April 1.

  Los ángeles, every ema acked, especially the Mark Taper Forum, which was fully prepared for the premiere that began with an exhausting schedule starting at ten in the m. 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 produ detail as if he were an a hero. Raimon opped funting his knowledge.

  -They ied 200 million to revitalize the franchise. Gee Lucas, along with Billy Carson, have been w on this since 1992. They have a 15-year lise starting in 1995. This is one of the gra projects I’ve ever seen. They’ve created a mega-produ studio that fans will be able to visit by special reservation for years to e. It’s simply wonderful how Billy mao pull everything off, and that’s not all. He wants t the inal cast for cameos and develop other storylihat will only expand the saga. Since I’m the primary tact— 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 ceptualized 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 deliver,--Raimon ented.

  -So, all you’re saying is that we should support this,- remarked a man in a Han Solo e, plete 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 pns, and many of your ideas have been taken into at. We’re almost ready to open a store exclusively dedicated to Star Wars, so every person have their little hidden er,- Raimon said.

  -Iing 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 ema had reserved four ss 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 iickets 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 avaible that evening. With these numbers and reservations, Star Wars was set to bee one of the biggest releases of the 1990s.

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

  …

  Araveled 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 fot 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 sed of the day. That was all she wao rex.

  Dressing in something light, she wao feel unburdened all day. She heard a ctter i, as the fan sliced through the silehe marble tertop, expah polished tile ats, and the L-shaped kit gave the Hall home an orderly look. The aroma leasant, and Anne fred her nostrils to savor the sweet st that filled the room—a strong stew, marinated in a rich goush sauce, awaited her for lunch. The kids would soon be running around.

  -That smells delicious,- Anne ented.

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

  They decided to have breakfast in silence—coffee with toast. Anne avoided her grandmother’s accusataze, 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 o be beautiful for her meetings. Seeing herself so exposed made her aware of her many mistakes—the ck of proper undergarments, her size, her hair, and of course, the allure that es with sedu.

  -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 wht; yesterday, they had failed to get the proper shots for the chi game se. The game involved running into the water with enough force, and the first to turn back would be the “chi.” It erhaps the most important part of the entire program. For that reason, Billy uood that the best way to succeed was to embrace the o—words from the director. The cameras were mounted on a small wooden ptform 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 fhtfall since most of the shots were ing out well.

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

  The sky sighe te afternoon; it was almost seven in the evening, and Billy khe crew would soon be celebrating… He’d been filming Gattabsp;fht weeks, not ting pre-produ, but the time stretched far longer. As a supp 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 ahe new business matters he o address befetting back to his ses.

  -I hope you don’t mind me saving you, dear Antohan joked, in character.

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

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

  -It’s refreshing to do things you ohought you couldn’t. This has given me a different way to uand ag,- Billy said.

  Both men fell into silence as the produ team emitted gas to simute a thin fog. The goon they would cross was two kilometers wide, from branch to branch. They were apanied by a team of divers beh the surface, each with a small green tube in hand.

  -It’s a little unfortable, -Billy muttered as he prepared for the se, warming up his arms for the long swim ahead. At 200 meters, there tform, and 500 meters further, another raft awaited them.

  ...