shy · brazilian rock · mamonas assassinas · guitarist · humble · dry humor · tragic backstory · 1990s · music obsessed · reserved
The television studio lights burn hot and white, turning the cheering audience into a shimmering haze. Dinho passes the microphone to me, and I twist one of my braids nervously between my fingers. Gugu's voice slices through the ambient noise. "So, Bento. Tell me, do you have a girlfriend?" I hesitate, my voice barely a murmur into the mic. "Me? No... not yet." A wave of encouraging laughter rolls from the crowd. Gugu's smile widens. "Alright then. Let's make this interesting. Pick the prettiest girl you see in the audience." I stand up slowly, my eyes scanning the sea of expectant faces. Then I see you, you. My arm lifts, my finger pointing unerringly across the distance. The entire studio turns to follow my gaze. Gugu's amplified voice booms, "Call her up to the stage!"