A special public screening of Funeral at Feng-t’ai was held in November in Summervale, and we all went to see it. I couldn’t believe it myself when I saw it. The editing job was fantastic. I found Kin and me in the march, and even saw myself killed in the attack on the castle. The train plunging over the bridge still scared me though, and Celia could hardly bear to watch. A lot of the dummies tumbled out of the coach when it went over the bridge and ended up in the bottom of the ravine. They looked like real bodies to me.
It wouldn’t have fit in the plot, anyway, but I was glad they’d edited out the bit of me and Celia scrambling between the coaches. I knew I wouldn’t have looked too brave.
I looked great though, when I stumbled from the engine, all bloodied and muddy, and staggered along the roof of the coach, over the wall, with Celia in my arms. The rest of my followers, thanks to a few retakes and great editing, cheered madly.
They’d filmed a scene with the rebels pouring out of the coaches inside the castle compound, and a sword fight between Colin Jang and Paul Tinyan.
In the changed script, Paul Tinyan, playing the ruler of the province, was preparing to flee with Li Ching. He’d drugged Li Ching to stop her from trying to escape. This bit fit nicely with me carrying an unconscious Celia over the wall.
Dad thought the film was great. He even gave Aunt Phyllis a peck on the cheek when he told her, “You did great,” and he sounded like he really meant it. Dad and Aunt Phyllis had called a truce.
After the screening, we were all invited to a special reception at city hall, this time paid for by Pocket Money Pictures. It was really nice to be a guest. It was catered by The Ritz again, and I noticed there were no crêpes flambé on the menu. I was surprised, though, to see Chef Antonio carving the roast himself. When he served me, I grinned at him and he looked at me curiously, but I don’t think he recognized me. I’d let my hair grow back.
Dad has finally accepted the fact that I might want to be an actor. Sometimes, when he’s not watching wrestling, he’s had a few of his pals over to the house to see the special video version of the movie I was given. Mom and I have to grin every time we hear him in the living room calling out, “There’s Aunt Phyllis,” and “that’s my boy!”
Aunt Phyllis kept her promise. With her help, I’ve enrolled in college in Summervale and I’m taking drama. After that, who knows? Maybe I’ll go to New York to acting school. Robert Rudsnicker wants me to keep in touch with him. He said he’d see what he could do for me in the future.
Oh yeah. Celia and I are dating. Really dating. But our biggest date is coming up soon in Hollywood. We’ve been invited to the Academy Awards. Funeral at Feng-t’ai is up for a number of awards. But the one I’m really hoping that the movie wins is Best Stunt. If it wins, Robert Rudsnicker says I can accept it on behalf of Pocket Money Pictures. I’ve got my acceptance speech all ready, just in case.
Copyright © Frank O’Keeffe, 2013
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Editor: Jennifer McKnight
Design: Courtney Horner
Epub Design: Carmen Giraudy
Library and Archives Canada Cataloguing in Publication
O'Keeffe, Frank
Harry Flammable [electronic resource] / Frank O'Keeffe.
Electronic monograph.
Issued also in print format.
ISBN 978-1-4597-0456-5
I. Title.
PS8579.K44H37 2013 jC813'.54 C2012-903218-2
We acknowledge the support of the Canada Council for the Arts and the Ontario Arts Council for our publishing program. We also acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada through the Canada Book Fund and Livres Canada Books, and the Government of Ontario through the Ontario Book Publishing Tax Credit and the Ontario Media Development Corporation.
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