The Watch – Part 153:

As we neared the park, the wall of people grew thicker and thicker until we came to a complete standstill. We waited for the officials to let in only a few people at a time to make sure everyone pays for their ticket or present a pre-paid ticket or card that they purchased online to the people sitting in the booths. Once they’ve done that, from the looks of it, it was a standard security check where they search through your bag, which isn’t too bad because I don’t have much in mine. In fact, I only have two things: My money and my phone. Do I need anything else? I don’t think I’ve forgotten anything important.

Even though the volume of people was extremely high, the security officials were very efficient with their checking; we were soon at the front of the crowd. A security guard in charge of the gate opened it to allow the next lot through. We, along with many others walked forward and presented our money or ticket and once we were in possession with our own ticket, we moved forward where we then had to present out bags. They searched through it gently so not to disturb the contents inside, but making sure they get a decent look. When all three of our bags were accepted, we were then allowed into the main concert. It hadn’t started yet as there were a few officials on stage setting up the drum kit, amps, speakers and microphones. Because we were among the first people to enter, we managed to get a decent spot near the stage.

As we neared the stage, we were able to see exactly what the officials were doing: Plugging in many, many wires, making sure that all the stands were standing strong and all the chair behind the drum kit wouldn’t fall apart during the drummer’s performance. It was then that I felt excited. A strong sense of thrill built up inside me, which I couldn’t be happier about. Usually, I would be engulfed in nerves and probably would have had to leave to get some space, but this time I didn’t feel a thing. I had a massive smile on my face.

‘You look like you’re looking forward to it,’ Amy pointed out.

‘What can I say,’ I said, ‘I’m not going to let this get the better of me.’

‘Glad to hear it,’ Tom said, patting me on the shoulder signifying accomplishment.

We came to a stop about five rows back from the stage and waited for the concert to begin. The noise was deafening as everyone was talking at once, discussing everyday things, what they did last night, what they will do after this concert, which is mainly consisting of uploading all the pictures to Facebook.

That’s when I realised I had forgotten my camera.

‘I forgot my camera,’ I said.

‘Do you need it?’ Amy asked, suggesting that we’re here just to enjoy the concert, not be stuck behind a screen, waiting for the perfect angle.

‘Probably not,’ I shrugged. ‘I just thought that I might want to take a picture or two, for sentimental reasons, you know.’

‘Well, when you put it like that,’ Amy said, ‘yeah, maybe you should have brought your camera. Can your watch do anything to help?’ she asked.

‘I’ll check.’

‘Are you sure you want to do that?’ Tom asked, ‘you don’t want to draw attention to yourself.’

‘We’re having this conversation without being overheard,’ I pointed out, ‘with so many people here, talking about their business, I doubt that they’ve noticed us.’

‘What are you going to do anyway?’ Tom asked, his eyes focused on the watch as if it was going to do something there and then.

‘I forgot my camera so I’m going to give myself one,’ I said.

‘You can do that?’ Tom said, his eyes widening.

‘Yeah,’ I said as if it was obvious.

‘Awesome. How many can you spawn?’

‘As many as you want,’ I said. I wonder how many I would have to spawn to use up enough energy equivalent to a dwarf star? I can imagine it being quite a lot, probably smashing through a thousand. Spawning three cameras won’t even make a dent in the Universe’s energy, so I’ve got nothing to worry about. I searched through my watch, going through menu after menu until I finally found what I want. The camera section.

‘What camera do you want?’ I asked.

‘How do you mean?’ Amy asked.

‘I’ve got them all here,’ I said casually.

‘What, all of them?’ Tom asked, looking at the screen. The moment his eyes came into contact with the massive array of cameras to choose from, he whistled with surprise. ‘That’s a lot of cameras,’ he said.

‘I know, right,’ I said. ‘What one do you want?’

‘I don’t know what the differences between one camera and the next is,’ Amy said.

‘That one it is, then,’ I said, picking the one that looked advanced. The moment I selected the picture, it appeared around my neck, complete with strap. As predicted, no one noticed. I repeated the action two more times until I had three of the same cameras around my neck. I took two off and handed one each to Amy and Tom, who took them gratefully, putting them around their necks. Tom started fiddling about with his, looking at the settings and how it works.

‘According to this,’ he said, ‘I can take fifty-thousand photos.’

‘Really?’ I said. I should have found that out before I selected it, but I found it to be a better mystery if I don’t.

‘I doubt we’re going to take that many,’ Amy said.

‘I agree with that,’ I said.

‘At least that means we don’t have to worry about whether or not we’re nearing the limit,’ Tom stated. ‘I wonder how long the battery lasts,’ he said, returning to surfing through his camera. After a couple of minutes or so, he piped up by saying, ‘about ten months,’ he said as if that didn’t make any sense at all.

‘Not long enough,’ I said sarcastically.

‘Indeed,’ Amy said going along with the joke.

The officials who were setting up the stage left. Does that mean everything was ready? Is the concert about to start?

The two screens either side of the stage turned on, revealing the name of the first band that was about to play: Onto Apocalypse, a heavy metal band.

The members of Onto Apocalypse walked on stage, waving their hands in the air, getting the audience pumped for their material. Did I say the noise was deafening when everyone was talking normally? Yeah, I would like to rephrase that as being quiet when compared to when the crowd went ecstatic, cheering and whistling and clapping and jumping up and down. They moved around the stage to make sure that they have greeted everyone and then they took up their places on the stage by picking up their guitars, drumsticks, and making sure they microphone is situated properly on the stand.

They then began to play and sing three songs:

TO BE CONTINUED…

Thanks for reading

Antony Hudson

(TonyHadNouns)