KRISTY The shit also happens to the stars

Embarrassing moment

On the way to my hotel room, I see Darren down the hall.
It's not true, him again!  I hope he's sobered up a bit, I pick up the pace.  I know I have to walk past him to take the elevator.  I'm almost at his level when I see him lean against the wall.  He doesn't seem to be doing well.  I accelerate again, I almost run.  When I arrive next to him, I realize that he is as white as a sheet.  He is sweating profusely, it trickles down his face.

- It's not okay ?
- No, I think I drank too much.  I see blurry, my head is spinning and I want to throw up.
- Where is your room ?

He points to his room with his hand.

- It's the 604, right there!
- Come with me !

I take her left arm and lift it up to rest it on my shoulders.  I help him walk a hundred yards.  We arrive at his door.

- Give me your key.
- It's in my right pocket.

He puts his hand in his pocket but can't get it out.

- Wait, I'll help you.  Because you don't realize it but you start to get heavy.

I lean to the side.  And while wrapping my left arm around his back, I put my hand in his pocket.  I never imagined living such an incongruous moment in all of my life.  After a few acrobatics, I manage to extract the key.  I stand up and put the magnetic card on the electronic lock.  I open the door, not without difficulty.  We enter the room and I close the door with my foot.

- The bathroom is over there!  Nodding her head to me.

- OK, let's go !
- I'm really going to throw up.

As soon as he finished his sentence he throws all of his dinner down the toilet.  I prefer to wait a little apart sitting on a chair.  It's too disgusting!

- It's better ?
- Yeah, I shouldn't have drunk so much!  I have never felt so bad in my whole life.
- How many drinks have you had?
- No idea !  I just thought it would be fun to see how many drinks I resist before I get drunk.

Me, ironic.

- Indeed, it's very funny!  Especially since you have your head above the cabinets.
- Ah, ah, ah, very funny!  I thank you for your support.
- You're welcome.

I put a cool glove on his forehead.  He rinses his mouth with the glass of water I gave him beforehand.

- I knew very well that you were not in your normal state earlier.
- What are you talking about ?
- Don't tell me you don't remember it already.  It was only two hours ago!
- No, but apparently so much the better.
- You were downright rude.

He sits on the floor with his back against the toilet and pouted.

- Unpleasant how?
- You started to pick up on me awkwardly.  And finally, you disrespected me.  And all this in public, of course!

He puts his head in his hands.

- And shit, I don't even remember!  It's serious, I'm really sorry, I'm too embarrassed!
- Now that I know the end of the story, I understand better.  I would get over it.  On the other hand, I wouldn't want to be in your place when you wake up later.
- What time is it ?

I check the time on my cell phone.  I jump up from my chair, I panic.

- It's not true !
- What?

I start to scream.

- It's half past four.
- So what ?
- My plane takes off at 6 o'clock.
- If you go now, it's doable.
- Ok, you're right, I've already packed my bags.  I don't change and voila!

I call the car available to us.  Like what, this job has certain advantages sometimes.
Darren stands up.

- I'll help you get your things to the car.  It will go faster!
- You're sure ?  Five minutes ago you were in agony.
- Having vomited relieved me and being active will help me sober up.  I owe you that, don't I?
- Great, here we go!

Darren on my heels, I rush back to my room.  I make sure I haven't forgotten anything, neither in the bedroom nor in the bathroom.  I put my backpack on my shoulders with all the things I would need at the airport like my identity papers and my plane ticket.  Then helped by Darren, I go down to the hotel lobby.  The car has not yet arrived, I am thinking of registering my boarding on the airport site, it will save me time.  Once there, I wouldn't need to worry about it.  It freaks me out too much.  Seeing me stressed, Darren tries to reassure me.

- She'll be happening any second.

I look out the large window that overlooks the entrance.  Always nothing !

- Why does it stress you so much?  If you miss it, you take the next one.  There is no death of a man!
- Yes I know !  But I told my family I was coming home tonight.  I hate being late and not honoring my commitments.  Also, the next flight is only tomorrow and unless I am mistaken, Elliot is working tomorrow.
- And?
- And, I wish he hadn't worked.  We have a ritual for him and me.  He comes to pick me up at LAX when I come back from shooting because each time, we don't see each other for a very long time.
- I see !  I think she's the one coming.

Indeed, here it is finally!  It's almost 5 o'clock, I catch my breath.
The car stops right in front of the revolving door.  Darren comes with me, pushing my suitcases.  The driver gets out of the vehicle and opens the trunk.  Then Darren puts the suitcases in it.

- There you go, this time it's the right one!  Thanks for the suitcases.

The windfall of driving at 5 am is that the road is empty.  No traffic jam on the horizon!  But the fate is against me, all the lights are red.  I fumed in silence, but why are they so long?  The journey seems endless to me.  After a moment that seems to me to be infinite, I see Orly looming in the distance.  We've been driving for almost twenty minutes, so maybe I'll get there on time.  I ask the driver to accelerate but he replies that he is fully authorized.

- There are speed limits, you know miss!

I can imagine, I'm not stupid, I tell myself in my heart.  I just want to take my flight.

Ten minutes later, the car stops at the foot of Terminal 1. I don't even wait for the car to stop to open the door.  The driver applies the handbrake and lets the engine run.  He gets out of the vehicle to help me take my luggage.  Finally, luck smiled on me, a cart was abandoned.  I run to get it and hurry to put my suitcases on it.  Still with my backpack on my shoulders, I thank the driver and go to my embarkation.  The driver disappears into the night.

I look at the notice boards but I can't find my flight.  I need to calm down.  No, still nothing!  Ok, I need to find someone to help me.  I look around if I see an airport staff, I turn around.  There, I see a hostess!  I run to her to ask her for directions.  Luck is always on my side.  She has finished her working day and recognizes me.  Apparently she liked one of my movies.  She offers to accompany me.  Thanks to her, I save time.  She knows shortcuts in her long, gigantic hallways.  Oh no, I hear the boarding announcement!  I arrive in front of the baggage drop-off counter.  I register them and while thanking the hostess, I go through security.  Then comes the immigration checkpoint.  Out of breath, I go to the boarding gates.  Provided they are not closed!