Page 23 of Escaping my Dragon

“Exactly. Just like those perpetuating myths would prefer to fabricate and stretch the truth, lest they lose attention and tourist dollars. You wouldn’t believe the backlash I got after the episode debunking all the supposed Bigfoot videos.”

“From those faking it?”

“Actually, more so from those who wanted it to be true,” was my wry admission.

“People are fucked.”

Crude, but also apt. “I don’t get the impression you use social media much.”

“Not at all.”

“Then what do you do to pass the time?”

“Read. Watch movies.”

“Old Westerns and wartime stuff?”

“Actually, I avoid realism. I get enough with that in my day-to-day.”

“What do you watch then?” I couldn’t help my curiosity.

He sounded almost sheepish as he admitted, “Star Wars, the old trilogy being my fave. Lord of the Rings. Really enjoy the darker, grittier DC stuff.”

“Star Trek?”

His smile shone. “I own physical copies of Deep Space Nine and The Next Generation because I watch them on repeat. Battlestar Galactica, too. What about you? You mentioned liking Stephen King and supernatural stuff, but what are your favorites?”

“I’m also obsessed with ocean movies.”

“Like Free Willy?”

My turn to mumble as I admitted my darkest secret. “More like The Abyss and Leviathan. I’ve also watched a few movies about the arctic.”

“The Thing,” he sighed. “I don’t think we get a visitor who doesn’t mention it.”

“You forgot the Thaw and the miniseries, The Terror.”

“I’m impressed that after seeing those you still came here.”

“I’m capable of separating fact from fiction. But I also figure they’ve prepared me, so if anyone shows signs of infection from a parasite, I won’t hesitate to act.”

He snorted. “You aren’t like I expected.”

“And what would that be?”

“I expected you to be a diva, for one. Complaining about the lack of amenities. Ordering us around. Making up shit to make your show look good.”

“I’ve met people like that in the biz and ugh.” I fake shuddered. “My show is about presenting reality. It would be kind of weird if that wasn’t my personal motto when it came to life.”

“Another thing I wouldn’t have guessed is you’re smart.”

“Until I take off the glasses, then people assume I’m dumb.”

That made him laugh. “I think that says more about their intellect than yours. You’re a person who thinks and it shows in the questions you ask. Which I’ll admit to being impressed by.”

“Why?”

“Because you’ve done your research.”