Emma's Report
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Last Thursday I got a tip off that Viggo Mortensen was staying at his using haunt when he's in town and the short version of the story... actually sod it, you can have the full blown account - hope you're sitting comfortably!
I flew (almost literally) into town after work on the train and caught the tube to the hotel to set up my stake out. As I got near the place was crawling with Police officers and I thought "oh dear, I'm not going to get near him!". I found a spot round the corner - the doormen don't like you hanging around the entrance - makes the place look messy (charming, huh?). I happened to ask one of the cops what was going on when I got a chance. Some VIP arriving (he wouldn't say who) - so that just made me think "oh no" even more!!! He asked me to stand away from the hotel, so I crossed the side road (going down the side of the hotel) and stood over near where some of the chauffeurs had parked up. This is about 50 metres from the door. I knew if Viggo turned up and pulled straight into the front of the hotel he'd be inside before I'd be able to get across the road (it was not looking good at this time, but I thought I'd stay for a bit anyway). There were loads of people turning up in tuxedos and evening dresses (no celebs, that I recognised anyway), loads of great cars, etc. Looked like some dinner do or something. My friend gave me a call and said to look out for a silver Mercedes, registration blah, blah, blah F..U..E.. And that his bouncer was a big black guy (I'm honestly not being racists here ok). I thought I'm never going to remember that, so I just went back to waiting and observing, got chatting to a nice chauffer in one of the cars, etc to pass the time. I was a little concerned that my friend had got the details wrong as I was the only fan/collector there... But I thought I'd stay a bit longer just in case. Then a load of cars (silver mercs, Rolls Royce's, the lot!) turned up at once and the police got all official, and stood across the driveway to the hotel - my instant reaction was "bollocks, that's him, case lost".... But no.... Out gets Prince Edward (exciting for some I'm sure, but not for me when I'm waiting for my idol). Another silver merc arrived, but the front of the hotel was full so the policeman waved it on and wouldn't let them pull in. Then I looked at the plate of this new car ....F...U...E... ("Nah" I thought!). The car pulls up just in front of where I was standing talking to this other chauffer, about a metre or so away. I looked in the front seats, one driver and a big black bouncer type (my brain kicked in here and I thought "No way, surely not"). The bouncer and driver got out went round to the back door.... opens it.... And who should get out (less than two metres away but GOD himself (ok may not quite!), Mr. Viggo Mortensen!!!! I nearly died on the spot!!!! He looked over at me and wasn't sure if I recognised him or not I think. He was in a grey suit, light shirt and silver tie, which he was loosening.... ahhhh.... Sorry! I managed to squeak "Viggo! Could you spare me a couple of minutes..." "Sure" he said.... Oh my god! I was the only one there for him, I had him all to myself (if only?!?!). But I held it together, just, I went over and shook his hand and said it was great to finally meet him and asked him if he could sign his book for me (he does a lot of art and poetry as well as his acting day-job, and has published several books - hence the book). He was happy to do it. Looking back I think he was relived it wasn't anything from Lord of the Rings for a change! He wrote in it "Thanks Emma - "heart" Viggo", I was blown away. I asked him if he had a busy schedule and he said it was pretty hectic, I had brought a little present with me for him too (I do daft things like that, just a little something to say thanks for all the joy they've brought me I guess - sickening I know?!), I gave him a copy of "Bored of the Rings" a satirical but affectionate piss-take of Lord of the Rings. He said "Oh, I've heard of this, thanks" and I told him I'd been reading it and it was very funny, and he said he'd give it a look. How cool?! I asked if I could have my picture taken with him, he said "No problem" (oh I should add here that he has one of those voices that just melts you - really smooth, a little husky with a slight hint of a New York and Danish accent combined - gorgeous - sorry, but I thought you needed to know, hehehehehe!). So I gave my camera to his bouncer, and I got to stand with my hero arm wrapped round his waist, his arm round me (it's ok, I resisted the temptation to grab his arse - god knows how? ;o) Hehehehe!), got the picture taken and then thanked Viggo (stupidly I didn't give him a kiss - doh! Although I was so nervous I'd've probably puked all down him!) and hoped he enjoyed the rest of his visit. He smiled said thanks and waved as he walked over to the hotel. I watched my hero walk off (into the sunset... sort of!) Wow!!! It totally blew me away!!! He was so nice to me. And I'd be warned that he was really grumpy?! Afterwards I called Hannah and was so shaky she was really concerned and said "what's up, was he mean to you?!?!?" Uh-uh the exact opposite I told her, she didn't believe me to start with! I was so happy and just couldn't believe it I almost cried (ok so maybe I shed a little tear but don't tell on me!). My Mum was dead jealous - she fancies the pants of him too! On the Friday I thought I'd chance my luck again, well I may not get another chance ever, and again friends who'd met him earlier in the day said he'd been grumpy with them. But after an all-day stake out he came out about 7pm on the way to dinner. I was the first to clock him leave the hotel doors (there were 12 of us there this time (at the Dorchester) - word had spread obviously!), I called over to him and he headed for the car, with one foot inside said he'd sign for us on his return (that was it, I thought he was gone!), so we called over "Thank you, see you later" and then he turned round and came over!!!!!!!!!!!! Fantastic!!!!!!!!!!!! He went along the line of us, personalising each autograph with e.g. "For Emma, "heart" Viggo" (apparently this is his normal autographing - so everyone said it was really quite a thing that I got "Thanks Emma" in my book the night before, and he must've liked me - cool! I got some awesome photos of Viggo as he signed for everyone. After he'd left the hotel, me and my friends decided we needed a drink! So we headed for Leicester Square, ran into a all night pharmacy to get the pictures developed then hit the bar! We went back an hour later to get the pictures. It was like opening your exam results, you know, you really wanted someone else to do it for you?! But I did it myself and the top picture was the one of me with Viggo from the night before. I let out a shriek of relief (the entire store stared at me!), the picture was marginally out of focus, but that didn't matter. I've attached the photo of me and Viggo - I look like I'm about to cry in it. And Viggo is doing as close to a smile as you're likely to get. It's awesome! The twins (some of my friends who were there on the Friday with us) had a set of the pictures straight away. The photos are a little small as I had to resize them, but you can still get the idea! |