Still waiting for my five bucks, Goldie

 

Late one February evening some years ago in McLeod Ganj. I was out with a friend and as we were walking past a handicraft shop, I glimpsed a form familiar to countless moviegoers across the world. I knew Goldie Hawn sponsored some Tibetan kids in the area and was a regular visitor to the town. On an impulse, I told my friend to wait and walked towards the shop.

 

Once I stepped in, I knew it was her. She was emptying out her purse on the counter. Just the kind of thing you'd expect a blonde to do, I thought. Bracing myself to ask her for her autograph, I slipped my hand into my trouser pocket to take out my notepad. My wallet came out along with it. Goldie turned, and looked thoughtfully, first at the wallet, and then at me. Then, cocking her head to one side, she gave me a sugary 'Private Benjamin' smile.

 

"Will you help me out, please? This man wants change, and I don't seem to have it," she said. I looked at the shopkeeper. "Paanch rupaya hai?" he said.

 

Back then I was eking out a hand-to-belly existence as a village school teacher. Since it was the end of the month, my net worth was exactly zero. After a brief existential struggle, I finally parted with the five-rupee coin I had bummed off a student to pay for my bus fare back home. "Thank you! What a wonderful man!" she gushed. Sure, I thought. Now this wonderful man has to walk 5 km to get back home. She then plucked the notepad from my hand, scrawled her name in it, shook my hand, smiled once more, and melted into the twilight. Gone in 60 seconds, with little more than a lovely memory and the thought of trudging through a cold evening.

 

Few weeks ago, I was in a Delhi literary festival. Goldie was to be one of the guests. I was excited at the thought of renewing our friendship and getting back my five bucks. Paanch rupaya bara aana played in my head loud. I tried to catch her eye in the rush, but it didn't happen. No doubt terrified that I'd demand my money back, I am sure she pretended not to recognise me. It's not for nothing, I said to myself, that they call her a great actress.