I did a third experiment. I took the fic written by ChatGPT and rewrote it keeping the idea that the machine developed, but adding contextualization and giving a little more complexity and realism in the dynamics and interactions of the characters. The result can be seen below:
Music Con
By SeteEntediados and ChatGPT
The Music Con was in full swing at the arena set up in Baltimore. It was a fun event and also an opportunity for fans and musicians to meet in the most diverse booths around the place. There were booths from big and small labels, from music stores, the tiny counters of merchants selling T-shirts and all sorts of knick-knacks. The attractions were eclectic, ranging from conversations with musical theater actors and also with some of the pop music stars on the panels of the major labels.
In the middle of the crowd was Santana Lopez, looking absolutely bored. Her name wasn't included in the lineup of attractions, but neither was she a mere fan enjoying the Music Con. Santana carried around her neck a famous badge and bracelets to access the backstage. She was there as a record company employee. Being at the music con wasn't an award for Santana Lopez. She was just a newcomer in the company's marketing and promotion department, and for that very reason the task of dealing with the organization of the company's booth was placed in her hands. She had to deal with the temporary employees, the technical workers, the organization people of the event and, as if that wasn't enough, the public that circulated there.
It was a task that had certain similarities to cheerleading: dealing with problems behind the scenes and smiling in front of the fans. At the first break she got, Santana decided to peek behind the scenes. There were two major events taking place in the fair's schedule at that time: the first one was a panel on music production, with the presence of some well-requested professionals in the area; the second one was a pocket show by a rock band that was a new bet for the company where she worked. The next attraction, in the arena's second auditorium, was to be the Broadway panel, featuring six major stars from the season's most popular plays.
Santana was aware that the name Rachel Berry was among the attractions. However, she didn't imagine that she would actually meet her ex-roommate at that con, after all, while Santana was a mere employee of a company, Rachel Berry was one of the stars. Santana spotted Rachel surrounded by a small crowd of admirers, aides and security. The actress's cocky smile was a constant reminder of how Santana felt about her, and it also carried that resentment: why this bitch and not me?
With determination, Santana approached Rachel, her gaze full of challenge.
"Well, well, if she isn't the girl who thinks the world revolves around her," Santana teased.
One of the security guards threatened to go after the record company employee, but Rachel interfered, assuring the private employee that everything was fine. Rachel raised an eyebrow, exuding confidence.
"Santana Lopez." Rachel squealed smugly. "Who would say? What are you doing here?"
"Working."
"Me too!" Rachel continued to speak smugly. "My God, I haven't seen you since your wedding day to Brittany. It was..."
"Six years ago."
"Six years… how time flies."
"Sure."
"Well, Santana, nice to see you again. I have to go to the panel now, but we should have dinner together later. What do you think?"
"Sure."
"Where can I find you?"
"At the Zyon Records booth."
"Okay. That's a date."
Santana doubted Rachel would even remember the unexpected encounter and kept working. At the end of the exhibition day, when the label's booth was being finished, and the public was crowding in front of the stage to see the show of the day's big attraction of the day, Santana was surprised by a man who she recognized to be Rachel Berry's security. She gave last-minute instructions to the temporary staff, restated the hours they should report back the next day, and finally escorted the security guard.
Contrary to what she imagined, Santana wasn't even driven to the restaurant in the same vehicle as Rachel Berry. The restaurant was one of the hottest in Baltimore, and it was booked entirely for the stars attending the music con. Santana found herself surrounded by actors, singers, famous people and a battalion of kiss-ass and employees of these people. Rachel Berry was there, with a glass of bubbly in her hand, giggling dazedly at some people.
Santana clenched her fists, controlling her anger at herself for agreeing to get in that car in the first place. Obviously Rachel Berry had no intention of actually spending any of her precious time with a friend from Ohio who played a significant part in her life story. But she was Santana Lopez and she wasn't going to get out of it. She looked up, grabbed a drink midway, and walked over to the actress.
"Living your big moment?" Santana confronted her, causing strangeness and discomfort in the people nearby.
"Don't you?"
"Not at all."
"That's too bad, Santana." Rachel said cynically. "A little good social life, with good contacts, might do you good."
"Yes, a little socializing with a bunch of fake, kiss-ass, dazzled disconnected with reality, addicted to antidepressants, megalomaniacs and compulsives in general people. This is everyone's dream."
The people around were embarrassed by the confrontation and slowly walked away.
"Beware of your little green monster, Santana. I know you've always dreamed of being in my shoes, but you don't have to be so rude as to scare people off." Rachel pointed to those who had discreetly gone elsewhere, leaving the eternal rivals alone.
"Envy? Why would I be jealous of that, or of you?"
Rachel defended herself, her eyes shining with determination.
"I work hard to achieve my dreams. I'm not going to apologize for wanting the success I deserve. What have you become, Santana? A fairground saleswoman?"
Santana took a deep breath, trying to keep her blood cool.
"Something like that." She wasn't a fairground saleswoman, but Santana knew that correcting Rachel would be a lot worse. "At least I can go home to be with my wife, our son, and have a real life. Can you say the same?"
It broke Rachel somewhat, because when she came home, she had an equally dazzled boyfriend, a job, a beautiful house and nothing very substantial. Santana always had the ability to see beyond, and Rachel couldn't fool her old friend and former roommate that she lived a fulfilling life. It was a pretty lonely life, even though she was always surrounded by people who cared about her, because Rachel had something to give back.
"Why are you here, Santana?"
"Your security guy drag me to this place."
"Sometimes I do things that don't make any sense. Wondering how you are doing after all this time? Want to know about the fate of my greatest tormentor? I must be a masochist."
"I'm fine, Rachel. I'm happy. Not necessarily right now, but I'm happy. The question is, are you?"
"No one is happy all the time. I'm happy when I'm on stage."
"Is that enough for you?"
Seeing that Rachel was left unresponsive, Santana placed a hand on Rachel's shoulder.
"I'm not saying this to bring you down, Rachel. It's just… that… it's too shallow." Santana pointed around the room. "I know it's part of the job, because I work at a record company and I have to deal with these things. Obviously not in the same position as you. Except none of it blows my mind. And none of it should blow the old Rachel Berry's mind."
Rachel looked away, feeling the honesty in Santana's words.
"Even after all this time, you still function as my reality check. How is that possible?"
Santana nodded, a soft smile playing on her lips.
"Because that's how you and I have always worked."
Rachel cracked a small smile and hugged Santana affectionately.
"It's not that I miss those times, but sometimes it's inevitable to think about it. I honestly don't know why we lost touch." Rachel had the first genuine moment of that night.
"It helped that Brittany and I moved to Boston when we got married."
"This too." Rachel nodded. "Are you still in contact with the others? How is Brittany? And you have a son? When?"
"Brittany has set up a dance studio and in her spare time consults at MIT. I got pregnant three years ago using Brittany's eggs and a donor. Gabriel was born healthy and he is a great kid. He gives us a lot of work, but I can't imagine my life without him." Santana took out her cell phone and showed a photo of a cute little boy, just over two years old, with olive skin and incredibly blue eyes.
"Oh my god, your son is so beautiful."
"Yes, he's awesome. And we are thinking about the second one, this time, with my eggs and Brittany will carry it. Anyway, Mercedes is my son's godmother and she is always in touch. Not to mention she's signed to the label I work for. Quinn also lives in Boston, so we see each other as often as possible. Obviously the contact with the others got smaller, but I usually talk to Sam, Mike, Tina, Blaine, Kurt... I still talk to Marley!"
"Who?"
"Forget it." Santana smiled. "Anyway, I need to go because I have to start work early. It was good to meet you again. Thanks for the invitation. "
"But your contact?"
Santana took out a pen and wrote down her phone number in the palm of Rachel's hand.
"If the numbers go off, just call the Zyon's office in Boston. Or look me up on social media."
The two friends slowly pulled away, their eyes now full of understanding and acceptance. The party continued, but at that moment, they had found something more valuable: the chance to rediscover themselves. As they distanced themselves, Santana and Rachel knew the road ahead would be challenging, but also full of potential. And so, the two stars of Glee moved on, ready to face the ups and downs of the music industry, but now on the strength of a rekindled friendship. The future was uncertain, but they were determined to find success and happiness without losing sight of what really mattered: connecting with those who loved and supported them.