Disclaimer: If you sue me, you'll put my family and I on the street. Unlike you Harvest Moon creators, we don't have millions of billions of dollars. So please be kind, because I've said it before and I'll say it again, I don't own anything!

Author's Note (Part One): I'm so depressed. You see, I love golf, and I love Mike Weir (who is a golfer) even more than the game. He was poised to win the Bell Canadian Open (our national Open), but he lost in a playoff. I tell you, it was the most upset I've been for anything not directly involving me, and the most upset I've been in a long, long time. It was so painful to watch what transpired. All of Canada was expecting him to win. But he couldn't seem to pull it together. I'm still really proud of him; he's still my hero. Second place is still pretty good, especially with the pressure of millions of expectant Canadians. But damn it, he was supposed to win...

Author's Note (Part Two): Sorry for my little rant. I just needed to get that off my shoulders. If any of you are in my position (which I don't think anyone here is), then let's go over to Vijay Singh's house and... er, nevermind! Anyway, this is the second last chapter in this story. This chapter is the completion of the movie, and the last one is the completion of the story. The completed cast-listing will be posted up in the final chapter. (But UGH, I still am really depressed! I really wish he would have won... but I won't get into that again.)


Ruby Red in Mineral Town
The Average Escape

(Karen's POV)

"This sucks," Popuri slammed her fork onto her lunch plate. She turned her head to the side and placed her head on her hand forlornfully.

I glanced down at my plate. It didn't look half bad; chicken fingers, grilled fish and a serving of garden salad. It smelled even better too. "What's wrong with it?" I wanted to know.

"Oh, not that," Popuri picked her fork up and began to poke at a piece of tomato. "After today, we return to our normal lives. Back to doing the same things we do and have done for all our lives. I don't want to see this movie just... go away."

I took a seat beside her. "I know what you mean. Don't worry, this movie put this place on the map. Unless, of course, this movie sucks." I chuckled. "Can you believe they were able to shoot a half an hour film in just three days?"

"It's a little weird, I agree," Popuri gave me the slightest hint of a smile. "I hope we didn't do everything all wrong. When Mayor Thomas told us we were over budget, I thought that the whole movie thing would have been cancelled. But even so, if we're lacking the funding we need we can't make the movie live up to its fullest potential."

"Oh come on, we've got potential!" I argued. "You've got to have more confidence in yourself! We did a good job, and this movie is going to turn out great, whether or whether not our town spent big bucks on it."

"Yeah, I guess. I knew that sooner or later, this would come to a close. But I didn't expect to see it end this soon. Three days. Three days. It doesn't seem like such a big deal if not a heck of a lot of planning has come into it."

"Planning, smamming!" I spat out. "All good things come out spontaneously. Look at the romance between Ruby and Evan!"

Popuri me a look. "Uh... you know, that it's not really true. It's all fiction. But this, right here?" She waved her hand in the space between her and I. "This is not fiction." (Author's Note: Ironic? Er, sorta.)

All this talking and hot air was making me hungry. I didn't want to get into a big thing about this. "I don't know," I shrugged quickly and bit into a chicken finger and chewed thoughtfully. "Do you think this may be any of Ann or Jack's chickens?"

"What!" Popuri shrieked. "How could you say that!"

"It could be, you never know," I smirked at her. "But between you and me... I don't think Chloe was having two eggs a day like Ann was telling us." Chloe was a chick (then a chicken, and now inside us?) that Popuri had named. She lived on the Green Ranch with all the other chickens Ann and her family bred. (Author's Note: You don't see the chickens at their farms, but they have to be somewhere...)

"Karen, you're so cruel! Great, now you've made me lose my appetite!" She jumped up from her seat and ran off to the distance.

"Thanks!" I shouted after her before snatching the last few pieces from her plate. These chicken fingers are really good!

There were about three more scenes left in the movie. I was in two of them, and the last one was exclusively Popuri and Cliff (naturally). I've read the dialogue in the last scene, and it's a little corny. The same predictable sappy love story (and to be honest, a little hollow), but maybe it will be better when performed.

I stood in front of the Flower Shop (the 'inn'; but the original sign was altered to look like a cozy little lodging house), carrying my duffel bag and a backpack. They were both stuffed with those little pieces of peanut Styrofoam to look stuffed, but not out-weighed. Popuri seemed to be struggling with her pack though.

"How come it's so heavy!" she screamed, barely able to make her steps.

Suddenly, I saw something inside twitch. I almost jumped out of my skin. "P... Popuri!" I shrieked, pointing at her bag.

"What! Don't just stand there and wag your finger at me, why don't you..." she stopped her tongue and slowly turned her head to her pack. "Uh... AHH!" Her cry pierced the daylight as she desperately attempted to shrug it off her shoulders.

"Stand still!" I instructed, fumbling to latch onto the zipper. I finally caught a hold on it and pulled it right down. Stu poked his head out.

"Oh my God!" I jumped a mile. Damn, that really scared me!

"SH!" he hissed. "I'm playing hide and seek with May."

Popuri took a deep breath. "Uh... Stu, could you find another hiding spot? We really need this bag." She gave him a loving smile, you know, the kind you give to little kids because they're just so darned cute.

"Okay," Stu wiggled out of the bag and ran off.

I was still gasping for air. "Oh my... oh my..." was all I could manage.

Popuri giggled. "That was kind of funny. But it does at least explain why my pack was so heavy."

Mayor Thomas came into the scene. Oh great. "People, come on, we got to keep this moving!" He clapped his hands in the air, only making the moment more irritating.

Reluctantly, I made my way over to my spot and waited until everyone was ready. Popuri and I were. Where the hell was Cliffie boy? He's never really had an opportunity to be flaky for as long as I've known him, until now.

Over at the snack table, I caught a glimpse of Ann nibbling on a cracker with Elli. Oh no, the thought of Ann and Cliff is going nowhere. Maybe it's my fault. Maybe I'm pushing them too hard. The solution? Use reverse psychology to get them together! Meaning I do absolutely nothing. Besides, I'm getting tired of doing all the dirty work for them.

"Okay, I'm here," Cliff came to us out of the blue, a little out of breath.

I scrutinized his image. Nothing suspicious. "Where were you?" I asked him, not commanding an answer but not a pushover either.

"Just somewhere," he answered back casually.

The Mayor practically pounced on him. "Where in the world were you!" he screamed. Then he shook his head. "It doesn't matter. Just get ready as fast as you can!"

Cliff seemed a little distraught. I wonder what was up? "So..." I was trying to start a conversation. "Are you sad that this is the last day of filming?"

His eyes widened. "Are you kidding? I can hardly wait! I'm sick of this dumb thing, I can't wait until it's finally over!"

Hm. That was definitely not the answer I was looking for. "Okay," I nodded cautiously. "But at least you're going to be rich and famous right? Are you excited about that?"

"Nah," he waved his hand in dismissal. "I'll get enough money to support myself for a couple of months. That's pretty much it. And I don't think this 'film' is going to branch out enough for anyone interesting to see it."

He had a point. But you never know just what might happen. I wasn't expecting a huge explosion of demand for us and our town, but that would be nice. Once our town gets big and famous, then I can move out (it's a little ironic, isn't it?).

"Okay, everyone ready? Action!" What the? He didn't even give us a chance to reply! Oh well, here we go!

Popuri was standing by the fence when Cliff and I exited the Flower Shop door. With my pack in hand, I glanced at her suspiciously.

She looked at us and gave me a warm smile. "H-hi... I'm Ruby..." she said nervously.

"Uh huh," I gave her another up and down. Remember, I'm supposed to think she's crazy. "I'm Claire, Evan's sister... so uh, how come you're coming with us? Not to sound rude or anything."

"I just want to get away from my parents," she blushed. "Your, um, brother convinced me it would me a good idea."

"Yeah, I'll bet," I turned and gave Cliff a look of disapproval.

"We better get a move on," Cliff cut in quickly, beginning the short walk to boat dock. "We don't want to be late for our ferry."

And with that, we began to walk to the beach. That part wasn't filmed though, because the walk there is really short. Our next scene was boarding the ferry (yes, this is the second last scene, and the last one with me in it, sigh). We stood on the wooden dock and let the crewmen set up the cameras. The ferry was already there, with some extras waiting along the pier and even more extras already on the ferry.

"Ow, my eyes are itchy," Cliff whined as he blinked away the blotted makeup.

"Again?" Popuri let out an exasperated sigh. She dug into her pocket and produced a lace handkerchief, then proceeded to wipe his eyes clean.

"I can't take all this stuff! It's making my face so itchy, but if I scratch it everyone will freak! But what about me? What if I freak!" Cliff began to pull at his hair desperately.

"Stoppit!" Popuri instructed. "Just deal with it for a few more minutes!"

"I swear to God, once we're done I'm going to-"

"Don't do it! Remember what I told you? It's not worth it! Besides, you have an unfair advantage!" And they both burst into giggles.

What the hey was that? Was I missing something? They've certainly gotten close... oh my God! Are they... did they... no, that can't be!

"People get ready!" Mayor Thomas waved some crewmen out of the way of the camera. "Okay, three, two, one, GO!"

The ferry blared its horn as we piled into the water craft. Then it hit me, you know... these are the last few minutes of the movie. Here comes my very last line...

We made our way over to the railing, and watched our island become smaller and smaller, until the whole unit could not be deciphered. The wind whipped at our clothing and hair, and the smell of the cool ocean under us began to choke me up. But I had to deliver. Looking over at Cliff and Popuri, his arm on her waist... I had to take the hint. "So, I'm going to grab some lunch, you want any?" They both shook their heads. "Okay, I'll see you two later then." Then I exited behind a door.

That was it. I was finished. My role seemed a little superfluous, didn't it? But I'm happy I got the chance to be in a real movie. You never know, I might become rich and famous someday.

The door I was hiding behind had a window. I could help but take a peek at the last scene before it was all over. There wasn't much, but I still was eager to watch.

"You know..." Cliff began to Popuri but not turning his head. "I always thought that I wouldn't ever stay in a place long enough to sustain any kind of relationship."

I scrunched up my eyebrows. Relationship? Oh right, that part was deleted when we ran out of money. How sad.

"I always thought I'd never find happiness. Instead I'd live my life pleasing others," Popuri reflected simultaneously. There was a long pause. Far in the distance, the sun was setting, casting its glorious golden rays over onto the water, onto the ferry and onto them. They appeared together as one unit. In fact, they seemed too much like a couple, it kind of makes you wonder...

"We can make each other happy," Cliff suggested boldly. He looked down at her.

She gazed up to look into his eyes. "I'd like that too." Their eyes remained locked. They gave each other a smile, then turned away at the same time. Popuri rested her head on Cliff's shoulders and watched as her home disappeared. 3... 2... 1...

"That's it! Everyone, your pay stops right now!" Instead of the usual celebratory high fives and cheers, our Mayor screamed at the top of his lungs. God, he's getting awfully desperate.

"Yay!" Popuri grinned and went into the kitchen where I was, and glanced around. "What? There's no food? How can that be!"

"Your pay stops right now!" I told her, mimicking our Mayor's cries.

"Oh yeah, I forgot," Popuri sighed. "It's really over."

"It left as suddenly as it came," I contemplated. "It was a crazy couple of days huh?"

"Yeah, they were great..." she looked depressed. I'm not good in these situations; they're so awkward. I know I'm supposed to put my arm around her and say something to make her feel better, but that's not my character. Then again, something was tugging at my heart. I realized that this role did mean a lot to her after all. It may not have meant as much to her as it would of to me, but it's not like she took it for granted.

Thinking fast, I dug into my pocket and pulled out a half melted Caramilk (A/N: My favourite! Mmm...) bar. "Here, you've earned it."

She looked surprised by the gesture, but took it. "Thanks Karen. You're a real friend."


Heh heh heh... I wrote the first couple of paragraphs about two weeks ago... and did the rest this weekend. Yes, it would be easy to blame myself, but it's even easier to blame school! Stupid school! Anyway, I want to clarify some things that I should be clarified, despite the fact that no one has asked me about them. First of all, I know that most of my scenes are in sequential order. Movies are never filmed like that I know, but for the sake of not hurting your brains... la di dah. Uh... there's more but I forget. Oh well, last chapter is next. Thanks for hanging tight! I'll stop, coz you're probably tired of reading my author's notes now.