The Ideal and the Real

The Broken Friendship

After a long 2 hours of sitting in class, Lucas and I got out. I thought the movie clips being shown were really cool. We walked past the room where Sweden artifacts were kept. Ahh. That place gives me fond memories.

"So... what do you think?" asked Lucas. "I'm looking forward to all this stuff. I smiled most of the time because I knew this from high school."

Ugh. You didn't need to tell me that, Lucas! Not my fault my high school didn't have a movie making class... I thought about it for a bit. "I didn't quite get some parts of it. I mean... there was all this stuff about production and camera shots. Not many technical terms just yet, but still... I thought I knew how to make great vids without knowing the technical stuff."

"Hey, I've heard of some great directors who have never taken a class like this! Since we're here, we have an advantage!"

"But Lucas... how are we going to apply what we learn if we don't make films?"

Lucas smiled. "No problem! I have a really nice video camera that you can use. Or, if you want to get started right away, use your phone or tablet to capture videos. That's what you do, right?"
I nodded. "Yup."

"Then great! You're going to do well. I believe in you. Here's a little something for you to remember: we'll get started on our first film this Friday. We got all the time in the morning!"

But we had no one to film. "Um... exactly what are we filming?"

Lucas paced himself slowly. "Hmm... yeah I haven't thought about it yet. Maybe, for a start, I can film you doing whatever you like so you can see different types of camera shots used in movies."

Hold on. He wants to film ME? I started to panic. "Lucas, NO! I can't act. Don't let me do it! I'll look weird! Try to get someone else, because I have no one at the moment! Get like, Tim or something. Any one of your other friends, whoever they are!"

"Okay, I'll get at least one to help us with the acting. If not, then it's all you."

I'm secretly wishing that he'll bring one of his friends this Friday. It makes me feel so embarrassed to be in front of the camera. We walked past the elevator, not repeating the same mistake of using it ever again. It was way too slow. Another problem arises.

"Are you seriously kidding me? We have to take the stairs..." I sighed.

"Well, it's great exercise," replied Lucas. "I haven't been exercising lately, unless riding my bike around the neighbourhood counts. And walking my dogs. Oh never mind! That technically counts as exercise."

We started walking down the stairs. On the wall, there was a painting of an unfamiliar historical figure, very similar to the ones on the first floor, but this one was much larger. Maybe it was of a local.

"So you have dogs?" I asked.

He nodded. "Yup. I got two of them. They can get a little crazy sometimes."

"I don't have a pet."

"No? Aw come on, you're missing out!"

"Yeah... I never had one. Well, I used to want a dog, but now I don't. I currently think that A. one would be too much of a responsibility for me, and B. my family doesn't want random fur to appear everywhere in our home."

Okay. We've made it to the second floor. One more flight of stairs and then we're done.

"I understand where you're coming from. My friend doesn't own one because he's not the type of person that would. He's self-centered. He's not considerate of others. I'm not kidding. You know... if I still got to hang out with him, then I'd be happier than I am right now. Our friendship was broken because I ruined one of his projects over the summer. That was an accident. I want to say sorry, but he always hangs up on me when I call." He looked down and closed his eyes. Then he moved his hands toward his face.