Movie by Illia Yamkovii

 In a roadside diner somewhere in the middle

of the American desert, two men, one young and thin, the other large and serious, were engaged in an interesting conversation:

- So why did you come here?– asked the one who seemed to be dark and serious.

- Oh, I'm studying to be a film director, and I came here to gather material for my final work. – the skinny guy answered, finishing his eggs.

It was Miles, a film college student who had received a scholarship to make his own movie and had travelled to this outback for inspiration. His companion did not introduce himself, but during their long conversation he became interested in the guy. But the man's appearance never left Miles' mind, so he asked: 

- And you? – The boy looked at the man's gray cloak, which completely covered his body, and then at the hat lying next to his plate. This mysterious man looked a little old-fashioned and definitely not dressed for the weather.

The man noticed this: 

- You're right, young man, I'm not from here, and to be honest, I'd like to leave as soon as possible, – he said with a slight smile, – but back to your movie, why here?

- You see, this town is famous for its legends, there are many interesting things related to...

- A military base in the desert. –the man finished for Miles before taking a sip of coffee from his cup.

The boy looked at him in surprise:

- That's right, is that why you're here too? 

The man took another drink of his coffee and smiled again:

- I wouldn't say that, but you're right again, it's a popular topic of discussion in this place.The confused young man fell silent and then decided to continue. An idea popped into his head to talk to the man, maybe he could tell him some interesting details to add to the script:

– That's why I'm here, to collect all these urban legends and gossip and fill my script with them. You can't surprise anyone with a story about Area 51 anymore, but there's a lot more to dig into.

- So you must be interested in stories about aliens? – the man asked, knowing the young director's answer in advance.

- Yes.– Miles said, a little confused. He felt a little uncomfortable. It was as if the man knew the course of this conversation in advance. Perhaps he was not the first guy to come to this place for such a thing.

- You seem to be reading my mind, mister, –Miles joked, – or am I that predictable?

- It was easy to guess. – The man chuckled. – Moreover, something tells me that you, like everyone else, will romanticize what you hear, not even knowing what lies behind that steel door.

- What do you mean? – Miles asked in confusion. – Are you somehow connected to the military base?

- Other than that, – the man continued, – it's probably inherent in you. You're a future filmmaker, a man of creativity, eager to tell exciting stories. 

- What does this have to do with anything?– Miles felt anxious inside.

- Apart from alien legends, you're probably most interested in the latest rumours about an unearthly creature that broke out of the base walls? The man's gaze bored into Miles. The young man didn't know where this conversation was going to go. The man continued:

- Listen, kid, if you want your story to be filled with incredible details and colours, I can help you. But I warn you, you will not be ready for most of what you will see. The human mind is a complicated one, but there are things that can have a profound effect on it.

Miles sat silently, staring at the man.

- You don't have to answer that, – he said, smiling again, – remember what you said about reading minds? I already know the answer. It was time for me to go, so I gave you a couple of minutes to come to your senses.

The door opened and the man left. "This will be an interesting ending to my journey," he said to himself as he opened the door. Miles thought he was sitting alone in that diner. His mind was racing. Thoughts were swirling in his head. Did it really just happen? The door opened again, and there was no one else in the diner.