The following took place between 10:30 and 11:30 p.m. Events occur in semi-real time. So last night I was hanging out with my friend Jocelyn who recently moved to NYC from Chicago (she's a Bears fan, but cool so all is forgiven). I was showing her around my fav part of the City and ended up at this cool bar (I'm being vague for privacy reasons, Mr. Sutherland's, not my own).
After returning from the jukebox (to make sure the person putting songs on wasn't going to play crap - I'm generous like that), Jocelyn turned to me and said, "I think that's Kiefer Sutherland over there." I looked over and ten feet away from me was Kiefer Sutherland. AKA Jack Bauer. AKA my favorite character from one of my favorite TV shows of all time. Cue ridiculous excitement.
Weird thing is earlier in the evening we were talking about seeing celebrities. Generally I don't say anything because a) what am I going to say that they haven't heard and, more importantly, b) I respect their privacy. So there's Kiefer hanging out with a friend. I did not want to bother him, but I love him and had to do something. So I called the bartender over and said, "I don't want to bother Mr Sutherland, but I really respect him so much. I'd like to buy him and his friend their next drink. But again, don't want to bother him, just tell them it's from a fan." The bartender asked my name and then waited for Kiefer to finish his drink. He then told them the next round is on me. I gave a little wave and thought that was it.
Yeah, no. Kiefer came over to me. Let me say that again: Kiefer Sutherland (AKA JACK BAUER) came over to ME! Yes, ME! He walked over and thanked me and said, "That's so sweet of you, but the only way I'll let you buy me a drink is if I can buy you one." Um, yeah. I tried to not freak out so I said something like, "Well, if you twist my arm..." (I'm like SO cool and suave, really it's a wonder that I'm single...). Anyways, I told him how much I enjoyed That Championship Season (the amazing Broadway show he's currently in) and then I figured I had to do it. So I said, "Okay, I'm going to be a total geek right now. I love 24. And I'm a published author and in my first book, I named the main guy Ryan Bauer (Kiefer laughed) and in my next book there's a Jack and Chloe." Oddly enough, he didn't call the Stalker Police on me.
So some time passes and I'm going about my evening (actually I was on Twitter freaking out) when there's a tap on my shoulder. It was Kiefer again. I'm just going to let that sink in for a second. Me. Shoulder. Kiefer. Got that? He was leaving, but wanted to say good-bye. He gave me a hug and a KISS ON THE CHEEK and wished me the best of luck with my books.
O.M.G.
So basically, it was the best night ever. Kiefer was honestly so super sweet and nice, it's not only a testament to him as a person, but as an actor that he can play such a super Bad-A person like Jack Bauer. (Okay, let me just say again that JACK BAUER BOUGHT ME A DRINK!).
Life complete.
XOXO, Elizabeth