somewhere in the grey

Even without colors, they were able to make us laugh and cry, these performers hidden in the grey scale. Even with all the power that color has these comedians and singers, news reporters and characters, conveyed their emotions and the emotions of others. Even though it was visually less intoxicating they still managed to captivate their audiences. And maybe the effect was even more acute without the added distractions of HD and surround sound. Maybe their personalities and stories were all the more vivid because of the simplicity.

Regardless, somewhere in the grey a whole lot of color was hiding.

5.8.12 Perfect Warrior

I’m a warrior.  I carry my sword with pride.  My armor glints in the light of the moon and my hair flows out behind me in a gust of superficial wind. 

My horse whinnies its prerecorded whinny.

Captain rides in front.  “Men!  We gather today to fight!” 

Stupid line.  But who cares, I didn’t write it.

We brandish swords and charge.  Enemies fall in perfect time to my swing.  Parry, thrust, kill.  We’ve gotten good at this.

Now the battle’s over.  I have one single cut.  My hair is perfectly styled. 

Battle cannot hurt me.  

They’d lose too many fans.

5.3.11 Color Innovation

“Is that magic!” The old lady shouted, pointing frantically at a rapidly changing image.
“It’s called television,” the young man groaned and turned from the display case.
“But televisions are in black and white.” The old lady shook her head.
“Not anymore. They make them in color now.”
“I can see color!”
“Yeah, that’s what I said.”
“How does it do that? Is it magic?” She pressed her nose against the glass.
“No. All televisions are like that now.”
The old lady clapped her hands with excitement. “How long have they been selling these?”
“Fifty years, Grandma. You own one.”