The Final Oscar
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The crowd buzzes with chatter and laughter as the 121st annual Oscars ceremony commences. I sit quietly as my daughter ‘ooh’s and ‘ah’s at women’s sparkly dresses as they pass by our row. I have sat in this chair so many times that I’ve lost count, though I’m sure that this will be my last. The awards fly by like seconds on the clock, and by the time they reach my movie, I’m ready to go home. Sure, the event has massive appeal and elegance, but I’ve grown old and weary, and I’m ready to finish this chapter of my life. I wait patiently as they call the names of the competing movies. The audience holds their breaths as the host pulls the piece of paper revealing the winner from the envelope. A smile flashes on their face, and they read the name.
“Johnny Depp”, the host exclaims, receiving bursts of applause and hollering from the crowd.
My daughter smiles at me and squeezes my hand. I return the favor and make my way to the stage, wearing my most confident smile. This award is different than the countless others I have received. This will be my last hurrah. When I reach the stage, the host smiles at me. She shakes my hand and gives me a golden trophy, which I happily accept and take the microphone to make my speech. I’ve never been prepared for this moment, but I know that it has to happen. I’ve known my time has come for a while now, but I wanted to hold on until I could make my final speech.
I sigh before leaning into the microphone.
“I’ve been anticipating this moment from the beginning of my career as an actor. I knew it had to happen, but that doesn’t mean I’m ready.”
I receive a few nervous laughs from the crowd.
“As many of you know, I’ve lead a full life. I’ve starred in more movies than I can count, but somehow, I remember every single one of the experiences. Some, better than others, but nonetheless, all were unique. I feel so incredibly lucky to be standing here today… To have touched the hearts of so many. I know that my departure will be greatly mourned upon, and I feel so blessed for that,” I say, pausing briefly to look at my daughter sitting in the crowd. She smiles, and I smile back.
“I’ve had a fairly amazing life, and I couldn’t have asked for better people to support me than I got. Sure, there have been tough moments, but I’ve always overcome them, which to me is the best blessing I could ever have in this career. The hardest moment of my entire life was when my daughter was rushed to the hospital for kidney failure. I’ll never forget the look on her face when she realized I couldn’t help her. I remember it so vividly, like it was yesterday. All I can say is that she is the reason that I am standing here today, giving my final speech. If she wouldn’t have made it, I would have been done for. So, I’d like to take a moment to thank the doctors and hospital staff that helped my beautiful daughter survive. I’d like to thank my family, and all my supporters for being here for me. And finally, I’d like to thank my absolutely amazing daughter for pushing me to be better each and every day. I may be missed, but my legacy will always live on through my movies. Thank you all for this amazingly positive experience, and for giving me a truly magnificent life.”
I take one final look at my daughter, who is now crying, and I smile. I blow her a single kiss, and she catches it and puts it to her heart.
_____________________________________________________________________
The crowd buzzes with chatter and laughter as the 121st annual Oscars ceremony commences. I sit quietly as my daughter ‘ooh’s and ‘ah’s at women’s sparkly dresses as they pass by our row. I have sat in this chair so many times that I’ve lost count, though I’m sure that this will be my last. The awards fly by like seconds on the clock, and by the time they reach my movie, I’m ready to go home. Sure, the event has massive appeal and elegance, but I’ve grown old and weary, and I’m ready to finish this chapter of my life. I wait patiently as they call the names of the competing movies. The audience holds their breaths as the host pulls the piece of paper revealing the winner from the envelope. A smile flashes on their face, and they read the name.
“Johnny Depp”, the host exclaims, receiving bursts of applause and hollering from the crowd.
My daughter smiles at me and squeezes my hand. I return the favor and make my way to the stage, wearing my most confident smile. This award is different than the countless others I have received. This will be my last hurrah. When I reach the stage, the host smiles at me. She shakes my hand and gives me a golden trophy, which I happily accept and take the microphone to make my speech. I’ve never been prepared for this moment, but I know that it has to happen. I’ve known my time has come for a while now, but I wanted to hold on until I could make my final speech.
I sigh before leaning into the microphone.
“I’ve been anticipating this moment from the beginning of my career as an actor. I knew it had to happen, but that doesn’t mean I’m ready.”
I receive a few nervous laughs from the crowd.
“As many of you know, I’ve lead a full life. I’ve starred in more movies than I can count, but somehow, I remember every single one of the experiences. Some, better than others, but nonetheless, all were unique. I feel so incredibly lucky to be standing here today… To have touched the hearts of so many. I know that my departure will be greatly mourned upon, and I feel so blessed for that,” I say, pausing briefly to look at my daughter sitting in the crowd. She smiles, and I smile back.
“I’ve had a fairly amazing life, and I couldn’t have asked for better people to support me than I got. Sure, there have been tough moments, but I’ve always overcome them, which to me is the best blessing I could ever have in this career. The hardest moment of my entire life was when my daughter was rushed to the hospital for kidney failure. I’ll never forget the look on her face when she realized I couldn’t help her. I remember it so vividly, like it was yesterday. All I can say is that she is the reason that I am standing here today, giving my final speech. If she wouldn’t have made it, I would have been done for. So, I’d like to take a moment to thank the doctors and hospital staff that helped my beautiful daughter survive. I’d like to thank my family, and all my supporters for being here for me. And finally, I’d like to thank my absolutely amazing daughter for pushing me to be better each and every day. I may be missed, but my legacy will always live on through my movies. Thank you all for this amazingly positive experience, and for giving me a truly magnificent life.”
I take one final look at my daughter, who is now crying, and I smile. I blow her a single kiss, and she catches it and puts it to her heart.