“Excuse me, ma’am, could I have my picture taken with your mattress?”

Under normal circumstances, this type of request could be thought of as offensive, but not in DeKalb County. HBO considered DeKalb as the location for the filming of “Normal,” a comedic movie about a husband and father who announces his plans for a sex change to his surprised Midwestern hometown. The film, which stars two-time Oscar winner Jessica Lange and Oscar nominee Tom Wilkinson, began shooting May 20 and is expected to be finished by early July.

A set dresser that HBO sent to select props chanced upon a sign at the side of the road for Mattress Warehouse, 1224 E. Lincoln Highway. Several minutes and credit checks later, the employee left with 10 mattress sets and frames and a little piece of DeKalb was on its way to its first shot at Hollywood fame.

HBO’s set designers were so pleased with the purchase of their new mattresses, which will be used in a hotel scene, that it sent its set dresser out for an 11th mattress, cleaning out one of the small business’ warehouses, though Mattress Warehouse owner Aubrietta Hope was quick to comment the business continues to maintain a full stock for customers.

Hope likes to joke that the business’ mattresses got a role (they didn’t). She said the surprising sale was by far the largest the establishment has ever made at one time.

Colin Callender, president of HBO Films, announced on HBO’s Web site (www.hbo.com) that production will include shooting in other area towns, including Rochelle and Hinckley. DeKalb originally was attached to that list for a 15-minute restaurant scene to take place in Pizza Villa, 824 W. Lincoln Highway, but the scene was cut at the last minute.

“It’s disappointing,” said Pizza Villa owner Larry Finn, who was told that the short scene would be cut entirely from the film’s script because of delays caused by recent rainy weather.

Aside from the loss of what could have been 15 minutes of fame, Hope and her Mattress Warehouse co-workers are making the most out of their part in the excitement. The mattress model HBO purchased, the Providence, now has been officially renamed, “The Jessica Lange Special.”

Reflecting on the recent fame attained by her store’s products, Hope commented, “Zack, our store manager, told me the other day that when the movie comes out, we can watch our mattresses on the screen and say … ‘I knew you when.’ “