Culinary-suggestion-filled Top 10 Guide in hand, I wandered to the check out to pay for my purchase, when I realised the store seemed a bit more crowded than usual, even for a sunny Saturday afternoon. And then I realised the crowd wasn't milling about or shopping. No, they were standing. And looking. And taking pictures. All in the direction of a single man, at a desk, signing books.
Who? What? Could it be? None other than my ultimate dream dinner party guest, the erudite, self-deprecatingly pompous but never annoyingly arrogant, current QI and former Bafta presenter, raconteur, comic actor, dork, and all around national treasure that is Stephen Fry. Ok Mom, maybe not Prince William for celeb-ness, but between the two, I know who I'd rather have a real conversation with.
I promptly grabbed his most recent book, jumped in the queue, and agonised during the 25 minute wait over something suitably witty to say in my 15 second encounter. Aaaagh, the pressure. One of the assistants manning the line gave me a Post-It note on which I was to write any personalisation I requested. Double aaack! How could I possibly presume to put words in the pen of one of my idols?
But presume I did, and as I finally got to his side, I handed over the book -- a photo-heavy travelogue of his journey around all 50 US States in a black cab, companion piece to his current BBC show. And my Post-it, full of scribbles and re-writes, finally saying simply: "To Ashley & Stefanie: All 50 states, catch me if you can."
And I told him about our family state 'contest', and mumbled I felt silly telling him of all people what to write. But he was gracious despite his hours of signing (I was one of the last to go), and asked me what state I was from (probably only the 500th person he'd asked that of, as there appeared to be an American-heavy bias to the crowd), and even remarked on the spelling of my name, to ensure he got it correct.
Sadly our conversation ended there, just as we were about to become bosom buddies, and I went away smiling and clutching my prize.
I wonder if would accept my Facebook friend request? I'm sure he'd remember me -- y'know -- Stefanie-with-an-f...
2 comments:
When you say celebrity, you need to modify it with "British" celebrity. If I have to google them to see who they are, they do not qualify as a celeb in this American's eyes. I'm guessing most Americans don't know who Stephen Fry is. Although, his book does sound interesting.
Mom - Stephen Fry is not only interesting but, quite interesting.
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