If life is a movie: We are in the scene just before the climax where James Bond will dishum down the villain – Economic Times

If life is a movie, we are watching the scene just before the climax, when everything looks bleak and a sad song plays. Soon James Bond will chase the villain codenamed Covid-19 in FBI circles in a brake-screechy car, toppling fruit carts, flamboyantly jumping traffic signals, and after some solid dishum dishum we can all walk off into the sunset.

In a rerun of NetflixsRussian Doll, however, we are stuck on the edge of our seat, biting our nails, in a state of eternal suspense. We are in that movie and then back on our seat, in that movie, back on our seat; there is no escape!

We the same people who loudly warned the heroine against going out to investigate loud noises when alone or picking up calls at midnight with a breathless voice vowing to kill them on the other end are now trapped in that same house with a phone ringing non-stop.

Social media initially exploded with well-meaning advice on how we can unleash our inner Shakespeare and pen that iconic bestseller. Then came the universal acceptance of writers block. Art and literature, plays and poetry depend on gallivanting aimlessly, watching people go by, a quick run to a cafe, kissing an old flame goodbye. Wheres that salesman who rings our doorbell when we are sleeping? Life on hold, muse goes missing.

Those who write instant screenplays as soon as a real-life murder happens are frozen. Extras and junior artistes to run around in masks and gloves, mobbing grocery stores, are readily available but who will play Coronavirus?

Lifes turned tragicomic, we are our own drama. Nothing can out-do the dramatic tension of our days. This is the ultimate game show; the elimination round is on, only some of us will get out alive. All our artifacts, paintings, extensive knowledge of wine are secondary to immunity levels, vitamin D deficiency or that passerby who sneezed.

Nothings the same. Some rue the economy, some romance. Old women who pretended they were sedately waiting for death are glugging tulsi tea. Technophobes must master the vast video-chat cosmos. Already meme world is full of naked spouses and sweethearts walking past the suited-booted WFH person. The small screen has overtaken the big screen.

There are whispers that a young scientist called Frankenstein goofed up in his lab. Must Harry Potter visit the wet market to take on The Virus That Must Not Be Named? Dracula now makes do with the necks of the stray few who break lockdown rules.

DISCLAIMER : Views expressed above are the author's own.

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If life is a movie: We are in the scene just before the climax where James Bond will dishum down the villain - Economic Times