A few of their braver ex-classmates began to approach the table, eager to tell "Brad" how much they enjoyed his movies and requesting autographs.

When the gates opened at 4:40 p.m., a few hundred people, the usual number, gathered around the Mets' dugout and requested autographs.

It is a fact he reluctantly shares with fans, preferring instead to use his American accent when talking with those who request autographs.

Rather than requesting autographs, the fans proffer cards, which are gathered efficiently by each star, who may say a few words but then waves and moves on.

No flashes erupted, no shutters snapped, no one requested autographs.

The fan watched reverently for a moment, then wandered off to request other autographs.

Guests pumped his hand or requested autographs.

But there was no suffocating crowd demanding favors, just a polite line of well-wishers requesting autographs.

Everywhere he went people stopped him, requesting autographs, wanting to take his photograph, telling him how much they loved him.

The way the Wilen sisters tell it, other authors arrived in airports to crowds of fans requesting autographs.