Peoples

A few years ago, one of my favorite writers, Peter S. Beagle came to my town. The Last Unicorn is one of my very favorite books and movies. His publicist had booked a screening and Q&A throughout the country, and I and my good friend were fortunate enough to be able to attend the one in our town.

I carried my 1st edition copy of The Last Unicorn with me. I wore my favorite dress and high heels. I was so excited.

Carol and I sat in the lobby of the theater where the event was being held, and waited. We were early. We could hardly wait.

Then, we saw a little old bearded man sitting by his lonesome. "Is that him?" we whispered to one another. "..I think it is!" We approached and politely asked if we were right, if he was the much anticipated Peter Beagle. He said he was.

He sat with us patiently and spoke with us. He was very kind and gentle. I asked him excitedly if he would sign my book. I handed it to him and he turned it over in his hands. "It's very special to me. It belonged to my great grandmother. I've read it a lot." I told him. He wrote "For Caitlin. with delight and gratitude. Peter S. Beagle"

He spent a very long time talking to each and every fan who came. There were quite a lot of us and we had a lot we wanted to tell him. Everyone bought something from his table. There were books and various souvenirs, some were fan made, even. It was fantastic.

Nobody was impatient. We all talked to each other in line. It was like we were all unicorn pals. Silly sounding, I know, but that's how it felt.

We stayed the longest. Carol and I. I think it was later than 11 at night. We were exhausted, but it was a fantastic evening with a very kind, humble and intelligent man. He had a good sense of humor too. The next year when they returned, he signed my book again with "For Caitlin! Once Again! Peter S. Beagle."

I still have that book and it is my most prized possession. I keep it by my bed side.

Also, I once saw Ryan Stiles from Whose Line Is It Anyways? in a comic shop when I was living in Washington. I didn't approach him because I thought it would be rude.

....And then I saw Andy Dick at a Baja Fresh in L.A. right after that incident when Jon Lovitz socked him. I didn't approach him, because I'm not a fan and I don't think much of him.

I also met Steve Ignorant of Crass. He wasn't rude, exactly but he wasn't approachable or friendly. Not that he owed it to us or anything. We were just dumb teens who saw his show, so that transaction had already ended. His girlfriend, Coral, was super nice though. We talked for an hour or two. Sweet girl.