Libby watched as people scurried around, focused on making sure Goldie had what she needed. There was an entire category of employment in L.A. that made a living scurrying around movie stars. And it appeared Goldie had some of the best of them. By the time hair and makeup finished with Goldie, she looked radiant. The movie star was there, in front of Libby, where the old friend had been.
“Wow, you do not age.”
“Ha, yeah, right, this is a careful combination of science, engineering, and alchemy,” Goldie said as she circled her face with her hand.
The event staff knocked on the door.
“The booth is ready for you, Ms. Hayes.”
“Hmm, can you wait a moment? My security team isn’t here yet.”
“Well, we have event security, and the time slots are super tight.”
“Okay, okay. Tally, can you be sure to text Hollis?”
“Yes, of course.”
Libby, Tally, and the event coordinator comprised Goldie’s entourage as they made their way to Hall B.
Goldie kept her head down, almost as if she was hiding. As if she read Libby’s mind, Goldie whispered an explanation.
“If too many people see you walk to the space, it can cause a ruckus, and then the fans who paid for the autograph sessions and picture sessions get enraged,” Goldie said. And she gave Libby a wink.
“Makes sense.”
They walked through the huge spaces that comprised the massive Anaheim Convention Center.
“This place looks like something out ofStar Trek,” Libby commented.
The event coordinator answered, “Actually, it is. They used this for exteriors and some interiors for Star Fleet.”
“Ah, well, I can see why.”
They snaked through the crowd. Libby had long legs, Goldie did not, but it was Goldie who set the fast pace.
They wound up at a row of tables at the end of the room. Clear plexiglass separated stations, where a celebrity sat at an elevated table. The line of fans, snaking through a rope maze, offered up an item up to the celebrity to sign.
Libby tried not to gawk at famous faces in the neighboring autograph areas. There was an action star she recognized, a beloved character actor, and even a celebrated comic book writer, all lined up, greeting fans.
They were each booked for one hour. Only fans who’d reserved time and purchased a special ticket were guaranteed a picture and autograph.
Libby stepped back out of the way as Tally opened a water bottle for Goldie, and the event coordinator used a walkie-talkie to communicate, presumably with some central organization office for the event.
“You ready, Ms. Hayes?”
“Fire away,” said Goldie. She turned to Libby. “If this gets boring, wander around. It’s the best people watching in the world at these things. You might even get some free swag!”
For the first time since they’d left her house, the megawatt smile of Goldie Hayes appeared, and it lit up her face. In Libby’s estimation, it could light up the entire hall. That smile turned Goldie Hayes right back into the spitting image of a teenage Liz Gould.
“Attention, Dream Factory Comic Con! Superstar Goldie Hayes is in the building! If you’re signed up for a session, head to Hall B for a picture and autograph!”
Libby felt a shift in the air. It was electric.
Disorganized milling about from the crowd beyond the ropes turned into something solid, a mass of people pushing forward to see Goldie.
She worried for a moment that Goldie’s bodyguard hadn’t made it back yet. Even fans who loved Goldie could be a little scary. This whole thing was a bit chaotic. It was wonderful, but it was also one click on the dial away from hysteria, Libby thought.
It was fascinating, but also it made Libby long for the quiet of the lake. This was going to be bananas.
