It’s late in the evening, and everyone is asleep. I’ve gone out walking in the wee hours, thanks to my biphasic sleep pattern, and found a little corner of our resort that is set aside for smokers.
I actually found this spot earlier, and I have to admit that it’s a creepy little corner behind the laundromat but next to the pools. I was actually chastised by a mother with her kids while I stood there, smoking my pipe. She said her kids shouldn’t have to deal with my smoke. I responded with a question as to why she’s allowing her children to wander into a set-aside corner of the resort that, even for this little weirdo, is uncomfortable and horror-movie-set-feeling.
She didn’t have an answer to the question, so I claim my petty victory.
But man, did our kids have fun.
I’m adhering to the rule of Disney Magic: to the kids, this is real. From building a lightsaber to flying a ship to meeting Chewbacca, I did my best to treat it as if we were in that universe.
My loyalty to the Expanded Universe (called Legends, now) left me with a bittersweet expression, but it was good to see that universe put into a setting that the kids could interact with. They don’t have the books, yet, so this is their medium to learn about Star Wars.
What made it seem real for them was Chewbacca walking nearby and trying to talk to them. I grew up with the Wookiee, so when he came up, I said in a very nonchalant manner, “Hey Chewie, how’s Lumpawaroo doing?”
So help me, that Wookiee responded in Shryiiwook. I had a small conversation with Chewie, and after the kids hid behind us as he tried talking to them, he gripped my shoulder like an old acquaintance and grunted at me. I just said “Thanks, Chewie,” and he left. Now the kids think I’ve talked to the Wookiee before and I can understand him. That’s a cool moment, let me tell you.
Beyond that, I got one of the best burns from the kids. They asked, as we were making ready for the Smuggler’s Run ride, if I could be the pilot. I answered that I could fly any starship. So of course, one of my turns collided with a transport that put us on the ground. My daughter said, matter of factly, “Dad, you might can fly, but you sure can’t land.”
Nice, kid. Very nice.
So now, I’m sitting outside and waiting for this damn eardrum to finally pop. It’s a slow pain that’ll probably stay until we finally board the plane home, thus resetting the thing.
But hey, today was a lot of fun. Maybe I can write some.
Stay safe out there, readers.
-JB Swift
Swift's Corner 