Director Mason discovered two things that day.
First:
Human beings can, in fact, lose more hair in a single afternoon than science is prepared to explain.
Second:
Witnessing Aria Lane defy gravity was apparently the final straw.
The Moment of Acceptance
Mason stood in his trailer, staring at his reflection.
Not at his eyes.
Not at his expression.
At his scalp.
He lifted his bangs.
Nothing to lift.
The hairline that had been retreating for weeks had finally surrendered.
"…It's gone," he whispered.
Daniel, standing behind him, nodded solemnly.
"It didn't retreat," he said.
"It completed its mission."
Mason closed his eyes.
"I survived explosions.
I survived studios.
I survived critics."
He opened them again.
"I did not survive her."
The Crew Notices (Immediately)
Mason stepped back onto set.
No hat.
No attempt to hide it.
Just acceptance.
The chatter died mid-sentence.
Someone inhaled sharply.
Someone else whispered:
"Oh."
Aria looked up from where she sat with a medic.
She blinked.
"…Your hair."
Mason laughed.
High.
Thin.
Broken.
"Yes," he said.
"It has joined the casualty list."
She tilted her head.
"…I am sorry."
He waved a hand weakly.
"It was living on borrowed time."
Daniel Makes It Worse
Daniel squinted at Mason's head.
"You know what?
You actually look more authoritative."
Mason stared at him.
"…Do I?"
"Yes," Daniel said firmly.
"Like a general who's seen things."
Mason sighed.
"I have seen things."
He looked toward Aria.
Things like that.
The Insurance Call From Hell
Mason's phone rang.
He answered on speaker without thinking.
"Director Mason," a cheerful voice said.
"We've received a report of an incident."
Mason laughed.
"AN incident?"
There was a pause.
"…Several?"
"Yes."
Another pause.
"…One involving a fall?"
"Yes."
"And a wall?"
"Yes."
"And… a run?"
Mason sat down.
"Yes."
The voice grew strained.
"Sir… we're suspending coverage pending review."
Mason stared at the floor.
"Of course you are."
Aria Tries to Help (Again)
Aria stood carefully, testing her legs.
She walked over to Mason.
"…If it helps," she said gently,
"I landed safely."
Mason looked up at her.
Bald.
Broken.
Sincere.
"I know," he replied.
"That's the problem."
She frowned.
"…I do not understand."
He laughed softly.
"No one does."
The Crew's New Reality
People moved differently now.
Quieter.
More respectful.
As if Aria were no longer just an actress.
As if she were a variable they didn't have language for.
The stunt team didn't joke.
The wire crew didn't argue.
Ben finally said what everyone was thinking.
"We can't design safety around her."
Mason nodded.
"We'll have to design it with her."
Aria blinked.
"…I can assist."
Mason laughed again.
"Of course you can."
The Bald Truth
Later, Mason caught his reflection again.
Bald.
Shiny.
Undeniable.
Strangely—
He didn't hate it.
He looked older.
But also… finished.
Like someone who'd crossed a line and wasn't pretending anymore.
He looked at Aria across the set.
Standing calmly amid the aftermath.
Untouched.
"I lost my hair today," he murmured.
Daniel asked, "Regrets?"
Mason shook his head.
"…No."
Then, quietly:
"Worth it."
Closing Beat
Aria approached once more.
"…Director Mason."
"Yes?"
"…Thank you for trusting me."
He stared at her.
Then sighed.
"I didn't."
She tilted her head.
"…Then why?"
He smiled—tired but genuine.
"Because you were right."
She nodded.
"That happens."
Mason laughed.
And for the first time since the fall—
So did everyone else.