How Jules Became Julia
Dean Traylor is a freelance writer and teacher who writes about various subjects, including education and creative writing.
"He had her favorite dress and make-up on. He topped it off with golden locks of hair very similar to hers."
“Everything you do makes me want to scream!” Jules exclaimed from behind the closed door of his bedroom.
Julie struggled for a response, but her confinement made it impossible.
Jules was always a delightful jokester, but this was too much for her. What he was doing in there, she thought.
She could only ponder while she put the pieces of the last six month together. He was her roommate. She had been apprehensive to take on a male roommate. But he was sweet, despite being odd. Still, he appeared harmless and was so until a few weeks ago.
“Have I not ever told you,” he said. “You’re so right as rain?”
A million times, she thought. All the cards, flowers, candle-lit dinners prepared for her when she came home were testaments to that. His infatuation was so apparent that it was freaking her out. She was about to tell him she wanted him to move out, before the current event happened.
“Everything you do makes me want to scream!” Jules exclaimed from behind the closed door of his bedroom.
Finally, the door swung open, and out stepped Jules looking awfully like Julie. He had her favorite dress and make-up on. He topped it off with golden locks of hair very similar to hers.
He sighed and asked: “You like my style of fashion?"
Even if Julie could speak through the gag in her mouth, she didn’t know what to say.
“Everything you do is irresistible,” he continued. “It’s simply kissable.”
He came and knelt before her: “I kept asking myself: What can’t I be you?”
He stood and twirled like a little child showing off a new dress.
“And now look! I am you!”
Julie struggled more than ever. She tried as hard as she could to pull her hands out of the sheets bounding her to the chair. But, it was to no avail.
Then the unthinkable happened. Jules brandished a knife.
“You’re so wonderful and too good to be true,” he said. “I’ll just hug you to death.”
And, within a few moments, Jules became Julie.
Extra: We Wish We Could by the Cure
How Jules becomes Julie owes much of its existence to one of most enduring alternative hits from the mid-eighties. It's also one of the most cheerfully creepy songs to come from that era (and if you're in doubt about that, check out the video).
Still, one can't ignore the band behind the music. The Cure have been around since the late 70s, and during that time have threatened to break up numerous times. It seems that Robert Smith and company had shunned super stardom; however, they never followed through on this when they finally became popular. All they did was create more bizarre art-house songs that managed to reach a very wide audience.
The band is, arguably, one of the most influential of the last 30 years. And, there's no doubt that many bands and fans have emulated their appearance, as well as their music. In some cases, they have an almost cult-like following.
The song is about obsession, which is something the band and their fans may know very well. And, as mentioned the story above was inspired by the imagery, words, and theme expressed "Why I Can't I Be You."
Still, this story takes a more dark and twisted turn than the song does. Despite the dark imagery and goth-like theme that the band seems to portray, their music is actually very light-hearted and whimsical.
Lyrics for Why Can't I Be You
- THE CURE LYRICS - Why Can't I Be You?
Lyrics to "Why Can't I Be You?" song by THE CURE: You're so gorgeous I'll do anything I'll kiss you from your feet To where your head begins You're so...
Why Can't I Be You - The Cure (warning: video's image may offend)
Other Song-based Stories
- A Black and White World
In a world decimated, even the sign of color is a reason to hope. Here's a story inspired by the song Black Planet by Sisters of Mercy, in which two travelers search a world literally black and white.
- Shadows in the Cities of Dust
Ashes cover the ruins of an "ancient" city. However, what the archeologists discover in this city of dust is ominous and foreboding. And, it's the shadows he discovers that spelled its fate.
© 2014 Dean Traylor