It was time for some craft. He selected, from his stash of things-to-do, an item he had received for his birthday several weeks earlier:
The papercraft kit was unlicensed: a DIY mask of a Storm Trooper which greatly resembled characters in a beloved film series. The box was large and extremely lightweight, he thought as he broke the seal. It was only flimsy card after all:
Forty-seven pieces to be glued together! He’d made – or attempted to make – complex kits before and was immediately hesitant. But this wasn’t just a curio, it was a mask! He vowed to complete it…
At first it wasn’t too difficult and he thought he’d have it done in an hour or so. But the pieces became increasingly complex and the folds insane. He needed three hands and the patience of a saint! His fingers were sticky with glue as the going got harder. His conviction was tested, his mood dark. The hours passed.
And yet… and yet somehow it was piecing together error-free despite his frustration and the complexity. While he hated the tedious task he had to admit he was impressed with the design and engineering. This was vastly better than any other paper craft he’d tried.
The hardest pieces were in the last quarter but at that point he had the measure of the thing. And then, when the last (of over 250!) tabs was folded and glued, his relief was paramount! The Storm Trooper was finally complete:
There was one last challenge. The mask looked the part, but was it just for looks, or would it accommodate his giant head? Gingerly, laser sword in hand, he slipped it on:
Yes he hated making it, and yes he may even burn it to ash in a pyrotechnic extravaganza one day. But in that moment, as he wore it with pride, all was good.