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Satan’s Daughter Gets Promoted
(or The Secret Life of an Angel)
I am off to the
Fourth Galaxy Ball, but this year will be different. Satan’s Daughter has made
the commitment to be an Angel Sponsor. In view of the events of September 2001,
it probably is more meaningful than ever. Friday I am enroute via Southwest
Airlines, and encountering the revised security guidelines. I am handed the
ubiquitous plastic numbered card, and a white boarding pass with my name. I get
seated and just as it appears that we are getting ready to leave, we learn that
one individual, not yet on the plane, has lost his white pass. Everyone must
produce theirs. An unfortunate traveler behind me reports that he tossed his
white pass into the garbage can. The flight attendant slips on the latex gloves
and retrieves the paper. Good thing too or we would be sitting even longer.
Ten minutes later we are on our way.
At Burbank I find Elena, my neighbor, and now roommate. We snare a taxi and are
off to the Sheraton. Checking in we run into Judy2, Jean, and a host of
others. A quick run to the room, deposit the luggage, and back to the lobby to
ride the shuttle to City Walk and dinner. City Walk is Hollywood’s version of a
tourist trap. The usual suspects, and some I don’t recognize, are present and
accounted for. Dinner is at the Hard Rock, where we learn that 370 people will
be attending the evening event, slightly fewer at the day event. Back at the
Sheraton I wind up in the Party Room, which is packed to the gills with women
and Nina’s husband. I wind up making the Margaritas after Fitz appears, pizzas
in hand and mixer in tow. The Margaritas are a stunning success, perhaps I have
found an alternate career! Judy2 is showing her music videos that combine
Voyager footage with contemporary tunes. The Voice of God (Louie) emanates at
one point from the TV speakers, singing to one of the videos. The room actually
gets quiet. I hear from Fitz and Doreen about the play ‘That Certain Cervantes’
starring Henry Darrow. Mr. Darrow recalls being in a play with Robert a long
time ago. It is agreed I will ask Robert about this during the Q&A. We finally
depart from the room, and just in time too, Hotel Security has come to tell us
there has been a noise complaint.
The morning comes and with it, Room Service. After breakfast Elena and I head
down to the ballroom. The line has started and Rigel has the point. We wait
patiently and suddenly a smiling Robert appears, with Jen beside him. A belated
shriek erupts from the back of the line. His hair is longer, black, he is
wearing a black leather jacket and looks almost impossibly handsome. He
disappears into the Ballroom. The volunteers track down the Angel Sponsors, and
there are four of us. Myself, Jean, Casey, and Beth. We get to check in, and
receive Angel pins, which we promptly put on. Security is pleased, we are
easily recognizable. We while away time in the silent auction room. A lot of
‘stuff’ to be had. I am not a collector, so pass.
Finally, we are allowed in to the main room. In the back are drinks, cookies,
fruit, the usual hotel setup. I am surprised as Jen had suggested packing a
lunch. Someone has prevailed upon the Sheraton, and the masses are grateful.
The Angels have front row, center seats, including a Voyager poster and TNG 2002
calendar. On the back of the chairs are gold angels. Ari explains the rules,
and then Robert begins the show.
The first group are from TNG - Stewart, Frakes, Wheaton, and Spiner, who is
sporting a goatee. There is a lot of good natured ribbing, including auto envy
as Stewart and Wheaton’s automobiles are compared. A comment is made about
Stewart having a driver, which is later kiboshed by a fan, who declares that
Stewart honked at her when she didn’t move quickly enough into the parking. He
is astonished and offers an apology. One fan asks about the new movie, and
whether or not Data dies. Her question is politely put off, although Spiner
wants to know why people must know that. He is told it is based in our desire
as children to sneak peaks at the Christmas presents before we actually get
them. Stewart is asked about a comment he made regarding his refusing to stay
at conventions and hobnob with fans dressed as Trek characters. He acknowledges
the statement and makes it clear it is simply his preference. I ask Wil Wheaton
about his web site (www.wilwheaton.net).
It is an unexpected query from the look on his face. He launches into an
explanation and we learn he is a self taught webmaster.
Next up is Rene Auberjunois and Aron Eisenberg of DS9. Rene fields several
questions about whether he prefers stage, movies, or TV. He makes it clear it
depends on the project. KarenT comments that she still remembers seeing him in
King Lear and how she still sees his character when she reads the play. His
response is that this is what actors really care about, leaving that impact.
Aron proves that the measure of a man is not to be found in his height. He is
extremely short due to childhood medical problems. He is very funny especially
describing his six year old son who is already chest high to him. He is asked
about the Ferengi Love Dance, and Jannie finds herself on stage doing it with
him. He also has a web page
www.trekfriends.com.
Finally, we see Robert, Picardo, and Roxann. I ask Robert about the play with
Henry Darrow. He is confused, then says he never did a play with Darrow. The
Friday attendees insist that Henry claims otherwise and Robert recalls a play,
The Lady of Tacna (sp?), that he was asked to be in, but couldn’t, so Louie
auditioned and got the part. Henry always confused Louie with Robert because
they looked the same, except that Louie had a moustache. One questioner asks
what they did as their first job, Robert was a movie theater janitor, Roxann
answers ‘prostitute’ but quickly says she has always acted. Picardo auctions
off a signed copy of 11:59 which includes everything, revisions, call sheets,
schedules, and phone numbers!
We finally line up for autographs. Beth manages to get near the front of the
line, Jean and I are in the middle somewhere, Casey has run off to the silent
auction (I think). A volunteer finds me and Jean and escorts us to the top of
the autograph line. It is an unexpected bonus. I speak to Wil, and ask him
about working with Rutger Hauer in Mr. Stitch. He is not at all complimentary
of Hauer. I tell Rene that I did an online survey and there were several fan
comments, which were very laudatory of him. Elena finds me and asks me to
deliver the book of Australian panagraphs to Robert. It is a birthday gift.
Robbie McNeill is present and definitely out of the Tom Paris clean cut mode.
Instead, his hear is hanging around in orderly disarray, and he also sports a
goatee. This is the 3rd goatee, Aron also had one. We do not have the Tribute
Books in hand, so I cannot get Robert’s signature on the Prayer. Instead I
substitute the poster we got, and I have the GB 2000 shirt he wore. I am the
third, and final, owner. He signs both articles, and accepts the book, after
some initial confusion thinking he was supposed to sign it. In the bag with the
book is a birthday card from me. I later learn he gets several cards and
presents, including a biography of Lincoln and of Anne Frank from Olga.
Dinner comes, and
while we wait to enter, there is much admiring of our respective outfits. I
have my horns, tuned up and ready. There is a lot of picture taking. Cat
d’Arcy has a pair of horns as well. We will be quite a pair. Then I see
something interesting and have my first actual encounter with the GutterBabes.
Two of them are wearing white sashes, one has a tiara and the other a fuzzy
halo. It appears that the sashes refer to some GutterBabe status, although I
don’t get a good look at the writing. When we enter the room I find that the
Kheris Quadrant is intact (thank you Jen!) and Fitz’s centerpieces are put in
place. They are color starry backgrounds with Kheris Quadrant printed on them,
and stars inside the words. They are beautiful. Judy has small signs with the
names of group members on them, and places them at the tables. We are right
next to stage and dance floor. We have done well.
The Sheraton’s approach to banquets is to have the salads already in place. So
we start eating immediately. Service continues as people are seated. The
cabaret starts as we finish eating and we have the reading of the balcony scene
from Romeo and Juliet. The actors are miked, a blessed relief for now we can
all hear them clearly. Ethan Phillips does a pretty good job with his new
saxophone. He also tells some bin Laden and Taliban jokes. Roxann has one
song, I Will Survive, the sad tale of an engineer abandoned with her new baby by
her husband. Tom Paris is doomed. Tim Russ sings and his best song is a tender
salute to the women in his life. I just love it! Robby McNeill sings Play that
Funky Music, and KC’s song - Do a Little Dance, Make a Little Love. Robert does
Orbison, Elvis and recites a Robert Frost poem. Finally, the entire group,
including Aron who has stayed all day, come up on stage and sing. Now the
auction.
Another script of 11:59 is auctioned by Aron, with a whole lot of background
noise from McNeill. We get to two set visits, one for Angel, the other for
Enterprise. Roxann is working the Angel auction and after much cajoling gets
$4500 for it. Picardo has Enterprise, but winds up getting Roxann’s help. They
wind up with $3200. It is finally time for Louie.
Cat and I fire up our horns to dance to Louie’s music. It begins with a
declaration by Louie that although ‘Cruz’ is in his name, all of the Beltran
children have the same parents, and it is time for Louie to come out of the
closet and confirm that he is Robert’s half sister. It gets a laugh but I am
wondering what happened that he felt compelled to comment. I get a Hello from
the stage and we have a great time, even though the sound system has chosen this
moment to misbehave, and does so throughout Louie’s performance. At the first
break I ask Louie about Ice Cream Man, he says he doesn’t think this group,
which he hasn’t worked with a whole lot, knows it. In truth, I suspect Ice
Cream Man has melted into history. He was a cool dude while he lasted. I ask
Jen if Robert would have his picture taken with the Angels, she goes off in
search of him while I round up my compatriots. Jean also gets a snuggly picture
with Robert. I am hoping the camera does not fail me. As the room gets hotter,
Louie spots me in the crowd and wants to know "Can you turn up the heat?" I
tell him I am doing the best I can and I want some Ice Cream with that. He
laughs. At the second break I ask Cat Lain if the music will go on and she says
yes. Instead, Robert appears and the party is suddenly over. He and Louie pose
for pictures, then Louie puts on a conga performance that is breathtaking. He
yells for Mongo, who runs onstage and finishes the performance with Louie.
During the signing with Louie he again recounts the story about an email
questioning the parentage of the Beltran children. I don’t know what the poster
said, but he is not happy. I get two shirts for my sisters in Oklahoma. One is
to Bridget and is signed ‘con amor’ (with love – hey what about me Louie?), the
second declares my sister Hilary is one of a kind, horny. I tell Louie my
sister is not yet 40, he must have thought I said 14 because he tries to take
the shirt back but I won’t let him. I also ask Louie about the Henry Darrow
play and he confirms Robert’s account. He says that Henry always called him
Robert.
Back upstairs I visit with Elena, go back to the Party Room and make a batch of
Margaritas. We visit for about an hour, then break up. I sit up with Elena
until 4 AM, doing a review of the day and our impressions. Final Verdict - we
will be back if there is another Ball, and we do hope there will be another
Ball.
Sunday we go to see the play. Henry is masterful. After the play I get to
speak with him at the reception. I tell him what Robert said and he laughs. He
tells Cat he will continue to spread the falsehood that it was Robert in the
play. Fitz takes Rigel back to the hotel with Bepe so Rigel can get a shuttle
to LAX. Then Fitz returns, and retrieves Elena, Cat and myself. We return to
the hotel and join a group headed, again, for City Walk. Café Tu Tu Tango is
the target du jour, but our experience is not very good. The wait is too long,
Fitz and Bepe leave just before we are seated. Jannie joins us. The food is
good, but a long time coming. We make it back in time for the last shuttle to
the hotel.
Monday, and breakfast is downstairs. We find Olga and Cat and have a lovely
visit. Nina and Joe also find us, and finally we must say goodbye. A quick
ride to the airport, a smooth check in, and one bumpy flight later I am home. I
don’t have Rigel’s 279 pictures, but I do have good memories of a good time and
renewed friendships. Thanks Robert and I hope this Ball met your expectations
too!
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