Journal entry: 10/31/11 - The First Time I Saw Dracula

[Benjamin Naifeh Atiyeh]

Looking back over the years that I have traveled around the world and back home to my beloved Cairo.  I remember vividly of a time we had traveled through the United States for a short time and had stopped in this little town in the center of Texas.  There was really nothing special about this town but it was quiet and everyone seemed to know everyone.  We were intrigued at the similarity of people from this town and the people we knew growing up in Egypt, so many years ago.  

I decided to take in the sights of this town and go out walking on my own after having fed in a larger town.  Out of the corner of my eye I see this young boy.  He looked to be about 9-10 years old.  He seemed to be in a rush to get to his destination.  So, I decide to follow.

I notice that he is headed for a movie house.  Intrigued by this new technology, I follow him into the theater after paying my quarter to the person in the ticket booth.  The theater goes dark as I find my seat.  The boy is sitting a couple of rows ahead of me but I am able to see the emotions playing across his face as the film starts.

Looking up at the silver screen I see that the title of the film is Dracula featuring Bela Lugosi and Helen Chandler.  Bram Stoker wrote this story in 1897.  This is a great work of fiction from a man who was an actor's assistant and theater manager.  However, his great work was a listing of untruths or half lies about vampires.  I settle in to see what Tod Browning the director has offered me in this version of Mr. Stoker's work.

A smile comes over me as I see Mr. Lugosi finally make his debut as The Count and Renfield say.  

Count Dracula: I am Dracula. 
Renfield: Oh, it's really good to see you. I don't know what happened to the driver and my luggage and... Well, and with all this, I thought I was in the wrong place. 
Count Dracula: I bid you welcome. 

The film/story continues with the usual good vs evil and all vampires must die and the film ends.  Smiling as the credits roll, getting up from my seat.  I look over to the young boy as he exits the theater and see the horror and confusion in his eyes, the believing and unbelieving of the story unfold in his mind again and again.  I notice that the night has become dark and not wanting anything more to happen to this boy I follow him and watch as he enters his home.  

Praying to the gods to protect him from anything that horrible.