Posts Tagged ‘Chapter’

The Winner Stands Alone by Paulo Coelho. Chapter 03

Fashion. Whatever can people be thinking? Do they think fashion is something that changes according to the season of the year? Did they really come from all corners of the world to show off their dresses, their jewellery and their collection of shoes? They don’t understand. ‘Fashion’ is merely a way of saying: ‘I belong to your world. I’m wearing the same uniform as your army, so don’t shoot.’

Ever since groups of men and women first started living together in caves, fashion has been the only language everyone can understand, even complete strangers. ‘We dress in the same way. I belong to your tribe. Let’s gang up on the weaklings as a way of surviving.’

But some people believe that ‘fashion’ is everything. Every six months, they spend a fortune changing some tiny detail in order to keep up their membership of the very exclusive tribe of the rich. If they were to visit Silicon Valley, where the billionaires of the IT industry wear plastic watches and beat-up jeans, they would understand that the world has changed; everyone now seems to belong to the same social class; no one cares any more about the size of a diamond or the make of a tie or a leather briefcase. In fact, ties and leather briefcases don’t even exist in that part of the world; nearby, however, is Hollywood, a relatively more powerful machine – albeit in decline – which still manages to convince the innocent to believe in haute-couture dresses, emerald necklaces and stretch limos. And since this is what still appears in all the magazines, who would dare destroy a billion-dollar industry involving advertisements, the sale of useless objects, the invention of entirely unnecessary new trends, and the creation of identical face creams all bearing different labels?

How ridiculous! Igor cannot conceal his loathing for those whose decisions affect the lives of millions of honest, hard-working men and women leading dignified lives and glad to have their health, a home and the love of their family.
How perverse! Just when everything seems to be in order and as families gather round the table to have supper, the phantom of the Superclass appears, selling impossible dreams: luxury, beauty, power. And the family falls apart.
The father works overtime to be able to buy his son the latest trainers because if his son doesn’t have a pair, he’ll be ostracised at school. The wife weeps in silence because her friends have designer clothes and she has no money. Their adolescent children, instead of learning the real values of faith and hope, dream only of becoming singers or movie stars. Girls in provincial towns lose any real sense of themselves and start to think of going to the big city, prepared to do anything, absolutely anything, to get a particular piece of jewellery. A world that should be directed towards justice begins instead to focus on material things, which, in six months’ time, will be worthless and have to be replaced, and that is how the whole circus ensures that the despicable creatures gathered together in Cannes remain at the top of the heap.

Igor is untouched by this destructive power, for he has one of the most enviable jobs in the world. He continues to earn more money in a day than he could spend in a year, even if he were to indulge in all possible pleasures, legal and illegal. He has no difficulty in finding women, regardless of whether they know how much money he has – he’s tested it out on more than one occasion and never failed yet. He has just turned 40, is in good physical shape and, according to his annual checkup, has no health problems. He has no debts either. He doesn’t have to wear a particular designer label, go to a particular restaurant, spend his holidays at a beach where ‘everyone’ goes or buy a watch just because some successful sportsman is promoting it. He can sign major contracts with a cheap ballpoint pen, wear comfortable, elegant jackets, hand-made by a tailor who has a small shop next to his office, and which carry no label at all. He can do as he likes and doesn’t have to prove to anyone that he’s rich; he has an interesting job and loves what he does.

Perhaps that’s the problem: he still loves what he does. He’s sure that this is why the woman who came into the bar some hours earlier is not sitting at his table with him.
He tries to keep thinking, to pass the time. He asks Kristelle for another drink – he knows the waitress’s name because an hour ago, when the bar was emptier (people were having supper), he asked for a glass of whisky, and she said that he looked sad and should eat something to cheer himself up. He thanked her for her concern, and was glad that someone should care about his state of mind.

He is perhaps the only one who knows the name of the waitress serving him, the others only want to know the names – and, if possible, the job title – of the people sitting at the tables and in the armchairs.

He tries to keep thinking, but it’s gone three o’clock in the morning, and the beautiful woman and her courteous companion – who, by the way, looks remarkably like him – have not reappeared. Maybe they went straight up to their room where they are now making love, or perhaps they’re still drinking champagne on one of the yachts where the parties only begin when the other parties are all coming to an end. Perhaps they’re lying in bed, reading magazines, ignoring each other.

Not that it matters. Igor is alone and tired and needs to sleep.

7.22 a.m.

He wakes up at 7:22 .am., much earlier than his body would like, but he hasn’t yet adapted to the time difference between Moscow and Paris. If he was at work, he would already have held two or three meetings with his subordinates and be preparing to have lunch with some new client.

He has another task to fulfil here: he must find someone he can sacrifice in the name of love. He needs a victim, so that Ewa will get his message that very morning.

He has a bath, goes downstairs to have a coffee in an almost deserted restaurant, then sets off along the Boulevard de la Croisette on which nearly all the major luxury hotels are located. There is no traffic because one lane is blocked off and only cars with official permission are being allowed through. The other lane is empty because even the people who live in the city are still only just getting ready to go to work.

He feels no resentment. He has passed the really difficult phase, when he couldn’t sleep because he was so filled with pain and hatred. Now he can understand Ewa’s feelings: after all, monogamy is a myth that has been rammed down people’s throats for far too long. He has read a lot on the subject. It isn’t just a matter of excess hormones or vanity, but, as all the research indicates, a genetic configuration found in almost all animals.

Paternity tests given to birds, monkeys and foxes revealed that simply because these species had developed a social relationship very similar to marriage did not necessarily mean that they had been faithful to each other. In 70 per cent of cases, their offspring turn out to have been fathered by males other than their partners. Igor remembered something written by David Barash, Professor of Psychology at University of Washington in Seattle, in which he said that the only species in nature that doesn’t commit adultery and in which there seems to be 100 per cent monogamy is a flatworm, Diplozoon paradoxum. The male and female worms meet as adolescents, and their bodies literally fuse together.

This is why he cannot accuse Ewa of anything; she was merely following her human instincts. However, she had been brought up to believe in those unnatural social conventions and must be feeling guilty, thinking that he doesn’t love her any more and will never forgive her.
He is, in fact, prepared to do anything, even to send messages that will mean he has destroyed someone’s world, just so that she’ll know that not only is he willing to welcome her back, he will gladly bury the past and ask no questions.

‘Are You God Or Just Gay?’ – Tenth Chapter The Winner Stands Alone

Even if he’d had his swimming things with him, he would have found it difficult to get anywhere near the sea shore. The big hotels had, it seems, acquired the rights to great swathes of beach which they had filled with their chairs, logos, waiters and bodyguards, who, at every entry point, demanded the guest’s room key or some other form of identification. Other areas were occupied by huge white marquees, where some production company, brewery or cosmetics firm was launching its latest product at a so-called â??lunch’. People here were dressed normally, if by â??normal’ you mean a baseball cap, bright shirt and light-coloured trousers for men, and jewellery, loose top, bermudas and low-heeled shoes for women.

Dark glasses were de rigueur for both sexes, and there was little bare flesh on show because members of the Superclass were too old for that now, and any such display would be considered ridiculous or, rather, pathetic.

Igor noticed one other thing: the mobile phone. The most important item of clothing.

It was essential to be receiving a constant stream of messages or calls, to be prepared to interrupt any conversation in order to answer a call that was not in the least urgent, to stand keying in endless texts via an SMS. They had all forgotten that these initials mean Short Message Service and instead used the key pad as if it were a typewriter. It was slow, awkward and could cause serious damage to the thumb, but what did it matter? At that very moment, not only in Cannes, but in the whole world, the ether was being filled with messages like â??Good morning, my love, I woke up thinking about you and I’m so glad to have you in my life’, â??I’ll be home in ten minutes, please have my lunch ready and check that my clothes were sent to the laundry’, or â??The party here is a real drag, but I haven’t got anywhere else to go, where are you?’ Things that take five minutes to be written down and only ten seconds to be spoken, but that’s the way the world is. Igor knows all about this because he has earned hundreds of millions of dollars thanks to the fact that the phone is no longer simply a method of communicating with others, but a thread of hope, a way of believing that you’re not alone, a way of showing others how important you are.

And it was leading the world into a state of utter madness. For a mere 5 euros a month, via an ingenious system created in London, a call centre would send you a standard message every three minutes. When you know you’re going to be talking to someone you want to impress, you just have to dial a particular number to activate the system. The phone rings, you pick it up, open the message, read it quickly and say â??Oh, that can wait’ (of course it can: it was written to order). This way, the person you’re talking to feels important, and things move along more quickly because he realises he’s in the presence of a very busy person. Three minutes later, the conversation is interrupted by another message, the pressure mounts, and the user of the service can decide whether it’s worth turning off his phone for a quarter of an hour or lying and saying that he really must take this call, and so rid himself of a disagreeable companion.

There is only one situation in which all mobile phones must be turned off. Not at formal suppers, in the middle of a play, during the key moment in a film or while an opera singer is attempting the most difficult of arias; we’ve all heard someone’s mobile phone go off in such circumstances. No, the only time when people are genuinely concerned that their phone might prove dangerous is when they get on a plane and hear the usual lie: â??All mobile phones must be switched off during the flight because they might interfere with the on-board systems.’ We all believe this and do as the flight attendants ask.

Igor knew when this myth had been created: for years now, airlines had been doing their best to convince passengers to use the phones attached to their seat. These cost ten dollars a minute and use the same transmission system as mobile phones. The strategy didn’t work, but the myth lingered on; they had simply forgotten to remove the warning from the list of dos and don’ts that the flight attendant has to read out before take-off. What no one knew was that on every flight, there were always at least two or three passengers who forgot to turn their phones off, and besides, laptops access the Internet using exactly the same system as mobiles. And no plane anywhere in the world has yet fallen out of the sky because of that.

Now they were trying to modify the warning without alarming the passengers too much and without dropping the price. You could use your mobile phone as long as it was one you could put into flight mode. Such phones cost four times as much. No one has ever explained what â??flight mode’ is, but if people choose to be taken in like this, that’s their problem.

He keeps walking. He’s troubled by the last look the girl had given him before she died, but prefers not to think about it.

More bodyguards, more dark glasses, more bikinis on the beach, more light-coloured clothes and jewellery attending â??lunches’, more people hurrying along as if they had something very important to do that morning, more photographers on every corner attempting the impossible task of snapping something unusual, more magazines and free newspapers about what’s happening at the Festival, more people handing out flyers to the poor mortals who haven’t been invited to lunch in one of the white marquees, flyers advertising restaurants on the top of the hill, far from everything, where little is heard of what goes on in Boulevard de la Croisette, up there where models rent apartments for the duration of the Festival, hoping they’ll be summoned to an audition that will change their lives for ever.

All so unsurprising. All so predictable. If he were to go into one of those marquees now, no one would dare ask for his identification because it’s still early and the promoters will be afraid that no one will come. In half an hour’s time, though, depending on how things go, the security guards will be given express orders to let in only pretty, unaccompanied girls.

Why not try it out?

He follows his impulse; after all, he’s on a mission. He goes down some steps, which lead not to the beach, but to a large white marquee with plastic windows, air-conditioning and white chairs and tables, largely empty. One of the security guards asks if he has an invitation, and he says that he does. He pretends to search his pockets. A receptionist dressed in red asks if she can help.

He offers her his business card, bearing the logo of his phone company and his name, Igor Vassilovich, President. He’s sure his name is on the list, he says, but he must have left his invitation at the hotel; he’s been at a series of meetings and forgot to bring it with him. The receptionist welcomes him and invites him in; she has learned to judge men and women by the way they dress, and â??President’ means the same thing worldwide. Besides, he’s the President of a Russian company! And everyone knows how rich Russians like to show off their wealth. There was no need to check the list.

Igor enters, heads straight for the bar – it’s a very well equipped marquee; there’s even a dance floor – and orders a pineapple juice because it suits the atmosphere and, more importantly, because the drink, decorated with a tiny, blue Japanese umbrella, comes complete with a black straw.

He sits down at one of the many empty tables. Among the few people present is a man in his fifties, with hennaed mahogany brown hair, fake tan and a body honed in one of those gyms that promise eternal youth. He’s wearing a torn T-shirt and is sitting with two other men, who are both dressed in impeccable designer suits. The two men turn to face Igor, and he immediately turns his head slightly, but continues to study them from behind his dark glasses. The men in suits try to work out who this new arrival is, then lose interest.

Igor’s interest, however, increases.

The man does not even have a mobile phone on the table, although his two assistants are constantly fielding calls.

Given that this badly dressed, arrogant fellow has been let into the marquee; given that he has his mobile phone turned off; given that the waiter keeps coming up to him and asking if he wants anything; given that he doesn’t even deign to respond, but merely waves him away, he is obviously someone very important.

Igor takes a fifty-euro note out of his pocket and gives it to the waiter who has just started laying the table.

â??Who’s the gentleman in the faded blue T-shirt?’ he asks, glancing in the direction of the other table.

â??Javits Wild. He’s a very important man.’

Excellent. After someone as insignificant as the girl at the beach, a figure like Javits Wild would be ideal – not famous, but important. One of the people who decides who should be in the spotlight and who feels no need to take much care over his own appearance because he knows exactly who he is. He’s in charge of pulling the strings, and the puppets feel themselves to be the most privileged and envied people on the planet, until one day, for whatever reason, the puppeteer decides to cut the strings, and the puppets fall down, lifeless and powerless.

He’s clearly a member of the Superclass, which means that he has false friends and many enemies.

â??One other question. Would it be acceptable to destroy a universe in the name of a greater love?’

The waiter laughs.

â??Are you God or just gay?’

â??Neither, but thank you for your answer.’

 

The 11th Chapter will be posted on Tuesday 3rd of March

Welcome to Share with Friends – Free Texts for a Free Internet

The Winner Stands Alone. Chapter 02

However, everyone knows that the bar in the Hotel Martinez is where the powerful people hang out, which means there’s always a chance of meeting them.

It doesn’t even occur to the hopefuls that the Powerful only talk to the Powerful, that they need to get together now and then for lunches and suppers, to lend allure to the big festivals, to feed the fantasy that the world of luxury and glamour is accessible to all those with the courage to pursue an idea, to avoid any non-lucrative wars and to promote aggression between countries or companies where they feel this might bring them more power and more money, to pretend that they’re happy, even though they’re now hostage to their own success, to continue struggling to increase their wealth and influence, even when both those things are already vast, because the vanity of the Superclass consists in competing with itself to see who is the top of the tops.

In an ideal world, the Powerful would talk to the actors, directors, designers and writers who are now bleary-eyed with tiredness and thinking about going back to their rented rooms in distant towns, so that tomorrow they can begin again the marathon of making requests, fixing possible meetings, and being endlessly ready and available.

In the real world, the Powerful are, at this moment, locked in their rooms, checking their e-mails, complaining that these Festival parties are always the same, that their friend was wearing a bigger jewel than they were, and asking how come the yacht a competitor has just bought has a totally unique décor?

Igor has no one to talk to, nor does he want to talk. The winner stands alone.

Igor is the successful owner and president of a telephone company in Russia. A year ago, he reserved the best suite in the Martinez (which makes everyone pay up-front for at least twelve nights, regardless of how long they’ll be staying); he arrived this afternoon in his private jet, was driven to the hotel, where he took a bath and then went downstairs in the hope of witnessing one particular scene.

At first, he was pestered by actresses, actors and directors, until he came up with the perfect response for them all:

‘Don’t speak English, sorry. Polish.’

Or:

‘Don’t speak French, sorry. Mexican.’

When someone ventured a few words in Spanish, Igor tried another ploy. He started writing down numbers in a notebook so as to look neither like a journalist (because everyone wants to meet journalists) nor a movie mogul. Beside him lay a Russian economics magazine (most people can’t tell Russian from Polish or Spanish) with the photo of some boring executive on the cover.

The denizens of the bar, who pride themselves on their keen understanding of the human race, leave Igor in peace, thinking that he must be one of those millionaires who comes to Cannes in search of a new girlfriend. That, at least, is the rumour doing the rounds by the time the fifth person has sat down at his table and ordered a mineral water, alleging that there are no other free seats. Igor is duly relegated to the category of ‘perfume’.

‘Perfume’ is the slang term used by actresses (or ‘starlets’ as they’re called at the Festival) because, as with perfumes, it’s easy enough to change brands, but one of them might just turn out to be a real find. ‘Perfumes’ are sought out during the last two days of the Festival, if the actresses in question haven’t managed to pick up anything or anyone of interest in the movie industry. For the moment, then, this strange, apparently wealthy man can wait. Actresses know that it’s always best to leave the Festival with a new boyfriend (whom they might, later on, be able to transform into a film producer) than to move on to the next event and go through the same old ritual – drinking, smiling (must keep smiling), and pretending that you’re not looking at anyone, while your heart beats furiously, time ticks rapidly on, and there are still gala nights to which you haven’t yet been invited, but to which the ‘perfumes’ have.

They know what the ‘perfumes’ are going to say because they always say the same thing, but they pretend to believe them anyway.

(a) ‘I could change your life.’

(b) ‘A lot of women would like to be in your shoes.’

(c) ‘You’re young now, but what will become of you in a few years’ time. You need to think about making a longer-term investment.’

(d) ‘I’m married, but my wife…’ (this opening line can have various endings: ‘…is ill’, ‘…has threatened to commit suicide if I leave her’, etc.)

(e) ‘You’re a princess and deserve to be treated like one. I didn’t know it until now, but I’ve been waiting for you. I don’t believe in coincidences and I really think we ought to give this relationship a chance.’

It’s always the same old spiel. The only variable is how many presents you get (preferably jewellery, which can be sold), how many invites to yacht parties, how many visiting cards you collect, how many times you have to listen to the same chat-up lines, and whether you can wangle a ticket to the Formula 1 races where you’ll get to mingle with the same class of people and where your ‘big chance’ might be there waiting for you.

‘Perfume’ is also the word used by young actors to refer to elderly millionairesses, all plastic and botox, but who are, at least, more intelligent than their male counterparts. They never waste any time: they, too, arrive in the final days of the Festival, knowing that money provides their only pulling power.

The male ‘perfumes’ deceive themselves: they think that the long legs and youthful faces have genuinely fallen for them and can now be manipulated at will. The female ‘perfumes’ put all their trust in the power of their diamonds.

Igor knows nothing of all this. This is his first time at the Festival. And he has just realised that, much to his surprise, no one here seems very interested in films, except the people in that bar. He has leafed through a few magazines, opened the envelope in which his company has placed the invitations to the most prestigious parties, but not one of them is for a film première. Before travelling to France, he tried to find out which films were in the running, but had great difficulty in obtaining this information. Then a friend said:

‘Forget about films. Cannes is just a fashion show.’

Universe People, Second Chapter, Sword in the Night

Second Chapter Sword in the Night

Someone place do not, there is a small planet of Ganbao near Universe Star of G.I.M.E., the planet name is Leitibu, planet cubagea is a half of living star of D.S., there have plenty wood resource. Plain and forest are main earth surface character of Leitibu. And the ruler name is Windon, he’s one of 10 grand elders of G.I.M.E.he’s senator of parliament of empire too. Today, he’s talking a shaking-world thing with thousands of nobles and officers or others in the secret fortress himself. It’s concern that how to pull down empire, then establish new Galaxy Republic.

The secret fortress has builded on the barranca of canyon. Canyon outer was made up with black stones, they’re hardness. It’s cann’t arrived but flying and climbing. There is a long long stream Under canyon, clear stream always attract many wild-animal. Top of canyon have growing flourish forest, birds and beasts everywhere, some times guards of fortress are fear of fierce wild-animals forest. This day unlikeliness before, a dense mass of armored forces strong hold to entire forest, very enclosing the place, even a fly couldn’t escaped too. Heavy space-tanks have ruler to patrol. A lot of Leitibu special-force soldiers firmly watching every important pass. Difference group of fleet assigned to Sky of forest. Gentle swind blowed the canyon, then made a little swind sound, It’s looks like pouring out a hurricane is coming.

The center of fortress is magnificence meeting hall, there could contain thousands of people in a meeting. Black and gold powerful coat, he’s good speeching on audiences applause. Fiery eyes fast see to everyone, thousands of eyes watching himself. He’s heartened, exciting face bare with thinking. Face to 20 galaxies supporters, he’s clarity know today will become first day to change empire history. Tomorrow, he will become really leader in people eyes, great hero in people mind.

Windon had pressed show-button of rostrum with hand, screens of wonderful digital simulation pictures from top of high air. The rotund loud speech continuing,“I know this day is a special day, because Onhogo was born that time in 420 years ago. Empire have making a country celebration for him. Today is another special day too, it’s first day of open new the universe, stride forward with hands to hands.” Beforetime, some people have gotten welfare living underrule of Liyidan, but is only belong to a part of people! Because still have a lot pats of people living in deep water and heat fire. According to the example, empire are building 36 gunstars, so great projects, cost great manpower, material resources, you mightn’t know, Liyidan spending entire empire 25% tax income for those projects. Many families were destoried, many becautiful stars were throat cuted.” A support asked him,“Honor Windon, I want to ask you when time 36 gunstars will be done?” Windon answered,“This is good asked, according to their plan, possiblity will done after 5 centuries. But, I think that time limit will longer than the plan. Moreover empire isn’t good sleeping every day, because still have strength opponent S.Country. Once it’s have happened outburst affairs, the projects will no end in possible.”

Another supporter asked him again,“Acctully, are we only this reason to together gainst premier Liyidan? Honor Windon, could you explained more?”

Windon said a loud,“I just want to explain the question this time, please to invite project workers from Gunstars of Double Stars, then we can see.” Several workers having groan on the sickbeds, they were set and helped by nurses and doctors near the rostrum. Windon slowly bowed, and the camera lens fllowing him move to move. Audiences would clear watch dialogue from Windon and sick workers. In the lens, Windon healthy body and weaked bodies those form to a color contrasted clearly. Kindly asked,“How are you? Are you OK?” Workers one by one answered, all lying on the mobile sickbed. One of worker pale face and feeble breathing, he said to him,“O…OK.” When words end, his body began falter and falter moving, couldn’t controlled a twitch. Doctors and nurses quickly closed to help, the hall began to tumulting. Windon slowly standed up, and spoke,“Quiet, please to quiet. I throught that worker talking something to me, but I have no idea now. I think I should show some formerly face, let’s look!” The screen expressly show those workers basic information. Simply differend before, full of energy and sonsy people have became only skin and bone. Windon talking more,“They’re a few of billion patients.”

People started discussion, a supporter asked him,“Really? Why we don’t know?”

Windon had a smile, spoke,“Good, good qusestion. I didn’t believe theses thing in the first time, when I see the information, I have to believe.” The information showed in screen as soon as possible. They’ve watched that in coincide again. One supporter couldn’t controlled himself, and said,“I know this man, he’s my civilian of star, the empire promulgated his abscondence yesterday.” Windon again,“They’re may be your countrymen on rostrum, please to carefull see!” A supporter suddenly standed up, then go straight to rostrum. He careful surveied, more saw more angry. He’s strong will to control angry fire from himself, and talked to Windon,“I’m sure his my people of planet, I have little thinking he became this face, The empire have announced dead on list, Kapaph is one of them!”

Some people started to angry beat senator desks, and aloud abused.

Windon spoke,“Thank you, please go back your seat.” Windon turned to say people,“The fact in front of eyes, our premier having lie! He’s twiddle with us!” A supporter standed up and asked,“Honor Windon, Why didn’t stop the tragedy happend before? Why?” She’s an exciting. Windon answered, “Please calm down, this question very good asked! Those cases we should stopped to, but it’s weren’t know all people, When I knew the thing its too late, my power is very limited. Because the premier keep a firm hand on parliament, How get force to resist? This is one of main reason why I secretly meeting with you.” Another supporter asked him,“I want to ask Honor Windon, What’s proof Have you? How to prove the parliament was controlled? Would you explaint?” then a supporter suddently stand up and told the supporter that, “Do you think these cases can’t proved?”

“Right!” “He’s right.” Gabble talking from people.

Windon answered again,“Calm down, please, listen to me. Now that some people don’t believe, I want to do a small test with us. Two years ago, had a discussion meeting of great project building of G.I.M.E. right? We’re a member of ten thousand senators of empire? Good, please remember voteed that day, then watch the screen.” People suddenly likes jump heart out, a man angry shout,“What’s happened? I’m sure voted the nay, but why not!” An other man shout,“Why! It’s changed!” Windon spoked,“Do you discover a question too?” People dispatience. Windon asked them,“Ladys and gentlemen, Who knows these senators?” men and women shake an one’s head, some people exclamation.

“So bad! If I didn’t see the fact, I couldn’t dare believe this true.” “Real bastard!” “Darned.” People’s angry emotion more and more evidence.

Windon looked over everbody, then continued to say,“Are they proofs? Yes, they are. Our parliament such like those. Only 3000 people Really care parliament? Where’re others?” People angry cry and loud, Windon spoke again,“Please callmness, ladys and gentlmen, callmness.”

People controlled themself in difficulty.

Windon asked,“These years, how many additional money do you earn? Only know some parts of totall in possible. Don’t worry, I have collectied incomes of all senators since 100 years ago, including other income concern. Ladys and gentlemen, scrutiny action. The names were amended by me. But, If you are one of them, you surely understood! People began to read the smiluation information on hands, used finger to press information, or looking for others.” A supporter had a sigh, then said, “Premier is a cheat, he shouldn’t cheating me!” People reading and watch each other and face to face. The result have started in hearts.

Windon had a deep breath again, eyes glitter, speech aloud,“We exactly understanding Why together here. It’s certain that every effect must have a cause.” We need a brave leader to guidance us at future. Nowaday, Liyidan’s weak mind making many suffer to everyong. Our future needn’t him in service, the empire future must not hold in his hand! Remember at former, We have tried to use all kinds of peaceable method for future, but facts in eyes, we all know. For change the flesh and blood, the sword posibblity to final means. Let’s battle for future!”

Surge feelings of the massess in the hall. Some people bravely standed up on the rostrum, said aloud,“Liyidan! Down! Liyidan! Down!” People too, at a stretch, whole hall such deafening.

Windon suddently recalled a more impressible topic haven’t publiced,“But, It’s enough!” single depend on those proofes can prove Liyidan’s crimes.

A team of military officer walked out from rostrum back. The first that is a heavyweight battlecoat officer, his Lenton, Defence commander of Leitibu. He has serviced for Windon since 150 years ago, and one of favorite generals. At the fore part, he’s commanded great army to battle S army. The rich actual combat experiences were admired reason. Lenton had a salute for Windon, then spoke,“Battle-line have readied, please order!”

Angry people forget himself, cried war again and again.

Battle fleets were moving on the sky, billions of soldiers standing by, more twenty commanders of galaxies one by one requested dircetion of Windon from theirs demesnes. Windon looked into the distance, gentle have a tidy manteau, then stepped on battle spaceship in exclaiming, fly to sky. Followers stepped on other spaceship too as impatient to wait. Whole Leitibu were boiling, paraders hight cried, people were prayed, people were blessing, because they have families and friends joined the insurgence army. The main force had making up by 20 galaxies from original empire armies. They’re totalled to 3.1 billion soldiers and officer. Other armies were form by engage soldiers and voluntary army of empire, totalled to 4 billion or so. Military strength sum to 7.1 billion.

A sliver of meteor nicked Blueness night, with the romance colour in their light and warm.

Liyidan were enjoying to wonderful flame flower near the Sunshine fire stone in spirits. Moment forget worries of works and

put down busy, then to do some interested thing, that will help to relax stress from works. Liyidan has middle stature, like to dress civies. Aged face and silvery voice, heart with the best discernment. He’s fiddle with careful, but flame suddently changed colours, more and more weak, he’s woke up bad sign. It’s never thing such like that before, since the empire constituted. Strange, once G.I.M.E. had a great advancement, the Sunshine fire sure stronger flame, exactly direct proportion on empire rise and fall. Therefore when the Sunshine fire hight rising, liyidan will become very gladness. Because know every thing were controlled by himself. But he did make a serious mistake that result of happen crisis in the empire. He didn’t know the insurgence from the Windon’s Leitibu, who union 20 galaxies, above 7 billion soldiers against his empire still to after-uprising, public the speech, see the information. An information officer fluster submited a report,“Honor premier, Mr.Windon have mutinied 5 hours ago in the Leitibu, and company with 20 galaxies,7 billion soldiers!” Liyidan didn’t dare believe self-ears this time. Subconscious asked,“Why this time told me! 5 hours passed.” The officer reported,“I’m so sorry, because the rebellion force malice hide facts. Bring on right rate of information down, therefore…” Liyidan angry shouted,“Out! Get out here! I need calmness!” He’s sat down on the chair, put the unusual voice under chair in second, then thought about,“I didn’t know my old friend such treat to me. Windon, I misread you.”

A past event fast thought. When Liyidan was young and a colonel of empire, he’s knew Colonel.Windon, both same colonel. They’re graduated in Strategics Institution of Higher Learning of Empire (G.I.M.E.War College). They’re sent to survey of weapon pollution of Earth Start as soon as possible nominate.

Liyidan and Windon get off the spaceship, immediately went to the plloution area. Because the empire is battling years and years, months and months. Result to a series of weapon pollution day by day increasing. Human difficult living in the pollution area. But vicious circles again and again, many animals living in these places, bodies were unusual changed, also gave more and more black shadows to empire. Windon looked at the pollution hurst, stranger colors full dye a lot of piece jungle. Unknow animalcule overgrow on the useless well. Over ash forg and died trees on the hillside, big choked smell smoking over there, it’s couldn’t suffering. People appeared unlucky foreboding.

Liyidan busy worked to investigation with other staffs. A staff spoke,“Colonel Liyidan, Windon. I found many bad animal bodies in front of the swamp area. Evidence to show those animals were bitten by huge creature, there’s B.creatures territory places in sure.”

Windon gazed the huge feetprint, then feeling bad. He asked,“Conlonel Liyidan.What time will we finish the survey?”

Liyidan answered,“Conlonel Liyidan, don’t worry about that. We will finish sooner, please waiting for me.”

Windon going on,“You and me, add others, only 100 people, It’s not a good idear in this way,”

Suddently, terrible cry from the hursts, the voice resound hollow a long time. Windom firmly hold the laser pistol, said aloud,“Brave men, strengthen defensive! Pick up the plan!” Leaves of branch began to discomposure tingle, heavy stepps with the smash leaves sound far to near. It’s alike a huge form moving to outside from inside. Soldiers arranged groups per 5 or 7 people, round and round their conlonels.

Bit by bit clear, a monster. Liyidan had a surprise,“Wo, such huge B.creatures!”

The B.creatures are poison-wildlife, because of growing in weapon pollution area long time, then Multiply to unusual change creatures, extremity danger. Windon stared to the 6 meter high B.creature, crimson body growing colors of rainbow poison horn. Often blast stench throw off, Grotty long bola-tail draging behind back, leave over some long and twisted way of marks. Strong and vigorous claws stepping, deep footprint leaved behind. The B.creatures tingle standing tine-ear, purple light from covetous eyes, Saliva or liquid running from the mouth and sharp teeth. That time, its mouth spurt out the deep call,“Ao! Ao~!”

Liyidan said aloud,“The B.creature is calling companies, We must back here! Speed to ready!” The B.creature began fast running to groups. Empire soldiers had bend over backward to shoot. Numbers of flames foercely shoot to its body, but never delay B.creature speed. 100 meter, 90 meter, 80 meter, the distance was closing. Men’s will would be wobbling. Windon quickly take out the laser sword, and operated bomb-type, fierce threw to B.creature. It’s ate off the sword, everyone had a great surprise. This sword system very currently, abroad using. Becuae of high class security and strong function. Can closing combat and some distance shooting. Also can set up a part of repair. Also the especiall point is with safe password or other special code that start up explode system.

Windon was calmly standing, absolutely standing, and shouted,“Hold up! Listening to me, opening fire!”

Soldiers had all strength to trigger. The B.creature still rush running to them under big fire. heavy stepps were more and more coming, everybody’s heart speed up, but continued to shoot, shoot. 30 meter, 20 meter, 10 meter, Liyidan sweat was running on forehead. Sudden, B.creature had a cruel shouted, then weak down to groud,“BOMB!” from Its stomach, green blood was emiting from wound hole. Although B.creatures couldn’t move, but soldiers’s eyes still fling places, for fear second expressed.

Liyidan undestood the danger was coming, spoke, “Fall back to the base, get out here! Hurry up!”

They’re fast running out the bad places. The B.creatures called beyond…

In the battle tank, Windon slowly spoke to him,“Colonel Liyidan, if the thing in two minds, you and me will died here.”

Liyidan still had a little fear, but secretly felicitate the disaster.

Happy said in no time,“This B.creature have good nose, Where’s weapon pollution, they’re will be there!”

Windon “ah ah” smiled and talked,“Needn’t mind, I can master everything, no one closed us. I have a good idea, we’re going to the small bar tonight. Ah! Aha~ha~!”

They’re became good friends and companies since the case happened. Till to now, they’re depend unremitting will on works, overcome layer upon layer difficulties, finally climbed up the highest leader positions. He’s really unknew, Why the accompanier with him at the former blood fight, now instant changed, became a stumbling block of empire. Windon althought couldn’t cilmbed up his position, but great honour at same, It’s only under one man. The rather that go through fire and water many years, he’s actuality don’t believe why happened.

“Honour premier, honour premier.” An information officer broke his thinking, the officer continued to report,

“Emergencies meeting, senators waiting for you.” Liyidan slow standing, then went to Empire premier Meeting Hall.

In the palace of D.S. great birthday party still holding. People smile, both degustation, enjoy wonderful birthday programes. A young perrty lady gentle and cultivated walking on the bandstand, applause rose up. She’s glad speak,“Thank you, thanks for your support. I’ll offer a classical song for you.?Dream Land Story?” Sweetness and fair music along with her dancing, The story is… It’s said that long long ago, there’s ayoung preety songer feet on the Dream Land, She’s surprise discovered many fly creatures able to song. It’s very blessedness, very exciting to song, the voice so great. Suddently, a difference ray winged to her from sky. It’s a view as a distorted, indistinct shadow appearance of something, It’s a light door. A wing girl smile closing her, and kind talking. Then leaded her to the light door, the light as smaller to smaller, door closed finally. Two years ago, the songer go back to home, her song pleasanter to listen, inebriation. She became famer songer of G.I.M.E. 3 years late… The singing voice is so great, as the heroine of story.

Onhogo power said,“Good, very good!” Applause from audiences again, seens satisfaction full stop.

An officer stealth near Onhogo, low talked,“Honour Onhogo, generals waiting for you in the Universe-eye Info-center.”

He did a wrinkling brow, turn to speak sideward,“Beautiful Ms GianJing, I need a little time to meeting, would you help me to take a charge in my birthday celebration some?”

GianJing felt a surprise,“Honest Onhogo, It’s my pleasure, thanks for your regards. Please to reassurance.”

He’s departed from guesters, palace, to step on spaceship on the Universe-eye Infocenter way. A group of deffense fleet landing on, then tag along his ship flying.

Onhogo sat down the chair of Command module, tasteless asked aside,“Captain Sidink, take the meeting info to me.” Sidink strict answered that,“No problem, honour Onhogo.”

He’s careful reading the info, he’s more read most unclear, to look outer the fash fleet, silently thinking about. At this moment, outerlook weren’t important in his mind, he needs a result, the empire ending of future. He’s phoned to the premier,

Onhogo said,“Honour premier, I’m Onhogo, I understood in substance.”

Liyidan said,“I wouldn’t believe Honour Windom did this case, What’s good suggestion?”

Onhogo talked,“The cases is up to this condition, I thinking that if negotiation was broked, It’s doubt to arms.”

Liyidan said,“I absloute know this point, It’s useless, even we cut territory of country for peace. I very know Windon, such he’ll till to end!”

Onhogo lower voice,“We can continue to use old idea deal with this man, do you think so? Honour premier?”

Liyidan as same of him,“I allow you execute the T.S.M. plan in the occasion requires. But don’t forget,

We’re face to former-companies as Windon, I afraid the plan won’t done!”

Onhogo smile said,“Honour premier, many ways to done, But I thinking that is the suitable way.”

Liyidan thought in two minds. After a little, he again replied,“Nice! I’m allow to you use the plan again if Universe Star plunged in crisis! ”

Onhogo said,“Thanks my lord!”

Onhogo’s face showed a ghost of snaky. He’s recalling conquer former enemies one by one in the scenes, brought mind in the War-Competion, and how to defeat opponents one by one. Aslo looked back on the widely sky, amazingly speed destroy to tough enemies of recalcitrance. He still believe the war will be win without T.S.M. plan, it’s kill a chicken needn’t on an ox.

Sidink broke his mind, reported,“Honour Onhogo, its according to the new info, Windon have renunciated

to G.I.M.E. on the blazeing in the whole, also allianced with 20 galaxies, 7 billion soldiers, hundreds of billion battle

group of fleets dig up the hatchet to G.I.M.E., and the reason is, the reason…”

Onhogo asked him,“What’s the reason? Please talk.” Sidink replied,“Yes, my lord. The reason that is premier Liyidan has controlled parliament of empire such several hundred years ago, also listed to tens of serious accusals.”

Onhogo Knowing said,“I know, prepare to fleets at once. We must arrived to Mubu star, Flamemend star convoked units, then prepare to out for a battle!”

Sidink said aloud,“Yes, sir!” Spaceship dashed out the aerosphere of star. Exhibiting the ocean of universe on face. The Universeeye Information Center piece by piece to became big, became huge. There’s supper space info-port, 3 million square kilometer expanse. The importantest military base in D.S, Number of solar systems are involved in forces. Onhogo ran to the Second Battle Headquarter of D.S. when get off. Tens of empire higer generals were waiting for him in the Meeting Center. They’re standing up at once while he’s arriverd. Onhogo sited down as a draught, then had a wave to everyone, spoke,“Please sit down, don’t standing.”

A gerneal too impatient to wait,“Honour Onhogo, Windon has leaded the rebel army to break through first line of defence of Universe Empire Star. And general Gui Wu Guo is battling to S. invasion armies under fury. The Empire Star is attacked between S.Invasion and rebellion, They’re hold us under war predicament, it’s stared in face. In addition, General Mateph fleets are returning to the Empire Star on way.”

Onhogo had a pat with hand on council board. Then slow said,“Thanks for general Bianja, Who’s want to say more something? please.”

Gneral Peterhanla is near Bianja, he’s first talked,“Honour Onhogo, Because our armies are under bad war predicament, please listen to me.”

Onhogo wasn’t at all attented to their saying, and ferocious face became terror much more.

After moment, he’s asked,“When will Unbeatable GunStar done? Who can tell me that!?” They’re still just standing, no one replied. He’s crinkled, and talked,“I saw the information. It’s press hard on, Who dare to act wild in G.I.M.E., sure be can’t passed in any event! Take my order, the main armies going to the Empire Star in second, then battle to Windon egg! We will going meeting on way! ”

On the way, the meeting is continuing. General Peterhanla said,“According to the information form rebelon on screen, the emenies will use preponderance of soldiers power to pounce us in possibility without fail, It’s overpowering and total battle scheme. Undifficulty to look the attacking way of rebelon from the Empire Starschart, please pay attention to these places.”

Imitate screen showed some solid constellation. He’s talked more,“The rebelon have speed to attacking at present. It’s estimated to arrive there 24 hours later, and will make effective attack.”

Bianja asked,“Our starsfield armies would strengthen power to delay enemy attacking speed in ability or not?” Peterhanla replied that,“If have enough backup power, but our armies will be disastrous.”

Onhogo talked,“We need time. If only that have enough time, stick to victimization more in war.”

Peterhanla replied,“Yes, honour. I’ll execute in a minute.”

That time, other general Jamno asked him,“Excuse me, I want to ask another question.”

Onhogo answered,“Sure, talk please.”

Jamno spoke,“Enemy armies tend to mucilage-glue in battle, military strength whether withdraw to the universe Empire star about, and make time to fight of guard?”

Bianja replied,“This is a good idea. but total withdrawed, will enormously strike Dragons Battlestar armies’s morale, and there’re besieged now, I afraid the result very serious.”

Onhogo laugh,then talked “General Bianja is right with reason, once Twin Dragon Battlestars fell, It must be help to rebelon armies attacking force. And thereby work disbennifit to us. It’s make very disbennifit influence to other star places. G.I.M.E. can’t fell back, even one man with battle last time!”

General Dara was near Jamno, his asked,“Honour Onhogo, for armies can faster speed in battle, I hope we can transport troops and material of star to replace other that one by one circle in succession action. Is it right?”

Onhogo had a look to Dara, then replied,“Right, this’s way if suitable condition. Arrange now.”

Dara answer,“thank you, I’m execute it.”

Onhogo asked,“What about unite-armies everyplaces? General Bianja.”

He’s replied,“Honour Onhogo, they’re on the way. It’s estimate landing-time 10 hours late will be arrived. And our armies will be arrived at 7 hours late in succession.”

Onhogo talked,“Not bad! We must lead up speed than Mr. Windon step, otherwise dally over opportunity combat, unmanageable on blast.”

Peterhanla spoke again,“General GuiWuGuo has again suggested to add reinforcements at one minute ago. And prermier Liyidan wish to send parts of fleets for rescue action.”

He’s replied,“I know, I order General Dara lead 5 million soldiers, 50 million units of fleets to rescue in the twin Dragon Battlestars, assistance General GuiWuGuo clear up on precipice!”

“Yes, sir. I’ll go.” Dara replied.

Onhogo continued to talking prewar prepared with generals. Numberless of battle fleets hight speed to U.Empire Star in the widest space. They’re possibility saluted to glory of Empire, or humiliation.

The birthday celebration continued to open like a full swing. and that time, Sunshine continent has greeted

early morning. People couldn’t tire because of jubilation one night till a succession of fleet gunshots had

savage broken sweetdream at immersion.

There’re sent out message those millions of rebelon were leaded to casus belli by Windon in the info-Centers, station of Alleywayes and avenues. People started to alarm, and vied go home with each other. street people as broke moving hubs and pieces, complete quiet. A little mouse put out small head itself from hole, as a wonder sneak looking at running away people. An no body claim of chair was tumbled and ramed by a fit of strong wind. Immediately sweeping confused dust with great intensity. A lot of rubbish were presents of environmental after festival, as headless fly wallopped by wind action.

Some people watched news and hid in home;

some people prepared to go to constry side with family;

some people brave tried to communication far friends, pursue facts of war;

some people worried about families of military service.

Dead-drunk officers or soldiers as heard a bawl on head, tumbled and ramed went to battalion, some arranges of trains carried groups of soldiery, then return to the centralize of military affairs base.

All cities hang over uncomfortable emotions, likes a disorderly commotion or disturbance in whole land. People didn’t cry for Onhogo birthday who begin pray for friends or families. Miss.GianJing or wisdomer busy dealed with confusion happenings. Royalty-guarderTightly keep watch every corner of palace outside, fear sneak attacking of enemy.

Deco came to front door of palace with soldiers protection, then announced to everyone,“Ladys and gentlemen, I’m regularity E.soldier Captain of V.Family, my name’s Deco. Deep honour to meet you. Because of empire locating a civil war edge, Onhogo ordered me to defence palace. Please don’t frighten, and don’t worry about these. In aside, Charle.Guan ? couple or others should fast go back to the bedroom of palace. To ensure security, I’ll send 2 Royalty-armed escorts for His Royal Highness.”

It’s uncomplete saying, a sticked to crutch midlife-man walk out from guests, and asked,“Honour Deco, 2 Royalty-armed escorts may be too smaller, allow my family armed-escorts to join defend job. One of that I can try one’s best faith for master, two of that I can abate Honour Deco’s burden, Do you think so?” A young officer leaded a team of soldiers to here at front door of palace, he’s saluted,“Report to Grigadier Qu Qing, V.Family Universe Fleet Colonel JiaJianChun and units waiting for your orders in 20 kilometre distance of palace.”

Qu Qing was born in D.S. generations service for V.Family, he’s D.S. Universe Fleet Level 1 Grigadier.

Deco had a saw JiaJianChun, then smile spoke,“We’re same, It’s never mind, OK, OK.” People got a load of him at coincide. He’s young and handsome, remarkable, with Royal-warrior honor, show heroic bearing hair.

Qu Qing smile replied,“Hum, good, take order yourself! Never slow Protection responsibility.”

JiaJianChun replied,“Yes, Grigadier.”

Charle.Guan ? cuted argumentum, talked,“Thanks for your regard V.Family. In this condition, everyone should go back, and units allowed stay. Another, Grigadier Qu Qing go with me, I have important thing talk to you.” Deco knew somewhat, he’s thought,“That old fox crab my great, How should I report to my lord?”

Qu Qing understood, and talked,“It’s my pleasure.”

Then GianJing said,“Since the party have finished, I should go back headquarter too. I’m very glad and extrermely honoured meet everybody today. at the same time, I grateful to your fervor entertaining, and wish meet you next time.”

Guests said goodbye to Charle. Guan ? too, then one by one leaved for home.

Qu Qing followed after Charle. Guan ? came to King meetingroom. When sat down, he kneel down with a “Bu Ton”, then cried to apologize.

Charle. Guan ? promptly supported his up, and surprise asked,“Uncle Qu Qing, something slow talked. I wouldn’t receive this manner. standing up then say, please.”

Qu Qing excited to cry his tear out, and talked,“My force weake, many years couldn’t service for responsibility, have not good portection for V.Family.”

Charle. Guan ? slow talked,“Alas, V.Family under these conditions because that be forced.Onhogo having great power, influenc. We weren’t his opponent. It’s not blame and because of you. I only complain haven’t got enough experience and skills myself.”

He’s supported Qu Qing with hands, then sad down on chair, Qu Qing slow talked,“G.I.M.E. on the life and death line,V.Family should reflect on this time.”

Charle replied,“That’s right, Uncle. His anabasis action is bode ill rather than well, difficult divination. V.Family may be able to brace up royal hero way again, correctitude faith and statute. Thought… thought I still worry about the Gunstars power are mightiness in our mind, we’re whether…?”

Qu Qing letter smile, answered,“Don’t fear that Unbeatable Gunstars, one of them is only building near life star of D.S. It’s wasted of long time 200 years at least, then may be finished. The rather that the empire is diffence to former today. The complete day is no end time. And the furthest regret, Onhogo brought the great mass of armies elite of V.Family, but his some of all contract armies elite still defend in D.S. Even we can all right to thing, national power will tend to vacuum estate.”

Charle. Guan ? answerd,“Words with truth, He’s took the main armies elite, We also watch out for other against-force’s intrigues.” Onhogo had staied 3 contract armies, they’re very experiences in battle. Deco, ZuoGe, Pinorbarwi control them. Wisdomer Deco is noble of D.S. he’s called “Heaven-Wisdomer”. His unit called “Sky-dragon Warrior”, they’re good at sky battle. Wisdomer Zuo has called“Supernatural Speed Counsellor”, He’s controling the Different-armour Warriors, they’re difference nation hero engage-warriors, great ability to land battle. And Pinorbarwi has named “Steel General”, control aeroamphibious engage-armry “S.Army”. This is second to none elite unit in V.Family. We have to alert. I think in this conditions, We must unite friendship power to chart great plan.”

Charle.Guan ? supplemented,“I remember Minkim.Guan of V.Family this time again.”

Qu Qing asked,“Is he Sea nation Minkim?”

Charle answered,“Yes, he’s. Sea nation have source with V.Family 1000 years ago. For overlord position, not spare to down status. And marry sea nation. Nowaday, great elder Minkim.Guan has V.Family blood. Although power on hands, but has low-style, dislike to society study. So called the Silence Elder in his presidial.”

Qu Qing had a quiet considering, a few minutes late said,“Honour Charle. Guan ?, you’re right. Sea nation although had married with V.Family. But It’s not behave of real help us. We must call upon heroes everywhere for V.Family. I have a plan. Could I…? ”

He’s replied,“Please free talk, if this can help V.Family.” Qu Qing talked,“Three days late, V.Family will have an emergency meeting concerning civil war of empire, I will invite V.Family else heroes or famerperson at attendance. That day our can find faithful talent helpers. Add power of family. The first can fill up the vacuum of family power. The second can keep away Onhogo’s expansion power in effect.”

“That’s a good idea. I hope my family is real V.Family of D.S. this isn’t fiddle puppet!”

Charle continued to ask him,“What are they characters will attendance at time?”

Qu Qing thought a few minute, replied,“The meeting on the way, hundreds of person contacted, they’re occultfa of king warrior of Die-hard nation, Noble warrior Terrading of Apparition nation, General Bianja’s daughter Bianna, Emotion-master Farllow, Long nose Grandma of witch leader of Witch Organization, Adventurer Martin. Charle, famous speecher Zhuangpindin, come from the hale planet normal bussinesman Haletiti, juvenile detective Keone of D.S., Free businessman Quanding, land forces anomaly warrior captain PanZiNeng etc, superadd important member of V.Family 150 etc, they’re total 360…”

The Winner Stands Alone – Seventh Chapter By Paulo Coelho

He takes a few steps and his head begins to ache terribly. This is perfectly normal: the blood is flooding the brain, an understandable reaction in someone who has just been under extreme tension.

Despite the headache, he feels happy. Yes, he has done what he set out to do.
He can do it. And he’s happier still because he has freed the soul from that fragile body, freed a spirit incapable of defending herself against a bullying coward. If her relationship with her boyfriend had continued, the girl would have ended up depressed and anxious and devoid of all self-respect, and would have been even more under her boyfriend’s thumb.

This had never been the case with Ewa. She had always been capable of making her own decisions. He had given her both moral and financial support when she decided to open her haute-couture boutique; and she had been free to travel as much as she wanted. He had been an exemplary man and husband. And yet, she had made a mistake: she had been unable to understand his love or his forgiveness. He hoped, however, that she would receive these messages; after all, he had told her on the day she left that he would destroy whole worlds to get her back.

He picks up the throwaway mobile phone he has just bought and on which he has entered the smallest possible amount of credit. He sends a text message.

11.00 a.m.

It all began, they say, with an unknown 19-year-old posing in a bikini for photographers who had nothing better to do during the 1953 Cannes Festival. She immediately shot to stardom, and her name became legendary: Brigitte Bardot. And now everyone thinks they can do the same. No one understands the importance of being an actress; beauty is the only thing that counts.

That’s why women with long legs and dyed hair, the bottle blondes of this world, travel hundreds or even thousands of miles to be in Cannes, even if only to spend the whole day on the beach, hoping to be seen, photographed, discovered. They want to escape from the trap that awaits all women: becoming a housewife, who makes supper for her husband every evening, takes the children to school every day, and tries to dig up some dirt on her neighbours’ monotonous lives so as to have something to gossip about with her friends. What these women want is fame, glory and glamour, to be the envy of the other people who live in their town and of the boys and girls who always thought of them as ugly ducklings, unaware that they would one day grow up to be a swan or blossom into a flower coveted by everyone. They want a career in the world of dreams even if they have to borrow money to get silicone breast implants or to buy some newer, sexier outfits. Drama school? Forget it, good looks and the right contacts are all you need. The cinema can work miracles, always assuming, of course, you can ever break into that world. Anything to escape from the prison of the provincial city and the long, dreary, repetitive days. There are millions of people who don’t mind that kind of life, and they should be left to live their lives as they see fit. However, if you come to the Festival you must leave fear at home and be prepared for anything: making spur-of-the-moment decisions, telling lies if necessary, pretending to be younger than you are, smiling at people you loathe, feigning an interest in people who bore you, saying ‘I love you’ without a thought for the consequences, or stabbing in the back the friend who once helped you out, but who has now become an undesirable rival. Don’t let feelings of remorse or shame get in your way. The reward is worth any amount of sacrifice.

Fame. Glory. Glamour.

Gabriela finds these thoughts irritating. It’s definitely not the best way to start a new day. Worse, she has a hangover.

At least there’s one consolation. She hasn’t woken up in a five-star hotel next to a man telling her to put her clothes on and leave because he has important business to deal with, like buying or selling films.

She gets up and looks around to see if any of her friends are still in the apartment. Needless to say they’re not. They’ve long since left for the Boulevard de la Croisette, for the swimming pools, hotel bars, yachts, possible lunch dates and chance meetings on the beach. There are five fold-out mattresses on the floor of the small shared apartment, hired for the duration at an exorbitant rent. The mattresses are surrounded by a tangle of clothes, discarded shoes, and hangers that no one has taken the trouble to put back in the wardrobe.

‘The clothes take up more room here than the people,’ she thinks.

Not that any of them could even dream of wearing clothes designed by Elie Saab, Karl Lagerfeld, Versace or Galliano, but what they have nevertheless takes up most of apartment: bikins, miniskirts, T-shirts, platform shoes, and a vast amount of make-up.

‘One day I’ll wear what I like, but right now, I just need to be given a chance,’ she thinks.

And why does she want that chance?

Quite simple. Because she knows she’s the best, despite her experience at school – when she so disappointed her parents – and despite the challenges she’s faced since in order to prove to herself that she can overcome difficulties, frustrations and defeats. She was born to win and to shine, of that she has no doubt.

‘And when I get what I always wanted, I know I’ll have to ask myself: Do they love and admire me because I’m me or because I’m famous.’

She knows people who have achieved stardom on the stage and, contrary to her expectations, they’re not at peace with themselves; they’re insecure, full of doubts, unhappy as soon as they come off stage. They want to be actors so as not to have to be themselves, and they live in fear of making the one false step that could end their career.

‘I’m different, though. I’ve always been me.’

Is that true? Or does everyone in her position think the same?

She gets up and makes herself some coffee. The kitchen is a mess, and none of her friends has bothered to wash the dishes. She doesn’t know why she’s woken up in such a bad mood and with so many doubts. She knows her job, she’s devoted herself to it heart and soul, and yet it’s as if people refuse to recognise her talent. She knows what human beings are like too, especially men – future allies in a battle she needs to win soon, because she’s 25 already and nearly too old for the dream factory. She knows three things:

(a) that men are less treacherous than women;

(b) that they never notice what a woman is wearing because they’re always mentally undressing her;

(c) that as long as you’ve got breasts, thighs, buttocks and belly in good trim, you can conquer the world.

Because of those three things, and because she knows that all the other women she’s competing with try to emphasise their attributes, she pays attention only to item (c) on her list. She exercises and tries to keep fit, avoids diets and, illogical though it may seem, dresses very discreetly. This has worked well so far, and she can usually pass for younger than her age. She’s hoping that it’ll do the trick in Cannes too.

Breasts, buttocks, thighs. They can focus on those things now if they want to, but the day will come when they’ll see what she can really do.

The 8th Chapter will be posted on Friday 20th of February

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