The Montreal-born film maker said he was a 17-year-old high school dropout hauling empty bottles for a glass factory when a teacher named Andre Petrowski, who was also a member of the National Film Board of Canada, came across some of his writing, began a successful search for him and took his future in hand.

"In fact, I did, knowing your preference," David said, and began to haul large bottles from each of his thigh and jacket pockets.

The pro-bowl forces felt increasingly inconvenienced having to haul "little bowls and bottles of Evian," said Mr. Wilhelm, who maintained that he was neutral on the issue.

Cyrus put down the tape measure and began to haul dusty bottles out of the storage racks.