BRUCE WILLIS

Ralphs

Marina del Rey, CA

July 31, 2000

Photo credit: Bruce Willis

Once again, it was sunny and 74 degrees in West LA. Most people would have thought this was a perfect day for the beach but not me. Today this beautiful weather got me in the car and sent me out grocery shopping. Thanks, beautiful weather.

I parked my car and was walking through the lot when a big, old, Pontiac Bonneville-type convertible drove up slowly behind me. I glanced back to make sure I wasn't in its way and noticed that three guys were in the car. As they drove closer, it looked like Bruce Willis was sitting in the back seat. I did a double-take to see if it was really him. Yep.

As they rolled slowly past he quickly raised his chin to acknowledge me and said, “What’s up?” all cool-like. I said, “Hello," sweetly, knowing that if this car stopped he was going to take my picture.

They drove a little farther and stopped along a curb, right in front of the door. It was not a real parking spot. It was an I’ve-got-a-celebrity-in-my-car-so-rules-don’t-apply-to-me parking spot.

The passenger stepped out to go inside right as I met up with the car. The timing was accidentally perfect. When I approached, Bruce called me over, “Excuse me..." he said, "...I have a question for you.” I looked over at him.“What’s that?” “How do you say El Niño in Spanish?” he asked.

Seems, this is Bruce’s little test. Obviously, El Niño is already in Spanish but I was kind of distracted by this unbelievable opportunity and didn't think to give the rational answer. Instead, I smiled and said, “Big, crazy, weather condition.” He smiled, nodded, and said, "Right." Like, you lose.

Now that his silliness was out of the way I replied with my own. “Now I have a question for you,” I said as I reached in my purse. “What do you have in there, a gun?” he asked. It probably did look a little suspicious. “No! A camera,” I said.

He shook his head slightly and said, “No. No, no, no. No pictures. No pictures. No pictures.” “I don't want one of you,” I said. “I want you to take one of me.”

He paused to consider the oddity of my request, then said, “Okay.” I handed him my camera and he directed me to, "Go stand by the sign." The Ralphs sign, I guess. He turned the camera back and forth to see how it looked best. Portrait or landscape? Portrait or landscape? Finally, he said, “Okay, ready?” took the picture, and finished with, "Nice."

I walked back and as he handed me the camera he asked for my name. “Rebecca,” I said. Out of habit I almost asked his name but before I could finish the thought he said, “I’m Bruce and this is my friend ______ .” I forgot the name, but it was the guy driving the car. (Sorry ______ .) Bruce held out his hand for me to shake. I shook both of their hands, said thank you and goodbye.

When I walked into the grocery store, the produce guy was standing at the door. Turns out he'd been watching the whole thing. “Was that..?” he asked. “Yeah,” I said. “That was COOL!" Yes, produce guy. It really was.