The Butterfly Collector in the Stomach

A trembling surge of delight and excitement, a light arousal inside, and hundreds of fluttering butterflies in the belly begin their magical dance. Renato loves to evoke this euphoria in others and to feel it himself. The portraits and photographs he creates store energy of love within them. Each muse of Renato is a goddess—her natural beauty, her character traits, and certain preferences he compares to one or another butterfly. This “game” was devised for him by Nelly, the owner of an Italian restaurant who is passionate about collecting butterflies. She is older than Renato, and they’ve been friends for ten years. He gladly shares all his emotions with her and discusses every detail. She treats him like a talented artist and photographer who senses the world finely, and helps choose images for new works. Recently, Nelly divorced, and Renato has a new muse. He is preparing for a photo exhibition, while she enjoys freedom. But gradually Renato’s personal life takes over her completely, and she begins to look at everything differently…