Phil's Bebopin' Experience

 It was a quiet day at the theater, mostly closed for a typical weekday to clean out some of the more messy theaters and testing out some items in the others. Phil was one of the lucky ones to be testing out a new pair of 3D glasses being introduced in this particular theater – they were said to bring the movie experience to you up close and personal, and that made him very excited. As he approached the theater in question, he was holding his invitation in his hand. It read “Help us test out new 3D glasses for the movie TMNT: Out of the Shadows. There will be payment upon completion of the testing.” Who would pass up an opportunity like this? He entered, the booth custodian allowing him inside upon seeing the invitation in his hand.

As Phil entered, he was greeted by the manager in charge that day. “Good morning! You must be Phil, correct?”

“Yes, I am here, responding to this invitation I got from you?” He was a little surprised that they knew his name, but figured it was how they got his address to send the letter in question. “It’s for testing new 3D glasses, right?”

“That’s right. We want to see if these glasses can be used appropriately for future venues in which we can air movies in 3D. This is our only pair for the time being, but we aren’t sure how well recipients might respond to the films with these. That’s where you come in – we just need you to test these while the movie is being played and you tell us how well they function.”

This sounded pretty straight forward to Phil, considering it was just to test out the glasses. “We don’t plan on airing the whole movie, by the way; as this is being a test, we’re only going to be showing a part of it. Sound fair?” Considering that this film was already out, it made sense; they do want people to come see the movie with their wallets instead of viewing them for free. Phil agreed, and they gave him a pair of glasses that looked suspiciously like purple visors. “The design is intentional, but they do work as 3D glasses regardless.”

“These look rather silly, but if it’s to help test something, I don’t have much right to complain. So, which theater is this being held in?” he asked, considering the reason he came.

“Right this way.” Phil was lead to the bigger theater: auditorium 24, which was reserved for films hitting their big weekend, though this time, it was to test out the 3D glasses. “Here, have some complimentary popcorn and a soda on us while you’re enjoying the film.”

“Thank you!” With that, Phil sat down in the empty theater and prepared to watch the TMNT movie. It was odd; the glasses just felt too familiar and he couldn’t quite put his finger on why. He just decided to enjoy the movie and see how things turned out.

A while later, somewhere mid-movie, was the introduction of Bebop and Rocksteady, and Phil got a kick out of their antics considering how campy the movie was. As he was laughing, however, he didn’t notice the changes to his body, spurred on by the 3D glasses he was wearing. His hair began to shift and alter into a Mohawk, turning purple as it did, while brown fur sprouted all over his face. His ears pointed and shifted upwards, but somehow didn’t shift the glasses as they moved towards his upper head, and even more so when his nose pushed out, becoming quite pig like in nature; his bottom canines sharpened and came out of his mouth, giving him the face of a warthog.

It was strange, how Phil never felt the changes, yet they continued: his fingers merged and became hoof like, yet kept their dexterity; the leather gloves he was wearing tearing a bit where the fingers fused. Some of the leather clothing also tore from his growing stature; his football shirt tore underneath as his stomach grew out, the leather jacket on top straining as fur erupted over his body and even tore open holes in some places. Strangely enough as well, his leather boots strained as his feet popped open from them, only to reveal hooves that were forming in place. Finally, his jeans tore from his growing mass, until the changes finished up, and it was near the end of the movie. Phil, unbeknownst to his change, had just one response to the movie and the glasses:

“Man, I was skeptical at first, but these new 3D glasses really DO make you feel like you’re part of the movie!”

Once he left the auditorium, the owner looked at him curiously, fearing the worst. Phil was paid and left soon after, leaving as a warthog of a patron and causing a stir with the theater employees. Seems the 3D glasses would have to be revised before showing them to new patrons.

As for Phil himself…

“I feel really good! The movie turned out great and the glasses helped for that matter, but I can’t help thinking that something is missing…oh right, Rocksteady!” Something in Phil’s mind stirred. “That idiot! I need to find him; he can’t have fun without me and the boss would kill me if we’re not back at base…wherever that is.” Seems Phil changed in more ways than one, now as the new Bebop in town.