They ran and ran away from the frightening sound of the beast, but it got closer and closer. The trail of smoke was about to consume them when out of nowhere came …. Clark Kent! He wrestled the smoky beast and threw it into the sea. Then he came back and asked the boys, “Are you alright?”
“Uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, yeah” David answered in awe of his hero.
“Bet you didn’t know that the beast was really Lex Luther” said Clark.
They looked at him strangely. He nodded his head. “Yep, it’s true. But that means he WILL be back, so you’d better get out of here”. With that he jumped into the air and flew away. Hurley was standing nearby and saw the whole thing.
“Dude, that was cool” he said and walked away.
The boys wondered how they were going to get out of there when a man approached them. It looked like …. Dr. House?
“Come with me” he commanded sounding funny with a British accent. But they followed him through the woods, out into a clearing until it turned into a sandy desert. When they thought they couldn’t go any further for the heat and thirst, they got over one more sandy hill and saw down in the valley in front of them, a plane – sort of.
It was the plane in Flight of the Phoenix. They ran to it, were given a drink of water and allowed to strap themselves to the wing of the plane as it revved up. They bounced along off the desert floor until finally they lifted off the ground. They were flying! Over the LOST island they flew, over the ocean, up, up up. Only … they were up so high, there was no oxygen – not to mention warmth! They lost consciousness.
When they woke up, they were back in the simulator plane and were the only ones. No other passengers on board. It was simply as if the ride was over and they got up to exit.
Stepping back out into the theme park, they decided they’d had quite enough adventure for one day. There was still a couple more hours left before they were due to meet up with their mom at Johnny Rockets by the Kodak Theater, so they thought they’d head over to the Metro station and hop a train to Hollywood and Highland. There was plenty there to do and see until it was time for supper.
* * * * *
I found myself back on the park bench on Hollywood Blvd., where this had all begun. Had it merely been a dream? Couldn’t have been. It was SO real! I sat and thought about everything that had happened. What an amazing journey, whether a dream or real.
“You never know who you’re going to meet around here, do you?” a voice behind me said. I turned and saw Charlie! He came around and sat down next to me.
“So this was really real?” I asked, hoping it was.
“What do YOU think?” he asked me back.
“I think it WAS real” I said confidently.
“And you are right, my dear” he said smiling.
I asked him why it had happened, if there were some purpose in it all. He told me that yes, indeed there certainly was and he would explain it to me all in good time. What’s more I hadn’t been the only one having such an adventure. While he didn’t fill in the details, he told me my boys had been having quite a day at Universal Studios.
“Were you there with them, too?” I asked.
“No, but I have my connections” he grinned. “Didn’t you know that I was among those who started Universal Studios ages ago?”
I hadn’t known that at all. “No, but I do know about your own studio not far from here. I’ve always wanted to see it, but was told that public tours are not given.”
“Funny you should bring that up. It is, in fact, our next stop”. He took my hand and off we went down the street.
“Won’t people think it strange to see you walking down the street? Or are you invisible to them and I will look crazy as if I’m talking to myself?” I asked, with a chuckle.
“They’ll think I’m just another actor like the others out posing for the public and their cameras, just the way you and I met.”
“Oh, yes. I forgot, so much has happened since then”.
Approaching the corner of LaBrea and Sunset, we turned the corner and there it was – the old Chaplin Studios! My heart melted. So many of Charlie’s movies that I loved were made here. It was now called Henson Productions and atop the gatepost to the entrance sat a large statue of Kermit the Frog wearing the Little Tramp’s outfit: baggy pants, too small a jacket, big shoes, bowler hat and cane. A nice tribute to Charlie, I thought. He wasn’t too sure he liked being immortalized by a giant frog! I assured him that Kermit was a most beloved character among children and adults alike. He felt better about it then.
As we neared the gate, I could hear voices arguing. Charlie and I stood outside listening.
“Dad, why won’t you sell the studio to those people?” a man shouted.
“We’ve been over and over it, Son. I only met with them to satisfy you, but my mind has already been made up” the older man answered.
“Yes, but it makes no sense, Dad! Giving the studio away when you could make good money on it!”
“I already have all I need and if someone had given me a chance like this, we wouldn’t have struggled as we did. I just want to give someone else that chance.”
“Why don’t you give it to me, then? I’m your son.”
“What, so you could turn around and sell it?! You only care about making money, not about creating something that puts a smile on people’s faces. But that’s what this studio was built for. Charlie Chaplin did that and I’d like to see that legacy continue”
“But, Dad, you just can’t do this!”
Raising his voice now, the father bellowed “I CAN DO ANYTHING I WANT WITH THIS!”
The son stormed out of the gate and seeing Charlie, who he of course thought was an impersonator, he shot him an angry look before getting into his car and speeding away.
“We’re on” said Charlie. I didn’t know what he meant, but he ushered me through the gate where the father side of the arguing pair greeted us.
“We meet again” Charlie said to the man.
“Charlie ... you came back” the man uttered in wonder and amazement.
“As promised.” Charlie said.
Charlie introduced me to Mr. Mason, a jolly and kind old man. I instantly liked him.
Let’s find a place where we can talk, shall we?” Charlie suggested, then led us all to a nearby office. He obviously still knew his way around the place! I had no idea what was happening, but after a day like today, I knew better than to try figuring it out.
Charlie explained that Mr. Mason was the studio’s owner, even though it was operated by Henson Productions. Henson, though, was about to vacate the premises, moving on to a different studio.
“Because I feel I’m getting too old to be a part of this business anymore, I wanted to retire, but only if I could hand the studio over to someone who would use it honorably and keep the Chaplin legacy alive. And so I was walking around the studio one day thinking and praying about it. I thought to myself, if only Charlie were here, he could tell me what to do.”
I looked at Charlie, “And so you did”. Charlie smiled. “Yes, I did”.
Mr. Mason continued. “I understand your three sons are aspiring film-makers”
I nodded, wondering how he knew. “Well … Charlie and I would like to give the studio to you and your sons.” I sat there shocked and stunned. Mr. Mason started laughing hysterically, so that I thought the whole things was a joke. It was just like that scene at the end of A Christmas Carol, the Alastair Sim version, where he tells Bob Cratchit he’s getting a raise and Bob sits there dumbfounded until Scrooge bursts out laughing, scaring Cratchit even more!
Charlie took it from here. “My dear, I’ve seen some of the work your boys have created, enough to know that it is just the right brand of talent, creativity and humor to make great movies. And that’s what I built this place for.
Just then Mr. Mason was called from the room by his secretary and excused himself.
Seeing how overwhelmed I was, Charlie said, “You don’t have to decide just yet. It IS a lot to consider and would mean big changes for your family”.
“I know I should jump at this chance, but my boys …they should be a part of this decision.”
“Right you are, my dear” replied Charlie, “and at this very moment they are in the next room meeting Mr. Mason. That’s what he was called away for. They think this is just another stop on the tour they’re taking, but they were purposely led here and soon will learn why, just as you have.”
He went on to explain that there were reasons the boys and I had had these magical adventures today. It was to draw us into the heart of movies – their stories and characters. To make it more real to us than it had ever been. To make us PART of the movies instead of merely spectators. One way to explain it, he said, was that it was sort of a baptism into the magic of movies – to give us something to bring to the movies we would make together.
“But what about Tim?” I asked him “He wasn’t with us on this trip and so has not experienced the things we have.”
“Oh, but he will” promised Charlie. “Marcy and Michael, too. When they least expect it ….well they might just fall through a star, or walk right into a movie. More likely, they will have a totally different adventure. You all have been given exactly what you need to make your dreams come true and bring them to the screen.”
“And now, my dear, would you be so kind as to take a little walk with me? I’d like to show you around the studio.”
Off we went. He proudly pointed out places where he’d filmed City Lights and Modern Times, two of my favorite movies of his. Of course the sets were gone, but certain things were still recognizable. I noticed a wistful look on Charlie’s face as we strolled through his past together. Maybe this day was as magical for him as it had been for us.
We came to a lovely park bench on which we sat to rest a bit. “It’s been quite a day, hasn’t it, my dear?”
“You could say that!”
“May I ask which encounter you enjoyed most?”
“Oh that’s easy. Being with you.”
Charlie smiled, saying “And I have very much enjoyed your company as well, my dear. But now, I’m afraid the time is drawing near for me to go. My work here is done”.
I looked at him sadly and said, “Don’t go, Charlie. Please, stay with me. I don’t want this magic to ever end.”
Taking both my hands in his, he made a promise: “It will never end, my dear, as long as you keep on believing in it”.
“Will I ever see you again?”
He smiled that smile and with that adorable twinkle in his eye answered, “You never know.”
Reluctantly I said goodbye to my friend, Charlie. He rose from the bench, and with a tip of his hat, turned and walked away twirling his cane. I watched until I could see him no more. But I knew ….he would always be there.
EPILOGUE
Mother and sons had much to talk about as they finally made it Johnny Rockets for dinner. They excitedly carried on about all their wild adventures. Right from the restaurant they called Tim to tell him everything. Naturally he didn’t believe a word of it! But before long, just as Charlie had said, he would have his own interesting adventures that would convince him of everything.
Yes, things were about to change for the Gilleand family from here on out. It wouldn’t be easy. And it would take a lot of hard work. But all in all, it would be so worthwhile. Just as actors take their places onstage, they were beginning to take their places on the stage of life. Right where they belonged.”
THE END … OR RATHER …. THE BEGINNING!
* * * * *
Dedicated to my three movie-making sons and anyone else with a dream.
About the author:
Julie Gilleand lives in Indiana with her husband, Rod. They have three grown sons – Tim, Andy and David, four grandchildren – Michael, Megan, Elijah and Ava. When Julie is not writing, she works as a receptionist in a non-profit agency and as a call center representative for the local newspaper.
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