Noa stared at the outfit on the hanger like it was a threat.
"This can't be legal," she muttered.
It was labeled **'Wardrobe Scene 1: Fantasy Softcore / Innocent Submissive'** and consisted of exactly three items:
- A sheer camisole with heart-shaped cutouts over the chest.
- A pair of crotchless lace panties.
- Knee-high socks with tiny ribbons.
Ren walked past her dressing room holding his own wardrobe bag. "Did they give you a bib too?"
She peeked into his bag.
His costume was labeled: **'Gentle Seducer / Pillow Thief'**.
It included:
- A silky open shirt that stopped mid-ribcage.
- Tiny boxer briefs with the word "SOFT" embroidered on the back.
- A fake rose.
Ren pulled out the briefs and blinked. "These could fit on one of my thighs."
"You're gonna flash the boom mic," Noa said.
"Good," Ren said. "Let it suffer."
---
Ten minutes later, they stood awkwardly on set—barely dressed, overlit, and underpaid.
Cherry Moon circled them like a sensual hawk. "You two look edible," she said. "Now. Scene one. It's a simple massage sequence. Light touching. Whispered dialogue. And lots of... eye licking."
"Eye contact," Noa corrected.
"No, eye licking," Cherry clarified. "Metaphorically."
The set was a soft pastel bedroom. The bed was sprayed with coconut oil for "shine."
"Careful," Cherry warned. "The floor is slippery."
Noa stepped onto the rug—then immediately slipped and fell flat on her back with a wet *squish*.
Ren gasped. "You okay?!"
"I smell like a piña colada crime scene," Noa groaned.
Ren offered a hand, but as he pulled her up, he lost balance and landed on top of her—again.
---
Boom mic lowered.
Cameraman whispered: "Keep rolling."
Cherry grinned. "Don't stop. You're gold."
Ren tried to push himself up, but his hand landed on a bottle of lube and squirted it across the sheets.
Noa shrieked.
"I'm sorry! I'm slipping!"
"You're crushing my boobs!"
"They're really... soft—NOPE I DIDN'T MEAN THAT—"
They scrambled apart like two kids caught watching adult movies on mute.
---
After the scene, they changed into robes and collapsed into beanbags in the lounge.
Ren wiped coconut oil from his arm. "My entire left leg is slippery."
"My butt cheeks touched the boom mic," Noa muttered.
Luis, the mic guy, walked by and gave her a thumbs-up. "No worries, it was off!"
"It was glowing red," Noa growled.
Luis blinked. "Oh. Then… thanks for the audio."
Ren poured water on his head. "We need to quit."
"We need to shower first," Noa said. "Separately. In hazmat suits."
---
Back in their shared suite, Noa walked into the bathroom, then screamed.
Ren rushed in—only to find her standing in front of the mirror, holding a thong with the tag **'Property of Mint'**.
"They mixed up our laundry again!" she shouted.
He looked at the counter. His "SOFT" briefs were soaking in the sink. "Why are these wet?"
"I tried to disinfect them," Noa muttered.
"With mouthwash?"
"I panicked!"
Ren sighed. "At this point, we need separate planets."
Noa glanced at him.
He looked ridiculous. Hair still damp, wearing a bathrobe and one mismatched sock.
And somehow, she couldn't look away.
---
Later that night, they lay in their beds, staring at the ceiling.
"You know what's scary?" Noa said.
Ren grunted.
"That today wasn't even our real scene. It was just the warm-up."
Ren turned his head. "You scared?"
She thought for a moment.
Then said softly, "Not of the job. Just... how easy it is to get used to this."
Silence.
Then Ren replied, "Me too."
Outside, Vegas blinked.
Inside, two not-quite-actors tried to fall asleep without thinking about how close they were to falling—for real.