Mark lounged near the gate, watching the people gather as they waited for their turn to board. He thumbed lazily through his phone and checked his social apps. His assistant went through and sent him the best of the day’s postings. It was important for the crap to get screened out; the negative stuff from armchair quarterbacks who had never spent a day slaving away on the hot movie sets, memorizing words and emotions, pretending to be something they weren’t and making the world believe that they were. He smiled into his phone as he scrolled through the positive posts.<br/><br/>If he didn’t know that they were screened, he’d believe the entire world knew him and loved him. In truth, he was a bigger model than he was an actor. The parts he had played so far had been rugged, outdoor types supporting a bigger named star.<br/><br/>He was on his way, he had a ton of cash, but he wanted more. He wanted to not be able to go out like this and be unrecognized. He wanted adoring fans. Fame. Popularity. Adoration.<br/><br/>He wanted to be loved.<br/><br/>The flight attendant called for military in uniform and families with small children to board first. As the group of a dozen or so early-boarders went in, Mark watched them with a hint of envy in his eyes.<i>‘Thank you for your service,’</i>and<i>‘aren’t they so cute?’ </i>followed them everywhere, Mark thought. They were privileged. Respect and envy followed his gaze as he watched the last of them disappear down the jetway.<br/><br/>Then the first-class passengers were called to line up, and Mark sauntered into line. His seat was numbered which meant he didn’t have to worry about getting in the front of the line. He rubbed a hand across the scruff on his face. He wasn’t used to it yet, but it was growing on him.<br/><br/>He smiled at his mental pun, and those clear brown eyes that had swooned many a silver-screen heroine crinkled at the corners. ‘<i>I’m my biggest fan,’ </i>he told himself, as they were allowed to walk out onto the bridge and board the plane. The shuffle to their seats was made slower by an older couple who were practically crawling down the lane.<br/><br/>His seat was on the isle and near the front of the plane. It wasn’t too bad – first class meant two seats on each side to allow for the more ample room. What annoyed him was that the business and coach class passengers were all going to parade down the aisle on their way to the more cramped quarters, and he would have to wait while they all passed by. He wondered why they couldn’t have a separate entrance for them. Surely, it was asking too much to have every passenger, with their colds and flu, and their stanky sweat, pass by those who had paid more for a little luxury? He slid his backpack under the seat before him and sat back, then turned his head to look out the window so he wouldn’t be forced to look at the passengers.