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Ellie had her first megahit movie, at the tender age of twenty, portraying a super cool action star.
For the role, she did her own stunts. She underwent an intensive and gruelling training, in everything from knife-throwing lessons, boxing, archery to even riding a motorbike. Among the exercises, there was a “kidnap and rescue” portion.
Ellie said that the trainers used live ammunition, while “rescuing” Ellie, from a staged kidnapping. Ellie said that live ammo was used to make it realistic to a hostile situation.
She was also taught some outdoor survival skills, in case she found herself in a life-or-death scenario, in the wilderness. Ha! I told her she had more to worry about city pigeons than the likelihood of that happening. Ellie said that the experience was all so exciting and wonderful. I really think she meant “physically and psychologically terrifying.”
Based on all that Ellie told me, the training seemed designed to frighten the life out of anyone, especially me.
Ellie wanted me to go on a ride on the motorbike with her, and I agreed to it, but reluctantly. I had second thoughts when Ellie arrived, looking intimidating and edgy, in an all leather wardrobe. When I saw the bike she was on, it looked like they built it for speed. The expensive, sleek, new bike must have been a present from her parents.
Ellie’s parents were successful lawyers that worked long hours and frequently had very busy schedules. They tried to make up for their absences, by buying anything that Ellie asked of them. Seeing my pale face, Ellie reassured me it was perfectly safe to be on the bike. After much reassurance, I got on the bike with Ellie.
“Ellie, will you slow down! I don’t want us to crash!”
“Cassie, I am already going below the speed limit. Any slower, and we would have to take a ride back home, in the back of a police car.”
I thought about the possibility, and was tempted by the thought of being in the nice, safe police car. Since I didn’t want to get a criminal record, I piped down my complaints.
I breathed out a big sigh of relief when we stopped by a cafe to get some tea, mostly to soothe my frayed nerves. As Ellie parked her motorbike, a tall, dark, and handsome stranger approached us.
“Excuse me, aren’t you Eleanor James?”
“Yes, I am.”
“I am a big fan of your films! If you don’t mind, could I get your autograph?”
“Sure, it will be my pleasure!”
As Ellie signed the autograph, her good looking fan looked toward me and asked, “Hi! Can I get your autograph too?”
“But I..I.. am not a movie star..." I stammered back to him, surprised at his request.
“What? No way! I swear I saw you in a movie. I won’t be surprised if you do. You are so beautiful.”
I blushed. Was he flirting? He gave me a wink, and a stunning smile. I blushed some more at his open flirting. He reached for his pocket, and brought out a card, and handed it to me saying, “If you don’t mind calling me sometime, here is my card with my phone number.” He flashed another killer smile, and I stood there, looking dumbfounded.
At moments like these, I wished I had something to save myself, like Penelope had her cloak, to put off her suitors in the Odyssey.
Thankfully, the handsome fan also had good manners to match his good looks, and didn’t linger for long.
After he left, Ellie said, “Wow, he was so charming! You should totally call him, Cassie!”
“Ummm... I don’t know... ”
“Why? Why ever not, Cassie? He was gorgeous!”
“... he was a little too... perfect”
“Too perfect?!" Ellie said, and laughed. “Most girls would die to go out with him!”
“But I am not most girls?" Ellie shook her head.
“Oh Cassie, what am I going to do about you?”
“...you could get me a scone to go with my tea?" I asked hopefully.
“Well...as your unofficial official, diet and sugar-intake monitor, I would have to stop you,” Ellie said, but after seeing my face drop, she adds, “but since you were just traumatized by my bike, and by being asked out by a handsome, well-mannered stranger (you really are strange, Cassie), as your best friend, I will ask: Do you just want one scone, or two, to go with your tea?”
Her offer delighted me. I went with the more generous offer of two scones. I ended up eating one of Ellie’s scones too, but when she wasn’t looking.
Riding back to the apartment, I was less nervous than I was before on the bike. I felt exhilarated by the open air, and breeze blowing in my hair.
I could see why Ellie liked being on the bike so much and wanted to take me too. I had never felt so energized and free! I came back home happier about the world and feeling that anything was possible.
Life was a grand adventure, and I was a part of it.