"We Are Not Supposed To See Those"

The Film Festival in Mountain Town transforms an already busy ski town into the mecca of

who’s who in the entertainment industry. The streets are lined with moviegoers, paparazzi,

and glitzy LA transplants who poorly navigate the snow-covered streets in their heels

while never taking their eyes off their cell phones. Phoebe and I make it our yearly ritual to

sip lattes at the local café and watch the obnoxious tourists yell at the barista about getting

their order wrong, only to fall on their asses when they storm out onto the icy streets in

inappropriate footwear.

"Another one bites the dust!” Phoebe exclaimed with an evil giggle.

“Are you going to Abby’s party tonight?” I asked.

“No, Johnny and I are going to avoid the crowds and have a cozy night in. What about

you?"

“Yes,” I said. “Charlie is looking for a distraction, and I promised to be her wingwoman.”

Abby has a big shindig every year during the Mountain Town Film Festival. It was a time

when all of us could get dolled up and hobnob with the rich and famous. Well, not exactly

at the party. The party was our pre-game, telling stories, and playing “flip cup” in our

cocktail dresses before crashing celebrity parties with our slyly secured VIP passes. I was

wearing my favorite Reformation black mini dress with my Pajar snow boots. Charlie

walked in looking stunning in her cobalt body con sweater dress and shearling boots. Still

on a high from our victorious win at the drinking games, we got into our car service to

head down to Main Street.

The Saddleback Saloon was our weekly spot to decompress after our week of toiling away

at work. During the Film Festival, this spot becomes the place to be and be seen! As we

entered, the vibrant energy of the place enveloped us. I recognized a few celebrities as

we walked through and finally settled down at one of the high tops. A group of guys

started talking to Charlie and managed to schmooze their way over to our table. One of

them sat next to me and said with a mischievous grin, “You know, we are not supposed to

see those.” As he looked down at my lap. I glanced down to see my Spanx sticking out

below my dress. Though mortified, I managed to recover with a quick-witted response.

“You didn’t know? This is all the rage. Or at least it will be once everyone catches onto the

trend. It is the next iteration of the one-legged pants."

This playful banter broke the ice, and he introduced himself as Ethan, a “famous chef”.

“You don’t recognize me?” he said.

I didn’t want to insult him, but I had no idea who he was.

“You look a little familiar,” I said. “Where do you work? Do you own a restaurant in LA?”

"You have no idea who I am," he said in disbelief. "I am on a reality show."

Well, that made sense. I haven’t watched much television since I moved to Mountain

Town. I am always too busy doing outdoor activities. I looked over to see that Charlie was

engrossed in a conversation with Ethan’s friend. I could tell that she was a bit tipsy by the

slur in her words. Then they started kissing right in front of us.

“Ok well, it looks like we might be here a while. So how do you and your friend know each

other?"

He went on to explain how his friend, Eric, was the producer of the reality show that he

“starred” in. And that he was a bit of a jerk, but he was stuck with him for the festival. I

thought about warning Charlie, but I knew that she was not exactly interested in making a

lifelong connection at this moment. Then I noticed that Ethan kept looking around with a

heightened sense of paranoia.

“I can’t be seen with you. I have a fiancé and I am worried about the paparazzi getting a

picture of us.”

This guy seriously had an inflated sense of self-worth. NO ONE was looking at him. And

there certainly was no “paparazzi” scrambling to take pictures of him. Not to mention that I

was across the table from him and had zero interest in him as a romantic prospect. My

sole purpose for the evening was to be a loyal wingwoman.

“I mean you are a cute girl and all, so I wouldn’t be embarrassed to be photographed with

you. But my fiancé would lose it and she is a celebrity too.”

“Well guess what,” I said. “I am embarrassed to be seen with you, so I am going to make

my exit before the photographers descend upon us. Just in time, there they are!” I pointed

over toward Ivan the local bouncer who was walking toward us. I might as well have a bit

of fun at his expense.

“Where?” he said while ducking under the table and frantically looking around.

I grabbed Charlie and made my escape.

“Where are we going?” Charlie said. “That guy was a good kisser.”

“Sorry, Charlie. I love you, but I need to get away from LaLa land. These people are nuts!”

Until next time

❤️ Olivia