Press play for some mood music
Being that this is Oscar weekend, I'm once again dusting off an old piece that I feel is appropriate for the event (I know, how lame am I?). Some of my Six Sentence friends may recognize this picture (and this expanded flash for that matter) since it was the subject of a photo challenge many moons ago. In any case, I hope you enjoy.
The night Davina Haven waited her entire life for was over. Thank God.
Somewhere around 5 a.m. her Tequila and wine buzz reached it zenith and all she saw was a dizzy blur of tuxedos and gowns. She wanted to hurl. She decided to ditch that dipshit model and leave the Vanity Fair party.
On the way to Elton's bash something didn't feel quite right. Even with her unsteady buzz. So she ditched that one too and decided to pull a 'Hilary Swank' and told the limo driver to head up the Pacific Coast Highway until he saw Paco's Taco's -- an all-night gourmet stand smack dab in the middle of Malibu.
On the way inside, a biker, one of the weekend wannabees, recognized the actress and said he admired her work, especially "the early stuff." Davina, even with the buzz, thought she heard the undertone of a snicker in his compliment. Still, she politely thanked him and went inside.
# # #
For all the hoopla of winning her first Oscar - which she aptly tossed later into the early morning tide - she knew deep down nothing would change. Not really. The award would only magnify only what was.
Sure, the phone will ring louder and more often and those meatier roles will come. And with them, a better class of men -- both leading and loving. But for all those absolutes, the only thing Davina questioned slumped at 6 a.m. in the sand was:
'When will they stop remembering that god damned sex tape?'
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a classic
ReplyDeleteWaited for the pay-off...
ReplyDeleteand you delivered.
Sublime in it's extended form. Told wth your usual panache.
ReplyDeleteCool bit of west coast noir, Ant. She aptly tossed her Oscar? Manna for some beachcomber, I suppose.
ReplyDeleteWow! Only you Ant could tell a story both sad and hilarious at once. Fantastic work!
ReplyDeleteWell I'll be.. you went to bat, had your eye on the ball and BAM. It's a homer folks..
ReplyDeleteGreat piece Anthony...
(always the sex tape huh? poor Paris)
Good one! An excellent, well-told set up for that last line.
ReplyDeleteIn a world of Anthonies? I doubt they'll ever forget that sex tape. Come on, now...
ReplyDeleteWasn't that a necessary stepping stone to get where she's at? Maybe that's what I'm lacking. ; )
ReplyDeleteLove all the little details you put into your writing, and you still have that kick-ass voice.
I suppose that's the bane of many a successful actor. "The award would only magnify what was."
ReplyDeleteYeah, the Oscars are a big deal around our house as well. 'V' and I have a friendly competition pickiing winners. She always seems to beat me by one or two.
This is Oscar weekend?! *claps hands together gleefully* I forgot! I know, there's a bushel basket over my head... I'm like Alan - we make popcorn and have our spread sheets and guess - so much fun!
ReplyDeleteAnd this piece, Michael's right, a classic!
Bonus - I haven't heard Hotel California for a while and it just never, never gets old.
Thanks for the great story, the Oscar reminder and the tune, Ant!
So good! In this day and age, so true also...
ReplyDeletesome books will always be judged by their covers, especially if they are without dust jackets and are caught in the act.
ReplyDeleteYour usual finesse, my friend.
Excellent! Love the pace and the pay-off at the end!
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