Like Tears in Rain
I stood on the precipice, looking out across the barren land, all hope lost. I’d been alone for months, barely surviving. I thought of the life I’d lived before, all the happy times I’d shared with family.
One foot hovered over the edge, and stilled. Part of a monologue I’d heard, long ago, came to mind.
All those moments will be lost in time, like tears in rain…
I couldn’t let those memories wash away. I pulled my foot back, seeing a plume of smoke in the distance, sign at last of civilisation. It was not my time to die.
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For anyone who hasn’t come across this particular monologue before, it’s from the 1982 movie ‘Blade Runner’. Rutger Hauer, who played the part of Roy Batty, reworded the scene the night before shooting it and reduced several crew members to tears. For me it is the most poignant death scene in any sci fi movie. It’s certainly a scene that has stuck with me for the last four decades! You can view the full monologue in all its glory here:
https://youtu.be/jvFYgELj2X0
Your micro writing Carrie, has a true resonance. It reminds me of “The Tree” because both are sad apocalyptic stories.
Thank you, Margarida. I shall have to try and find that one.
Carrie, this story is beautifully written and compelling. It’s such a contrast with many of your other stories. The title alone drew me in. You’ve built a great story around a very unforgettable quote. Great work!
Thank you, Fuji. Post apocalyptic stories are just one of the genres I enjoy writing, and probably the one where it is difficult to inject humour if you have a person who feels so alone in the world. I think the stories I rarely tackle are contemporary fiction in the modern day – probably because I don’t like our world very much and try to escape from it as best I can!
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I am the huge fan of apocalyptic/dystopian/sci-fi stories, and this one didn’t disappoint! There is a beauty in hopelessness here. The last line is brilliant as well. Fantastic work, Carrie!
Thank you, Melissa. I love to be alone, but that is of my own volition. To be completely alone for weeks or months on end, having that choice taken away, having no one to talk to, to be able to get another opinion on something, no one to challenge you – well, that’s just unimaginable. Actually, I think that was demonstrated well in the film ‘Castaway’. Perhaps my character wouldn’t feel quite so alone if she had her own personal ‘Wilson’! I’m glad you liked the last line. I thought it worked well with the monologue; the last line in that in the movie, directly after the words quoted, is ‘time to die’. In ‘Blade Runner’ the character Roy Batty comes to the conclusion at the last moment that all life is precious, so it felt apt that my character came to the conclusion at the end that it wasn’t her time to die.
Yes, having that choice taken away would be devastating. I love the thought process behind you coming up with this story! ‘Blade Runner’ is something I haven’t watched in full, but I’m curious now. I’ll look into it this weekend. I’m glad your character came to this conclusion, hopefully you expand on this story someday! I found this story to be wonderful!
Another great piece of writing, Carrie. When I read the title, I was already amazed up until the end of your story. Well done.
Thank you, Lotchie. I’ve been so inspired by that monologue for so long that it’s been nice to be able to finally use it in one of my own stories.
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You are welcome, Carrie.
Powerful and impressive writing, Carrie! Especially after having watched the video clip, it goes deep.
Thank you so much, Christer. It is, indeed, a very powerful and inspiring scene.