Best Viewed from Afar, Not Up Close

Seeing only the top of the Hollywood Sign wasn't enough for Barbara. She asked, "Is there a place to slide down?"

Henry looked around and said, "I've been here before, and I did find a way down. If I remember correctly, someone cut the barbed wire so people could crawl through. Otherwise, you have to climb over."

"Let's go, let's go," Barbara said enthusiastically.

Before long, the two found the hole Henry had mentioned. They crawled in one after the other.

Fortunately, Barbara didn't torture herself by wearing high heels. But even in jogging shoes, walking on the sandy mountain path often left her waving her arms wildly to maintain her balance.

Or she just slid a short distance while standing. The fact that she didn't fall flat on her face is already a testament to Barbara's excellent balance.

Of course, Henry's occasional helping hand was also one of the reasons why Barbara didn't fall too badly.

Sometimes she would push the man's hand away in disgust, and other times she would throw herself into Henry's arms while shouting and making a playful sticking-out face.

If Henry hadn't been listening to that steady, unwavering heartbeat, he would have wondered if he could possibly spark a romance with such a beauty.

In the end, it was all just an act.

With acting skills like that, it's such a waste that he didn't go to Hollywood.

Henry didn't expose her, and just played along, stumbling and falling until they reached the Hollywood Sign.

The reason for choosing this altitude to build the landmark is, of course, because the terrain here is just right, with a small platform that doesn't have a significant drop in elevation. Perhaps part of it was renovated to provide storage for construction materials, but it's not very noticeable now.

But Barbara's excitement didn't last long upon reaching her destination; it was quickly replaced by disappointment. Touching the rusty supporting frame and the curled-up metal, she said:

"I didn't expect that seeing these signs up close would reveal so many rusty and broken pieces. There's really nothing to see. And being so close, it's impossible to see them all."

Henry chuckled and said, "That's how many things are. You look at them from a distance and they seem wonderful. But once you get close, all the flaws become apparent. A classic example of the United States Dream."

"Besides, this place was rebuilt in 1978, almost sixteen years ago. Being exposed to wind, sun, and rain every day, it's not surprising that it's in this condition. And this is just the steel structure; the previous wooden one was in even worse shape."

So do you think it's better to keep some distance, or to get closer and accept these shortcomings?

Faced with the pointed question, Henry evasively replied, "Hollywood, it's best to keep a bit of distance. The ideal situation is just right so you can see all the big characters clearly."

"Getting too close not only means you'll see the rusty parts, but you might also get cut by the flipped-up sheet metal. Besides, in this kind of wasteland, encountering a venomous snake would be quite a headache."

Henry's answer was also a double entendre. He was referring to both the Hollywood Sign and Hollywood itself.

However, the two tacitly kept the conversation to the surface. Henry looked up at the sky and said, "Bobbie, let's go back to the parking lot. It's quite a distance to climb up the mountain, and I didn't bring a flashlight. If we wait until dark and can't see the path, that will be troublesome."

There was still some time before dark. But this wasn't an operation that required precise timing; it was impossible to arrive at the parking lot exactly at the last minute before nightfall.

Having seen the Hollywood Sign close, regardless of whether it brought satisfaction or disappointment, Barbara nodded and said, as if resolving a long-held obsession, "Let's go."

People who are used to hiking and mountain climbing will say that going downhill is more dangerous and going uphill is easier. But for most people, going uphill is more tiring, while going downhill is easier.

Although they weren't quite at the point where they had to use both hands and feet, or have to catch their breath after climbing a short distance, when the two returned to the parking lot, not only had they taken off their wool hats and were wearing wool coats in Henry's hands, but the little girl, a former high school gymnastics Champion, also seemed less inclined to speak.

After helping Barbara into the car, Henry took two bottles of water from the trunk's cooler and handed one to the passenger.

Both of them drank the water in one gulp, and only then did they seem to come back to life and regain their energy.

Barbara tried to explain, "Actually, that mountain path wasn't very long."

"Of course, I understand. After all, we've been walking all day and are quite tired. What If...? normal circumstances, who would even notice such a slope?"

Seeing that the stubborn girl's expression had softened slightly, Henry smiled and asked, "How about we go down the mountain and find a place for dinner?"

Barbara stared at the person for a moment, then smiled and nodded, saying, "Okay."

Henry, relying on his sense of smell, found a cheap and delicious restaurant nearby. During the meal, he and Barbara chatted about their experiences of the day.

When Henry dropped the girl off at the hotel entrance, the girl who got out of the car asked through the window, "Henry, would you like to come up for a coffee?"

With her face slightly turned to the side, her eyes radiating charm, her exquisite features are undeniably alluring.

However, Henry laughed and said, "I thought I'd have to go through at least three dates before I'd get an invitation like this."

"That's just an excuse girls use to politely decline boys who aren't right for them. If they meet a suitable boy, they'd be foolish enough to ask him out three times; otherwise, they'd lose out to those cheap girls who throw themselves at them."

Aren't you afraid that your attitude will change once you get him?

"Doesn't this prove that my judgment was inaccurate and I misjudged people? What we should do is remember this lesson, not be afraid of making mistakes. I'm a biology student; if I'm afraid of making mistakes and dare not conduct experiments, then I'm destined to achieve nothing. I should change careers as soon as possible."

"Ha! What a pity. Although I'm not exactly a firm believer in three dates, I certainly didn't expect this invitation tonight when I left home. I still have to go back and feed the cat."

"Do you own a cat?" Barbara asked, raising an eyebrow.

Henry chuckled and said, "Yes, a very cute Tabby Cat. It just has a big appetite and a bit of a temper. I prepared lunch for it before I left, but dinner is still a mystery."

"If I miss a meal, my house will be in big trouble. I didn't put it in a cage. You don't want me to be the kind of man who forgets about his hungry cat just to get a cup of coffee."

"That's a real shame." Barbara frowned, then relaxed, and said, "How about the same time tomorrow, at the coffee shop again? Or perhaps earlier, could you pick me up from the hotel?"

"Shall we continue?"

"Of course! I still have vacation time, and I haven't finished visiting Hollywood yet," Barbara laughed.

"Okay, see you tomorrow then."

Barbara leaned her upper body through the car window, grabbed Henry's collar, and pulled him closer, quickly kissing her lips. She said teasingly, "Hope you remember to prepare dinner for the kitten tomorrow."