Dining "with" Alan Rickman
PART II: continuing where I left off

As Catsplay, Adaveen, Reedpipe & hubby turned the corner, we ran into Megan Dodds smoking outside a small tavern. Since Ada had struck up a conversation with her earlier, it just seemed natural to stop and speak to her again.

She was delightful. Obviously still on a "post show buzz", Megan laughed loudly and joked freely -- eager to talk and thankful for praise. She had scrubbed her face of all makeup until her flawless skin glowed. It was obvious that she had just shoved a goofy hat over her uncombed hair, but on her it was adorable. After chatting and having a picture taken with us, she disappeared inside the restaurant.

And THAT'S when someone noticed Alan Rickman was sitting inside.

Suddenly, a slap-stick Three Stooges comedy routine erupted on the sidewalk as the five of us realized the significance of this sighting (okay, the FOUR of us - reedpipe's hubby was just watching in amusement!). While Ada seemed only interested in food (poor girl hadn't eaten all day), Cats was repeating something very Winston Churchill-ish, like, "We cannot NOT go in. We MUST go on." Faster than you can say, "Better offer", Reedpipe was on the phone canceling plans with friends. And I...well...I don't know what I was doing? I probably had resumed my drooling.

But when Ada headed for the front door with a look of determination on her face, everyone fell silent...then bolted after her. Someone elbowed me hard in the ribs as we wedged in the doorway. *leaving you to guess who* But when we stepped into the restaurant, everyone was immediately transformed into nonchalant, innocent, clueless, simply-here-for-the-grub diners.

I ended up sitting with my back to Alan and couldn't see a thing (does the country phrase, "sucking hind titty," mean anything to all of you? I simply don't seem aggressive enough for city life. *snort*). Eventually, I turned my chair sideways and was able to peek while still looking uninterested.

I ordered minestone. Catsplay -- just to let you know -- I don't like minestrone either!!! ROFL!!! I was so sick with excitment, I just ordered the first thing I saw on the menu!!

It felt like such a blessing to be able to see Alan being...just Alan. Not on film, not on stage, not in the public eye, not in an interview...just being Alan. And yet, he was like so so many of his film personas.

Who did he remind me of the MOST? (an opinion gathered from a mere two-hour snippet of time)
I could EASILY see Sinclair in him: wired, fidgety, gregarious, take-charge yet a bit absentminded.
Alex (Snowcake): An observer, curious, walled-in but vulnerable.
Harry: Witty, dry, professional, always making funny faces.
Brandon: Polite, reserved, careful.
O'Hara: Eager to be heroic, protective, periods of intense stillness.
Mesmer: Bigger than life, flamboyant, expressive with his hands.
Jami: The body language exactly.
Phil: The hair touching, the grin, the seriousness.

Others had a better view and can tell you more, but I can share what I observed.
He held his wine glass (red wine) by the stem.
He ate some kind of finger food (like french fries) waving the food in the air while he talked -- I forgot to notice the pinkie!
He touches the hair a lot. Like a nervous habit, or something he might fret a little about.
He often does hand gestures with hands splayed wide.
He's a "leaner" -- he leans towards the speaker and really listens.
He squints and frowns even in dim light.
He often throws back his head when he laughs. And when he laughed, we'd all freeze and stare at each other wide-eyed.
His voice rumbles for a long distance. We couldn't understand his words, but you could hear the rumble clearly.

When Alan walked past our table to go to the men's room, I immediately grabbed reedpipe's hubby. "I've got $50 that is yours if you follow him and find out what kind of knickers he's wearing!!!" Was I joking? Of course!! I...think... Yes, of course I was. Anyway, the nice man laughed and refused to do it anyway, so...we may never know the answer to the great knicker mystery.

We had just been served our meals when he came out.

Then...Alan Rickman...stopped at our table. I think he put one or both hands on reedpipe's shoulder. I'm not sure what anyone else was doing at this moment, but I'm pretty sure my mouth was agape as I stared up at him. He looked around at our food, then scanned all of us one-by-one, and said quite jovially, "Tuck in!". I think we laughed and said "thank you"... Didn't we? It's a bit of a blur.

Reedpipe's eyes were as big as saucers! I hissed, "Did he TOUCH you???!" And all she could do was nod and squeek something so high pitched that only dogs could hear. Meanwhile, her hubby was grinning like a Cheshire cat.

Why did he stop at our table? Honestly, if anyone has an opinion, I'd love to hear it. He knew we'd all been to his play. He knew we were fans. But...WHY did he stop? Has anyone every heard of him doing that? Did he vainly think he'd give us a thrill? Was he feeling comradely with us and just wanted to be friendly? Was he drunk? Is he just a nice guy? I shouldn't look a gift horse in the mouth, but I'd love to know what prompted him to stop.

By this time, we noticed that they were getting ready to go. We all decided that we MUST leave first so we didn't look suspicious. ROFL!!!

I noticed that when one of the women started to open her purse to pay her bill, and he reached out and stopped her hand. *swoon*

As we filed out one by one, reedpipe's hubby stopped at Alan's table and shook his hand. I think he thanked him for a wonderful evening at the theater. Alan graciously said goodnight to him and reedpipe.

I was following reedpipe and didn't expect anything. BUT, Alan swiveled completely around in his chair, stuck out his hand to me and said, "Good night". And just then...*blushes*...my "slut gland" must have kicked in. That's the only way I can describe what happened next.

I took his hand. I said, "good night". Then, as he turned back to his table, I reached out, and ran two fingers lightly along the entire breadth of his shoulders as I walked past him.

I did NOT look back to see if he had a reaction.

Next up: Part III: The Italian waiter. (I'm hoping spacedlaw will have some insight to offer me on this one!!)