Decades ago, as I was waiting for a flight at National Airport, the old terminal, I saw Tony Randall. He was wearing a trench coat and carried a bag or briefcase in each hand. He walked with his head down, as if in full character as Felix Unger being thrown out by his wife. He sat a few rows away from me in the gate area, waiting for another flight. I never thought to approach him, but I remember watching him wait there, weary, as if the last thing he wanted to do right then was get on an airplane. In my memory, though, I make eye contact and say, simply, "Thank you."
I LOVE this. Your words of wisdom are so much more creative than mine. In my head, when I've encountered the famous or infamous I say to nyself "Act like you've been here before.' Don't ask to take a "selfie " Don't engage. Just observe. Bravo Meg!
No, I have no regrets. I have spooled out other narratives, other ways this could have gone, and I'm happy with having remained in silence. Especially when I read his quote years later.
Decades ago, as I was waiting for a flight at National Airport, the old terminal, I saw Tony Randall. He was wearing a trench coat and carried a bag or briefcase in each hand. He walked with his head down, as if in full character as Felix Unger being thrown out by his wife. He sat a few rows away from me in the gate area, waiting for another flight. I never thought to approach him, but I remember watching him wait there, weary, as if the last thing he wanted to do right then was get on an airplane. In my memory, though, I make eye contact and say, simply, "Thank you."
Love that memory. My original idea for this post was something along the lines of, "leave the poor, tired, famous man alone."
I LOVE this. Your words of wisdom are so much more creative than mine. In my head, when I've encountered the famous or infamous I say to nyself "Act like you've been here before.' Don't ask to take a "selfie " Don't engage. Just observe. Bravo Meg!
Amy, many thanks for reading. Glad it resonated!
Meg, this is gorgeously written. And observed. I will come back to it often for inspiration of many kinds.
Thank you so much for reading and your kind remarks, Valerie. It's harder to write short than long; this one took a while.
The care is evident in every word.
I like that story. It reminds me of any number of travels where there were famous people just trying to be people. It’s OK to let them.
Exactly.
Do you wish you had asked a casual question, kind of off brand?
No, I have no regrets. I have spooled out other narratives, other ways this could have gone, and I'm happy with having remained in silence. Especially when I read his quote years later.