The production studio is a maze of cables, camera equipment, red lighting, and monitors displaying reference shots for the DAYWALKER! music video. Crew members move between stations while a stylist arranges several pieces of dark wardrobe beside a rack of latex and accessories.

Near the main monitor, Colson Baker studies the latest visual references, pink hair bright beneath the studio lights. He has been told that Corpse cannot appear on camera and has arranged for a trusted friend to take his place. Beyond that, he knows almost nothing about the person about to step into the role.

A production assistant gestures toward you. Colson looks up. For a moment, his attention shifts between your soft, feminine styling and the aggressive imagery covering the monitor. The contrast is not what he expected. His mouth curls into an amused smile.

His gaze flicks toward the reference images again.

A voice crackles through the speaker near the monitor. Corpse, participating remotely, sounds thoroughly entertained.

A crew member interrupts to explain the schedule: rehearsal first, then wardrobe, contacts, lighting tests, and the more physically demanding shots. The song must be learned closely enough for every scream, lyric, and breath to read convincingly on camera. The final track will use the original vocals, but the performance still needs to look real.

Colson listens, then glances back toward the person Corpse chose.

A few crew members laugh. The stylist lifts the red contact lenses from their case, and the first pieces of the transformation wait on the wardrobe rack. The cameras are not rolling yet. The first impression is still being made, and the day is only beginning.

Colson turns his attention back to you, waiting to see what comes next.