There was absolutely no shortage of amazing stages that the ANGA production team could have chosen to perform that week's competition at. There was the striking modern Harman Center for the Arts, with its gorgeous glass exterior wall that lead into a pit like theater. There was also the National Theater, with its more classical, multi-tiered design, velvet seats offering a comfortable viewing experience of a purely satisfactory stage. Then there was also the Warner Theater, decked out in royal red and golds that wouldn’t have seen out of place connected to the Hotel Weiss. And then, of course, when you consider sites of such historical significance as the Lincoln Theater or Ford’s Theater, the task of selecting where to perform becomes even more maddening.

     Ultimately though, the ANGA team had based their decision on where they could get fit the most people in, and while the fire marshal might ultimately deem tonight a massive fire hazard, they were able to go along with it thanks to the backing of some people in pretty high places.

     It’s for that reason the cameras that normally showed off their performance locations swooped over and around the Kennedy Center for the performing arts. The was a large, white structure with an almost Asian influence to it, several golden pillars extending from the ground to hold up the overhang. Along the plot of land, several other large, white structures were built, these being outdoors theaters, which had their own large screens set up and were currently projecting the stage from which ANGA was going to be performing, large crowds of people standing and sitting around to watch.

     Inside the Kennedy Center was a bit of a madhouse. The red carpeted lobby was stuffed with people, the various ushers of the multiple theaters in the building trying their best to corral people into the theaters that still had space available. People were annoyed when they were lead to the Opera House and Concert Halls (despite the amazing architecture on display), as they were greeted by the site of large projection screens displaying a golden curtain.

     For the lucky thousand odd people who managed to get there early enough to snag a seat in the Eisenhower Theater, the excitement in the room was absolutely palpable. The plain wooden walls and spartan gray seating meant gave the proceedings a rather understated feel, but that didn’t stop the audience from getting rowdy. People within the highest balcony were cheering, hoping that they could somehow get the show to start earlier by doing so. For everyone else, they simply waited for the golden curtains on the stage to raise.

     Luckily for them, they didn’t have to wait too long, as the main curtain rustled, allowing Drake to walk out in a classy tuxedo, addressing the audience as he always did before a big show, “Ladies and Gentlemen!” The camera cut away from the audience to the outside theater, where first, there was the faint sound of cheering, followed by slightly louder distant cheering as the show was streamed to the inside theaters mere seconds before the crowd outside the theater lost it, cheering just as loud, their cheers being registered several miles away.

     The camera cut back to inside the theater, where Drake stood with the biggest grin on his face as he talked into his microphone, “Last week, our three lovely contestants were challenged to forgo one of the most important tools in a magicians arsenal: To design tricks without any props available to them. Tonight, will see these girls spread their wings, and enjoy some pure, unadulterated displays of magic.”

     More cheering, as Drake smiled, “And of course, before we begin, I must once again extend a thank you to our wonderful guests for the week, Steve West and his assistant Melody!” A spotlight shone through the crowd to where Steve and Melody were sitting, both were wearing outfits similar to what they had worn to dinner the night previously, although it was clear by the different cut in her dress that Melody at least had put some more effort to appear different. Steve made a token smile as he raised his hand, Melody similarly waving her hand with a more genuine smile. “It’s been an honor to see a titan of the field perform again, so thank you for the opportunity you’ve given our humble show.” The audience cheered as the spotlight focused on Drake once more.

     “Well, there’s no sense in delaying the show any longer,” Drake smiled, “We hope you’ll enjoy the show!” Drake took a bow, before slipping back behind the large golden curtain, the audience applauding, as moments later, the curtains pulled away to reveal the first performance for the night.

~~~

Paxton’s Performance

     As the curtains pulled away, Paxton and Drake were standing up on center stage. Both of them were in typical performance attire, and talked with a casual conversational tone. “So Paxton, are you ready to show to everyone how far you’ve come with your conjuration skills?”

     “Of course,” Paxton smiled.

     “Well then, go ahead! The stage’s all your’s,” Martin grinned, giving a slight bow, as Paxton took center stage.

     She took a deep breath, focusing on what she wanted and closing her eyes in concentration, holding her hands out more for dramatic effect then for necessity. As the air seemed to vibrate, the shape of something could be seen slowly phasing into existence.

     Soon enough, standing in the center of the stage was a standing cabinet with a clear dividing mark at the waist. The cabinet looked to be made of a sturdy wood, and was painted with the outline of a woman on the front, with holes available for the face and feet. Impressively enough, Paxton seemed to be doing better than okay, as she opened her eyes, looking at her handiwork proudly.

     Martin, however, looked puzzled, “Just a cabinet?”

     “Well,” Paxton grinned, “I’ve been too busy building up magic reserves to have you really do any normal magic on me… I thought we could do a classic cutting an assistant in half?”

     Martin shrugged, grinning, “It’s your act Paxton, if that’s what you want to do.”

     Paxton opened the box, stepping inside and lining her head and feet through the respective holes of the box. Martin grinned, “Uh… Paxton? I’m going to need a blade to cut you in half.”

     “Oops!” Paxton blushed, “Sorry.” Within Martin’s hands, a katana materialized.

     “Thanks,” Martin smiled, and in a swift single motion, sliced clean through the center of the box horizontally.

     Paxton’s face immediately paled, as the form of the box began to quiver slightly, but thankfully stabilized, as Paxton took deep labored breaths. She did her best to smile as she managed to choke out, “G-Good slice-…”

     Martin did his best to not look too concerned, as he gingerly lifted the box containing Paxton’s upper half, jokingly saying, “Oof! Man. I didn’t realize how heavy you were.”

     Paxton still was breathing heavy, but managed to get out a quip, “Wow Martin… You’re no spring chicken either.”

     Martin placed Paxton’s upper half on the ground, announcing, “Well everyone, I present to you: Paxton divided!” He grabbed the top of both doors, swinging them open, the crowd cheering appreciatively at the strange sight before them.

     Cramped into each half box was not half of Paxton, but rather a full Paxton. Each of them had their legs pushed up against their chest, and were smiling as they slowly unfurled out of their boxes, standing up and grinning at Martin as they wrapped their arms around the other’s shoulder.

     Martin returned with one of his trademark smiles, saying, “You know… I always suspected that was how this trick worked.”

     Meanwhile, the Paxtons had seemingly recovered enough to stand up and were examining their other selves with more normalized breathing. Each half seemingly independently poked and prodded the other. One of the Paxtons spoke up “Wow. You know, I bet you wouldn’t even be able to tell which of us was the original.”

     “Well, seeing as how only one of you is able to perform magic,” Martin smiles, “It should be rather obvious,”

     “Okay, we’ll see about that,” the other Paxton said, as she closed her eyes, being supported slightly by her other self as suddenly a screen manifested around them.

     Martin grinned at the sound of hushed whispering and things crashing. As the screen slowly disappeared, both Paxtons stood, striking the same pose in a mirrored stance. “So-” One Paxton smiled.

     “-Which one of us is the original?” The other Paxton finished.

     Martin was about to open his mouth, when the first Paxton that spoke interjected, “And no cheating with reading magic reserves!”

     Martin closed his mouth, grinning as he walked over to where the two Paxtons were standing. He did his own bit of sleuthing like they had done earlier, poking and prodding them at various points, eliciting more than a couple of giggles as he did so. He then reached up, grabbing both of their wild manes of hair and pulling upwards, separating their heads and necks from their bodies, leaving behind smooth expanses of shoulders.

     “Well girls,” he admitted, “Without checking, I’m completely stumped. It didn’t even feel different to remove your heads. Color me impressed,” Martin smiled, handing each of the heads back to the opposite body from the one he took them from.

     Both Paxton’s smiled brightly, the one on the left speaking up, “Well, looks like I definitely have gotten better.”

     Her other head spoke up, “Oh, and by the way

     -I’m the original”

     -I’m the original”

     Both heads seemed shock as they spoke at the same time. “Um… No, I’m the original,” The Paxton on the left said.

     “No,” Right Paxton said, “I’m the original, I was in the top box when Martin cut us in half.”

     “But I’m the one that conjured the screen up,” Left Paxton responded in turn. They both looked mad at each other, closing their eyes as their heads began to morph.

     Each of the Paxton’s had their heads become more furry, but they also took on completely different animal characteristics. The Paxton on the right had her nose and mouth gradually stretch out into a muzzle, her ears migrating up to the top of her had and becoming floppy. Meanwhile, Left Paxton had the honor of slowly growing whiskers, her pupils becoming slits as there rest of her face turned more feline, her ears becoming more triangular as they migrated up her head. Both of them became winded from the transformations only further confusing who was the original.

     Just as it seemed the new cat and dog Paxton heads were about to fight one another, Martin interjected, “Girls… I only see one solution to this,”

     “-What?”

     “-What?

     The Paxtons asked simultaneously. Martin smiled, walking over and picking up both of Paxton’s heads “You can both claim you’re the original if you’re sharing the same body,” He placed the Paxton’s heads down on the Left Paxton body, their necks instantly fusing to her shoulders.

     Martin wasn’t done there though, he easily removed the remaining Paxton’s arms from her body, attaching them underneath the other Paxton’s own. He then managed to maneuver the armless body to bend over, her shoulders instantly fusing with the multi-armed Paxton’s back, effectively creating a Paxtontaur.

     “There,” he smiled, “Now you’re both the original Paxton… As well as some bits of the conjured one too!”

     The feline and canine Paxton heads looked at each other (which looked rather adorable with them attached to the same body), before laughing. Their laugh was infectious enough for Martin to join in, and soon enough the entire auditorium was laughing at the situation.

     As they calmed down, Paxton’s various transformations began to fade, the body connected to her and the cat head fading from existence as Paxton’s conjurations disappeared.

     With his assistant fully restored, Paxton and Martin took a bow, the golden curtain closing off the first performance of the evening.

~~~

Dahlia’s Performance

     The golden curtains are dragged once more to the sides of the stage, revealing Dahlia, standing silently alone in the center of the stage. She’s doing a dramatic pose, looking away from the audience. Instead of some sort of luxurious gown, she wearing a usurpingly plain leotard, the front of which is primarily taken up with a red and blue diamond pattern set against the rest of the purple garment, reminiscent of the classic design on several old props.

     Martin walks out on stage in a slightly more business oriented suit than normal and wearing a pair of glasses, smiling happily as the audience cheers his entrance. “Good evening everyone! Tonight, I’ll be doing a product demo for the latest in prop technology. You see,” He grinned, going into pitch mode, “What we’ve created here is the first ever, multi-use, all-in-one starter pack for the aspiring magician. The world’s first ever, Prop/Assistant Hybrid! Dahlia” Martin gestured towards Dahlia, who turned to face the audience, giving a seductive look as she struck another pose, the audience cheering in approval.

     Martin continued on, walking over to Dahlia and lifting her arm up, “As you can see, Dahlia, is a fully capable assistant, able to fulfill all of the duties needed of her. However, she also comes pre-enchanted with a few tricks of her own that’ll let you get performing with no further costs.”

     Martin smiles, walking Dahlia around in a circle via her outstretched arm to show that there’s no funny business before returning her to the center stage, where she gave a warm smile to the audience.

     “So, let’s start off with a classic. Presenting, the Interlude!” Martin smiled a dorky smile, walking behind Dahlia and bending slightly to look out at the crowd, “Normally, you’d have to spend hundreds of dollars on a decent cabinet to perform this trick, but with Dahlia…” Martin grinned, ducking back behind Dahlia. A grunting noise could be heard, as the front of Dahlia’s custom leotard bulged slightly, the assistant looking down in mock shock as her body moved unnaturally.

     A few more bulges, and Martin shouted out from his position behind Dahlia, “Sorry! It seems like there something in the way…” Suddenly, from the front of Dahlia’s body, Martin’s hand ripped outwards, extending outwards form the center of the diamond on her leotard. In his hand, he was gripping a large, red, heart-shaped pillow, which he squeezed in a fake heartbeat pattern.

     From behind Dahlia, Martin peeked out, grinning at the audience, “Of course, we made sure to change that before the show. After all, the real deal might have been a bit too intense for the audience of this program.” He ducked back behind Dahlia, and ever so slowly, the rest of Martin’s upper half began to crawl out of the diamond shaped pattern.

     When he was about halfway out, he grinned at the audience, his body going stiff and taking a planking position, as Dahlia, turned her body around once more, showing with no uncertainty that Martin was indeed embedded into her body, his feet playfully kicking in the air as they passed by.

     Once she had done a single rotation, Martin crawled the rest of the way through, awkwardly flopping out onto the ground in front of Dahlia as he picked himself back up, smiling at the audience. “And of course, there’s no need to worry, as there’s plenty more classics where that came from…”

     Martin grinned, grabbing her left arm and lightly pulling. As he did so, her torso from below her neck to right above her hips shifted to the left with him, her legs remaining in place, and her head staying put too, at least until there was only a shred of skin connecting her neck stump to her head. Then her head moved along with her upper torso too, still maintaining that marginal connection that should have sent her head tumbling to the floor.

     Martin grinned, “Such as the Zig Zag…” He pushed her body lightly, Dahlia giggling as her body righted itself, until Martin walked over and began spinning her head around. Each pass, she would make a silly face at the audience, as her neck gained another loop.

     “Head twister…” Martin smiled, as he pulled on Dahlia head with his right hand, giving her a look of surprise as suddenly her neck sprang back to normal, her head detaching clean off of it with a ‘pop’ sound effect. “Guillotine…” Martin then wrapped his left arm around her waist, eliciting a small blush from Dahlia as he lifted her upper half clean off her body, “Cutting in half…”

     “And of course…” Martin handed her head to her upper body, who gladly accepted it and held it up proudly to the audience, as he did his best to wrap his left arm around her hips, pulling them up and off her body, “The mismade!” He grinned as he struggled to hold up Dahlia various disconnected parts, pausing for a moment in this awkward grip before walking through the process to restore her to normal.

     After he had reassembled her, Dahlia and Martin took a bow to many cheers from the audience. As he stood back up, he smiled, “I hope that you’ve enjoyed this product demonstration. But before we go… how about once last classic illusion? Ladies and Gentlemen, The Vanishing Cabinet!”

     Martin smiled, as he grabbed Dahlia’s ring finger, eliciting a shocked look from the girl as he walked a semi-circle pattern in front of her, the front half of her body rotating from where the rest of her stood as though it were a door on a prop. As her front half became more than perpendicular with her body, it could be seen that her back half looked like a Dahlia shaped portal into a dark abyss.

     With some effort, Martin managed to squeeze himself into Dahlia, giving the audience once last wave, as he manually closed Dahlia. Dahlia smiled, giving one last wave to the audience, before she made as if she were doing one more rotation as she had already done twice that evening. However, as parts of her disappeared behind herself, they didn’t return as she continued to spin. Martin’s makeshift cabinet had vanished herself from the stage.

     The audience applauded the empty stage as the curtain closed back towards the center.

~~~

Kacie’s Performance

     The golden curtains parted once more, and standing center stage were Kacie and Martin. Martin was wearing a nice looking suit with a light blue tie that perfectly matched Kacie’s glowing tattoos. Kacie meanwhile looked absolutely scared to death as she looked at the crowd. She was wearing a black dress that poofed out near the bottom, and she had a black bowtie tied into her blue, pixie cut styled hair.

     Over the loudspeaker, the sound of a drum and a guitar beginning to play an airy Bossa Nova beat. As they built up the music slightly, Kacie could be seen taking a deep breath, centering herself as she turned and looked at Martin. On their cue, they began to sing,

     “Dearest

     Constellation

     Heaven

     Surrounding you…”

     Martin and Kacie slowly began to dance across the stage in a standard Bossa Nova fashion. In terms of the singing, their voices harmonized surprisingly well together, Dahlia’s stronger singing voice ultimately making up for Martin’s more mumbly approach, as the two of them slowly began to sing through ‘Virginia Moon’ by the Foo Fighters.

     They danced around for a bit on the stage, smiling Kacie’s body getting visibly less anxious as they continued to sing. The first time they sing the name of the song, their bodies slowly begin to rise up in the air, as they continued their dance in the sky.

     “Sweetest

     Invitation

     Breaking

     The day in two…”

     As they finished the next verse of the song, Martin gently grabbed Kacie’s arms, pulling her upper half away from her body, the two of them continuing to sing and dance to the Bossa Nova groove. As they continued to sing along, Kacie’s upper half drifted away from her legs, still following the motions of their dance as Martin was surrounded on both sides.

     As they entered the chorus, Kacie’s upper half completed her orbit around Martin, attaching itself back onto her legs normally.

     “Secret

     Fascination

     Whisper

     A quiet tune…”

     During this verse, Martin lightly pulled off the studded collar that Kacie was wearing from her loss in the UK, pulling on it and stretching it until it had began a large black hoop, which he passed down below Kacie’s legs and slowly lifted it up her body. As he passed it over her, her black dress began to shift, taking on a dark, blue, velvety tone that matched well with her tattoos and hair.

     When it reached her neck, Martin slowly shrank the hoop back down to its former collar shape, the two becoming practically close enough to feel each other breath as they sang. He smiled warmly, and as finished transforming the collar back to normal, pulled Kacie’s head off, the collar automatically shifting into its tiara like form.

     He let go of Kacie’s head, which continued to sing along with him through the chorus, as he danced with her body.

     When the song hit the groove section, rather than continuing through to the final verse of the song, the drum and guitar subtly shifted to an ever so slightly quicker swing beat, Kacie’s head floating center stage below their two bodies as she sang the opening lines to the last song of her set solo.

     “She Wore

     Blue~

     Velvet~…”

     As she sang Martin got even closer to Kacie’s body, holding it in a loving embrace of a dance step as the two of them slowly danced around to Kacie’s haunting rendition of the classic version of ‘Blue Velvet’ by Bobby Vinton.

     At around the second verse, Martin shifted away from Kacie’s body in order to do the final part of her transformation

     “Ours a love I felt tightly~

     Feeling the rapture grow~

     Like a flame burning brightly~”

     Martin held out his finger, a flame glowing brightly from the end of it, which he used to light up Kacie’s neck stump between her little black crown, a bright blue flaming bursting up and making her body begin to look like a candle. Ever so slowly Kacie’s body began to melt away, the flame working down her body as she continued to dance separately from Martin, the dark blues and pale whites mixing together on the black stage.

     As more of Kacie’s body disappeared away, Kacie’s head floated back up, Martin lightly grabbing her in her hands as he continued his best to dance along to her singing, smiling measuredly at Kacie, who by this point was completely lost in the music, singing her heart out at the key change and working through the last final lines.

     As the music paused for the last lines of the song, her body had completely melted away, the blue flame disappearing as Martin and her floated back down to the ground. The camera focused in on the two of them in profile. Kacie’s voice cracking, with some genuine tears in her eyes, as she sang out the last two lines of the song.

     “And I still can see Blue Velvet~

     Through my Tears~”

     The audience applauded, as Martin clasped Kacie’s detached head to his chest, the curtain closing on this touching scene.

~~~

Sendoff

     As Drake walked out from behind the curtain once more, he asked the audience, “Can we please give one more hand to these three brave girls who gave it their all tonight?” The audience was all to happy to oblige, sending out another echoing cheer into the night.

     Drake waited for the audience to calm down before continuing, taking on a serious tone as he said, “Well folks… It’s a big one tonight… Tonight’s vote is going to determine which of these two girls will be heading to the final round of competition, with one of them ultimately winning the right to become Martin Horn’s first assistant as a World Class Magician… It’s truly an impossible decision to have to make… So I’m glad that I won’t be the one to have to make it.

     Instead, as always, it will be up to you, the viewing audience at home, to decide which of these girls will have their journey cut just short of the finals.” Drake took a moment for a dramatic pause to let the severity of the vote set in, a little banner appearing at the bottom of the screen linking to the website.

     “In any case, we hope that you’ve enjoyed the show tonight. Best of luck for the tough decision you’ll have to make. Goodnight Everybody!”

Sorry, Voting is Closed!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

& Question Corner &

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The following questions were answered before the performances listed above.

To everyone: “First off all, sorry for going ballistic, but that scene caused me to relive my struggle. The message to the girls I wrote in pure anger and fury. My running wild emotions got the better out of me, therefore I want to apologize.

Also I want to extend my apology to the whole ANGA team for making their lives now more troublesome. I know that the world is watching.

Second, Drake, I see you at eye height, I know that you would have done something, yet mistakes happened. Still like I explained, I had a flash back and just reacted in fury and pure anger. I regret making that statement, that I will get you and Martin for that at the finals, and Drake no need to threat me with WMO regulations, I know them, I wouldn't have done anything, your back is safe. Because I will be there to take the blow. I also face consequences for my bad attitude towards you.

Third, Martin, I know I should have been more level headed, yes I formed the complaint because what happened was wrong, yet, it was an honest mistake. If you should face any kind of trouble because of that send the people my way, since I caused you that trouble. Furthermore, I still think you are World-Class Material. I know you care about the girls deeply, you want them to feel happy and great.

Last but not least, Girls, I know I became furious and unfair, I know I shocked you with what I have done, don't worry though I know I stepped too far. And I can't withdraw the complaint, but be assured I only had the best for you in mind, even though that could have meant that I ruin Martin's and your Careers. I'm really sorry for that. I really hope you can forgive me for that, still I know you are angry at me for that. Anyway, I wish you best luck and hope you have a wonderful Sunday, a wonderful day and regardless who gets to leave, you are a much better Assistants than me. Wish you the best luck on Earth.” -Andrea (@@Jeaune)

 Drake: Drake sighed, “Andrea, please stop being so melodramatic. You’re not in any trouble. and trust me, I wouldn’t sick the WMO on you for something as simple as a threat of performing magic on me. Just look at any video of my on YouTube and scroll to the comments section and I’m pretty sure you’ll find several people saying they want to do things ten times worse than anything you’ve ever threatened to do to me on the show.

 Again, I’m very sorry that what occurred on Wednesday triggered a flashback to such a horrible event of your past. Martin and I had no intentions of causing such harm in what was a momentary lapse of reason. So trust me, if you do face any negative repercussion for your words, I’ll be first in line to defend you.

 I know that it can’t make up for our screw-up, but Martin and I have agreed to donate our salaries for this week to Magician’s For a Better Tomorrow, as it’s Holli’s charity of choice. It’s not much, but we do want to do our part to help make Magician - Assistant relations in the world better.

 Again, I’m looking forwards to talking with you more at the afterparty Andrea, and that you’ll be able to have a great time as we enter our final week of competition,” Drake smiles at the camera.

 Martin: Martin gives the camera a reassuring smile, “It’s okay, Andrea. Really. I know you were only doing what you thought was right. I’m sure Drake already told you, but I’m trying to take steps to make things better. Again, I don’t want just my assistants to feel happy, I want everyone to feel better. It’s why I perform really, to help others have a good time.

 A representative from ISAG’s already reached out to me and explained how they’re going to be monitoring me. Again, don’t worry, they said everything’s going to be fine, and that nobody’s in trouble.

 I’m looking forwards to probably seeing you next week. Of course, that’s if I end up not being too busy preparing for the final show.”

 Paxton: Paxton seems really worried, “Andrea, please, of course we’re going to forgive you! You were just looking out for us. And I can’t speak for Dahlia and Kacie, but I’m pretty certain that none of us are mad at you. Seriously, don’t worry about it girl! You only wanted to protect us.

 And trust me. I don’t think I could ever be as great an assistant as you,” Paxton blushes, “Y-You’ve been through so much, Andrea. And despite it all, you still manage to be absolutely amazing! You’re one of the most inspiring assistant and magicians I know. If it weren’t for you and Martin, I don’t know if I’d still be in this competition…

 If I can become half as great an Assistant as you, I’d consider that a major accomplishment,” Paxton smiles. “I really hope I can make it to the next round, but if I don’t, I know we’re going to see each other again someday. Thank you for everything you’ve done for me Andrea,” Paxton smiles warmly at the camera.

 Dahlia: Dahlia doesn’t say anything, instead focusing, Julia slowly emerging out from her side looking a little confused, as Dahlia’s body morphs into Dawn once more. The two of them hug, before reading the comment left in front of them. Julia’s concern grows, her eyes getting teary eyed as she reads through it, while Dawn does her best to comfort her. “Andrea,” Dawn smiles at the camera, “Dahlia clearly wanted us to read through this too. I know we haven’t had much time to interact outside of Europe week, however you left a very lasting impression on us both in that short time period. I’m still a little hazy on the details of the past couple of days, but I assure you-“

 Julia interrupts her, emotionally squeaking, “We’re not mad, Andrea! We love you!” before burying her head into Dawn’s arm.

 Dawn smiles, giving Julia a little squeeze, “Well,” She smiles, “I think that Juila’s managed to sum up our feelings pretty nicely on the matter.”

 Kacie: “Andrea, there’s no need to apologize to us. I’ll never get mad at someone for doing what they thought was the right thing to do. After all, you had to go through such an awful event yourself. It only makes sense that you would be a bit over protective about it happening to someone else.

 And what do you mean we’re already better assistants than you. Girl, you are super talented and a much better assistant than I could ever be. You need to not sell yourself short, and also not beat yourself up so badly. Seriously Andrea, we all care about you and want to see you succeed. You’re really awesome, and definitely an inspiration, especially to me.”