January 15, 2011
I was in a content place as I drove through Hollywood on this particular Saturday. The temp agency hadn't called about a new job yet, but I didn't expect them to right now. My regular freelance work was earning me more money than ever, and I had even finished a draft of a book. So I felt I earned a nice sight-seeing drive, especially since this was the day before the Golden Globes and the town was gearing up.
Many of the actresses I had met would be nominated and/or in attendance, so there was always the chance of noticing them on the streets while they were preparing. But instead, I turned a corner and saw someone working on what looked to be a broken down rental car on the side of the street.
I slowed down and noticed a young woman who was getting frustrated near the car. My Good Samaritan side kicked in and I found myself stopping next to her. "Ma'am?" I asked to get her attention, although it looked like she was about the same age as me.
"Oh! You wouldn't know how to fix this engine, would you?" the woman asked in a voice that sounded a bit familiar. However, I brushed that aside to try and answer her question. "Well....I'm not really an engine expert, sorry?"
"Damnit! Now I have to call them to pick me up and I'll still be late! That's what I get for wanting a regular day to myself, I guess." The woman sighed in frustration, which pushed a few more of my Good Samaritan buttons. Since I wasn't in any hurry today and I still had this sense of recognition about the woman, I wound up asking "Well, where do you need to go?"
This got the woman to focus back on me instead of her car. "Oh...I don't think it's that far right now. Just a...place in Hollywood where I need to try on something. And I need to be at a few more places after that."
"And you don't want to call someone to come get you?" I asked.
"I could, but I said I didn't want to take a limo. I wanted to drive myself and try to have a regular day on the road before tomorrow," she hinted at again. "But I'm sure they'll take me back once I call them."
"But you need to be at these places on time?" I asked and she shrugged. "Well....if you're in a hurry and you can't wait to be picked up, I can take you. I have time on my hands, and since you seem to have a phone, you can still call someone if I get on your nerves."
When I started talking, I was just focused on the conversation and how I could actually help the woman. It didn't immediately strike me why she might ask for a limo if she wanted, and why she kept referring to tomorrow. But by the time I finished making my offer, and by the time the woman actually brightened up, it all fell into place; plus I figured out why I thought I recognized her.
By a twist of fate that had never happened outside of my jobs before, I had just offered to drive around Mila Kunis.
She had the limo option because she was an actress, and she had a busy day tomorrow because she was a nominee at the Golden Globes. Obviously she needed to try out her dress for the ceremony and was running late, and obviously had other errands to prepare herself as well.
And now it seemed I had gotten myself along for the ride, although I was the driver in this case."Thank you, thank you, I promise I won't take long!" Mila exclaimed as she went to enter my car.
"It's, um, it's not a problem," I stuttered a bit now that I recognized her. "Like I said, I'm completely free as long as you need a driver."
"Well, I'll still try to make it easy for you," she promised as she got into the seat next to me. "I'm Mila, by the way....in case you didn't know."
"No, I...I figured it out," I assured, before introducing myself and shaking her hand. I then started the car and got her to be more specific on where we needed to go, which wasn't too far away. In fact, I got to park near the shop where her Golden Globe dress was being held about 15 minutes later.
"Should I wait here until you get back? How long should you be?" I asked once I parked.
"I was gonna take about 30 minutes, get everything in order and all. But I can get it down to 20 so I don't keep you waiting," Mila offered.
"I can wait. I temp for TV shows all the time, so I'm used to waiting around for projects," I filled her in.
"Wow, some small world...." Mila reflected. "I should ask you to come in with me, but you'd probably be bored." Getting to see her in her Golden Globes dress a day in advance actually wouldn't be boring to me. But I didn't want to be forward, and I was cautious just in case the paparazzi were around to see us; this was one of their holiday weekends, after all.
"I'll tell you what. I'll give you 25 minutes, and if you aren't back by then, I'll come in to check on you. I'll just wait around or take a walk until then, okay?"
"Well, all right. You've had good ideas so far, so you've earned a little leeway," Mila conceded.
"Good. Go on, I got you here on time, might as well take advantage of it." Mila chuckled and made sure to smile right at me as she got out of the car.
Once she was in the shop, I exhaled since I had time to reflect on everything now. I had actually met and was spending time with an actress without the temp agency's help or influence. What's more, it was one of the rising stars in the business; and someone that a lot of people were fantasizing about after seeing her sex scene with Natalie Portman in "Black Swan.
I was nervous to meet a movie star like Anne just two months ago; yet leaving aside how I overcame that and then some with Anne, Mila was a TV veteran and movie star all in one. One that happened to have perfect eyes, flawless skin and a lovely, petite form as well. Plus I now remembered that she announced her separation from long time boyfriend Macaulay Culkin just 12 days ago; and that they had been separated for months beforehand.