A Brief Encounter With Diane Keaton
Brief, but forever memorable
Below, my Diane Keaton story. A brief encounter I'll always treasure. 😔
I had a mad crush on this ferocious talent since I was six, when my parents took me to see Woody's SLEEPER upon first release, in '73. Was lucky enough to meet her once, when I was working the front desk at USC Film School as my summer gig, around '89. Ms. K. was attending some event being held in the Lucas Building (the original one, AKA "The San Fernando Valley Savings & Loan Bldg."). The conversation went something like thus:
DK: "Um, hi. I'm here for that....that thing where they're presenting that...that program on...something...."
AS: "Oh, I think you mean (actual event lost to time) the annual cinematheque award that USC gives out every year."
DK: "Yes! Yes! Oh, God, you must think I'm...ugh...Um...where do I go? Please?"
AS: "Just around the corner, room six."
DK: "Oh God, good! Okay. Thank you! You're so nice! Is there, um... a...."
AS: "Restroom?"
DK: "Yeah....I mean, do I say 'restroom,' 'bathroom..."
AS: "Water closet. Bano. Pissoir...Out the front door, to your left."
DK: (Gales of laughter) "Pissoir! Oh my God...yeah. France....What's your name?"
AS: "Alex."
DK. "Hi. Alex. I'm, uh, Diane."
AS: "I know. Nice to you meet you, Miss Keaton."
DK: "Yeah, well, of course you know who I am, I mean, we're in the film school at USC, right? I mean, God...ugh. Okay. You must think I'm nuts! (more laughter)."
AS: "Not at all."
DK: "Where was I...?"
AS: "Bathroom, outside to your left. Your main destination, around this corner, room six!"
DK: "Alex! Okay! Thank you. You're so nice. Thanks. Yeah. Um...bye!"
And off she went, although in which direction, I couldn't tell you.
Guessing neither could she.
My undying love was forever cemented then and there.
Vale, and I’d be remiss I didn’t say: LA-DEE-DAH.
Love this.