An Absurd Morning

First time in a wire rig, huh... Good to hear.

Rookies should know their places. Now you'll be a good sport and take it, right? Even if you're left hanging for hours?

Shelly! I just got another scene and I need the wire rig. Can you prepare it for me?

...No.

I know you're passionate about acting. But how many extra scenes is this now? Do you even realize how much you've screwed with the schedule I made for the entire crew?

Do you feel even an ounce of guilt, Princess? I'm not changing the entire schedule again because of you. This crew doesn't revolve around you.

I'm sorry, Shelly. I'm not trying to increase your workload, honest. But Mr. Dalton said the director signed off on it...

Dalton did?

......

Alright then.

Thanks, Shelly!

(He was just telling me how you have no respect for your seniors in the field. No way did he do this out of pure kindness.)

(The wire rig, huh?)

Hello, Laura! You look wonderful today! Not many actors would be so happy to do an aerial stunt!

Well, I've never been so excited! This scene will be the only one in the movie that belongs entirely to me. I want to knock it out of the ballpark!

Well, aren't you just adorable?

Try not to get hurt though. And if you're tired, you can always come find me in my room. I'll be there all night...

Oh, Marion! Have you come to touch up Michael's makeup?

......

I have to go prepare. See you later!

Yeah, see you in hell, bitch!

D-Don't be angry with me, Mari.

I look away for one moment and you're flirting with another woman! Are you tired of me already?

You've been making eyes at her on the set too... If you like younger women that much, how about you let her do your makeup from now on?

Please, babe, I'm serious about you.

I won't talk to her from now on, I swear!

...You swear?

I swear!

......

I'm familiar with your vices by now, but this is an important time for your career. Don't screw it up, and don't let me down.

That Laura girl is a loud-mouthed show-off. I'm sure she's up to something. You can do better.

Keep your distance from her.

No talking to her, and no physical contact. Even if she's dying right in front of you, that's none of your business... got it?

Babe?

Alright, I promise.

It's still not my turn? What's going on?

There's something on Mr. Dalton's end, and everyone on the set's gone over. No one's giving orders now... Look, we've even got that rookie still hanging up there.

Oh, poor thing.

You never struck me as the compassionate type. Trying to get her in bed?

Hey, you know me.

Let me go check on our poor little beauty...

I promised Mari this morning that I wouldn't approach her, but...

We never said anything about her coming to me, right?

All the better for me, yeah?

She'll call for help once she realizes something's not right.

I'll be her hero and have the perfect excuse for a little tête-à-tête, all without breaking my promise to Mari.

I'll let her hang a little longer.

Why aren't you calling for help, Laura? I'm right here, you know!

It's been hours, and the rope's sounding increasingly off... Where did this equipment even come from? How could it be so ancient?

Is that a crack around the belt? She has to have noticed that!

No, I have to tell her, I have to...

Ahem.

...Well, it really is none of my business if she chooses to suffer.

That's your first lesson, Laura.

Never be too serious. Always put yourself first, even if you have to hurt others. That's the most important thing—

You're still not going to call for help?

Aaaahhhhhh—!!

Michael?

What's going on? What were you thinking about?

I came with you to the makeup room for an explanation, not to watch you melt down.

What did Moira mean when she said you wanted to leave the plate?

We have to get out of here, babe!

It's the first time you've left the castle and traveled so far with the troupe, isn't it?

Mhm.

Are you nervous?

...I'm fine, Master.

The others are playing the leads. I'm just a very minor role, watching from the side in most of my scenes...

When the true performance unfolds before your eyes, it is not easy to resist the urge to run.

You've learned another lesson today, child.

(Claps)

A splendid performance.

......

You've finally made a breakthrough after your first performance as the lead.

The tiny black crystal on your neck is almost perfectly hidden. The audience sees only the glamorous star, not the Infected approaching death one step at a time.

Your performance is increasingly mature, and your songs move the passions. There is virtually no stiffness, no pretentiousness.

Are you complimenting me?

Of course.

Are you not going? Or do you want to stay, and take in the aftertaste of the stage?

Aftertaste?

You mean the taste of blood?

Excuse me, Mister, please let me through.

I want to go home.

......

I think the Crimson Troupe can take her in.

Take her in?

She doesn't know that her home is gone. She doesn't know that some of the people before her still have her family's blood on them...

That is what we'd call a fateful encounter, is it not?

As it was with you and the Troupe.

Perhaps you should teach her yourself. Teach her how to blend in, how to embrace a new life... how to walk the path that you have.

The show goes on, even once we've left the stage?

Ah, you remember what I said.

Yes, there is no drama like life. The aesthetics of destiny are never bound by any medium.

...Mister?

......

What do you think, Lucian?

Have you decided? You're in a position to make a choice now, aren't you?

Are you awake?

......

(Lazy yawn)

What's the matter?

The bitterness of obsession... your emotions.

A challenge to the palate?

I wouldn't say that.

But your flashbacks have become increasingly frequent since we came to this plate.

That means we're getting closer to him.

You noticed the strangeness of that coordinator.

As did you.

Unfortunately, she was visited by tragedy before I could extract any more clues.

You used that camera assistant to break the news of the Catastrophe?

It was too much a coincidence for that document to show up when it did, the way it did.

When one's been in enough plays, it's not hard to realize that such an obvious clue is bound to be a trigger.

Dalton's death was only the beginning.

The plot devices have been set, and their developments foreshadowed. The curtain has been raised, and it cannot be lowered again.

And the author will not appear until the story reaches the climax.

...Only then can I kill him.

(Yawn)

Be careful, Lucian.

I know.

What I mean is, be careful of yourself.

As I said, your emotions are filled with the bitterness of obsession... It's a dangerous thing.

......

I apologize, Miss.Christine.

You will not have to endure it for long.