I work at one of the biggest bookstores in my state. Because of our size and location.....it's not uncommon to see an ex-governor, a senator....or some local media person wandering in our store.Yesterday I looked up and immediately recognized the handsome man in front of me.
"Hello General"
He smiled and then we huddled over the store's computer screen looking for a particular book. I've met Wesley Clark a couple of times and I'm always impressed(with his small tight waistline) as well as the sharp no-nonsense intelligent vibes he emits.
Up to last week....my best story of a celebrity customer centered around Nicholas Sparks. I was doing the dreaded cash register duty when a very handsome man signed his credit card slip and asked...."Do you have any of my books?"
"Well who are you?"
He turned the receipt around and I read his signature. By coincidence.... we had a few of his new hardcover books stacked behind the cash register.... I grabbed one.....turned the book over and compared the full color picture to the man in front of me.
"Oh my god....it's you!!"
I'm sure he knew it was him all along.
He was nice enough to conduct an impromptu signing where several women swooned as he personalized greetings to them. My inscription says, "With Love....Nicholas Sparks" which embarrassed me because I considered his books cheesy sentimental chic lit and barely made it through The Notebook.
Of course after his affirmation of intense feelings for me......I modified my opinion and now consider him a master of sentimental chic lit...(I dropped the cheesy.)
Last week....a small gray rather gruff man asked for a non-fiction book. I had one in the store but it was already reserved for a customer.
"Can I have that one?" he asked.
"No no......that book is a special order for someone."
He shrugged.....sighed.....and reluctantly agreed to place an order.
"Phone number.....name please"
Charles.........P.......o .....r.....t....i....s
My eyes did the saucer thing. My head put the pieces together....old guy....unassuming....famous for his reclusive nature........I looked up from the screen and right into his eyes and said....
"Eeeeek"
Really.....I meet the famous author of True Grit.....who's considered to be a literary icon by many writers......and do I say ...."Hello..."......do I promote myself and say....."Oh ...I wrote an article about your work a couple years ago"........do I say.....a simple....."Nice to meet you?"
No....I eeeeeek him....like a mouse who's tail just got stepped on.
Eeeeek.
Damn.
He walked away....... leaving me in my saucer-eyed stage. I quickly pointed him out to a co-worker.
"Oh how cool.....what did you say to him?"
I felt a little color rise in my neck.
"Eeeek."
"You said what to him?"
"I said.....Eeeek"
"You Eeeeeked Charles Portis?"
"I Eeeked Charles Portis."
We both sighed.
Well....maybe I'll get a second chance......to say something appropriate to him.... when he comes to pick up his order.
"Hi....Remember me? The Eeeeker? Good to see you again."
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