A Premiere to Remember

Almost since the dawn of time, there have been stories told of and by people who have almost died, or died and been brought back to life. In these tales, almost every one of these people speak about how their lives flashed before their eyes in that moment before all goes black. If I'm being honest, I always thought it was a lot of hooey and something people did in order to garner their 15 minutes of fame.

At least I did. Yesterday showed me that it was not only possible to have those flashbacks but that it was possible even if the dying you were doing was only of embarrassment. Even now, some 24 hours later, I still cannot believe what happened. I was never going to live it down; not with family and friends like mine.

Let me tell you a story...

~*~*~

Several months earlier, I entered a competition to win tickets to the Australian premiere of 'Man of Steel'. Not only was first prize airfare to Sydney, accommodation and the movie itself but the lucky winner had the chance to walk alongside the movie's star, Henry Cavill, as he walked the red carpet. Not stuck to his side of course but not too far away either. There was no way I wasn't going to enter and so I did, several times and as it turned out, I won.

The big day arrived and after spending the better part of the morning having hair, nails and face all done and looking spiffy, I headed back to the hotel to frock up. Looking at the Collette Dinnigan original hanging there, it didn't matter that it was going to take me forever to pay it off. It was gorgeous and I was going to feel fabulous wearing it.

Besides, I would be walking very close to the dashing Mr Cavill and could hardly front up wearing just any old thing. It wasn't as though I was his date or that people would care what I was wearing but should the opportunity for a photo together come up, I didn't want the focus to be the lousy outfit. Critics can be harsh and I wanted nothing to detract from this once in a lifetime opportunity.

Once I was dressed, I still had a little time to wait so I paced the floor; not an easy thing to do in heels, something I wasn't all comfortable in. Twenty minutes later I received the knock on the door to let me know the limo had arrived and it was time to go. I felt faint.

~*~*~

If you were to talk to anyone who knows me, they would tell you that as a rule I could talk under water with a mouth full of marbles and at length. Being introduced to Henry left me mute.

The man himself of course quickly put me at ease, congratulating me on my win, asking insignificant questions and still waiting for the answers. All the while, one of the women running the event was trying to advise us what needed to happen and when and all that other malarkey. She could have been speaking Russian for all I knew.

At long last the time came to head out onto the red carpet - it was now or never. Ever the gentleman, Henry gave me a peck on the cheek, told me to have fun and laughingly told me he would see me 'on the other side'. I could do little more than smile back like an idiot.

~*~*~

My friends and I often watched this or that award show that seemed to be happening every other week, especially for the fashion. Of course, we all agreed it would be fantastic to walk the red carpet, having the eyes of the world on you as you strolled along, hopefully on the arm of a dashing young man. The reality was far more frightening.

I wasn't on Henry's arm but at least three or four steps behind. The paparazzi were out in force and the flash from their cameras was blinding. Between their clamouring and calling out of celebrity names, in order to get a decent shot and the public doing their best to grab their favourite star, I was beginning to feel a little claustrophobic. The red carpet was a good five metres wide and yet it felt a lot smaller. I had longed for this day and this opportunity but suddenly I wished it to be over.

Henry had been stopping intermittently, allowing for photos or to sign an autograph and I did my best to be ready to stop also, so as not to appear in any shots. Unfortunately, he had stopped to speak to a TV reporter and I hadn't been paying attention. I managed to stop but not before brushing his arm slightly. He turned and gave me a quick smile before returning to the reporter.

That was the beginning of the end for me.

~*~*~

"So, Henry; who is your lovely date this evening?" the female reporter asked, with what appeared to be a jealous smile on her face. If he was shocked by the question, he didn't show it, instead offering a smile before reaching for my hand and pulling me in a little closer.

"This is Emmy Jameson." No explanation as to why I was there, how we had met or even a footnote to explain that we weren't actually 'together'. I loved that.

The next thing I knew, the reporter had turned to focus on me, even if I couldn't understand why. It wasn't as though I was a celebrity. Given Henry still had a hold of my hand, I could hardly run.

"Who are you wearing?" was the first question I was asked.

Knowing full well my cheeks were redder than the carpet, I tried to keep my answer light. "Collette Dinnigan" I replied with a smile.

"The movie has been hyped to be bigger and better than anything we've seen before. What are you looking forward to most?"

"All of it. I've been a Superman fan for years so I'm sure I will love it." Talk about lame – insert mental eye roll here!

There were a couple of other random questions and then came the one that made me wish the carpet would open and swallow me whole. "And who is your favourite actor?"

"Orlando Bloom."

OH. MY. FECKIN'. GOD.

I instantly looked up at Henry, who had squeezed my hand and was a little surprised to find he was trying not to burst out laughing. I wanted to die. The reporter clearly had no idea how to respond either as she stood there looking between both Henry and me.

My guess is that she meant favourite actor in the movie, expecting me to say Henry of course, given I was standing there holding his hand. Unfortunately, I blurted out the first thing that came to me – the truth. I loved Henry but Orlando would always hold a special place in my heart. Before we could be asked anything further, the director of the proceedings ushered us along. Henry led me in to the theatre, not letting go of my hand the whole way.

~*~*~

Laying on my bed the next day, holding the photo of Henry and me taken before we started the journey down the carpet, I couldn't help but smile.

After my faux pas, I half expected him to be a little ticked off but of course he thought it was hilarious. We had no sooner been seated, waiting for the rest of the cinema to fill up and I was trying to find a way to explain.

"I'm sorry, about what happened outside, I..."

"Its fine Emmy; really. In fact, it's refreshing to find someone who can answer a question honestly and not think about it, trying to flatter me or play cute for the media."

"I never have been able to think before I speak. The look on the reporter's face was priceless."

"Almost as priceless as yours, once you realized. Honestly, that has just made my night."

I couldn't even begin to think of something to say to that and as it turned out I didn't have to worry as Amy Adams and her husband arrived and sat on his other side, striking up a conversation once I had been introduced. The lights eventually went down and the movie started.

The movie was great and I enjoyed it but I wasn't going to remember it. Not after what happened beforehand. At least it would be a story for the grandkids to treasure.

~*~*~