Meeting Johnny in Lockport, IL

One of the ladies who is a member of the Depp Impact Over 30 group, had the pleasure of meeting Johnny - AGAIN, LOL - at the Lockport, IL filming of Public Enemies. I could read these stories all day as they always show Johnny to be such a giving, caring, humble person.

Thank you, CiCi, for giving me permission to print your story and picture.

Enjoy.

A Day to Remember
June 27, 2008
Abridged

The night before, my sister-in-law was staying over (My brother works nights), and I was trying to figure out what I wanted to do on Friday. Normally, my weekends are packed with fun things, but this was the first weekend since my separation that I was at a loss for entertainment. I could have stayed home and mowed my lawn like a good person, but I had the need to go somewhere.

My original plan was for us to go (shopping) in Chicago. Then I read on-line that this was the last week of filming for P.E. here. So my search began.

I hit the fan sites, such as The Zone, and JD Reads, but no one knew for sure where they were going to be filming. I finally made it to bed at a quarter to five in the morning and my sister-in-law called me at 8 am on her way to take her daughter to school, so I could check the morning postings. At that time, there was still no known location, so once again I fell asleep. I woke up at 10:30 am and went straight to the computer, and there it was on the Johnny Depp Reads Message Board: "Lockport is the place to be today ~Rob"

The moment I read that, I immediately Map Quested my directions, and franticly dressed, groomed and gathered some supplies. I drove over to my mom's and borrowed her digital camera. Then I was on the road. There was some traffic so it took an hour and twenty minutes for me to get there, and then I followed the PE crew signs to the parking lot. I asked a lawn care maintenance worker where the filming was, and he directed me on how to get downtown. Once I got there, there were vintage cars on both sides of the street. At that time there were little groups of people here and there on either side of the street watching the filming. I drove around a little bit and found a great parking place, and made my way across the street from the shooting.

Johnny was in the back seat of one of the vehicles, with cameras, lights, and crew surrounding him as they filmed a scene. I found it interesting that they only blocked off the road between takes. The town is not set up like Aurora. There are plenty of back streets. I really can't tell you how long I stood there. Once I have the mindset for endurance, I don't really keep track of time. I was there maybe and hour or two?? I took several pictures and enjoyed watching Johnny in a scene! After they broke for a late lunch, I left in search of base camp. I heard it was by the high school, and I had remembered seeing a high school when I first arrived in Lockport.

I was relying too much on the PE signs and when they removed them, I got a little turned around. I said a little prayer out loud, "Please God, help me find where I need to be." No sooner had I finished my prayer when I came to a stop sign - and there was base camp. As it had started to rain, I parked near the sign and crossed the street with my umbrella and picked out a nice spot with a good view of everything. As I stood there taking pictures it dawned on me there is no reason for me to be standing in the rain. I walked back to my vehicle, got out one of the folding chairs, walked back to my spot, and settled down dry and as comfortable as a bug in a rug. Several people unfortunately just either stood or sat on the curb drenched in the rain.

As I sat under my umbrella, I got several smiles from the crew, but one gentleman in particular kept looking at me. Eventually, he made his way over to congratulate me for coming prepared. I told him how I normally have a few fold up seats and umbrellas in the van, because I like to take my daughter to concerts in the park, and parades and the like. That is when he noticed my tattoo of my daughter, and asked where I had it done. When I told him Don Frey the owner of Bugaboo Tattoo in Hammond, he laughed and joked, "Don Frye the Pro-Wrestler? He's in this movie." Then he noticed I had tattoos on the other arm, and when he saw it, he was blown away. I showed him where Johnny signed it in Crown Point, and he thought it was the coolest thing he had ever seen. For the next hour or two, he would periodically bring people over to see my tattoos. First he would show them the one with my daughter, and then try to wow them with Johnny. I so wish I was better with names, because he brought over a completely darling older gentleman. He was awed by it. So much so that he said, "Come on we have to show this to The Man!" I just sat there. He couldn't be implying what I think he was…could he?! When I didn't move, I guess he thought I was worried about my chair. "Come on, you can leave your chair there, it will be alright. Come on, we have to hurry." He didn't have to tell me again! I grabbed my purse, that had the camera in it, and I floated into the sacred encampment. As we walked around the trailer blocking the view of Johnny's trailer, I saw him like a celestial vision clad in 1930's attire, heading to the renowned Ford Expedition. My new guardian angel, shouted over "John, Johnny, you got to see this." He walked up to me and looked me in the eyes with that shy half smile we so adore and said "Hi!" The exact wording from my two guardian angels to Johnny eludes me. If I had my own theme music playing I'm sure some airily, sugary sweet melody of elation would be pouring out my every pore.

He was completely impressed with my daughters tattoo and asked me how old she is, and told me how beautiful Violet is. Then he walked around to my other arm, and once again uttered, "Truly amazing" and asked where I had it done. Thanked me and gave me a hug that made my knees weak. I was floating so high, I once again forgot to breathe! It wasn't until I was back on the sidewalk that I realized I had forgotten once again to make a memory of his scent. [Embarrassing tidbit: I think I might have stepped on his toe at some point here.] I'm not sure how, but I had enough sense left in me to ask, "Would I be over-stepping my boundaries if I asked for a picture with you – with my tattoos showing?" He responded with a "No, no of course not." I handed my camera over to the man who started it all, and Johnny moved in and put his arm around me (STILL squealing inside like a little girl). After the picture was taken, things are a bit hazy… I know I thanked him… He thanked me… Then somehow I was by one of the other trailers giving the guys hugs, and kisses on the cheeks. Then I was magically standing next to my chair on the sidewalk, and being told to stick around. I said, "I don't want to be greedy. I think I'm going to head home." I was told “no, no stay put.”

Some of the ladies started asking me where they took me. I relayed my story to them. That is when it hit me, I didn't breathe in his scent; and all the posts from the group started going through my brain. It wasn't even 4pm, when I made the decision that I was going to stay, and try to ask him what his favorite cologne is.

The only thing that happed between then and the Meet & Greets that is worth writing about was seeing Giovanni Ribisi. I love his acting. I remember watching him in the new Leave it to Beaver series that aired when I was young. I also loved his character on Friends and he played in my favorite episode of X-Files, "D.P.O." He was driven past in an in a big black Ford Expedition, when I recognized him. I smiled and started waving. He just looked at me for a moment, as if to say "Me? Are you waving to me?" Then he smiled and waved back. I was so hoping to get to actually meet him!

As the time neared for Johnny to do the meet and greet, the crowd grew! They were getting restless, but were behaving. Security placed dividers between the crowd and the road, and did the standard, "Johnny will not be signing tonight, but you can take all the pictures you want and he will be here to shake hands, and greet all of you." Johnny appeared around ten thirty. I read the instructions earlier on how to record video on the camera, and held my ground as Johnny neared. When he approached he walked by so quickly, but I made sure to ask the most sought-after question, "Johnny, what is your favorite cologne?" He was obviously not prepared for that, "Cologne? Lagerfeld. Maybe." And now we know!

It was a day I will always remember.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mb6Z8t-mOm8

CiCi