Infini (Aerial Ethereal #2)(2)
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
Date: January 22nd Subject: Masquerade Room Changes From: Marc Duval, Creative Director of Aerial Ethereal Bcc: Luka Kotova, and other undisclosed recipients
Aerial Ethereal Artists, In the past week, each of you should’ve received a letter from Human Resources detailing your new room assignment. I should not even have to send out this email. Nor should any of you be contacting me or AE’s creative with trivial complaints. No one in the company, and I mean no one, will accommodate any room changes. They are set for a reason.
New seasons mean new changes. You know this.
In an effort to reduce costs, we had to reduce artist housing from two floors in the Masquerade to one floor. As a result, there are 4 occupants per room instead of 2.
Need I remind you that each artist still has free room & board at the Masquerade’s luxury suites. This huge bonus should not be overlooked. If you’re unhappy with your room assignment, you have the option to pay for apartments or housing in the Las Vegas area.
Any further complaints about room assignments will not be tolerated.
Marc Duval Creative Director of Aerial Ethereal [email protected]
I recheck the email—surprised it wasn’t directly addressed to me. A few days ago, I learned my new room assignment and sent Marc a short but pointed email.
Something like: I’ve roomed with my little brother for 19 years. His whole life. Nearly all of mine. Can you please change my assignment? It’s kind of bullshit. (Sent from phone) It was an emotional response. One that I regretted the moment I pressed send. I didn’t even sign my name at the bottom. Just figured he’d recognize me by my work email.
I’ve been Corporate’s Least Favorite Kotova since I was fifteen. And with an extended family that fills one-third of all Aerial Ethereal shows, being the worst or best Kotova takes actual effort.
Circus is family.
For most of us, we mean it literally.
My email to Marc probably sealed my least favorite title. And I’m twenty-years-old now.
Look, I understand the whole corporate hierarchy better than anyone. Marc is the founder of the entire Aerial Ethereal troupe and rarely has contact with the artists unless it’s through company emails. The only time he does one-on-ones is for terrific news (a long-term contract) or fucking horrific (you’re harming the company’s standards).