It was Saturday, 18 July, 3:45 p.m. It was sunny Southern California in a city far from mine. It was also a book, a bookstore, a time long in coming, and a time now all too soon at hand.

We were all huddled just inside the doors of Border's book store. Not long ago, we had been waiting outside in the parking lot where it seemed logical Michael Madsen would arrive. It was a very warm day, the shade was sparse, and we couldn't be sure if the perspiration stains accumulating were due to the elevated temperature or the frazzled nerves. The emotions experienced within our little group were diverse and each of us appeared unable to put into words how we felt at that time. Some were anxious, disbelieving, and in a complete state of acute denial. Others were calm, cool, and collected. Still others were optimistic, excited and beset by unbridled excitement.

We were no longer speaking to each other very much. We just sort of grinned, smiled, and snickered. We continued to stand bravely and wait. The time was close at hand. There were quite a few people scurrying about; doing nothing constructive but making everyone else nearby even more nervous. The Publisher was tacking signs up on posts and along walls directing those interested to proceed up the stairs where the book signing would take place. The Publicists, young women similarly attired in black, were darting to and fro. Meanwhile, the security personnel stood grimly by...waiting and looking grimmer as the activity and tempo increased. I was having a great time. I felt as if I was a kid again waiting for Santa Clause to enter the house through the back door bellowing, "HO, HO, HO," even though I knew it was the skinny neighbor next door with the pillow down the front of his pants. I didn't tell the group how much fun I was having. Some were more tense than others. Hmmmm....I wonder, if even now, Jo Ann has managed to uncoil the muscles of her body.

As you all know, the wondrous web site administrator, Jo Ann, was there. She smokes too much when she gets nervous. She was smoking a lot. Our little group stood closely by as if she were a magnet; drawn to her like lighting to a lighting rod, or even the bees to the honey. We all figured that the action would take place in her vicinity so we didn't stray too far. Never too far away was Jeff, the Photog friend anxiously awaiting, with finger poised on the shutter button. There was the effervescent co-worker and cohort friend, Janet who was the best moral support that Jo Ann could have hoped to have. I was there too. I'm the anonymous eyewitness. I think I was there to see what could be seen and experience whatever was going to be. I was also there to meet and say "hi" to Jo Ann. I sincerely hoped that the evening was going to be a resounding success for her and everyone concerned. Oh yeah, I was there to see Michael Madsen too.

Suddenly, there was a bevy of activity beginning in the parking lot. I thought back to a point in time a few hours earlier. The group trekked, in the sweltering heat, down La Cienega following Jeff blindly. Jeff was our fearless leader at this point in time because he was seemingly familiar with the area. So we meandered down the street. Jo Ann kept reminding everyone that she was wearing new shoes with significantly elevated heels. Several times she demanded to know how much further it was to wherever we were going. Janet was her effervescent self. She was as short as myself, cute as a button, and a dynamo. Me, I was still happy because my loafers didn't hurt, I was in L.A. for the first time in 6 years, and life was exciting. This trek was the result of a group consensus reached regarding the need for food. We unanimously agreed that our bodies required nourishment to increase our physical strength to enable us to see this day through to its end. We also felt pretty certain that we needed to harden our mental state in the event something unexpected or disastrous were to occur. So, Jeff lead us to The Hard Rock Cafe were we feasted on Nachos with jalapenos for nourishment and slurped Margaritas, Hurricanes, and beer to fortify our courage. We achieved our goals and we marched back down La Cienega with a certain bounce in our steps, even Jo Ann, who complained no further about her shoes.