DISCLAIMER: I do NOT own Night at the Museum, or any of its contents, characters, actors, ideas...or anything at all related to it. I never have, and I never will. This is written for fun. I'm dirt poor, so sorry. This is for my entertainment and for those who read this.
I also don't own anything remotely recognizable in the story; music, devices, brand names or anything; if you recognize it, I don't own it. I make nothing off of anything. None of my works provide me a profit. Basically, I own absolutely nothing. Point blank.
I will admit it. I am a total sucker for Egyptian stuff...perhaps because I was hung up on Yu-Gi-Oh! (which I don't own!) growing up, or maybe it's just the natural human fascination of the past—we must learn from it, so we want to better know it. Anyway, that said, of course I love the idea behind NatM—Egyptian magic and Gods bringing things to life? Heck yes.
Now, despite my fascination, I know very little about it, so should any incorrect information surface, I apologize, and mean no offense—honestly, if I had the money to do whatever I wanted, I'd take the classes and travel to learn these things, just for the love of learning...but I can barely afford living as it is, so...a little out of the question, in this case.
But, that said, this was something that popped in my head after I rewatched the first and second movies after seeing the third one in the theater. This takes place after the end of the second movie (with the night show in full swing!) but before the third...but will continue through the third film and, for those who've seen it, alter the ending somewhat...more than likely, as I tend to prefer happy endings.
A final note: This was originally written as a reader-insert, but the only blank I left, originally, was for the name, so if the leading lady is lacking description...that's why.
I hope you enjoy.
A Moment of Magic
Chapter One
"I am so not a city girl," she mumbled, rubbing her forehead gently. She was utterly, hopelessly lost—her friends and travel companions had stayed out drinking and partying and she'd had her fill early on; she'd gotten a cab and, whether by her shy nature or the cab driver's aggressive nature, she hadn't ended up in the right place. It was a hotel of the same name, but across the city, and she was beyond finding her way home. Feeling nervous and a little frightened, she'd made it down a few streets, until she saw the banners that made her feel a thousand times better. It was a museum, open late! Admission was minor—it meant she'd have something to do for the next several hours while she calmed down and tried to reason through how she'd gotten lost.
She jogged up the stairs and paid her admission—it was worth it for the feeling of safety, and it was a good cause. She slipped inside, feeling instantly safer, only to notice...well...what on earth was going on? The dinosaur in the entryway was...moving. Moving! She had to be insane. Wide-eyed, she gazed around, not knowing what to do. Was that...President Teddy Roosevelt...on a horse...inside? An ostrich bobbed by and turned a corner she couldn't see.
The museum was busy, busier than she thought it'd be, and the patrons were not nearly as bewildered as she felt. They were talking quietly, probably commenting on the exhibits, and striding peacefully through. "Can I help you, miss?"
It was a thin man with brown hair and bright blue eyes, wearing a...uniform. He smiled at her, "I'm the night guard here," he offered. "You look a little...startled," he added.
"I...uh...the...dinosaur moves?" It wasn't very coherent, but it was what she manged, at least.
He grinned at her, "Yeah...I mean, it's mostly for the kids, you know, so they can learn," he said.
"Is it...animatronics? I mean, that's probably a stupid question...what else would it be?" She rubbed her head, seeming a little lost, but shook her head, "Sorry, I guess I just...didn't expect...this."
"You're not from New York, are you?"
"Ah...no. I'm...yeah, no, I'm not. I'm not from the city, either...this is a little weird for me, I'll admit," she murmured. "But my friends are out drinking and partying while they have the chance, so...I...well, I'm here, to make a long story short."
"Well, it's a good place to be," he said, seeming to sense her nerves. "Is there anything you might want to see? As we say, history does come to life here," he added, and she sensed more than the light playfulness he was trying to convey, like he knew some sort of secret.
"Well...I mean, if nothing is off-limits, I might just...explore. I'm kinda...I gotta say, I'm sort of looking for a little quiet," she admitted.
"Hmm. Well, I think I know where you can find that," he said after a moment, and he gestured for her to follow him.
"Um...thank you, sir," she said softly.
"Part of my job," he offered sincerely. "My name is Larry."
She smiled at him, "Emma," she murmured softly. "Even if it is your job, though, I really do appreciate it. I know it's not always easy working with the public," she admitted.
They were walking at a steady pace, passing many of the exhibits as they went; she began to wonder how the museum afforded the numerous actors that must have been playing so many of these exhibits...and how did they do the makeup for the metallic ones? The ones of stone? Even if these people volunteered, how did they afford the makeup cost? Was it so profitable? The questions pulled some of her nervousness out and she began to feel a little calmer, despite her initial alarm. She didn't notice the guard glancing at her sideways, apparently puzzled, and at last, he spoke, "You'd never heard we had a...well, a night feature?"
He startled her from her thoughts, but it wasn't unpleasant; she shook her head, "No...I mean, to tell you the truth, the only time I went to a museum was an art one...I was in elementary school. So I guess...I didn't really know what to expect, but then, museums are wax displays and stuffed tigers and...well, they're stationary historical figures, usually...so I guess the whole moving thing threw me for a loop," she admitted.
"That's alright. You just looked so startled, I was a bit worried," he said; he really had been; she looked like she'd seen a ghost and had been so timid that a part of him had wondered if she might have been chased, or something of the like.
"No, I mean...I was startled, and...I was nervous outside, I'm a little paranoid and don't really trust anyone, but...I'm okay," she murmured. "Can I ask a question, though?"
"Sure," he said easily.
"I know the beasts and such have to be some sort of animatronics...but...the human figures...actors? I mean...do you just have so many history-loving volunteers...? And the makeup and costumes are incredible," she breathed. "And the real exhibits...I mean, we've passed displays and pedestals and they're all empty...does it all just get moved?"
She was incredibly observant. He'd walked the halls, hearing people talk, and many suspected robotics and actors, but none he'd heard had paid attention to the fact that the exhibits were gone. They also didn't wonder at the makeup or costumes individually—others seemed to take those things in stride with the actors. He waited a few paces, wondering if he should lie to her, like so many others. Only a handful knew the truth. He hesitated, but spoke, at last, in a gentle tone, "Well...what do you suppose we do? I mean, not making fun, but really, I'm curious...what do you think?"
They turned another corner as she thought, and she didn't notice the people inside; a woman of Native American descent, talking to the apparent Teddy Roosevelt, and a handsome man in glittering orange and gold robes, among a few others. "Well...not that it's my business, but it must cost a fortune in makeup or prosthetics, particularly for the ones that look like stone or metal...then, if the people are not volunteers, the museum would have to pay a fortune for the actors, even if the display is only a few hours a night..." She seemed lost in thought, but she was following him, still; his steps were slowing, and she adjusted for the change, too. "Then there's the studying—I assume they also need to know facts about the people they play...then, the funds for the animation of the non-human exhibits..." She was slipping deeper in thought, stopping, at last, though Larry was still walking. "You'd have to be careful and quick to put away all the original exhibits and prepare for the night show...I assume you'd have to shut down to safely transport the items, too." She looked at him, now a little suspicious, somehow. "Frankly, I'm not sure how it would all come together...I mean, I can't imagine what you'd do, but I imagine even your busiest nights probably struggle to cover the funds needed for this." She paused, shaking her head, "But it's really not any of my business. I'm just curious," she added, and then chuckled. "Though if I didn't know better, I'd think it was magic."
"Lawrence!" The voice was booming and joyful at the same time, "You've found an intelligent one! Why, I don't suppose she's one of us, is she? No new exhibits?"
"Hey, Teddy," Larry greeted, a half-grin on his face. "No, just a visitor. She's an observant one, though," he said, and his eyes traveled to the robed man, "I think she might be a bit smarter than our average visitor."
Puzzled, her head tilted, and she watched the man approach, holding a golden...something under one arm. He had a little smile on his face, and his eyes were wide—he looked a little like a curious child. "Hello," he greeted, and his voice was gentle and soft; something about it soothed her nerves. He sounded...English, somehow, yet he looked...Egyptian? His garb seemed suited for hot deserts, and the tone of his skin suggested the same. "I am Ahkmenrah."
She found him to be much more handsome the closer he came—he had a beautiful, sweet smile and carried himself with confidence—and his eyes caught her up. She might have lost her breath, if she hadn't been so confused about what they were talking about. "I...uhm, I'm Emma," she murmured at last.
He smiled now, "No need for nervousness," he soothed. "Are you quite alright? You seem a bit pale," he questioned, genuinely concerned; she did look a shade pale, and definitely nervous.
"Yes...I just, well, it's a long story," she admitted, not really wanting Larry to have to hear the whole thing once more. "Just a bit startled, is all," she said, trying not to sound too short about it.
The woman from before approached now, striding up to Teddy in utter silence, and she smiled at Emma gently, "It is us, is it not?"
Now she was blushing mildly, "Well...yes," she admitted. "I guess...I didn't expect it to begin with, and seeing the scale...I don't know, it seems like a lot of production and I'm not sure how the museum affords it," she admitted.
The man in robes—Ahkmenrah—smiled at her, "Well, you mentioned magic...do you believe in it?"
She bit her lip softly, looking around. There was something...different about this place. Perhaps it was logic that said all they did was impossible...but logic also said it could be nothing else. She hesitated, "Well...it sounds cheesy, but I do...in a way. Not like...not like Santa delivering presents to all the children of the world in one night sort of magic, but in...well, ordinary magic," she admitted. "The sort of magic that you get to see every day—a kind stranger, a little compliment...well, just the magic of humanity. I mean, for all of their creation humans have had war and murder and evil in them...we have the potential to be the worst creatures in this world, and yet somehow...there are those of us that are good, somewhere deep down," she murmured. "I think it's magic that, though it's us that's made the world this way, we also manage to find things to be happy about. A little girl complimented me on my hair this morning while her mother dragged her down the street. That's the sort of magic I believe in," she said at last.
"Lawrence, I do believe I like this one!" It was Teddy's booming voice, sounding absolutely ecstatic at the very idea that someone might think that way. "Not just intelligent, but wise!"
The blush returned now, and she shook her head, "Not really," she said quickly. "I'm just...cheesy. I sort of make sure I don't get caught up in work and forget to live...I mean, what do we have if we don't have the small things? That's just what I think," she mumbled.
A sudden grunting sound came from the doorway, and they turned to see a...caveman? He was grunting and pointing wildly, and Larry gave a heavy sigh; Emma seemed glad of the distraction, though she said nothing. Larry turned to Ahkmenrah, "Hey, Ahk, do you mind to stay with her? I mean, if she wants, anyway...it looks like they need something out there," he said hurriedly. With a nod, the guard was gone, and the young woman was left looking at the handsome, robed man, just as befuddled as before.
"Pharaoh, I think Sacagawea and I might take a stroll and check the exhibits. It looks like we may have left things a little too long. Is that alright?"
"Of course, Teddy," he said gently. "Perhaps check on the guardian first," he suggested.
"Larry is capable...but then..." the president shook his head suddenly, "Quite right, Pharaoh! We shall do that," he said, and he climbed on to his horse, offering his hand to Sacagawea, "Shall we, my dear?"
As the woman climbed up after the president, Emma could only watch in awe as the horse cantered off, its riders speaking to the exhibits quietly, nodding to some, but seeming utterly at ease...on a horse...inside. It made little sense to the young woman and she stared for several moments, even after they were gone. "They...let a live horse inside...?" That could be the only case; they couldn't animate a robot to carry the two people and follow commands and...well, it would just be easier to have a live horse. But they allowed it?
The man beside her chuckled quietly, and when she turned, he was smiling again, "Or it could be magic," he suggested.
"I..." She had her mouth open, but shut it, and shook her head. "...Right. I'll...try to...wrap my head around the idea," she said at last.
He smiled again, and it was a gentle expression—he seemed a kind person. "Well, as I do love stories myself, perhaps you'd like to tell me yours? You still seem a bit bewildered. Perhaps talking will help?"
At his gentle urging, Emma confessed the truth—she wasn't much for partying, but her friends were still out, and she'd tried to get back to her hotel alone. Her meek nature was the likely culprit in getting everything turned around, and she'd arrived here to more confusion, and Larry had offered to take her to a quieter portion of the museum...and, well, here she was. She smiled shyly at him, "A bit boring, but I'm not really...er...I'm boring myself, I suppose."
"Not at all," he soothed. "Adventure is different for all of us, I think. Yours is simply getting a little lost," he said, and he could hear the gentle teasing in it—he wasn't making fun, but he was making light of it, probably to try and ease her.
"I suppose," she murmured, blushing. He was...sweet. And polite. Perhaps he was an actor and just staying in character? She wasn't entirely sure, and realized, at the last moment, that she had no idea who he might be; she knew his name, but...well, she knew nothing else, and decided to take her mind off things, "I'm going to sound stupid, but...who are you? I mean, I know your name, but..."
He grinned, and her heart definitely skipped a beat—he had a beautiful grin. And he bit his lip when he did it! It was...adorable. "Well, I am an ancient Egyptian pharaoh from more than three-thousand years ago," he said idly.
She thought about that for several moments, her mind blurring through thoughts. A king? Well, what did that mean...? During the day, when there wasn't an actor playing him, was his display just some sort of sarcophagus and inside was a rotten mummy? And how did they find someone who looked Egyptian to play him? "So...you're a king," she started slowly, "And you just...wander the halls like a regular person?"
He laughed again, and she found it incredibly pleasant. "Well, my display is a bit far. If I waited for someone to come see the Egyptian exhibit, I might be waiting for some time," he said warmly. Of course, he didn't mention his jackal guards with life-threatening spears that only obeyed him, knowing they would probably kill anyone who dared approach their master without warning—no matter the option, it was far safer for him to leave his exhibit.
"Mm," she hummed, looking at him sideways, and she hesitated, but finally spoke, "I...I don't suppose you might just...walk with me? I'm not so good at the standing still thing," she admitted.
"Of course," he said, and that smile was back. He was, without doubt, quite the attractive man.
"Thank you," she murmured, shy again, but at least it hadn't seemed to bother him yet.
They strolled the halls, and he often pointed out exhibits and artifacts they passed, mentioning little facts and speaking in a few languages to the other actors. He seemed...vastly intelligent, and it was a little alarming—he looked quite young, not much over twenty. Perhaps her age, she thought, and she was beginning to wonder if, indeed, it might truly be magic. It would be such an elaborate operation, to get the actors ready, the displays moved... But both seemed equally impossible to her.
They began to pass his exhibit, and she saw a flash of movement—he threw out his arm and pushed her back firmly, but she could tell he meant her no harm. He shouted in a thick language that she'd never heard and the movement came again, but slower—she saw a giant spear retreat in to the darkness of his exhibit, and her eyes grew wide when she saw the immense statues. She couldn't help but let out an involuntary squeak, "...You...uh...I..."
He took her waist with one arm when she wobbled a little on her feet—the other still had the tablet, since he wasn't willing to let anyone get hold of it again after the night it was nearly stolen—and steadied her gently, putting her on a little bench. "I did not mean to frighten you," he said softly; it was clear that she was in shock.
"No...it's not...you, it's just..." She paused, and she looked at him, watching as he sat beside her carefully. "...Magic?"
He smiled at her now, and he drew the tablet from under his arm, showing it to her, "I have heard many say that history comes to life in museums...in this museum, it does indeed," he said gently. "This tablet awakens all the exhibits at sundown, and we must be in our proper places at sunrise, for we return to our original state at that time," he explained.
"So...so...Teddy...Theodore Roosevelt...is...wax?
"Yes."
"And you..."
"I am a decayed mummy during the day," he admitted.
"And...and your tablet...just...brings you to life? You're not wax, but...it just...makes you whole?"
There was that smile again, that sweet smile that disarmed her even in shock, "Yes. This is what I was like when I was murdered," he explained.
"You were...?" She trailed off, looking confused, and he smiled at her quietly as it dawned on her, "I'm sorry."
"Well, it was my brother—in truth, I should have expected it," he murmured, looking contemplative. "But, that was many long years ago. Now...well, now, this is my life," he said, and he didn't seem unhappy with it.
She stared at him for a little while, and an involuntary giggle escaped, "Well, just so you know...you look excellent for a dead man."
He grinned at her, and he laughed, too, seeming surprised. She didn't seem the sort to just say something of the like—she seemed a bit shy for it. Though it was teasing, it was a compliment, too, in the end, "I thank you," he said, that grin still on his face.
She blushed, realizing that he could see that it wasn't just gentle teasing in her words, but she couldn't quite keep her next comment in, either, "Also, you might want to be careful. Any unsuspecting young woman could easily fall head-over-heels for that smile of yours, and I'm somehow thinking she couldn't get your phone number and might be quite indignant about that fact."
This time, the surprise was more evident, but his laughter came again, and he grinned at her once more—it was a genuinely joyful expression. "Well, not many young women of 'my age' tend to come in—usually children or older adults. But if one should ask, I'll have to come up with a smooth lie, I suppose," he teased.
As embarrassed as she was, Emma couldn't quite resist his draw—despite what she now knew, the pharaoh was quite a likeable figure. He was charming and kind, and spoke to her gently—even though he was a king, he didn't seem to talk down to her at all. And that smile! It was incredible. She smiled at him, trying to talk herself down from the ledge that she knew was there—he was a dead man all day and only alive at night; even if he was incredibly, painfully gorgeous, she could not have a crush on a mummy for God's sake! "Well, I can tell you she'd never believe you don't have a cell phone, since everyone has those these days, and telling her that you can get fired for breaking character on duty would probably not work, either," she teased at last. "Mm. You could tell her you already have a girlfriend...or boyfriend, whatever your preference. Not sure it'd work, since I've got a friend who'd hit on anything that could potentially satisfy her wants until she annoyed it in to acquiescence...but maybe there won't be anyone too persistent," she murmured.
His eyebrow shot up, nearly high enough to push his crown up, "She...sounds...interesting," he noted reluctantly, but continued after a moment, "But I'll take note of that," he said at last. "Perhaps the idea that I am in a relationship will discourage them," he murmured—it was a thought, at least.
"I wouldn't make any bets," she advised, a little smirk on her lips, "as you are quite attractive. I have found that many who are not faithful don't expect anyone else to be," she murmured. "So...not that they'd believe you, but your best bet might, in fact, be to tell them you are, quite literally, dead all day long."
He was further surprised by her blunt honesty about his looks—she still did seem quite shy, but perhaps she had broken from her shell, in this instance, because of her shock. He didn't truly mind, though—her honesty was flattering and she didn't seem to want anything from him. She was just...talking to him. A part of him could tell that she was, indeed, just talking to him—some might have mistaken it for flirting, and it might have been, unconsciously...but she was so nervous, he doubted she knew she was doing anything. "I'll make note of that," he said gently. "Though I'm not sure the latter wouldn't be mistaken for something else," he admitted.
She chuckled at that, "I suppose you're right." She looked at him for a moment, but after a few seconds, she smiled and shook her head gently, "You're very kind, Ahkmenrah," she said softly. "I think you've managed to keep me calmer than I probably should be," she admitted.
"What makes you say that?"
"Well, among my most paranoid fears, getting lost is one of the highest, particularly at night in an unfamiliar place I've never visited before...and if not for the museum, I'd be wandering the streets alone," she said softly. "And then to find out that magic is real...well, imagine my surprise." She paused, and he saw her cheeks redden a little, "That, and I'm a nervous person anyway, I have to admit. I can get nervous just being in public with my friends."
He smiled at her again, in that sweet, gentle way, "It's quite alright," he soothed. "I can assure your safety here. We're a bit like family," he said, that smile on his face brightening—he seemed proud of that fact.
"Thank you," she said again, sincerely.
He nodded and stood, offering her a hand; she took it and drew her to her feet, and they kept walking, now. Her view changed—she realized the exhibits were...well, they were real, if only at night. Not actors, not robots...but truly what they had been in life. Perhaps not as the pharaoh was, in the same body, but somehow, the knowledge and life they'd had before the museum was somehow transferred.
This was...incredible, she thought.
End Chapter
A bit of a slow start, I admit, but the truth is, I have most of this fic done—the only part I haven't finished is the part that takes place during the third film, as I want to have a copy of the Blu-Ray to refer to, and as it hasn't been released yet, I have to wait for that to happen...and then to get it shipped to me, too.
I have approximately eight chapters of similar length finished at this point, and I will post them at regular intervals, in the hope that I can finish the fic before I catch up.
That said, I would truly appreciate reviews and constructive criticism, but flames will be ignored.
Thanks for reading!
