Growing up in Las Vegas, I learned what was called Vegas Cool. There were so many celebrities in town that they were sort of commonplace (with a few exceptions) but it was an unspoken rule that you leave celebrities alone when youre a local. Living on the north side of town, I didnt run into stars and headliners unless I went downtown or to the Strip. One day I was shopping in a local store called Wonder World and I heard a little boy crying. He had become separated from his mom and was lost. People were sort of standing around, not knowing what to do when a man stepped through the shoppers and got down on is knees. We all recognized the man as Red Skelton, but why he was on the north side was anyones guess. Mr. Skelton got right down to the boys eye level and started playing with him. He did Freddy the Freeloader and Gertrude and Heathcliff, flapping his arms, crossing his eyes and sticking out his tongue. He even laughed at his own jokes, like he always did. The little boy just stopped. Then he smiled, and was laughing for the 10 minutes or so the great man did his show. The mom arrived, but wisely watched with the rest of us. We knew we were in the presence of greatness and great kindness. When Mr. Skelton was satisfied that the boy was happy enough he stood and made his way to the exit, gone as magically as he had appeared. I love Red Skelton, R.I.P., and I am so happy to join this group.
Posted on: Sun, 28 Dec 2014 02:36:41 +0000
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