Chapter 9.5 - The Grandeur Premiere

The scene was set. Audiences in their place, scuffling and murmuring on the sandy shores. Some complimenting the ambience, others complaining about the sand in their shoes. Glasses of all sorts of drinks in the hands, and elegance oozing into the air. Nothing less expected from the top celebrities of the world.

The stage was equally vibrant. Unlike usual runways, which just have plain backgrounds and white carpeting, Enzo had prepared something much more lavish. A runway with black carpets. The screen in the back showing a dark grey emptiness with a slight glowing yellow on the sides. Decorating the edges of the screen were floral vines and glittering stars. An intricate display of natural and artificial. Cold doldrums surrounding the twilight sky, the stage illuminated only by the lights in the surroundings. Enzo's mansion was the only Malibu beach place with such lighting. A gorgeous display for the fancy day.

A loud boom, startled everyone. Lights flickered off, a few sparks flickered. Murmurs grew into louder statements. The audience was surprised at the sudden turn of events. Darkness embraced the crowd, as people panicked, their eyes darting from one side to the other. A loud and familiar pitchy siren of a high-pitched microphone being turned on loudly greeted the audience through the speakers. Enzo's voice coming out,

'Hello dear audience. Unfortunately for us, it seems that there's been a power outage in the area and I feel it's going to be impossible to have the fun we intended to tonight.'

Startled reactions and uproars were sounded. Influencers recording the entire proceedings and other people just staring at the dark hued ocean disappointed. Enzo's voice again came up, two words echoed,

'Just kidding.'

A small tune started playing. A very familiar one. As its volume grew louder, the gasping audience realized what was happening, and started cooing in excitement. The speakers blared the bass as the earworm became more audible.

A blinding flash of light as the beat dropped and the silhouettes onstage became clearer. The cheers couldn't be any louder.

'Stroll down the runway

Another payday

Cover of magazine"

Feminine figures onstage became more and clearer as lights flashed after each line. People were already on their feet, hands clapping to the beat. The energy was already in.

"And when they see me

They wanna be me

I am the fantasy"

The tune rose, and just as RuPaul's command of "COVER GIRL" came on, the lights flashed to full brightness, making the audience squint in surprise as the stage was covered in assortment of various gorgeous models in all sorts of attires. From bodysuits, to gowns and even decorated lingerie. And in the middle stood a tall figure. Her head carrying a gigantic platinum blonde wig, and her body decorated in a pink bejeweled skirt and full-sleeve crop top in a similar style, her feet arched into a 5 inch stiletto, it was RuPaul. The queen of drag alongside her army of drag legends, covering the stage, tapping to the beat of the song.

Just as the chorus reached its second verse, RuPaul marched forward, queens slowly following behind her in their gorgeous outfits. Jinx Monsoon in her vintage ochre gown dragging behind her, Priyanka and her drippy bodysuit. Everyone followed in a line, skipping to the beat while putting to display, their charisma, uniqueness, nerve and talent.

Just as RuPaul reached the front, the other queens crowded behind her in a choreography of moves. The audience in chaos over the performance, livestreaming the scene on their devices and singing along to Ru's confident words. As short as the song was, the drag queens gave it their all, and with the final "Walk", all queens clobbered out, backstage behind the curtains, and the only person left on the runway was Mama Ru and her sleek eyebrows.

A wave of cheers erupted in the crowd, as RuPaul maintained her iconic pose with one hand in the air, the other by her waist. Claps, whistles and cheers drowned the sound of the crashing waves. Countless personalities clapping away until their hands were sore. An absolute banger of a beginning.

'Silence!' RuPaul's assertive voice echoed through the cordless microphone on her. Audiences slowly calming down. She lowered her arm.

'Welcome to the Glamour Ball my lovely lovely people. It is an honor to have the art of drag represented in such a historical event. And I am very proud of my queens for being the brand embassadors of this beautiful form. The glamor ball is an annual event by the fashion icon, Enzo Elziel. The first task on my hands is to introduce the extra special judges for tonight. Starting with…'

RuPaul raised her head to face a panel of people in the middle of the crowd, seated on a long, neon pedestal. A large table, enough to accommodate atleast ten people was placed upon it, behind which sat the pageant judges.

'My bestie Michelle Visage.' RuPaul looked at the judge on the extreme right of the panel. A middle aged woman with a witchy nose and a streak of pastel blue through her hair sat on that seat. Bright purple frills surrounding her neck, going down her breasts. She screamed, 'Hi Ru!'

'Hello Michelle. Now, what do you think is gonna be Enzo's reveal tonight?'

Michelle with a creasy smile answered, 'Considering his past record, probably him coming out nude.'

'Ooh, that sounds exciting.'

'I KNOW! That's why I'm here Ru!' Michelle shrieked. The audience chuckled.

With the smile still plastered on her face, RuPaul moved to the next judge, 'Next up fashion icon and queen of supermodels, its Donatella Versace!'

'Hi Ru. Good to see you sweetheart.' Donatella's pursed lips contorted to speak. Her platinum blonde mane straightened down to her waist. A sharp streak of black eyeliner around her eyes. A beautiful zebra print sleeveless gown covered her torso.

'Good to see you too. Now I heard some Versace outfits will be on the runway tonight.'

''Oh yea Ru.' Donatella's eyelids fluttered, 'I always give into Enzo's charm.'

'Oh! Isn't he just irresistible?!'

'Irresistible in more than one ways.' Her lips now breaking into a smile, creases forming around her cheeks.

Ru continued to the final judge, 'And last but not least, its infamous stylist and designer, Brandon Maxwell.'

The claps continued as the spotlight now hit the third judge. He was a middle-aged man. A large pair of blocky, white spectacles on his rounded face. He wore a leather jacket, under which was a red shirt. His arms folded in front of him, and his expressions stoic. He nodded in response to Ru, a small grin on his face.

'Now Brandon, I'd really love a stylist's opinion, what do you think of my dress?'

Brandon replied, 'Stah-ning Ru. I'm just eating it up right now.'

'Thank you. Just leave enough for this to not be censored on broadcast.'

Revan stood right behind the wings. His attire ready. Revan as a teenager had always watched such shows in the television. Getting to stand on a stage like this was still enthralling, even though he'd gotten used to it after years in this career. Famous celebrities, spending their time watching people walk a ramp in clothing nobody in their everyday life would even have the time to adorn, Celebrities spending millions of dollars to sit and sip martinis watching such dreary performances without any vigor. It perplexed Revan immeasurably, but he never complained, it was for a good cause after all.

Turning back to the audience, RuPaul continued her verse, 'And finally. The host for tonight's ball. It's the award-winning actor, Revan Karmic.'

Revan took a deep breath, swiveled in his spot, and let his glossy, leather boots loose. As his eyes quickly adjusted to the brightness, he couldn't help but smile at the sight ahead of him. Figures covering the beach, flashes of light emerging and disappearing, the judges' panel, the black cloth seemingly merging into the night sand. RuPaul standing in the front, glancing at him, her beautiful smile still glued on.

Revan was a sight for sore eyes. Tiny strips of papers, dyed in shades of red, purple, green, blue and yellow, millions of them, clung to an enormous coat. The strips covering the entirety of the man's figure, flapping in the twilight breeze. It was almost as if the winds and the papers were having a liberal dialogue. His entire figure morphed by the fluttering paper coat, his limbs hidden, making his appearance seem like a candy poltergeist. His hair slicked upwards in a blocky quiff, and his makeup enhancing his face above the whole attire. Only his fluorescent red boots showed beneath the whole garment.

Rupaul's music blared on the speakers wording "Cover girl, put the bass in your walk. Head to toe, let your whole body talk." The claps couldn't be any louder. Revan wondered how far this cacophony could be heard.

Just as Revan's lengthy walk came to an end, his arms warped out in front of him, gripping at the paper, crushing a handful, and then pulling it apart for a reveal. The paper coat flying backwards as Revan's actual garments came to sight. A fine silk, suit, deep maroon in color, with shining glitter motifs covering its entirety. His matching maroon pants clinging to his muscular thighs. The audience drooled over the entire outfit, and the claps never stopped. Revan looked gorgeous, and he knew it.

'Welcome Revan. What an absolutely amazing runway presentation that was!' RuPaul reached in for a hug. Revan thankfully obliging her with a warm one.

'Okay, now sod off.' Revan waved at her jokingly. Her answer being a sarcastic cackle.

'Thank you too Revan.' With her ever-present smile, RuPaul walked her way back, waving at the crowd on her sides. Revan replaced her spot on stage, looking directly at the overhead camera that broadcasted the event live on all platforms imaginable.

The maroon man got straight to the point, 'Tonight is a special night for all of us. Today is a premiere for Enzo Elziel's new collection in eco-fashion. A revolutionary form of clothing and art, inspired from actual trash. Watch.'

And with that word came a switch in display as all the sparking lights fell, and the screens behind them began playing a video. It looked like a typical PSA. Beginning with emotional music, and a voiceover describing the amount of wastes produced by people around the world and the growing sizes of the garbage patches. After which came an upbeat tune contrasting the previous one. Enzo's clearly recognizable voice announced loudly his new collection – "Medoceo". A revolutionary trend in eco-fashion consisting of actual complete outfits made from actual recyclable wastes. Paper, plastics, anything and everything that didn't stink. Inspiring violin symphonies now ran as images of models in sequin fabrics appeared in flashing shots, before the clip came to an end. Slamming hands thundered in shrill claps.

Revan's words echoed into the sandy waves. The moon was glowing atop them. Stars, almost invisible.

'The first category for tonight is, "Snow, you better don't". And joining this runway presentation is the spectacular diva Mariah Carey! Let this show begin.'

Just as that last word escaped his mouth, bright frills of sparkling lights flew out the edges of the runway in large volcanic eruptions. A perfect beginning to a chaotic night.