twas the night before Star Wars
i wrote a poem similar to this 4ish or so years ago but it wasnt about star wars or don morris. i think this one is definitly better.
ok its silly, i know.
twas the night before star wars,
and all through the booth,
it was kind of boring.
to tell you the truth.
i threaded the movies,
and checked over them too.
because thats about all,
that i had left to do.
did the customers show up late?
not even a few.
because thats not the sort of thing,
that star wars fans do.
the camped out outside,
all day instead.
as visions of light-sabers,
danced in their heads.
at last, almost midnight.
the time had grown near.
and as i dimmed all the lights,
i could hear the crowd cheer.
did i watch the movie?
no, i'd rather catch it later.
i wanted to be IN the theater,
when that dude becomes Vader.
then all of a sudden,
i heard such a clatter!
it was number ones middle platter!
my god! whats the matter?
so i ran down the booth,
full speed, super quick!
and what i saw when i got there,
made me feel sick.
the platter was spinning,
with all of its might.
the movie had brainwrapped,
and pulled far too tight.
the sound rack was sparking,
and flaming and stuff.
the film was being shredded,
and if that werent enough.
then the bulb exploded.
and shot glass in my eye.
as i reached for the stop button,
i thought i might die.
i waited for a moment,
as all the smoke cleared.
when i turned on the lights,
it was worse than i feared.
could i fix such a mess?
not even a chance.
just looking at it, i tell you,
i almost shit my pants.
the film was a big pile,
a smoking heap on the floor.
and that was when i heard,
the projection booth door.
was it the manager? the owners?
i prayed for the nicer.
and that was when i saw him-
Jolly Don Morris, and his eight flying splicers!
they glided on over,
in his magical sled.
and he gave me a wink,
and a nod of his head.
then he surveyed the mess,
for a brief, short while.
for a moment i felt lost,
then he started to smile.
could all this be fixed?
i didnt dare to ask.
i only watched on in silence.
as he began his task.
he was dressed in flannel,
from his neck to his waist.
and he had a full mustache,
in the center of his face.
he wore plain work boots,
and a pair of old jeans.
he was tall and thin,
short hair, very clean.
he had rosey red cheeks,
and a twinkle in his eye.
overall he looked,
like a pretty nice guy.
and then i noticed,
something slung on his back.
it looked like a big red bag-
his magic tool sack!
with a wave of his hand,
out went the flames.
and then he shouted to his splicers.
he called them by name!
On Cutter, On Taper,
On Fixin, On Slicey,
On Joiner, On Razor,
On Mender and Splicey!
His tools jumped in the air,
and started flying around.
and the splicers were flinging tape,
and really going to town.
and the print was put together.
just as good as new.
and the projector was fixed.
and the sound rack was too.
as for me, i was stunned.
i didnt know what to do.
you may not believe me,
but i swear that its true.
and as the movie started playing,
and he shook me by the hand.
i knew he was the greatest technician,
in all of the land.
he climbed in his sleigh.
and they all took flight.
and they flew right up the exhaust fan,
and into the night.
over the hum of the projector,
i thought i heard him say,
"next time pay better attention,
and things wont go astray!"
ok its silly, i know.
twas the night before star wars,
and all through the booth,
it was kind of boring.
to tell you the truth.
i threaded the movies,
and checked over them too.
because thats about all,
that i had left to do.
did the customers show up late?
not even a few.
because thats not the sort of thing,
that star wars fans do.
the camped out outside,
all day instead.
as visions of light-sabers,
danced in their heads.
at last, almost midnight.
the time had grown near.
and as i dimmed all the lights,
i could hear the crowd cheer.
did i watch the movie?
no, i'd rather catch it later.
i wanted to be IN the theater,
when that dude becomes Vader.
then all of a sudden,
i heard such a clatter!
it was number ones middle platter!
my god! whats the matter?
so i ran down the booth,
full speed, super quick!
and what i saw when i got there,
made me feel sick.
the platter was spinning,
with all of its might.
the movie had brainwrapped,
and pulled far too tight.
the sound rack was sparking,
and flaming and stuff.
the film was being shredded,
and if that werent enough.
then the bulb exploded.
and shot glass in my eye.
as i reached for the stop button,
i thought i might die.
i waited for a moment,
as all the smoke cleared.
when i turned on the lights,
it was worse than i feared.
could i fix such a mess?
not even a chance.
just looking at it, i tell you,
i almost shit my pants.
the film was a big pile,
a smoking heap on the floor.
and that was when i heard,
the projection booth door.
was it the manager? the owners?
i prayed for the nicer.
and that was when i saw him-
Jolly Don Morris, and his eight flying splicers!
they glided on over,
in his magical sled.
and he gave me a wink,
and a nod of his head.
then he surveyed the mess,
for a brief, short while.
for a moment i felt lost,
then he started to smile.
could all this be fixed?
i didnt dare to ask.
i only watched on in silence.
as he began his task.
he was dressed in flannel,
from his neck to his waist.
and he had a full mustache,
in the center of his face.
he wore plain work boots,
and a pair of old jeans.
he was tall and thin,
short hair, very clean.
he had rosey red cheeks,
and a twinkle in his eye.
overall he looked,
like a pretty nice guy.
and then i noticed,
something slung on his back.
it looked like a big red bag-
his magic tool sack!
with a wave of his hand,
out went the flames.
and then he shouted to his splicers.
he called them by name!
On Cutter, On Taper,
On Fixin, On Slicey,
On Joiner, On Razor,
On Mender and Splicey!
His tools jumped in the air,
and started flying around.
and the splicers were flinging tape,
and really going to town.
and the print was put together.
just as good as new.
and the projector was fixed.
and the sound rack was too.
as for me, i was stunned.
i didnt know what to do.
you may not believe me,
but i swear that its true.
and as the movie started playing,
and he shook me by the hand.
i knew he was the greatest technician,
in all of the land.
he climbed in his sleigh.
and they all took flight.
and they flew right up the exhaust fan,
and into the night.
over the hum of the projector,
i thought i heard him say,
"next time pay better attention,
and things wont go astray!"