INT. CINEMA - NIGHT
The audience gasps loudly at the sudden change of events. Someone in the back row shouts, "What a twist!"
"I know right?!" Someone else shot back rhetorically.
"Shhhh," someone hisses. "It's starting again."
They all stared at the screen as it flickers back to life and there she was: Mariana Beaumont, staring straight into the camera as if she could see every single one of them.
"Water is cool." Mariana started. "Water is cold. Water is beautiful. Water is life. But, Water is dangerous, in fact one of the most dangerous forces of nature. And for that reason, I am Water.
My name is Mariana Beaumont. I came to this country with one dream — to become an actress. A star. To see my name in spotlights to build a legacy, to be the one and only Mariana Beaumont."
She sighed, soft and deliberate.
"I believed if I worked hard enough, that if I was talented enough, if I wanted it badly enough, it would happen. But I was wrong. Not about the dream coming true, I did get what I wanted. But I was wrong about what it would cost to get it."
The screen flickered and showed the memory she wanted them to see (*).
***
INT. AWARD SHOW - NIGHT
"And the Oscar goes to... Mariana Beaumont!"
The theater explodes. Everyone on their feet, screaming, cheering and clapping as Mariana stands. Her dress catches the light. She walks to the stage beaming with excitement. This was her moment.
She takes the statue. Holds it up as the applause and cheers gets louder.
***
"On the outside," she continued. "it looks like I got everything I wanted. And I did. But at the expense of what? Being taken advantage of?
***
(Flashback – Three Years Ago)
Dim lights spill across the office, catching on the edges of a leather couch and a heavy desk. Mariana's dress is halfway down her shoulders, the producer — a grumpy man in his fifties, slick, with a proud predatory smirk on his face — pinned her against the wall.
"That's it," he murmurs into her neck, breathing. "Just like that."
She makes the sounds he expects, soft moans that fill the quiet hotel room, but her eyes are fixed on a spot somewhere past his shoulder. Somewhere far away to keep her mind from wandering. All she felt was shame but she had to endure. This was the only way.
"Mariana," he groans, lost in it. "God, Mariana."
His hands roam around her body with greedy intent. He grabbed her breasts and squeezed hard and she lets him.
When it was over he steped back, straightens his tie, smooths his shirt and pulls up his pants. He doesn't for once meet her gaze.
"You know," he says, almost casual, "you're not as good as I thought. I'm disappointed."
She goes very still.
"You're not getting the role."
He walks to the door, pauses with his hand on the knob.
"Don't call me again."
The door clicks shut behind him.
Mariana stays where she is, half-dressed, the air suddenly cold against her skin. Slowly she pulls the straps of her dress back up, covering herself like armor. Then the tears came. She had been deceived, but what could she do?
She wept.
***
"Yeah." she sighed. "That! Those were the kind of things I went through. The industry is dangerous. It's tough. It's messy. And if you don't know what you want, if you don't learn how to stand your ground, you'll get tossed around like a puppet.
So I'm going to let you in on a secret. Pay attention."
***
INT. TALK SHOW SET - NIGHT
Bright lights everywhere, a live audience screaming and cheering. The Host (man in his forties, charming, too much teeth) leans forward.
"Mariana! Mariana you are incredible. You've got the Oscar, the Golden Globe, every brand deal imaginable, and you even released an album that went platinum. So what's next for you?"
Mariana laughs. "I know. I'm fabulous."
The audience roars with laughter and cheers and the host claps.
"Yes you are! So seriously, what are your plans now?"
Mariana smiles. She leans in with a mischievous glint in her eyes and whispers to herself, "Revenge."
The host blinks. "What was that? Re—"
"I mean," Mariana says louder and brighter, "I want to really express myself and my potentials. Through my talents and my gifts, I can and I want to show everyone, especially all the little girls watching, that this is possible. That no one, and I mean no one, should ever tell you what you can or cannot do."
The audience murmurs and cheers in approval.
"I want them to believe in themselves and in their abilities. I want them to know they can become a success. That's what I want to do next."
The host stands. "Brilliant. Mariana Beaumont, everyone!"
The audience erupts in a standing ovation as Mariana waves and walks off stage.
—
(Backstage)
The second she's out of view, her smile drops. She motions to her assistant, the director nearby with clipboard in hand. He sees her beckoning him over and he rushes to her like his life depended on it.
"Mariana, darling, you were amazing!" He says.
"Fire that host," she responded firmly. "He talks too much."
"Yes, ma'am."
"And someone get me a bottle of whiskey."
People — everyone scattered, running to make sure nothing was out of place and no one dared to look her in the eye.
***
"So that is what I want to do." Mariana said finally with a soft classy smile. "Whether you understand it or not, I think it's best you follow really carefully. Because you, my fans, you're all involved too, because....."