THE BRUCE GRAY MEMORIAL AWARD

The other day, I was approached by a young man on the subway platform. He rather shyly announced that " really likes" TRADERS, my TV series, and that he is in the security business. I was about to ask him how he enjoyed putting alarm systems in other peoples homes, when it dawned on me that he meant securities as in stocks and bonds, and quickly asked (feigning both interest and knowledge) who he worked for. ‘Pricewaterhouse," he replied. "Ah", said I, and with that the subway arrived and we both got on. The conversation continued for a few minutes until my stop arrived at which point he suddenly produced a golf club, asking me to sign his "putter."

It may be an unusual request but an easy one to fulfill, I reasoned, and in the brief moments before the door closed I signed my name and exited. At this point another young man siddled up to me and asked me why I signed the other guy’s golf club. Rather than get into it, you know I am an actor on a TV series ya-da ya-da, which would be too terrible to have to confess, I chose instead to caution him that people on subways frequently make unusual requests. And hoping to put an end to his inquiry, said that I tend to comply with them rather than risk bodily injury. ‘Your kidding" said he as we exit to the street, and I suspect that he departed with a new perspective on the perils of public transportation

.The next day I receive a letter from the putter man who somehow managed to get my personal address from the production company. He requests an autographed photo to go with his signed putter, no doubt to dispel doubts as to the authenticity of the original signature. In exchange for the favour he invites me for lunch. The letter has an e-mail address, and I reply that the picture is on its way and that lunch is unnecessary. I also relate the incident of the other young man who wanted to know why I signed the putter.

He e-mails me back, recounting that after I left, everyone on the subway stared at him until someone came up and asked him why "that man" signed his putter. He was so embarrassed that he got off and took the next train. He recounted the incident to his younger brother who said in amazement that the actor Bruce Gray had been the guest speaker at a ceremony at his high school honouring past principals. And indeed I had been at my old Alma Mater just the day before. It turns out that the puttterer not only went to my high school, but like me was also involved with the school paper and was still friends with the head of the music department. He further suggested that I should consider giving an acting award to my high school.

Intrigued, I called the head of the music department who also happened to be the award supervisor for the school. There already was an award (given in the name of my old acting coach at school who actually got me started as an actor.) His award went to the student with the highest scholastic achievement in the acting program (which is now, by the way, a high school course like history). I then had to think of another criterion for my award. Perhaps it could go to the member of the opposite sex who did well academically. My other suggestion that it go to the one with the biggest tits or tightest buns was quickly dismissed in spite of my insistence that they are essential ingredients to good acting. At the moment the Bruce Gray Memorial award will go yearly to the student who gives the best performance. The scholarship might also include a nice lunch, at a little out-of-the-way bistrot after the ceremony, and then…… But I stray from my point. All this from signing a putter.

© Bruce Gray 1999