Our next photo assignment was, for a change, in town. Chris got a call from Honda motorcycles offering us a photo gig for a new TV ad campaign they were starting. The ads would run primarily on the West Coast and then possibly go national. This had the potential to be another cash cow for us and we quickly agreed. Chris knew that a successful local campaign that became a national campaign could lead to very big bucks for us. What made the gig even more appealing was how we were referred to Honda. The TV ads would be done by Mark Stein. We'd met Mark when he did all the concert video work for Tigress. Mark recommended us to Honda and we were off and running. We went down to Honda's regional facility, a sprawling complex of buildings near the waterfront that served as a distribution center for their cars, motorcycles and everything else they manufactured. Chris went to talk business with his contact there while I prowled around the showroom. I'd always wanted a bike my whole life, now that we were successful as photographers, that dream seemed possible more than ever. What got my attention too were some snazzy leather bike jackets. Hey, if I can't have the bike, the jacket might be cool too. I tried one on and it felt stiff, but very cool. A girl with short brunette hair and a vaguely exotic look was nearby watching me. I looked at myself in the mirror, trying to look super-cool, but still feeling like a super geek.
"It's you." She finally said.
"Think so?" I replied. "I don't even ride."
"Doesn't matter, it's perfect on you."
"Are you with those guys?" I asked, pointing to the official-type guys Chris was huddling with.
"Yes, I've known the owner for a long time. He told me he was hiring you guys, you're Hollywood Jim."
I was stunned at her response.
"Excuse me?"
"Hollywood Jim, I've heard about you."
I looked around with suspicion.
"Um, from whom?"
"Oh, friends of mine, anyway I'm gonna be the spokesmodel for this campaign. I've seen your work." My eyebrows went up slightly "Your photo work, you guys are good."
"Oh! Well, thanks!"
"Hi, Catherine Bell." She said as she extended her hand.
Now I knew who she was, wow! Man, she looked great! She had on a grey pullover shirt and black jeans. And she had a body that didn't stop. I remembered seeing her on "J.A.G." and wishing there had been more episodes that showed off her body. God, what a rack she had!
"Ah, so that's why..." I started.
"You're here, plus the fringe benefits are pretty cool too." She said as she straightened my jacket.
"Uh, yes, I guess so." I said hesitantly.
She smiled at me.
Chris came back and joined us.
"Hey! You met the spokesmodel, pretty nice, huh?" he said with his usual wiseguy tone as he introduced himself to her. "OK Hollywood, we're all set for tomorrow, let's go."
"Right, uh good to meet you Miss Bell." I said as I was hustled off.
"Catherine, see you guys tomorrow." She said sweetly as we left. She had such an easy charm about her. "Easy" in the sense of personality.
The next day we headed out to an abandoned factory complex for the first days shoot. The campaign's tag line was "You never know who might be riding one." and would have Catherine riding different bikes throughout the ad in different locations. She was an expert rider and insisted on doing all the bike shots herself. Mark would direct the video portion while we'd do all the still shots for the print ads and the website. For this shoot, she'd be riding a CBR1000 bike, and decked out in full biker leathers and black helmet, giving the perfect air of mystery when she roared up to the camera, took off her helmet, shook her hair loose, and said the tag line into the camera. She just oozed sensuality each time she said it. And I got the feeling Mark was doing retakes just get her on camera saying it as many times as possible for his pleasure.
The next day we were on a motocross course in the hills and she was flying over hills on a Honda dirt bike like a pro. She seemed to enjoy getting all muddy on the bike, so unlike her Marine character on TV. But we didn't mind! Then we moved to the confines of our studio and extra still shots that put her back in the leather outfit. I had to admit, this was my favorite. On a break, I finally got up the nerve to talk to her again.
"So I guess you ride a lot." I said.
"Oh yeah! I've got like 5 bikes at home, all kinds. Do you ride?" she asked.
"No, but I'd sure love to try it out, I guess I'm a frustrated biker."
"Oh, you'd love it. It's very liberating. Really clears your head."
"That is if you don't land on it." I said tapping the black helmet for effect.
"Ah, touché." She replied with a smile.
"Beautiful and witty, good combination" I thought. Then quickly shook it out of my head. Get over it, Jim you're here to do a job, not troll for TV starlets.
For the last day's shoot, we'd be at our studio. Honda brought over several bikes and we had the idea to get several muddied ones and have Catherine decked out very formally next to them, the contrast was pretty funny, and she agreed. Once Chris called a wrap, Catherine went back to get changed and we began breaking down the gear. I was really giving some serious looks not only to her but to a cool looking CBR600 bike that was provided. Catherine came back out of the dressing room in jeans and a classic white t-shirt, holding a leather jacket.
"Pretty neat, huh?" she said.
"Yes, very."
"Here, try this on." She said as she tossed the jacket to me.
I slipped it on and it felt great. It was an official Honda Racing jacket.
"Wow, fits like a leather glove." I said.
"Good, I'm glad I got your size right." She said.
"My size?"
"Sure, it's yours, gift from the Honda guys." She replied with that smile of hers.
"A gift? Are you serious?" I was amazed, to say the least.
Out of the corner of my eye I saw the Honda reps giving one to Chris too. He had the same reaction as me.
"My god! Thank you!" I was so amazed.
"My pleasure, come on, got something else for you." She said as she led me outside.
Outside was a similar, but much faster looking bike. Catherine took a helmet hanging off the handlebars and handed another to me.
"Get on." She said as she started up the bike, which came to life with a sleek sounding "whir".
"But, I don't know how to ride!" I said.
"That's why I'm driving, not you, get on." She said.
It felt weird getting on as a passenger, but okay.
"Um, how should I hold you...I mean...hold onto you?"
"Anyway you want, babe." She said as we pulled out of the parking lot and onto the road.
The Honda had such a sleek sound to it as we cruised the streets of Los Angeles. Catherine soon turned onto a winding road and we were off into the hills. I was trying to be brave as she twisted and turned the bike, sped up and slowed down. Finally she pulled off onto an open space of land that looked out onto the city. We both got off the bike and stretched our legs.
"So, whatcha think?" she said as she shook her brunette hair.
"I think I'd be a better driver than passenger, especially on that bike." I said as I pointed to the tiny passenger seat.
She laughed.
"Yeah, I think it's made for someone with this..." she said as she patted her ass.
"You're probably right." I said with a laugh of my own. Then I wondered if I'd said the wrong thing, again?
Catherine knew exactly what I meant and easily laughed.
"Yeah, I probably got a nice ass, I've never had any complaints." She said as she shook it a little for effect. "What do you think?"
"Uh, you'll get no complaints from me." I said.
"Good answer." She said with a sly smile I'd seen many times on TV. She then went towards the edge of the clearing and looked out on the city in the distance.
"Wow...never amazes me just how big this place is." She said turning to me as I joined her.
