Infini (Aerial Ethereal #2)
Krista Ritchie & Becca Ritchie
Prologue
Luka Kotova
Date: January 1st
Subject: Happy New Year AE Artists
From: Marc Duval, Creative Director of Aerial Ethereal
Bcc: Luka Kotova, and other undisclosed recipients
Aerial Ethereal Artists,
A new year means big changes. Please keep this in mind as we begin the process of hiring new & veteran artists. As a reminder, the current Aerial Ethereal show roster is as follows.
Touring Shows: Somnio, Noctis, Seraphine
Resident Show in Montreal (The Palace Blitz): Nova Vega
Resident Show in New York (The Opal Hotel): Celeste
Resident Shows in Las Vegas (The Masquerade Hotel & Casino): Viva, Amour, Infini
I’d also like to remind every artist (i.e., acrobatic performers, clowns, instrumentalists, dancers, singers, etc.) of the Wellness Policy that you’re required to follow while under contract with Aerial Ethereal.
On behalf of the company, I wish the cast of Viva all the best with their performance tonight.
Marc Duval
Creative Director of Aerial Ethereal
[email protected]
I cup my phone and read the email. Everyone in the Masquerade’s backstage dressing room pauses to check their cells. I hate mass company emails—almost as much as I hate personal company emails.
One of my cousins grumbles, “Damn Wellness Policy,” and simultaneously reads the email while jumping into a spandex costume: forest-green, silver splashes of glitter on the neckline and sleeves.
I set my phone aside and return to the mirror.
Bulbous lights outline the frame and illuminate my features: tousled brown hair, captivating gray eyes (just not as much as my brothers’), and sculpted but lean arms and torso.
(I have to lift one of my cousins on my shoulders, for fuck’s sake. And he’s a two-hundred pound dude.)
I touch my carved jaw, my face a contradiction of hard and soft angles—and depending on the day, I suppose my personality is just like that too.
My cheeks are half-painted. Vibrant green swirls form leaves, but I have to add more yellow detail. I work on my eyes, blending green shadow into gold.
If someone out there wants to grant me some luck, tonight will be the last time I do the Viva makeup.
“Twenty minutes until opening!” someone shouts into the room.
Swiftly, I swipe out of my email and into my music. Earbuds in and makeup brush in hand, I nod my head to the rhythm and prepare for my job.
*
Date: January 16th
Subject: Welcome to Infini
From: Antoine Perrot, Director of Infini
To: Luka Kotova
Luka Kotova:
I’d like to formally welcome you back to Infini. This season, we’re hiring a brand new choreographer who’ll oversee every act in the show.
Including your discipline: Wheel of Death.
We want you to take these new changes with stride, and as a veteran artist, I need you to set an example at work. I hope we can count on you.
Antoine Perrot
Director of Infini
[email protected]
I dance. Half-intoxicated by the liquor in my veins. Half-intoxicated by the bass thumping the Vegas club called Verona. Raising my phone up, I squint at the bright screen and try to read the work email. I retain about a quarter.
It goes something like: welcome back blah blah blah new choreographer blah changes blah blah. Then I shove my phone in my jeans.
I just dance.
*
Date: January 17th
Subject: Congratulations
From: Marc Duval, Creative Director of Aerial Ethereal
Bcc: Luka Kotova, and other undisclosed recipients
Aerial Ethereal Artists,
On behalf of the company, congratulations to all the new artists who have signed on for the upcoming year(s). We’d also like to give the warmest welcome to the new female aerialist Thora James, who’ll be a lead in Amour’s aerial silk act.
As most of you may already know, AE has had to make serious changes with our veteran shows. Infini alone has recast 90% of its roles. We appreciate all the support and compliance moving forward. We expect to make more changes in the coming months.
We’re a company striving to improve in all avenues: creative and financial.
Marc Duval
Creative Director of Aerial Ethereal
[email protected]
Shoving a piece of pizza in my mouth, I jog towards the performance gym inside the Masquerade Hotel & Casino. I’ll probably puke. (Nothing new.)
In my other hand, I grasp my phone, trying to read and walk.
Multitasking like a motherfucker.
*
Date: January 19th
Subject: Infini News
From: Geoffrey Lesage, Choreographer
Bcc: Luka Kotova, and other undisclosed recipients
Infini Artists:
Firstly, I am not here to be your friend. I’m here to make Infini the best damn show on Aerial Ethereal’s roster. Most of you choreographed your own routines in the past.
Not happening this year. All acts will be created and approved by me.
Here’s the sad truth: Infini is stale. It’s why more than half of your co-workers were fired (or shifted to other shows). If the audience is bored to tears, do you think they’ll return for a second and third viewing? No. They’ll just go gamble at the casino instead.
No whining. No complaining. If I see any empty chairs in the audience this season, I’ll push you all harder. Don’t kid yourself, Marc Duval will axe Infini if it underperforms this year. You. Must. Sell. Tickets.
No excuses.
No exceptions.
While we wait for new artists to fly in and get accommodated at the Masquerade, remember to condition. Do not waste my time. First meeting/practice is February 15th.
For those asking for cast sheets, Antoine Perrot and the rest of the creative team are keeping Infini’s shakeups quiet from the press. You’ll meet all the artists in person on the 15th.
Geoffrey Lesage
Infini Choreographer
[email protected]
My older cousin’s brash and crude voice blares through my phone, complaining about the email from Geoffrey.
While he curses, I toss the cell on my mattress and empty my pockets. Three packs of Junior Mints. Five bottles of tiny hotel shampoos. A Masquerade souvenir keychain. A half-opened bag of Skittles. My gym card.
*
Date: January 20th
Subject: you there?
From: [email protected]
To: Luka Kotova
Nik says you blocked my number and that’s why you haven’t responded to my texts. Unblock me. We need to talk.
- Sergei
I slam the washing machine closed with more force than I intend. It’s old anyway.
The hotel hasn’t updated the 42nd and 43rd floor communal washers and dryers since I moved to Vegas three years ago. And they were already archaic back then. I glance back at my phone.
I hesitate.
And then I swipe right to delete.
*
Date: January 21st
Subject: Reminder
From: Marc Duval, Creative Director of Aerial Ethereal
Bcc: Luka Kotova, and other undisclosed recipients
Aerial Ethereal Artists,
The Wellness Policy is not optional. All artists need to maintain in good standing in order to perform. We will not hesitate to suspend you from a show.
Marc Duval
Creative Director of Aerial Ethereal
[email protected]
Cigarette hanging loosely between my fingers, I blow smoke in the frigid air. The gray plume is visible in the night. Flashy, multicolored lights stretch along the never-ending Vegas strip, radiating.
So fucking bright.
*
Date: January 21st
Subject: you there????
From: [email protected]
To: Luka Kotova
I’m your brother. Unblock me so I can at least text you. That is if you’re even getting these fucking emails.
- Sergei
I hesitate again, for longer than a split-second. I pass my phone from one hand to the other.
And then I delete the email.
Act One
Luka Kotova