Collateral Stardust

Born in Hollywood, and raised by a radical, Black Panther-supporting mother and a charismatic trombone-playing father, Nikki Nash grew up surrounded by musicians, actors, conspiracy theorists, political fundraisers, jazz jams, and lots of alcohol-fueled parties. At thirteen she was lonely, longing for attention, and desperate to find something to fill the void. It wasn't a pony. It was Warren Beatty. She made a secret vow to find him and have him in her life forever. She wasn't naive and this wasn't a fantasy; she had a solid plan. And the first step was to grow up.

Five years later, Nash--now eighteen--embarks on the next step of her plan. After quitting college, she learns that Warren Beatty--who lives at the Beverly Hills Hotel--frequents a nearby restaurant. She gets a hostess job there and waits. In the meantime, she has endless strange encounters with stalkers, sociopaths, actors, agents, mobsters, and producers. It takes a year-and-a-half, but on a cold Sunday night, after breaking her finger in a judo class and looking her worst dirty hair pulled back, no make-up, her broken finger in a glass of ice--Warren Beatty walks through the door.