In another part of the city near the edge, far away from the center where the University and National Laboratory were located, movie and television studios spread across acres of open, flat land. The enormous building size of sound stages and the need for large outdoor sets demanded lots of space. So it was here where land was plentiful and rents were cheap where entertainment was created. On one of these studio lots stood a sound stage used for rehearsals rather than for actual shooting. If only her friends and colleagues from the University and National Laboratory knew, it was here they could find Viviane Fox, the newly popular fashion model, at the outskirts of the city, but which might as well have been on another planet far away from science, physics, mathematics and technology. She came with her manager to discuss the details about Viviane’s involvement in a music opportunity. Whose music might this be? Why, none other than the music of Aveline Fang, the chart-topping vocalist with her signature pink and aquamarine green hair who was the idol of teenage girls across the entire country, including the twin girls, Anaelle and Marielle. To say they were crazy about Aveline would be an understatement.

For the budding fashion model Viviane to be working with such high-profile talent was such an amazing opportunity. Viviane looked around at the rehearsal going on and noticed the small army of people required to put on a big of a show as Aveline’s live concerts were. It was way bigger than any runway show Viviane had walked in before. The stage sets looked to be at least twenty feet tall and although Viviane was a tall woman, she felt small to be in the middle of all this activity.

Everything about Aveline’s concert is larger than life, Viviane thought. I must try to remember everything so I can tell Anaelle and Marielle all about it. I’ve been so busy that I haven’t even talked to them in weeks. I’m living a whole different life now and I’ve left everyone I knew behind.

Aveline’s show producer spotted Viviane’s manager. It was clear they knew each other and when it came to the business of entertainment, it was very much about who rather than what one knew. The two greeted each other like old, inebriated fraternity brothers, telling one another how great they were before getting down to business.

Aveline’s producer took an admiring look at Viviane. “So is this the new sensation we’ve all been seeing and hearing about?”

“Yes,” answered Viviane’s manager, “Let me introduce you to Viviane Fox, the model of the moment.”

“Hi! Pleased to meet you.” Viviane had only worked in entertainment for a month. She was still learning the ropes and wanted to be polite.

“Listen,” started Viviane’s manager, “I’m glad you’ve chosen Viviane to be a part of Aveline’s concert production. Viviane’s numbers are rising in your demographic and she can also bring in a wider female demo and she has a growing following among adult males 18-49. You won’t regret this decision.”

Aveline’s producer had dollar signs for eyes. “I’ve liked this idea ever since you proposed it! Putting a sexy model into one of Aveline’s concert numbers will wow our audience and maybe help us expand into the fashion business segment with more than just licensed merchandise. I’ve got the songwriters already trying to come up with a new ballad featuring a model. As soon as that’s written, we’ll have Aveline record it and see if we can work it into one of the upcoming concerts.”

“Man, you’re awesome!” Viviane’s manager went back to telling his buddy how great he was. “This is gonna be blow-up big!”

Viviane, who stood to one side while she listened to everything, felt a bit objectified, but not in the typical way she was used to being objectified by leering men. The business of entertainment had reduced her to a commodity to be leveraged and bargained she realized. No talk was wasted as to whether or not the object of attention herself had any feelings or thoughts on the matter. It was a different feeling than she was used to, but at least they did not see her as merely a shapely body and a pretty face. Objectification in any form, however, was still a bit unsettling for Viviane.

Aveline’s producer remembered that Viviane was standing there all this time turned and spoke to her at last. “Here, you should meet Aveline Fang and see if you two hit it off.”

He turned toward the stage behind him and hollered over to where the dancers rehearsed their moves. “Hey, Aveline! Come over here and meet that new model everyone is talking about!”

Aveline, who rehearsed her dance routine with her backup dancers, stopped dancing and lifted her head up to look over at Viviane with a piercing stare. Viviane locked eyes with Aveline for a brief moment and felt the cold stare from Aveline. Viviane broke eye contact with Aveline as she walked over to them and tried to avoid looking directly at Aveline again.

“Aveline Fang, please meet Viviane Fox, fashion model.” Aveline’s producer was giddy to have the two paired together. He imagined all the money that would roll in from their partnership.

Even after being introduced, Viviane still felt the lingering effect of that that icy stare from Aveline. She kept her eyes lowered and averted. She did not want to look Aveline directly in the face. It was the first time Viviane had met a celebrity as big as Aveline.

“Hi, Aveline,” Viviane’s voice wavered. “I’ve heard so much about you.”

Aveline was not pleased. She did not smile. Aveline noticed that Viviane was taller than her, but about the same thinness. Could Viviane also be better looking, too? Aveline looked Viviane up and down for an awkward several seconds before speaking rather catty to Viviane.

“So. You’re the new up-and-comer I’ve heard about, huh? Well, you certainly are pretty, but we’ll see how long you last if all you have to prop yourself up are your looks.”

Well, that was rude of Aveline! Viviane felt her blood pressure rise. Nonetheless, as much as Viviane wanted to retaliate with a sarcastic remark, she did not want to get started off on the wrong foot, so she kept her opinions to herself for now.

Aveline, however, felt like Viviane was being brought in as a competitor. Aveline did not want anyone riding her coattails of success and fame and she could not stand the thought of sharing the spotlight with someone who was prettier and becoming more popular.

Aveline’s producer must not have noticed any of the cattiness whatsoever being blinded by those dollar signs in his eyes and the sound of gold clinking in his ears. “Look! They’re best friends already!” After a second, he spotted someone approaching them. “Here comes Bastian. You guys talk to him about the details while I get going.” He turns to Viviane’s manager. “You’re awesome, dude! Anytime you’ve got something hot, bring it to me first, OK? See you.”

Bastian reached the group just as Aveline’s producer stepped away. At first glance, Bastian was not a striking figure. He appeared to be in his late 20s, of medium height and although not scrawny he was not athletic either. He had short black hair which he combed back. His clothes were casual and he wore shoes that looked like they belong on a skateboarder even though he probably would have fallen off a skateboard if he ever tried stepping on one. Despite his simple appearance, Aveline’s attitude lightened up once he was with them. She became bubbly to have him there.

“Oooooo Bastian!” Aveline crooned. “I’m so happy you came!”

Aveline grabbed Bastian by the arm and snuggled up to it. She introduced Bastian to Viviane and her manager.

“Hey you two, this is Bastian. He’s our technical director. He plans and programs all the lights, lasers and special effects for all the shows and concerts. He’s the smartest guy I know and because of him, all our shows are spectacular and go off without a hitch. He’s brilliant at what he does!”

Aveline embarrassed Bastian with that introduction. He tried to lower everyone’s expectations. “I can assure you, I’m not that amazing. I just have a knack for computers, programming and gadgets.”

Bastian noticed the tall, gorgeous woman in front of him. “You must be Viviane Fox? We’ve all been following your rise to stardom since you appeared on everyone’s radar. What’s it like to be famous now? How are you dealing with a punishing schedule?”

Ever since Viviane was discovered, her life had been a tornado of frenetic activity leaving her little time to get enough sleep, yet no one had ever asked her about her feelings on the topic of her growing fame and popularity. So far, everyone had treated her much like a robot who had to be on time, every time. Be here, be there. Do this, do that. Bastian was the first she could remember to ask how she was doing and, as simple a question as it was, she found that refreshing and strangely human. It made Viviane want to open up to this new fellow.

“It’s been hard,” admitted Viviane. “There’s so much to do in a day, sometimes I just get so tired running around that I do nothing but sleep once I get back to the hotel. I barely have time to see any of my old friends anymore. But it’s been exciting, too. I’ve had the chance to do so many things that I would never have had a chance if not for lucking out and being discovered.”

“Luck always has something to do with it,” agreed Bastian, “but no one makes it to the top without real talent. I’d love to hear your life story and hear about how you did it one of these days.”

“For sure!” Viviane liked this guy. He seemed normal in the wacky world of entertainment.

Aveline, however, didn’t like the sound of this conversation between Bastian and Viviane. They sounded too friendly for her taste. Her face turned into a scowl. “No time for chit-chat, I’m afraid. I have to get back to rehearsal.”

Aveline grabbed Bastian by the arm again and tried to drag him away, too. “You too, Bastian! I’m sure you have better things to do.”

Bastian broke free from Aveline’s grip. “Hold on, Aveline. I still need to speak to Viviane and her manager about some ideas we have about working her into the concert. I’ll stay and discuss it with them.”

Aveline turned up her nose at Bastian. “Hmph! Fine! I’m going back to dancing now.” Aveline stormed off in a huff.

Bastian felt Aveline had been rude, too. “Please forgive her. She can be a bit dramatic sometimes.”

“Is she always like that?” asked Viviane, relieved that Aveline had left.

“Actually, no,” replied Bastian. “She’s typically never this hissy. Most of the time, she’s a perfectly normal 19 year old girl. Something is bothering her today.”

Viviane, her manager and Bastian walked off to find a conference room where they could talk about the mundane details of how a concert was put together and how Bastian thought he could work Viviane into the show.