He wasn't sure if he was ready to do it. In a way, Roy saw his opportunity to watch the film he nearly lost his life because of, as a sort of morbid curiosity.

16mm film projectors weren't too common in a house, but in an overly fancy and expensive hotel in Bismarck, it seemed to be treated no more than an item of amusement. Dust gathered on the lamp as the light illuminated the lightly taupe wallpaper of the empty ballroom.

MacKenzie was fast asleep, a delicate blossom curled up dead to the world. Roy had laid in bed still until he was sure she wouldn't be awoken. His hands were sweaty as he held the thick film reel tightly. His mouth was dry. He couldn't find a cigarette. It wouldn't help anyway.

Alone, Roy took a deep breath, and the film began to play.

It truly was silent. There was no accompaniment to the ongoing action, the hero, the masked bandit, shooting guns and chasing whoever, whatever...Roy wasn't even sure of the plot. He wasn't even paying attention to the hero. He was waiting, senses heightened.

Soon...soon...any minute now. Any...

Roy's heart was pounding in his chest. Tunnel vision consumed him. His ears were ringing, the world outside him spinning.

Any...any...

Roy's breathing grew heavy. And he almost closed his glossy eyes.

They...they...

The exact moment Sinclair was SUPPOSED to jump onto that horse from the bridge, the moment Roy took that fateful plunge FOR HIM into the water below, the mighty fall paralyzing him irreversibly...his heart was nearly beating out of his chest.

It didn't make the final cut.

Instead, it cut to another actor riding a horse beneath the bridge.

"They didn't use it...they didn't use my stunt."

Roy gulped and let out a deep breath.

He continued to stare ahead at the projection, but not at the movie. His gaze was far far away.

The end.

Roy turned the projection off and found himself in the dark, the streetlights outside making his silhouette outline where the film had once been shining.

Roy looked down at his legs. He closed his eyes.

He didn't know if he was disgusted or relieved.