On the afternoon before Dennis' charity performance, the film "Two Lane Blacktop" was being filmed at Canyon Road's Claude's Bar in Santa Fe. Dennis was there and well-behaved before his evening performance. I was at Claude's and extras were not paid but could drink unlimited free beer. I was drinking by the pitcher and showed up at Dennis' performance late and half-drunk.

The person at the door wouldn't honor my press pass, so I entered by the stage door and immediately started shooting with my Nikon set at low speed. I was behind Dennis, and the camera sounded with a "clunk" at each shot. It interrupted Dennis' train of thought. He stopped and joked about the "clunk" noise. I then ran down the aisle and jumped into the orchestra pit and resumed photographing, again with the loud "clunk". Dennis again interjected into his monologue, commenting on the "clunking" noise. But he continued graciously and in good humor.

Later, we greeted one another backstage, and he was very cool and forgiving of the interruption.

It was as if he understood.