wander.

April 1.

Los Ángeles, every cinema was packed, especially the Mark Taper Forum, which was fully prepared for the premiere that began with an exhausting schedule starting at ten in the morning. There were no shows yet, but the decorations caught the attention of everyone around. For now, the cameras focused on the suspended spaceships, the Naboo soldiers patrolling, along characters from past franchises soaking in the excitement of a moment that was a must for fans.

Raimon stood among a group of 500 people, narrating every production detail as if he were an action hero. Raimon never stopped flaunting his knowledge.

-They invested $200 million to revitalize the franchise. George Lucas, along with Billy Carson, have been working on this since 1992. They have a 15-year license starting in 1995. This is one of the grandest projects I've ever seen. They've created a mega-production studio that fans will be able to visit by special reservation for years to come. It's simply wonderful how Billy managed to pull everything off, and that's not all. He wants to bring the original cast for cameos and develop other storylines that will only expand the saga. Since I'm the primary contact— the young man boasted—the main goal is for people to appreciate the series and treat it with all the respect it deserves. They hired an outstanding cast, the best acrobats for the lightsaber fights, and conceptualized different elements that will be introduced in future installments. And it's more than that; the film will have the kind of excitement only a director like Steven Spielberg can deliver,--Raimon commented.

-So, all you're saying is that we should support this,- remarked a man in a Han Solo costume, complete with a leather hat, who struck a cowboy-like pose, fitting his character.

-Well, support it and share your ideas. We want the best of the best, from fans and future protectors of the Force alike. I've already advanced my plans, and many of your ideas have been taken into account. We're almost ready to open a store exclusively dedicated to Star Wars, so every person can have their little hidden corner,- Raimon said.

-Interesting idea… we'll see how things unfold,- remarked the cowboy, John Caiber, leader of the Star Wars fan club in Los Angeles and a key figure in the project.

The lines for the premiere were buzzing with excitement. Many people gathered, and today, the cinema had reserved four screens just for the public. At 7 p.m., the first Star Wars film in all of North America would begin. The pre-sale system had sold out the theaters, and fans flocked with enthusiasm. Lines in many theaters were packed, and people were eager to get inside. Tickets for the following days were already sold, and before the official release, thousands of tickets had been sold, amounting to $6 million on the first day, with just the limited showings available that evening. With these numbers and reservations, Star Wars was set to become one of the biggest releases of the 1990s.

It was like an explosion—a powerful collision. Success or failure hung in the balance, but at least they hoped that in the coming years, everything would unfold as intended.

…

Anne traveled to San Jose, feeling refreshed. There was something untouchable within her, but the heavy thoughts weighing on her mind had disappeared. She felt so alive, so beautiful and loved, that she forgot everything else. She could only stretch out her arms as she arrived home. The house was empty; the kids would be at school, leaving her free to take a long bath, even if it was her second of the day. That was all she wanted—to relax.

Dressing in something light, she wanted to feel unburdened all day. She heard a clatter in the kitchen, as the fan sliced through the silence. The marble countertop, expansive with polished tile accents, and the L-shaped kitchen gave the Hall home an orderly look. The aroma was pleasant, and Anne flared her nostrils to savor the sweet scent that filled the room—a strong stew, marinated in a rich goulash sauce, awaited her for lunch. The kids would soon be running around.

-That smells delicious,- Anne commented.

-It's good you're here. It's the first time you didn't give me notice… I suppose an old lady like me can't judge. I'll pack up your lunch; you're running a little late. My clock says it's almost nine, so you'll be late. I'll give you some extra food.- Anne's grandmother smiled wryly as she filled two jars with apple juice, along with a large container of food, two fruits, and a pack of corn.

They decided to have breakfast in silence—coffee with toast. Anne avoided her grandmother's accusatory gaze, pretending not to notice, as she usually did in these situations. The first thing Anne did was sign up for the gym. She didn't feel beautiful, and she needed to be beautiful for her meetings. Seeing herself so exposed made her aware of her many mistakes—the lack of proper undergarments, her size, her hair, and of course, the allure that comes with seduction.

-Hehe, my dear girl. You're famished. I think I have something here you'll like,- her grandmother said, pulling out a jar of yogurt.

***

Billy watched the sea in front of him. Today, they had to get the work right; yesterday, they had failed to get the proper shots for the chicken game scene. The game involved running into the water with enough force, and the first to turn back would be the "chicken." It was perhaps the most important part of the entire program. For that reason, Billy understood that the best way to succeed was to embrace the ocean—words from the director. The cameras were mounted on a small wooden platform that would capture both close-up and wide shots.

-All right, we'll start with the shot,- the director said, noting that they'd begin with some simple shots and then wait for nightfall since most of the shots were coming out well.

Billy nodded, eyeing the equipment that would help in case things got out of control.

The sky signaled the late afternoon; it was almost seven in the evening, and Billy knew the crew would soon be celebrating… He'd been filming Gattaca for eight weeks, not counting pre-production, but the time stretched far longer. As a supporting character, he'd been able to skip many hours of shooting, though the schedule was still intense. Now, he just had to do a long, exhausting swim, and then he'd have a four-day break that he could use to visit San Jose and organize the new business matters he needed to address before getting back to his scenes.

-I hope you don't mind me saving you, dear Anton,- Ethan joked, in character.

-If only you weren't so mediocre in everything else,- Billy replied, keeping Anton's stoic demeanor. He rarely smiled, his jaw always set, embodying the pride of a genetically modified young man.

-Not many would dare to do this scene. The water's pretty cold, and filming in it is a hassle. But now I see why you're in so many productions—you've got that drive,- Ethan commented as he sat down while the cameras were repositioned.

-It's refreshing to do things you once thought you couldn't. This has given me a different way to understand acting,- Billy said.

Both men fell into silence as the production team emitted gas to simulate a thin fog. The lagoon they would cross was two kilometers wide, from branch to branch. They were accompanied by a team of divers beneath the surface, each with a small green tube in hand.

-It's a little uncomfortable, -Billy muttered as he prepared for the scene, warming up his arms for the long swim ahead. At 200 meters, there was a platform, and 500 meters further, another raft awaited them.

...