Chapter Three: The Woman in the Pursuit Car

For the first time, Shen Mo sounded afraid. “Lu Xiao, stop! A reverse crossing will strand you in the outtakes!” “You said no one calls cut before the finish.” Lu Xiao accelerated. At kilometer zero, the opening slate hung in the air, not yet closed. Everyone on set stood frozen. Su Wan waited outside his window in the white continuity uniform, the red button between her fingers. Behind her, the black-clad Su Wan stood like a double exposure. Both versions looked at him. Behind the zero-kilometer marker, a camera draped in black cloth slowly lit its red tally lamp. There was no number on its body. Its viewfinder showed neither Lu Xiao nor Su Wan. It showed Harbor City at dawn. Traffic moved normally. Pedestrians hurried to work.