Not Dead Yet

years ago; it was useful for getting into the VIP areas of Gaia concerts.
    That made sense to him; she looked a little kooky, the way some female journalists did; he’d seen plenty of journalists interviewing stars in here, and in the Lanesborough, where he worked previously, in London.
    He took the card and read it, then said, ‘They’re expecting someone with a different name.’
    Anna shrugged as if butter would not melt in her mouth. ‘I was asked to substitute at the last minute.’
    ‘Please go up to the first floor.’
    As she turned away, knowing this had all been pre-planned by Gaia – just a little test for her! – she saw a group of people, three women and two gay guys she knew, fellow serious Gaia collectors, seated on a pair of sofas, all clutching record sleeves and CD booklets.
    ‘Anna, come and have a drink!’ one of the guys, Ricky – whose eBay identity was Gaia Slave – called out to her.
    ‘Thank you, but I’m actually on my way to meet Gaia,’ she replied, very smugly.
    ‘Never!’ said the youngest of the group, a girl in her early twenties. Her name was Kira Ashington, and she had purple streaks in her hair. Kira had a dog-grooming business and, to Anna’s fury,frequently outbid her in online auctions for Gaia memorabilia. It was delicious now to be able to take such sweet revenge.
    ‘I actually have a personal invitation from Gaia,’ Anna said, trying to look nonchalant.
    ‘How – how – how did you get that?’ Ricky was so chewed up with envy he could barely get the words out.
    ‘Because I’m her number one fan! She recognizes that.’
    ‘God, you are so lucky! Couldn’t her number two fan come with you?’ Kira asked.
    ‘Not tonight, Josephine.’ Anna blew her a kiss.
    ‘Have a wicked time!’ Ricky said.
    ‘Thank you.’ With her head held very high, Anna walked towards the lifts. She had never felt so proud in all her life.

    Some moments later, as the lift doors opened, Anna stepped out on to the carpeted corridor. Two hulks, each wearing an earpiece attached to a cord, stood either side of a door, backs to the wall. They gave Anna a hostile look, like she was a herpes virus.
    Walking up to them, feeling decidedly unstable on her heels now, thanks to that vodka, she announced herself and produced her press pass.
    ‘You ain’t expected, lady,’ the one on the left said, his lips barely moving.
    ‘Oh yes, I am expected. I’m Anna Galicia. Gaia’s expecting me.’
    He looked down at her with big eyes, as expressionless as barren planets. ‘Not tonight, lady, she ain’t. She ain’t taking no more interviews.’
    ‘She is expecting me, she most definitely is!’
    The giant on the right stared at her morosely. The one on the left said, ‘The boss is tired, she’s just flown the Atlantic. She’s done with interviews tonight. You want to make an appointment to interview her, call her in the morning.’
    ‘You don’t understand!’ Anna said. ‘I’m not interviewing her – we – we’re having a drink together! She invited me!’
    ‘You Anna Galicia?’
    ‘Yes I am!’
    ‘Your name ain’t on the list, lady.’
    Anna felt frustration building inside her. ‘Fuck the list!’ she said.
    He shrugged. ‘You wanna see the boss, you have to be on the list.’
    ‘There’s been a mistake! Really, a mistake. Please, ask her! Tell her Anna is here! Anna Galicia! She will know me! She’s expecting me. She’ll be mad at you if you don’t let me in, I promise you!’
    He spoke quietly into his mouthpiece. Anna lip-read what he was saying. He was asking for confirmation. Her chest was heaving with frustration. Gaia was in there! The other side of that door. She was just feet away from her number one fan. For God’s sake, just feet away! Gaia wanted to meet her, she’d made that very plain, and now these morons were stopping her!
    ‘Sorry, lady, they’re telling me they don’t know who you are.’
    Anna began drawing shorter and shorter breaths as her anger surged. ‘I’m not just another reporter, I’m her number one fan!’ she said. ‘Her number one fucking fan! If it wasn’t for me she’d probably be turning tricks in a seedy massage parlour – and you’d be totally somewhere else! She wants to see me. Now!’
    The two guards exchanged a glance. Then the one she was talking to said, ‘I’m sorry, lady, I’m going to have to ask you to leave.’
    ‘Over my dead body,’ Anna said.
    Then, to her astonishment, she saw a door open along