Venice; Money Heist [2]

Prologue

MADRID

77 DAYS UNTIL D-DAY

A black limousine pulled up outside the theatre building, and a grinning Arturo Román, dressed in a tuxedo, emerged, warmly greeting the gathered fans. He swiftly made his way to the stage, microphone in hand.

"You're 15 minutes late," remarked someone from his team as Arturo positioned himself behind the red curtain, awaiting its rise. Upon a signal, he spread his arms wide, basking in the applause of his fans before commencing his speech.

"For the last two and a half years, many of you called me a hero," he began, affirmations echoing from the crowd. "You are a hero!" shouted a woman.

"No, no, no. Make no mistake. I'm no hero. I'm just an ordinary man. A man who had enough courage to refuse to kneel before a group of terrorists," he continued, greeted by thunderous applause. "Let me tell you. That's why I can be here today. My dignity remains intact. Meanwhile, those rats are still hiding somewhere in their holes."

GUNA YALA ARCHIPELAGO

Tokyo and Rio relaxed on the beach, sipping from a coconut, dancing with locals, and celebrating in the sea.

MADRID

Arturo challenged the audience: "There are some people who find those terrorists charming and likable. Yeah, believe me. They think they're funny. And I ask myself, 'Is it funny to be a criminal?'"

"No!" came the resounding response.

"Does a terrorist deserve to be considered a hero?"

"No!"

"Is the so-called Professor some kind of Robin Hood?"

"No!"

"No! Helsinki... the monster from the Balkans. For 24 hours straight, this bum had a freaking bomb strapped to my body. Can he be anyone's idol?"

"No!"

"Venice... one might think she's any better and helped me, because of her background. No! She supported the whole thing and prevented her brother from objecting! Threatened me, laughed about my situation. I dared to resist, and in response, she dragged the barrel of her gun over my skull. Can she be a heroine?"

"No!"

"No... She's one of the biggest psychopaths in their little team! Fought with her partner Tokyo, threw her around as if she were a toy! Deliberately left my life in the hands of a Inspector after I got shot, who had no idea what he was doing!" Booing erupted from the crowd. "I can only hope that they feel guilty and this weighs on their conscience for the rest of their miserable life."

LA PAMPA ARGENTINIA

Helsinki danced through a crowd, playing the accordion, watching Nairobi and Venice, who spun and danced with the locals in traditional Argentine attire. Nairobi approached Helsinki, draping her scarf around his neck and spinning him around, while Venice cheered them on, dancing with one of the locals.

MADRID

"I attacked the so-called Denver with a pair of blunt scissors. He had an M16. Suicidal? Maybe, but thanks to that, the first hostages could escape. In exchange, he took what I loved most. Monica Gaztambide."

"Forget her!"

"My mistress! Because I've made mistakes along the way. Yeah, I admit that I've been unfaithful. I've also been selfish and despicable. And as a result, I lost absolutely everything in my life..."

IN THE AUDIENCE

"Why are we here again, Alejandro?"

"It's amusing to hear what the guy has to say about Sergio and his little group. Come on, Martín, don't pretend you don't find it funny."

"I don't find it funny. The guy just gives me aggression. Acts like he's Superman," Martín retorts. "Admit it, you've developed an obsession with her."

"I don't know what you're talking about." Alejandro responds.

"Oh no? Does Venice ring any bells?"

Alejandro glanced at him. "Are you jealous? Of her? After what's been reported, she and Berlin were quite close,"

"Not any more jealous than you are of Berlin. I don't blame her," Martín responds before watching Alejandro pointing out a man nearby.

"Doesn't he seem a bit too affected by the cheating line?"

"Keep distracting yourself, my friend. I see that glimmer in your eye whenever a news anchor mentions her name, and you don't even know her. I bet you a hundred euros that you, your heart, and your little friend down there won't be able to handle it when you see her for the first time, and all you will think about is Boom, Boom, Caio... if you don't do it already." Martín challenged.

Alejandro silently accepted the bet, then turned back to the front, knowing deep down that it would never happen. Or would it?

In the end, fate has its own mysterious ways of bringing two souls together.