyway," the American replied, gaze drifting towards the ground. The somber reply jolted Arthur, and when Alfred noticed, he quickly changed the subject, not wanting a dark cloud to hang over the conversation. "So, what was your favorite line from the movie?"
"Ah, I don't know. There were a lot of great ones," Arthur mused, jumping at the new thread in dialogue. He pondered over the matter briefly as they strolled towards the car, and made up his mind as he opened the car door. "That one line by Dent. What was it, exactly? Something like, 'Die a hero or live a villain.'"
"'You either die a hero, or you live long enough to become a villain'," Alfred murmured into the still of the night, the words having repeated themselves in his mind since they were spoken over an hour ago. He stared meaningfully, blankly at Arthur across the top of the car.
For a moment, nothing moved but the shadows they cast in the rapidly darkening evening, the orange streetlights flickering on in random pulses.
"I... I don't agree with it, Alfred," the Englishman finally mumbled, looking away. "I just thought it was a good line." After a pause, he added, "It's not that simple."
"Nothing ever is," the American sighed, and for the first time, Arthur saw the cynicism of age dodge the former's face. 'White Knight', 'Dark Knight', are there truly such things in the world? he reflected, thinking of his own past, then that of many others, some fallen in disgrace, some striding forward, and most wandering towards the uncertain future simply because there was nothing else to do.
The streetlight behind them came to life, coloring their shadows gray.
[[Short little thing that refused to leave my mind after seeing the prompt. Intentionally left very ambiguous. Much more of a pretentiously high-minded angst piece than I wanted - might fill again with something less grave, more action-driven. And more villainous, for that matter.]]
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Thanks for this anon
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And such lovely writing too, with just the right amount of description, lovely lovely lovely. :)
While I liked this drabblet, I would love to see you write another fill for this prompt, if only just to read more of your writing. But regardless, thanks for the fill!
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Oh, so good! Thank you! I was totally surprised that you went the 'see the movie route' but it worked out really neat. I loved that you gave us a more thoughtful and contemplative America, and how he was thinking about the line so seriously. Really nice!
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