TODD BRIDGES

Ralphs

Marina del Rey, CA

January 29, 2002

Photo credit: Todd Bridges

Just because my trusty camera was lost to the sticky fingers of some thief doesn’t mean I leave the house empty-handed. No no. A celebrity could pop into my life at any moment. That is why, on this day, I was carrying a disposable camera. They are not known for their high-quality photo capturing capabilities and apparently, this one was only good for about 65% of the shot, but fortunately that 65% was the portion of the photo I was standing in.

I’d completed my grocery shopping and was standing in line, ready to check out. Standing in a line next to me at check-stand four, was Todd Bridges. He was dressed in the standard-issue LA uniform: black jeans, a black t-shirt worn under a black jacket, and a black baseball cap with white stitching repping his city, Los Angeles.

He was a lively one waving to his favorite checkout girl and chatting with the people around him. I set down my shopping basket, stepped out of my line, and walked over to the end of his. He’d just unloaded his groceries and was also walking to the end of his line to return his shopping basket. We made eye contact and both said hi.

I said, “Could you do me a favor? I know you are in line but...” As I reached into my purse I felt his cautiousness grow. “... I have this Celebrity Photo Album. It’s just a bunch of pictures of me taken by celebrities.” He was still guarded. “Will you take my picture?” “Oh, sure,” he said, now able to relax. I cranked the plastic winder to advance the film and handed him this Kodak-branded cardboard box. He backed up, clicked the simple machine, and handed it back.

People all around us were watching and wondering what we were doing. Since we were both fairly quiet, they hadn’t heard much but they saw the odd exchange.

He got back in line saying, “That’s pretty funny. That’s pretty funny.” It was sinking in. He turned to the girl standing next to him and said it again to her. “That’s pretty funny.” Approvingly, he looked back at me and smiled.

I paid for my groceries soon after he did and as I proceeded to the door an older, very sophisticated couple approached me. The man said, “Do you know who took your picture?” I said, “Todd Bridges. Do you know who took my picture?” He said yes he was familiar, and just wanted to make sure that I knew I had just done something a little unusual. I assured him that I was completely aware and briefly explained my concept. “I got Bruce Willis right outside the door here.” He laughed an elegant laugh and we walked out together. “That’s a good idea,” he said. Then he turned to his lovely wife and said it again to her, “That’s a good idea.” “Yes, that’s a good idea,” she confirmed. Approvingly, she looked over at me and smiled.