Page 39 of Cinematic Destinies
“How about the Blue Lagoon? I’m sure it’s terribly romantic. We could leave after breakfast in the morning, stop along the way should we see something of interest, and be there sometime in the late afternoon.”
“I’d love that. I’ve always wanted to go there.”
Roo rubbed her arm as they smiled at each other. He turned to Michael. “There’s plenty of room in the car if you’d like to come too. We can also drop you back off at the inn on the way if you prefer.”
“Thanks, but I’m gonna stay here with the old man. He may be able to use some assistance. I don’t want to leave him on his own.”
“That’s kind of you. The way you look out for him,” Georgia said.
Michael shrugged. “He’s been good to me.”
“Well, if you don’t mind, I think we’ll go upstairs and get some rest so we can get an early start tomorrow,” Georgia said. “Will you tell Jean we said good night?”
Michael nodded.
Georgia walked over and leaned down to give him a hug. “You’re a good guy, Michael Hennesey. Don’t worry, I won’t tell anyone.”
“They’d never believe you anyway,” he replied with a chuckle.
The young couple excused themselves, and Michael ordered another round of drinks for himself and Jean. Soon Jean returned and took his seat.
“Everything alright?” Michael asked.
Jean huffed. “Right as rain. Quite literally.” He took a sip of his drink and asked, “Where are our young star-crossed lovers?”
“Star-crossed? More like written in the stars,” Michael said.
Jean smiled softly. “Indeed, you are right about that.”
“They decided to take a trip to the Blue Lagoon tomorrow for a romantic getaway, so they wanted to get to bed early.”
“Ah.”
“So, while we’re alone, I’ve been dying to tell you that I’ve got your number, old man.”
Jean furrowed his brow.
“I know what the film is really about,” Michael explained. “I actually figured it out the first week, but one can never be certain with you. After today, it became clear I was right all along.”
“Do tell,” Jean said skeptically.
“It’s aboutyou,” Michael declared. “It’s your autobiography.”
Jean smirked. “Go on.”
“You’re the controversial, reclusive artist who’s dying. This film is your way of setting the record straight, or perhaps amusing yourself and giving your critics the finger.” Jean laughed and Michael continued, “I couldn’t believe it when I realized I was playing some version of you. Talk about pressure. Plus, you could have any actor you want. Don’t get me wrong, I’m honored but also kind of flabbergasted. Why’d you choose me?”
“I’m not one to wax on prophetically about my body of work, butCelebrationhas always been special to me. The film. The summer we all spent together shooting it. Better than anything else, it represents my work, and my work represents me. This made you the natural choice.” Michael started to smile just as Jean added, “Besides, you were a real shit back then, navel-gazing, womanizing, self-aggrandizing. Let’s just say, it made you the ideal choice to play a twisted fucker like me.”
Never one to take things too seriously, Michael laughed. “Aw shucks, I’m flattered.”
Jean shrugged.
“There’s more I’ve figured out about the film,” Michael said, taking a swig of his drink.
“Oh,” Jean said.
Michael nodded. “The film is about your search for beauty through your art, underneath all the dark and depressing stuff. You picked this location because of the midges. When you were telling Georgia about them, you said, ‘Sometimes the guardian of beauty is dark and ugly.’ You were talking about yourself. The landscape is like the fourth character in the film because it’s a metaphor for how you understand your role as an artist, as a truth teller. You need to go dark so that others may see the light.”
