The Last Seven Days
Isla (pronounced "eye-la") Banks started her work day just like everyone else: with a routine. She woke up at 5:45 a.m. and got ready for her 5 km jog. Not only was she running with a goal in mind to beat her previous time, but it was a good warm-up for her day at work. It was a beautiful, sunny day outside as she went on her usual path around the city blocks.
After her jog, she hopped in the shower and proceeded to get dressed. Isla could wear whatever she wanted as the studio would have her changing into a new outfit for taping anyway, so she stuck with the basics. She preferred tank tops that revealed her toned arms and tighter jeans to highlight her feminine figure. She was proud of her physique. No need for makeup as she had a make-up artist at work. The studio would make sure her hair was styled as well, so she just needed it to be dry and manageable.
It was time for breakfast. She just did her warm-up run and was going to be exercising practically all day today, so she would need something filling, yet nutritious. Apples and bananas drizzled with honey and peanut butter, 2 scrambled eggs, and a cup of black coffee. Good carbs and plenty of protein in the morning.
It was almost 7:30 a.m. by the time she finished eating. She needed to leave about 20 minutes before 8:00 in order to get to the studio on time. The traffic in the bustling city is not forgiving. So, typically, Isla would arrive at 8:30 am, proceed to go through hair and makeup (about 30 minutes overall,) go to her dressing room, change, and get fitted for her mic. Filming started at 10:00 a.m. This allowed her a few extra minutes to go over her lines and the game plan for the day with the director and rest of the crew.
Today was no different. Isla brushed her teeth, left her apartment, picked her car up out of the parking garage and headed to work. She arrived at the ZZTV Studios' parking garage, parked her vehicle, and made her way through the front door of the 50-story building.
"Good Morning, Miss Banks!" The cheery receptionists rang.
"Morning!" she replied with a smile as she took her sunglasses off, placed them on top of her head, and made her way to the elevator. Her studio was on the 5th floor.
As soon as she reached her destination, Isla was welcomed with a hoard of people ready to get her prepared. As she was ushered into hair and makeup, she greeted her director, Lance, and one of the producers, Michael.
"Ready for today? You've been getting some good ratings, lately!" Michael said as he high-fived her.
"I'm always ready, Mike!" Isla let out with a laugh. She took her seat in the chair and was ready to be made up.
"Great, see you shortly.'' He responded, patted her shoulder, and gave her a wink as he ran off to do whatever producers do. She was happy to hear the ratings were good. Her show had been on for over a year. Usually, if a television show can get past that first year, it's considered a success. Things were looking up!
You see, Isla is an aerobics instructor with ZZTV. Her show is called "Fitness with Isla." She is well-versed in many different kinds of workout styles, and she loves to combine them in her routines to keep it fresh. Sometimes she would do a little bit of kickboxing, some pilates, yoga, jump rope, military-style workouts, you name it. It helps introduce many different ways to keep in shape to her viewers. Her vivacious personality, good looks, and can-do attitude are what has propelled her ratings. She was also a natural, despite her lack of experience in front of the camera. It is taped live (without a live audience,) which has its own set of challenges, but she prefers it because she didn't have to worry about getting the "perfect take" and could improvise if need be. It also meant shorter days at work, which allowed her time to take on a few clients during the week for personal training.
Isla wasn't a diva by any means; she was polite, but a strong woman. It's part of what got her into her current role. She happened to be a personal trainer before she was on T.V., and was lucky enough to have the wife of one of the executives at ZZTV as her client. She got along well with Isla and was impressed with her work, so she talked her husband into having a meeting with Isla about a potential fitness television program. There were a couple that were put out there, but their ratings were lackluster and they were subsequently cancelled. Isla was perfect. Not only was she good looking, but she was bubbly, charming, and assertive; it really captivated the audiences. Combine that with her fitness expertise, and ZZTV gave her the chance of a lifetime - her own show.
Isla studied her lines and reviewed dance/exercises for today as she was getting her hair done. She typically rehearsed the full routines the day before, so she was pretty confident in her ability to execute the moves. The hairstylist did her hair in voluminous curls and her makeup was always natural. Obviously in real life, she would never exercise with her hair down, however, for T.V., it was more "attractive" to wear her hair down and styled, and to wear at least some makeup. She wasn't going to get around that; it was the industry standard. Her outfit for taping today consisted of a red cap-sleeve leotard on top of tan exercise-hosiery, bright yellow leg warmers, and black hybrid tennis/dance shoes.
After all of the hustle and bustle, Isla made her way to the stage, mic set on her person. The set was very simple as furniture and props would just get in the way on a fitness show. She always had at least one or two other "workout partners" to help motivate the television audience and to fill out the screen. Today it was Milly and Katara, who were regulars on the show.
A couple test takes were done to make sure all equipment was working. Isla took one more swig of her water bottle before taping and then it was finally go-time.
"Places, everyone, set!" Called Lance, the director. "3-2-1, ACTION!". Isla and her partners perked up, full of smiles, and she began her introduction.
"Good Morning, guys; it's me, Isla! I hope you are having a fabulous week! Make sure you have plenty of room for today's session, because we are going to change it up a little bit and incorporate some gymnastics into our work-out! It's always good to test our muscles in different ways when it comes to physical fitness. This is called "muscle confusion," and it helps you progress further in your fitness journey!" She motioned to both women on either side of her as she explained their roles, "Milly on the left is going to be doing the modified version of the workout for those of you who are beginners. Katara on the right will be following along with me. Let's start by doing our warm-ups and stretches!" all three ladies backed up and began stretching their legs.
"I know I say it on every episode, but I can't say it enough," Isla started, "Stretching is imperative to a good workout. It helps prevent injuries and really gets the blood going. Always, always stretch!" she exclaimed as she finished her bend forward and began to sit down and do some stretches from the floor. Soft music played in the background during this sequence to match the relaxing ambiance.
"A good stretch to do if your hips and low back feel a little tight is called a 'Butterfly Pose' in Yoga," as she demonstrated. With her already sitting down, Isla placed both hands on her feet and pulled them closer to her groin area, "You're going to keep you back straight, shoulders rolled back, and try to just let your knees fall to the ground. Don't force it. And we are going to stay in this pose for a bit and do some meditating. Remember to breathe fully in and out, and try to not tense up. Just relax."
After about 5 minutes of various warm-ups and stretches, it was time to get going in the main work-out. She normally reserved this portion for cardio, followed by a commercial break so that everyone could catch their breath and move onto the harder section once she came back. It would also allow for a minute or so to check her outfit, hair, and makeup, and for the crew to make any other adjustments on their end.
"Alright everyone, for cardio today, we are incorporating some gymnastics! As I said before, Milly will be doing the modified version,so please, only do what you feel comfortable doing," Isla warned as she held her arm out to point to Milly, who was on her right side, but to the audiences' left side.
The music picked up to something more up-beat to help with the climbing heart-rates.
"My girls are going to help me keep you going! Come on ladies, let's do this!" As she motioned to both of her backup dancers to help her cheer on the viewers. All three stood in a wide stance, arms spread out, and began to lower their torsos, then raise them up, arms still extended out. This worked the core and once you started to pick up the pace, it was very good starter-cardio. Isla, Milly, and Katara began to chant in unison.
"Work it! Work it! Come on now, work it!" As they kept going faster and faster, "That's right, do it right! Feel the burn, work it!"
Isla started the next sequence, "And now we are going to run in place for a few seconds, then take a few steps backward to prepare for a front walk-over. You can also do a cartwheel, if you prefer. Milly will be doing the modification, which is a squat."
"Run in place, make your way back a couple steps. Now for the front walk-over!" Isla got into position. Her plan was the do the front walk-over, then instruct the viewers, once done, to spread their legs shoulder-width apart and reach down like you are touching your toes.
She effortlessly flipped forward, "Aaand BREACH!" she shouted as she spread her legs and began to stretch her arms to the ground. Curiously enough, the floor felt a little shaky at that moment as she reached down.
Isla couldn't believe her eyes, she saw the floor start to open up! It all happened so fast. There was a flash of light, and she let out a gasp. She felt something hard in her hands, and felt herself moving upwards, but not of her own doing. It was as if something came out of the ground and was hoisting her in the air. She began to yelp, still not sure what was going on.
The entire crew began screaming and backing away from her. Whatever it was coming out of the floor drove her about 3 meters in the air, her legs still spread out from her unfinished stretch, and her hands on this 'thing.' It was black, shiny, and had large, green crests, or maybe horns, jetting out from each side. Her yelp turned into a confused scream, as she still didn't know what was going on. Her workmates certainly didn't help matters, as they were all fixated on Isla and whatever it was coming out from beneath her, while simultaneously freaking out.
Suddenly she fell down, unable to hold that pose mid-air while continuing to rise with the creature below her. She landed straight on her bum with a thud. The last thing Isla remembered was staring back up to see what it was she was affixed to just seconds ago. It was a man, a very large man, or some kind of creature. Almost like a man in a costume. Lots of green and black. He had wings. A man with wings came through the floor? Nothing is making sense.
And with her thoughts spinning wildly, Isla finally gave into her mental fatigue at that moment and passed out.