It was a Bold Venture

Over the years, I've been lucky enough to cross paths with some truly extraordinary people. Each encounter leaves me utterly flabbergasted. One particularly unforgettable moment happened on a flight to Atlanta. The airline graciously bumped me up to business class, and there I was, feeling pretty cool.

We were just about 30 minutes from take-off when a flight attendant approached, eyeing me like I was the next big Hollywood sensation. She asked if I was a movie star. I chuckled, replying with a hopeful ‘I wish’. Slightly embarrassed, she admitted she had mistaken my seat for someone else, and I went back to my newspaper.

The seat next to mine remained unoccupied until moments before take-off. A woman, who looked familiar, apologized and settled in. Clutching a large handbag, she nestled it under her seat with care. I did not want to stare, so I kept my eyes forward.

As soon as we were airborne, a flight attendant placed a bowl of water on the table between us. Assuming it was a peculiar business class amenity, I was soon proven otherwise. The woman produced a petite Yorkshire terrier from her bag. I was shocked, but managed to muster a smile.

The dog eagerly lapped up the water, while I stared in bewilderment. The woman then asked if I could hold her pampered pooch, while she fished for a treat. I eagerly obliged, introducing myself in hopes she would do the same, and end the mystery.

Nice to meet you, she said with ease. I'm Lauren Bacall. I was thunderstruck. Right beside me sat one of Hollywood’s legendary icons, and there I was, cradling her four-legged companion. I seized the chance to ask about her marriage to Humphrey Bogart. Her eyes twinkled as she recounted their years together, ‘until he linked up with that b*tch, Katherine Hepburn’. For the next 20 minutes, I was treated to an animated critique of Hepburn, one of Tinseltown’s most famous actresses.

Curious, I asked about her presence in Toronto. She explained she had just wrapped up filming a new flick. Pretty much retired, she said, but a new house in Atlanta demanded furnishing. We chuckled, breaking any remaining ice between us. It was as if the celebrity aura faded, and there she was, just a candid conversationalist, sharing slices of her life.

Upon landing, I offered my assistance with her fluffy companion’s travel bag. I walked with her to the gate, where someone awaited her arrival. She kindly introduced me, and we exchanged our goodbyes.

Still reeling from the encounter, I could not help but marvel at the experience. Shaking Lauren Bacall's hand was the cherry on top of an already surreal journey. That certainly was not part of the plan.

*The title of this article refers to a radio program Lauren Bacall and Humphrey Bogart starred in from 1951-1952.