Chapter 21: The Thing About Brick
-Fast Forward several hours-
Brick's POV
I was leaning against the outer fence of Townsville's drive-in movie theater, focusing precisely on the stars which hung above the heads of everyone in town. The air surrounding me felt dry as a bone, and crisp as a leaf in autumn. I pulled a lighter out of my seat pocket and began to make it flicker on and off. I admired the purity of the dreamsicle-orange flame, and the only other thing on this planet which could momentarily steal my attention from its beauty, was the pure xenon light emanating from the Challenger, rolling straight up to me. In the driver seat sat Barb, and no one else.
"Brick? What're you doing out here, all alone?" Barb asked me, pulling over.
"I dunno. I just felt like being alone. It's not as bad as it sounds... it's actually rather peaceful."
"You're not even watching the movie, though."
"I'm just trying to admire the stars. I can't focus on the stars if I'm watching a film."
"How long have you dabbled in the peacefulness of tonight?" I checked my watch.
"Going on four hours."
"Can I at least relax with you? I've been searching all around for you. I was actually wanting to see if you were in the mood for a movie."
"Well, I guess... alright, sure."
"Hop in." I swapped seats with her, and we cruised into the drive-in lot. I paid for a spot, and we nestled right in. John Carpenter's The Thing had just started (not the most romantic movie, I know, but remember that it was Barb's idea... or maybe I have it all wrong, and it's not supposed to be romantic... perhaps she's not of that gushy type... huh, I had so many questions).
"This movie is a total classic. One of my all-time favorites," I told her.
"What is it, exactly?" She asked me while beginning to nibble on some popcorn that she must have magically whisked up. She offered some to me, and I took a handful.
"It's a little difficult to explain. You see, a group of people stationed at an Antarctic research outpost are confronted by an alien organism that assumes the form of its victims. It doesn't get any simpler than that," I chuckled, mouth half-filled with popcorn.
"Sounds creepy."
"You'd better believe it. This movie has received so much praise for its outstanding practical effects, or special effects that are performed on-set rather than computer-generated."
"Sounds like you really know a lot about movies."
"It's just what I'm into, I guess."
"I think it sounds like a very interesting thing to be in to. Very different from most people."
Barb's POV
I was really enjoying the movie with Brick. Every time that the alien revealed itself (which was disturbing, frightening, and interesting), I yipped and grabbed him. After this routine carried on for a while, he began to feel more relaxed, and I noticed that he had wrapped his arm around my shoulder, keeping me snuggled up into his chest.
"Hey, could you by any chance peek into the future and see how the rest of the movie goes?" Brick asked enthusiastically, as if he really wanted to know.
"I wouldn't be surprised if I could... but I'm just going to watch it like a regular moviegoer. I'd rather enjoy the time I'm having with you. The feeling of mystery is a very enjoyable feeling to experience."
"That it is," he told me. "Ooh, this is one of my favorite parts." He made a hand gesture towards the screen. MacReady was sticking what appeared to be a copper wire into petri dishes of blood. It didn't take long to discover as to why he was doing so.