So I'm waiting for the elevator in my building the other day and I watch (in dread) as it toddles up to the 12th floor and then slowly, ever so slowly, back down to the lobby. Who should exit it but the wonderful actress S. Epatha Merkerson. You might know her from NBC's "Law & Order" but her body of work is diverse and fascinating. She was magnificent in HBO's "Lakawana Blues" and she's currently doing "Come Back, Little Sheba" on Broadway. She's strong and vital and utterly stunning in person.
I'd like to say that this was my first encounter with Ms. Merkerson but in fact that's not true. A few months ago I was schlepping a collection of shopping bags home from Macy's. It was hot and the subway was crowded so my mood was predictably foul. As I staggered into the vestibule of my building lobby I began to share my complaint with the doorman. Then just out of the corner of my eye, I caught glimpse of someone sitting on one of the marble benches obviously awaiting the arrival of a car service. It was Ms. Merkerson. I saw her there (perhaps I gasped) and my eyes lit up like a rigged slot machine in Atlantic City. She remained emotionless. She simply said, "How ya doing?"
I genuflected with effusive excitement and I think I even bowed to her. I do shit like that sometimes when in the presence of certain greatness. She seemed nonplussed. I realized I was fussing too awfully so I collected my bags to leave. Then something caught me and I stepped back. Composed, I felt compelled to ask her "What do we owe the honor of your presence here in the building?" She replied slowly with the same cool nonchalance, "Honey, I live here."
That alone is worth the annual maintenance increase.
6 comments:
Oh I love her! Now I like her even more! ; )
Very cool!
I have a certain fascination with celebrities which completely embarrasses me. I mean, they're just people! Still, I love meeting famous people and feel all aglow for a long time afterwards.
That's so dumb.
Still...a professional ball player lives on my street and our families are friendly. Whenever I see him, he gives me a hug. (He's away a lot so this doesn't happen often). I'm cool, no biggie. But as soon as he's gone, I fall apart like a giggling little girl. And when I see him pitch on TV I think, "that guy hugged me!"
I'm such an asshole.
You're not an asshole! It's perfectly normal...and kinda adorable.
aw, shucks! The famous Chicken & Waffles thinks I'm adorable! *giggle*
I see a few celebrities through my job and they are usually all really nice. They're much more down to earth than those Park Avenue spoiled brats if you ask me!
So. Dang. Jellis.
I once saw Elton John at Lenox Mall here in Atlanta (have I told y'all this already? I feel like I'm repeating myself...) He was shopping with his boyfriend (I guess) and had loads of packages. It seems like it was around Christmas. Anyway I debated and debated if I should say anything to him (I had sat down on a bench outside of J. Crew, where they had entered). He finally came out and walked right past me. Our eyes met...I nodded in a significant "your music has meant everything to me since I was nine years old" way and he nodded back in a "thank you for not starting a love-fest here in the mall" way and we went on about our business. It was cool.
Unlike Michael Stipe, whom I actually know but who snubbed me at a Christmas party two years ago, saying "I think I knew you 20 years ago. Happy Holidays." Uncool.
xo
J.
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