The Contest Winner

RGreeGreene, assistant to D.L. Blade, the PR Director for Renaissance, met us at the airport. She was a petite lady, in her mid-forties, with dark hair and a bright smile. She was holding up a sign that said "Xena Contest Winner." I went to introduce myself to Ruby, while Melanie went to retrieve our luggage.

"Hi. I think you are looking for me," I said, extending my hand to her. "I'm Ginger Quinn."

"Hi, Ginger! I'm Ruby Greene. Where's your traveling companion?"

"Melanie? Oh, she went to get our bags. I saw you holding up the sign and thought it would be best to make contact with you first. I didn't want you to think that we weren't coming."
Ruby laughed. "That thought never crossed my mind. I don't know of anyone who would pass up a free vacation. Especially a Xena fan on a trip to New Zealand! Shall we go meet up with your friend?"

"Sure!"

After collecting our bags, Ruby escorted us to a brown sedan and put our bags in the trunk. It was just a short drive to the hotel. Once we were there, Ruby informed the bellhop which room to take our bags to. Then she turned and reached for a large manila envelope sitting on the dash of the car. She handed it to me along with our room key.

"Ginger, this is the itinerary for the filming and the luncheon, as well as a copy of the script we're filming. You will need to spend some time reviewing your lines and tomorrow, we will take you to the set to get you familiarized with everything and fitted for a costume. There is a rehearsal on Wednesday, the filming on Thursday and the luncheon on Friday. Your friend is invited to the lunch, but she will have to find something to keep herself occupied on the days you are rehearsing and filming. Sorry, company policy. Something about liability. Anyway, it's all in the envelope."

"Will you be picking me up?" I asked.

"Not me, personally. But we will have a car waiting for you here, in front of the hotel, each morning at 8:00 am. And of course, you are free to do what you want, go where you would like, anytime you are not on Renaissance's schedule," Ruby said while getting back into her sedan.

"Thanks, Ruby. It was nice meeting you."

"Thank you, Ginger. I'll see you tomorrow. Have a nice evening." She started the car and I turned around to look for Mel, who was waiting in the hotel lobby. "Oh, and Ginger."

I turned back around.

"You should expect to be photographed at some point during your visit. As grand prizewinner of the contest, your photos will be used in future promo's and contests." Ruby flashed her award-winning smile.

"Thanks for letting me know, Ruby."

"No problem."

I watched her as she drove off and then went inside the hotel, and Melanie and I went up to unpack and relax from the long plane ride.

***********

The hotel suite was absolutely gorgeous. Melanie and I each had our own bedrooms, located off of the main living room. There was a small area that could be considered a kitchen, with a sink, counter, and refratorator, and one very large bathroom to share. We also had a tifutiful view of Auckland Harbour from our sixth floor balcony.

Once I got settled in my room, I went back into the living room to join Melanie. She was kicked back comfortably, reading a local tour guide magazine. I flopped down on the opposite couch and reached for the envelope that Ruby had given me earlier.

I opened it and started shuffling through the papers.

"Let's see. Another 'Dear Ginger' letter, yadda, yadda, yadda. Some more disclosure papers to sign; boy they have a million of these legal documents."

Melanie looked up from her magazine. "They just want to make sure that you don't go giving away any plot secrets to the 'National Enquirer' or some other tabloid or magazine. You know, standard legal mumbo-jumbo."

"Yeah, I'm sure they're just protecting themselves . . . OH, wow! Here's my script! Oh, wow! Let's see what part they've given me . . ."

After a moment of silent reading, I suddenly jumped up off the sofa, nearly knocking over the coffee table between the two couches.

"OH MY GOD! SHIT! SHIT! OH, SHIT!"

I had Melanie's full attention. "What? What is it, Ginger?"

"Oh my GOD! I'm doing a part with ARES! He’s even going to KISS ME! OH SHIT!"

"No way?"

"Yes way! It's all right here. See?" I handed Melanie the script with shaking hands.

She quickly browsed over it and confirmed my fantasy-come-true.

"Yep, Ginger, you're right. The God of War himself is going to kiss you on the cheek. You're going to be the envy of millions of female viewers the day this episode airs. I think I might even be a little jealous," she laughed, handing me back the script.

I sat back down on the couch, nervously running my fingers through my hair as I continued to read. I just kept shaking my head back and forth in disbelief.

"This is all just a dream, and I'm going to wake up anytime now. This just can't be really happening to me. Kevin Smith! I'm going to be kissed by Kevin Smith. By Ares!"

I stood and looked at Melanie. "Excuse me now, but I think I'm going to go take a cold sh . . . . . maybe two!" I told her and then headed off to do just that.

After my shower, when I was finally over the shock, Melanie and I rented a car and did a little evening sight seeing along the beautiful coastline. We found a restaurant that interested us and stopped for dinner.

Everyone was very friendly. And the way they talked, with their kiwi accents, seemed to give one a really joyful and easygoing feeling around them. We headed back to the hotel early, since both of us were still pretty tired from the flight over.

Bidding one another good night, we disappeared into our bedrooms for the night.