From London town

Well, kids, as I figured, with Laurie in charge of it, my new laptop began to sulk and wouldn’e2’80’99t connect to the world its little tabs told me was out there. All those electronic waves, and nobody to link up with’e2’80’a6

When last I wrote, dear diary, I was flinging things in the direction of my suitcase in preparation for a day amongst the natives of Los Angeles. Actually, I suppose very few of them are, strictly speaking, natives, but it’e2’80’99s the sort of place that anyone who has lived there longer than two months is considered more or less native. But I digress.

My intrepid guides to this foreign land are the two good ladies who took me on as a client some years ago, my agents at Cinelit. Everything you think you know about Hollywood agents? Forget it. These women actually read books. Even when they don’e2’80’99t have to for their job.

We fought out way from the airport down Lincoln Boulevard, a land of car dealers and nail salons, to a lovely hotel on the beach at Santa Monica, where we had lunch watching the seagulls and roller bladders skim up and down. Thus fortified, we ran the gauntlet back into the city to see the various people who express an interest in transforming first KEEPING WATCH and then A GRAVE TALENT into films for the small screen. And I have to say, if these project come through, they’e2’80’99ll be in good hands. Everyone in sight had won prizes and worked with fabulous actors, and I kept wondering, ‘e2’80’9cSo why are you people talking to me?’e2’80’9d But there is little more ephemeral then a project in Hollywood, so I shall say nothing more as to these prospects. If anything firms up with either or both of them, I shall let you know.

I was then taken back to LAX for my evening British Airways flight to London. I went through security, found a lack of restaurants on the other side, and went back out to hunt and gather, ending up at a sushi place for some California Rolls (do they eat California Rolls in Japan??) and green tea. Thus fortified, back through security and hiking down to the far end of the world, to wait for an hour, then another hour, all the while being reassured that the tail winds were so powerful we’e2’80’99d be there early anyway. Since all I wanted to do was sleep, I was not much interested in the arrival, but eventually we were let on, I was given my magic pod in business class (bought with miles, not dollars,) and I went to sleep.

For six hours. I’e2’80’99ve never slept six hours on a plane. Barely had time to watch a movie at the end of it, but I arrived without that horrid, coming-out-of-anesthetic sensation I usually have at the end of a long flight. My stepson met me and took me home for a cup of tea, gathering up the family and going into London to remove my daughter’e2’80’99s accumulated kitchenware, suitcases, and four-foot tall giraffe keyholder. We had dinner in a remarkably noisy Thai pub (the food and owners were Thai, the beer English) with Manchester United trouncing some opponent named ‘e2’80’9cTun’e2’80’9d on the screens overhead. (We were all a MU crew, and no one could tell me whether Tun was Tunbridge Wells or Tunisia. Nor did they care.)

Then, flagging at last, I was dropped out near Hyde Park at the hotel, where I passed again into blissful sleep, unheeding of the cars and sirens outside my window.

The next day, rainy London.

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6 Comments

  1. Erika on September 16, 2005 at 10:30 pm

    I don’t know about the folks in Japan, but people in Australia eat California rolls, and call them as such. I was mildly surprised to find them there. Aussies are also wild about Hawaiian pizza. Have a wonderful time in England.

  2. Rebecca on September 17, 2005 at 2:31 am

    And when are they making the movie of The Beekeeper’s Apprentice, eh?

    Anyway, I was excited recently to finally get my hands on Califia’s Daughters— I finished it last night! It was interesting to read it at the same time that I’m taking a course in Women’s and Gender Studies, because it ties in to that so nicely. I really enjoyed it… looking forward already to your next book!

  3. Anonymous on September 17, 2005 at 2:34 am

    So your husband has been married before, from your bio, I always thought he been a bachelor all his life till he married you.

  4. bobbi on September 17, 2005 at 4:32 am

    I would love to see a movie of Folly, but since the main character is an “older” woman, I bet the chances are nil!

  5. Maer aka "Merely a whim." on September 18, 2005 at 3:51 am

    You wrote:

    “…we had lunch watching the seagulls and roller bladders…”

    Lol! (Now picturing little stomach organs on roller skates.) It must have been quite a sight.

    Seriously, though, I second Rebecca: when, oh when, is _The Beekeeper’s Apprentice_ going to be made either as a film or–better yet–a well done television mini-series? I’ve been a devoted fan of the Mary Russell books since I picked them up in January of 2003. And in typical fannish fashion, have been trying to make up a soundtrack and a cast list for the future movie. ;D

  6. robin on September 19, 2005 at 3:48 pm

    Laurie, I would love to see any of your books made into films! But I too have been dreaming of seeing “Beekeeper’s Apprentice” brough to life. I would love to see it done as one of of those wonderful British mystery series (‘c3’a0 la Morse, Dalgliesh etc.).

    Maer, I’ve also speculated on my dream cast, but so far I’ve had difficulties. I just can’t think of any strong, young, British, 6″, blonde, “could-be-mistaken-for-a-man” actresses. So many these days are just too delicate, petite and “pretty” for Mary Russell.

    I also have another dream series in mind. In re-reading Dorothy Sayers, I’ve mentally cast Hugh Laurie as Wimsey. Having seen him do both Silly-Ass aristocrat in Jeeves and Wooster, and then fiercely intelligent yet emotionally vulnerable Dr. House, I think he has the range to carry off the complexities of the character. Of course, since his current TV series is wildly popular, it will probably never happen. But one can dream!

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