My inspiration for this post came from my dear, longtime blogging friend, Debbie @ Musings by an ND Domer's Mom, who is not only a gifted...
First, I have to say that the reason I'm sharing this post is because my next post also has something to do with Robert Redford.
And second, this is a true story. Cross my heart, hope to die, stick a needle in my eye.
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My story:
I just recently watched the movie The Way We Were starring Barbra Streisand and Robert Redford.
Seeing Redford again, reminded me of a time when I was attending the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City and was so fortunate to actually witness him in person.
He had been a graduate of the Academy and was kind enough to return and give a talk to all the students about becoming a professional actor. We were also permitted to ask him questions.
Now mind you, this was about six months after "The Way We Were" was released, so there was still a tremendous amount of excitement in the air that day anticipating his arrival because the movie was a smashing success.
And second, this is a true story. Cross my heart, hope to die, stick a needle in my eye.
-----------------------------------
My story:
I just recently watched the movie The Way We Were starring Barbra Streisand and Robert Redford.
Seeing Redford again, reminded me of a time when I was attending the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City and was so fortunate to actually witness him in person.
He had been a graduate of the Academy and was kind enough to return and give a talk to all the students about becoming a professional actor. We were also permitted to ask him questions.
Now mind you, this was about six months after "The Way We Were" was released, so there was still a tremendous amount of excitement in the air that day anticipating his arrival because the movie was a smashing success.
I was lucky enough to have gotten a seat on the floor (along with my dear friend Dawn), which was directly in front of the small stage were Redford would be sitting at a table. There was a pitcher of water and a glass preset, as well as an ashtray, which I thought was odd because he never once lit a cigarette. In fact, I don't think he was/is even a smoker.
Anyway….when he finally walked onstage, I can't possibly convey to you just how enthusiastic the entire student body reacted.
The applause and cheering went on for a full minute.
Finally, after everyone calmed down, Redford had a seat and began his talk.
And as he was speaking, I noticed that he was chewing a piece of gum.
(which, by the way, was bright green)
About halfway through his talk, I watched him reach inside his mouth, take out the gum, and place it into the ashtray that was in front of him.
And at that moment, I got a scathingly brilliant idea about confiscating that piece of gum so I’d have it as a souvenir for the rest of my life.
I mean, how many people could say they possessed Robert Redford’s chewing gum that contained his DNA?
Not many.
So I racked my brain, trying to figure out how to get it.
Suddenly, an idea began to form…
After his talk, I would stay behind inside the theater, allowing everyone to leave before me. And then when the entire theater was empty, I would nonchalantly walk up on that stage and quickly NAB it!
How original, right? And who would ever find out?
So when Redford finished talking, of course, everyone stood up again and reacted even MORE wildly than when he entered.
And as he got up to leave, the entire audience rushed up onstage and followed him into the lobby so that they could watch him make an exit out the front door on Madison Ave.
I on the other hand, nervously waited for the theater to clear out so that I could be alone to do my deed of the devil.
And after I was absolutely sure that I was totally alone, I jumped up on the stage and headed straight for the ash tray.
However, when I looked down, expecting to find Robert Redford’s chewing gum, I gasped!
It had vanished!
I stood there thinking to myself…“What in holy hell happened to that gum?!?!?”
I was absolutely LIVID.
I mean, who would do such a thing???
And just then, my friend Dawn came running back into the theater and hugged me, screaming…
“RON! RON!…GUESS WHAT I HAVE?….LOOK!...
And when I looked down into her grubby little hand, I saw the small green treasure that I had searched for.
…IT’S ROBERT REDFORD’S GUM!!!”
And the first thing out of my mouth was, “OMG, Dawn…how infantile could you be?
She said, “What do you mean?”
“I mean…how stupidly ridiculous. Not only is that childish, but it's also disgusting. I can’t believe you would stoop so low as to take chewing gum out of an ashtray. And can you imagine what everyone is going to think when you tell them? They’re going to look at you as if you‘re some kind of psychotic fan of Robert Redford."
She sadly looked down at the gum and said, “You know, Ron…you’re right. I don’t know what I was thinking.”
And then she did something that made me BEYOND happy. I watched as she tossed the gum back into the ashtray.
And as the two of us were walking out of the theater, I brilliantly said, “Oh wait a minute, I forgot something, but you go ahead, I’ll meet you in the lobby so we can take the subway back to the dorms together.”
And as she closed the theater door, I quietly tiptoed onto the stage and grabbed that piece of gum; shoving it into my coat pocket.
And smiled 😊
As I exited the theater, I thought to myself...
“Gee, I wonder how long chewing gum will last wrapped in aluminum foil?”
Anyway….when he finally walked onstage, I can't possibly convey to you just how enthusiastic the entire student body reacted.
The applause and cheering went on for a full minute.
Finally, after everyone calmed down, Redford had a seat and began his talk.
And as he was speaking, I noticed that he was chewing a piece of gum.
(which, by the way, was bright green)
About halfway through his talk, I watched him reach inside his mouth, take out the gum, and place it into the ashtray that was in front of him.
And at that moment, I got a scathingly brilliant idea about confiscating that piece of gum so I’d have it as a souvenir for the rest of my life.
I mean, how many people could say they possessed Robert Redford’s chewing gum that contained his DNA?
Not many.
So I racked my brain, trying to figure out how to get it.
Suddenly, an idea began to form…
After his talk, I would stay behind inside the theater, allowing everyone to leave before me. And then when the entire theater was empty, I would nonchalantly walk up on that stage and quickly NAB it!
How original, right? And who would ever find out?
So when Redford finished talking, of course, everyone stood up again and reacted even MORE wildly than when he entered.
And as he got up to leave, the entire audience rushed up onstage and followed him into the lobby so that they could watch him make an exit out the front door on Madison Ave.
I on the other hand, nervously waited for the theater to clear out so that I could be alone to do my deed of the devil.
And after I was absolutely sure that I was totally alone, I jumped up on the stage and headed straight for the ash tray.
However, when I looked down, expecting to find Robert Redford’s chewing gum, I gasped!
It had vanished!
I stood there thinking to myself…“What in holy hell happened to that gum?!?!?”
I was absolutely LIVID.
I mean, who would do such a thing???
And just then, my friend Dawn came running back into the theater and hugged me, screaming…
“RON! RON!…GUESS WHAT I HAVE?….LOOK!...
And when I looked down into her grubby little hand, I saw the small green treasure that I had searched for.
…IT’S ROBERT REDFORD’S GUM!!!”
And the first thing out of my mouth was, “OMG, Dawn…how infantile could you be?
She said, “What do you mean?”
“I mean…how stupidly ridiculous. Not only is that childish, but it's also disgusting. I can’t believe you would stoop so low as to take chewing gum out of an ashtray. And can you imagine what everyone is going to think when you tell them? They’re going to look at you as if you‘re some kind of psychotic fan of Robert Redford."
She sadly looked down at the gum and said, “You know, Ron…you’re right. I don’t know what I was thinking.”
And then she did something that made me BEYOND happy. I watched as she tossed the gum back into the ashtray.
And as the two of us were walking out of the theater, I brilliantly said, “Oh wait a minute, I forgot something, but you go ahead, I’ll meet you in the lobby so we can take the subway back to the dorms together.”
And as she closed the theater door, I quietly tiptoed onto the stage and grabbed that piece of gum; shoving it into my coat pocket.
And smiled 😊
As I exited the theater, I thought to myself...
“Gee, I wonder how long chewing gum will last wrapped in aluminum foil?”
Epilogue:
I had that gum for years and years, and got so much pleasure and joy from showing it to people. But unfortunately, I somehow lost it during my move back to Florida from New York.
And yet it serves me right for being such a despicable little sneaky bastard.
The End
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