It Starts With One

PB&J

The next few days passed by slowly. Roger was still out and I continued to deliver the meals to the head team. Adam didn't return until my last day taking over for Roger, when I was in the kitchen helping prep.

One of the girls I worked with came in saying that one of the actors was requesting something weird again and she wasn't quite sure how to make it.

Custom orders... I scoffed.

I walked over, asking who wanted what. "He said he wants a peanut butter and jelly sandwich...?" She looked utterly confused saying it. One of the other cooks looked at her, also puzzled. "What? Like a bloody butter sandwich with peanuts and jelly? That sounds rubbish!" He said, disgusted.

I hung my head and chuckled, "I know what that is." They all looked to me, curious now. "Is it an American thing?" One of the girls asked. I nodded in response, "Yes. It's a big staple snack food in the states. Peanut butter and jelly - or jam is what Brits would know that as. You know, like grape or strawberry jam? Peanut butter is like a paste or spread made from mashed peanuts. Usually it's a buttery smooth consistency, but there's also one that is crunchy with bits of peanuts mixed in. I don't personally care for the taste, but most people love it where I'm from. All together on a couple slices of bread and boom; PB&J." I explain as best I can.

They all glance at me in bewilderment. "Brilliant. You make it for him then. I'm not about to fuck up one of the actor meals again..." the cook hands me the paper. I look at him, confused. "Wait...again? What happened before?" I ask.
"We didn't know what the bloody hell it was the first time, so we just put butter on bread with peanuts and some preserves. Apparently the actor didn't touch it, just sent back the plate." He explained. I grin and hold back a laugh, nodding instead. "Well, I'll make sure it's done right. But do we even have what we need to make it?"

I found out I would have to make a special trip to the US Military base that was a several cities over, since the PX there was the only store in England that had peanut butter and grape jelly... or white bread.

Brought it all back after about a 3 hour trip, constructed the perfect couple of PB&J sandwiches. I started labeling the boxes for delivery. "Which actor requested the special sandwich?" I hear over the headset from my helper: "That was Adam. Adam Driver." The heads respond.
My heart skips, and I lose my breath for a moment. I shakily write his name on the Styrofoam box and wrap it along with the rest of his order.

I prepped the rest of what I needed and headed to deliver it all. I hadn't seen Adam since that first day I took over for Roger, so I was nervous. Since then, the actors and crew now knew my face, and usually would give a polite smile when I came in.

I saw Adam from afar as I entered the room. Everyone glanced up for a moment, then back down at the scripts. JJ suddenly interjected one of the script writers who was speaking, "Um, so sorry to interrupt, but I think now is a good place to break for lunch. I'm absolutely famished so... meet back here in an hour...? That good?" He announced to the room as the rest murmured in agreement. A line started at my cart, as had become practice, and I handed out boxes.

Mark Hamill approached, chatting with Adam nonchalantly. "Holy crap, that's Luke fucking Skywalker..." I said to myself blissfully. I handed him his box and he smiled, taking my hand to shake briefly and saying thank you. "Hey, how are you?" Adam said as he was right after Mark. I chuckle a little as he looks at me, "Oh hey... I'm, uh, I'm good. How are you?" I respond, holding back asking him info that was not my business to know. "I'm great, I'm good." He answered, seeing his name on the box I was handing him and the word "special" that was written on it. He chuckled and took it in his hands. "Oh, this is considered a special order now, huh?" He looks at me briefly. "Oh - yeah, no, it's just marked that way since I guess the kitchen didn't know what a PB&J was when you asked for it..." I answer with a shy smile.
He smiles and opens the box to see the sandwich I had so carefully crafted. "Well hey, it looks like they at least did it right this time. You know, the last time I asked for this, they gave me this sandwich with butter and all sorts of shit on it..." He chuckled a little, "I couldn't even eat it so I just sent it back. I didn't realize that the British don't really know what a, uh, peanut butter and jelly sandwich is." His eyes squint with light hearted laughter.

I smile proudly, braving to look him in the eye. "Well, Mr.Driver, that sandwich is certified, perfect American-made goodness! I made it myself. I really hope you enjoy it." I jostle as I say this. He smiles really big, glancing down at the sandwich and then at me again. I suddenly felt very nervous as his eyes met mine. "Well, thank you. I'm sure I will." He nods and smiles, turning to go back to his seat.
My eyes followed him as he went to sit down near JJ and a few other cast members. I continued to help the rest of the staff get their boxes distributed, but I continued to watch Adam from afar to see how he liked the sandwich. The pressure was killing me. At one point I looked up to see him taking a bite of one of the sandwich halves, making my heart jump in my throat. No real reaction from him that I could see.

It's PB&J... I mean, it's nothing special. At least he's not choking on it...

I shook off the anxiety as best I could and continued with my duties. My heart also started racing when I gave a box to Dominic Monaghan - an actor who I had been a huge fan of for years since his appearance in The Lord of the Rings films. I couldn't help but ask if I could shake his hand, "I'm a huge fan. Ever since I was like 11..." I smiled nervously as I admitted this to him. He humbly smiled and thanked me, shaking my hand politely. "Well, hey, I can get a picture with you later if you like." Dom offered.
This just about made me lose all the air in my lungs. "Really? I'd love that! Wow, thank you!" I said, choking on my words a bit. "Of course, of course! Anyone whose been a fan that long deserves something special!" He smiled his familiar smile, and with that, I was over the moon. He pointed to a spot where he would be after he eats so he could meet me for a picture. I thanked him again profusely and tried to continue working without getting to distracted.

After I had passed out all of the box orders, I went into the adjacent room to restock as usual. I continued my work, a huge smile on my face. At one point, JJ came out to dispose of his empty box, followed by Adam and Daisy. I tried not to look at them and just continue working. They remained a moment to continue their conversation. Not long after, Dom appeared and threw his trash away also. "Oh hey, want to take the picture now?" He asked once he spotted me. I turned to him with excitement and nodded. He smiled and waved me over.

I took out my phone and opened my camera. I felt a little awkward as I was quite a bit taller than him. Dom looked around for a moment, "Wait, why don't we have a seat...?" He suggested, pulling out a chair for me at the small table in the room. I accepted in kind. Dom scooted his chair close to me as I fiddled with my phone. "So you're a longtime fan, huh?" He asked politely. "Oh goodness - yes! I remember seeing Fellowship in theaters when I was 11 and I was hooked. I knew the books as a kid but didn't read them till I was older. The Lord of the Rings was my life as a teen, you have no idea." I emphasized excitedly.
I was trembling trying to pull up my camera. "That's brilliant. Love it, love it." Dom responded kindly. I finally opened the camera app and stretched my arm out for a selfie with Dominic. He scooted closer to me and put an arm over my shoulder. Fifteen year old me is dying right now... I remember when I had such a crush on him. We snapped a quick pic and took a look. "That's a good one, lets do another." Dom said.

"Here, let me take one for you guys." I heard a deep voice offer from behind me. I turned to see Adam standing over me, holding his hand out. Dom smiled and looked to me. "Oh, um, sure. Yeah, thank you!" I say awkwardly, handing Adam my phone. Dom and I stand up and hover close together. Dom again tries to put an arm around me as best he could, cracking a big smile.
I smile big as I see Adam fiddling with my phone to take the picture. "Okay... ready? 1...2..." says Adam as he snaps a couple pictures. Afterward, I shake Dom's hand in gratitude, "Oh my goodness, thank you so, so much. This means so much to me." I say with a huge goofy smile. "You're quite welcome." Dom responds kindly, smiling right back.

Adam politely hands me back my phone, and I open my camera roll to show Dom. He smiles at the pics as I, again, thank him profusely.
"This is great, really. This might be my last day serving all you lovely people. Roger's supposed to be back tomorrow, so..." I say, hanging my head a little. I had really loved doing this and I was a little sad to think I wouldn't get to do this particular job again.

JJ overheard and piped up. "Well, all the more reason to get some pictures in now. Hold on a second." He says, holding up a finger. He walks into the meeting room and makes a loud announcement. I'm turning bright red. Daisy smiles at me, "You will at least still be working here in the studio, right?" She asks. "Yes, yes. But bumped back down to back of house." I explain. She nods in acknowledgment.

"Everyone, I just want to make everyone aware; miss Ruby the incredible catering staff member whose been serving us these last few days in place of Roger, will be going back to her regular position after today more than likely. Can our actors please do her a favor and come take some pictures with her to say thank you for her hard work and generosity?" JJ announced to the room. A bustle of activity erupted as all of the actors in the other room flooded into the room I was in.

I got pictures with everyone. Everyone. Even JJ and the other crew members. I was so taken aback I was giggling half the time. I was blushing so hard in a lot of the photos.
But the one that made me even more nervous was the one with Adam. He had stuck around the entire time I was taking pictures, even taking some for me. He and Daisy helped politely. Some of the actors wanted to take pictures on their own phones, so it was so surreal. Finally, Adam and Daisy wanted their pictures with me. They stood around me, smiling. I was so nervous and red by this time.

Then, Daisy pushed me closer to Adam as she stepped out to grab my phone from JJ who had taken the precious picture. "OK, gotta get a picture of you two together. You two tall folks." She said with a smile. I was blushing, and I felt Adam wrap his arm around my shoulder gently. I felt like a complimentary fit to his figure with my height. I smiled genuinely, feeling his looming aura overtake me. Daisy snapped a pic. "One more..." she said, adjusting. Adam took his phone out of his pocket, quickly finding his camera app and handing it to JJ, who responded in kind.
Adam then wrapped both arms around me, pulling me in closer in almost a hug, smiling for the camera. I noticed how good Adam smelled as he held me very gently for those moments, and it was intoxicating. I felt red as a tomato and I was screaming inside. Daisy and JJ took their pictures and I felt like the luckiest girl in the world right then. "Great shots, great shots. Thank you, Ruby, we truly appreciate you and your help." He said, starting a round of applause that the room followed. Even Adam, who was right next to me then, looked me in the eyes with a smile, clapping toward me.

I was ridiculously awkward and nervous and I really didn't know how to react other than smile and look around. JJ came and gave me a polite hug as the applause subsided. "We truly appreciate you. I hope we continue to see you around, at least." He said genuinely. "Of course! I'm just going back to the back crew of the kitchen where I was before." I said matter of factly. "Well, if anything, I think you handled this job superbly... I'll make a couple calls." JJ replied, a curious smile on his lips. He gave me a look, and I returned with my own

What's he going to do...?

JJ walked passed me back into the room, giving a hand signal to a few people on the way to follow him. Oscar patted me on the shoulder as he walked by, "Your smiling face was always a delight. Never lose that." He said kindly. I smiled and blushed hard. He pointed a finger gun at me. "AH! See - there it is!" Daisy gave me a subtle wave and walked into the adjacent room behind him. Dom walked passed, giving me a polite hug and a buss on the cheek and went on his way. John Boyega did the same, shaking my hand along with a buss to both my cheeks. They were so sweet.

As I turned, Adam had been there next to me the whole time as everyone shuffled to go back into the other room. He waited till everyone had their turn, then came over to me and looked me dead in the eye. "Thank you for what you do. And thank you for the sandwich, the uh, peanut butter and jelly. It was perfect and delicious - exactly what I needed." His words were sincere and meaningful. I can admit, I was entranced by his eyes as he spoke to me and I hoped to God I didn't look as dumbfounded as I felt.
I smiled as best I could, turning redder as he grasped my hand firmly and pulled me in to buss my cheek. His soft hair brushed my face as his cheek pressed to mine with a soft, sweet and simple kiss from his perfect pouted lips planted on my cheek, his other hand on the back of my shoulder. His scent was intoxicating me again, and I was doing all I could not to turn into a puddle right there. He pulled away, still looking me in the eye, smiling. "I'm really glad you enjoyed it, Mister Driver..." was all I could think to say. I said it so quietly that I wondered if I actually verbalized it. He smirked, rubbed my shoulder and squeezed my hand. "Adam. You can just call me Adam." He said softly, then released me gently as he left to the other room with a brief wave.

It was like slow motion as he walked away. I was so entranced by his aura, I couldn't take my eyes off of him. I unconsciously touched my cheek where he had left a kiss, feeling a buzz-like high from it all.

And in that moment, I was hooked.