A few weeks ago I boarded my plane, ready to head home from Raleigh after a long week.  I had been upgraded to first class.  It was getting close to take off time and I noticed the seat next to me was open.  I was a little surprised to see it empty, there had to be enough preferred members on board to get that seat filled. 

Just as they were preparing to close the door, a USAirways gate agent escorted a man in.  Now by escorting I mean he did all but carry the man to his seat.  I looked at the man for a couple of minutes and he seemed very familiar.  The gate agent stood there smiling while the man took his seat.  Even though it was time to leave, the gate agent lingered.  He finally said to the man “Mr Rooker, if you are ever back in town give me a call, I’m always available.  I would love to have you over for dinner.”  The man seated next to me was an actor named Michael Rooker.  He most often plays the bad guy.  He recently played the drunken abusive father in the movie Jumper.  Michael Rooker, obviously uncomfortable with the gate agent’s solicitous behaviour, mumbled a thank you.  With that, the gate agent trotted off in search of an audience to share his brush with celebrity.  He will likely titilate them with the sexual tension he is certain was there. 

Uhm, awkward.  Well, I thought, why not make it a little more awkward.  I leaned over and said “You know Mr. Rooker, I live in Phoenix.  If you are ever in town, give me a call, I would love to take you to dinner.”  He turns to me, smiles and says, “You know I get that a lot”.