Perhaps it was the second bottle of Syrah but their conversation had progressed well beyond dinner and dessert. Perry was amazed there had been no awkward pauses, no indication that Elizabeth appeared bored. In fact both had a sense of humor that appeared to be on the same frequency, and both possessed the same criticisms of daily life in general.
It was getting late in the evening and Perry heard Elizabeth's phone vibrate for the first time that evening. She instinctively looked into her hand bag then stopped herself before saying, "I promised myself I wouldn't bother looking."
"No go ahead Elizabeth. It might be important," he replied.
"Are you certain?" she asked lifting her eyebrows.
"Hurry before it stops buzzing," Perry smiled.
She pulled her phone from her hand bag and said, "Mmmm, it's from Wendy, my manager. She simply sent a text asking if everything was alright and that she sent a car to fetch us both. I'm telling her yes everything is fabulous and not to worry as I'm enjoying myself in the company of a gentleman."
Perry almost choked on his sip of wine a bit flush with the unexpected compliment. She finished texting before she looked up at him and said, "Now where were we?"
"I don't want to keep you late Elizabeth, I'm sure you have a hectic schedule tomorrow. Perhaps we should call it an evening," said Perry.
"Well I do have to travel tomorrow but my flight isn't until late morning," she replied.
"You headed back to London?" he asked.
"No, L.A.. I'm doing Jimmy Kimmel and the Conan program along with an interview for a magazine," she said taking a sip of wine.
"Oh, for your new film. What's the title?" Perry asked even though he knew the name.
"Sandman," Elizabeth replied.
"I really want to see that and hear your American accent," he said.
"Can you do an English one?" she smiled.
"Kind of I suppose. I used to watch all sorts of British shows like Sherlock Holmes, Monty Python, Lovejoy, Blake's Seven and stuff. After a while of that I began to imitate the character's and their voices," he explained.
"Go on then," Elizabeth sat back wine glass in hand.
"Now, here? Ah, you're going to laugh," he nodded.
"I am not I promise," she said taking a sip of wine.
He cleared his throat and did his best imitation of the English actor Jeremy Brett's version of Sherlock Holmes. Perry was incredibly nervous at first but after a bit just went with it going into a small monologue that he remembered from one of his favorite episodes of the show. Elizabeth for her part didn't laugh in fact when he was done she gave him a light clap and a beaming smile for his effort.
"Well done. I must say that your English accent is better than my American one," she said.
"The wonder of watching too much TV. Okay which accent can you do without any trouble?" he asked.
"Oh I would have to say Pakistani or Indian but please don't tell a living soul Mr. Savich sir. For if you do I shall be very cross with you and I will very much enjoy flinging monkey poo in your general direction," Elizabeth said in a pitch perfect accent before laughing.
"Oh man that's fantastic!"
Perry excused himself to go use the "loo" as he put it. While there he was shaking his head asking himself if he really was on a date with a movie star. When he returned to the dining room he saw Elizabeth smile and sign her autograph for a waiter who was obviously a fan of hers. He certainly had his answer.
They just about to leave the restaurant when she spotted a bit of movement outside on the sidewalk, "Well Perry, prepare thyself you're about to be initiated." He was about to ask her what she meant when they exited Piccola into the cool night air and were immediately besieged by a throng of 'razzi. They instantly began to take photos, ask questions, and shove 8x10 photos for her to sign. Perry was literally taken aback by this virtual assault. The 'razzi had found their prey.
