Mirror of the Vanities | Tokenized NFT

I stood watching as Monica rested. For now, she was asleep. Thirty minutes later, she woke. Eyes peering from tiny slits, she searched the room. I slowly came into her view.

"I must prepare myself. No time to waste." Slurring her words, she took a deep breath, then fell back asleep.

She had plenty of time. I wasn't leaving. To be honest, I didn't want to leave. She needed me to help her recover. Just like last time. And the time before that. All I had to do was to convince the studio to delay production for two months.

To promote her role, my thoughts turned to the unusual background image in my design studio I created that would serve as the most sought-after premier promotion poster ever.

^{Original Fractal designed by me in Apophysis 2.09}

On her second arousal, she appeared more alert. "Jared, get the doctor in here immediately! I don't have time for this nonsense! It's slowing me down!" Her hands were now waiving frantically.

I smiled and turned toward the door to fetch the doctor. Monica was back.

On the other side of the door, I paused with my hand on the knob. I wanted to laugh. I wanted to cry. Most importantly, I wanted to find a way to help her. I had an uneasy feeling her condition started long before she became an adult. And I didn't have the tools to help her; not even my 5-step program. She needed ten steps and beyond.

To think of that extraordinary woman lying on the bed in there I met ten years ago. She was perfect. Stunning red hair attached to a gorgeous, unforgettable face only came along maybe twice in a lifetime. But it was those gray eyes that pierced deep and haunted your soul. It stirred something deep within you...at least for me it did. All I wanted to do was place my arms around her; to protect her.

^{Free image from PxFuel}

I headed toward the nurses' station to inquire about her doctor. Given the information, I decided to take a moment to figure out how to approach Monica about production delays she caused with this last refreshing.

She wouldn't take it mildly. Numerous times I thought about stepping away but always quickly dismissed that line of thinking. I had to remember why I stayed.

I was allowed in her room after surgery because she permitted it. The truth is, I found out a few years ago, no one else wanted to be there. She told me on several occasions that a person has to make her own way in the world.

Depending on others wasn't an option. And, if someone happen to be on the same rung as she, the person who'd fall definitely wouldn't be her. And too, if hard feelings ensued, then so be it. She stated vehemently that she didn't have time to cosset others' egos.

She also confided in me on numerous occasions that I was her only true friend; she felt I would never lie to her; and that I alone would be the one to propel her beyond stardom. I just nodded and smiled. She always seemed calmer once she repeated that soliloquy during our exhaling sessions. However, as her professional photographer, I never got to exhale and always felt those words were misdirected.

Dr. Nilsen checked on her. She was released a few days later.

While Monica recuperated, I finalized work on my poster for the production. I was proud to finally show her our strategy for boosting the premier. As expected, the background image was extraordinary with her fiery hair and dark eyes in the foreground.

A week later she called for our strategy session. Premier poster in hand, I headed over to her house.

Suddenly, she began complaining of severe headache, dizziness, and blurred vision. She then fell onto the couch and slumped over. I rushed to her side. She looked pale. I was worried as she didn't know the reason for the sudden onset of her symptoms.

She seemed to worsen right in front of me, so I called Dr. Nilsen. He rushed over. This needed to be kept quiet. He understood. He always did.

I briefly showed her the poster, then placed it behind the couch. This was no time to talk business.

The doctor looked puzzled at this turn of events. He kept shaking his head.

"Do something now, you incompetent nincompoop! You've taken enough of my money. I'll have your license revoked!"

"You're overreacting, Monica." You'll be fine. You just need to let the healing process take its course." The doctor's words sounded calmer than his facial expression showed.

I sat holding Monica's hand; all I knew to do. "Doctor Nilsen, is there anything you can do to ease her pain?"

"No. I've already given her too much. She needs to just stop worrying." My only concern was Monica, but I could tell something was bothering the doctor.

Our eyes locked. He beckoned me for a side conversation. We managed to get Monica calm and convince her to rest.

Once she was asleep, we returned to the living room. He then poured out his suspicion.

"Do you know if she's had any other work done since our last surgery? All my professional instincts warned me not to touch her again. However, she wanted all the industry had to offer; and was willing to pay without full details of the procedures. It's only been two other clients of that caliber who wanted to continue at any cost." The serious frown on his face now startled me. My heart beat faster. She hadn't mentioned any other procedure.

I knew Monica's goal was to be the most sought-after face in the industry. However, even with her publicized gorgeous eyes and flaming hair, her career was on the downturn in the last several years.

We heard her stir in the bedroom. Suddenly, she screamed. We rushed in to find out what was happening.

Monica kept screaming. Her face contorted, her eyes rolled upward, and her lips twisted to one side. She kept screaming as best she could. "Find me a mirror!, gesturing in an impatient manner. "Something's horribly wrong! I can feel it! What's happening to me?"

For a moment, we stood watching Monica's face change into a monstrous being.

Shocked at the transformation, I then screamed at the doctor. "Do something! Can't you see she's in pain. What's happening to her?" I rushed to Monica's side with the mirror in hand. How could she think about a mirror at a time like this? I thought.

Monica held the mirror to her face. I didn't see how she had any scream left in her. But she did, and kept on screaming, alternating between gasps of breath. "What's that line in my face? It feels as though my head is splitting into!"

Neither I nor Dr. Nilsen could see anything other than the visible signs of a stroke. I listened while he calmly confirmed to Monica his diagnosis. He advised her to keep calm.

Dr. Nilsen then called the hospital and made arrangements for her transport.

She pleaded in a low voice for me to continue holding the mirror. In her weakened state, she began her tirade barely audible.

"You've ruined me for life! I didn't ask for this. I only wanted to be the most recognizable face in the world! What have I done to deserve this? You'll pay alright, and you'll pay dearly! I'll take every red cent you've ever made!" Exhausted, she fell back on the pillow, jerked the mirror from my hand, then slammed it hard several times on the bed.

Astonished, Dr. Nilsen stood with his hands behind his back, silently absorbing her tirade.

I didn't notice he'd left the room to meet the medics.

I tried to console her. She looked one last time at the mirror and screamed at me. "You did this! Look at that hideous image in the mirror. I hate that poster, bleeding into my head; my face. All those stupid colors making me look like a freak. Why is my face twisted? Why am I fading from the limelight? Why would you do this to me? You'll never work in the industry again! I'll ruin you! I'll..."

I grabbed the mirror and stared into its reflection. What I did see was unnerving.

Yes, Monica needed help; more than I could give. I knew that now. I wanted to walk away. But I couldn't, because she was right for once. She was fading.

To complete my original fractal drawing, I utilized Apophysis 2.09 fractal rendering program. I love all the colors in my original fractal drawing. The moment the finished image came into view, I felt I needed a human model to enhance the design. My only requirement was that the model be already established as a natural beauty with no physical enhancements needed. I discovered such a face at a free site. The only alteration to the original free image was accomplished with photo manipulation by making part of the face transparent. This would allow the fractal image to be revealed, thereby creating a surrealistic image. Next, contortion enabled the face to be altered to appear unnatural. I was pleased with the result.

My fractal drawing was the backdrop for her head shot that would have solidified her stage career.

Tokenized art

I uploaded my fractal to the NFT Showroom. It's for sale there in tokenized form in my collection.

Link: The original fractal on NFT Showroom: "Mirror Of The Vanities".

I hope you like my Fractal Rendering digital art. Thanks for taking the time to view my post. If you'd like to try the program I mention here, just let me know below, and I'll help if you require any.