Flashing lights, reporters…yelling fans – it’s enough to make her skin crawl. Can you become allergic to fame…your body fighting it off like an infection?
Unknown Fan: Nadine Fuller! Oh my god…I’m your biggest fan! Can I have a hug?
Nadine: Uh…sorry I –
Paparazzi: Over here Nadine! Pose for a picture!
Can too much fame become a cancer…the pressure, the expectations, the criticisms slowly eating you up from the inside – creating a need to self medicate?
Another fan: *screams* Nadine Fuller…I can’t believe you’re here! I cried for days after the accident. I love you so m-
Her attention shifts from the adoring fan to Robert…a gorgeous lady talking him up. Something she probably wouldn’t have noticed before. But now it’s obvious that Robert revels in the attention.
She follows Robert inside the lounge. The place of her first performance since their return from Selvadorado. So many faces. But it’s her own face that everyone carefully scans. It’s like opening night of a famous art exhibit. Their eyes probing, scanning and analyzing…their expressions showing an awkward commiseration. It’s the scar that everyone is there to see.
They say they love her, but they don’t really know her. They say they’re happy that she’s back, but they have no idea where she’s returning from. Her internal struggle is the only private thing she has left. She cherishes it for that very reason.
Octavia Moon approaches her like an old friend…never mind that the very lips that are beaming with sudden love and spewing words of admiration once called her a bitch to her face and threatened to try and end her career. What’s changed? Is Octavia just expressing pity now that her pain has carved a road map on her face? Maybe Octavia senses that she’s no longer a threat…now that the flawless beauty once raved about in countless articles is now cracked and broken forever.
Octavia Moon: *turns towards the crowd* See that Nadine? They’re all here to see you. They’ve all been awaiting your return.
She nods graciously, but doesn’t respond. Suddenly, Robert is there…
Robert: Let’s go upstairs Dini. I have a surprise there for you!
She eagerly follows him…but, not in anticipation of his surprise. She’s just anxious to leave the sea of fake boobs, fake smiles and fake friends.
He leads her to the upstairs loft…to the dressing room, where a familiar face is waiting for her. Only this face is one she can consider a friend…a true one. Joy fills her heart.
Nadine: Maci! It’s so good to see you!
Maci: Oh my god…Nadine!
She pulls Maci close and wraps her arms around her.
Maci: I was thrilled when Robert called me up to do your hair, makeup and wardrobe!
Robert nods and beams…considering this his gift to her.
Robert: Yep Dini…only the best for you!
Maci: Are you ready to get started?
Nadine: Yes…of course.
If anybody can get her performance ready, it’s Maci. The girl is like a magician when it comes to styling.
Robert: *takes a seat on the couch* I’ll be right here when you two are done.
Maci: Take a seat in my chair honey!
Nadine: Can you hide it…completely?
Maci: What? The scar?
Nadine: Yeah
Maci: I’ll do my very best. I promise.
She sits patiently, allowing Maci to work her magic…following her instructions as given.
Maci: Look up for me sweetheart…turn your head to the right slightly love.
She chuckles inside at Macy’s terms of endearment…the type that would typically be used by an older woman and directed to a woman several years younger. But in this case, Maci is actually the younger woman.
After the makeup has been applied, Maci leads her over to the wardrobe station.
Maci: *pulls out her tape measure* So what color is calling out to you today, sweets? How about blue?
The blues have been snuggling up against her for months. Becoming almost a source of comfort… a familiar friend.
Nadine: Yeah…I can do blue.
Nadine changes into the suggested outfit. While Maci looks her over.
Maci: What do you think?
Nadine: I think the white gloves are a bit much.
Maci: Yeah…slightly ‘mother of the bride-like’. Let’s see… *pulls out another color swatch* how about pink? Pink would look amazing against your skin.
The perfect dress is chosen and her hair has been styled in gorgeous curls that drape across her scar just right. Still, when she faces the mirror…she’s careful to keep her eyes down low enough to avoid seeing the truth of whether or not Maci was able to make good on her promise of hiding the scar completely.
Robert walks over…now dressed in a tux and admires her.
Maci: *to Robert* What do you think?
Robert: She looks amazing! *to Nadine* You look absolutely beautiful!
She’d love to take his comment at face value and just leave it at that, but she’s feeling only as beautiful as a restored painting. Nowhere near what she used to feel. She thanks him anyway.
Robert: It’s time to head down. Are you ready?
She’s not ready. She probably never will be, but she’s become pretty good at faking it. So that’s what she’ll do.
Nadine: Yeah…I’m ready.
Robert glances over at Maci. A glance that lingers for just a bit too long…carrying an odd familiarity with it. Maci mentioned that Robert had called her to do her hair, wardrobe and make-up…but was that the only time? The air between them suggests something a little more. She shakes the thought from her head…refusing to let paranoia ruin her evening. Here are two people that have shown that they care about her over and over…she’s not about to let her own insecurities put crazy thoughts into her head.
She begins to walk towards the door, but neither of them immediately follow. Maci whispers a few words to Robert and those words are followed by the light and easy laughter of two friends. But…when did they become friends?
Nadine Fuller Short Story – Part Summaries
