Ripples in the Rain

Chapter One

It had been months since I  saw a movie in the cinema. I had always been proud to say that I was a movie-buff. However, due to my commitments to my job and two children, I didn't have much time to pursue my leisure activities. This afternoon, after a long day at work, I rushed to a nearby cinema. I didn't have a glamorous job, I was just a librarian. I started as a volunteer when my children were younger. As
my work hours grew, they began to trust me more. After a while, I was given a permanent position. When I was still married to my wealthy ex-husband, I had plenty of time to myself. Our children had a nanny, our big Park Avenue apartment had cleaners and we even had a chef cook for us occasionally.  After our divorce, my ex husband flitted around from one skinny model to another, taking them to lavish parties and buying them expensive gifts. As for me, I live in a small Brooklyn apartment with my two girls, struggling to make ends meet and living day by day.

The movie I decided to watch that afternoon was 'Annie Hall', a classic Woody Allen movie. It was showing at a local cinema as a part of a special programme. I've always loved this movie. No matter how many times I'd seen it, I kept discovering more and more new things I enjoyed about it. It was funny, heartwarming and a perfect antidote to a stressful day.

Halfway through the movie, I heard sounds of sobbing from a few seats away from where I was seated. The movie was showing a funny scene, and I occasionally heard laughter , but that particular sound of sobbing persisted.  When I reached over to grab my drink on the side of my seat, the mystery person who had been crying was suddenly seated beside me.  He placed his hand gently on top of mine and said, " Excuse me, sorry to bother you but I'm desperately in need of a cigarette. Would you happen to have any with you?"

I looked over to him and answered, "I'm sorry but I don't smoke. I have popcorn though, would you like some?"

I could see a vague outline of a smile emerge from the darkness of the cinema hall. "Thank you, that sounds great."

"And I also have tissues if you need some," I said, handing him a packet.

"Thank you," he said gently.

When the movie ended and the cinema lights went back on, the man seating beside me thanked me for my popcorn and asked me what I thought of the movie.

"I loved it, " I said. "I love Woody Allen's movies. Especially the older ones. He really knows New York. Don't you agree?"

The man nodded. "He does. You're exactly right. I've watched all his movies. Even the ones no one liked."

I laughed and mumbled to myself, "I thought I was the only one."

He replied, " I used to be an actor. And I've always wanted to work with Woody. I just never got the chance."

"Used to?" I asked, sounding extremely curious. "What happened, if I may ask."

"I'm not sure," he remarked. "I stopped working because of personal reasons, and I just couldn't get back into it. It's been three years."

"I'm sorry to say this, but were you in anything I might've seen before? I must admit that I used to be a movie buff, but I haven't been able to watch as many movies as I liked  the since I had my two girls."

"Have you watched the new instalment of Star Wars? The one from a few years ago?"

"Are you kidding me?" I almost screamed. "Are you in it?"

He nodded, his cheeks turning slightly red. "Not a huge role by any means. But I'm very proud of it. I play Poe Dameron, the resistance pilot."

"I think I've seen your bobble head toy figurine on a shop window," I said. "It was really cute. But I haven't seen the movie so I wasn't interested it the merchandise."

I wasn't sure why I would say something like that. I was nervous and I tend to ramble when I'm nervous. Bobble head figurine? What was I thinking about? I glanced at his perplexed face. Luckily, he was kind enough to slightly change the topic and save me from utter embarrassment.

"Well, you missed out on a good movie. You should try to get it on DVD."

"I will definitely do that," I said, more to myself than to him. "I really need to catch up on my movies."

He extended his hand and said, "My name is Oscar Isaac....really nice to meet you, Miss..."

"Pippa," I said softly."It was nice meeting you too, Oscar."

"I live around here," he said, "And I come to this cinema quite often. Maybe I will run into you again sometime, Pippa."

My twelve year old daughter Sophie was sprawled out on our couch when I arrived home. She was watching a dating show on TV. Her sister , ten year old Lucie sat down on the floor, doing her homework. My daughters looked similar but their personalities were as different as night and day. Sofia was Miss Popularity at school. She was outgoing and everyone loved her. Her grades were average at best. Lucie was shy and bookish. She had two best friends at school and was known best as Sophie's sister. Neverhtheless, she was always a straight A student and number one in class.

"Hi Mum," Sophie said as she patted the seat beside her for me to sit on. "How was your day?"

"I just came back from a cinema," I answered, "And I met this guy who said he used to be an actor."

"Oh really?" Sophie's sounded excited. "What's his name? Which movie is he on? Do I know him?"

I looked across at Lucie, who was still engrossed in her homework but managed to give me a nod of recognition. I spoke quietly, making sure I wasn't disturbing her concentration.

"He said he was in that new Star Wars movie that was on a few of years ago. He played the pilot."

"What? Don't tell me he's Oscar Isaac," Sophie remarked.

"Yes, that's his name," I said confidently.

"Wow, Mum. He's so cute. And you're right, he used to be such a great actor. You should Google him. Or better still, watch some of his movies. I heard he will be in the next Star Wars movie but he hasn't done much else."

One thing I agreed with Sophie was how cute Oscar looked. He was scruffy, but still very handsome. His dark wavy hair and soulful eyes really caught my attention. And the sadness surrounding him made me want to know more about him. What happened to this actor who used to be world famous?