Veronica Backham - Interview with Lorelei Bell (Script)
VB: Before we begin this interview, would you please answer one question? Are you a vampire? Don't get me wrong, I like vampires. I, too, avoid the sun. As a model I had to maintain a pale complexion, you know. But I wouldn't want those nasty bite marks on my neck. So, are you a vampire?
LB: Veronica, no. I'm not.
VB: Good. (Sigh of relieve) So... You have written a book titled "Vampire Ascending," and I hear it is quite good. Well, I have checked, and the movie is not out yet. So, can you tell me what "Vampire Ascending" is about?
LB: My book is about a touch clairvoyant who is looking for a job and she goes off to an interview for someone who needs a clairvoyant-her lucky day, right? On her way to the job interview she is attacked by a werewolf, and is bitten. She is saved by handsome Nicolas Paduraru, who happens to be the guy to interview her for Bjorn Tremayne, the head vampire. His mate was murdered and he needs her clairvoyant skills to hunt him down to get revenge. These are all vampires who work and live in Chicago in the ultra-modern vampire stronghold/hotel on the Magnificent Mile.
Sabrina, while not thrilled about working for vampires, needs the money. Plus the advantage here is she might finally find the vampire who bit her when she was young, and turned her mother at the time. Very soon she's in a race against time before a new vampire ascends, and her friend may die at the hands of rogue vampires, if she doesn't find her quickly.
VB: Very interesting. You know, before I was finally discovered I, too, had to take the oddest jobs. Once, I was asked to perform for a ... (Hesitating) Oops! Maybe I should not ... (Giggling) Anyways ... Well, I am still a bit on the edge about this nasty biting thing these vampires do. It's just not good when you're in the entertainment business, you know. I mean, somebody should keep an eye on these guys, don't you think? Maybe they should get the FBI, CIA, NCIS, or even the Federal Bureau of Investigation to watch them. What's your thought on this?
LB: Oh, I know. (Chuckle) They leave vampire hickeys! But from what I've heard there's places that vampires like to bite on the body that aren't quite so noticeable . . .but we won't go into that.
As far as keeping the vampires in check, there is a higher authority-well, they aren't higher, its just their job. It's called the V.I.U., or Vampire Investigations Unit, and it's headed up by Ba'al Demons. If a vampire gets a little too out of hand, like hunting humans--which is illeagal--then the Ba'al Demons are there to police them. Depending upon the severity of their "crimes", the VIU either fine them or jail them. Hunting humans is a small fine. Killing a human is pretty serious, and that's a huge fine and jail, plus a trial in Dark Realm.
VB: Oh, good to know that we regular humans are protected. I myself have a tattoo that nobody knows about, and it is at a place that I don't want to talk about. (Giggle) Well, my husband knows. (Sigh) Anyways... Good to know that there is finally a female character in charge. But let me ask a more intimate question. Is there some kind of a nice-looking guy in your book? I mean somebody like to swoon about? Maybe a real man with a really nice tush and a bad attitude. Don't get me wrong, my husband has a nice behind, and I am happily married. But I am not dead, you know. Peeping is allowed.
LB: How does a seven foot once-upon-a-time Viking who is now a vampire sound? That's Bjorn Tremayne, owner, CEO of Tremayne Towers--rich, of course--and also top dog of the eastern half of the North American Vampire Ascociation. Or perhaps, since you're sort of intimidated about the biting thing, there's the shift changer Dante who is a gorgeous Native American with long, unfettered black hair. There's plenty of other vampire men who aren't bad on the eyes as well. So peep away.
VB: Ooh! I can't wait to see the movie! (Pause. Thinking.) Okay. I have heard that you are working on a sequel to the mov... uhm book. I mean, writing a book is a lot of work. I can tell you a story about it. You see, I had people who assisted me when I wrote my memoir. They call them ghost writers. I don't know why. But it was quite some work to get them to listen to me. Now, you have already written an entire book with many, many words - I should know; I paged through the book - and now you're writing another one... By the way, do you have people, too, to help you write...?
LB: (Mental eye roll) Uh, no. I definitely don't have people helping me write my book. And I too would love to see the movie adaptation of this. But I have fears, like Dean Koontz, that something terribly wrong would happen if I signed over my rights. . . however exceedingly happy as I trot off to the bank.
And yes. The sequel is called Vampire's Trill.
VB: Yes, I understand. I have been waiting to sell the movie rights for my memoir, but no luck so far. I just don't understand. And yes, times are rough. I just had to take one of my Rolls Royces off insurance. (Sigh) Anyways... So, you write all these words by yourself? That is indeed amazing. So, what is the sequel about? Does it somehow relate to your first book?
LB: Well, yes. The sequel starts off a few weeks after the last one ended. Sabrina, having been bitten by a werewolf in the beginning of the first book, now has to deal with becoming one herself when the full moon rises. But she deals, especially with Dante Badheart, hot Indian guy at her side, who is now--as we learn--no longer able to see her because his master, Tremayne, has told him to knock it off.
And Tremayne is awaiting his trial, locked up in a church. Sabrina is to go and get him out, take him to another world and get him and herself back in one piece.
Meanwhile Ilona Tremayne has pretty much taken over all of the North American Vampire Association, after her husband, Erik's, death--who we are quite sure she was behind. And to top it off, she has voted back the Hunting Human's Act.
Because the word is out that Sabirna is a clairvoyant, a local werewolf gang needs her help in locating one of its members who has left with their coffer. This introduces Hobart, one of the werewolf members, who is also hoping Sabrina can help him find his girlfriend's murderer. She was killed in a very grisly way, her unborn child cut from her, and left in a ditch. Her unborn's body was never found.
Vasyl, who was introduced in the first book, plays a larger roll in this one, and urges Sabrina to get the "mystic ring" which will keep a vampire's thrall from affecting her, and she could control demons with this very ancient ring. Plus, she gets a very ancient dagger which maims vampires, and kills demons and Nephilim.
Sound good?
VB: Whoa! Information overload! You are amazing! It would take me years to come up with a sequel. How do you do that? So, when can we expect your next book?
LB: I think it took me about a year to work on the sequel. And how? My husband tells me I am the most talented woman he's ever known after his own mother.
As to the second book's release, I haven't a date set. In fact, I've yet to send it to my publisher, but I'm hoping for a summer release.
VB: Well, everybody tells me how talented your are! And isn't it fabulous to have a husband who supports his wife and provides all the financial resources we women need so desperately? (Pause. Thinking.) So, it took you over a year, huh? I 'm not sure I would the patience. (Pause. Thinking.) Well, it was a pleasure talking with you, but I think I have an appointment with my coiffeur in New York later this afternoon. (Sigh.) Anyways. We all are looking forward to your next book, and I am sure we will invite you again when it's released.
LB: Well, thank you, and it was great meeting you and speaking with you. I'll be happy to talk to you again soon!
VB: Okay. You can leave now.
Veronica Backham shares her interviews with famous people from all over the world, including Jesus Christ, Che Guevara, Charlie Sheen, and more. As we all know, Veronica's accomplishments include a long career as a "secret" model plus multiple recordings in the music industry. Veronica has just recently published her memoir, which is pretty good for someone who has never read a book in her life. We are looking forward to her next interview.
