Mickey and me

Here’s another funny story.

Anyone who knows me knows I have a Mickey Mouse watch. I’ve had it for some time. There’s a story that goes with this watch.

One December back in the eighties, during my stint as a show biz writer, I was invited to a soiree at the Disney offices in London. It was some sort of anniversary for them that year – I’m guessing their 50^th – and they were having a little Christmas party for a select group of journos who’d been particularly nice to them that year. I was one of the invitees.

Upon arrival we were ushered into their screening room to watch The Jungle Book, which was about to be rereleased, and a new short, Mickey’s Christmas Carol. After the screening we were led into the boardroom, which was set up with a Christmas tree, a pretty lavish buffet and rather a lot of alcohol. 

At one point Kit Miller from the Screws and I were chatting to Clive, the head of European marketing. Clive was wearing a rather nice Mickey Mouse watch, which we both admired. Kit asked if you could get them in the UK and Clive said he believed they would be available shortly. 

A little while later a bloke (or perhaps a woman) dressed up as Mickey Mouse came into the boardroom carrying a sack. Mickey then proceeded to give each of us one of the watches we’d just been admiring.

And so I can honestly say that my Mickey Mouse watch was a Christmas present from none other than Mickey Mouse. 

And if you don’t believe me, here’s the photographic evidence.

Ho, ho, ho.