NOVEL NEXT Chapter 227
Anton and the whole group watched the first two episodes of the television series Hercules: The Legendary Journeys. His opinion about the show was that it was cheesy and it was understandable that the special effects were not great, at least, compared to movies. According to reviews, it was one of the definitive fantasy TV shows of the 90s like Xena: Warrior Princess.
Everyone looked like they very much enjoyed the show though and Anton remembered that they were not like him who had grown up watching hundreds of shows and was jaded when it came to being entertained by TV shows.
While everyone was focused on the show, all of them were relaxed. Anton wanted them to relieve their stress that night by watching the show and everyone knowing that they were safe from surprise enemy attack due to the summoned animals protecting them made everyone feel secure enough to concentrate on just watching and enjoying the show.
Anton saw that the other people on the other side of the campground were watching as well. They looked like they became statues staring at the screen. The blanket that Anton used was large enough that everyone in the campground could see the show clearly and the audio from the Globe of Browser Sharing spell was loud enough that everyone could hear the show without any problem.
After the show ended, his father praised the show even though Anton wasn’t expecting much from the audience due to them having seen the Lord of The Rings movies first and that meant they were used to a much higher quality show.
The ladies were talking with each other about how handsome Hercules was and the men were talking about the fight scenes, how obviously, it was just made to entertain.
Anton knew that the men in the group, being warriors themselves, would recognize the fake fight scenes but they were all mature enough to know that the show was made to entertain and entertain it did. They laughed at the jokes that he found corny and cheesy but only did so because the show was old but to the others, everything was fresh.
“So how was it? Do you want me to continue with the show or find something else?” Anton asked everyone.
That question actually began a discussion amongst the group. Some were in favor of continuing the show and some wanted to try something else then they could choose the best show to continue.
Anton then noticed that the fat merchant was coming so he asked his Father to deal with the man.
“Yes? How can we help you?” Anders asked the merchant.
“Sir, may I ask what did we see? Was it a window to another place that allowed us to watch a hero’s adventure?”
“No. The people that you saw on the big screen were just actors like the ones acting in theaters. The difference was they were acting while their images and sounds were being captured in a magical device for people to watch whenever they wanted. Normally, a show like that, we call them movies for the long ones and television shows for the shorter ones are going to be presented inside a building called a cinema theater and tickets would have to be purchased by customers for a high price but you’re in luck since we’re currently testing the quality of this particular show and we didn’t mind other travelers seeing them.”
“Thank you for the opportunity to let us see it. Are you headed to the town of Vellos?” The merchant asked.
“No sir. We’re headed someplace else. I know why you’re asking. We can’t travel with you since you’re a five-cart caravan and that means that we’ll be faster than you are so we can’t travel with you and you with us. If we meet on the road and we’re watching a show, you’re still welcome to see it with us.”
The fat merchant looked highly disappointed since everyone knew that the movies and TV shows were a great coin-making opportunity. The merchant bid good evening and then went back to his family.
Anton could see that the merchant was being asked by his family a lot of questions, more than likely, about the show. He was well aware that it was not the last time that the merchant would attempt to communicate with them regarding the shows.
After the merchant left, the group went back to discussing whether they would continue watching Hercules: The Legendary Journeys or try to watch something else and then choose which shows they would continue to watch.
Several minutes passed and some of the group began to ask questions from Anton.
“You mentioned that there was an unlimited number of shows, is that real?” Anna asked.
“I do have a lot of them but most of the shows can’t be shown because they will probably shock you all with their themes and settings. A lot of them were set in a world that you will not recognize. Some of those worlds were set far into the future where people are living with very advanced technology like flying in the sky using huge metal carriages that can carry hundreds of people or traversing the oceans using gigantic ships made of metal. Some were even shows about traversing the universe, and the locations beyond our world, and those TV shows or films would show their adventure in meeting alien species and alien worlds. Some shows are about the lives of regular people living in a city in a modern world wherein they will show the funny events in their lives while they try to earn coins to survive. The shows are varied and I’m not sure if any of you are ready to see something like that.”
Anton could see that everyone in the group was looking at him with contemplation on every face but Anna had a face full of shock.
“Can you show us an example?” Anders suddenly asked which made everyone stare at Anton’s father.
Anton shrugged and prepared the Star Trek: The Next Generation Introduction clip. He then told everyone to look at the projector screen.
The video started and the glorious colorful planets were shown with high definition that would probably shock people who hadn’t seen something like that before. Then the Star Ship Enterprise entered the screen and the voice of Patrick Steward acting as Captain Jean Luc Picard described the mission of the spaceship.
After the video ended, almost every person in the group uttered a question so Anton chose Devon first.
“What are those big balls we see in the beginning?”
“Those are planets. The planet that we live on is also a big ball of dirt floating in space.”
“How can that be? Why don’t we fall?” Devon asked.
“There is a force called Gravity that allows us to remain on our planets. Now this is one of the reasons why I can’t just let you see shows willy-nilly. The concept could be very confusing especially if the watcher is not a scholar.”
“What is the big white thing that appeared like it was flying?” Frederick asked.
“That’s the Star Ship Enterprise. It’s a very huge metal ship that houses thousands of people capable of traversing the universe. You’ve heard from its captain its mission. Now let me show you another clip.”
Anton then showed everyone the introduction to the TV show FRIENDS.
“Now that one is a show about a group of friends who are living in a city. As you can see the shows I have are incredibly varied and some would shock you and some would be incredibly unfamiliar to you.”
After that explanation, Anders announced that it was time to rest since they would need to leave early the next day.
