There is a disturbance in the force. And it is not in a galaxy far, far away.

At a Coco's Bakery Restaurant in Camarillo, the hostess has offered members of the Ventura County chapter of FanForce neighboring booths. The "Star Wars" fans would prefer a table.

After some consultation and table shuffling, the group of eight is seated at the desired table.

Discussions on collectibles, tattoos and handmaidens ensue.

Matt Martin, 26, the chapter's leader, is pleased with the day's turnout.

The five-year-old chapter of the worldwide organization FanForce is looking for new members.

"If you like Star Wars,' you can be a member," Martin, of Camarillo, said. "There are varying degrees of Star Wars' fandom."

It has been 30 years since the original "Star Wars" movie was released. Along with additional "Star Wars" movies, the 1977 science-fiction film spawned a thriving subculture of fans.

Comics, collectibles, conventions and Internet message boards keep fans appeased, yet craving more. And FanForce chapters that stretch from Ventura to Istanbul give fans a physical local community.

So how does a movie — first released before some of those seated around the table at Coco's were born — and its sequels attract such dedicated fans?

For Martin, it's the story.

"It's a story you can kind of relate to even though it's in a setting that's really foreign," he said.

Miguel Langarcia, 29, of Oxnard said he became hooked when the three original films were rereleased in the late 1990s. An avid collector was born. Now he has two storage units filled with collectibles and a weekend job to support his habit.

He pulls up the sleeve of his T-shirt and reveals a large and intricate Darth Vader tattoo on his shoulder. "It took five hours," he said.

"Ever since I was a little kid, I've liked him," Langarcia said of Vader. "Everyone has a dark side to them, but everyone has a good side, too."

Sitting around the table, Langarcia and Martin, who is moving to San Francisco to start work as a buyer for ShopStarWars.com, discussed "Star Wars"-themed tattoos and a book on the subject.

Joslynn Browne, 33, has wearable "Star Wars" art, too. The Ventura resident and mother of two is a member of the Royal Handmaiden Society, a group dedicated to the women who protect Queen Amidala in the series' prequels.

In January, she marched in the Tournament of Roses parade in a handmaiden costume selected by "Star Wars" creator George Lucas.

"They can do hair and fight," said Browne, a teacher, who added that the handmaidens were among the favorites of her female students for their intelligence and beauty.

The discussion goes back and forth, touching on limited-edition light sabers, the upcoming episode of "Family Guy" in which cartoon characters re-enact the original "Star Wars," Martin's new job and another member's car accident.

"We're definitely not snobby," said Deanna Miller, 27, of Ventura.

For more about the Ventura County chapter of FanForce, visit www.venturacountyff.org.