Page 53 of Just Joshing
I shook my head, holding the tape away from his grasping hands. "Hell no. We're doing this."
I pushed up from the floor, crawling on my knees to slide the tape into the VHS. I rocked back, butt resting on my heels as I picked up the remote hitting rewind on the old tape.
"You know it’s probably corroded or-"
I hit play and laughed delightedly as the video interrupted Josh’s last-minute denials. The image was old, flickering but steadied as the tape rolled.
I was about twelve, no thirteen, dressed in a sheet-toga, holding a sword and shield as Sam, covered in green gunk and wearing fairy wings, stalked towards me.
"I’m here to rescue the Prince!" My younger self yelled, sword thrusting into the air. Sam reared back on his legs, front arms wind milling wildly as he attempted to bark threateningly. Behind him, George and Thomas – dressed as sheep - ran about smacking into each other and generally acting stupidly scared.
I fell back, Josh's arms coming around me as we both roared with laughter.
"Oh god." I wiped a tear from my eye. "I am one wicked actress."
We watched, lying on the floor as the story progressed, diverged and reformed. The plot was nothing but a tangled mess of loose ends and confused loopholes. The end result was pure childhood brilliance.
Interwoven with the actual storyline was footage of Sam and Josh calling cut, repositioning us, coaching our lines, discussing what the motivation of the character was and generally doing what they do now – writing and directing.
"I love this," I sighed, leaning into Josh's chest. He ran fingers over my palm, teasing the sensitive skin while we watched scene twenty-nine play out. The dragon sobbed cause his sheep had run off and the shield-maiden was currently comforting him. "It’s your beginning. These videos capture you doing what you love."
Josh's fingers paused. He didn’t comment.
I tilted my head back, raising an eyebrow, "you don’t see it like that?"
He lifted a shoulder. We were lounging against the couch, me against his chest, his back against the couch. His fingers started tracing circles again, his other arm remained tucked behind his head.
"My favorite part is coming up." He replied, nodding at the screen.
We watched as the shield-maiden helped the dragon round up his sheep.
"And here!" Samuel gallantly swept his hand towards the bound Prince. "Your reward!"
We watched as thirteen-year old me untied a youthful Pete from his bounds.
I bit my lip, color fading from my cheeks.
The ending. How could I forget the ending?
"Kiss!" Sam directed. "It’s only an ending if you have a kiss."
Young me blushed furiously on the screen while Pete looked apprehensively at the camera. There was an awkward pause as we looked to Sam for further guidance.
"I've never-" Young me started.
"I’ll show you!" Came the voice from behind the camera. The camera dipped, hands fumbling before it jerked back up to capture Josh stalking over to me. He positioned me side-on to the camera.
"Now. Like this."
Fourteen-year-old Josh had moves. Fourteen-year-old Josh was cute. Fourteen-year-old Josh kissed the heck out of thirteen-year-old me. A long, looong moment later he released me, hands gently smoothing my hair back before he stepped away.
Young Pete frowned. "I have to do that? But she’s…"
"Or a peck. Whatever." Samuel called, this time behind the camera. "Action!"
No one moved. Finally, Josh turned, walking towards the camera. "One kiss and we’re done."
The camera shook, twisting about. The image straightened, narrowing in on me.
