Everyone that’s known me most of my life knows I haven’t changed much. A little older, more gray, a little fatter. But my interests have always been the same since I was a kid. Always loved Heavy Metal, and Horror movies. Since I was old enough to know music and movies, I’ve loved Tower Records. Tower Records was my Toy’s ‘R Us. I would walk in there and would just be blown away by the displays of album art work hitting me in the face.
By 1994, I finally turned 18 and immediately quit my shitty job bagging groceries for uptight assholes and got a job at Tower Records in Stockton, Ca. Couldn’t be happier. Was a dream come true. By October of 1995, I was almost a year in. My collection has grown quite a bit, and I was discovering new music and movies on a daily basis, making my world a little bigger.
Then I find out the star of my favorite Horror film is doing a signing in my store. Linda Blair from The Exorcist. Lucky for me I had the day off. Didn’t have to focus on doing my job, or forced to work in the record store, while she’s greeting in the video store. From what I remember, she was hosting the Halloween Scare Grounds that year in Stockton, and we were an unscheduled stop. She was pissed. However, when she arrived, she had an amazing attitude, and never saw her without a smile on her face.
Even though I worked there, I stood in line with everyone else. I could’ve waited and greeted her when she came into the backroom. But I wanted to be respectful to her and all the other fans. As I’m standing in line with my ltd edition laserdisc under my arm, I glance at what all the other “fans” have brought. Right there I realized I think I’m the only fan here. Most kids in line brought cans of split pea soup. Some self proclaimed “clever” fans brought copies of the novel. What the hell does she have to do with the novel? She’s an actress idiot?
As her irritation grew from signing countless cans of split pea soup, it was my turn. I set my laserdisc on the counter and shook her hand. Impressed by what I brought for her to sign, she asked about it. I told her I worked here and have been horror fan since I was 6. Aware that she had a slight chip on her shoulder about being known for one movie, I tried to reassure her that if that’s the case then she should be proud. Not only are you famous for being in one of the best Horror films ever, but you are known for being in one of the best american films ever. Exorcist is up there with “Casablanca, Gone With the Wind, Godfather, etc.” That seemed to make her feel better. Not wasting anymore of her time, she signed my disc and I let her get back to signing cans of soup.
Since it was my day off, I didn’t hang around. I left to enjoy the rest of my day. Fast forward to the next day, I come into work. The video manager runs up to me, and asks me why I left yesterday. Thinking I’m in trouble, I reminded him I had the day off. Apparently, after I left Linda Blair asked the video manager for a hardcore fan. Scare grounds was having a contest, and needed someone to come up with 3 hard Exorcist trivia questions. I was the first person my boss thought of. Unfortunately, my dumb ass left and missed the opportunity to have a one on one with Linda Blair discussing my favorite Horror film. Regardless of the missed opportunity, it was an amazing star struck moment that made that period of my life amazing.
– G.R.E.E.N.B.A.N.K.
MORBID MOVIE MEMOIRS: VHS GENERATION 