Many year past and Blue sat in the dimly lit theater, the flickering light from the screen casting shadows on his face. He had grown a messy black beard, his black flowing hair framing his features. His attire had matured over the years; he now wore black pants, shoes, a white long sleeve shirt, and a black long coat. The years had changed him, but his youthful appearance remained.
Next to him sat Rim, the small robot companion that had become his constant. Blue popped a kernel of popcorn into his mouth, taking a drag from his cigarette.
"What's the name of this movie?" Blue asked, his voice a mix of boredom and curiosity.
"It's called Titanic," Rim replied in his monotone, robotic voice.
"What's it about?"
Rim began to explain, "The Titanic was a real ship, an ocean liner that sank in 1912 after hitting an iceberg. The movie tells the story of two people, Jack and Rose, who fall in love aboard the ship."
"Booring," Blue interrupted, dragging out the word with exaggerated disdain.
"Cigarettes are very harmful to your lungs," Rim noted, changing the subject.
"Well then, why do they exist?" Blue countered with a smirk.
"Good point," Rim conceded.
Blue held the popcorn bucket towards Rim. "Here, eat some. They're really good," he said sarcastically.
"As you know, I do not have a mouth," Rim reminded him.
"Yeah, right," Blue chuckled, shaking his head. He took another drag from his cigarette and exhaled slowly, watching the smoke swirl in the projector's light.
They sat in silence for a moment, watching the movie. Blue shifted in his seat, clearly restless. "Titanic, what's so Titanic about this?" he muttered.
"It's the name of the ship," Rim replied patiently.
"So they made a movie called Titanic about a ship called Titanic, and it's not even about the Titanic? It's about two people?" Blue laughed, a short, sharp sound.
"Yes," Rim confirmed.
Blue leaned back in his seat, crossing his arms. "People are strange," he said, more to himself than to Rim.
"They certainly are," Rim agreed.
They continued to watch the movie, the theater quiet except for the soft hum of the projector and the distant sounds of the film. Blue's thoughts wandered as he watched the scenes unfold, his mind a mix of memories and present reflections.
As the movie progressed, Blue couldn't help but find some amusement in its melodrama, though he didn't admit it out loud. He glanced at Rim occasionally, wondering what his small companion thought of it all.
The theater seemed to fade into the background as Blue lost himself in the strange, distant world of the Titanic. He smoked his cigarette and ate his popcorn, finding an odd comfort in the mundane activity.
END OF CHAPTER 42