Balderdash

There are exactly three major industries on Adarlon: entertainment, tourism, and service. Heavy industry is all but absent, though there is a thriving construction trade. The education system is first rate, and the universities are top notch. But, between those three main industries lies nearly 70% of the GDP of the planet. At the lowest of the tiers, they intermingle. An actor might find a job in a restaurant, or perhaps a hotel, plying his trade to the delight of offworlders just popping in for vacation. Even they would make salaries that would fall in the upper 90% of the tax brackets for any other world, but they were distinctly second-class citizens.

To catch a break and land a job solely in theatre or music is a sign of success and status. Even the middling level singers, songwriters, actors, musicians, ect could expect a dedicated following offworld, with the income that came with it. The "middle class" was flush with the newly rich. The upper tier generally ranked among the wealthiest individuals in the galaxy, and they looked down upon the impudent upstarts with all the arrogance of a caste of elites that were perfectly willing to ignore the fact that many of them had been in their shoes not too long before.

Sophie Lantiss was a prime specimen. At 23 years old, she had just landed a recording contract with a prestigious record label that morning. Her bank account had more zeroes than it had previously had digits, and she was looking to celebrate. At 5'6", with dark hair and stunningly green eyes, pale skin and a willowy figure more suited to a gymnast than a singer, she was the sort of woman for whom double takes and stares would be an everyday part of life on any other planet, but on Adarlon, she was merely average, and shockingly insecure about the fact. Landing the record deal had done wonders for her self esteem, and if her ordinarily limp and lifeless ego had a little more life in it than usual, what of it? She was happy, and wanted everyone to know it.

Which is why, as her long-time best friend and former college roommate Laura emerged from an alley (banging her head in the process,) Sophie couldn't help but dash across the street and greet her friend with a rib-cracking hug and a squeal of delight. It didn't occur to her to wonder what her friend was doing in an alley, or why the normally graceful woman had some clumsily bashed her head. She just wanted to

"LAURA! Omigod omigod omigod you'll never guess what just happened," she said breathlessly. "I got signed!"

Sophie released the thing pretending to be her friend, oblivious to the fact that the thing pretending to her friend was yet another thing, far more monstrous.

"My agent called last night and said that Mr. Rothschild had said that the songs tested well in the Core Worlds focus groups, so they were willing to sign me! They even gave me a bonus! How awesome is that?"

And thus she chattered away, half leading, half dragging Laura to a fancy restaurant that they never would have been able to enter, let alone afford, the week before. The smiling hostess at the door got them a table without even checking the guest list to see if they were allowed. The owner had strict standards, and if it weren't for Sophie's newfound status, it was unlikely that they would have been let in even as the guests of someone else rich and famous before. But word travelled fast on Adarlon, and all kinds of doors would be open to the newly signed musician, if only she knew where to look. Though she didn't know it, the upper echelons of society were quick to recognize one with the potential to join their ranks, and would gently mold them into something a little more palatable to their tastes. For the first time in a long time, things were looking up for Sophie, and if Laura happened to be shameless enough to ride her coattails, they could look up for her, too.

Eventually, the signals got through the cloud of self absorption that seemed to make up Sophie's world at the moment. Not eating? The morbid jokes? And that look...

Of course!

"Laura, did something happen with Tommy?"

The question would be laughable to most of their friends. Tommy and Laura lived together, and ostensibly dated. It was a farce, of course, but a necessary one. Laura's...preferences would be marginally more acceptable in her line of work than in others, but would still hinder her career if it ever became widely known. As for Tommy, he had the sort of physique that ancient civilizations tended to worship. If HIS preferences ever became known, he'd likely be shot. Competitive fighting was as much about pretty men grappling each other as the actual combat as far as the audience was concerned, but the fighters themselves still had a strong sense of pride. Those that offended that pride were shunned at best.

It was an arrangement that worked well. Despite everything, Laura and Tommy were comfortable enough that they could play their roles in public, and could take it as far as necessary to maintain their cover. Sophie bought the whole thing, hook, line and sinker.

"You know, you can totally stay at my place for a few days if you guys need some space. It'll be just like old times!"