Starting a story is a difficult thing. Often it's hard to introduce a new conflict, new people for a variety of reasons, but the biggest reason that I didn't realize for a long time is that there isn't really a "start" of a story. People live their lives with their own stories that all started from other stories that have their own starts.
Now, what is the point of this convoluted way of starting this story? It's to say how the end of my old story led to the start of my new story, or rather, my new life.
It was 2025. Things in the world were… Well, let's just say not great. People were cruel and horrible and it felt like things were just getting worse as time has gone on. I used to believe that deep down, people were good and that people treated each other well, but as I grew up from a little kid in the early 2000's to a young adult in the 2020's I felt like I always encountered proof of the opposite.
Sure there were exceptions, my family and my friends always were great, they believed that people should be kind and on some level they lived this belief everyday, with some just doing the usual, being polite and kind to their close friends and family, while others…
"Hey man, I was wondering when you'd make it! I've been waiting to see this movie for MONTHS, I thought I was gonna have to go in without you"
That is one of those weird friends of mine. That quality being that they somehow haven't lost their optimism for people despite all proof of the opposite. His name is Clark Wayne. Yes, Clark Wayne. Growing up we both bonded over our mutual love of superheroes and comic book characters. Granted, he got more into the actual comics and DC while I got more into Marvel, but despite our legendary battles over which was better we always ended at a draw that both were cool. Of course, I eventually grew out of it somewhat after Avengers: Endgame came out and I grew somewhat out of it, but Clark has always loved comic stuff and he always hangs out with me when I want to do DnD stuff so I owe it to him to return the favor. That's what friends are for after all.
And honestly, I ate well as a Marvel fan but him as a DC fan, especially one that prescribed more to the hopeful positive kind of DC that he liked, I don't blame him for being excited for the new Superman movie. It looks pretty good if a little silly to me, but it absolutely seems like something he would love. As for why I don't think I would? Well…
""Thanks for that. I mean, we only got here 40 minutes before the movie started, any later we might have missed it." I joke, making it clear that I never would miss his probably movie of the year for anything. Of course, since its Superman, I do include my favorite critic I always have,
"I can't wait to see a movie about the op guy punching all the problems instantly unless the green rock shows up"
Clark clenches his chest in mock pain, his Superman costume swaying at the absolutely ENORMOUS damage I've done to his psyche. He rebuttals in a totally serious attitude,
"How DARE you! Superman is more than a guy who punches things! He is the embodiment of Hope for a better tomorrow, of kindnesses, he saves people and cares about every single person no matter how small or how unimportant they think themselves to be!"
Smiling, I wave my hand dismissingly, I give in knowing how much he wants to get going and how long he's been waiting for a good superman movie…
Since 1981. Yeah, I said what I said. I might not be a huge DC fan compared to Marvel, but Man of Steel was not the greatest movie in my opinion. It was Batman Begins if Batman was Kryptonian. And it made Clark cry in disappointment so I might be a little harsh on it.
After we are done goofing around, we get our standard movie going snacks, because with streaming if we are going to the Movie theater might as well have the whole Movie theater experience, large tubs of popcorn, those soda slushies that are hard to find anywhere else for some reason, and some more high calorie snacks we definitely shouldn't be eating. But who cares, we aren't adults when we enter that movie theater, we're kids again.
Going into the theater this early is always nice. It's still pretty empty so the good seating is up for grabs, i.e. the part right in the middle and I will fight you on that being the best seating. There are previews that harken back to a time where theaters actually had early previews for this stuff, and the magic of the movie theater can make me and Clark pretend this stuff wasn't already released months ago online.
That said, the Movie Theater is always nice to go to for some stuff. That being big action movies. I look over at the gradually filling up room and at my friend getting excited that the movie is about to start.
"Dude, I am SO hyped! Gunn did such a good job with everything else, I can't weait to see what he does with Superman!"
Smiling, I shake my head in exaggerated exasperation and sarcastically say, "Yeah, I'm confident it will be so good it will change my outlook on life. Lets make sure our stuff is silent or off so we don't miss it".
Spoilers: Turns out Superman(2025) would change both my current and new life in a way I didn't expect.
…
'Heh, he saved a squirrel? Ok movie, he cares I get it'
…
'Oh, the classic interrogating scene in a movie, I knew they were gonna bring Kryptonite into this movie… wait… oh no Mali…'
…
'Oh god, I hope those kids are gonna be ok, wait… no they aren't raising… God damn it, im getting misty eyed"
…
'YES get that asshole! Get him! Justice for Mali! Good boy Krypto!'
…
'Oh my God, no don't do it'
In that ending, despite how cheesy it is, seeing Superman healing and smiling while pictures of his Earth family are around him… and the music…
"I'm a Punk Rocker yes I am"
Honestly, it's actually kind of… wild. I never considered myself a negative person, and never was outright rude to people, but seeing something as simple as a good person not losing hope in others being good? It… it makes me want to be better.
Is it dumb for me to be inspired by something like a movie to have a better outlook, to want to be a better person? Maybe, but its still one I needed. I'll never forget that hope, that kindness this movie reminded me of.
I look at my friend, someone who always has been like that and grab his arm.
"Hey man… thanks. I… I really liked the movie. It might sound kinda dumb but I think I just realized I gotta be a nicer person. Any advice as one of those nice people?"
Seeing how serious I am, Clark takes a moment to look at me and seriously consider what I am saying. After a few seconds, he says,
"You have always been good. You have just been afraid to show that goodness was cringy. Start one day at a time, remind other people that there ARE people who do care just because its the right thing to do. Be kind to others."
That makes me smile and nod at him. This is a new start. Any time I see someone doing something difficult, I will try to help them, any time someone needs help I will try to ease their burden just a bit to remind them that people like Clark do exist, that people have a capacity for good.
Of course, just as I am thinking that, I see a kind of weird looking truck driving really fast towards a little girl on the road, her mom just noticing her about to be run over and screaming, running towards her but being too far away.
If this was happening in a story I was reading I would be making jokes about Truck-kun, but at the moment, I can tell the mom wont make it and this little girl is going to die unless I do something.
As soon as I can, I run towards her, pick her up, and toss her to her mom who is able to grab her safe and sound… for her anyways.
All I can feel is a pumping headache, my ribs puncturing my lungs, and then finally a scream of my name from my friend before silence hits
…