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Visions 1999 Part Nine "Oh my god," I said, my voice shaking. The MC started to read the number again – apparently I'd only spoken in my head. I stood up and said, much louder, "OH. MY. GOD." He looked down at me mid-number and asked, "Do you have it?" I could only nod my head as I held my finger on the most amazing number ever to grace the face of the earth, the other red tickets cascading over my hand. "Ok, we have a winner. Have a seat, and I'll take you back in just a second." I sat back down – actually, I kinda fell as my knees turned to jelly. I'm pretty sure I heard cheering from the Bronzers in the back, but clarity of thought, at that point, was pretty much a non-issue. Tree, good. Fire, bad. I was going ‘backstage'. Me. Polgara. I was gonna meet - talk to - James Marsters. Wow, did that nausea come back full force! My hands were shaking, my knees were shaking, my head was seriously spinning. There was no way I was going to be able to stand, ever again. Vaguely I heard congratulations from the couple next to me as the MC stepped off the stage and gestured for me to join him. I picked up my backpack and my camera – thank Joss I'd had the forethought to change the lens before the raffle, I'd never be able to manipulate those little levers now! – and followed him towards the back of the room, amazed more than anything that I hadn't landed on my face yet. He stopped halfway and turned to me, "Oops, forgot to check your ticket. Can I just see it?" He looked it over and said, "This isn't the right number." My eyes bugged out and I stopped breathing. He laughed and said, "Relax, I'm just kidding. Hold on right here," and he left to talk to someone. Smart ass guy-type person. Like I could relax after that little jolt to the heart. There was a tap on my shoulder, and Nancy and Rebecca were beside me, disbelief on both their faces. "You are the luckiest son of a bitch I've ever met!" Rebecca was shouting. (I think. I'm still fuzzy on a lot of stuff around this point). From Nancy: "I don't believe this." Like I could. I was shaking so badly I could barely talk myself. The MC started walking again, and I followed, with my little entourage behind me. We passed by the congratulating Bronzers and reached the door. The MC stopped again to talk to someone – man, couldn't he see he was killing me?! Monique was congratulating me again, and asked me if I would ask him to sign her book. My big regret was that I didn't take it with me – I was so nervous that I didn't feel I could ask him to sign anything, and I didn't know whether, out of sight, he would be allowed to break the ‘one autograph per ticket' rule (stupidest rule I've ever seen!). Once again I didn't trust the amazing person that is James Marsters. So I gave Monique my autograph ticket instead – I didn't think I'd be needing it anymore, and at least then she could meet him herself too. Then this cute teenaged kid came up to me and introduced himself – it was Jimbo! He asked me to get James' autograph too. I really didn't think I could do it, but I just couldn't say no to that face, so I took his two pictures and promised to do the best that I could. The MC finished his conversation and started to open the door. "Can I take someone with me?" I asked, trying to look innocent again. "No, just you," he said, and added, "Wait here a minute." He started through the door, then hesitated, turned and said, "Well, just one person." Yes! "My sister!" I said quickly, then turned and called Nancy over as he went inside and closed the door. I want to say to all the Bronzers I was with that day that I'm sorry I couldn't bring any of you with me. I know my sister isn't the biggest Buffy fan in the world. She wasn't the biggest fan in the room, and heck, not even in my immediate vicinity. But despite the fact we're a year apart, we're as close as twins, and there was no way I was leaving her behind for this. So there we stood, the Carlson sisters, waiting for our big entrance. The door opened – I swear I heard angels (not Angel) singing - and the MC stood there, opened it wide, and said, "Come on in." And in we went.
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Visions 1999 Relevant Links |