Of aftershave and blue eyes

~ Sentinel Rally in Los Angeles ~

8^th January, 1999

Actually, it was an ordinary Friday. Nothing special. It was the day following an equally ordinary Thursday, the day before the weekend started. Nothing special at all.

We had arrived in Los Angeles on December 29th – last year if you like – and as we now drove to Burbank to meet the "Otter" group visiting the Los Angeles based studio of Pet Fly Productions we felt like we had already spent a whole year there. At least, I felt that way, although the brightness of the Californian sun slowly but steadily got onto my nerves. I missed my sunglasses over and over again but who had thought you would need such an item in Southern California? <g> After a nice little sightseeing tour and the conclusion we should have tried the other exit off the freeway, we finally reached our first destination: West Burbank Boulevard at the corner of Fairview Avenue. Easy enough, right? My passengers even had survived the trip without dying of a heartattack or suffication of laughter. Either way was a very common way to go during those two weeks in L.A.

[Misc info: Our rental car was equipped with a tape recorder and it did NOT seem one bit odd to play the Sentinel's version of "Jingle Bell Rock" in the gleaming sunlight. Whereas we loudly joined the skilled voices of Henri Brown singing their Christmas songs, we always broke into silence when Danny, Richard, Bruce, Anna, Ryf, Garett and all the others delivered their Christmas wishes.]

Checking our emails at kinko's (and having been told by one of the clerks we were 'harrassing' them <g>) on an almost daily basis we were well-informed on the events this Friday would bear for us. Just the day before we had gone shopping to find some appropriate clothes so they would let us in at the Ritz Carlton. The little "black thingy" was back in Germany and so we settled for comfortable but no casual clothing. It was fun already.

Back to the plot...

At Pet Fly our group was welcomed by a young man named Jed and his companion Robbie (? Sorry, I'm not sure about the young lad's name). Obviously pretty amazed by the many fans who had come to Los Angeles for the Rally, Jed led us through the offices, pointing out editing, sound and much more that I unfortunately don't recall. Passing by one office, he greeted a female co-worker and asked her to show us her "big treasure". I think it was very kind of her to let us have a look into her own office ...and at the HUGE, awesome, framed poster of "The most sensitive man in America", Richard Burgi in a ...<gasp>...tank shirt. Oh boy, it suddenly became so hot in there.

I talked briefly to a gentleman responsible for editing (I'm terrible with names so I cannot give it to you).  Working on a scene from the new episode "The waiting room" he kindly let us have a look at his computers, desk and screen. Upon my question he explained the slow process until an episode is finished, and he told me that sometimes the network previews an episode and sends it back to edit/cut scenes they don't like. Yep, he really said that.

Ending up waiting in one of the corridors for others to join us, I leaned against a door chatting with Rike. Suddenly, my glaze fell onto a man who 'fought' his way through the narrow hallway which was now crowded with people. I looked at him, then at Rike, and I hope my face didn't reveal the racing information my brain was processing: "Hey, that guy looks familar. You know him. Keep thinking. Who is he? Where did you see him before? Name? What's his name?" It all happened in a millisecond before realization set in and I recognized Danny Bilson! He approached me and I was wondering what the hell he was up to until he said, "Excuse me", reaching for the door I was leaning at. It was the men's room <g>. Danny disappeared behind that door and Rike and I rolled our eyes, grinning.

On our way out, one of the husbands (who apparently had been dragged along for ride) asked me who the man was. I told him it was Danny Bilson, he replied, who's that, and very patiently I explained he was the producer of the show.

Back in our car we decided we were hungry. It was about 11.30 a.m., and after a short pow-wow we drove to Pasadena. First we checked out the street where the Ritz Carlton was supposed to be located. We found it and suddenly it made a hell of a lot sense why they (whoever 'they' were) had rearranged the events and invited us inside. Man, it was a castle! (Although on one of my photos it more looks like a prison <eg>).

We found a lovely Chinese restaurant nearby. Eating sweet-sour pork with chombsticks is always tricky (remind me to tell you the story about me embarrassing myself in London once) and Conny was the only brave one to ask for a fork. We managed even without putting ugly stains on our clothes.

It was way too early when we went back to the Ritz Carlton. Meeting Carla Coupe outside the hotel she told us we were told to make ourselves invisible until the Rally started at 2.45 p.m. Apparently, the Ritz people were afraid a bunch of hysterical female fans would harm their reputation <vbg>. However, I must say everyone behaved and there was no reason to complain. Sensing the urge to go to the "little female fans' room" I checked one of the maps of the hotel but couldn't find any indication for the modern facilities. Hopefully they had indoor plumming? Studying the map, out of the corner of my eyes I sudenly spotted a young man with glasses and his curly hair in a ponytail. I really gawked at him with dropping jaws but then Conny came from behind shattering my wild thought by saying, "No, he's not Garett." But he really looked like him - at least from behind. Anyway, with a winning smile on my face (or a stupid grin) I approached one of the hotel employees in the lobby asking very politely and shyly for a shove in the right direction. I almost dropped dead in embarrassment when the man said, "Certainly, ma'am, please follow me". Like a drowned dog (or a damp-not-dead anthropologist) I followed him... <Pause - please burst out into laughter now.>

The Rally started a few minutes after 3.00 p.m. The Vienesse Room was set with round tables, chairs (of course, chairs, they shouldn't they have chairs?), various TVs, speakers, a small stage with four chairs  and, on the far right-hand side, a place with refreshments and cake. Talking to my friends Mercury and Tate, I had completely forgotten to get myself a seat but Linda had taken care of that and reserved a chair for me - right in front. Love ya, Linda!

"Murder 101" was shown and let's just say the room cheered when the intro flashed over the TV screens! The Sentinel's back!!!!!!!

About 45 minutes later, cameras started flashing, video cameras buzzed and applaused echoed through the Vienesse Room as Danny Bilson, Paul DeMeo, Bruce A. Young and Richard Burgi appeared on the small stage. Goofball Burgi had a little flashlight and held it in front of his own eyes to make fun of the thunder of flashes erupting upon their arrival.

The Q & A began and Rike delivered her awesome speech. By the way, she was wearing the same type of hat Bruce did but unfortunately he took his off.

Rike said:

"Hi, I'm from Germany so please bear with my English."

Bruce interrupted here, turning to Richard and asked: "What did she say?" Everyone laughed and Rike repeated:

"Hi, I'm from Germany so please bear with my English". Bruce laughed and said something like he'd understood the first time and had only made fun of her.

Rike continued:

"Even though this is a Q & A session I just wanted to say something to you.

I wanted to let you know how thankful I am, and I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one here, that you all, producers, writers, actors, everyone involved in front and behind the cameras, are doing such a terrific job.

Thank you for giving us great entertainment.

Thank you for bringing together so many people from all over the world.

Thank you for being so kind to the fans.

And thank you for the friendships that were formed by the same interest in this wonderful series."

Way to go, Rike, way to go!

The Q & A went on and after some time, Richard and Bruce were led to a table to sign autographs. Danny and Paul kept answering our questions and it was pretty amazing how easy-going they were. The night before, Linda and I had made a looooooong poster with all the names and locations of people who could not attend the Rally. Let me tell you it was REALLY long! Holding one end and moving away from Danny and Paul, Linda kept shouting I should move further down. (I'm wondering if Bilson got confused a bit because Linda certainly called me 'Danny', too.) The poster was finally shining in all ist beauty and Paul DeMeo asked if he could keep it to display it in Burbank because "everyone sends stuff to Vancouver". We asked them to sign the t-shirts I'd made. They did and we talked a bit. Both, Paul and Danny smelled *so* good, by the way.

Someone drew our attention to the autograph table and indicated it was our turn now. 'Armed' with said t-shirts and cameras, we moved over to Richard and Bruce. The PR lady asked for my name and wanted to give me a photo but I asked if it was possible to get an autograph on my t-shirt. (Can you believe I refused the photo? Stupid me, I could've taken it anyway!).

Strangely enough, I wasn't nervous this time. I think knowing by self-experience (see CouverCon) that Richard and Bruce are really 'regular' guys, extremely easy-going and fun to talk to, the butterflies were reduced to a nice tingling sensation. I showed my t-shirt and Richard put it on the table to read and sign it. I thanked him for coming and asked him if he'd enjoyed the "Burgi Noodles" Mercury had given him on my behalf at CouverCon. Richard laughed out loud and said something like it had been a neat idea. It was so lovely seeing him laughing! I replied I was glad he liked and so on... Moving over to Bruce, Richard suddenly looked at me, thinking. After a second he asked, "Do I know you from Vancouver?" My heart stopped. I mumbled something like "I was the one who had to catch the plane....", and he replied, "yeah, I remember your glasses!" Looking into his incredible blue eyes, I grinned and completely forgot to take a picture.

Danny Bilson and Paul DeMeo were still answering questions and we joined them again. Danny asked if we had TS in Germany, too, and I replied yes but told him that they had only shown the 2^nd season so far. He wanted to know what the last episode was we'd seen. It was "Pennies from heaven" and he seemed truly shocked! He almost stuttered asking if we hadn't seen, e.g., "Three-point shot", but I hurried to reassure him we had wonderful friends who take care of us. (Same wonderful friends who will tape the new eps for us, right? Right? ...<g>). Danny seemed relieved and when I jokingly complained that we would have to wait at least four weeks to see the new eps, he laughed. Then he did something that still touches me for some strange reason: He extended his hand and when I shook it he thanked me for coming.

Talking to Mercury she suddenly pointed to a man talking to Danny Bilson and she whispered to me, it was Dean Valentine. Ah. A few moments later he walked in our direction and Mercury stopped him thanking him for bringing back TS. I stood there and mumbled my thanks, too. I didn't want him to hear my German accent because what we've heard once "the foreign viewers don't count" made me cautious. Mercury said we'd all hope for a 5^th season and he replied, "we'll see."

The members of the Richard Burgi Fanclub gathered outside the Vienesse Room and my friends and I hurried up to join them. (I had the feeling we were always hurrying that day <g>). Waiting for Richard, we were told to stand in a row because Richard only had a few minutes. Then he came, munching cookies and still holding a few in his hands. He asked if it would be okay to hug everyone to say 'thank you'. What a question! But anyway, it was very nice of him to ask first. Putting the remaining cookies in his mouth, Richard wiped his hands at the pants of his suit! *So* cute. I happened to be the second one in line and I pitied him on his hard duty to hug everyone <g>. He laughed and reassured me he was okay with this 'cause he liked hugging.

The scent of his musk aftershave wavered through the air and his BLUE eyes flashed with mischief as he bent forward and hugged me.

As I was saying it was an ordinary Friday.

Just a Friday... in paradise.

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