When I'd first heard that my favorite actor, Ed Harris, was coming to my hometown to film a scene from Westworld, I'd pretty much thought of nothing else, only that a long-held dream of finally meeting him in person might be about to become reality.
I'd tried to get my best friend, Lexi, to come along as well, but she didn't share my enthusiasm for Ed. "He's old...and bald!" was her stock response. Sure, he's a good 30 years older than me, but that doesn't stop him from being hot! And plenty of bald men are hella sexy. Oh yes, I've loved Ed for a hell of a long time. It pretty much started over 20 years ago when I first watched a little-known movie on TV called Knightriders. Just watch the first five minutes of that and you'll see what I mean. What hair he lacks on his head he makes up for on his chest. Shit, the fantasies I've had about running my fingers through that chest hair! And don't get me started on Apollo 13...well damn!
A large crowd had gathered to watch filming take place. I heard that the crew were signing autographs and followed the crowd backstage. I wanted to go and ask Mr. Harris if he would sign something for me, but as usual, my crippling shyness prevented me from approaching him. I knew he was an incredibly intense sort of guy -- watching any of his well-known roles that became evident. Ed both scared and aroused me at the same time. I was content to watch him from a distance, as he stood, talked, laughed and mingled with the common folk of the town. He really took the time to meet people, which was so nice of him given that he'd just done a whole day's filming.
Slowly, the crowd began to thin out and the actors wandered off into small groups, signing autographs. I knew I should go and call for my ride home. It was getting late. Before I could leave, though, a shadow crossed over me and I glanced up in time to see a very familiar face smiling down at me, one brow raised slightly, "Are you waiting for an autograph?" he asked, with that silky, sexy voice of his. I could only blink and stare. He looked so handsome dressed in a white shirt and black slacks. His shirt was half unfastened, giving me a glimpse of that carpet of chest hair.
"Hey, what's the matter?" he teased, and touched my shoulder lightly, "Cat got your tongue?"
No, you have! I thought, feeling my face blossom into what I was sure looked like livid crimson blotches. Damn my fair complexion! "Um, no... I mean...sure...thank you!" Sure? Thank you? What the fuck, Katie? You sound...deranged! Ugh...
"I'm sorry," I said, as I handed him a 8 x 10" inch photo of him as Gene Kranz in Apollo 13, and watched as he held it to a nearby wall to scrawl his name across the front in black ink before handing it back to me, "I didn't mean to sound all...fangirlish..." I rolled my eyes at this and to my surprise, he laughed.
"Don't worry," he said, turning gracefully to wave at a group of people who were just leaving, "It happens more often than I'd like, actually." I'll bet! I thought. He was pretty much the star in several women's daily fantasies. Including, I thought with another blush, mine. I was watching him through the corner of my eye, not knowing what to say to him. I'd never been good at public speaking or talking with people in real life very well. Online I was the most talkative person you'd hope to meet. Social media was one thing. Real life completely another!
"Are you waiting for someone?" I heard him ask, and realized that we were suddenly nearly the only people left. Slowly, in groups or in twos, everyone had vanished. Save for a few people milling around a nearby trailer.
"Uhh...not really," I said, mumbling like a nervous little kid at their first day at school. He gave me a look with those intense blue eyes, "I know it's...a bit presumptuous of me, but I'm on the way to a little get-together," I blinked again and waited, not ready to believe what he was saying, "And," he went on, "Since you don't seem to have any plans...how would you feel about coming along with me?" How would I...? Was he serious? I could only nod before he reached across to take my hand.
"Sure!" I smiled, hoping I didn't appear too eager. After all, it wouldn't do for him to start thinking; "Oops, stalker material. Better ditch this one!" I followed him outside where his limo driver was waiting. A sudden rush of thoughts flooded my mind as to what the hell I was getting myself into here and was my name likely to end up on just about every gossip site from Gawker to the National Enquirer? Well that was a risk I was willing to take. I'd never been a girl who lived dangerously -- until now.
My town being the size it was, people pretty much kept to themselves. If a famous person showed up, most of the town members were polite enough to give him or her room to breathe. A few people gawped as we climbed into the car, and I saw one older woman hold up a smartphone before the door closed and the car began to inch forward.
Seated next to me upon the plush velvet upholstery, Ed appeared relaxed and at ease. It was a totally different Ed than I was used to seeing in interviews. He just seemed calmer right now than I'd ever seen him before. As if he was only free to truly be himself off-camera and out of the sight of the public. In fact, sensing my nervousness, he leaned over and began to tell me some of the most off-color dirty jokes I'd ever heard until I couldn't help but crack a smile and, covering my face with my hands, I erupted into giggles.
Ed didn't hold back on getting in a few digs at James Cameron, regarding The Abyss. "I thought discussing the A-word was off limits," I said, aware of the horrendous filming experience that movie had been and apparently he'd vowed never to talk about it. He made another quip about drowning and I couldn't contain myself.