Summary:

ACT I: BRUNO
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Bruno thinks he messed up his audition. Julián crosses paths with fate.

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The sound of laughter filled the air. Vendors jumped between calling for customers and bantering with the person in the next stall. Hungry stomachs were filled with the delights that could only be found in La Perseverancia.

It was well into the late lunch rush when Bruno and Julián arrived. Fewer people were dining at this hour, but the food was still flowing.

Bruno had not said anything for the past hour and a half. Julián could tell his best friend was completely out of it when he came out of the audition hall, looking like he'd seen a ghost. When he suggested where to go, Bruno just nodded mutely, robotically following him to his car.

The moment they set foot inside the plaza de mercado, they were immediately greeted by eager servers, each showcasing their stall.

"Gracias, pero vamos a mirar a ver que me llama la atención." Julián flashed a smile as he maneuvers Bruno, who dragged his feet. He knew something was bothering his best friend, and heaven forbid Bruno wouldn't stop acting like this unless Julián snaps him back to the present.

After a quick scan, Julián managed to snag a table, much to the annoyance of a man who angrily called him something in a foreign language. Ah, un turista. It wasn't his fault if the man wasn't paying attention. Tourists often forgot that the best way to blend in was to act very much the same as a local. Julián ignored the man and turned his attention back to Bruno, who still wasn't budging.

The foul-mouthed man started to make a commotion and a lady from his party intervened. "¿Hablas Inglés?" She asked Julián. "I'm sorry, my Spanish is so-so, and…"

"No, no, it's fine. I speak English," Julián warmly smiled at her, and her cheeks flushed pink. Julián noticed and blinked. She's…very pretty. His interest piqued, he immediately straightened himself up and cleared his throat. "I'm so sorry for causing you trouble, but my friend here is…going through something and we just took the closest available table." Julián motioned to Bruno, explaining his predicament. "I swear this doesn't happen often. Are you tourists?"

Her brain restarted. Julián looked like the Latin actors she adored in movies. "You can tell?"

Julián's lips pointed to the pack on her back. "Clear as day. First time visiting Colombia?"

"Oh Gesù Cristo," She laughed awkwardly. "I forgot that I have my bag on! Um, it isn't my first time here, but for my friend…" Her voice trailed off, hoping the man in front of her wouldn't catch her lie. The person she was with was a little bit more than a friend, but there were no labels just yet. "...it is. He wanted to get something to eat even when I told him we'd stick out like a sore thumb looking like this. We just came from a long flight. He's not…very patient."

"I can see that. Again, I'm very sorry about stealing your table…but I think I saw a free one right near Local 30. You should also get something from there. It would help cool him down." Julián winked. He caught her hesitant tone and gave an understanding look. "Maybe I could also give you a tour around some other sights you haven't seen yet if you'd like…?"

There was an electric feeling between them as Julián discreetly handed her a card. "If you're up for something fun while you're here…give me a call. I'm Julián, by the way."

"Lucía," She breathed. The corners of her mouth twitched up into a sweet smile. "Thanks for the help. I've…got to go. Um…it was…nice meeting you, Julián. Maybe I'll see you around."

He observed her as she ran back to the furious man she's with and pulled him away. "Dai, Leo. Per favore, non fare una scenata. C'è ancora un tavolo libero, quindi andiamo."

"I think she's Italian."

Julián snapped his head back, staring at Bruno who finally said a word. "Oh, so now you decide to talk. Humor me, parce. How would you know that?"

Without even batting an eyelash Bruno answered with a low voice. "Conosco un po' di italiano, idiota. Stai provando con una ragazza con il suo ragazzo."

"¿Te estás burlando de mí?" Julian exhaled, checking to make sure they were already out of earshot. "I don't speak fucking Italian, Bruno. Translate."

"You're hitting on a girl with her boyfriend."

"Oh, I think she's not really into him." Julián peered over the direction where Lucía and the man called Leo disappeared to. "She won't be with him for long. You'll see."

"Unbelievable."

Julián's breath came out as a controlled hiss. "Watch it, amigo. It's fair game. Anyway, since you're back in reality, can we please get something to eat?"

"I think I botched it, Julián." Bruno groaned over his tamales. "I got distracted when they asked me to freestyle it and I said some weird things. They were all staring at me. I must've looked like a fool."

"Hm," Julian's eyebrow raised as he sipped on his tino. "How bad could it be?"

Bruno slumped forward and slowly took another bite of food. He winced when he recalled how the audition went. "Just trust me on this, it was terriblé. Ay, I don't know what I'll do if I don't get this gig, Julián. I've been here for a year and all I've got to show for it are just…small-time modeling or background work."

"And you're complaining? Every good actor has to start somewhere."

"That's the thing," Bruno scratched his chin. "I am starting somewhere, but I don't want to be stuck doing the same thing, you know? It was fine back in our university days when I needed extra cash, but now…it's different. I'm trying to make a living, and I feel like…I'm not being challenged enough."

"Sure, says the guy who just said he botched his audition." Julián rolled his eyes as he forked a bite of Bandeja Paisa into his mouth. "Why were you so distracted anyway? What happened last night that made you go drinking?"

"Eh, my sister got engaged recently and she asked me if I was in any relationships."

"And…?"

"And…I got depressed and thought a walk would be nice. I wandered around town where I ended up at this bar to clear my head…" Bruno paused, thinking if he should continue further. He decides not to. "Anyway, that's beside the point. Julián, I swear, I am this close…" Bruno pinched his thumb and index finger close together. "THIS close to giving up professional acting and I'll be an adult film star instead."

Julián almost choked. "YOU? HA! Good one!"

"WHAT? You don't think I have what it takes?"

"Oh, Bruno, Bruno, Bruno, amigo, it's not as easy as you think it is," Julián wheezed. "First off, it's hard to get into that industry, and I'm not as connected to those kinds of people as you think."

Bruno steepled his fingers together. "Hm. And here I thought you said your connections make you a fine talent agent. Was that all a fluke?"

"And I am, just not in that context," Julián took another sip of his coffee. "Besides, hypothetically, let's say I DO have those kinds of connections. You're still not going to cut it. First off, you'd need to be…I can't believe I'm discussing this with you…impressive, if you catch my drift?"

Julián face-palms when Bruno motioned to his lap. "I think I'm more than adequate." He grinned.

"Ay, I know we're friends and all, but I don't need the mental image!"

Loud laughter rang across the mercado, clear even over the noise of the people around them. "Why? Are you jealous of me?" Bruno smirked.

"No, y eres un idiota," Julián squinted at him from across the table. "Enough about it. Fine, fine, whatever. Let's say you are…"

"But I am."

"...ignoring that comment. After all of that, you'll need to be able to perform for long hours. Stamina. Then there's the stage fright, you'll be buck naked in front of the camera and there's like twenty other people. Do you think being able to sleep with Amaranta Hank is just a walk in the park? Try having multiple cameras shoved in your face."

Bruno gawked. "I thought you said you have no idea how that industry works."

"And I never revealed I watched one live before. Omissions. Trust me, it's not as glamorous as you think." Julián ignored Bruno's questioning stare. "Plus, once you're in that kind of work, it's difficult to back out from it, you know? I respect the people who love making videos like those, but if it's not your calling…then you'd regret it."

"Are you preaching to me just to change my mind because I'm seriously considering it?"

"Eh, it's your life, Madrigal," Julián shrugged as he finished his meal. "As your agent, I can try to look, but as your friend, I'm totally against it. Don't take it the wrong way, but it's not…you. I doubt you've even slept with someone despite your good looks because of how sensitive you are."

Bruno raised a finger. "CORRECTION. You and I both know I had my fair share back in the day. More than you, I recall?"

"Mmm," Julián hummed as he got up from his seat. "Doing it with just one person doesn't count, idiot. And it isn't a competition. I hate to bring this up, but remember the last time? Pray tell, what happened to you after all that?"

Bruno's face fell when he realized what Julián meant and the memories he thought he had successfully repressed the night before came flooding back. Bruno once knew love…until one day, she left him for another. It ruined him so much that he resigned himself back home, using the degree he earned for the family to work on something he didn't feel happy about.

He wouldn't be back in Bogotá if he didn't decide to finally turn his luck and life around. A good talk with Pepa's boyfriend Félix forced Bruno to confront the reason why he found himself at a crossroad. It was a sacrifice to let go of his bruised ego, but he never wanted to live life with regrets.

That was all there was to it.

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Glossary of terms (in order of appearance in-text):
La Perseverancia - a working-class neighborhood situated in the Santa Fe locality of Bogotá. Plaza de Mercado La Perseverancia is located here.
Plaza de mercado - marketplace
Gracias, pero vamos a mirar a ver que me llama la atención - Thanks, but I am going to look around to see what catches my eye
Un turista - A tourist
Hablas Inglés - Do you speak English/Speak English

Gesù Cristo - Jesus Christ
Dai - Come on
Per favore, non fare una scenata - Please don't make a scene
C'è ancora un tavolo libero, quindi andiamo - There's still a free table, so let's go
Parce - a Colombian slang term for friend.
Conosco un po' di italiano, idiota - I know a little Italian, you idiot
Stai provando con una ragazza con il suo ragazzo - You're hitting on a girl with her boyfriend
Te estás burlando de mí - You're making fun of me
Tino - a small, black coffee with a touch of sugar.
Bandeja Paisa - a typical meal popular in Colombian cuisine. The main characteristic of this dish is the general amount and variety of food served on a platter (bandeja) or tray.
Y eres un idiota - And you are an idiot