character :: Alex Grüber
Normally when a person man has it all, it’s happily ever after – at least, that’s what Alex Grüber was lead to believe. When Alex was born, his parents were none too happy to realize that their child would be a little different from his brother…but albinism did run in the family, and they both knew it could present eventually. So, when Alex came blazing into the world in all of his snow-white glory, all the Grüber family could do was hold on for dear life.
Alex was bullied mercilessly in school for his albinism and his heterochromia, and as a result, early on he grew a thick skin. He got into numerous arguments with the other children, never allowing their cowardly behavior to make him show weakness. His appearance was comical, even as he looks back on school pictures today: terrible haircut, hand-me-down clothing and thick-lensed black-rimmed glasses that sat like a shocking neon sign against his paper-white skin. But not a single comment got away from young Alex without a comeback, and by the time he had gotten a bit farther in his education most had learned to leave him alone. Something was growing within Alex – a desire to be admired and loved for who he was, even though so many people made it evident that they hated him. This kind of behavior toward another human being was disgusting, and being different so young made it obvious that it’s everywhere – and Alex had his fill of it early on. His nature demanded that he do something about it.
So, Alex the model was born.
With hate, everything becomes ugly.
As a teen, Alex made it a point to begin living his life as the diva he always knew he would become. He went out of his way to find photo shoot opportunities, and when he got a new paycheck, he’d turn it right into exotic designer clothing. His skin tone caught the attention of many modeling agencies, but mostly in a negative way: the buff, tanned models his age seemed to be getting all the calls.
Alex didn’t give up.
Seeking more opportunities in unlikely venues, Alex contacted a major German clothing designer and offered up his talents for free; that is, if he got to keep the clothing he wore for the shoot. Later that month, a contract came in from an adventurous American designer…and the fun and games began.
Alex amassed a large amount of wealth by the time a visit to the optometrist lead to some bad news that he suspected would come: his already bad vision was beginning to fail. Due to complications of his albinism, he was already legally blind in his left eye; but now his vision was beginning to fade in his remaining left eye. It was a scary prognosis, the idea of losing his vision completely – if one thing that wealth, fame, and fortune had brought him: he loved the beautiful things in life. He loved looking at himself in the mirror and preening, seeing the beautiful man that children had called “gespenst” out of spite.
His melancholy was broken temporarily by a particularly long stay in the US which lead him into the path of a similarly spoiled child star: Bentley Hale. His brokenness, for lack of better terminology, drew Alex in. He had been beaten by the same system that tried to claim Alex himself: but instead of soaring, Bentley had fallen on broken wings. With the media all over him, Alex swooped in and stole Bentley’s heart, offering him a peaceful retirement in Germany where the paparazzi laws were much more protective of the victims of their stalking.
Bentley seemed to be getting better, day after day in the relaxing German countryside. Alex was never meant to be a caregiver, and he did feel frustrated at times dealing with Bentley’s behavior: but, the relationship was fun. It was nice to see Bentley grow as he unwound his coiled feelings. After several years of detached modeling-style dating, Alex awakens to a humiliating note on his bed in the mess of rumpled sheets where Bentley was supposed to be sleeping. He had broken up with Alex without so much as a word and left in the night, packing his bags and boarding a plane to LA.
what others tell you cannot
be done
Alex could only smile to himself. He knew that this day was coming, he could feel a restlessness in their relationship always under the surface: but for the cameras, all he could say is that “the beautiful Alex Grüber deserved better anyway!” before sauntering away off-camera.
Now, as he packs in as many shoots as possible, keeping himself very busy, Alex is waiting for something terrible. Each time he visits the optometrist, there’s more bad news. What had been a prognosis of 10 years has been whittled down to 5, then 3 at best. Alex is going to lose his vision, and fast: and while nothing has ever held him back before, the very thought of being alone with only the memories of those he loves (including himself!) burned into his mind is terrifying.
