FOLLOW  YOUR  HEART

The Beauty and the Beast 2003 Convention

Kathleen wearing Catherine's "Temptation" dress

Saturday

"Vincent" finds not one, but two "Catherines" to pose with. Two among the very few con attendees "petite" enough to fit into Linda Hamilton's costumes.

Cecilia in the authentic. "Remember Love" dress                  And Kathleen in the robe from "Siege"

Then it's time to go back to our rooms and dress up for the banquet. When we get down the cameras are flashing away, trying to get as many of those beautiful gowns as possible.

                      Beautiful Angel in red satin                                  Golden Aurea

Jecris with a friend

Marina and Sandra are absolutely stunning in their matched dresses, but unfortunately my pic didn't come out. I'm sure someone else will have it, though.

The doors open and we enter the banquet room. As usual it's a sight, the tables beautifully laid out, this year in white and red, with lots of heart-shaped decorations. In the middle of each table, one of Chandler's gorgeous centerpieces. This year it's a rather "steamy" one and I confess we'll spend a good part of the banquet time looking close at it, trying to sort out arms and legs. If anybody has found Catherine's right, leg, please e-mail me privately...

In front of each plate, a Winterfest candle, gift of the Chesapeake Helpers society. And in an envelope, a tiny miniature one, made by Chandler. So beautiful!

The lights go down. Here comes the most both solemn and heart-warming time of the con: the candle-lighting ceremony. This year it's accompanied by Roy Dotrice's wonderful voice, reciting the original words from the episode. "The world above us is cold, and gray..." One by one, we light our candles, and darkness recedes. Then we raise them all together. It's a moment of great intensity, a moment of communion  with all those who are here, and all those who should be with us, and are, in spirit. "...and all winters end!" Roy Dotrice  gets down from stage in a great silence. He would deserve a standing ovation, but we're all still holding our candles up, unwilling to end that very special moment...

Dinner starts. Good food, good company. But soon it's our turn to get up on stage, for our "international fans" performance. We say the opening lines in our respective languages, plus two "adopted" ones, Swedish and Spanish. This year we've included the original words, with the kind participation of Roy Dotrice. We end with a "medley" of all languages, the English part being this time provided by Deb. As every time since we started doing this at the cons, we're overwhelmed by the warm  reactions, even at the  "celebs" table, right in front of us. The B&B family is indeed a very special one!

Then we get to watch more of Novtek music videos. It's about that time that the only thing that will go wrong at that con happens. After one of her announcements, Deb sits down, and her chair, too close to the edge of the stage, topples over.  Roy Dotrice jumps instantly out of his chair to the stage and will be one of the first to reach her, with Suze who was close. Other people rush and  the whole room remains suspended in anguish, finally a bit reassured to see her sitting on a chair, shaken but  conscious. She's helped out of the room, and "the show goes on", members of the con team taking over. We're all worried about Deb, but we also know that she wouldn't want to see that accident spoil the good time she's spent two years preparing for us. We know her friends will see to it that she gets the care she needs. What WE can do for her is go on enjoying the evening.

Time for the auctions, also known as "the David and Jay show".

Their jokes and antics have the audience in fits as they auction lots of items, tapes, pics, posters, clothes..., related to the series and its actors. As the evening goes on we're beginning to be a bit worried. We've seen videos, yes, but "a certain" video, usually shown at the banquet, has been missing. Aren't we going to see it this year?

The auctions are long, it's getting late, and some people have already left. Their loss! At one moment JoAnn comes up on stage to ask the people waiting for "a certain" video for "a bit more patience". Relief and anticipation fill the room as the last round of auctions takes place.

When they're over everyone settles down comfortably, seeking a place with a good view on the screen. A basket goes round for charity offerings, a little thank you for that very special treat we're going to get.

Lights go down and it starts. First the "bloopers" and "behind the scenes" part, always fascinating as it shows the work of the actors. Then the sweet and tender kiss after the director says "Cut!" in the "A Happy Life" picnic scene. I do love that one! And now the one we're all waiting for, the final scene of AHL. Siiiiigh! Too soon the tape ends. Is that all? No! It starts again, we're going to get them ALL! From the side, from V's point of view, from C's point of view, every one of them is a renewed bliss. The room is absolutely silent, people hardly daring to breathe as if they feared the miracle might vanish.

Finally it ends and we head back to our rooms in a blissful haze, the images still vivid in our eyes, to dream sweet dreams.

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