The studio was a shared space, rented out by the hour or day to whatever news network needed a space to record or live-stream. In the area behind the cameras, the rates for each were hanging on a wall. The difference between that area and the studio that was visible on camera was glaring. On the one side, a purely practical space with walls covered in sound-dampening foam panels but otherwise bare, industrial light fixtures hanging from the ceiling that was full of support beams, studio lights and cables. On the other side, a cozy stage with couches and a coffee table as well as some decoration and potted plants. Behind the sitting area, wood walls and the carpeted floor of the remaining room, looking out over a valley of lush green, a waterfall in the distance. Granted, the entire backdrop was a holographic video wall, only the sitting area and close-by decorations were real, but it was a perfect illusion.

The same split was visible in the people. Behind the cameras, a dozen people were busy walking, working, dressed in practical and simple clothes. Camera and boom operators, producers, technicians, make-up artists waiting for breaks in the record so they can jump in for quick touch-ups. On the other side, on the stage, a relaxed interviewer in a more formal dress was sitting opposite King, who was also wearing a suit. Both were in make-up too strong and dark, but which under the bright studio lights made them look natural.

Elana, the interviewer, was an upcoming host who had just secured her own show, though it did not, yet as she told herself, bore her name. She was eager for stories that the larger names might miss, always hoping for the one that would make her a celebrity.

„Ready for take three!“, the director bellowed in a low, rumbling voice that despite its moderate volume was clearly audible on the entire set. „Rolling in 5… 4… 3…“ he announced, holding up his fingers according to the count, then finishing the two and one only by hand signal without saying them out loud.

As the count completed, Elana turned to King, a friendly smile on her face: „As we just heard, your last tour was a tremendous success. Can you give us a few numbers?“

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„Of course, Elana.“, King answered, his eyes ignoring the cameras just as he had been told to, „From start to finish, we covered almost seven thousand light years. Twenty shows on sixteen planets belonging to five different alien races.“

„Impressive!“, Elena exclaimed, her surprise and delight as convincingly faked as the previous two takes. Turning to the camera, she announced the clip showing King amongst the posters and tickets from the tour. The room behind him was clearly a backstage dressing room and the clip was too short for casual viewers to notice it had been recreated on a sound stage.

While the clip was playing, the continued: „A live tour is already a challenge to every musician. But yours has even more complications. Tell us about them.“

King leaned back in his chair and stared into the empty space of the studio, his eyes unfocused. „Where to start.“, he mumbled, „There is a lot to consider, Elena.“, he began, his voice slightly louder, „And it depends on the planet you are playing on. Gravity, of course, is an issue. We humans are very adaptable creatures and right in the galactic average in size. But there is a difference between walking and light work and an on-stage performance.“

The lower thirds displayed info text letting the viewers know that most humans can function between 0.3g and 1.5g of gravity.

„It’s not just exhaustion in higher gravity, it’s mostly that your routines and moves depend on timing and flow that change with gravity. So on most planets, we actually perform in a local gravity field.“

The interview went on for another five minutes, then a fourth take was made. There, King’s answer was about plasma windows and atmosphere, explaining the challenge of a live concert in front of an audience that breathes entirely different air. Obviously, for a music concert neither breathing masks nor a glass or transparent aluminum wall is an option. So they used a plasma field to contain a human breathable air pocket on stage.

The editors and cutters would put the final version together from the best parts of every take. He and Gavin had a say at the end as well. It would air the next day.

„Great job“, Gavin slapped King on the shoulder as they left. „Convincing, charming, yet humble. Might be your best interview yet.“

King nodded, somewhat mentally exhausted. „It better be.“, he said, „Looking at the amount of money we hope to raise this time.“