Mile High Guy (30 page)

‘It’s an obsession of his apparently,’ Sandy whispered in my ear. ‘That’s the reason why he’s always chasing air hostesses.’

‘Good God.’

‘You just never know, do you?’

‘And you’re sure that’s not just a rumour?’ I raised an eyebrow. ‘I mean rumours do tend to fly around this place, pardon the pun.’

‘A friend of mine
saw
him. So I got it from the horse’s mouth so to speak. She works for another airline and she spotted him following one of the cabin crew into the toilet. Your woman had a bit of a reputation too apparently, so they were well met. Anyway, they were caught coming out of the cubicle in the dead of the night when they thought
nobody could see.’

‘Jesus, she could have got sacked for that. How shocking!’

‘Yes, I know. Honestly some people have no shame. Well my friend confronted the girl but she denied everything. She said she’d gone into the toilet to help him with some medication.’

‘Medication?’ I echoed incredulously.

‘Hmm. Exactly.’

‘So if he ever asks you out, I’d advise you to say no,’ Sandy said. ‘Forearmed is forewarned if you know what I mean.’

‘Yes, er, thanks.’

Well it was bit late for me now, wasn’t it
?

‘Some men!’ Sandy shook her beautiful head. ‘Honestly you could write a book about them. Someone
should
write a book about Adam Kirrane anyway.’

And then it suddenly struck me. A book! Oh my God. What a
fantastic
idea. A book about Adam and his antics. I could write such a book. I
would
write it. An entire book based on that cad. I’d call it
The Mile High Guy
, hahaha. It made so much sense, didn’t it?

I’d never thought about writing a book before. Until now I just thought it was something other people did. And anyway I wouldn’t have even known what to write about. Most books I read are about women whose husbands have affairs and
leave. But being single, I don’t think I could have written such a book. And of course when my script was so savagely rejected, I thought I’d never put pen to paper again. But this was different. They say you should write about what you know, and I
knew about flying and I sure as hell knew about Adam. So why not write the story? Why not indeed?

So when I got home from my London flight that evening, all fired up, I sat down and wrote CHAPTER ONE. And the words just started to flow. Once
I got into the story I could hardly stop. The book seemed to take on a life of its own and I got so involved that I’d dream about the characters at night, and talk about them as if they were real people. My parents grew more and more anxious. My mother said my behaviour wasn’t normal and that all writers were obviously mad.

Mike, however, was very encouraging during the four months of endless writing. Sometimes I’d stay
up the whole night at the computer, completely forgetting to go to bed. And I’d be so exhausted the next day I wouldn’t be able to meet him. But he never complained. Not once. And he patiently read the manuscript as I wrote. And thankfully never asked who Adam was.

I wasn’t sure if the novel was any good but was determined to keep writing until I reached THE END. I just had to see if I could do it. Once finished,
I posted the script to several publishers. That was followed by a nerve-wracking fortnight peeping out at the postman through the crack of the bedroom curtains.

Nothing happened for ages, and I kind of gave up hope as the weeks passed but then one day the phone rang. An editor asked to see the rest of the manuscript. I’ll never forget that moment. I suppose I never actually dreamed that anybody would ever
take my writing seriously after the ‘depressing script’ disaster. But this time it wasn’t a dream. And the woman at the other end of the phone wasn’t joking.

Yes, the novel was finished, I told her. So she recommended I get myself an agent. Fast. Within
one week I had a publishing contract.

Of course, as I said, I never did see Adam
Kirrane again but his face continued to pop up regularly in the papers. It doesn’t so much anymore. You see, they decided to scrap
DreamBoat
a few months ago due to a decline in viewers, and the last I heard of him, he was on a TV morning show explaining how he was looking for his big movie break. Still waiting. For the right part to come along . . . mmm . . . the right part . . .

Funny that he should mention that.

Because I happen to know of a very big part coming up soon.

Yes. Let me explain. You’re probably not even going to believe this ’cos I can hardly believe it myself, but about six weeks ago my new agent phoned out of the blue. Some Hollywood
bigwigs had expressed an interest in making
The Mile High Guy
into a movie. Was I interested?
Interested
? I nearly dropped the phone! Was I what?

It’s hard to believe that just a year ago I was plodding along merrily on the road to nowhere. Now I’m engaged to a man I love. I’m expecting a baby, and my first book, which was published last week, hopped into the top five, which isn’t bad going for a newcomer.

Yesterday my agent sold the film rights to
The Mile High Guy
. Not for millions or anything like that but for the same amount of money I’d get for almost two years working as an air hostess. It’s not enough for me to retire for the rest of my life, but
it isn’t half bad either. Anyway I couldn’t possibly retire now. A writer can’t hide away and just write forever. Writers must write about real life. If you just hid away, then what on earth would you write about? But at least I’ve the option of working part-time.

But back to the script for a minute. I ended up selling the rights of
The Mile High Guy
under one condition. I wanted a say in who played the male lead. The film company thought it was a weird request, but I insisted. Take it or leave it, I told my
agent to tell them. And I meant it.

They took it. Thanks be to God! I mean I was
very
worried that they’d just tell me to hump off. Like who was I to be making such diva-like requests? A first-time novelist should be punching the air with joy to have her book even considered, not making demands. But they obviously liked my
story enough to comply. And filming starts some time next year in the States, apparently.

It hasn’t quite sunk in yet of course. Everything’s been happening so fast. But I’m dying to see who gets to play the lead. Maybe Matt Damon will consider. That’d be great, wouldn’t it? I’ve always had a thing for Matt. I wouldn’t mind Brad either, or Ed Burns. Johnny Depp might like to try out for the part too. Hell, why not cast them all!

But seriously though, I’m not that fussy. I suppose I’m just grateful that somebody liked the story enough to do something with it. So they can cast Popeye if they wish. Or Mr Bean. Or Ronald McDonald.

You see, I don’t particularly care who plays it.

I couldn’t give a hoot actually.

Just as long as it’s not Adam Kirrane.

That’s right.

Just as long as it’s not him.

His time seems to be up unfortunately. I hope he enjoyed the ride. I know I did, although it was turbulent at times. Very turbulent. But the skies are clear now and the winds have eased. So listen up folks, the ‘fasten seatbelt’ sign has come on. We’re heading towards the runway. Thank you for your
company. And do please let me take this opportunity to wish you a safe onwards journey. We’ll meet again soon . . .

THE END

Find out more about Marisa and her other books on
www.marisamackle.ie

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