In the run-up to "Beam Me Up Scotty, The James Doohan Farewell Star Trek Convention & Tribute" scheduled for August 28-30 at the Renaissance Hotel in Hollywood, we continue with our fan-submitted stories that relate their own personal experiences with the legendary Trek actor.

In the case of Tom Sharp, who submitted the following story, it wasn't so much his interaction with Doohan, but his less-than-enthusiastic sister!

Mister Doohan,

My name is Tom Sharp, and I've never met you.  A few years ago, you were in Dallas/Fort Worth, promoting a new television system from Philips.  I wanted to go, but couldn't, because of my work schedule.  My older sister agreed to go in my place, and she was able to meet you instead.
 
The morning of your appearance, I told my sister that she would have to do something for me.  She asked what I wanted her to do.  I told her that she would have to stop at a convenience store, and pick up a bottle of lime Gatorade, or something.  She would have to rip the label off, and give it to you as a gift.  I told her that if you asked what it is, she should simply tell you that "it's green."

I thought this would be funny, and something I would do if I had been able to go.  She asked why I thought it was so funny, so I explained it to her.  She refused, saying that she didn't want to look silly.

That night, after I got home from work, she gave me the autographed photo from your appearance on Star Trek: The Next Generation, as well as an autographed copy of the TNG "Relics" novelization.  I asked her to tell me about it, and she told me that there were only about 20 to 30 people there, with a couple of them in Star Trek uniforms.  She said that you were the nicest person, and that you asked her if she was a fan.  She wasn't, and she told you so, but said that I was a huge Star Trek fan and that I was trying to "convert her."  You asked her to let me know to give her time [and] that she would come around.

It's been a few years since then and she still isn't a big fan, but she roles her eyes less when I talk about Star Trek.

And I still have both signed items on display in my living room.  I wish I could have been there, and I regret that I didn't get to meet you that day.

Thank You,

Tom Sharp

For more on the Scotty convention, please see the Planet Xpo link below. More James Doohan fan stories to come!