Ringmaster End: Epilogue

"How do I look? I didn't mess up the makeup or anything, did I?" I asked, opening up my compact mirror and looking over my face.

"Oh, relax dear," Vanessa said, closing the mirror and tucking it away into my purse. "You look absolutely gorgeous. You should know by now just how good Gary is at this stuff."

"I know. I'm just worried that I'm going to smudge it or something," I said, now being very acutely aware of how much I was forcing myself to not touch my face. "Or worse, I'll get it onto the dress. Franc de Luce would absolutely kill me."

"Then it's a good thing that you've got me here," Vanessa said as she tilted my chin towards me and planted a kiss onto my lips. "How many times have we been through this?"

I sighed. "At least 18, give or take a few."

"Exactly. So let the professionals do their job and you worry about nailing the interview," Vanessa said, watching as the limousine pulled up to the red carpet. Despite the tinted windows, the flashing cameras still found a way to shine into the limo. Vanessa reached into her purse and pulled out our sunglasses, handing me my pair. "Now, let's get out there and rock this thing!"

She opened the door and stepped out with her usual confidence. The crowd cheered for her, snapping as many pictures as humanly possible. I could hear journalists trying to shout questions at Vanessa, but she ignored them with a smile. She extended her hand out to me and I happily took it, getting out of the limo as well. The crowd went even more ecstatic, as the clicks of the camera shutters filled the air.

"Alright, alright," Summer said as she stepped out of the limo as well and adjusted her suit and tie. "Let's give them all some space now." She reached back into the limo for Danna, who stepped out, careful not to ruffle her teal dress. Summer reached up to her ear and pressed onto her earpiece. "Yeah, we just arrived. Let's make sure the perimeter is good and I want check-ins every 10 minutes. Got it? Good. Let's make this another great night." I smiled at Summer, knowing full well that I was safe with her as my chief of security, and have been safe for the last 25 years. She smiled back at me as she took Danna by the arm.

The four of us walked down the red carpet, smiling at the cameras and making sure that we posed where we were directed to do so. Danna snuck in a quick kiss on my lips, which I'm sure we'll be reading about in the tabloids tomorrow. For now though, it was just another enjoyable night.

Once we made it inside, we were greeted by Lexi and Tae. Lexi ran up and gave me a big hug. "Congratulations Maria!" Lexi had a huge smile plastered on her face. "I think this is your best one yet!"

"Oh, I wouldn't say that," I said, blushing.

"Well, the reception has been pretty good," Tae said, scrolling on her tablet. "People are very excited for it. They're saying that this one might even beat out Of Sex and Spies in terms of rating."

"Oh Goddess, no pressure then, huh?" I said with a nervous chuckle.

Lexi patted me on the back. "Dear, the hard part is already over. You've already done the filming and editing! Now you just gotta wait for the compliments to come in through!"

"Yeah, that's the scary part!" I said, trying not to fidget with my wedding ring. "I mean, what if they don't like it? I worked really hard on it."

Vanessa reached over and held my hand. "And we all know it. You're gonna show the world your latest masterpiece and they're going to love it. I just know it."

"But, what if they don't?" I asked, my feet fidgeting with each other.

"You've gotta be kidding me. She's still on this worry." We all turned around to see Regina approaching us, smiling and with her arm around Carmen. "You have got to have more confidence. You look way sexier with it."

"I know, I know," I said with a sigh. "I just can never get past all these pre-showing jitters."

"You've done this how many times and you're still nervous?" Carmen said with a chuckle. "Still haven't fully shaken off those college years, have you?"

"Sh-Shut up you!" I said, playfully nudging Carmen's shoulder.

"Well, you might need to soon. I think everything's ready for your interview," Tae said, pointing to where the set-up was

.

"Goddess, I'm so nervous," I said, gulping.

"You got this babe," Vanessa said, giving me another kiss on the lips. "I'll be right there behind the camera."

"Just say the word and you know I'll make sure you get a piece," Regina said with a wink.

"No, it's fine," I said, taking another deep breath as I walked over to the interview spot.

"Ah! Maria! Lovely to meet you! Alice Hanes of the Motsuc Girls Gazette," Alice said, reaching out to shake my hand. I shook it and smiled, taking a seat opposite her. She gave a signal to her cameraperson and the light turned on. "And now, we are here with world famous director, Maria O'Conner. So, what can you tell us about your new movie, Hera Clarke?"

I took a deep breath to try and calm my nerves. "Well, without spoiling much, it stars Sherri Wolf as the main character. And, I can tell you that it's a superhero movie about a woman who gains these incredible powers. Like, basically on the level of reality warping, but she's unsure of herself and if she's deserving. This movie really delves a lot into what it means to be a hero. I'm very excited as this is also my first collaboration working with Winged Lion Studios."

"Ah yes, we've heard about that. First movie they made outside of their Argentinian studio. What sort of unique spin has working with them put on this movie?"

"Well, they've been a huge support through this long project. I truly couldn't have gotten all of this done without them. They stuck with me, even when things got hard or I was just trying to work through idea after idea."

"Wonderful!" Alice said with a clap of her hands. "Now, this is your 20th film. Everyone is very excited for it. And, you've kept it very close as to what your studio, Reality Ringmaster Studio meant. Because this is your 20th film release, could you finally tell us about the meaning behind it?"

I looked down at my right hand and chuckled. I held it out for Alice and the camera to see. "This here is, well, it's just an ordinary silver ring. Nothing too valuable at first glance. I mean, there aren't even any engravings or markings anywhere on it. In fact, it just looked like someone welded a piece of metal together into the shape of a ring. I had found this along the side of the sidewalk one day and I thought that I might be able to pawn it one day. But, it was also on that day that I met the wonderful Regina and started dating my wife, Vanessa. So, even if it's not that It didn't even look like it was that valuable, all these years, I couldn't part with it. It felt special to me and, well, whenever I wear it, I feel like I can change the world."

Alice clapped. "We finally get to know the origins of the famous name!" Then, her phone buzzed. "Ah, sorry, I gotta deal with this. I'm so sorry to cut this interview short."

"Oh, it's no problem," I said, shaking her hand. "Thank you for interviewing me." We parted ways and I walked over to Vanessa, giving her a big sigh.

"You did great, dear!" Vanessa said, hugging me tight. "Now, come on, let's get to our seats."

She took me by the hand and led me to our center row seats, where Danna, Summer, Lexi, Tae, Regina, and Carmen were already seated. They all smiled at us as we took our seats, with me sitting between Regina and Vanessa.

Regina leaned forward, looking at all the people coming in to watch the showing. Then, to the wonderful women who made up this polycule. She smiled and leaned in close to me, whispering. "Guess you finally found who you are, eh Ringmaster?"

"Yeah," I said with a smile.

I am Maria O'Conner, wife of Vanessa O'Conner. Girlfriend to Danna and Summer McGonner, to Lexi Hickory, to Tae Emeren, to Regina Van Pelt. A successful film producer. The Ringmaster who saved the world and put an end to Burrukam. The source of Ring 2 magic. Still a hapless romantic.

"I did."