Hollywood These Boots are Made for Walking

Disgruntled nothing was happening today. I enlisted the Nike phrase “Let’s do it”.

 The test yesterday of hanging outside dressing rooms at Hot Topic Gothic Outfitters wasn’t my scene at all. Memories of the ripped black lace gloved early Madonna, Male, Blue Mohawk’d, size O Eurasian, sales assistant. ESC button needed now. 

A Light Bulb moment! Amey’s - Family. “Yes” 

This got a Traffic Police Stop Signal. Car Hire and a 4 hr round trip drive neither feasible. The Sister-In-Law made it clear no travelling to Hollywood. Amey wanted to see her brother on her terms only.

So too the recycle bin. 

Life coach’s Tony Jones action would have been “Hun, I will meet you there”. This equates to a no show. Shook, this off with “I can’t.” 

“Okay I will go shopping, I really want to check out the hotel gym and I need to find IPod head phones, runners, and I don’t want to spend much money. How about I met you back here at say 4.00 p.m., then we can do early dinner go to bed early and be fresh for tomorrow.”

Anticipating I’ll met you at 4.00 p.m. 

Amey’s hesitant reply “No I’ll come with you besides I spent way too much money on my outfit and I don’t want to spend anymore.” 

The opulent marble Grand ballroom hallway, filled with Academy Award Winning vintage gowns terminated at the entrance to the Highland Shopping Centre. 

My built in Alarm Bell sounded before me an Italian Restaurant, sitting behind the cocktail bar was a Coffee Barrister. Could it be a mirage created by my cafe addiction?

“Look”. Next stop a café a latté! a spring in my step and a smile on my dial, I walked up to the bar and said “Do you real European Style Coffee?”

“Sure” responded the Italian Barristete.

“Could I have a café late with an extra shot please.” Sydney Style I wanted to add.

A nod from the Café Couture and our eyes went to Miss New York State.

I prompted “and Amey will have?” waved my hand to her. “I’llllllllllll have (Pause) “Nothing”.

Not wanting to sit and drink alone in this swanky looking bar. “You sure, I will shout.”

Amey’s play button immediately sounded, a double large Ice Coffee.

I sat watching the lady go to work thinking this is going to be great. (Californian interpretation Awesome!)

The coffee arrived accompanied by the snowman style Ice coffee tall enough to yoyo at the Hollywood Hills sign. Enjoying, the aroma of the dark looking latte. Amey now had a nice looking Santa Claus moustache. I rolled my eyes. 

The coffee bubble soon burst. First taste a double shot never, more like warm milk. Bugger! Will I find a Grande Latte expectation, in this tinsel town Hollywood! 

Hot milk now consumed. My coffee buddy slurped up the last of the iced concoction with long stemmed spoon. The Cheque arrived. Knowing I had to add a tip no less than 16%. How they arrived at his ratio I will never know. Crickee, this came to $22 US Mr Bloomberg quoted the rate this morning at $1.53 so this little treat came to $33 Australia. Outrageous! 

Amey directed me to Sketchers’ for my runners. A known American Brand worn a few years prior and durable. Whilst I was perusing the racks and trying to convert the price to my currency Amey exited. Then back with news of a Direct Shoe Outlet on Vine St, reasonably priced runners. “Oh let’s go” I clapped. 

Riding the escalator down to Hollywood Boulevard Amey announced we needed to catch a Train. Recollection of a choo choo or the sound of a rattler did not come to mind. More information unfolded, Hollywood had a Metro, Vine Street was one stop. 

Both Hollywood Metro Virgin’s difficulty struck trying to purchase tickets. Rating a nil Metro savvy I couldn’t work out which button to press next! Witnessing our dilemma a local Californian offered help. Amey begrudgingly took the assistance. The man crunched the buttons, presto two singles Vine St. “You off to the matinee of Wicked then?” questioned the Ticket Magician.

“No just shoppennnn” Amey snapped. 

Proceeding down the stairs I noticed that not just the sound of the Rock Star High Healed boots was irritating, Amey’s step was lop sided or sending vibes of fainting or intoxication. The heal shuffle got louder on the decent. I turned in horror eyes widening to see the hand rail becoming like a trapeze and Amey now the artist. The Kiss Band look a like stiletto boots had gone into auto pilot take off the reams of gothic black material now swopping to bite the dust at the bottom of the stairs. The Gallant Ticket Magician was first to her assistance. 

Shaken and stirred like a fresh bloody Mary, confronting the situation of Amey lying on the tiles, being returned to a 45degree stance she announced. “Oh my god I need to get water real quick I am so dehydrated.” 

Hobbling now I suggested perhaps we should return to the hotel for water and exchange the animated boots. Whilst shaking off her Californian Aid with a snubbed “Thanks”. The expedition was going ahead, boots and all. 

Hollywood and Vine a hype of activity Limo Hummers pulling up outside a theatre another read carpet “Wicked” playing the matinee. The famous Capitol Records Building in circular shape the back drop of this famous address. Amey seemed to have the colour back in face. The bargain shoe outlet was nowhere in current view. 

“Dammmmmmmmm, she said it was outside the station!” as Amey scuffed her boots along the boulevard. "Must be down Vine” was my input.

We turned the corner in close distance a  shopping centre façade  with familiar Boarders Book Store Bed Bath and Table signage. I pointed it was about two blocks away. Amey omitting negative vibes “Nah, I don’t think so, its supposed to be here.”

“You will be able to get water” I said. Thinking those boots don’t want to walk that far.

“Okay” Amey took off at Vampire speed another sign of feet strangulation for sure. 

It wasn’t a Shopping Centre just separate stores on the side walk of a business centre. Amey made enquires to passing Californian’s as to the location of the shoe outlet. All giving vague responses or looking back at the tall Gothic clad Eastern American. 

A rather large sign appeared quoting Rite Aid. Clucks of happiness shrieked from Miss New York State as the familiar sign meant water also inserts for the boots as I was soon to witness.Rite Aid is an American Drug Store Chain, later in my travels I found this very handy and reasonable for mouthwash, chips and a bottle of wine. 

Amey flew around the isles to appear with a basket of goodies. Watching her proceed through the check out I noticed a rather large plastic bottle of demineralised water 2 litre size, another 4 row chrome headband, bandaids, a flip top roasted almond bottle. 

Whilst in the line up Amey started to do a dance called the “Roasted Almond Hokee Pokee. You put your right hand out and shake the almond bottle all about, then you cock your head back as far as you can, and shake that bottle and pour it down your throat and shake it all out then throw your head down shake your head all about and repeat. Try it with your next Fibre daily dosage. 

Outside the Rite Aid, Amey plonked herself down on a bench unwrapped the long laces of the boots and sighed she then pulled from the right aid bag shoe inserts which she placed in the boots. Then zig zaged the laces up the boot clips to initiate drive and stood up. Then proceeded to raise the 2 litre distilled water to her lips and suck like there was no tomorrow and then to signify her enjoyment let out a large belch or bull frog Burrup! All of this taking place on the corner of Sunset and Vine. Thank good the Papa Rattzi was getting ready for the Golden Globes. 

Finally we left Sunset and Vine with our Water and Rite Aid Supply’s, Gave up on the Shoe Store, and went back to the train, getting stunned looks from other travellers at our Gothic Amey clutching her 2 Litre Ironing Water Bottle. 

Back on Hollywood Boulevard outside the Highland, Amey was chased by a Pirate, (Street Performer) and snap went the camera’s obviously The Penzance Character had mistaken her for a fellow crew member. However Amey cooed with Joy!