Jeremy Renner stakeout report # 2: Elvis is in the building.
He didn’t want to have his picture taken and we totally understood because we hate having our picture taken.
We have perfect timing.
At exactly 1500hrs we met stellalehua at the lobby of the Peninsula Manila for high tea and a look at Jeremy Renner. The lobby cafe was three-quarters full. After some discussion we chose a table that would afford us a clear view of the entire lobby and the doors. Then it occurred to us to text our friend who works nearby. “We’re at the Pen to have tea and stalk certain guests,” we said. “Come stop us.”
A minute later our friend popped over. “Have you seen him?” he asked, referring of course to the star of The Bourne Legacy. “No,” we said, “We just got here.”
“Well he’s right behind you,” said our friend.
“Riiiight,” we said.
“No really, on the couch, in the black baseball cap.”
“Is he sitting behind us?” we asked stellalehua, who could see all the way to Escolta (the restaurant).
“Huh? No. I mean yes. I mean no. I’m so nervous,” said our designated stalker. Obviously we are ruthless professionals.
“Stand up,” said our exasperated friend. “Turn around.” We did.
Voila, our quarry was slouched on the couch by the large painting, face obscured by black baseball cap, futzing with an iPad. On the chair next to him was another guy, similarly dressed. There were knapsacks and bags around them.
“It’s him,” we confirmed. “Now we need photographic evidence.”
“Enjoy,” said our friend, who went off to a meeting.
“I have to collect myself. I’ll order tea first,” said stellalehua.
“And we’ll go to the bathroom to comb our hair,” not that the hair would be made neater by combing. While engaged in this futile occupation we had qualms of conscience. How could we have the gall to approach Jeremy Renner and ask for a photograph when every time people approach us to ask for a photograph we generally refuse? (Especially when the forkful of food is halfway to our open mouth.) True, Renner wasn’t eating, but the nerve.
The solution to our philosophical dilemma was to get stellalehua to take his picture. Since stellalehua had asked to take our photo and we acceded. This would avert a karma lightning strike.
On our way back to our table we walked in front of the couch where Jeremy Renner was sitting and futzing with his iPad. His companion had left.
“Jessica,” said someone at the next table. It was Annette, who was our seatmate in the first grade. We stopped to say hi. And then many years of working for newspapers took over.
Without thinking we walked up to Jeremy Renner and said, “Hello.”
Renner looked up from his iPad. His eyes are gray-green, his hair is dark blond, his skin is pale and his stare is direct. “Hello.” He was wearing a gray t-shirt, blue shorts and loafers. (Thank you for not wearing flip-flops.)
“Don’t kill me,” we said.
He smiled, which could mean he hadn’t decided whether he was going to throttle us using the kali fighting skills he had acquired for the Bourne movie. He looks pretty much the way he does in photos, only more compact.
“Would you mind very much if our friend took your picture? Just your picture, she doesn’t have to be in it,” we went on, sounding quite sane (we like to think).
“The thing is, it causes a stir…” he replied.
“…and everyone will want a picture. Blast,” we concluded.
He nodded.
“Oh well. Have a good time in Manila.”
“Thank you,” he said.
“And don’t trust anyone.” We don’t know why we said that, it just came out.
He laughed.
We went back to our table and told stellalehua what we had done.
“Is it my turn to go up to him?” she asked, her voice having risen an octave. “Wait, his companion has returned.”
She decided to wait until Renner was alone. Five minutes later Renner and his companion got up and left—they probably realized that everyone in the lobby knew who he was. So the opportunity was lost. But high tea is served at the Peninsula Manila lobby every day…
* * * * *
Our editor just called.
WE’RE GOING TO THE AUSTRALIAN OPEN!!!
Jeremy Renner is our lucky shamrock.
Next subject!
Answers to questions you might be asking, unless you wandered onto this site purely by accident >>>
January 11th, 2012 at 16:05
CONGRATULATIONS! I’m so envious. If I were there, Jeremy would not refuse me. Because I would not have the guts to ask in the first place.
And now I’m feeling butterflies in my stomach. *deep sigh*
January 11th, 2012 at 16:20
ang galeng naman. bow.
January 11th, 2012 at 17:04
You were in his breathing space. *shaking and crying rn*
January 11th, 2012 at 17:45
so thrilling :)
January 11th, 2012 at 19:26
Well done.
Please stalk Jesus Fed in Melbourne. Hehe.
January 11th, 2012 at 22:05
“Just your picture, she doesn’t have to be in it.” HAHAHAHAAA!!!
But, really. It’s the eyes. You can’t get away from them once he’s within the line of sight. Plus he has dwarfy ears, which could be cute or weird depending on how you feel about that sort of thing.
Which reminds me….
****
Dear Jeremy, assuming that you’re reading this at all:
I don’t blame you for being skittish about all of this, and especially with people like me. Believe me, I was just as nervous about interrupting you and leaving you upset as I was about… you know.
I understand, but thank you anyway.
All the best, Stellalehua
ps. Next time, I promise I’ll be much nicer to you. And less tense.
January 12th, 2012 at 09:12
Drooling with envy but so happy for you lot :)
January 12th, 2012 at 11:08
I’m in an official hiatus from ALL social networking sites. I only read and check blogs. It’s nothing. I’ll be back this Sunday.
Back to the stake out, BRAVO Jessica! If I had the guts to come up to Jeremy Renner, I would been all giggles, which will be sooo embarrassing ahahahaha!!! My new work schedule doesn’t permit me to go on random meet ups like this lately and it doesn’t help that I’m uber busy as a bridesmaid so arrrrggghhh!!!
AND OH MY GOSH, AUSTRALIAN OPEN??? YAY!!!
January 12th, 2012 at 11:37
Wow! Kakakilig naman!
January 12th, 2012 at 12:16
Ano’ng nakakakilig doon ayaw ngang magparetrato e.
January 12th, 2012 at 12:58
brewhuh23: We missed you at the stakeout. You’re really going to the Hong Kong 7s? We’ll pass, this is clearly going to be a tennis year. Already have a name for the project: The Infinite Jest Tennis Tour 2012, in memoriam David Foster Wallace.
January 12th, 2012 at 12:58
I envy you. Hopefully this tennis season isn’t a repeat of 2011 which is the Djoko show.
Let us know how easy/complicated it would be to go to AO. Information on the accessibility of the venue, availability of tickets, etc would be nice.
January 12th, 2012 at 13:03
Unfortunately (but not for us) we’re in the sponsor’s box and will not be troubled with details. However, the last time we went to AO the venue was accessible and tickets were easy enough to get. True, that was when Patrick Rafter was still playing. We recommend you reserve your tickets online NOW.
http://www.australianopentickets.org/
January 12th, 2012 at 13:12
Jessica — I know! I want to strangle myself huhuhu!
I will go to HK this March in time for the HK 7s but only if I can figure out how I can get tickets. According to the HKRFU (naks close kami!) the public ticket sale for HK 7s will be on the 14th via local ticketing service >>> http://www.cityline.com
If I don’t get tickets, I’ll just shop til I’ll drop hahaha! Live it, love it, Hong Kong!
Enjoy Melbourne!
January 12th, 2012 at 13:16
congrats to the team.
any plans of watching a shoot?
January 12th, 2012 at 13:22
None.
Where’s page 1, chapter 1?
January 12th, 2012 at 16:19
I hope you wouldn’t be as considerate and polite when you see Roger. We’d need you to profess to him our undying love, etc, and maybe hug and kiss him on our behalf. Thank you, Jessica!
January 12th, 2012 at 16:20
Or, The Roger Federer as Religious Experience Tour.
January 12th, 2012 at 22:47
You were lucky to see him. And that was classy! :)
January 13th, 2012 at 07:56
ma’am jess, isasabmit na po. :-)
January 13th, 2012 at 11:15
“Ano’ng nakakakilig doon ayaw ngang magparetrato e.”
Yung direct stare at hello haha