The Philippines gig was cut short. We did some press interviews but no live events. It seems the movie was less of a cult hit and more of a lightening rod. Conservative Catholic groups were quite upset about the story of a priest who fathers an illegitimate child. But still, Eoin wasn't the one getting the death threats. It seemed there was a much bigger furor over the 'harlet' who tempts the priest to break his holy vows.

“These people DO understand, don't they, that we're actors playing roles?” I asked one of the interviewers, who just replied with a noncommital shrug.

“I didn't grow up on a sheep ranch. Eoin is not really a priest.” I said directly to the TV Camera.

“And Katherine is not really a virgin.” Eoin grinned.

I turned to him. “Not helping here.” I said, fighting mightily to retain Katherine's stone-face.

“It's all pretend. It's a story written almost a hundred years ago. We just retold it. With music. And dance numbers.” I said, still looking directly into the camera.

“And sheep.” Eoin added. Not as helpfully as he intended.

“Well, there were always sheep. Ours were just more ….choreographed.” I smiled to the hosts.

“Eat your heart out Bollywood!” Eoin crowed.

The interviewers finally interjected.

“Have you had incidents like this before on your tour?” she asked.

Eoin and I looked at each other. Was she talking about the death threats or the protests outside the theatre?

“Could you be more specific? What incidents?” Eoin asked our host.

“The death threats.... and the threats against the public appearance. Were there any previous concerns about a bomb at the theatre?”

“Not since the night of the premiere.” I deadpanned. Eoin snorked.

Shaking his head and struggling to regain his composure, he said “This is the first I've heard of any threat. Anywhere.”

I gave our hosts Katherine's polite smile. “We came here to work. And to share our little extravaganza with the lovely people of the Philippines. I must admit, it hurts to find we're not wanted.”

“Not by everyone.” Our host quickly cut in. Her co host jumped in as well.

“It just seems to be a few troublemakers who are making the idle threats.” He seemed almost apologetic.

I smiled politely. “I understand. But are the threats idle? The people handling security don't seem so sure, so we're locked down at our hotel until we leave. I haven't had this little freedom of movement since I was grounded as a child.” I said sadly. That was true. My dad grounded me over something silly. I think it was missing school. Uncle Kevin picked me up on my way to school and said my folks got me out of school for the day to help him. I sat and 'minded' the car while he and his mates did an errand. Before he dropped me home, he told me that I had in fact skipped school, and that if I knew what was good for me, I wouldn't tell my parents or anyone where I had been or what I had been doing.

That was the last time I had been grounded. And this very much reminded me of it. We were all essentially trapped in our hotel, but it seemed I ….Katherine.... was singled out.

“The ultra conservative Catholics are up in arms over the so called 'blasphemy'” Dez explained. “But it's gone beyond that. Certain ultra conservative Imams have decried you as a whore hell bent to despoil and destroy pious men of God.” He smiled wearily.

“You mean my ….Katherine's.... character in Thornbirds.” I corrected. He shook his head sadly.

“I don't think they know the difference. Or care.” he sighed.

“Well that's not fair! Eoins the 'victim' of my seductive charms?” I shook my head in disbelief.

“Temptation, thy name is woman.” Dez chuckled cynically. “Don't blame me. Blame Eve.” he laughed.

“Eve was framed.” I muttered.

“That's beyond my ability to fix” Dez laughed. “What I CAN do is make sure you're safe. And that means staying in your suite, hosting press who come to visit us within our secure hotel, and keeping a low profile until we jet out of here.”

“No problem.” I snorted. “Low profile is Katherine's middle name.”

Dez laughed, patted my knee, and left to mollify Eoin, Colleen, Cyril and the rest of the crew – none of whom had personal prices put on their heads.