The perks of a business like mine still surprised me sometimes. I was accompanying Jackie Morrison and key members of her staff to New York City for a quarterly board meeting. I had been to a couple of these when I was with Artists Unlimited, but for low-level employees like me, they seemed more an excuse to steal cigars or bottles of booze out of the bosses' liquor cabinet than to discuss any big business, much of which had no impact on people like me. The Morrison Group seemed a different story, but in a good way. We were all flying on the company jet (naturally) and Jackie was deep in discussion with lawyers and assorted types. I wasn't sure what my role would be in all this, but hey, a free trip to the big apple isn't something you turn down, right?
"Jim, come over here, we need your input." Jackie said just as I'd refilled my drink and hoped to settle in for the rest of the trip "You've worked with Demi Lovato before, right?"
"Oh yes, she's a real sweetheart."
"They all are until it's time to negotiate contracts." She said without looking up from her paperwork "What we're working on is a pilot deal for her."
"A TV series for her, really?"
"It's only in the early stages. She did a guest spot on 'Blue Bloods' last year. The producers and the network liked her work and we want to work this into a series deal for her."
"So where do I come in?"
"While we're in New York, you'll be in Atlantic City. She's performing down there and we need you to schmooze with her."
"I think I can handle that."
"Oh, I know you can handle it." She replied with a look that showed that perhaps she knew all about my past with her. The others around her only snickered.
When the jet landed, Jackie and her crew changed to a helicopter which would fly them into Manhattan, while I was in a limo heading for Caesar's Palace Atlantic City. It was a bit of a thrill for me to pull up to the hotel and see her name and face on the huge billboard outside. In black and white she looked incredibly sultry wearing a low-cut white nightgown and lying on a brass bed with "DEMI" in giant gold letters above her.
"I know her." I said with a smile to myself as I looked at it.
"Oh...my...God!" Demi exclaimed when I walked into her dressing room after her show "So good to see you babe!" She gave me a generous hug and her body felt beautifully warm against mine, even with the terrycloth robe she had on. She was meeting certain VIP's and would soon be going out to meet fans in a backstage room. "So what're you doing here, anyway?" she said as she sat down at a makeup table.
"Official business, I hear you're looking to get a TV series."
"Yeah, might be time for me to get back on TV. It's still just a thought." She said as her brunette hair was touched up by a stylist. Demi quickly checked her hair and makeup one last time and nodded her approval to the stylist. Into the room entered 4 women, one of them a willowy blonde who looked familiar. Her near-porcelain skin tone made her look almost like a doll and her eyes were a delicate shade of hazel. She wore beautifully stylish black jeans and a red satin blouse topped with a black leather jacket that looked more designer than biker. Demi greeted all of them and then turned the blonde to me.
"Jim, this is a friend of mine, Dakota Fanning. We used to hang out on the Disney lot when we were kids." Which made them both giggle at the thought of days gone by.
"Hi, Jim. Good to meet you!" she said in a bubbly voice
"Jim's the best photographer I've ever worked with." Demi said with a sly look in my direction. I think her definition of "best photographer" meant more than just my prowess behind the camera.
"No kidding? I'll have to remember him next time I do a movie."
"Jim's with Morrison Group now, you know, that big outfit in L.A."
"Oh, yeah...I think my manager mentioned some call from them."
"Jim, do your job and get a photo of us!" Demi said as she handed me her cellphone and I quickly got them together and Demi flashed that million dollar smile of hers.
"Ah, yes. We all need to get those selfies, don't we ladies?" I said which made them all laugh. Demi chatted with Dakota and her friends for a bit and then we were escorted out to the meet and greet. The dozen or so fans gathered got a big surprise when Demi introduced Dakota to them, who were clearly star struck.
When the meet and greet was done with, Demi suggested we all go get dinner somewhere. But she wasn't in the mood for anything fancy.
"Oh! I know where we should go, there's this pizza place on the boardwalk that's got the best slices." Dakota suggested.
"Perfect! Let's go!" Demi said with that big smile she was famous for "It's on me, c'mon Jim! We need someone to document this."
"Oh boy! More selfies!" I said which only made the girls laugh even more.
We made for quite a sight. I was walking in between Demi and Dakota, who were quickly arm in arm with me as we strolled the boardwalk. It was a perfect night for strolling. And I gotta admit, I felt very cool with these two ladies. Dakota's friends were close by as was a hulking bodyguard for Demi. The slices place was a hole in the wall joint on the boardwalk and we all got slices of different flavors. We found 2 empty benches and I sat with Dakota while Demi was quickly chatting with her friends. Demi's eyes were on me and she seemed to like seeing me with Dakota.
"Do you come down to AC a lot?" I asked her.
"Oh, yeah! It's like a second home for me, especially on the weekends. What about you?"
"I've only been here maybe one other time. I've done Seaside Beach though, where they filmed 'Jersey Shore'."
"Really? What's that like?"
"Eh, probably like this" I said as I looked around "Not as many hotels though. Ever done Vegas?"
"Oh, my God! I sooo wanna go there. Y'know, now that I can drink."
"Ah, yes. That does change the equation doesn't it?"
"Hell, yeah!" she laughed. She took her drink and started to look at me closer while taking a sip through the straw. I was doing the same.
"Hey Jim!" Demi yelled before laughing "Get a photo of us!"
I took some candid photos of the group and they all looked like they were having fun. Dakota wanted a shot just with me and she held me close as the bodyguard snapped the photo on Dakota's phone. Demi's phone buzzed and she turned to take a quick call. Dakota's friends were checking their phones too.
"Hey, that was my road manager reminding me I've got an early flight so I need to get some sleep." Demi said to me "I hope you don't mind."
"Nah, that's fine with me."
"He can hang with us!" Dakota giggled.
"Oh, yeah! You'll be in good hands there!" Demi laughed before turning to me "I'll buy you dinner next time, how 'bout that?"
"You got a deal."
"Cool!" she said with that classic smile as she hugged me "See you soon, babe."
