So I’m in the office when I don’t have to listening to the Les Mis soundtrack for about the 54592th time and this jumped into my brain. A 1970’s rollerskating film.
The Mystic
The Mystic is THE friday night spot for red blooded American teens in Bainesville, Indiana. It’s a pretty boring town, without a lot of excitement, except for these friday nights. The high schoolers all go The Mystic. It’s the most happening rollerskating rink around. Cue a scene of a bunch of kids rollerskating around and doing tricks while typical 70’s music plays. DJ Goodvibes announces the star rollerskating duo, FlashFunk are about to take to the rink and perform a new routine. It’s really really good and we pan closer to a kid watching them named Dale. He’s a good skater, but aspires to be as good as these guys. After they perform he asks if they can give him some pointers. They say sure and take Dale under their wing. This makes him more popular than he’s ever been. He gets home late that night and his single father is pissed. Says dancing wont get him anywhere in life blah blah blah.
As the film bears on Dale is now growing in popularity and even girls like Jane (the pretty girl) like him now. Rollerskating might be his ticket to freedom. To a better life.
Until some old rich white guy decides he wants to buy The Mystic and turn it into a strip mall. DJ Goodvibes has been late on his rent and it’s just beginning to get to be too much for him. Dale asks him if theres another way, but there isn’t.
Turns out Dale’s dad is a smart business man and could help save The Mystic but hates dancing so he wont support it (turns out his wife, Dales mom was a star dancer back in the day and died after complications from a dance routine gone wrong). Dale’s life is a constant reminder of what Dale’s dad lost.
DJ Goodvibes decides to hold a skate a thon and invite the best skating teams in Indiana. Dale starts to believe that if he can help save The Mystic, he can do anything. The dance a thon starts and before that Dale asks for his dad just to come and see what he’s passionate about. They have a big fight and Dale says some hurtful shit about getting over mom and leaves. The old rich white guy comes back and says that the deal is going to go through tomorrow unless Goodvibes can come up with the cash.
Obviously the dance a thon is a success, but they don’t quite raise enough money, until Dale does his new futuristic dance set to music inspired more from the 80’s (this takes place in 1979). Goodvibes has never heard music like this. the people go crazy and obviously Dale’s dad is in the crowd and sees that it’s what Dale was born to do. He gives his son a nod of approval and the money meter gets all the way to the right amount!
Old rich white guy says it doesn’t matter, cause he’ll buy something else and he’ll be back for The Mystic another time.
Dale and his dad meet a compromise. Dale will finish HS but then go to a dance school. He leaves for NY with Jane.
Fin.