THE FOUR LANTERNS - THE LATE SENSUAL DIONAEA

“Come in” Dionaea said as she put on another layer of green and red make- up to highlight the right spots.

Alfred opened the door and entered discretely, holding a silver tray with two plates.

“I brought your dinner, Dionaea. Autumn leaves and cool grapes. I took the initiative to add some oak leaves, which I picked up on my way to the hotel” he said with his cheeks flushed.

“My dear Alfred, I am always moved with your manners.”

“I will let you get ready for the show. I am terribly sorry I won’t be able to enjoy it tonight.”

“Could you keep a secret the content of the plates?” she asked with anxiety.

«You don’t have to worry about it. Nobody knows anything about your situation” he said and he discretely closed the door behind him.

Dionaea could hardly believe it. The years had passed and now the time had come to stand on the stage of Brenanson’s annual outdoor festival to sing and collect the abundant caresses of the audience for the last time. She was not the same delightful carnivorous plant with the sensual voice and the female tricks that turned on the crowd. She was now twenty- eight years old. And no matter how much she took care of herself, the signs of age had appeared. She would often hibernate in the fall and have her branches pruned with her white flowers to keep her energy. It was not enough. Lately, what she called fate had found its way into her life. Her appetite for small insects had disappeared. She used to really enjoy the ants and the small spiders each week and now she could not even stand the way they smelled, let alone trap them into her leaves. Within three months, she had lost her interest even for the juicy grasshoppers, which they once were the ideal snack. At first, she lost a lot of weight. Her silhouette was slimmed. Her leaves and her voice had become weak. She had to cancel seven shows. She could not appear so vulnerable to her audience who adored her for her warmth and sensuality. In every show, everyone caressed her leaves and shivered with her special dance. She called her family agronomist and opened up to him about her concern. The doctor carefully examined her and had her go through several check-ups. When he had the results, he talked to her frankly:

“If I remove the small hairs from the inside of your foliage, you will be just fine. You will skip any future health problems, you will get strong but there will a serious side effect. You won’t be a famous carnivorous plant anymore, you will become a plant that will feed on foliage and fruits with reduced libido. The choice is yours.”

Dionaea accepted since it was concerning her health. Of course, it was extremely difficult for her to accept that she was getting older and she wouldn’t be that desirable any more. She had supported her whole career on that. In everyone’s heart she was the anthropomorphic carnivorous plant with the juicy shape. Tonight she was the star who cashed out her persona on her last show. She would withdraw with the urge to satisfy them and thank them. She pretended all this time her good old self with no success. She still respected herself to keep on doing it. The fact that she was a vegan, though, was kept to herself. Her last secret. There was a knock on the door.

“Dionaea, you are on in twenty minutes. Sold out tonight. The car will be here in five minutes.”

She had decided to go into a long term hibernation this fall. Since time was not on her side, she could win some more until she reconciled with it. Her make-up was perfect. She had some grapes. Sold out tonight.