Page 22

La Estrella

The next episode opens with Marsh sitting on a green couch, in a white room.

Wherever Talia has sent her, it’s much quieter and smaller than the glamorous Harpa. The applause is still ringing in her ears, even though this new setting is completely silent. The ghost of her victory is still pricking at her heart rate, making her feel breathless, fidgety.

She shakes her head to drive away the last scene. At the midseason special, she didn’t think life could get any better than she’d already made it, and then she ended up in the remote Arctic, where she had more fun than she could ever have imagined. Whatever’s waiting for her here in this new path, she can make a life even better than the one in Iceland.

And hopefully, one free of Chrysalis, too.

Resolute, Marsh surveys the room. At first, she thought maybe she was in a house, but now she can see that the space is far too small to be a room in a home, or even an apartment. But although it’s tight quarters, the place is well decorated. There’s a cozy bedroom through the little door to the left, a kitchenette off to the right, and a tidy, modern bathroom with a full shower past that. There are four windows, all drawn closed with shades.

It almost looks like a luxury trailer, or a fancy motorhome, she muses, confused.

Why is she living in a trailer ?

Only one way to find out.

Cautiously, Marsh rises from the couch and walks over to the door. She touches the lock and takes a breath, steeling herself.

Then she opens it.

At once, a burst of color and movement obliterates her view, and a swell of energetic, slightly cliché mariachi music rushes into her trailer from outside at overwhelming volume. Marsh gasps, covering her eyes for a moment, and when she looks again, a massive, chaotic, beautiful city fills every inch of the frame.

The sky is bright, the buildings a rainbow of shapes and colors and styles, all crammed together in a charming crush. There are parks on every corner, little food stands selling mouthwatering snacks, and musicians strolling up and down the plazas, holding out their hats for coins as they play.

And there’s green everywhere. Trees shading sidewalk corners, bushes overflowing from the street medians, flowers bursting from the balconies of every café and shop.

LunaMágica: ?Es México! ?Está en la Ciudad de México!

Pollito: ?Bienvenida, Marsh!

The comments are pinging excitedly, her viewers everywhere in Latin America thrilled with this latest turn of events.

ChilangoCool: ?La mejor ciudad!

LoboAzul: ?Marsh, te amamos!

Marsh keeps staring through the erupting hearts and confetti, exhilarated. She can’t believe she’s here, in Mexico City. The place she’s been dreaming of returning to someday after her failed trip with Dylan, to prove to herself that she could do it after all, she could be open-minded and brave and try new things...

Now she can.

As Marsh continues to gape at her gorgeous, intense new home, a passerby glances at her—and then stops dead in the middle of the sidewalk as he stares.

“ Dios mío, ” the man yelps, shocked. “?... Malvavisca? ?La mismísima Malvavisca?”

“Huh?” Marsh blinks.

The chaos is immediate.

Out of nowhere, the street is suddenly mobbed with people, all crowding around Marsh. Some are laughing, some are screaming, and they’re all reaching for her.

“ ?Malvavisca! ” they’re shouting as they press in. One woman in the frenzied throng looks like she’s sobbing. “?Malvavisca! ?Malvavisca!”

“What’s happening?!” Marsh panics.

She wrenches herself free and scrambles back up the metal stairs of her trailer, and then throws herself inside and locks the door. She leans against it, panting, as the clamor continues outside.

“Hi, Marsh!” Talia says from the couch, and Marsh nearly has a heart attack.

“For goodness’ sake, Talia,” she groans, putting a hand on her chest. “You have got to give some warning before you do that.”

“Sorry, again,” she replies. “I got so used to it after my season, I forget sometimes.”

Marsh waits for her heart to stop racing, and then points behind her, indicating the pandemonium on the other side. “It’s fine. What I’m more curious about is that .”

Talia nods. She goes to the counter, where a stack of papers is sitting.

“What’s this?” Marsh asks, taking them from her.

There must be at least a hundred pages, she estimates. It almost looks like a slim manuscript or something.

“I think you’re going to like this life,” Talia answers excitedly.

Marsh looks down and reads the title.

UN JUEGO PELIGROSO

(“A DANGEROUS GAME”)

Guion cinematográfico

It’s not a manuscript, she realizes with a start as she skims the next paragraph in the same telltale boxy font.

It’s a screenplay.

Marsh must be a film writer in this episode!

Un Juego Peligroso: the world’s most popular vigilante justice romance telenovela! A woman whose father was murdered by an especially bloodthirsty cartel in a case of mistaken identity vows to take down one of the most dangerous gangs in all of Latin America—but when she finally comes face-to-face with the infamous leader, she isn’t prepared for the sudden, undeniable spark that threatens her delicate heart... and her desperate quest for vengeance.

Moms4Marsh: Ooh la la! Marsh writes telenovelas?

JesterG: Obviously! She lives in Mexico now!

Monsterrific: I love telenovelas! This one sounds spicy!

But something still seems a little off.

Marsh is clearly involved in the film industry in this life, but the crowds outside weren’t shouting at her like she was a screenwriter. Except for cinematography fans, she’d bet that most people would have no idea who wrote a given script.

They were shouting at her like...

Marsh looks up at Talia, who’s now not standing right beside her, but rather near the open door to the bedroom. She pushes it shut, revealing a giant movie poster on the side of it that she couldn’t see before, because it was flush against the wall.

It’s a dizzying collage of faces and action scenes on a dark background, framing the head and shoulders of the woman at its center. She’s gorgeous, her hair luxurious and her eyes smoldering and her skin as smooth as silk. Her face is turned three-quarters to the camera, and her gaze is focused toward the top left corner of the poster, where the title Un Juego Peligroso—?la telenovela mas popular del mundo! threatens in dramatic font.

“Whoa!” Marsh cries. “That’s me!”

She can’t stop staring. She looks almost as good as Talia does, by this point.

Then it hits her.

Marsh isn’t writing the telenovela...

She’s starring in it!

Outside, the commotion briefly intensifies, as if to underscore her thoughts. Through the trailer’s thick walls, she can hear the faint echo of the crowd chanting, that same word over and over— Malvavisca, Malvavisca, Malvavisca . Except this time, it’s not frightening.

It’s exciting.

Marsh— Malvavisca, Marshmallow —is a beloved, world-famous actress in this new life.

“Holy mackerel,” Marsh murmurs, which makes Talia laugh.

LunaMágica: Now we get to watch Marsh’s episodes AND her telenovela!

TopFan01: She’s the star of a show within a show—very clever

Talia winks at that last comment. “I couldn’t help myself,” she says. “But what do you think, Marsh?”

Marsh’s insides are a mix of elation and terror. “I can’t believe it,” she manages to say.

“Better than the first time around, eh?” Talia chides.

Marsh nods, still dazed. “I did always want to come back here, after that disastrous vacation with Dylan. To prove to myself that I could enjoy Mexico the way I wanted to the first time, instead of just hiding in the hotel.” She swallows. “But... international movie star?”

“You can do it,” Talia says confidently. “Just think of how far you’ve come since the recap. Every episode, we’ve watched you grow braver, stronger, more alive. You’re not just surviving now, but flourishing. You’ve given a speech at Mendoza-Montalvo and Hall, and charmed a crowd at a gala in Reykjavík. Now, you’re back where you’ve always dreamed of returning—and I know you’re ready to step into the spotlight and shine like you always should have... on an even grander scale than ever!”

Marsh finds herself clinging to Talia’s words as she listens. An award-winning drama, a timeless story for the ages that viewers will watch for decades, even centuries, to come... Marsh has to admit, this version of leaving her mark could be really incredible.

“You’re right,” she says to Talia, admiring herself on the poster again. “I am ready.”

There’s a sharp knock at the trailer door. But before Marsh can protest, Talia opens it.

“ Tengo a la Se?orita Harper,” a security guard says as he blocks the crowd, and Harper hops up the stairs into the trailer before he snaps the door shut again.

“Harp!” Marsh says, overjoyed.

“Hey, Mom. Hey, Talia,” Harper replies, seemingly unfazed by the activity outside. In this life, she must have grown up used to having an incredibly famous actress for a mother, and thinks being surrounded by other famous people and followed by a hysterical, worshipping mob at all times is normal, Marsh supposes.

“I’ll leave you two to catch up,” Talia says, steeling herself to duck out of the trailer. “See you on set, Marsh.”

“Yes, see you there,” Marsh promises as Talia departs. “How was school?” she asks Harper as she takes off her backpack and flops onto the little couch.

“Eh, Profesora Juarez gave us another pop quiz,” she says, as if Marsh knows all about how sneaky her teacher is. “But band practice was awesome! I had a breakthrough on that new piece I’ve been working on.”

“That’s great, honey,” Marsh replies.

“I’ll play it for you later and show you,” Harper continues as she wiggles both sets of her fingers in the air, like she’s playing a guitar. “It’s such a tricky passage, but I think I’ve got it down. Se?or Lopez says he’s never seen anyone master the requinto so quickly.”

“I can’t wait to hear it,” Marsh says, taking her instrument change in stride. What’s more exciting is how chatty her daughter is. Like they do this all the time, and know everything about each other.

The trailer door opens a third time, and Ren ducks inside and slams it shut behind him quickly.

“Whew! It’s like an obstacle course, trying to get through your fans!” He chuckles and sets something down on the floor. “Someone even offered me twenty thousand pesos for this little sausage. I almost said yes!”

A fuzzy blur shoots by and lands on Harper’s thighs a second later, and she giggles as she cuddles Pickle. He’s a tiny black Chihuahua instead of a Lab, but at this point, Marsh is long used to his little metamorphoses.

“I forgot to tell you, I found a date for your premiere,” Harper teases her mother as she holds Pickle’s front paws up so he’s standing on two legs in her lap. “He’s so handsome!”

“A date?” Marsh teases back. “Excuse me, young lady, you’re far too young for a date!”

“But we’re in lo-ove,” Harper sings, and then plants a kiss on Pickle’s adorable little face. “Aren’t we, Pepinillo?”

“Oh! That reminds me, I have to pick up my tux before the tailor closes.” Ren winks flirtily at Marsh. “I think I’m gonna go with the open shirt one. Gotta keep up my look, you know?”

“A tuxedo! Excuse me, young lady, you’re far too young for a date!” Harper repeats Marsh’s line to her in a joking mom-ish tone, and they all laugh again.

The longer they talk, the bigger Marsh’s smile gets. She’s fully confident now that she was right to leave Iceland and come to Mexico. This Harper is not just Harper—she’s the Harper who Marsh has been desperately trying to find her way back to. A Harper who is both as talented at music as she’s always been, but also as close to her mother as she was before the divorce upended their lives and the teenage hormones set in. They finish each other’s sentences, and have inside jokes with each other—they’re not just mother and daughter now, but real friends.

It’s everything she’s wanted.

Ren, too, has received a few upgrades in this path. His hair is extra shiny and thick, and his skin is so smooth it almost looks airbrushed. He’s taller, and so well-groomed, he almost looks like a Ken doll, with a rakish bent. Almost like he’s taken to this new glitzy Hollywood life even more enthusiastically than she has.

“I can’t wait to see what they serve this time for the dinner after the screening,” Ren is saying. “Talia told me that they booked Chef Enrique Olvera himself!”

“I bet Mom could introduce you,” Harper suggests. “He’s sure to come around and meet the stars after the dessert course.”

“That would be a dream come true,” Ren muses. “He’s so badass.”

“Since when are you so into food?” Marsh asks.

“Ever since he portrayed him in flashback scenes for Talia’s documentary on Mexico’s food scene last year,” Harper replies. “ Temerarios de la Cocina . Remember?”

Not only is Ren a little edgier in this episode, but he’s also an actor. That’s interesting! Marsh didn’t expect that change. She scrambles for a response to cover, but she’s not quick enough, and a beat of silence falls over the scene.

“What?” Ren asks. “I thought you liked that documentary.”

“I did!” Marsh cries. “You were wonderful in it.”

But Ren can still tell something’s off. “I know I take more artsy, experimental roles, but I thought that you thought it was kind of cool we’re both actors,” he says quietly. “We can understand each other’s work the way most couples can’t.”

“Definitely,” she agrees. “I just meant...”

Marsh falters. She’s just trying to make sure he likes his job in this new path, but she doesn’t know how to ask him, because he wouldn’t understand.

Ren sighs. He looks hurt, but it almost seems like he’s also... frustrated?

Moms4Marsh: Poor Ren. He tries so hard to make her happy!

“Well, if you don’t like it, I can always change!” he finally declares.

JesterG: If only he knew how possible that might be!

“Don’t be ridiculous,” Marsh says as the comment window bounces with laughter at that last remark, but Ren snaps his fingers and leaps into a pose.

“Why not? I’ve always wanted to be a helicopter pilot, too.” He snaps them again. “Or a firefighter!”

He says it a little testily, but the more jobs he suggests, the funnier the moment gets. By the time he’s on the fourth career, he’s grinning toothily and starting to dance with each one, and the whole thing has become a joke rather than an argument. Marsh starts to giggle as he makes up increasingly ridiculous professions: assassin veterinarian, celebrity nostril hairstylist, artisanal cheese puzzle-maker. Harper is on the floor laughing, tears in her eyes, and little Pickle—Pepinillo—is barking joyfully as he stands on her belly.

“You’re ridiculous,” Marsh says at last, hoarse from laughter. “And I love that we’re both actors.”

Ren takes a pleased bow and sweeps her into a kiss.

YanYan242: Ren is so wonderful!

It’s true. He’s always been a true partner, which is one of the best things about him. No matter what else changes about him episode to episode—his job or appearance—that never will.

There’s a knock at the door to the trailer, and a page sticks her head in.

“Ah, Malvavisca,” the young woman says. “We’re ready for your scene.”

Marsh is still smiling as she and Ren leave Harper to do her homework and follow the page to the set. They weave through the adoring crowds along Avenida Insurgentes Sur, flanked by security guards. Marsh waves and blows kisses, which makes the exhilarated shouts grow even louder.

The page pushes open a heavy metal door to a warehouse a few buildings down. Just before Marsh and Ren duck inside, she turns to look again at the city—the screaming fans, the invigorating bustle—taking it all in.

“What a day,” she whispers to herself. The first of many more to come, she hopes.

“Malvavisca, por favor, ” the page says kindly.

Marsh heads inside, eager to get to work. Everyone else seems just as passionate. On the way to hair and makeup, she greets the tech crew, the writers, and a gaggle of young extras clustered around the food table, who all want her autograph.

“Malvavisca! Ren!” a familiar voice calls, and Marsh spots Jo in a chair in front of a mirror and Victor beside her, going over the script and talking into a headset.

“Hi, you two!” she says, thrilled to have found them in this new path. “Ready for today?”

“I hear we have a guest director for this next episode,” Victor replies.

“Let me guess,” Marsh says. “Talia Cruz?”

“How did you know before me!” He laughs.

“Perks of being the star,” Ren teases as he lights a cigarette.

Ren smokes?

Marsh blinks, surprised.

Well, he is more of a bad boy now, she supposes.

“I can’t wait! I just hope she doesn’t change all my lines up on me at the last minute.” Jo shrugs, obediently holding still for a dusting of blush. “Remember that episode when they wanted a whole endangered species collection in the cartel’s house, and I was suddenly supposed to be a blackmailed wildlife photographer in Iceland or Antarctica or something?”

Marsh does a double take, then tries to cover it up as they all glance at her.

That was weird.

“Well, I just don’t want to play another secret evil twin,” Ren finally adds, which makes Jo crack up. “I’ve done so many by now, I must have been from a family of octuplets!”

Marsh looks at Victor, but he’s laughing, too, unconcerned. They all are. She’s the only one who noticed the strange callback—but then again, she’s the only one who should have. Perhaps she’s overreacting.

Although that doesn’t explain why it happened in the first place.

“Good morning, everyone!” Talia calls from the entrance to the warehouse.

“Ah,” Jo says, hopping out of the chair. “Time to get this show on the road.”

Marsh rushes after her, pushing through the crowd that’s gathered around Talia to ask her various questions about angles, sound, edits, and more.

“There’s my star!” Talia cries, and gives her air-kisses that are somehow charming, not cringey. “Ready to shine?”

“Not yet,” Marsh interrupts. “Something just—”

“Concerns about the show?” Talia asks, and Marsh knows which show she really means. Not the telenovela, but the one bubbled around it.

Marsh nods. “I’m worried things are a little off.”

“All part of the process,” Talia says. “We can never judge a piece of art by its rough draft, can we? Revisions will be made. I promise. Everything will be perfect.”

Marsh takes a breath. She knows what Talia’s trying to telegraph. After such a big jump, everything needs a little time to settle. She’s only been in Mexico for one scene—she’s barely had time to see how she likes being a world-famous actress!

“Let’s do this,” she finally agrees.

Talia claps her hands to quiet the busy crew. “All right, everyone, let’s make some art!”

She winks at Marsh.

“Let’s leave our mark.”