Got the Girl...

I went to a movie tonight. It was an action thriller, filled with the usual stuff that makes for a great break from the cares of the week...car chases, intrigue, a hero and his love interest. I've seen a bunch of these over the years, and I always walk out with just a little more attention to the shadows, alert for any sudden movement, my peripheral vision keenly aware of the people around me.

The hero is "everyman". He would prefer to be left alone... in peace, but he'll do what he has to in order to stop the bad guys. And the love interest... she is usually someone who gets swept up in the unexpected action. Together they dig deep within themselves for what's necessary to get the job done... walking off arm in arm as the credits roll. Silly, I know, but I've always loved it...except for the ending. Watching the hero get the girl has always left me a little empty. That's where the fantasy fails. No matter what sort of feelings the movie produces, walking out means you're returning to the real world.

It happened again tonight. My heart beat faster as the hero took care of business, and then it melted as he looked into the eyes of the girl. The credits began as always, but this time something was different. As I walked out glancing at the darkened corners, I felt something new... a hand curled around my arm and a cheek on my shoulder. I looked down to see beautiful smiling eyes, and that's when I knew... the real world is better than anything they can put on the screen.

No bad guys, no car chases, no intrigue... but I don't care... I got the girl...