So I'm browsing in the bookstore when this guy comes up to me and says, "For a second there, I thought you were the Highlander McLeod."

I look up at him and say, "What?"

"Highlander McLeod. He's got a trenchcoat like that."

Dim memory beings to bubble up. "Highlander" was a movie several years ago that spawned a couple of sequels and a syndicated TV series. The trials and tribulations of immortal sword-fightin' guys. The hero, McLeod wore a gray trenchcoat and a day's-growth of beard, like I have.

"Oh," I say.

"It was a good show," he says.

"Yeah," I say.

He continues to stand there. I look back at my book.

He says, "You look like him."

I put the book down and pat my pockets. "Nope. No sword. Not immortal."

He looks at me.

"But I've never had my head cut off, so you never know."

He says, "Heeh."

And continues to stand there.

It's at this point that I notice he's a bookstore employee.