Monika was her name. She was a svelte, fairy-like creature from Poland who might have jumped from a manga. She strutted in front of the camera, seduce it, play with, with a smile, a frown, a pout, striking a lascivious or alluring pose. Less a model than a veteran actress, her movements were fluid and effortless as if gravity had no hold on her. The bright summer afternoon light made her perfect skin gleam like amber. She was like a lithe amazon in the glib, immaculate setting of The Défense, the business district which had been erected in the 70’s and 80’s and which still retained its patina of newness.