act32side

Then why did you scream?

I... uh, anyway, I'm totally fine, you guys go back and tell Papá everything's okay. I'll watch her and nothing will go wrong.

Tecno. Pass me the soldering tools, thanks.

Here you go.

(Whispering) She's... willing to play assistant...?

See, they're working so well together. Everything's okay, right?

The puppets are all done, boss!

Phew... is everyone ready? Amigos, this is the hardest part.

We must give them a pulse. Give them blood, vitality, life.

I've been ready for a while, boss. Give the order.

Hello, everyone. After more than six months of hard work and dedication, we've overcome our obstacles and finally arrived at the end. Thank you all for sticking with it.

Listen up, everybody. Our first rehearsal is about to begin.

Come on, girls. Let's bat those eyelashes.

They're alive.

I've pictured this many times.

From the flyers, design drafts, and what everyone was saying... I figured I'd have to compromise on my design, that the pair could never be what I wanted them to be.

What about now, looking at them with your own eyes?

All I can say is... it's beyond what I could've imagined myself.

Iana is once again struck by their beautiful faces and delicate construction as she looks at the two puppets blinking away.

They looked like beautiful art installations when they were standing still, but their movements have now transformed them into the two most beautiful girls in town.

Iana is unable to glimpse their eyes as their thick lashes lower too quickly for her to get a good look.

Suddenly, one of them lowers her head, turning toward Iana. Her lower eyelashes lift without dropping back down, and their gazes meet.

A pair of vermillion pupils.

Why are her eyes orange?

It's the morning sun reflecting in them. She'll dance under the sun as much as she likes.

Oh, so it's the sun making that color.

You know, we originally wanted to have their eyes in black because it'd be easier. But Tecno disagreed, she thinks black is the worst color to pair with the sun.

No, she's got it wrong.

The worst color to pair with the sun is actually white.

The puppets begin to stretch their limbs as the crowd cheers on. Moving each joint takes a group of people and all their strength, shouting as they pull the rope in unison.

On pull! Uno, dos, tres, pull!

Gargh—!

The puppets lift their knees, and take a step forward.

Alright, everyone! Uno, dos, tres, release!

Eargh——!

The puppets wave their arms and brush them against their sides.

Okay, uno, dos, tres, again!

Hyah———!

They walk briskly through the residential buildings along a path made by the spectators, occasionally bending down to fit below the skyways.

They eventually stop in the neighborhood's central square.

One, two, three! Argh—!

Thanks, friend.

Want to find a better spot to enjoy the show?

I'm good, the view from this window isn't bad.

What time is it...? Yes, almost here.

As the sky gradually darkens and the twin moons rise from the far side of the city, the moonlit concrete floor appears to resemble a frozen lake in winter.

As the two puppet dancers twirl on the ground, the moonlight highlights their bodies as they move to the castanets' rhythm, alternating between straightening and twisting.

Music pours out from the skyscrapers, roofs, alleys, and even some dimly lit windows.

This is an impromptu ensemble performance, without a rehearsal or conductor.

The sounds flow freely along with the puppet dancers' choreography.

Their skirts catch the notes landing at their feet, transforming them into a part of their beautiful dance.

The tall puppets lower their heads, watching those at their feet.

Those people, small and light as a feather, follow in their dance steps.

They leap into the air and come back down to the ground.

Still think I wasn't talking sense?

(Shakes head)

It was well worth it.

So you were willing to help them out because you envisioned something like this?

No, I never thought of it that way. It wouldn't have been fun otherwise.

Woah, amazing. Who taught you the harmonica?

It was Mama, she can do anything, she can play this, she can dance, she can draw, she can even bake super yummy ker-sonts.

Mama is my favorite person!

I have the utmost respect for this superhuman woman, but I must insist—it should be pronounced 'Cwuh-son'!

......Quaso?

Hahahaha—!

Ugh... forget it.

I'm going to get some coffee.

Señor Reynell, I've finished inspecting the box, and it'll take a few weeks to repair it.

But I've managed to reproduce a portion of the drum according to that hidden score. Would you like to hear it?

Yes...

A melody pours out of the box, bringing Reynell back more than a decade, to a time when he hid behind a door to eavesdrop on the tinkling coming from his mother's workshop.

Judging by this little bit I've restored, it must be a lullaby.

An extremely simple tune.

Yes, I was surprised when I first heard it, because I recall that your mother crafted elaborate melodies into her older works.

She wrote this piece herself...

She's no professional composer, but she, as a mother, wrote this simple lullaby for her child.

Nothing special about it.

But it must be special to that child, at least.

Señor Reynell... you've been staring out the window this whole time, is something there?

Nothing much, just watching the moons rise.

Last night, a pair of giant wooden puppets appeared in the street art community. Their magnificence shocked everyone who had the opportunity to see them.

These fine puppets were created by one of the local artists, and during yesterday's rehearsal, they waltzed and fluttered under the moonlight.

We can see from the video how they danced so elegantly under the artists' control. Almost as if they were alive!

The neighborhood is known for violence, gangs, and homeless, contributing to a high crime rate. It's an area that most usually steer clear of. But despite the risks, the performance last night attracted lots of visitors.

Now, let's go to our reporter on the scene and see what the attendees have to say.

Yo, Boss, un helado, por favor.

Boss?

Señor, what were you doing when the two puppets showed up?

I was jogging at the time. Suddenly, I saw a huge face between two buildings. I was so shocked, I fell to the ground.

But then I mustered up my courage, walked over there and watched the whole performance...

And when it was all over, my legs couldn't stop shaking. I wasn't scared this time, though. I was stunned.

Okay. Thank you again for your time, señor.

Haha, from the way he's walking, it looks like he was telling the truth. Now let us turn the camera over to some of the artists who live here.

Maybe we can ask them why they made this pair of giant puppets? What stories will they have for us?

Señores, señoras, please place your bets.

Shh...

Excuse me?

Oh, look at the little girl who just walked by. She's one of the main players here. Señorita, a moment, please?

Hmm...?

I hear you're the mastermind behind this performance. For you to take on such a major role at your age...