http://pompatusofpete.blogspot.com/2012/03/my-day-with-christopher-walken-part-one.html
...and just to help you visualize how the rest of the story goes, picture this every time Chris speaks. This is exactly how he sounded EVERY time he spoke...that off kilter delivery..the slightly odd pronunciation. All the time. All day long.
So here's the scene. Chris Walken and I sitting together in the front seat of a classic black cadillac parked at the end of Custom House Wharf. Saying nothing. Just sitting and staring out the front window. He hasn't even started the car yet. I'm starting to feel uncomfortable....
Chris' eyes are closed, but they're fluttering. He's moving his head like he's having a conversation with himself, then he starts gesticulating like he's punctuating his thoughts ...moving his shoulders...pointing his fingers. This is enough for me so I start to slide across the seat towards the door and I reach for the handle. Just then he opens his eyes and speaks.
"Donut time".
I say, "Donut time"?
He says, "Donut time. You know? Time for donuts".
"Where do we get a good donut in this town. I'm not talking about no Dunkin Donuts...no Krispy Kreme donuts...no grocery store donuts. I'm talking honest to God donuts. You like a good donut, don't you pal?" (He would call me pal all day).
So I say, "Well there's Tony's Donuts. It's a little bit across town....."
"Stop", he says. He points at me and says, "Tony's it is. Let's roll"
Chris starts the car. He pushes in an 8 track tape. Yes, an 8 track. It's the soundtrack to "Liza with a Z". Kid you not.
"You like music, don't you pal"?, he says as we pull out on to Commercial Street.
"Sure I do", I say.
Chris then talks about Liza Minelli for the rest of the ride to Tony's Donuts. I don't say a word, other than occasionally answering with a "yes" or "no" when he sometimes ends one of his long dialogues in a question.
Something like this...(time to picture Christopher Walken in that video clip).....
"Liza Minelli, now that's some real talent. She was the total package...sing, dance, act. She was it. Cabaret is my favorite movie. You know, I was there the night they filmed this (pointing at the 8 track). May 31, 1972. Lyceum Theater on Broadway. Jesus, the costumes she wore. She was a real trooper. Best show ever. I mean EVER. You've seen this show, haven't you pal"?
"Yes"
"Sure you have pal. You know, I have a donut every morning. It's my one vice. I don't drink. I don't smoke. I don't do drugs. I don't stay up late. I allow myself one donut every morning, but it's got to be a good one. I'm partial to donuts with a little something extra. Not just your plain or your chocolate. I'm looking for something more out of a donut. Glazed...sprinkles...crunchies....filled...(he emphasizes each type of donut, slow and methodically). I don't do the powdered though. No powdered for me. Do you like powdered donuts pal"?
"No"
"Of course you don't. Too messy. Who wants to eat a messy donut".........
Get the picture?
Ten minutes later we pull into Tony's. Come to think of it, I never had to give him any directions. Somehow he just knew where to go.
"No eating in the car", Chris says. "Let's roll".
We get inside and instead of racks of dozens of different donuts the only thing we see are powdered donuts.
Chris says to me, "What is this some kind of a joke"?
I say to him "Oh geez, what's the date"?
He says, "April 1st"
APRIL FOOL'S DAY !!!
Did I get you?
Now go and get someone else.....
Peace and love.
