James Bond

It all started by a phone call from a friend in Umeå, Sweden. I had some performance/show that needed a guy that could take risks. Since I have done my fair share of adventures in my time, I was the fist pick for the part. At that moment I didn't know what it was all about, I know they needed someone to do a rappel of a building in central Umeå. the job didn't give any money, but hey, you only live ones I thought and took the train form Gothenburg.
When I arrived we went to the Hotel, the building in central Umeå, where I was suppose to do the rappel. We talk to the manager about the event. He explained that it was a joint publicity stunt for the hotel and a local video rental firm. According to him there was allot of things going on at the same time. There was going to be fights, soldiers and beautiful women in good looking cars, all in good James Bond manner. It seemed like I was playing a minor part as some bad guy jumping of a building. Well I though, it's fun to be part of it!
The evening the next day the event should be held. I was summoned to the hotel to meet the people in charge and to make a test rappel from the roof. Outside the hotel there was allot of cars, people running around. I didn't know how to talk to so I went in to find the manager. Inside there where as many people as outside, maybe more. There was allot of activity going on and equipment was manhandled around in the lobby. I felt rather out of place! The manager found me and pointed me outside again to a group of people surrounding the guys in charge. So! I went out and stood little in the background and started to listen to the conversation.

At that moment they where talking with a special effect person that I later learned is working for Swedish film industry and also been doing some work over in the states. They where talking about explosions and debris flying from an hotel room window on the second floor. Among the people there was also sound technicians and a person responsible for a light show. There was talk about search spotlights, smoke, flares and guns firing. After awhile I saw a opening in the group and took the chance to present myself to them. They raised an eyebrows in recognition of how I was, or what I was doing there. They excused themselves by having much to do and asked me to wait my turn, and they would talk to me as soon as they could. Well! Having a small part in this thing that seemed huge didn't make that important, so I had to wait, no offence actually, as I said before, fun to be in this thing at all! I sat down to wait in the lobby!

About 30 minutes later the two people in charge, there names is Jörgen and Mickael, came over and sat down. I better introduction was made and they started to ask me of my previous experiences in rappelling and climbing. They seemed satisfied with my answers and started to explain what was going on. throughout the conversation they got interrupted by people asking about lighting, music, food and all other things. The following evening they where doing a publicity stunt for the release of Golden Eye on video. That particular day there was also a Film festival in Umeå and they where running the James Bond movies like a theme day. At the hotel there should be a dinner for invited guests and paying ones too. There was going to be a show outside the hotel before the guests where let in for the dinner. Inside, during the dinner, there should be staged fights, performances and music and dance. In all a evening in James Bond manor. The thing I didn't get was my part in the thing. When I later where introduced to the stunt co-ordinator for the fights, the special effect man and parts of other people involved in the event, it suddenly dawned on me! I had to ask! And the answer I got was none that I expected at all. I was to play James Bond himself. Rappelling of the roof was the start of the evening, the main event. I was to rappel of the roof, stop at the second floor, though in a explosive device through the window, rappel down to the street and be picked up by a beautiful women in a fast car while being chased by soldiers.

The evening came closer and it was only hours left. I walked around setting things up. Safety checking the rope over and over again. Arranging the start cue for the event with the music and light fellows. Talking to the special effect man, getting the props for the bomb and remote. 45 min before I started to go through the performance step by step, all except the rappel and the car pickup. While concentrating on the performance in the street a couple of friends showed up and started to talk with me. I can't actually recall what they where saying because I was so concentrated and nervous. One of them noticed that I was rather busy and didn't take any notice of them so they trailed of. I know that I have never been so impolite to any one, but I was rather occupied being nervous.

Standing on the roof a couple of minutes before the event I stopped thinking. It was scary, went into some sort of haze. Today everything seems as dream. I remember the cue signal for the music, red flares lighting up the edge of the roof, and of I went. I can never recall the people watching. I know now how people in a theatre feels when the only act without paying any attention to the audience. I didn't wake up until I sat in the car rushing of along side a very good-looking girl. I could make out applause when we went by people standing on both sides of the street. There was about 300 people present, maybe more. Not that much, but I can say that I did it, not many can. I was James Bond for one evening. I will do it again any time.

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