The amphitheatre was lit by thousands of motorised light bulbs, all the size and shape of cygnets. These were programmed to swoop and swirl in the air above the heads of the audience, flapping their wings in a perpetual ballet. They were beautiful to watch. Cocomo looked upwards, open-mouthed.

Tancredi put his arm around her. He felt sublime. Not only was she the most exquisite girl in the Universe, she’d also shown him how to give life to his creed. And now he saw a new side to her. He knew he was weak in matters of the heart, quick to confer the status of soulmate on a new fancy, but if Cocomo wasn’t the girl of his dreams, then who could be?

As they mingled with the crowd, Tancredi became aware of people glancing and pointing at him. News of his adventures had spread. In a universe dedicated to short-termism, his altruistic mission was confusing; he had become notorious. People were interested in him, particularly in the more gruesome details of his exploits. The party-goers now examined this rough-looking man, unshaven with tangled hair, a missing limb, and a beauty queen on his arm. Tancredi swelled with pride.

Cocomo’s feelings for Tancredi were more circumspect. The journey from disdain to passion was too great for her to make in a single leap. She needed to pause for breath on the verge of strong attachment. The party atmosphere quickened her pace of travel. Still, she maintained the reserve which was her hallmark.

It was a warm summer’s night. Tancredi guided Cocomo through the throng to the centre of the amphitheatre. Momentarily the cygnets extinguished their lights, plunging the party-goers into darkness. ‘Watch out!’ a loud speaker announced as a holographic black swan swept fast and low over the crowd. Its detailing was spectacular, each feather a work of art. The creature’s wings stretched the width of the arena, the golden flash of its breath swept overhead.

The crowd gasped, then screamed as the swan plucked a girl from the audience and carried her off into the night sky.

Seconds later it re-appeared and found another victim. Soon dozens of girls were being snatched and spirited away. The crowd scattered in every direction. Girls screamed as each victim was snatched. The boys held the girls close, trying to anticipate the next abduction. The heroic gestures amused Tancredi. Resistance to the black swan was futile, the more so because its prey were holographic projections like itself.

The swan ceased its attack; the airborne cygnets brightened, signalling the party was about to begin. A single electronic note rang out, hard and malignant, a portent of danger ahead. The crowd reacted with wolf whistles and shouts, then looked up to see a DJ sporting the head, neck and wings of a black swan, flying as if by magic through the air. His keyboard swung like a guitar from his shoulder.

The note sounded again. The cygnets swarmed around the DJ, only to be beaten back by another note. They retreated to the top of the stadium where they turned their lights upwards. A great sail spread overhead, extinguishing the night sky. As the crowd roared, the sound reflected back, then bounced around the arena.