Clint was just 'one of us' and well loved. I had many occasions of interaction with him over the years. But one was a favorite: "The day I faced down Dirty Harry."
My part-time job was as bus driver/maintenance supervisor to a couple private schools in the area. One was the school in the Valley that Mr. Eastward's son, Kyle, attended.
One morning, Kyle, a freckled faced 5th grader at the time, and a couple of his friends, kept writing on the windows (fogged up.) This leaves windows needing to be washed. (Kyle was a really good kid who seemingly had no idea who "Clint Eastward" was to the world. He was just 'dad'.)
After two warnings, they continued to write on the windows so when we got the school, I kept them on the bus and sent word the headmaster that they would be delayed a bit. Then I made them wash all the windows on the bus.
When I went back for the afternoon run, I spotted Eastward's car there and, at the same time, got a message from the headmaster that "Mr. Eastward would like to speak with you." The thought flitted across my mind: "Oh, right! It was Eastward's kid that I made wash the windows. Oh boy..." I went, I admit a bit nervous, to the headmaster's office.
Face to face with 'Dirty Harry' - who really does stands well over 6' tall - I braced for I knew not what. He held up his hand, finger pointed at me, and said: "M..., I have just one thing to say to you."
(gulp) "Yes?" "
I really appreciate your treating Kyle as any other student. If he does it again, make him wash the whole damn bus." And then he flashed that famous, what I call, "Clint Glint."
Made my day. ;o)
Thanks for sharing that, great!
LOVE the story (no matter how you spell his name!) ;)
Wow. Did you live there when he was mayor? What about the restaurant or brewery or whatever--I chuckled when I read that he was serving a brewski called "Pale Ale Rider." Well, it was funny to me...
Great story! I just saw Gran Torino (Jan.19th). It was so good! Glad I went. Thanks for sharing your best Clint story, I enjoyed it.