A close encounter

***NOTE: What follows is the exception to the norm - the description of an encounter with a music type. I've tended to keep these from the blog because 1) they don't tend to be particularly interesting, 2) I don't like dropping names, particularly when I've hardly the right to even consider dropping and 3) these encounters, like those with non-celebrities and music types, often end with me looking like a dork. I don't get starstruck (at least not most of the time) - I just happen to make an ass of myself.

That said, this one amused me.

SCENE - EXT. ZILKER PARK. AFTERNOON. FRIDAY.

An outdoor stage, with a waist-high barricade separating audience from stage. The barriers extend beyond the house right side of the stage, to a small stopgap armed by a festival volunteer. Were one to enter this space, one could move directly to her left to reach the photo pit or turn to the right and move to a VIP/artist area.

VICTORIA stands near the stopgap. She holds a camera in her left hand, her arms crossed lazily over the barrier. A messenger bag of sorts dangles across her frame. She is waiting, attempting to appear nonchalant, before she enters the photopit.

She looks to her immediate left, half-startled to see a tall, lean man standing next to her. He is wearing a blue plaid button down shirt, with slightly reddish-brown hair and a grizzled beard. He looks at her with wide eyes.

VICTORIA: Thinking to herself Holy hell, it's Ray LaMontagne.
RAY LAMONTAGNE: Seemingly thinking to himself I think she recognized me. Please have not recognized me.

VICTORIA and RAY LAMONTAGNE look at each other for a moment. The absolutes in this situation are clear. She knows who he is. He knows that she knows who he is. She has a PHOTO band around the wrist closest to him, and she is holding a camera. She knows that he is notorious for social awkwardness. He knows that he really, REALLY does not want to carry on a conversation with a stranger. VICTORIA and RAY LAMONTAGNE continue to acknowledge each other.

VICTORIA: Thinking to herself Part of me thinks I should say hello, but I'm scared that he'll run off or snap at me or refuse to play his set later.
RAY LAMONTAGNE: Thinking to himself Please do not say hello to me. I don't know you.
VICTORIA: To herself I'm not going to say anything. I'll just nod. That's acceptable, right? Nods to RAY LAMONTAGNE
RAY LAMONTAGNE: To himself She's not saying anything. Nods to VICTORIA
VICTORIA: To herself Whew. Looks back at stage
RAY LAMONTAGNE: To himself Whew. Looks at fesvial volunteer. Volunteer moves to allow RAY LAMONTAGNE access to artist area. He proceeds behind a sheer tarp acting as a wall.

VICTORIA follows RAY LAMONTAGNE, but continues on to photo pit to take pictures of MATT NATHANSON's set.

A SHORT TIME LATER
VICTORIA is moving through crowd, when she feels a sudden grip on her arm. She turns, sees A, an old acquaintance from Boston. VICTORIA and A hug.

A: What are YOU DOING HERE!
VICTORIA: I could ask the same of you! How are you?
A: I'm great, I'm great. Guess who I just met a bit ago.
VICTORIA: Who?
A: Ray LaMontagne.
VICTORIA: Oh God, I was standing by him. I refused to say anything. Didn't want to scare him off.
A: I had to.
VICTORIA: And?
A: The most awkward encounter ever.
VICTORIA: Yep. That sounds about right.