Just a Movie

Over the Dunes and Through the Canyons

This is nuts.  Why did the plot change?  It's not supposed to change!  It's a movie, set in stone.  How can this be?  My brain continues to be frantic as everyone walks out the door, ready to go.  

"Martha!" Chris calls.  "Let's go."

I shake my head, willing to put these questions aside for now.  Guaranteed this is all that will be on my mind the entire ride.  I join the others outside, the hot sun beating on me, as if someone tossed me into the hottest oven ever conceived by man.  At least the hat will keep my face from becoming burnt.  Everyone tightens his saddle, making sure they won't slip, and one by one, each mounts his horse.  Chris looks at me in an almost quizzical and shy manner, scratching the back of his neck.  

"Uh, listen Martha," he starts, "We weren't exactly expecting you tagging along.  You don't mind sharing a horse with someone, do you?"

Share?  I peek around him and notice every horse has its rider, save Chris', who's found an interest in the taste of a wood post.  I smile, trying to keep myself from losing my composure.  This is the perfect opportunity to get closer to him!  We got all the time in the world before we get to the gold, and who else would I even ride with? 

"No," I say nonchalantly, trying not to look excited, "I don't mind."

"Good," he smiles, "You'll be riding with Roy.  He's got plenty of space."

He turns to walk away when I suddenly shout in a nasty tone, "What?"

Oops.  Did I say that out loud?  Everyone's giving me a look, wondering why there's a problem.  I smile, trying to recover. 

"I mean, why with him?  Couldn't I go with Chris?"

I close my eyes, letting out a frustrated breath.  God, I made it worse, didn't I?  There's an uncomfortable silence, just the wind blowing by, some tumbleweeds.  Everyone's eyes are on me.  I wring my hands together. Couldn't they stare at something else?  What about that vulture over there who's--eating a dead rabbit.  Wouldn't that be more...interesting?  I turn away just as the vulture pulls out its liver, my stomach doing a flip.  I think I'm gonna throw up.

"Martha, he's the only one with enough room for you," he explains again. 

I sigh, refraining myself from rolling my eyes to the sky.  I grudgingly agree, and he smiles, happy to hear this.  Slowly I make my way to Roy, regretting every step.  I pause when I reach him, frowning at him, and he flashes me a white smile.  Why did it have to be you with the saddle space?  

"Come on Betty," he winks, extending his hand to help me up, "Can't be all that bad, can it?"

Yes, yes it can.  I take his hand, and he pulls me onto his horse.  

Once everyone's set, Chris shouts, "Let's ride!"

Butting the horses in their sides, they take off, leaving dust behind them.  

"You're gonna wanna hang on to me," Roy warns. 

"Nah, I'm good," I reply, taking a firm hold of the saddle. 

"Ok!" he says, and commands his horse to move. 

We charge forward, and I nearly fall backwards, when he grabs me by my arm and pulls me back up.  I wrap my arms tightly around him, no argument.  Had I done this earlier, I wouldn't have gone through that.  We gallop at full speed, passing Travis, then Violet, gaining on Chris, until we're riding right beside him.  Roy smirks, and a determined look passes over Chris' face.  Roy turns to me. 

"You wanna fly?"

I know what this is leading to.  But in all honesty, this looks like a lot of fun.  Yes, I wanna fly.