Politics follows me up the Red Carpet tonight ...despite being 4500 miles from Georgia...

RED CARPET WITH THE MAYOR OF CANNES!

So one way to get tickets: say yes to being an escort (and I mean that in purely escorting someone down the red carpet for photos, haha) While looking for tickets to the red carpet premiere of The Diving Bell and the Butterfly (French film) this man in a tux kept walking by me. Then finally he approached me and said, “Are you looking for a ticket to tonight’s premiere?” I answered quickly, “Yes, do you have one?” He pulled out an envelope and handed me one of the two tickets he had. I thanked him and then walked away…wondering how it could have been that easy tonight. As I’m putting on my heals he walks back over towards me. “Would you do me the honor of walking with me on the red carpet tonight?” I hesitated…didn’t know what this guy REALLY wanted…but I knew I wanted the ticket. “I think that will be ok,” I answered. Allison had said this would happen…the French guys want an escort on the red carpet. Ok, Laura, you could do this…just walk with him and then part ways inside. I called Mandy and had her come follow me inside to make sure nothing was sketch about this guy. On the phone Mandy says, “Laura, you are NOT leaving this with guy after the show.” I answered, “Oh hell no Mandy. I have a boyfriend and would NEVER do that! But I want to come sit with YOU guys and NOT this guy. French can be sketchy. Come find me inside.” So the French man (who never introduced himself…and I was ok with things not being on a first name basis at this point) led me through a barricade that I had never been through. I was shocked. “How in the world is this guy getting us through this barricade?” I thought. And then I panicked b/c I knew Mandy couldn’t follow me at this point. I called her back and Bill too and said, “Meet me INSIDE. I am doing a photo opt with this guy but I have to find you guys inside.” Just before stepping on the red carpet with the French guy he turns and says to me, “You are with the mayor of Cannes party tonight. I just wanted to let you know that’s who you’re walking on the red carpet with tonight.”

NO WAY – I said allowed to him. Then I realized the mayor of Cannes was standing right in front of me with his wife. And I was in his party. Then we all stepped on the red carpet --- here goes nothing – so we all just smiled for the cameras and walked on. Wow.

Then inside the French man turned to me and said, “Thank you very much. It was a pleasure.” Kissed my hand and then we parted. Whewsh --- harmless.

Mandy and Bill called me name on the red carpet before walking inside the Palais and we met up inside. And then it was off to the show with Mandy and Bill!

So politics? Yea…maybe I can’t escape it….even 4500 miles from home….