thanks for updates, girls!

pics aren't new,but I've never read that interview seems Interview magazine re-published that and other old interviews on the site under the NEW AGAIN title

Interview US June 1994

NEW AGAIN: LEONARDO DICAPRIO

By Ingrid Sischy, Amanda Duberman

It's telling when the anniversary of a cinematic rendering of a catastrophic event nearly overshadows the history itself. This week marks the 100th anniversary of the RMS Titanic, and the 15th anniversary of the 1997 film chronicling the ship's descent (with a few artistic liberties taken, to be fair). The film earned 14 Academy Awards and grossed $1.8 billion worldwide. Dozens of filmmakers have attempted to recreate the high-stakes, high-reward romance in Titanic, using terminal illness, familial discord, or interspecies affairs. (We're looking at you, Twilight.) Those of us just under the PG-13 cutoff waited eagerly for the VHS and used Leo headshots from Tiger Beat as wallpaper. Revisiting Titanic this week nearly makes reliving our pubescence worth it.

Leonardo DiCaprio earned near-instant fame with Titanic's release, after a string of critically lauded performances in What's Eating Gilbert Grape, This Boy's Life, Romeo and Juliet, and of course, Growing Pains. Former Interview editor-in-chief Ingrid Sischy caught up with DiCaprio in 1994, prophetically declaring his imminent stardom and sex-symbol status to a 20-year-old actor reluctant to accept the praise. 15 years after the career-making role, DiCaprio has garnered more praise as an actor and producer than many of his peers (not to mention, he chills with Al Gore).

Before Titanic and Gisele, and when "being green" was usually accidental, DiCaprio was slightly more indulgent with the press. Here, he talks growing up in Hollywood, learning about the birds and the bees with Pauly Shore, and, of course, falling in love.

INGRID SISCHY: I've been noticing how many young actors are coming along who grew up in Hollywood but whose parents weren't in the business. That's the case with you, right? So start the story of your road to becoming an actor.

LEONARDO DICAPRIO: I always wanted to become an actor. My parents know I was outgoing as a child, and whenever people came over I'd automatically do impressions of them as soon as they left; it was my mom's favorite thing. Yes, I grew up in Hollywood but not in any rich neighborhood. But my parents, who were split up, were so good at keeping my environment strong and keeping everything around me not focused on the fact that we were poor. They got me culture. They took me to museums. They showed art to me. They read to me. And my mother drove two hours a day to take me to University Elementary School. My father picked me up. He'd been an underground comic artist in New York in the '60s and he's been distributing comics and records and books in L.A. for a while now. I'd go on trips with him to all the comic-book stores around town when I was little.

School, I never truly got the knack of. I could never focus on things I didn't want to learn. Math is just the worst. To this day, I can't concentrate on it. People always say, "You should have tried harder." But actually, I cheated a lot because I could not sit and do homework. Most of the other stuff that I got from school was from hanging out with friends and meeting kids. I used to, like, take half of the school and do break-dancing skits with my friend in front of them at lunchtime. I had this one science class where the teacher would give me ten minutes after the class ended and I would get up and do improv!

My love of performing goes way back. My mom got me on Romper Room when I was five—it was my favorite show. But they couldn't control me. I would run up and smack the camera, and I'd jump around and do my little flips and routines. I wish I could get that tape now. But I have other memories too. There was this one casting call when I was about 10. They brought five kids in just to see their look and if they'd be right for acting. I had this sort of punk haircut because I was into break-dancing at the time. I swear to God, it felt like we were a row of meat. The lady looked at me and at the other kids, saying, "Not him, not him not him. You stay." I was one of the "not hims." On the way home in the car, I cried and I said, "Dad, I really want to become an actor, but if this is what it's about, I don't want to do it." He put his arm around me and said, "Someday, Leonardo, it will happen or you. Remember these words. Just relax." And then I stopped crying and I said, "OK."

SISCHY: When did your parents get divorced?

DICAPRIO: Before I was born. I sort of preferred it because I had two different worlds that I could connect with.

SISCHY: You didn't stay in high school, right?

DICAPRIO: I did about 30, 40 commercials, and then I got Growing Pains during 11th grade and for 12th grade I had some home study. I did 24 episodes and towards the end of that I auditioned for This Boy's Life. My first TV show had been Parenthood, which got canceled after 13 episodes. I played Gary Buckman, the kid who masturbated and was really disturbed that his father left. During that time I remember talking to Pauly Shore about sex a lot.

SISCHY: Really?

DICAPRIO: One day we sat down on a mattress and talked about it for an hour, because I was curious, and he told me about girls and everything.

SISCHY: How old were you?

DICAPRIO: 14, 15, something like that.

SISCHY: Talk to me about whether or not you think you have a sense of yourself in physical and sexual terms.

DICAPRIO: I'm still exploring in a lot of ways. I don't know myself completely.

SISCHY: What I'm getting at is there's something about you that makes me think you're going to have a lot, lot, lot to deal with in terms of being a really sexy star. To have that...

DICAPRIO: Charm?

SISCHY: Yeah.

DICAPRIO: My charm? [sighs]

SISCHY: Maybe it's even dangerous to talk about it because of the self-consciousness that it could arouse.

DICAPRIO: OK., I think sexiness in most people—and this is going to sound superficial—is definitely something you don't plan. I don't necessarily think I'm... whatever. To tell you the truth, I have no idea what people think of me. The main thing I don't want to do right now is create an image for myself. I notice that when I'm being consciously cool and I talk slower and wink or give a little smirk, people seem to like me more, and I think that's how you get phony attitudes about things. Whenever I notice myself doing something just to please somebody else, I try to stop it.

SISCHY: Do you think you've changed as a person since you became successful?

DICAPRIO: I know I've changed. No matter what, becoming well known makes your mind start thinking in a different way. For example, people are watching you a lot more than they ever were. When people ask me, "How do you deal with fame?" I don't have an answer. When I person comes to me and says, "I really enjoyed your performance," I try to give a sincere thank-you, but I have no way to show you that I'm a decent guy and that I respect what you're saying. When I did What's Eating Gilbert Grape? I had no particular pressure on me. Now I feel there is more pressure on me to keep to that same text that I've kept to in my past two movies, of just maintaining my natural ability. I didn't even know what I did in Gilbert Grape. I just went off with whatever I felt instinctually without a second thought.

SISCHY: Are you scared you can't do it again?

DICAPRIO: No, I know I can do it. It's something that's there. But at the same time you fight off these other things that you've started to hear about yourself and that you're a lot more conscious of than before. Since we're talking about fame, I think it's much more interesting when people say, "I love being famous. I love the attention and getting laid and having people I respect admire me," than when they pretend it hasn't had an effect on them.

SISCHY: How about taking the opposite point of view, which is also possible? Do you think fame has made you personally wilder?

DICAPRIO: I've always been wild. Now I have a lot more material to work with. I can't say it any more simply than that. But acting is the only time when I truly maintain the spontaneity that I want to be present at all times.

SISCHY: Right now you're doing the film of Jim Carroll's book The Basketball Diaries. What's it like playing Jim Carroll?

DICAPRIO: Uncharted territory.

SISCHY: The thing that's so odd about the movie roles you've chosen so far is that you've seemed perfect for each of them. Weird, huh?

DICAPRIO: I think actors make the mistake of finding their little niche in the business and once they try to do something a little darker, boom, they get slapped across the face for it, so they go back to what they did before. That's why the business can be cruel, because it doesn't encourage you to learn. Like on this movie, there's some whacked-out stuff that I do that I've never done before, never in my entire life, not even at home alone.

SISCHY: I hear you bought your dad a car. That must have been an incredible feeling.

DICAPRIO: I knew he wanted a new car because he's had beat-up station wagons all his life. I planned a big 50th birthday party for him with all his friends. I had a ska band there and polka music and he was blowing out candles on the cake in front of his whole family when I pulled up and beeped, and he turned around and it was me with the brand-new car. I couldn't picture anything more beautiful, basically, though I wouldn't tell him that. His face just lit up. I don't want to say that the car symbolized all my feelings, but I hope it showed that no matter what changes I go through, I'll always be there. I get poignant about all this because I want to be the perfect child. I owe so much to my parents and the way I was brought up, but I have sometimes overlooked it—it's something that I don't want to overlook. The things that you did with them, whether it was spending every Sunday morning with your dad and eating French toast and watching Popeye, or decorating the Christmas tree with our mother—these are memories that help you be happy.

SISCHY: Do you want to write?

DICAPRIO: I think acting is enough for now. More than anything, I want to travel. And I know I want to really fall in love eventually.

SISCHY: Have you?

DICAPRIO: No. And I don't want to yet. I never thought I could travel unless I had a wife or someone to share it with. You don't necessarily need that, but I am the type of person that wants to share a lot. That's why I'm going on a trip with my mother after I've done The Basketball Diaries, because I want to spend some time with her. It's not about falling in love yet. It's about making memories.

I think back to this interview alot because its one of the few where he reveals significantly more about himself than what we've become used to. In my opinion, he comes off as a very smart, kind and thoughtful person. He still comes across this way even today. Thanks Sick

Avaia Personally I think it's possible that it can be a gift from Leo. Why not. I have understood that Bar was also wearing a JM necklace.

But I don't think we can be 100% sure. Sorry Kat but unless she or he say it, we're just assuming.

Thanks for more covers scans Sick

But I don't think we can be 100% sure. Sorry Kat but unless she or he say it, we're just assuming.

I'm not saying just off assumptions....you know erinheathertonangelwings? Lets just say she's got some pretty reliable sources :brows:

Thanks sick! and why hello cash!

its nice to read Leo's old interview.I've watched some of his very early interview and he was so sure about what he want for his life and career and never change till now

I hope Erin n Leo is alright I like Erin,she seems genuine

There was this one casting call when I was about 10. They brought five kids in just to see their look and if they'd be right for acting. I had this sort of punk haircut because I was into break-dancing at the time. I swear to God, it felt like we were a row of meat. The lady looked at me and at the other kids, saying, "Not him, not him not him. You stay." I was one of the "not hims." On the way home in the car, I cried and I said, "Dad, I really want to become an actor, but if this is what it's about, I don't want to do it." He put his arm around me and said, "Someday, Leonardo, it will happen or you. Remember these words. Just relax." And then I stopped crying and I said, "OK."

On Location Tours ‏@onlocationtours

@ladiijoe The Wolf of Wall Street, starring Leo DiCaprio, is filming around Chestnut Hill Rd in Upper Brookville today.

You're right about the mags Ox, I think they just check what the others have made up so they don't write the same thing

Thanks for the news girls

I know we've been spoiled by the tons of set-pics, but WOW is still filming, right?

edit: So they are, thanks Nanda

Thanks alot for that tweet Nanda!!

Sic

Tks for more magazine covers /interview ; we are all so lucky that you have kept store of all these covers/interviews, as just when I think I've read most of his interviews/seen most magazine covers ; you surprise me with something new to enjoy

Nanda

Tks for today's filming locale information ; yes, we certainly could use some new set pix though I'd be just as thrilled to get some new pix of Leo off the set

It would be great if one day we all had a chance to decide for ourselves

]I love how people describe Leo when they met him. Almost everyone who met Leo says he is more attractive in person... is that even possible?

I think back to this interview alot because its one of the few where he reveals significantly more about himself than what we've become used to. In my opinion, he comes off as a very smart, kind and thoughtful person. He still comes across this way even today. Thanks Sick

Tks for more covers Sick!! I recall some pics! And also tks for this excellent article

Nanda I agree with you...it's impossible sometimes to describe why we love him...all I know is that Leo will always be my favorite actor and my platonic passion,no matter how old he looks...he'll always be my number one.

Thanks for all the news, pics and tweets etc xx Found this it is so random it is quite funny!

The Case Of Leonardo DiCaprio's Terracotta Toddlers

Tuk tuk’s are seriously difficult to control, especially with customers in tow. Steering is minimal; to turn left I had to speed up and to turn right I had to slow down. It took a while to get accustomed but after a few ‘pick up’s’ and ‘drop offs’ I was confident and began to enjoy myself. The Islands roads were in good condition and the customers didn’t veer from the main road so I didn’t get lost until night fell.

I take no pleasure in blowing my own trumpet but I was good and taxiing! It just came naturally, I am part of the road, although my knowledge of the Island or the resorts on the Island was minimal my rapport building was brilliant and often papered over the small cracks concerning destination and time. I was doing well with the takings also, by 17:00 I had made 940 baht and still had the rush to come. I was at ease.

I picked up the next customer in exactly the same way I had gathered up the others but something was different about this man. His clothes were just a bit nicer and his hair a little more kept.

‘Hey there! Where to, my friend?’ This was my introduction. The customer, like most took a double take because I was Western rather than Thai.

‘Oh hey, um, just drive, I’ll direct you.’ He said in a broad American accent as he slouched into his seat and motioned for me to step on it, I obliged. Something was strange with this man; he hid his head from onlookers and didn’t seem wholly comfortable with riding on a tuk tuk. I decided to build some rapport.

‘So, you on holiday or do you live here?’

‘Um, oh, yeah, vacation.’ Still he was occupied with what was going on behind or to the side of us. He was distracted. I needed to step up.

‘Vacation hey. Well, what a place. I only arrived today and I love it. What part of America are you from?’

‘Seriously man, lets just get me home. OK?’ He wasn’t biting. I tried once more.

‘Do you not find it weird that I’m driving a tuk tuk? It’s a funny story actually…’

‘It is weird. Look, I’ve been talking to people I don’t want to talk to all day. Just get me back… Hang on, stop at this 7 – 11, I need some smokes.’ I stopped, he got out. What a strange man, on holiday and no time for a little engagement with some excellent rapport. I figured he got into a little trouble in town and was watching his back, that was, until he exited the shop and I got a first real look at his face.

Fuck. My heart began to pop out my chest. That’s Leonardo DiCaprio. My first night in public transport and I pick up Leonardo DiCaprio!

He stopped outside the shop briefly to light his cigarette. I thought for a minute as he looked around that he had forgotten about me, then, his movement changed, he rushed back towards my tuk tuk, something had startled him and it wasn’t long before I noticed it too. A group of 15 or so girls falling over each other as they raced down the street for a sniff of my customer. I needed to protect him.

‘Quick, get in!’ Igniting the engine I accelerated so hard the tuk tuk pulled a brief and intentional wheelie. Cool. I pushed through the gears and before long we had lost the girls and found quiet road. My customer’s body language changed, he was relieved and I could feel he sensed the harassment or chance thereof, had gone. I thought this the perfect time for a spot of light rapport, but struggled. A few strained minutes of silence passed as I mulled over the coolest thing to say, then, surprisingly he said.

‘Shit man, those girls… Those fucking girls… Thanks by the way…’ He smiled. Then laughed. I joined in.

His barrier was down, I could begin my rapport but it was a different ball game now. He’s Leonardo DiCaprio, what the fuck do you say to Leonard DiCaprio? It had to be cool, but what’s cool? Is winking still cool? Thumbs up? Are a thumbs up and a wink cool? Shit, I didn’t know. One thing that did occur to me though was to not admit to knowing who he was. Seemingly he didn’t like or trust his fans and not knowing him made me cooler, surely?

‘So, why the screaming’s girls?’ I had to stop myself calling him Leo.

He answered by swerving the obvious and seemed keen not to tell me of his fame or the real reason for the ‘girls’ following him. He then asked me my name.

‘Will.’ I replied. Then, form of habit forced me to enquire as to his. I was expecting Leonardo or Leo but he called himself ‘Jack’. Weird. I took a look at him. ‘Jack?’ I repeated. ‘Yeah, Jack.’

‘Well, nice to meet you Jack.’ He clearly didn’t want me to know who he was; in fact, he seemed buoyed by my acceptance of his alias and began to chat more. I spoke at a minimum for fear of coming across un-cool, which, I wasn’t ready to be. I put my thumbs up, nodded and winked, he made all the chat.

He talked of his holiday and how his buddy Jim had ditched him the day before. He didn’t give exact reasons for his friends’ exodus but did hint at a bust up over some ‘lost toast’. I didn’t understand but nodded and winked all the same. We had been travelling for about 15 minutes and his chatter had not ceased. The less I talked the more he did, like a man who had just discovered talking. It began to annoy me if I’m honest. He kept putting my name at the end of every sentence, I couldn’t think why.

We neared his accommodation as he took me up a very country road. I couldn’t make out much as it was dark and the light on the tuk tuk was maybe one candle strong but it was terribly bumpy and uncomfortable. Leo encouraged me greatly.

‘Just up here Will. On the left Will, you can do it Will. Take care Will.’ Constantly.

At points he held my shoulder, came closer and whispered ‘On the left Will.’ It was an odd situation I found myself in but soon enough we had reached his place. It was everything you would expect; big, neutral, modern, well lit, good balance of glass and wall. It was very nice. I tried to excuse myself and offer a goodbye as I understood our acquaintance to be finished but Leo had other ideas.

‘Will. Do you like chess? Y’know chess Will? Do you like it? Will?’ Was he asking me in for a game of chess? ‘Sure, chess is fun.’ I replied, hinting sarcasm. He grew excited, jumped out of the tuk tuk and began to circle it, wildly waving his hands. ‘Well guess what Will?’ almost shouting ‘I’ve got a chessboard. I’VE GOT A CHESSBOARD!! Oh Will you’re gonna love it, y’know Will, come on, LETS GO.’ He ran into his house, laughing and jumping. He expected me to follow, so I did. Oh well. I’ve done stranger things than play chess with Leonardo DiCaprio, haven’t I?

The inside of his house was again as expected, luxurious. He led me through the entrance hall, which, was massive, into an even larger room. He stood in the centre, turned and gave me a knowing glance. ‘You like chess Will?’ his words echoed around the room ‘How’s this for a fucking chessboard?’ He raised his arms and awaited my response. I didn’t get it. There was little in the room other than a chandelier and two rows of terracotta warriors backed up against opposite walls. No chessboard in sight. ‘What’s up Will? What? You can’t see it? Think big Will!’ THINK BIG!’… A moment, then I realised. The floor was a large chequered marble tile sequence and the warriors either side of me weren’t merely decorative, they were the chess pieces. I was stood on the chessboard. A life-sized chessboard. ‘Fuck!’.

“Pretty cool eh? I got the idea form that Wizard Potter shit. I love chess. Here, let me show you how it works Will.’ He took me to the side of the room, off the tiled floor, pressed a button on the wall and a game station including two chairs rose from the ground. ‘Take a seat..’ I did. The game station had a monitor covering several angles of the ‘board’ and a futuristic pad, which, controlled the movements of the ‘pieces’. It was amazing. Leo gave a demo. The terracotta warriors moved to the designated spot seamlessly. ‘How do they do that?’ I asked.

‘This is the genius part. I got all the warriors imported from China and had engineers, professors, technicians all working round the clock trying to figure out how to make these heavy bastards move without braking. It was impossible, a few were damaged, a few destroyed, we almost gave up… Then…’ He looked at me with his most familiar movie glare. ‘ We had our eureka moment. We hollowed out the centre of the warriors and trained children to move them from the inside. It was genius. No need for expensive technology just a few willing children, we got them from China as well. Yep. Life sized chess would not be possible without those kids.’

He was a great actor, I almost agreed that life sized chess was so important that to enslave children to preserve its existence was ok! But of course it wasn’t ok, I had to stop it.

‘Wow.’ Was all I could muster. Then silence. Leo looked at me with that same undeterred expression, confirming his story, until his grin cracked through…

‘Will, you dick! Children don’t control them, Fuck, its magnets, MAGNETS WILL! Jeez you English are fucking gullible… Shall we play?’ We played, it was amazing. I was a bit embarrassed but mainly relieved that slave kids were not used so I focused on kicking Leonardo’s arse. I didn’t, he was highly trained, every time I honed in oh his Terracotta King he gave me the slip, almost as if it was planned. Damn. Still, it was the best game I have ever played. I never grew bored of the warriors moving, it was both otherworldly and exactly real.

After his third straight victory Leo offered me a strange alternative to life sized chess. ‘Will? Can I draw you? Can I? Come on, you’ll love it, I’m an excellent drawer, come on Will.’ In any normal circumstance I’m sure I’d be sceptical. Being drawn is no way near as cool as playing big chess and a man offering is almost a no go, but this evening was strange and I was curious as to how it may unfold. ‘Sure.’ I agreed.

Leo led me to the only exit of the chess room. As I left I turned to take in a final glance at the madness. It was then that I noticed a small panel open slowly on the back of one of the warriors. I shook my head to shake the scene from my eyes but the panel was still moving when I regained my focus. It then slammed shut, as if it shouldn’t be opening. Holy bollock. Was he initially telling the truth? A double bluff? There are children in the warriors?

‘Leo. LEO. Wait up.’ He waited. ‘Look, I think I’ve just seen a child in the terracotta warriors, they are operated by kids aren’t they?’ Leo’s expression changed. ‘So… You do know who I am? I thought you were different Will. I thought I’d found a new friend but your all the fucking same aren’t you. Who do you work for?’ Oh yeah, shit, he didn’t know I knew who he was. Still, that’s not the major issue, child slaves are pretty damning no matter the talent of the actor. ‘Of course I know who you are, you’re one of the most famous men on earth and I’m not a recluse. I don’t work for anyone, apart from the tuk tuk company at the moment, but that’s temporary. Anyway, that’s not the point, the point is that you enslave kids for a game of chess. Why?!’

Leo giggled. He didn’t take my question seriously. ‘Go and tell your big boss what I do, go on Will, if that is your real name, go fuck yourself!’ He wasn’t interested anymore, his paranoia had clearly taken hold of him but I needed to know if he did enslave kids, I pressed. ‘Leo. I just saw something inside those warriors, was it a child?’ He paused, and placed the tips of his fingers together under his nose and began with the famous vacant stare. ‘You’ve got a cheek Will. Y’know. I offer you my hospitality and you’

‘LEO, stop with the ballshit.’ I interrupted. ‘What’s going on here?’ I pressed again.

‘What’s going on? You’re accusing me of shit I can’t even comprehend. Do you know I give $40million a year to charities over the world?’

‘Leo, I don’t care what you give, I care about small children living in clay statues. What’s going on?’

‘Stop calling me Leo, my name is Jack.’

‘What.’

‘And you are Rose.’

‘WHAT!’

‘We are Jack and Rose Dawson, current residence, the Titanic, and I will draw you Rose, I will. I’m going to draw you naked and you’re going to leave your rich but bastard fiancé for me. You can do it Rose.’

‘What the fuck are you on about?’ He had lost it, or had he? His acting was so good I didn’t know what to think.

‘Come on Rose, let’s go to a real party.’

‘Seriously, Leonardo. What is going on?’

‘Oh, I’ll tell you Rose, you’re going to grow old and have lots and lots of babies Rose. You are not dying Rose, not tonight.’ He came close and even though it was obvious he was insane and I should be afraid, I couldn’t help but be transfixed by his acting. He then reached for a switch on the wall, pressed it and a small section of floor beneath him gave way and he fell down what I can only assume was an escape passage/safety room. He had acted his way out of my interrogation.

I began to search the house to see if I could find him or any evidence of the mistreating of children. I found nothing. I heard a car speed away from his drive whilst I was in the kitchen, I presume that was he. Still, I had to try and get to the bottom of the kids in the terracotta warriors, but, there was nothing in it. The warriors were empty and whilst they did have opening panels on the back of them, the inside was too small to house a cat let alone a child. Was it a triple bluff? Had my eyes deceived me? Maybe magnets do control them. I didn’t know then and recalling it now makes less sense still. I don’t know. I never will. Leo’s actions were that of a guilty man but it was clear his years of method acting had severely diminished his take on reality. Still, It was pretty cool to meet him. Even If I now question my own sanity, more.

So, I went home upon my tuk tuk a confused man. Again. I told Carolyn of my day and she only really seemed interested in what Leonardo DiCaprio was wearing and the length of his hair. Stupid women.

Another fine day in Thailand and The case of the Terracotta Toddlers – Solved?

http://milksolvestha...blogspot.co.uk/

Nice closeup of Leo on Wolf set I hadn't seen before

Crazylady

Crazy story for sure

Nanda

It would be great if one day we all had a chance to decide for ourselves

]I love how people describe Leo when they met him. Almost everyone who met Leo says he is more attractive in person... is that even possible?

lol thanks Crazylady for that story, so hilarious

But I don't think we can be 100% sure. Sorry Kat but unless she or he say it, we're just assuming.

I'm not saying just off assumptions....you know erinheathertonangelwings? Lets just say she's got some pretty reliable sources :brows:

Thanks sick! and why hello cash!

Basket ball diaries interview 1995 with behing the scene

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rAQ98LkeBRA

Erinhangelwings I'm 10000000% agree with you !! And i support you !!

Thanks for all the news, pics and tweets etc xx Found this it is so random it is quite funny!

The Case Of Leonardo DiCaprio's Terracotta Toddlers

Tuk tuk’s are seriously difficult to control, especially with customers in tow. Steering is minimal; to turn left I had to speed up and to turn right I had to slow down. It took a while to get accustomed but after a few ‘pick up’s’ and ‘drop offs’ I was confident and began to enjoy myself. The Islands roads were in good condition and the customers didn’t veer from the main road so I didn’t get lost until night fell.

I take no pleasure in blowing my own trumpet but I was good and taxiing! It just came naturally, I am part of the road, although my knowledge of the Island or the resorts on the Island was minimal my rapport building was brilliant and often papered over the small cracks concerning destination and time. I was doing well with the takings also, by 17:00 I had made 940 baht and still had the rush to come. I was at ease.

I picked up the next customer in exactly the same way I had gathered up the others but something was different about this man. His clothes were just a bit nicer and his hair a little more kept.

‘Hey there! Where to, my friend?’ This was my introduction. The customer, like most took a double take because I was Western rather than Thai.

‘Oh hey, um, just drive, I’ll direct you.’ He said in a broad American accent as he slouched into his seat and motioned for me to step on it, I obliged. Something was strange with this man; he hid his head from onlookers and didn’t seem wholly comfortable with riding on a tuk tuk. I decided to build some rapport.

‘So, you on holiday or do you live here?’

‘Um, oh, yeah, vacation.’ Still he was occupied with what was going on behind or to the side of us. He was distracted. I needed to step up.

‘Vacation hey. Well, what a place. I only arrived today and I love it. What part of America are you from?’

‘Seriously man, lets just get me home. OK?’ He wasn’t biting. I tried once more.

‘Do you not find it weird that I’m driving a tuk tuk? It’s a funny story actually…’

‘It is weird. Look, I’ve been talking to people I don’t want to talk to all day. Just get me back… Hang on, stop at this 7 – 11, I need some smokes.’ I stopped, he got out. What a strange man, on holiday and no time for a little engagement with some excellent rapport. I figured he got into a little trouble in town and was watching his back, that was, until he exited the shop and I got a first real look at his face.

Fuck. My heart began to pop out my chest. That’s Leonardo DiCaprio. My first night in public transport and I pick up Leonardo DiCaprio!

He stopped outside the shop briefly to light his cigarette. I thought for a minute as he looked around that he had forgotten about me, then, his movement changed, he rushed back towards my tuk tuk, something had startled him and it wasn’t long before I noticed it too. A group of 15 or so girls falling over each other as they raced down the street for a sniff of my customer. I needed to protect him.

‘Quick, get in!’ Igniting the engine I accelerated so hard the tuk tuk pulled a brief and intentional wheelie. Cool. I pushed through the gears and before long we had lost the girls and found quiet road. My customer’s body language changed, he was relieved and I could feel he sensed the harassment or chance thereof, had gone. I thought this the perfect time for a spot of light rapport, but struggled. A few strained minutes of silence passed as I mulled over the coolest thing to say, then, surprisingly he said.

‘Shit man, those girls… Those fucking girls… Thanks by the way…’ He smiled. Then laughed. I joined in.

His barrier was down, I could begin my rapport but it was a different ball game now. He’s Leonardo DiCaprio, what the fuck do you say to Leonard DiCaprio? It had to be cool, but what’s cool? Is winking still cool? Thumbs up? Are a thumbs up and a wink cool? Shit, I didn’t know. One thing that did occur to me though was to not admit to knowing who he was. Seemingly he didn’t like or trust his fans and not knowing him made me cooler, surely?

‘So, why the screaming’s girls?’ I had to stop myself calling him Leo.

He answered by swerving the obvious and seemed keen not to tell me of his fame or the real reason for the ‘girls’ following him. He then asked me my name.

‘Will.’ I replied. Then, form of habit forced me to enquire as to his. I was expecting Leonardo or Leo but he called himself ‘Jack’. Weird. I took a look at him. ‘Jack?’ I repeated. ‘Yeah, Jack.’

‘Well, nice to meet you Jack.’ He clearly didn’t want me to know who he was; in fact, he seemed buoyed by my acceptance of his alias and began to chat more. I spoke at a minimum for fear of coming across un-cool, which, I wasn’t ready to be. I put my thumbs up, nodded and winked, he made all the chat.

He talked of his holiday and how his buddy Jim had ditched him the day before. He didn’t give exact reasons for his friends’ exodus but did hint at a bust up over some ‘lost toast’. I didn’t understand but nodded and winked all the same. We had been travelling for about 15 minutes and his chatter had not ceased. The less I talked the more he did, like a man who had just discovered talking. It began to annoy me if I’m honest. He kept putting my name at the end of every sentence, I couldn’t think why.

We neared his accommodation as he took me up a very country road. I couldn’t make out much as it was dark and the light on the tuk tuk was maybe one candle strong but it was terribly bumpy and uncomfortable. Leo encouraged me greatly.

‘Just up here Will. On the left Will, you can do it Will. Take care Will.’ Constantly.

At points he held my shoulder, came closer and whispered ‘On the left Will.’ It was an odd situation I found myself in but soon enough we had reached his place. It was everything you would expect; big, neutral, modern, well lit, good balance of glass and wall. It was very nice. I tried to excuse myself and offer a goodbye as I understood our acquaintance to be finished but Leo had other ideas.

‘Will. Do you like chess? Y’know chess Will? Do you like it? Will?’ Was he asking me in for a game of chess? ‘Sure, chess is fun.’ I replied, hinting sarcasm. He grew excited, jumped out of the tuk tuk and began to circle it, wildly waving his hands. ‘Well guess what Will?’ almost shouting ‘I’ve got a chessboard. I’VE GOT A CHESSBOARD!! Oh Will you’re gonna love it, y’know Will, come on, LETS GO.’ He ran into his house, laughing and jumping. He expected me to follow, so I did. Oh well. I’ve done stranger things than play chess with Leonardo DiCaprio, haven’t I?

The inside of his house was again as expected, luxurious. He led me through the entrance hall, which, was massive, into an even larger room. He stood in the centre, turned and gave me a knowing glance. ‘You like chess Will?’ his words echoed around the room ‘How’s this for a fucking chessboard?’ He raised his arms and awaited my response. I didn’t get it. There was little in the room other than a chandelier and two rows of terracotta warriors backed up against opposite walls. No chessboard in sight. ‘What’s up Will? What? You can’t see it? Think big Will!’ THINK BIG!’… A moment, then I realised. The floor was a large chequered marble tile sequence and the warriors either side of me weren’t merely decorative, they were the chess pieces. I was stood on the chessboard. A life-sized chessboard. ‘Fuck!’.

“Pretty cool eh? I got the idea form that Wizard Potter shit. I love chess. Here, let me show you how it works Will.’ He took me to the side of the room, off the tiled floor, pressed a button on the wall and a game station including two chairs rose from the ground. ‘Take a seat..’ I did. The game station had a monitor covering several angles of the ‘board’ and a futuristic pad, which, controlled the movements of the ‘pieces’. It was amazing. Leo gave a demo. The terracotta warriors moved to the designated spot seamlessly. ‘How do they do that?’ I asked.

‘This is the genius part. I got all the warriors imported from China and had engineers, professors, technicians all working round the clock trying to figure out how to make these heavy bastards move without braking. It was impossible, a few were damaged, a few destroyed, we almost gave up… Then…’ He looked at me with his most familiar movie glare. ‘ We had our eureka moment. We hollowed out the centre of the warriors and trained children to move them from the inside. It was genius. No need for expensive technology just a few willing children, we got them from China as well. Yep. Life sized chess would not be possible without those kids.’

He was a great actor, I almost agreed that life sized chess was so important that to enslave children to preserve its existence was ok! But of course it wasn’t ok, I had to stop it.

‘Wow.’ Was all I could muster. Then silence. Leo looked at me with that same undeterred expression, confirming his story, until his grin cracked through…

‘Will, you dick! Children don’t control them, Fuck, its magnets, MAGNETS WILL! Jeez you English are fucking gullible… Shall we play?’ We played, it was amazing. I was a bit embarrassed but mainly relieved that slave kids were not used so I focused on kicking Leonardo’s arse. I didn’t, he was highly trained, every time I honed in oh his Terracotta King he gave me the slip, almost as if it was planned. Damn. Still, it was the best game I have ever played. I never grew bored of the warriors moving, it was both otherworldly and exactly real.

After his third straight victory Leo offered me a strange alternative to life sized chess. ‘Will? Can I draw you? Can I? Come on, you’ll love it, I’m an excellent drawer, come on Will.’ In any normal circumstance I’m sure I’d be sceptical. Being drawn is no way near as cool as playing big chess and a man offering is almost a no go, but this evening was strange and I was curious as to how it may unfold. ‘Sure.’ I agreed.

Leo led me to the only exit of the chess room. As I left I turned to take in a final glance at the madness. It was then that I noticed a small panel open slowly on the back of one of the warriors. I shook my head to shake the scene from my eyes but the panel was still moving when I regained my focus. It then slammed shut, as if it shouldn’t be opening. Holy bollock. Was he initially telling the truth? A double bluff? There are children in the warriors?

‘Leo. LEO. Wait up.’ He waited. ‘Look, I think I’ve just seen a child in the terracotta warriors, they are operated by kids aren’t they?’ Leo’s expression changed. ‘So… You do know who I am? I thought you were different Will. I thought I’d found a new friend but your all the fucking same aren’t you. Who do you work for?’ Oh yeah, shit, he didn’t know I knew who he was. Still, that’s not the major issue, child slaves are pretty damning no matter the talent of the actor. ‘Of course I know who you are, you’re one of the most famous men on earth and I’m not a recluse. I don’t work for anyone, apart from the tuk tuk company at the moment, but that’s temporary. Anyway, that’s not the point, the point is that you enslave kids for a game of chess. Why?!’

Leo giggled. He didn’t take my question seriously. ‘Go and tell your big boss what I do, go on Will, if that is your real name, go fuck yourself!’ He wasn’t interested anymore, his paranoia had clearly taken hold of him but I needed to know if he did enslave kids, I pressed. ‘Leo. I just saw something inside those warriors, was it a child?’ He paused, and placed the tips of his fingers together under his nose and began with the famous vacant stare. ‘You’ve got a cheek Will. Y’know. I offer you my hospitality and you’

‘LEO, stop with the ballshit.’ I interrupted. ‘What’s going on here?’ I pressed again.

‘What’s going on? You’re accusing me of shit I can’t even comprehend. Do you know I give $40million a year to charities over the world?’

‘Leo, I don’t care what you give, I care about small children living in clay statues. What’s going on?’

‘Stop calling me Leo, my name is Jack.’

‘What.’

‘And you are Rose.’

‘WHAT!’

‘We are Jack and Rose Dawson, current residence, the Titanic, and I will draw you Rose, I will. I’m going to draw you naked and you’re going to leave your rich but bastard fiancé for me. You can do it Rose.’

‘What the fuck are you on about?’ He had lost it, or had he? His acting was so good I didn’t know what to think.

‘Come on Rose, let’s go to a real party.’

‘Seriously, Leonardo. What is going on?’

‘Oh, I’ll tell you Rose, you’re going to grow old and have lots and lots of babies Rose. You are not dying Rose, not tonight.’ He came close and even though it was obvious he was insane and I should be afraid, I couldn’t help but be transfixed by his acting. He then reached for a switch on the wall, pressed it and a small section of floor beneath him gave way and he fell down what I can only assume was an escape passage/safety room. He had acted his way out of my interrogation.

I began to search the house to see if I could find him or any evidence of the mistreating of children. I found nothing. I heard a car speed away from his drive whilst I was in the kitchen, I presume that was he. Still, I had to try and get to the bottom of the kids in the terracotta warriors, but, there was nothing in it. The warriors were empty and whilst they did have opening panels on the back of them, the inside was too small to house a cat let alone a child. Was it a triple bluff? Had my eyes deceived me? Maybe magnets do control them. I didn’t know then and recalling it now makes less sense still. I don’t know. I never will. Leo’s actions were that of a guilty man but it was clear his years of method acting had severely diminished his take on reality. Still, It was pretty cool to meet him. Even If I now question my own sanity, more.

So, I went home upon my tuk tuk a confused man. Again. I told Carolyn of my day and she only really seemed interested in what Leonardo DiCaprio was wearing and the length of his hair. Stupid women.

Another fine day in Thailand and The case of the Terracotta Toddlers – Solved?

http://milksolvestha...blogspot.co.uk/

Nice closeup of Leo on Wolf set I hadn't seen before

Crazylady

Crazy story for sure