Chapter 9

"Dinner with the Stars"

Stepping into the famous restaurant known as Steakhouse 55, I did everything in my power to not feel quite as nervous over the fact that I was dining with celebrities who had been previous narrators of the Candlelight processional. But, I couldn't help myself as I sat among the most elite and most important people of film.

"So, this is the one and only Kim Possible?" remarked a man with white hair as Ron and I sat down next to him, taking off my brown coat. "I've heard many things about you."

"Um, thank you," I said, nervously. "You must be Beau Bridges, the other narrator."

"Yes, that's true, Kim," he replied. "I'm doing the Saturday night show and you're doing the Sunday night show. By the way, have you ever attended the processional before?"

I took a deep breath and kept myself composed, trying to not have these people see me under pressure. It was like I said to myself, that I needed to keep my composure and I would be fine throughout the night.

"Never, but my parents have," I answered. "They attended when they were kids. But, as for the park itself, of course I have."

"To me, this is always a fun place to be at, Kim," chuckled Beau. "One of my favorite parts is parents trying to be the best parents that they could possibly be by trying to keep their kids well behaved. Never ceases to humor me."

My first impression of Beau was of someone who had a very laid back attitude. Of course, I only remembered him from the movie Rocket Man a while back with Harland Williams, but seeing him in person was completely different.

"Now, is the Candlelight Processional such a big deal here?" I asked, trying to make pleasant conversation. "I mean, does every celebrity want to be a part of it?"

"Well, I will say this," said Beau as our Caesar Salads were served by the well-dressed waiters. "Being narrator of the Candlelight Processional is truly a magnificent honor for anyone who celebrates Christmas. To be honest, I can't imagine why they can't have processionals for all the religious holidays."

"If they did," remarked Ron. "Then, it would make Disney seem very religious and uncool. I mean, there wouldn't be any Jewish processionals."

"And what makes you say that, young man?" wondered Beau, turning his attention over to Ron. "Of course there are Jewish processionals that mark Jewish holidays. Just not at Disneyland, of course."

I stepped on Ron's foot in disbelief and he winced at me, much to his annoyance. This was a very big deal for me and I wasn't going to tolerate at stupidity or pointless remarks.

"Excuse me," I stuttered.

"That's all right," replied Beau. "I understand the feeling."

Just then, the sounds of clinking glass were heard and we all turned our attention towards Mary Niven and the President of Disneyland, Michael Colgazier, who were seated at a far corner of the room.

"How are we doing, everyone?" he asked and the table broke into a small applause. "That's wonderful! Anyways, I would like to welcome you to our annual Pre-Candlelight Processional dinner here at Disneyland."

The table broke into applause again and after a few seconds, the applauses fell silent and Michael once again took the floor from under us.

"As we have done in year's past," he continued. "This dinner is meant to start one of the most important times of the year here at Disneyland. Each year, you have all stepped onto the stage on Main Street and told the story of what Christmas is really about and not about the commercial side of the holiday. This year, we are delighted and honored to welcome our celebrity narrators for this year: Actor Beau Bridges and World Defender Kim Possible."

The table broke into a light applause once again as I could tell that half of the table was familiar with Beau and the other half were probably wondering, "Who the hell is this girl?"

"At this time, before we start our traditional dinner," finished Michael. "I would like Kim Possible to come forward and say a few words to all of you."

Nervously rising to my feet, I walked up to the head of the table and stood next to Michael and Mary as they gave me the floor to address the crowd of people that were gathered at this dinner. Looking out, I could see various celebrities like Molly Ringwald, Kurt Russell and of course, Dick Van Dyke in attendance.

"First of all," I began. "I would like to thank Michael and Mary for this tremendous honor and opportunity of having me co-narrate along with Beau Bridges. For those of you who don't know who I am, I am currently in a doctoral student program at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, seeking a doctorate in Global Studies."

"Very impressive," remarked Dick Van Dyke. "Nobody I know has ever done what you are trying to do, Kim. And remember, this is Bert talking and I know what I am talking about."

I could produce a small smile at the legendary actor's remark about how impressive this feat was.

"Thank you, Bert," I playfully remarked back and everyone laughed slightly. "But, in addition to being a Doctoral student, I've also saved the world several times which has taken me to places that no one else has been before, except for major world cities. Some of you may know this and some of you may not and that's okay. But, I am honored nonetheless to be a part of this grand tradition. I look forward to telling the story of Christ to all our visitors at Disneyland."

The group applauded as I went back to my seat and reflected on what I had just said to all who were gathered as we were all served plates of Prime Rib and Beau Bridges went up to give his remarks.

Later that night, Ron and I returned to our room feeling exhausted after a long day of travel and attending such an important dinner.

"Ron, did you think I did fine up there?" I asked. "I know Dick Van Dyke said that I had accomplished a great deal in short period of time."

"I don't remember him saying that, KP," answered Ron as we went into our room. "But, I know how hard it is to face a group of people you looked up to as a child. I mean, you've got the smarts to do such a thing. Think of it as a practice run for the real deal."

"Speaking of which," I remarked, reaching into my purse. "I'm supposed to attend Beau's performance tomorrow night just to get an idea of what I am doing, among another dinner at the Carthay Circle Theater Restaurant after Beau's performance tomorrow night."

"Well, might as well make the best of it, I suppose," said Ron, as he removed the red tie around his neck. "Besides, we are Disneyland, the happiest place on Earth and I am with the happiest girl on Earth."

He then advanced towards me and feeling like he needed to show his love for me, we began to passionately kiss one another as I lost myself to his lust for love in the only non-G rated activity we would be doing for the sake of God.

But, this was only the first night and there were two more that we had to live through in order for me and God to get back on good terms…