Get Up, Take me to the Bridge! (or Adventures in Scientologyland)

So, I've arrived at Scientology central in Hollywood (I'm here for a friend's wedding tomorrow). We're staying at the 'Celebrity Center' which includes a hotel and restaurant 'Come for Brunch' is proudly displayed on the street - I can't see any small print, but perhaps it should say 'Stay Forever'. I'm disappointed already since there aren't any celebrities here as far as I can tell, but the magazines in the lobby have pictures of actors and actresses on. The picture of Travolta looks like it was taken twenty years ago.

I've already fallen foul of the powers that be. Upon checkin, we filled in the normal address forms and were handed an extra 'questionnaire' asking lots of medical questions as well as things like 'Are you carrying any weapons?' and perhaps more sinisterly, 'Have you ever been designated 'trouble to scientology' by any Scientology center?' We filled it in, and handed it over, and I asked for a copy. They man seemed surprised, and offered to let me review the form again. 'No, I'd like a copy for my records'. There wasn't a photocopier handy it seemed, so he gave me a blank copy of the form, saying 'It's copyrighted'.

Whilst waiting to be shown to our room, he came scurrying back - "I just checked with my supervisor, and he says that the form is copyrighted and I can't let you have a copy. I can shred the one you gave me if you like." So I reluctantly gave the form back, and watched him shred the one we'd filled in.

We were then escorted to our (very plush) room. I tried to tip the maid, but she said "No, there's no tipping here."

Tonight is the big party, and the wedding tomorrow - I'll keep you posted on how we get on...

Scientology
Operation Clambake

Posted by ashleyniblock at December 31, 2002 08:21 PM