Storytime!
It seems that two of pop culture’s greatest icons: This Is Us creator Dan Fogelman and Game Of Thrones author George R.R. Martin met recently — and the results couldn’t be more simultaneously wholesome and heartbreaking.
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Dan Fogelman starts off by asking a pretty obvious question.
Is this a joke? Of course I want to hear about it!
He sets the stage, like all good writers do.
Obviously, the two were excited about Bruce Springsteen’s new show, who wouldn’t be?
But there was so much more in store…
The phone call comes and boom, there’s the man himself.
How could you avoid talking to George R. R. Martin? The man is a living legend!
We get to dive a bit into Alex’s Character here.
Ooh la-la, this Alex person sounds like someone you’d really like.
Careful around Mr. Martin, Alex, he has a bad track record with loveable people.
Then, Dan arrives.
Now they have the authors phone number! How tempted would you be to call and beg for Game Of Thrones spoilers? Or in the very least ask when the new book is coming out!
And that’s when Alex drops a bomb.
Fogelman tweets : “Alex says to him: ‘maybe we will join you.’ Alex and I chuckle at his chutzpah.” Perhaps some foreshadowing?
Thanks to George, Springsteen’s show is ruined for Alex. Or he’s distracted, at least.
Then again, George has ruined a lot of things. Our trust in authors, our expectations about the show and books, etc, etc.
Turns out, Alex is not disappointed…
Imagine that moment! The driving force behind one of the biggest shows in history inviting you to pizza! Like he’s your friend! Be still my beating heart!
At first, I wondered why Dan’s expectations were so low…
Then I realized who he was talking about, the master of subverting those aforementioned expectations.
Here is the lovely couple in question.
At least, this was them some time ago.
Dan continues the story : “We eat pizza for an hour or two. George and I talk shop. Alex tries to play it cool, only makes a few nerdy Thrones references. At meal’s end, George gives Alex a Westeros coin. Alex reacts stronger than is appropriate for a 40-something man.
We all part ways. Alex is giddy.”
Oh no… this is where the tears start.
Where George is good at making us feel shocked, Dan is good at making us feel sad.
Oh God Dan… No… Please….
Spare us these tears you incredibly talented b-word!
Of course the tale ends with a beautiful lesson.
Or should we say a beautifully worded lesson! Darnit Dan, why are you so good at this? I feel like I knew the guy!
Then, Dan adds one final send off to his friend:
Rest In Peace Alex, whoever you were. You will be missed.
And so, Dan Fogelman’s story about the time he met with George R. R. Martin comes to a close.
And jeez… well, I’m not crying. I was just cutting onions around here… or it’s allergies… or… you know what? I am crying! It’s just such an uplifting yet upsetting tale!
