If you had to switch lives with a fictional character for a week, who would you choose?

Fictional characters have life. If you walk into a movie theater or theater, you sense the story. If you have read a novel or short story, those lives exist. I was taught to remember the difference between non-fiction and fiction is that fiction is false. Hard core expectations from my teachers never left me. So, when I reflect on a “fictional character ” I would trade places with for one week, it’s not a woman.

I see the glass doors of the Pershing movie theater. I walked past the movie posters outside. The pungent smell of heavily artificial buttered popcorn and cheap hot dogs wraps around each person like a warm polyester puff jacket. The zipper is all the way up! You’re trapped.  Not a bad trap. There’s lots of talking, laughing, orders being yelled out, and the OG sound of a cash register.  $5 could buy a lot in 1985.

The lights slowly fade until the theater is vibrating the previews. I had no idea if this movie was going to be good. I was with my friends. And we knew one thing for sure, Han Solo. Star Wars was EPIC! Han Solo, AKA Harrison Ford, was an all business kinda guy who WE knew loved Princess Leia. He wasn’t John Wayne or Gary Cooper. He was a new character that didn’t follow the typical co-star lines. Not to mention, Chewbaca, who was not just that tall walking carpet, was a buddy. That was more than a trusty stead. This new story took us into the 1930s.

Indiana Jones combined what I knew from my southern Baptist knowledge and love of Egyptian lore. Indiana Jones was a professor. He traveled.  He knew how to fight. His lines made me crack up! On the screen was a fantastic story in beautiful exotic places, and he does the right thing.

I knew I wanted to be a teacher. I had experience being around small kids. So, when Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom came out, naturally I went to see it. I don’t think it was at the Pershing theater, but the Bassett Movie theater. There is a part where Indiana Jones could leave with the treasure.  He makes a stand. “Right. ALL of us!” He goes back for the children. NO guarantees of getting out alive or with the treasure or with Short Round. That moment sealed my decision to teach. Who else puts the main character to go back and save children? Then! He knows how to not let the villain gain control of the stones, and saves THE one for the Indian Village. Indiana Jones knew traditions, customs, food etiquette, accepted dress, and so many languages.  He had friends all over the globe. The only reason I want to go to Venice is because of HOW he found X marks the spot. However, I don’t think I’d have a problem with snakes. The rats? MAYBE. The sewer…for sure.

My truth for trading places for a week is just what I’ve said. Being a college professor,  adventurer, traveling, and if I could talk to my dad one last time, I’d do it in a heartbeat.  Sean Connery was the perfect fit for the dad. My dad was like Dr. Jones, father. A strong believer in God.

Indiana Jones isn’t a hero. This fictional character, male character, cracks me up, ask difficult questions, and has opportunities to show how humanity can work. Not to mention, as a kid, he had a dog.