It was a dark and stormy night and I had just watched an action hero movie at the Newport Beach Film Festival. I was new to doing interviews, my talent Sara Pentz was not feeling well and did not show up for the festival, so I was doing the interviews myself. I was standing outside the Edwards Island Theater in the middle of The OC, a place I had grown up in. Very much like the show “The OC” only we lived in much nicer houses and had more money. She looked vulnerable standing off to the side so I asked if she needed a ride to the big party at the museum. She smiled like a million bucks and said, “Sure that would be very nice, can you give my friend a ride to?” “Of course I replied.” Her friend came out, a solid action hero muscle looking type who looked very familiar. He had just been in the movie I had just watched. I had bagged a press pass so I was going to as many movies as family and work would allow.

 

I went to get the van telling them I would pick them up and half expecting them not to be waiting. They sat in the back like it was a limo. He even turned the light on. I spent more time with my eyes on the rear view mirror than the road watching them like it was a scene in a movie. I dropped them off and went to look for a place to park. I figured I would never see her again, especially after the way the big guy was kanoodling with her in the back of the van. The light being on was like he wanted to be on-stage.

 

When I got inside the Newport Museum of Modern Art the party was rocking. This having a press pass was better than big waves on a summer day at the nude beach at Camp Pendleton. Then I saw her, she was standing all alone, something I had to remedy. The action hero had moved on to the next audience like a new part. I went up to her like a fisherman approaching a record swordfish; hopeful but not very cofident. She said her name was Bai Ling and, yes she was in a movie in the festival called “Edmond.” She eyed my press pass like it was live bait, wary, but hoping it was real. Why not I thought, I asked the big question: Could I set up an interview with her? “Yes that would be nice.” Bai Ling replied, here is my cell phone number. “Give me a call.” I was as giddy as a high school kid who just got the head cheerleader’s number.

 

It took a couple calls but we set it up for the nicest hotel in a town that is known for nice, The Island. Of course I ran the gamut of sexual fantasies before the day arrived enjoying them as much as possible knowing that was all they would be. I arrived early and got all set up. She came into the lobby dressed very casual. Why did I not have a camera? We sat and talked, it was like sex when it is finally good for the first time. I was hooked. This doing interviews was a rush, the whole thing was so hot. She had a ride to LA she replied to my desperate inquiry about if she needed me to drive her. By now I had seen the movie Edmond where she plays a stripper so the whole fantasy level had moved up to a completely unobtainable level. The sound of her voice, her clean fresh scent and the look in her face as she talked about touching herself will be with me for a very long time. You have to hear the interview to know what this means. [hairrise]

 

Yes I think Bai Ling is the real thing, and having grown up in The OC I have met and known some very famous actors, one of which has an airport named after him.