The day was beautiful, cold but sunny, unlike the day before when 15 cm of snow
dropped on Toronto and London. I arrived about 30 minutes into the autograph
session and already a long line had formed outside the store. Because of the
Chiller experience, where I waited four hours to no avail, I chose to forego a
loo search and immediately joined the queue of people with their Samurai swords
in hand. This event was well organized and regulated closely by a number of
employees. Even so, it took me over an hour to reach the door where we were
admitted two at a time. As it was, the wait was not so bad, a row of shops
blocked the wind, bright sun warmed our faces and those around me were
congenial.
At first glance David was hidden by displays. After being directed around a
corner to a new line I finally saw him. He was seated at the back of the store,
smiling and animated. I was so shy I averted my gaze every time David surveyed
the waiting people. Regrettably I never had the nerve to ask David if I could
stand with him for a photo, and unfortunately only one of the two pictures taken
of me at the table was good. While I waited my turn a young woman interviewed
David and when the interview finished he made a hand and fist Shaolin salute.
This was a surprise; I thought the salute was used for his Caine character only.
It seemed an appropriate gesture for the present situation and I couldn't help
but smile a bit. David who had smiled a bit himself while giving the salute,
glanced over to where our line was standing. I felt a hint of eye contact as he
looked briefly from person to person and this time I was able to hold my eyes
steady.
I would have preferred more time to compose myself, too soon I had to make the
long strides to stand alone in front of David. While approaching I said, “ I am
from a fan club. ” It was not "hello I thought you were great in Kill Bill"
which was what I claimed I would say. I placed the sword on the table and handed
him a copy of the "Alisa" book to sign, (a gift for her from me). Then I gave
his agent the “Hamburg” book meant, eventually, as a gift for David. Both
consist of several pages with each page devoted to an individual fan club
member. Included with each member's photo is the date, the place and a caption
apropos to the meeting. This I hoped will make us, the fans, more real to David.
David took the Alisa book from my hand and slowly examined the pages. Without
looking up he asked, and I paraphrase, "did these people send these to you?” I
expected David to have a booming theatrical voice, instead he was soft spoken,
like Caine. This made me uncomfortably aware of how loud my own voice is. I
responded something like "yes, and I have a Hamburg book for you too". Then I
wondered, does he think I'm a little old lady cyberstalker? My own anxiety got
the better of me and I had to remind myself that I am not the first person in
his presence to be nervous.
His agent, who was looking at the Hamburg book, began to laugh. He saw a photo
of himself joking with David and liked the caption; “David and Mr. Money have
many fun." Silke created the nickname, which I thought clever and with her
permission used. As I recall, when shown the picture David quietly responded
"well, after all, you are a funny guy". (This make me believe that they are on
good terms and have often laughed together.) Then followed a brief discussion of
events in Germany and David was given the Hamburg book. When he saw a picture of
Lea holding "Kwai Chang Bear" (a handmade gift) he spontaneously said that the
teddy bear was given to one of his children. (I think his exact words were, " ah
yes, the bear, I gave it to my new six year old daughter".) I was delighted to
hear this, Lea had asked me to find out what happened to her gift. "Good" I
responded. What David just said suddenly made me like him more, his comment
expressed consideration and thoughtfulness, an appreciated rather than a tossing
aside, and a realization that giving it to his child would be a fun thing to do.
David has recently married, so, lowering my voice of great volume, I leaned
forward and told him, "Congratulations on your marriage.” I thought it would be
nice to express pleasure at his good fortune. He was still looking at the
Hamburg book and asked, "what?" His agent repeated the words to him. ( Even
though Mr. Money was not as close to me as David, my "quiet" voice, as usual,
carried very well.) I realized then that I was beginning to babble and there was
a crowd of people waiting, most of whom probably could hear my every word. I
began to pick up my newly signed sword to leave, I hope I said thank you,
manners sometimes get lost when emotions are heightened.
Mr. Money reminded me of what, in my haste I was forgetting, a signed photo from
the movie "The Long Riders". In the photo David is with brothers Keith and
Robert. Together they portrayed the Younger brothers, a gang of notorious Wild
West bank robbers legendary in Kansas City, my childhood home. As kids, when my
brothers and I played "cowboys," the Younger brothers (especially Cole, whose
name we liked) were sometimes incorporated as "the bad guys." David, in the
movie as Cole Younger, had long scraggly hair and a surly scowl, plus he sported
a huge moustache. He certainly was not at his most beautiful, which is why I
like the picture. The old time legends were seldom Hollywood handsome.
I left so excited and happy that the photo guy had to run after me because I
forgot my camera. In fact my appetite was non-existent the rest of the day. This
was a surprise, I thought I would be more level headed. Well, it just goes to
show what a Wednesday Matinee can do to brighten up your life. Quentin, Uma, and
especially "Bill" I love you! I guess to be accurate I should add David to the
list, he gives us, the fans so much.
Last, I want to thank all the people who sent me their pictures & helped me with
my project. They are in order of David's viewing: Alisa Joaquin & family; Alisa
and her friend Helen; Sandra Batchford; Muriel Emerling; Ashok Nair; Marc Allen;
Silke Ackermann and Lea Sonam with Kwai Chang Bear.
