VI. Ad Astra Per Aspera

The protagonist stands alone, staring out at the ocean. The world is beginning to show signs of destruction. The ground intermittently shakes, and the faint, ghastly sounds of people screaming can be heard in the distance. The sky glows red, and the ocean is rough. One can see the flickering glow of the engine of the Vessel in the distance.

PROTAG: My whole life, I always have these sporadic moments of absolute passion, grandiose romance, you know, moments where there's only one thing that matters to me

The protagonist sighs.

PROTAG: Moments where, you know, my face is on a TV screen, and millions of people are watching me, hanging on to every single word I say. They never last though. I always return this horrendous feeling of indifference.

The protagonist starts to become more animated.

PROTAG: Like... The world literally just fucking ended. And how do I feel? A little scared? A little overwhelmed?

The protagonist chuckles to himself. He begins pacing.

PROTAG: No. Not really. All I care about is maintaining the illusion that my actions have purpose. You know? That I mean something. And maybe that’s what life’s about! Living out hundreds of little movies in your head, because maybe in those moments you do mean something?

The protagonist looks up at the Vessel.

PROTAG: I mean, I don’t know if I’ll ever care about anything. I don’t know if I’ll ever fall in love. I don’t know if I’ll ever escape this endless void that holds all of us.

The protagonist pauses.

PROTAG: But... Maybe I can make you care. Maybe I can make you fall in love. Maybe I help you escape the endless void... Because you definitely deserve it more than I do.