"This is not the official line. The real line is going to start on the other side of the street about a block away."
To which J replied, "Well, WHO are YOU?"
We had already been having to deal with people coming up to us, to tell us that the line could just as easily start across the street as where we started it, even after we told them the theater personnel had put us in this spot. Two nice ladies, so I wont say anything mean, even as misguided as they were, telling everyone that we didn't necessarily know what we were talking about started a line across the street and tried to get people to join their line. So, here comes this guy telling us the same thing, we just wanted to know who he was.
Turns out, he was official. He was Ralph, the owner of the security company hired by Summit to handle the crowd. He had no clue that people would be lining up so early so he had to tear himself away from football to come down and take care of the crazy people. I've got to give a high five to Ralph for understanding what he was dealing with. As soon as he announced where the line was actually going to be forming, all the people at the end of the line started to make a mad dash for that area. Ralph, THE MAN, stopped them in their tracks and with his booming voice told everyone that he was going to physically walk the line across the street and place us where he wanted us to be. We had seconds to pick up our belongings and march. Of course you had your rushers who tried to sneak in at the front of the line when we were moving but this was not a bashful group and when someone was not playing nice, they were going to be cut down at the knees. Girls who were trying to cut in line where sent back with their tails between their legs. With the arrival of Ralph, our line finally became official. We had done it. We were number one!
Another of our concerns was having the girls out on the street late at night. We had already witnessed the strange behaviour of some of the street people in the area and we were a little worried. Of about the 100 some people in line at this point, there was only one Dad in the group. This poor guy, even though he looked like a biker dude who could easily handle any problem to come our way, probably never dreamed that when he was going out to stay with his two daughters he was going to become the protector of the whole group. Lucky for us, or for him, it turns out that Ralph had called in for a security detail to be spending the night watching the line. They posted one guy right next to us at the head of the line, one at the middle and one at the end. Ralph introduced all his guys to us and then went back home to catch the rest of the game. Our new best friends, Mohamed and Carson.
We didn't have too many problems. There were just two men wandering around the streets that were of concern. Both homeless. Both either on drugs or suffering from mental problems. Both screaming and cursing at everyone. One of the guys came right up to the girls so J was standing right in front of them just in case. With security there, I did feel safe. My one real fear was a possible drive-by shooting. We were all just sitting on the street, totally exposed to anyone who happened to come by. When I expressed my concerns to Mohamed he laughed and told me, "This is Westwood. There are no drive bys here!" Regardless, we decided it would be best if the girls slept in the van. We totally lucked out that where they started the line was right in front of a public parking lot. The rate was $5 for Sunday but was going to jump up to $20 for Monday because of the premier but it was still so worth being able to have our vehicle near by and we eventually got an open spot right behind us.
Next...our surprise late night visitor
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