Chapter Eleven: The Film

Arnold’s family and Velak got into the car under the watchful eyes of Carmen, Mera, and Fletcher. To the Arnolds, the group standing at the doorway with smiles on their faces seemed perfectly normal. But to Velak, those people standing there were like ice sculptures, radiating a biting coldness.

“Father, Mother, you go ahead home first. Chris and I will go out to play for a while,” Colin greeted his parents.

“Stay safe,” Arnold cautioned before driving off.

Colin and Velak got into another car, heading in the opposite direction away from the noble estate district.

Velak looked out the window, feeling cheerful.

“Aren’t you curious about what new thing I’m going to show you?” Colin asked Velak.

“To watch a movie, right?” Velak replied.

“How did you know?” Colin’s mouth dropped open. “You’ve already seen one? Why didn’t you tell me? You stood me up and then secretly went alone!”

Velak shook his head helplessly. “I haven’t been yet, but I heard some news. They invented a continuous moving image by combining the techniques of motion photography and magic lantern projection. At first, it was only a few seconds long, but now they say they’ve made a film that lasts several minutes.”

“Yes, yes! There’s this thing called a projector. When you shine light onto the wall, it shows a real picture like a photograph, but even more amazing—it moves! Just like real life. It’s incredible!” Colin’s eyes sparkled as he described it. “I’ve seen it several times and it still amazes me. I can’t understand how it’s done… Today, I have to take you to see it!”

“All right,” Velak said, recalling his previous life.

Last time, Colin hadn’t taken him out today. Velak had to wait a whole week before finally getting the chance to watch a movie with Colin.

As a photographer, Velak was just as stunned as Colin when he first saw those moving images with his own eyes. He was speechless at the time and spent the whole night restless, unable to forget those scenes.

It was simply too miraculous for him.

A few years ago, he was still a steelworker like Dumps. One day, while shopping in Zwod city, he accidentally saw a device that could perfectly replicate a person’s image on paper, called a camera. It completely overturned his understanding.

That day, he quit his job at the steelworks without hesitation, spent all his savings, borrowed some money from Dumps and Nord, and after much effort bought an old-fashioned portable box camera that was nearly obsolete, becoming the only photographer in the slums. He attracted many people, whether they had heard of photography or not, by offering prices lower than those in the city. Soon, he paid off his debts and moved into the best single room in the slums.

Therefore, after witnessing the wonder of movies, his first thought was how to make money from this invention.

“If they charge to show this to more people, it should bring in quite a bit of profit,” Velak said.

“You guys haven’t even seen it yet, and your first thought is about making money? This is art, a brand-new form of art!” Colin emphasized the word ‘art.’

“Yes, art,” Velak agreed.

It was clear that movies would flourish just like cameras did. No one knew what miraculous and astonishing developments the future would bring, but it was certain this invention would give rise to a whole new industry brimming with potential.

Half an hour later, the car arrived in a district unfamiliar to Velak. As soon as the car stopped, Colin jumped out excitedly and led Velak into a dance hall. Although noisy as usual, the dance hall today played no music, and no one was dancing; instead, the seats were packed with people.

Colin greeted the familiar faces inside cheerfully. “Today’s film is called ‘The Sea and the Seagulls.’ It should be starting soon. Let’s sit up front.”

The seats were all reserved in advance. The musical instruments used for performances had been moved to the sides, and a huge screen had been hung in the center. Colin, with his wealth and connections, took Velak directly to the front seats. A waiter placed champagne and fruit beside their table.

Colin ate a piece of fruit, turned to Velak, and said, “This will knock your socks off!”

Before long, the lights in the hall went out. A beam of light shone from behind them onto the screen, which flickered rapidly, producing large, lifelike images.

The previously raucous crowd immediately fell silent.

Velak turned to look at the source of the light, where a machine was emitting a steady hum.

“That’s the projector. Okay, look ahead—the movie is starting!” Colin’s excitement was uncontrollable as he tugged Velak’s sleeve, urging him to watch.

Velak turned toward the screen.

The images grew clearer and clearer.

“It’s the coast!” Colin shouted.

Though somewhat impolite, many people in the hall also gasped aloud as the black-and-white images on the screen sharpened.

“Oh my…”

“What is that?”

“The sea and the reefs!”

The audience murmured among themselves.

The images continued to shift, with white waves crashing against the rocks.

“I can even hear the sound of the waves,” Colin said, eating fruit but staring fixedly at the screen.

Velak was equally captivated. Although he had seen it several times before, the novelty and charm were overwhelming, and watching again was still utterly thrilling.

The scene of waves hitting the reef lasted about thirty seconds. Then, a few seagulls circled in the sky, suddenly diving down and flying low over the water before disappearing from the frame.

This segment, lasting a full four or five seconds, sent the entire audience into a frenzy.

“Art! Art!” Colin was so overwhelmed he forgot to eat, his head still facing the screen while his hand grabbed Velak’s coat. “See? Isn’t it amazing? This is cinema. This is art!”

Velak tilted his head slightly, unwilling to blink even though his eyes stung. “I see it. Art.”

The film lasted less than a minute in total. When the projector’s light went out, the hall brightened again.

Warm applause erupted from the audience.

Colin clapped vigorously. “Amazing, I want more…”

Velak’s heart swelled with emotion. He drained his glass of champagne in one gulp, then turned to gaze deeply at the mysterious projector, sincerely marveling, “Lazerin truly is a great city.”