What do we define as the "Perfect life?"
A life with no complications.
A life where you can live freely
A life where the things and people you care about is with you forever.
My name is Nicolas Matters, my life isn't perfect. Maybe I’m just ungrateful, I mean my neighborhood is peaceful, my wife is amazing, and my son is the pride of my life. To some it seems like the perfect life but to me it isn't. I work as a freelance movie director and all of the movies that I have directed, so far it looks to be Emmy nominated. I just hope all goes well. Today is Sunday and the last day of shooting what will be a hit, it's called "Throwback 2" a sequel to a movie an old movie. After this previous take, I will be able to go home. Alright, that's a rap. I'm going back home. Wait I got a text from my assistance Vince.
The text says: "I know you’re not going to was your time off success with your family man. Why don't you live a little me and the other crew mates are partying s at some bar come joins us."
What should I do?
[[Go to the bar|go to the bar]]
[[Go home|Go Home]]
I don't usually be the partying type, but since this is the last day of filming why not have some fun. The bar was pack as I saw my fellow coworkers enjoying their time off, they truly deserve it. My assistant director Vince Marks was one of the most prominent people celebrating there he walked up to me.
Vince: "We... (Hiccup) finally did, boss man!"
Nicolas: "yeah, I know we worked every day on this movie. In three days, they will start the screening to see the audience reactions to it."
Vince: "yeah I can't wait to see what is like... (Hiccup) hey boss man check that Chicca out of there she's totally checking you out! Or maybe me, I don't know. I'm so fucking wasted."
Vince passed out on the ground laughing away. He wasn't wrong about the beautiful woman looking my way; she walks towards me and offers me a drink. I'm married if my wife found out I don't know what might happen.
[[Take my friend and head home|Take my friend and head home]]
[[Accept the drink|Accept the drink]]I should go home my wife might get worried about me. As I drove home, I got stuck in traffic at this rate I'm going to be late for dinner. Once I was out of the jam I drove as fast as I could. I was until I was pulled over by a police officer, my first ticket. This was supposed to be a good day; it makes no sense. This has never happened to me before.
I made it home and walked inside with my wife, Beth Matters, greeting me with open arms.
Beth: "it's so good that you made it home juniors and I have been waiting for you the dinner is on the table now hurry, or it might get cold."
I walked to the table and sat down in my usual spot as we begin to eat Beth and junior both wanted to talk about their day. Junior looks really excited to tell me something. It might disappoint him if I don't the same can be said about Beth.
[[Listen to Beth's story|Listen to their story]]
[[Listen to junior's story|Don't Listen to their story]]I felt as though I might be cheating on Beth if I accept her drink. I decided to pick up my assistant and drive him home before driving myself home. Either way I don't really like drinking beer. With the roads clear and smooth as my ride I was able to bring Vince to his home. I gave him some water and helped him when he was throwing up which was a lot good thing he didn't do it in my car.
I got back into my car and headed home. Once I was home my wife and son were both fast asleep I looked on the table in the dining room. I see a sign that said leftovers next to a plate of food. I ate the leftovers and put the rest in the dish in the dishwasher. I walked into my bedroom and slept with my wife next to me, today was pretty impressive.
[[The next day|The next day]]Well, it's just one drink what's the worst that can happen. I accepted the drink and still hate the taste. Wait... what's going... on. I feel light head (you've picked the wrong choice) who... said that. As I closed my eyes, I reopened them and tell my wife and son eating with me at my dinner table. In my house I asked my wife, Beth.
Nicolas: "Beth, what just happen?"
Beth: "What do you mean, Nicolas?"
Nicolas: "how did I get here?"
Beth: "what do you mean? You were already here?!"
Nicolas: "yeah your right." was I just imaging things. No that can't be right. I was at the bar now I'm here. That should be impossible. I should just forget about it. I need to focus on the editing team is working to see if there's anything that needs to change. They seem like the want to tell me about their day should I listen?
[[Listen to their story]]
[[The next day b]]
Nicolas: "so Beth how was your day?"
They was excited to tell me there good news.
Beth: "well today I was able to finish my artwork."
Nicolas: "if I remember you have been working on it for a while right?"
Beth: "yes I was so happy that I finished it that I think its good enough to be in an art museum."
Nicolas: "well don't keep me in suspense let’s see it."
Beth: "well let me go get it, it's in my art room."
Beth went to get her painting from the basement when she came back she showed me the picture when I saw it was a paint of a city inside the painting is saw a small eye.
Nicolas: "what is this eye supposed to mean honey?"
Beth: "what eye? It’s just a city skyline."
I took a closer look and saw no eye. That was really weird well it doesn't matter; it looks beautiful either way. It's definitely worth it.
Nicolas: "so when are you submitting it?"
Beth: "I was planning on submitting it on Wednesday."
That's the same day as the first movie screening I'll have to think about which to choose another time. But right now she needs encouraging.
Nicolas: "I hope it will work out for you."
Beth: "thanks!"
Junior: "hey dad my team had a soccer match today."
Nicolas: "really did you kick the other team's but."
Junior: "yeah it was against Lake Brook middle school. I scored the 5 goals and earn the MVP title."
Nicolas: "that's incredible son, did you when an award?!"
Junior: "yeah, I won this trophy! It was the last match, and my final and my team is ready to go to the final."
As junior handed me his trophy, I looked at its amazing shine, but once I closed my blink, I saw that shine clouded and covered in what I thought was red paint, but after a closer look, it was blood. I quickly got up and dropped the trophy as I looked at my son; his head was bleeding. I promptly screamed in terror and said: "junior!!! Are you find what happened to you!!?” I closed my eyes again, and junior was alright he looked at me and was scared Beth was holding me telling yelling saying that junior’s fine. That there nothing wrong with. I looked at the trophy that was on the ground; it was still shining as bright as I first saw it.
Junior: "dad... I’m fine, what are you yelling for?" as I continue to hold junior's hand I notice that I can feel no heat coming from it, it was like he was dead.
Nicolas: "No...No reason son is sorry that I scared you."
As I headed to bed, Beth walked into the bedroom.
Beth: "Nicolas is everything alright?"
Nicolas: "yes, honey. Everything’s good" everything wasn't good it scared the shit out of me when I saw my son injured. What the hell was that?
Beth: "Nicolas what’s wrong, did something happen on set you can tell me."
Nicolas: "trust me, Beth there's nothing wrong."
Beth: "I know that you and your crew was working on Throwback 2 right, wasn't the first one was a horror movie."
Nicolas: "yeah it was, where the main character was sent to his younger years and had to relive a twisted version of his life. Are you saying that the movie is affecting me?"
Beth: "yes, you have been working on this movie for quite some time."
Nicolas: "don't worry Beth, the movie hasn't changed my mindset what’s so ever. I would never do anything that would cause you to worry..."
Beth: "I know but..."
Nicolas: "its late honey let’s talk about this later. (Kissed)" I really don't think that you might help, but it's nice to see her concerned for me. I should get some sleep maybe tomorrow will be better.
[[The next day|The next day 2]]Nicolas: "sorry but i have to eat in the living room"
As I left the room I head to my study so I can eat alone this feels oddly familiar as I continue to eat as I look at nothing buy my shelf of awards. It’s as if I was having a serious case of Deja vu. Was this a normal routine of mine? No what am I saying this is the first time I ever had this happened to media should just go back, but as soon I said that the moment my food was gone from my plate. Well looks like I have no choice but to just head straight to bed. And that’s what I did.
[[The next day|The next day 3]]Man I was tired early in the morning I felt like crap, but I can’t let that keep me down I need to get ready for I have to meet Vince at the studio, so we talk with our chief editor. I headed downstairs and saw Beth cooking junior breakfast. I walked to the table and said: "Good morning everyone, I hope I didn't miss anything important yesterday."
Beth: "oh no, don't worry about it. I hope the shooting wasn't too much of a hassle."
Junior: "yeah dad, I heard you’re working on that new throwback movie. Was one of your actors being difficult?"
Nicolas: "I'm sorry I wasn't here for dinner. I went with my co-workers to an after-party at jimmy's tavern."
Beth: "don't worry we're used to you not being here now and then. But I hope you can be there for me this Wednesday for my artwork, am submitting it to the museum and I want you to be there with me."
Junior: "wait you mean it's this Wednesday, mom you know I have finals that day. I know dad won't show up, but I want you to be there when my team takes down Water Row Middle school."
Beth: "don't worry junior I wouldn't miss it for the world; that’s why I was able to schedule it in the morning."
Nicolas: "you might be able to make it Beth but me..."
[[Tell her|Tell her]]
[[Don't tell her|Don't tell her]]Man I was tired early in the morning I felt like crap, but I can’t let that keep me down I need to get ready for I have to meet Vince at the studio, so we talk with our chief editor. I still wonder about the eye I saw in her painting, but what the trophy nothing like that ever happened I walked passed junior’s room and its look normal. Well, it might have been my imagination. Maybe Beth was right, and I put too much thought into the movie, and it's affecting me, but I just need two more days before screening. it was an my imagination, a lot of people see things they thought were there. I'm mean look at the where's Waldo pages. I headed downstairs and saw Beth cooking junior breakfast. I walked to the table and said: "Good morning everyone, I hope I didn't miss anything important yesterday."
Beth: "oh no, don't worry about it. I hope the shooting wasn't too much of a hassle."
Junior: "yeah dad, I heard you’re working on that new throwback movie. Was one of your actors being difficult?"
Nicolas: "what makes you think that?"
Junior:"mom told me."
i looked at beth as she looked away continue fixing the food.
Nicolas:"no everyone did great they invited me with them to celebrate, but I refused. Obviously."
Beth: "don't worry we're used to you not being here now and then. You could have gone. But am glad you didn't, now you can be there with me this Wednesday for my artwork, am submitting it to the museum and I want you to be there with me."
Junior: "wait you mean it's this Wednesday, mom you know I have finals that day."
Beth: "seems like someone wasn't listening, don't worry junior we wouldn't miss it for the world; that’s why I was able to schedule it in the morning. Are you going to be there Nicolas?"
Nicolas: "you might be able to make it Beth but me..."
[[Tell her|Tell her]]
[[Don't tell her|Don't tell her]]The next day as I went down stairs to eat breakfast with my loving family they were gone did I sleep late. It seems so since my wife Beth left my favorite breakfast meal bacon egg sandwich on the counter. I should just take it to go. But I have to call her and... As soon as I begin dialing junior said as he walked up behind me.
Junior: "Dad, I and mom have been waiting for you. She got tired of waiting and went to an art museum. She wanted me to tell you that if you’re not interested in listening then don't even bother."
Nicolas: "I knew I made a mistake. I think I should just take you to school champ"
Junior: "ok. I know you didn't want to listen but mom has an art presentation on Wednesday and I have a soccer final that day too.” Crap can anything be easy. My screening is on that day too I can't for get to tell her.
We quickly got into the car as I have to get junior to school before its late. But I had to get caught up into a traffic jam. Of all the times, when we made it to the school junior was new going in.
Nicolas: "am sorry Junior I’ll make sure to make this up to you."
Junior: "its ok dad, but I hope we won't be late for my game this Wednesday."
Nicolas: "yeah, me too."
As I drove off and head to work, I fixed my rear view mirror, and what I saw through it I saw junior's middle school, what was supposed to be a regular united states school was a school that looks abandon and broken down. One that hasn't been in work for years. I quickly stopped my car and looked back to see my son's school looking normal. What just happened, what could this mean? I continued to drive but I was still startled by that soon I got a ticket from a police officer because of my driving. I made it work late. I bet Vince is making his own type of changes to the movie, we might be friends, but we never see eye to eyes about our ideas. Well just got to make the best of it.
[[work late|In the Studio Late]] Man I was tired early in the morning I felt like crap, but I can’t let that keep me down I need to get ready for I have to meet Vince at the studio, so we talk with our chief editor. But what happen yesterday how did I make it home. Well, I should just get my breakfast before I head out. I walked to the dining room table and saw junior eating breakfast. I asked junior has he seen his mother.
Junior: "she's in the kitchen; she will be here soon."
Beth walked in with my breakfast and kissed me on the cheek.
Beth: "I can't wait for Wednesday."
Nicolas: "What’s happening Wednesday?"
Beth: "Oh, Nicky doesn't play coy you said that you will go with me to the museum. I am submitting a new artwork that will get me my praise."
Junior: "wait you mean it's this Wednesday, mom you know I have finals that day. You and dad said you will be there when my team takes down Water Row Middle school."
Beth: "don't worry junior we wouldn't miss it for the world; that’s why I was able to schedule it in the morning."
What are they talking about? I made no such promise?
Nicolas: "you might be able to make it Beth but me..."
[[Tell her|Tell her]]
[[Don't tell her|Don't tell her]]Nicolas: "... I have a screening for the movie that day."
Beth: "Oh, I see. I thought we could at least do everything as a family. We haven't been together in a while and thought it would be a good chance."
Nicolas: "I mean I could see if I could make it the shooting starts at night and I should be able to do everything else with you guys."
Junior: "do you promise dad?"
Beth: "junior you shouldn't make your father promise that there’s no telling if he's able to keep it. So let’s just say he might ok. Now you two need to head out before you’re late."
Nicolas: "your right it 7:30 a.m. I have to be at the studio now." I kissed Beth and told junior to hop in the car. I can drive him to school and make it work at the same time. Since his school is in my route. I said goodbye to my son as he went to class now. I have to hurry to work. If I don't meet with the editing team, Vince might screw everything up. The guy's good he just doesn’t agree with some things I want for the movies we make. I rushed as fast as I can drive and was able to make it on time.
[[In the Studio|In the Studio]]Nicolas: "... never mind I will be able to make it honey."
Beth: "that's great, I’m glad you can make it. You should hurry, its 7:00 you have to take Junior to school."
Nicolas: "yeah your write I let go junior."
We quickly got into the car as I have to get junior to school before its late. But I had to get caught up into a traffic jam. Of all the times, when we made it to the school junior was new going in.
Nicolas: "am sorry Junior I’ll make sure to make this up to you."
Junior: "its ok dad, but I hope we won't be late for my game this Wednesday."
Nicolas: "yeah, me too."
As I drove off and head to work, I fixed my rear view mirror, and what I saw through it I saw junior's middle school, what was supposed to be a regular united states school was a school that looks abandon and broken down. One that hasn't been in work for years. I quickly stopped my car and looked back to see my son's school looking normal. What just happened, what could this mean? I continued to drive but I was still startled by that soon I got a ticket from a police officer because of my driving. I made it work late. I bet Vince is making his own type of changes to the movie, we might be friends, but we never see eye to eyes about our ideas. Well just got to make the best of it.
[[In the Studio Late|In the Studio Late]]I made it there on time with five seconds to spare I saw Vince in the hallway.
Vince: "Nicky boy, last night was great... man my head hurts I can't even remember if you were there or not."
Nicolas: "well let's not talk about that right now Vince what we should be talking about is the movie."
Vince: "yeah, you right. I have been thinking instead of the main character having figured out that he's been reliving his entire life over and over again we should say that he was being used as experiment that can save humanity. "
Nicolas: "even with a headache you still know how to be peppy man, but now it makes no sense we already be through this Vince."
Vince: "Nicky, trust me... (Ow) it does make sense. He knows that his real life is shit right that’s the reality to a lot of peoples life that's relatable the reason he was chosen was because he's generic." I couldn't stand seeing the stupidity any more. So I hold my head as I closed my eyes.
Nicolas: "look Vince, it's only cause problems for the fans they know that the main character have been living his life over. the only reason this sequel is different is because he is trying to find out the reason this happening to him and when he finds out that the reason is that his real life is fake and he created a system of future technology to relive his greatest moments makes more... sense..." as I opened my eye I saw nothing but bones in a suit with a name tag that said Vince.
Nicolas: "what the hell is going on?" I quickly slapped myself and saw Vince sitting in the chair no bones at all.
Vince: "said something wrong Nicky? Or are you figuring out your idea sounds dumber than mine."
Nicolas: "no your idea is fucking stupid, I have to go. Like right... right now." I quickly left the room and ran to the parking lot I looked for my car but the car was busted looked destroyed. What is going on am I going crazy?
???: You’re not cray Nicolas.
Who said that and why does this voice sound so familiar.
[[Continue|Continue]]I made it there late 6 mines I walked into the office and no one was there it look pretty deserted. Don’t tell me vine is already making change the edits damn Vince. I have to find him. As I ran up and down the levels looking for Vince I suddenly felt tired and collapsed the ground when I came to I saw Vince in the hallway trying to see if I was alright
Nicolas: "Vince I know your... not pitching your ideas without my consent are you... Vinny?" he hates when someone calls him Vinny.
Vince: "Nicky boy the ideas might be grand but you really don't look so good. Maybe you had too many shots last night like me."
Nicolas: "Vince I don't drink."
Vince: "yeah, yeah mister buzz kill come to think of Last night was great... but man my head hurts I can't even remember if you were there or not."
Nicolas: "well let's not talk about that right now Vince, what we should be talking about is the movie."
Vince: "yeah, you right. I have been telling the editors instead of the main character having figured out that he's been reliving his entire life over and over again we should say that he was being used as experiment that can save humanity. "
Nicolas: "even with a headache you still know how to be peppy man, but no it makes no sense we already been through this Vince."
Vince: "Nicky, trust me... (Ow) it does make sense. He knows that his real life is shit right that’s the reality to a lot of peoples life that's relatable the reason he was chosen was because he's generic." I couldn't stand seeing the stupidity any more. So I hold my head as I closed my eyes.
Nicolas: "look Vince, it's only cause problems for the fans they know that the main character have been living his life over. the only reason this sequel is different is because he is trying to find out the reason this happening to him and when he finds out that the reason is that his real life is a shit show and so he could escape it he had used a future device to relive his greatest moments but he quickly learns that the hell he saw in the first movie is not even close to this terror....
Vince: "makes what Nicky? That your idea sounds dumber than mine."
Nicolas: "no your idea is fucking stupid, I have to go. Like right... right now. Don’t make any changes to the script while I take a break."
Vince: "don't worry I’ll make the scrip ten times better." man he can be a true dumb ass.
[[Continue|Continue2]]I turned around and saw Beth. She looked older as if time advanced on her.
Nicolas: "Beth, what are you doing here? What’s going on?"
Beth: "you and a lot of other Americans have been a part of the opposite life program, Nicky."
Nicolas: "Opposite life?! What’s that?!"
Beth: "it's just as it sounds years ago you and a bunch of other people insisted on joining this program where they take your best memories and create the perfect life in your mind. The people who experienced these perfect lives wanted to forget what the lost during war, that took everything from us. The memories you've had made it hard for you to give up this program until now."
Nicolas: "that’s impossible. Why would I need to take such a thing my life is great."
Beth: "your life was fake! You put that VR helmet and decided not to cope with the fact that the world you knew was destroyed, that we lost our son, that you lost your best friend as well, but it doesn’t matter the server is about to shut down soon. It was all over the news today."
Nicolas: "you lie Beth if it's true then how did I eat, sleep, and bathe, even shit."
Beth: "I took care of all of that. I want you to come back to me Nicolas, but hearing about your perfect life made me not want to rip it away from the one I love. That’s why I made me save enough money to buy this for you, Nicolas. It’s the sequel to the first simulation it's called "Opposite life 2". It will give you the chance to get back to where you left off. This is your final choices Nicolas do you want the paradise or your Reality."
[[I'll stay in the system|I'll stay in the system]]
[[I want to stay with Beth|I want to stay with Beth]]I didn't believe her or that reality she claims what I was supposed to do. Everything I knew about my life was in that helmet. I put on the helmet and everything change to it’s...its... what was I talking about? Right I have to go back in the office and stop Vince from skewing up my movie. I better hurry. As the years went by my movie was a complete success. I knew it would be. This has to be one of the greatest moments of my life. as my family is with me I started to notice something different the warm hands of my wife have slowly gotten colder over the years but something is different today it feels like I can't feel it at all just like my son. I don't know if the life I’m living is perfect but it feels like it. I think?
[[The End|beginning]]I decided to accept the reality of the world as I knew it was destroyed Americans all over America have truly given up there reality so they can't face the truth. My life was never perfect my son want to impress me so much, but he never got the chance the bloody MPV trophy was a soak in his own blood after he was shoot in the head by an enemy soldier. As for Vince he was one of the many that died from an airstrike the enemy launched on us when he was still working in the office. Nobody has a perfect life, we delude ourselves with that notion hoping to create a perfect existence. that’s why we created opposite life to say if we can't make it in reality we will make it virtually that was our only way to cope with the disasters that have befallen us time after time. I choose to join that because I thought it would help me but I was wrong I was living a lie and thanks to my Beth I was able to stop living a fake paradise and start living my real life. I wasted my youth using that infernal device. Now I and Beth will live the rest of our lives trying to med our broken life together. This life isn't perfect and that’s perfect.
[[The End|beginning]]as I stepped I can't deal with Vince any longer he's getting on my lasted damn nerves, he keeps forgetting that he's just an assistant not the creator, not the director and certainly not the fucking producer. We are not doing anymore gosh damn retakes. We finish with the screening and now we will just edit nothing more and nothing less. Now I will get myself back in there and make sure that this movie goes off without Vince’s screwing around.
As I head back into the meeting room Vince and I came to an agreement and decided to leave the movie as I intended it to be no changes. All that’s left is for the screenings. The next day my wife Beth told me about her art piece being posted on the museum wall and she wants me to be there. But the screening of the movie is tomorrow doesn't she remember me... oh right I never did tell her this morning but what could I do my career has always been important to me. I should at least call her and tell her. This is my last and only chance Today.
[[call her]]
[[Don't call her]]I called Beth and told her about my screening she wasn't surprised that was bailing on both her and my son’s biggest days. I tried pleading to her. Telling her I don't want this to end like that. I want to rye and make it to both of these important days. You know what fuck the movie I’m sure vine won't fuck it up. I need to be with my family I have never been here for them but I need to do it now. That’s what I can do. As I was there at both of these important events I was able to enjoy my time with them I received a call from Vince he told me that the people want to see the genius behind the movie. I won enough trophies I told Vince he can have them. I’m with my family. Some say being alone is better than being together but there wrong they haven't looked at the opposite side of things.
[[The End|beginning]]I shouldn't call her if I told her something this big she might get mad and I won't be able to hear the end of it. after the screening of throwback 2, I was showered with admiration a lot of people believe that it was a glorious out take of what the original one and that it deserves the more then one award. I was so happy and I knew that my vision would get m such praise. But as I return home I saw nothing but a letter. I looked around my home and only I could find was the items that belonged to me nothing else. I walked slowly to my study and placed the award in my shelf. As we want nothing but success in our own careers we forget the people who helped us get there. I was never there for my family that’s what I remember. Maybe I thought my life was perfect. That’s why I ignore the pain of reality. In my life. I looked around and saw a broken down house with me in the middle.
[[The End|beginning]]