도박사 잭 II/2권

제2회 사랑의 솔레이유

도력 카메라로 촬영하고, 편집한 영상을 거대한 스크린에 투영해서 음성과 함께 감상하는 《영화》── 이것은 칼바드 공화국이 타국에 앞장선 문화. 최근 몇 년간 서민도 즐길 수 있는 오락시설로 서서히 그 범위를 넓혀가고 있었다.

평소에는 할의 꼬드김에도 반응을 잘 하지 않던 잭도 영화라는 말에 흥미를 보이며 동행하게 되었다.

「그래서, 두 개가 있는데 어느 쪽을 보는 거야？ 내가 보기엔 이『다크 건맨』이──」

「그럼 잭, 『사랑의 솔레이유』티켓 두 장 부탁해♪」

만면의 미소로 대답하는 할. ……잭에게 선택권은 없었다.

킹의 딸이라 그런 것이 아닌, 상성의 문제일까. 잭은 왜인지 할에게는 반론을 하지 못했다.

『사랑의 솔레이유』최근 유행하는 소설을 영화화한 것으로“러브 로맨스”라는 장르인 것 같다.

마음에 들지 않지만 단념하고 건물로 들어가는 잭. 그곳은 도력 에어컨(찬바람으로 실내온도를 낮춰주는 최근 발명된 도력 제품)이 있는 쾌적한 공간이었다.

「와──굉장해, 잭！」

눈에 비치는 것도 비치지 않는 것도 모든 것이 새로운《영화관》. 할의 텐션은 이미 절정에 올랐다.

할의 부탁에 영화관 안의 매점에서 음료수와 팝콘을 사 온 잭. 건물을 둘러보고 있는 사이에 상영 시간이 되어 두 사람은 티켓에 적혀있는 좌석에 자리를 잡는다.

스크린에 비추어지는 미남미녀. 두 사람의 열렬하고 극적인 연애 모습이 때로는 격렬하게 때로는 애절하게 전개된다.

그리고 클라이맥스── 수많은 장애물을 극복하고 맺어지는 두 사람. 최고조에 달한 키스신이 큰 화면에 비추어진다. 너무나도 정열적인 그 장면에 화면을 바로 볼 수 없는 할. 문득 잭이 마음에 걸려 옆을 보니……

눈에 들어온 것은 기분 좋게 자는 잭의 모습이었다.

Chapter 2 - Soleil of Love

Movies were a cultural phenomenon relatively new to Calvard and virtually unknown on the rest of the continent. They were stories told through moving pictures with sound recorded using an orbal camera, edited, and then displayed on giant screens in theaters for the enjoyment of the masses. And though movies were still uncommon, they were rapidly gaining popularity.

Ordinarily, Jack spurned Halle's invitations to venture out into the great outdoors, but his curiosity about this new innovation overcame his reluctance.

'So, which of the two are we gonna watch? This 'Gunslinger from Hell' one looks good t'me...' he said.

'Two tickets for 'Soleil of Love,' please!' Halle said to Jack, her face positively beaming.

Jack knew then that he had been a fool to even think he might have any choice in the matter. From the day that Halle started working at the bar it quickly became apparent that he had no hope of winning an argument against her. It would be easy to attribute this to the history between him and King, but truth be told, it was just his nature to fold against a hand like hers.

He sighed. 'Soleil of Love,' as he recalled, was a movie adaptation of a popular novel. A LOVE story. The genre alone was enough to convince Jack he wasn't in for a fun time, but he knew better than to try and resist.

Reluctantly, he stepped inside the theater. At least the building had air conditioning. Love story or no, it would be marginally better than standing outside in the sweltering heat, at least.

'Wow! Look at that, Jack! This is so cool!' Halle's eyes were alight with excitement as she took in the building's modern fixtures. She caught sight of the refreshment counter and dragged him over to it. After much wheedling and begging, Jack bought popcorn and drinks for the two of them. Snacks in hand, they made their way to their seats for the start of the movie.

The film began to play and a hopelessly attractive man and woman were projected onto the screen. Jack watched their romantic and tragic tale with stoic resignation while Halle sat captivated by every scene.

Eventually, the movie reached its torrid climax. The two lovers overcame the many obstacles in their path and finally came together as one in marriage, sharing a kiss so passionate that Halle couldn't help but avert her eyes.

She glanced over at Jack to see his reaction...and found him fast asleep in his seat.