At six PM, Gwen and Steve briefly met with their friends and families at Valhalla to establish the order they would arrive at the movie premier. Becky and Pete had been unable to accompany Gwen and her entourage on the world tour because they had been filming their action/adventure television series on location. They were obviously happy to be back in Asgard for the premier of The Queen's Ransom.
"We just had to be here for this," insisted Becky. "I was in the trilogy, and that really got my career going. I want to see how everyone reacts when Pete and I die in each other's arms in this movie. I hope there'll be some tears shed for us."
"Believe me when I say there'll be plenty," responded Sybil as she held Tyler's hand tightly. "Tyler and I organized a sneak preview a couple of weeks ago just to be sure it was up to the quality Lady in Red Productions has come to expect. I cried and laughed dozens of times, and often at the same time. This is, without a doubt, the best movie I've ever seen!"
"Sybil's right," agreed Tyler. "It didn't take much thought to move the opening up to the weekend the Queen of the World and her Warrior returned to the states. The movie's been edited to perfection and the world wants to see it. I had no qualms about making it a three-day opening weekend. It's going to pack theaters for weeks to come."
"It's certainly gotten a lot of publicity," observed Billy Marsh. "This is the first time a sitting president has starred in a movie that opened while she was in office. Ronald Reagan starred in movies before he was president, but he didn't make any while he was in office, and the ones he made weren't nearly as good as 'Queen's Ransom'!"
"Plus, everyone is anticipating Gwen's nude scene," pointed out Charlotte. "Having a president as beautiful and sexy as Gwen is taking a lot of getting used to for most people."
"Let's not forget that the writing, acting, directing and cinematography are all incredible," boasted Lisa. "It's such an honor to appear in a film this good."
"Okay, it's all great," quipped Kate. "But we need to determine the order of our arrival pretty soon. There are a lot of people waiting for us."
It had become the custom at premiers in Sparta for the actors to walk down the middle of the street for the final block, as adoring fans lined both sidewalks to catch glimpses of the town's most famous residents. The huge crush of people in Sparta for this movie caused Lady in Red Productions to alter its tradition slightly.
Everyone was going to be driven to the auxiliary parking lot of the hospital. Security would keep the lot cleared, and allow everyone to safely exit their cars and prepare for the two and a half block walk to the Lady in Red Center for the Performing Arts, where the premier was taking place. The extra block and a half was to accommodate the crowds, which were anticipated to be much larger than usual.
"Okay, everyone," called out Steve. "We're ready to get this show on the road. The Secret Service doesn't like it, but we're all going to walk the last two and a half blocks. Sparta has closed Main Street to vehicular traffic, and there are thousands of fans lined up to see us walking the red carpet."
"They're lined up to see their Queen, who just happens to be President of the United States," corrected Billy Marsh. "I'd stand in line, too, if I weren't a major star in the movie!"
"I get the feeling that if there's another 'Empire' movie, Billy will be one of the first people to die," suggested Charlotte with a grin.
"That's right, and it'll be a horribly slow and painful death!" added Steve.
"Great!" responded Billy. "Everyone will be talking about my death scene for years to come. I'll probably win an Oscar for it. It'll be bigger than Hamlet's death scene. Et tu, Brute?"
"You're mixing up your Shakespeare plays," laughed Ashley. "We should have known that 'the rest is silence' isn't something Billy would say on his deathbed."
Everyone broke into laughter at Ashley's quip. Gwen beamed at her friends and family as they prepared to leave for the premier. Regardless of all her successes, she realized that her loved ones meant far more to her than riches and power.
As Steve and Gwen waited in their limousine in the hospital parking lot, they heard numerous cheers and applause as members of the cast began parading down the street to the Performing Arts Center. Finally, their turn came to walk the red carpet. As Gwen stepped from the car and took her place next to Steve, the crowd noise began to abate. By the time the couple reached the crowded street, those lined up along the sidewalks had gone completely silent.
The fans closest to Gwen dropped to one knee as she approached, and so it continued during the entire trek to the theater. Every fan kneeled as Sparta's Queen passed in front of them. Once she reached the reporters standing near the entrance to the theater, Gwen turned and waved to the two and a half blocks of spectators that had watched so quietly as she walked by them. A roar echoed across the streets of the small town as fans enthusiastically voiced their approval of their hometown heroes, especially The Queen of Peace, Sparta's gift to the world.
Gwen and Steve spent a few minutes responding to questions from reporters before going inside to take their seats. As soon as Gwen was comfortably seated, the lights went down, and the movie began.
Two hours and four minutes later, as the credits began to scroll up the screen, thunderous applause erupted from those lucky enough to have attended the premier. Many viewers were shedding tears as they applauded and shouted their approval. Gwen found she had to make a concentrated effort to contain her own tears. That worked until she turned to see Paula blubbering into Ted's chest, holding several tissues to her eyes.
That was all it took to open the floodgates for Gwen and several of her co-stars. Lisa, Becky, and Charlotte joined Gwen in shedding tears of their own as the admiring crowd continued to clap and whistle its approval of the film.
"I may not be a professional movie critic," managed Billy as he hugged Charlotte to his chest, "but that was the best movie I've ever seen!"
Many others echoed Billy's sentiments as everyone milled about, hoping for an opportunity to speak to the actors that had done such an incredible job. While all of those in the movie received praise, it was obvious that everyone was hoping for their chance to have a word with President Hammer and her Warrior. Gwen and Steve were gracious as they did their best to spend at least a little time with every person that had been exercising the tremendous patience required to see them. It was almost two hours later when the Spartan Queen and her entourage entered Marsh's Landing. They planned to enjoy a late dinner in celebration of the premiere of their latest film.
"As you know, Vince and Cindy couldn't make it tonight because he was meeting with members of Congress today to lobby for his appointment as Vice President," mentioned Lisa as she sat down next to Gwen. "He was not only confirmed today, but he's going to be sworn in tomorrow afternoon! He asked if you and Steve could attend, since you already plan on flying to Washington tomorrow morning."
"Please tell Vince and Cindy we'll be extremely proud to attend his swearing in ceremony," replied a delighted Gwen. "I just wish Kate and Naomi could be sworn in at the same time. I'm concerned about their chances in the Senate."
"Mom just called!" shouted a delighted Jordan as the group quieted to hear what had her so excited. "She and our next vice president are getting married tomorrow just before Vince is sworn in! Congress suddenly stopped talking and took a vote: he was only a few votes shy of being approved unanimously. Chief Justice Hamilton is going to perform the wedding ceremony first, and immediately afterward he'll swear Vince in as Vice President. She wants me to be her Matron of Honor!
"She asked me to see if Gwen would be a bridesmaid. I'm also supposed to ask Steve if he will give Mom away. She's old enough to be his mother, but she says he's the best male role model she's ever known."
"Washington is really going to be hopping tomorrow!" enthused Billy Marsh. "The President is returning after a two-month world tour building alliances and solving world problems, along with performing a couple of miracles. Jordan's stepdad will become Vice President of the United States, and her mom will become Mrs. Vice President, or The Second Lady, or something or other pretty impressive."
"Vince asked me to stand in as best man," added Charlie. "He mentioned that Congress did a sudden about-face and voted to approve him."
"You don't act very happy about all this," observed Gwen to Steve, and he nodded somewhat grimly. "Is there something you aren't telling me?"
"Grandfather Patterson has been texting me quite steadily over the past week or so. He says something mysterious is going on with Congress. For an institution that can never keep a secret, there's remarkably little information being leaked about its recent behind-the-scenes activity.
"I don't trust many members of Congress, and I'm concerned about the situation. I may be paranoid, but I worry that at least some people on Capitol Hill are conspiring against you, Gwen. They're afraid of you, and fear can cause people to do all sorts of foolish things."
"We'll be in Washington tomorrow, and Gwen will have that town eating out of her hand!" declared Ashley. "According to the polls, she's the most popular president we've ever had. Congress will have to toe the line when you and Gwen return and resume residence in the White House."
Lisa noticed how serious Steve's face was as he listened to Ashley's observation. It was obvious he lacked any confidence the Senate would be receptive to Gwen's appointments. It was readily apparent to all of Gwen's friends and relatives that her Warrior was concerned about something. They had seldom seen him so close-mouthed.
