Disclaimer: I do not own The Incredible Shrinking Man or any of its characters!
ONE-SHOT
...
"I looked up, as if somehow I would grasp the heavens, the universe, worlds beyond number. God's silver tapestry spread across the night. And in that moment I knew the answer to the riddle of the infinite. I had thought in terms of Man's own limited dimension. I had presumed upon Nature. That existence begins and ends is Man's conception, not Nature's. And I felt my body dwindling, melting, becoming nothing. My fears melted away and in their place came acceptance. All this vast majesty of creation, it had to mean something. And then I meant something too. To God, there is no zero. I still exist."
Scott Carey finished the last chapter of his book reading and was met by silence before a loud round of applause. The Incredible Shrinking Man had become a New York Time's best seller and received universal critical acclaim in both America and other parts of the world. It was a tale of struggle and loss that all culminated in the author finally finding a sense of peace and normalcy again.
As he took in the praise from the live audience in attendance that turned up to hear him read on stage, he felt a sense of pride in himself and his work. At one point in time he'd been defeated and ready to give up, but his muse helped pull him out of the darkness. The three-foot-tall man stood up and took a bow before exiting the stage and leaving the camera's behind. Before he hated the cameras and doing live shows because of his size but now, he felt like a giant inside, and it was all thanks to-
"That was wonderful, Scott." A female voice cut through his thoughts. He smiled brightly when he found its owner waiting patiently for him behind the curtain. Clarice Bruce, the one who pulled him back from the edge and helped him find himself again. She was small just like him, only slightly shorter than he was. She was beautiful blonde he'd met at a cafe one night when he needed to get away from it all and clear his head. She was kind and sweet and brought a sense of normalcy back into his life.
He held her close before planting a soft kiss on her lips, one she happily reciprocated. Never in a million years did she think she'd find the man of her dreams by chance one night while at a cafe of all places. To think that one little meeting and cup of coffee would eventually lead to the ring that sat on her finger. They soon pull back for air and Scott can't help but smile. "Thanks, but you know I can't take all the credit."
"You are the author." Clarice reminded him. All she really did was listen to what he wrote and discuss his chapter with him. Maybe she got his creative juices flowing here or there but he was the one who wielded the pen.
"Maybe, but you are my muse." He spoke softly. Without her he never would have finished his book and instead would've continued to sink further and further into hopelessness. She wasn't just his muse, friend, or even his wife. She was his savior, his hero. The one who picked him up when he was down and didn't make him feel like a freak. She helped give him a whole new perspective on life and for that he was eternally grateful.
Because of his book's success and the extra money he raked in from tv spots, he and Clarice were pretty much set. They were able to settle down in a nice home in a nice neighborhood with a white picket fence. It was the American dream and the latter giggles. "Then perhaps I'll inspire you to write a sequel."
"What about?" Scott asks playing along.
"Why, what comes after." She answers.
What comes after? That honestly didn't sound like a bad idea. Before he couldn't see an after as he thought he was doomed to shrink into nothingness after his sudden encounter with the radiation cloud. Then he thought he'd spend the rest of his life as a freak because the cure the doctors gave him for his affliction couldn't restore the height he'd already lost. Now however, he could see an after. Him, Clarice, and maybe a little tyke or two.
"Hmm? That doesn't like a bad idea. What would be the title?"
"I don't know. You're the author here, not me." Clarice smiles.
Scott smiles back and the pair walked together out of the studio to hail a taxi. It was still early, and they wanted to get something to eat but nothing too fancy. They wanted to go to their favorite spot where it all began for them. Back to the cafe that allowed them to meet for the very first time. When they arrived, they were greeted warmly by the staff and seated at what became known as their table.
They enjoyed some warm coffee, good food and pleasant conversation. Scott even signed some autographs for a few fans of his book. He reached out as far as he could across the table and gently rested his hand atop his wife's. "I love you, Clarice."
"And I you, Scott." She replied. The loving couple paid their bill and left the diner behind. They were ready to go home and have some alone time away from prying eyes. On the way back Scott thought about what his wife said about a sequel to his story. It would be about what comes after, and he was ready to start adding on to that concept. He loved his wife, he would love the family the create together, and he loved his life.
THE END
Author's Note: I recently saw this film again and then this idea popped into my head for a happier ending for Scott with Clarice. The two of them clearly had chemistry and she was able to help Scott feel a small sense of normalcy after his world had been turned upside-down. Sure it didn't last long, but he was happy for a little while.