Reel Life 101

From Marilyn Monroe: Sex 101:

Now comes the good part. There I was, sitting on a  barstool, with everybody behind me, when suddenly I felt it.  “Electricity”in the air. I don’t know how else to explain it. It was the first and only time I’ve ever felt it, but it was real.  I slowly turned around on the stool, and looked down the length of the casino to the front entrance.

As the crowd parted like the Red Sea, somebody came walking through them.

I didn’t know who it was, but I could tell it was a woman, and she was beautiful. She kept walking, alone. Straight toward me. Suddenly, I realized who it was: Marilyn Monroe, the Marilyn Monroe.  She kept walking toward me.  I froze as she came within a few feet of my mortal being. Then, she walked past me, and entered the ladies room. 

I was so excited, I broke Rule #5.

Rule #5: “Don’t talk to anyone you don’t have to.”

But, I did.  I said to the stranger sitting next to me: “That’s Marilyn Monroe.” Of course he already knew it. He was supposed to be there. He told me the name of the movie being filmed: “The Misfits.” 

There I was, my first time in a casino, and I hit the jackpot!

Rule #6: “Plan your move.”

Using rudimentary geometry, I realized that, if I were to stand at a certain spot on the carpet, ( about ten feet away), and, if someone came out of the ladies room, I could look in and, mayby, see Marilyn Monroe (I was young).

I planted myself on the spot and waited. Sure enough, dreams do come true. The door opened and a woman walked out. As I looked in, there she was,  Marilyn Monroe. 

She was standing in front of a long, horizontal wall mirror, the kind with a five-inch aluminum shelf attached to the front. She was leaning in, close to the mirror, touching up her lipstick. Slowly, the door closed.  Satisfied, I returned to my stool.

Finally, the door opened again, and Marilyn came out..  She walked past me again, and headed straight to a “slant-board.” (One of those upright ironing-board type of chairs that keeps clothing from getting wrinkled.)

Standing/sitting there, her arms resting on the small armrests, I watched her in complete and total fascination.

It seemed surreal. Marilyn Monroe. The most beautiful creature I’d ever seen, standing perfectly still, unblinking and staring straight ahead. All the while, the crew was busily moving, carrying things, adjusting props and lights.  I watched closely as they walked around her as if she didn’t exist. Not one person acknowledged or talked to her. But, I was determined to apply rule # 7.  

Rule #7: “Meet the star” (if you can.)

I began to think of a good opening line. I finally settled on a lie. I’d walk right up to her and say: “Miss Monroe?”  Of course, she would reply: “Yes?”  Then, I’d say: “I just wanted to tell you that I’ve seen all of your films, (the lie), and, I can really tell a big difference in your acting.”

I thought the line seemed pretty reasonable and sophisticated for a 19-year old. Now, all I had to do was wait for the right moment.