Page 123 of The Pacifist
“No, he didn’t.”
Mila threw a small nod to the large screen below us. “It’s because of the show. You’re playing Magni and he’s convinced that will make you the biggest star in that series. He said that you can’t be security when you’re going to be plenty busy with your own fans.”
Solo’s brow rose up. “He’s joking, right?”
“You never know.”
“I hope Magni is right.” Willow swung her hair back. “I’ve dreamed about being a movie star since I was a little kid.”
Solo looked troubled by the thought and dipped his head close to Willow’s. “Why did we say yes to this again?”
Below us, the lights were turned down, spotlights lit up the stage, and music began playing. The audience hurried to find their seats while I searched their faces to see if I could spot Magni and Laura.
“It’s beginning.” Freya moved her chair all the way to the railing, which could be lowered for events. Leaning forward she placed her arms on top of it.
A stylish-looking man came out on-stage and waited for the white noise of the audience to die down before he spoke: “Welcome to the world premiere of the first episode ofMen of the North.”
Wild cheers broke out.
“Before we begin the show, let me introduce you to the director, Neil Bauer, who will tell us about the production of this magnificent series.” A man came onstage looking a bit intimidated.
“Neil, you were the man who came up with the idea to tell the story of how the integration began between us and the Motherlands. Why did you feel it was important to share that story with the world?”
Neil’s eyes were darting around. “I can’t take credit for getting the idea. I came on board after the initial concept was already created, but when the idea was presented to me, I jumped on the chance to be part of the project.”
“The show is calledMen of the North. Why not call itThe MotherlandsorThe Border Wall?”
“I believe it was because the show was supposed to air in the Motherlands and to most people there, the Northlands is an almost mythological place surrounded by a sense of mystery.”
“How did you know where to begin the story?”
“You’ll see in a minute that we chose to start the story when Christina crossed the border to the Northlands. It’s really a defining moment in our shared history. Alexander Boulder wasn’t expecting a woman when he came to pick up an archeologist from the Motherlands. Imagine if he had sent Christina back home. Chances are that it would still be illegal to talk about you Nmen in the Motherlands.”
The presenter waited for the audience to stop booing before asking his next question.
“Talking about bans, how do you feel about the Council banning your show from being aired in the Motherlands?”
“We’re all very disappointed about it.” Neil scratched his wrist. “When we received the funds to produce the series, we never imagined that the Council would regret their approval.”
“Why did they?”
“Because it was impossible to tell this story and avoid any sort of violence and kissing.”
The audience gave loud applause to that comment. The presenter laughed when he turned to them and hyped them up further. “What do you think? Are you ready to see what only we free men of the North are allowed to see?”
Loud shouts confirmed that.
“After we’ve seen the first episode, we’ll have a talk with Christina and Alexander Boulder, who will answer questions from you lucky audience members. And after that you’re all invited to witness the wedding of two lucky people who found each other through the Matching Program. But for now, enjoy the show.”
Another round of applause broke out as the presenter and the director walked off the stage.
I sat transfixed and watched how Christina and Alexander met and fell in love. I laughed at some of their misunderstandings, and I reflected on the clash in culture that was portrayed so accurately.
Mila sat next to me, our fingers entwined, and her thumb caressing the back of my hand. Solo, who was playing Magni in the movie, had me on the edge of my seat in the scene where he found out that Laura had left to go to the Motherlands. The fit of rage, of despair, that was portrayed in the movie was so convincing, and now that I’d found love myself, I could relate to the pain of losing it.
Leaning against me, Mila whispered, “They make my dad look much worse than he is.”
“Or maybe you’ve had a good influence on him and he’s a different man today because of it.”
