The policeman who had been on his car radio told me that a man from City Hall was on his way with the paperwork for a Permit; it would be twenty dollars for the day. It would also have another cost. The mayor and two city councilmen were on their way to get in on the publicity.
While things were falling into place I had struck up a conversation with those in the front of the line. Nothing great or earth-shattering was said. I told them this mess they saw ongoing was my life in action. They wanted to know what it was like having Mary for a sister.
“Tiring.”
They collectively thought that I should be appearing in more pictures. One young man asked me about my golf plans, or did I have any? I told him it was a hobby for me and I had no intention of going pro.
Shortly thereafter the Mayor and other politicians showed up. I posed for pictures and told them that this was not to be construed as an endorsement. They took that in stride but had their kids brought to the front of the line for more picture taking.
I asked the Mayor what his favorite charity was. It turned out to be the Salvation Army. I made a suggestion and he borrowed the phone inside the theater. I had learned a few things from the event in New York.
At my suggestion, the Theater Manager wheeled out a popcorn machine. We negotiated a fee of one hundred dollars and he had an usher start popping-corn free for the line.
These things were happening quickly. I hadn’t been there for forty-five minutes yet. The people in the front of the line were happy as they could see and hear all that was taking place. Those further out were getting restless.
A man from the Salvation Army showed up about the same time as a photographer from a local studio. I took them aside and explained what we had done in New York. They agreed for him to take pictures, the Salvation Army would cover his cost plus a fee and the rest would go to the ‘Blood and Fire’, group. I loved their motto. They would do the record-keeping so the pictures would go to the right person.
The store owner had another table and chairs brought over for them.
I would have to be hopping back and forth for the signings and pictures but it was doable.
In the meantime, street vendors descended on us like vultures settling in for a meal. I was glad that a soft-drink and water peddler was amongst them. I had just thought about that need.
My new best friend, the store owner of Feldman’s Furniture, suggested that he call a local radio station that broadcasts from his store on Saturdays. They had a mobile setup and played music from his store.
I told him that would be great. It would give the kids something to do for the next several hours while waiting. It took an hour but by noon they were in place and playing.
Marshal Elliot, who had experience at crowd control, suggested that we write a number on each picture handed out so that the first people in line were allowed in the theater.
It turned out easier than that. The theater manager had a stamp with the Majestic on it. He quickly stamped it on five hundred pictures, well stamped it a lot faster than I could have written it. The Marshal also suggested we hire a couple of off duty police to let people in. That would reduce the arguments at the front door.
Things evened out then. By noon people were getting their autographs on a stamped publicity picture of me. About every third one I had to pose for a picture so that wasn’t too bad.
The radio DJ managed a quick interview with me. I don’t remember his questions or my answers, but they must have been okay because I didn’t hear anything else.
Around one o’clock a local TV station showed up. They thought they could just barge in and interrupt everything for their story. I kindly explained that we had a crowd to get through and that I would talk to them when I could.
They didn’t like it but backed off. I think it was Marshal Elliot’s scowl more than my words that convinced them they should take their turn. By two o’clock I had signed the last of the stamped pictures.
A street party was well underway. The fire department had shown up and blocked the street off with equipment at first, then taped between the sawhorse type barricades. More off duty police showed up to direct traffic. The Mayor let me now about this and that it would cost the city overtime money.
Being able to take a hint I handed him a business card and told him to send me the bill. I would forward that bill to the studio to charge against the movie.
Finally, it was time for the movie. I got up in front of the curtain and said a few words, like glad to be here and hoped you enjoy the movie.
The movie opened differently than had become the norm. It had an Indian family running for their lives and losing. The blood and gore occurred off-camera but there was no doubt that bloody murder had been done.
That took the first five minutes, and then the movie title and credits rolled.
The crowd which was restless at first settled in quietly as they realized that this was not something to cheer about. The background music was dominated by tom-tom drums. There was no question but that a war was coming.
After the credit’s rolled there were scenes from Europe where decisions were made that would make the situation worse. They would talk of treaties made with Indian Tribes which covered areas that did
