That guy in the background of the movies?

Gather round, kids. I’ve got one for you. You know that movie, *A Christmas Story*, where there’s a fight in the background outside the theater where Ralphie and his friends are trying to see a movie? I heard it, and the movie that came on right after, clear as day. Then I saw it. And… I was there. I am there. It’s Christmas 1940, and I’m at Radio City Music Hall watching Disney’s *Pinocchio*. It was my uncle that got me the tickets. I don’t know how he did it, or if he had anything to do with me being here, but he did. Two for *Pinocchio* in New York at Christmas time. I’ve been forgetting things more than I remember, so he wrote it all down for me in a notebook. He said he hoped he could be here with me, but he’s gone now. So I did it by myself. I followed the instructions in the notebook. From how to get on the train to the address of the hotel where to sleep so I could get in line for the show as early as possible. He packed, he put me on the train, and I rode into New York, where I met the man he said to meet. He gave me the tickets, and a book to read to pass the time. A Gershwin musical. I don’t know what that is, but it sounds fun. I’ll have plenty of time to read it while I wait for the show this afternoon. \--- That’s where my uncle’s notebook runs out. It took me a few minutes to figure out how to write this all down. I’m still working on it. I should get back to the hotel. I have a few hours to rest before the show. This is so incredible. I feel like I’m in a movie myself. *The Wizard of Oz*. I still can’t believe it. I saw *Oz* here, too, last year. But this is Christmas 1940, and I won’t let anyone know where I’m from. No one would believe me anyway. \--- I’m back in line waiting to get in. I’m going to do my best to write as much of this as I can, but it’s cold and my hand is going numb, and I don’t know how much more I can write. I’ll stop now, then write some more when I’m inside. \--- I met someone in line, a girl about my age. We’re sitting together in the movie. She’s never seen a Disney cartoon on the big screen. I’ve seen *Snow White* at home in 1937 when it first came out. I wish I could see *Fantasia*, I heard the animation in it is excellent. But they’re not playing *Fantasia* at Christmas time in New York City in 1940. They’re playing *Pinocchio*. \--- This is so crazy. Pinocchio’s dad, Geppetto, has Gepetto on his workshop. I think that’s where my uncle got his name. I wonder why he chose that. The little wooden puppet boy is about my age, so I guess that makes sense. But the Blue Fairy just appeared, and she… Wait, did she just talk to me? “I heard you, little one.” *\*\*.* “I *heard* you.” “Yes, the wooden puppet boy. He’s sweet, I suppose.” “Is that what’s going on here?” “Yes. Is that what you hoped for?” “I don’t know. I just wanted to see this movie where it first played.” “Is that all? Is that why you’re here?” “I think Gepetto could be my dad’s uncle. The name, I mean.” “Maybe.” “Is he? Is that why you brought me here?” “You… listen. You *hear*.” “Did you bring me?” “Come.” \--- I have to get out of here. I’m going somewhere. The Blue Fairy took me somewhere. She says I… listen. I hear. I don’t know what that means. \--- I’m Gepetto’s nephew. His son is away fighting in the war. Italy has invaded Albania, and he was drafted by the Italian Army. Gepetto is doing his best to keep the shop running, but it’s too much work, and he’s getting old. I’m here to help him. Gepetto is my uncle. \--- It’s so early, Gepetto gave me the day off, and I used it to see *Pinocchio* at the cinema. Sitting in Radio City Music Hall, where it premiered last week. I’ve seen it there twice this month. The music is so magical, I just love to listen to it. I don’t have to pay any attention to the screen. I already know the story. I sit there and listen. \--- There’s a movie theater next to our shop. I’ve never been inside, but I hear the music and the sounds, the dialogue, the noises. All day, all night. I hear them all. It’s usually French, but for the last week or so, it’s been this cartoon about a little wooden puppet boy. He… Wait a minute. \--- I remember. I’ve seen this movie. I saw it at Christmas time in 1940. I saw it in New York City at Radio City Music Hall. I… That can’t be. How is that possible? I just hear the music, I never go inside. I hear all the movies. This… This can’t be. \--- I’m back in the movie theater, watching Disney’s *Pinocchio*. I’m sitting where I sat almost a hundred years ago when I first saw it, next to the girl from the line outside who I never saw again. But that’s not right. I’ve been hear before, but I didn’t get here then like I did the first time, by train. And I didn’t get here this time by train either. I’m here because I hear. I listen. That’s how I got here, then and now. And the blue fairy brought me… Wait. I’m… \--- It’s Christmas 1928, and I’m in New York City, at the movie theater where I work. I’m sweeping the floor out front, just keeping it clean, when I see an old Italian man. He… That’s not right. I don’t know any Italian, how would I know that? Why am I here? How did I get here? I… I remember. I saw *Pinocchio* here when it came out in 1940. I… I’m going to go early, take a walk down Fifth Avenue, and stop by St. Patrick’s to pray, then line early to get in. I want to see it twice in a row, and they… Why are they filming me? \--- I’m… I’m in a Christmas cartoon. I heard it in the movie theater where I work, then I saw it, then I was… I’m in *A Christmas Story*. There’s someone fighting behind the movie theater where Flick and Schwartz and Ralphie and the others are trying to get in. Why are they filming me? \--- That guy in the background of the movies? It’s me. Every time. Every movie. Every filming. I hear it. I see it. I’m there. Then I’m me again, back in the movie theater where I work. I hear the movie, then I see it, then I’m in it. It never stops. I never stop. I’m the background guy, the guy fighting behind the movie theater. I’m in every movie, Christmas, Disney, all of them, because I hear them. I listen. I hear. I’m the Blue Fairy. I’m hear. That’s why they call it a movie theater, because the movies hear you. You just have to listen. And I’m here, watching Pinocchio, in Radio City Music Hall, at Christmas time in 1940.

That guy in the background of the movies?

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