during the filming of Asteroid City, there were no cuts —the cameras never stopped rolling. the scenes became routine, day after day. conversations outside the script started to feel like part of it too.

was fiction becoming more real than reality? were the emotions just acting, or were the actors actually feeling?

at this point, the cast no longer knew the difference.

as for Mercedes Ford — who played Midge — she did feel. she did fall in love with you. her lines weren’t fiction. she spoke the truth. the line between actress and character was blurred.

the day was coming to an end again in the desert. you were in your usual spot —the room facing Midge’s. once more, the two of you shared a quiet, melancholic conversation, looking at each other through the windows.

"at some point, I forget the line. I’m afraid of falling in love, I’m afraid I won’t stop crying. I feel too much —more than I should.” she murmured, not expecting an answer.