INTERVIEW WITH CELEBRITY DANCER TRIANI FOR ROOTER NEWS – San Francisco, TERRA  Bailey Branigan reporting

 This time I’ve chosen a dancer, who seems to be some kind of super star here. His name and image are everywhere and gossip about his sex life abounds. It’s the kind of  treatment rock stars get back home. I am intrigued. It took a while to get him to agree to the interview, as he is apparently leery of the press after some incident last year where he was recorded without his permission. I have been warned that his language is a bit salty from time to time and he has been known to walk out of interviews if he doesn’t like the way things are going. He stands out among Merculians with his black hair and eyes and his use of only one name, Triani. In our brief meeting before the interview started, he comes across as arrogant, aggressive and highly sexual. It’s no wonder people talk about him.

BB        Hello and thanks for meeting with me.

T          Hi sweetie. If I’d known you look like this I would have come sooner.

BB        I gather you have had your full name legally changed to the single name, Triani. That’s unusual, isn’t it. Can you explain way?

T          Well, sweetie, I’m unusual, too. Like me, the name stays in people’s minds.

BB        So it was just a publicity stunt.

T          Stunt? No. Just PR. 

BB        I read that you have a child called Giazin. So if I understand things correctly here, his name would be Giazin Triani …something. 

T          Giazin Triani Orlato. His mertsi is a dancer with another company but I don’t see him any more than I have to these days.

BB        So you have no plans to get married?

T          Holy shit no! I’m not the marrying kind, baby.

BB        Got it! Could I ask you about that beautiful jeweled dagger you’re wearing? Is that what’s called a cimboladagger?

T          This? No, sweetie. This one is a presentation dagger. (He unclips it from his belt and lays it on the table between us.) The Cimbola is our coming of age ceremony where we receive the right to wear a dagger. Those are usually less flashy. This one was presented to me as an award of excellence at the Primata Festival.

BB        It’s gorgeous. You’ve had a spectacular career for someone your age. I’m not sure exactly how old you are but I’ve read you’re the youngest principal dancer in the National Theater company.

T          I was until my hitherto unknown young sibling came along and now he holds that place in the company.

BB        You didn’t know you had a sibling?

T          He was born on the Colony Planet so no, I didn’t fucking know. Look, if you want to talk about Rio, contact him, okay? 

BB        Of course. That just took me by surprise. When you arrived, you had a young Merculian with you with pale hair. Is he your lover Parla?

T          Hell no! Parla is long gone. Keep up, sweetie. 

BB        I see. I read somewhere that you have had Terran lovers as well. Male or female?

T          It depends on the person and what I feel I need from them. (He pauses and looks at me across the table so intently I feel uncomfortable.) Now you I can’t figure out. Are you male or female? (He reaches out suddenly and clasps my hand in a firm grip.)

BB        We’re getting away from the scope of this interview.

T          I think the ‘scope of this interview’ needs to be widened. (He grins wickedly.) Why don’t you come along to my town place and do just that. It’s not far.

BB        Perhaps later. I heard your mersti was a great dancer too. Can you comment?

T          (Rises abruptly.) I don’t talk about him. This interview is over.