7

The lake is crystalline, born from the tears of the moon, the same star that reflects its silvery and full image on the peaceful surface. Fireflies flutter, and the aura of their appendages creates luminescent trails among the pink-trunked trees. Two naked bodies stand in mid-water. Chester closes the distance to a shy Nadjela.

The slender, petite young woman trembles with novelty and anticipation. As strong arms draw her in, and her back tightens against his broad, solid chest, Nadjela closes her eyes and, as an intimate warmth spreads from her belly to the rest of her body, her tension disappears to the beat of the nobleman's heart, in perfect sync with her own.

Chester leans into the princess's neck and, after a kiss behind the ear, the hero whispers his declaration of love.

"You are the light that illuminates my darkest nights"

Nadjela turns away. Their gazes collide, and although they had only known each other for a short time, their expressions were pregnant with desire. Their mouths shorten their distance, and with their breaths intertwined, they promise to merge and become one to the rhythm of the violin playing in the background. But the rustling of some bushes stops the moment. Chester and Nadjela look at the stage, and find a guy in a hat, jacket, and shorts, hunched over in the trees.

Cut! shouts the director.

The operators turn on the spotlights to brighten the scenery. The moon disappears and gives way to a white dome made up of hexagons. A chorus of murmurs grows, but only one voice makes itself heard.

"What the fuck?" Chester glares at the biologist. "You ruined my scene!"

"I was making sure the fireflies weren't tense," the worker defends himself. "They are very sensitive"

Chester breaks away from the co-star and advances to the poor guy.

"Ooooh, good for you. And how were they?"

"Relaxed...?" The biologist looks sideways, clearly uncomfortable.

"Then why the fuck are you coming in like this, like in your house, straight from the back?"

"I just..."

"I want to kick your fucking ass if you don't shut up for a second!"

The snapshot of Christian Burroughs with his face disfigured in anger, pointing his finger at a worker, and with co-star Elena De Silva covering his face behind his back, leaked from the set. Now the segment is featured midway through the show "The Pink Chair," aired on Pluto Channel. More than a billion viewers enjoy the show through various listening and viewing mediums. The actor expected the blow, but by the way he swallows saliva, it is clear how hard it is for him to chew the subject.

"It was unacceptable and it was my fault" he says from the chair, in an attempt to save his reputation and his place in the film. "The Lancasterian," the new episode of "The Planetary Heroes" multimedia universe, would be released in barely a month. But by the half-smile that Beatriz Yanez, the program's interviewer, gives him, Christian understands that he has no chance of winning. That little woman, with very straight hair and wearing a pink dress, had been shooting countless public figures on that piece of furniture for years. A natural conclusion when you know that she descends from the legendary Venezuelan journalist, Oscar Yanez.

The Lancasterian, the film dramatization of the life of the liberator, anarchist, and muskite outlaw, Chester Lancaster, would be delayed for the following year due to the substitution of the main actor.