The transaction lasted just a few minutes, but the memory of meeting one famous customer will stay with Delores Tower-Linton forever.

Mrs. Tower-Linton, owner of Lampasas Flower Shop, had not yet opened her store on Key Avenue when a pickup truck drove up on a recent Wednesday morning. Minutes later, the shop owner, still somewhat shocked, had sold a wire order of freshly cut flowers to Oscar winning actor Matt Damon.

Damon, along with critically acclaimed actor Jeff Bridges and award-winning directors Ethan and Joel Coen, were working in northwest Burnet County on “True Grit,” a remake of a 1969 Western. News of the nearby film work had not spread much when Damon made the recent purchase, however, so Mrs. Tower-Linton was surprised to see the entertainment star enter her business.

“I didn’t even know he was in town, so my mouth hit the floor,” she said.

On several occasions while sitting in an airport, Mrs. Tower- Linton said, she has seen famous figures without knowing who they were until later. When Damon — who played in “Saving Private Ryan,” “Good Will Hunting,” the Bourne trilogy and the three “Ocean’s” adventure films — stopped in her flower shop, however, she had no doubt of her customer’s identity.

“It was instant,” she said. “I tried to be calm.”

Damon placed his order, saying he wanted to send flowers to California to celebrate a birthday. The actor, who walked into the store alone, also said it was nice to shop for himself, as he usually cannot run errands without being followed, Mrs. Tower-Linton recalled.

Although she wanted to ask for an autograph, the store owner refrained when Damon mentioned how much he had enjoyed not being bothered in Lampasas. The actor, who had dined in town, complimented Lampasans for treating him normally and in friendly manners, Mrs. Tower- Linton said.

Damon also told the store owner he thought Lampasas would be a pleasant place to visit again some day, she said.

“He found a genuine small town where people didn’t follow him around, and I think because of that he’ll be back some day,” Mrs. Tower-Linton said.

Meanwhile, the flower shop owner has caught some good-natured ribbing from the hair salon staff next door to her flower shop for not alerting them when Damon arrived.

“We don’t have a signal for movie stars,” Mrs. Tower-Linton said with a laugh. “What am I supposed to do? Knock three times?”

Since the recent unexpected visit, she has learned about “True Grit” and expects high Lampasas viewership when the movie opens in theaters Christmas Day.

For his part, Damon — honored in 2007 with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame — perhaps should consider himself a Lampasas Flower Shop VIP.

“I’ve had it two years now,” Mrs. Tower-Linton said of her store, “and I guess that was my highlight.”