Chapter Text
1.
Please understand I never planned for this to happen. If, perhaps, things were different, if people were different, if I were different—
2.
A place and digital space in 2019.
3.
An exchange of sorts takes place. Shouting, writing into the void.
4.
We jump back two years in order to fast-forward one.
And here, we meet Rey.
Rey's likes: watching films, making films, thinking about films.
Rey's dislikes: Jakku, Nevada and social media.
5.
Rey does the Instagram thing anyway.
Sort of.
Reluctantly.
She's not sure how she feels about it, especially just now, when she's low on sleep and pushing against a deadline. But the trailer for her latest project, at least, is UP.
6.
She blames her lack of sleep for what comes next.
A text. An unthinking response.
And then the floodgates are open.
7.
The spammers know her phone number is active now, and the texts just. Don't. Stop.
(But, hey—at least she's getting texts at all.)
8.
It's kind of funny, it kind of makes her want to cry, and she can't just keep it to herself.
-
- Look at this next level meta hell bullshit!! Look at it!
- If I wasn't so pissed I fell for it, I'd almost be impressed
- Jesus
- Maybe it's fine though?? Like, you didn't click the link or anything did you?
- veriz0n?? It's clearly phishing! Subtle phishing, but phishing
- They found out my number is active, & my spam texts have gone up EXPONENTIALLY
- someone "needs my help"
- another "person" wants to offer me a "timeshare"
- and to top it all off, look at this
-
- Do you know how much I need an extra $1000??
- 😫😤😭😡😭😭😭
- 😢
- I'm sorry, 🥜
- Have you been sleeping?
- ...
- Have you finished your edit?
- ...
- Well, you've got this. You're one of the most talented filmmakers I know
- 🥺🥺🥺🥺
- Drinks soon?
- Yes please 😔
Finn Storm ⚡
Delivered
9.
The deadline she's pushing up against is for a screening. One she's wanted to put on for a long time. And now that Finn has introduced her to Rose and their friend Poe, she decides to go for it.
It's just—a lot of work.
10.
More work than she anticipates, really.
- Rey
- Sorry for the wait, everyone
- Here's the flyer! What do you think? I know it's not the best, but it's the only template on Canva I didn't hate
- Rose Tico
- LOVE IT!! It's beautiful!!
- But... you know this means we'll have to use color printing, right?
- Rey
- Shit
- Fuck
- Finn Storm ⚡
- It's okay, peanut. I can make one for you real quick
- Rey
- No, no
- I said I'd organize this thing, so I'm going to organize this thing
- I'll do it
- Just give me a sec. My gallery shift is nearly over
- Rose Tico
- You're allowed to delegate, you know
- Rey
- 🙃
- Rose Tico
- Alright, girl, you do you. But we can at least use this for the evite. I'll send it out?
👻 spooky scary 📽
Delivered
11.
Serves her right for trying to go the Canva route.
As she flits between Photoshop and Illustrator, dodging her boss and trying not to cry, her phone buzzes twice in a row.
12.
She should probably start blocking those spam numbers, but who has the time?
After longer than she cares to admit, she finishes the flyer and sends it off.
- Rey
- OKAY
- OKAY, I'M DONE
- and i actually like this one more
- what do you think??
👻 spooky scary 📽
Delivered
13.
She's nervous about their reactions, but they come in fast.
A yes.
A yes.
And a... Poe.
14.
Rey wants to make friends, Rey wants to make friends, Rey wants to make friends—
-
- Are
- Is he serious???
- 🤦🏿
- I could scream
- I think he just gets carried away sometimes, he's used to director mode 24/7 \
- And the rest of us aren't??
Finn Storm ⚡
Delivered
15.
She wants to make friends, yes.
But at what cost?
16.
She didn't gain any ground with Poe, but they did settle on a flyer.
Life moves on. The texts keep coming.
- Rey
- The spam bots don't quit! Look at today's haul:
- We've also graduated to actual porn images, but I won't send those
- Finn Storm ⚡
- The bots are hitting everyone, baby
- Block, delete, move on :(
- Rey
- :(
- Is it sad that a part of me almost looks forward to getting them? No one else is texting me
- Finn Storm ⚡
- Oh Rey :(
- Screening soon!!
- We will hug & drink & celebrate!! You've been working so hard!!
- Rey
- And I'm sure all of 4 ppl will come
- Finn Storm ⚡
- Rey. No! Enough of the negative self-talk. We will not allow it!!
- It's going to be life-changing whether you believe it or not
Finn Storm ⚡
Delivered
17.
Rey finishes her edit just in time. Working with 16mm film is tricky, not to mention expensive, but there's something real about film that she loves. Something alive.
18.
October 1st arrives, and the screening goes off without a hitch.
Okay, that's a lie. And a bad one at that. There were and are multiple hitches.
But holy, holy shit, people came!
19.
Rey isn't the best with Instagram, so needless to say Snapchat is a challenge.
She only really has it on her phone for Finn. And, because of Finn, she gets the next two notifications.
(She likes Rose. Why does she hardly ever get to spend time with Rose?)
20.
The projector is packed. The sound system is accounted for. She's currently looping one of the extension cords around the length of her forearm, when her phone buzzes in her back pocket.
The screening is over, but the group chat lives.
21.
She'll get there.
She'll go.
She'll catch up with her friends. (She could really, really use a drink.)
22.
She got there.
She drank there.
And it was fine. Fun. But now she's home. Alone.
And... maybe a little drunk.