Bebo

Jeffrey Bailey <avinrider>

	Me and Salvatore - a short...Medium...LONG story. (Part IV)	781 días hace
	Gathering up my bags I went to go stand in the back of the line, while inside I was kicking myself. I thought that in my hubris, thinking that I would get him to sign all of my books if I was last in line and didn’t hold up anyone else, I was going to miss my opportunity to get any of them signed. It was nearing 6:00 and the end of the signing and I had just made it in the door, when a helpful customer service representative came up to me and asked me if I wanted Salvatore to sign anything special in my book or just his name. Slightly confused I asked her what she meant. To which she responded that it was faster if she gave me a post-it note with what I wanted signed on it so that he could just pick up the book and begin signing without having to ask first. Numbly I responded, “ummmm, Jeff?” With a smile she wrote Jeff on a sticky note and stuck it to the book that I was holding (and still reading by the way as I stood in line). As she turned away to the next person who had entered the line behind me she did a double take, noticing that I was already close to halfway done with the book. “Wow,” she said, “You’re going to be finished before you get up there!” I just chuckled and said “I like to read”. Seeing her friendly expression I dared to ask the dreaded question…”So do you think we’ll make it to the front in time?”…and held my breath. “Oh yeah, he arrived a little late and he’s not going to just up and leave with people still standing here” My sigh of relief must have been audible to the entire store. With a smile she moved on and I went back to my book. After another ten minutes in line I realized my back was hurting again and with the comfort of knowing I would not be forgotten, that I would at least get my new book signed I stepped out of line and sat back down. Keeping a close watch on the line I waited until only a half dozen or so people were left in line then got up and walked back over. Three people from the front, two more moved behind me in line. I graciously stepped back and allowed the newcomers to move ahead of me in the line. The helpful customer service representative looked at me quizzically. I just smiled and told her, “I wanted to see if he would sign my entire collection so I wanted to be last so I didn’t hold anyone up.” Again she looked at me quizzically “How many books do you have?” With a grin I opened my new book up to the page that lists all of the other books in the series. “I have the whole collection”. Eyes widening in amazement she glanced down at my backpacks. “Wow” was all she was able to say. With another grin I went back into my book. The next thing I knew it was my turn. Walking up to the counter I handed him my now half finished copy of The Orc King. As he opened it to sign I began the short speech I had been rehearsing in my head all day long. “Thank you, I have been a huge fan for over 15 years now and I was wondering if I could beg the indulgence of your signature on the rest of my collection?” I almost jumped for joy at his open and friendly expression. “Sure!” he replied, pull them out! So I began pulling out books two and three at a time and setting them on the table. As Salvatore begins signing madly a lady standing next to him said “Bob, just your signature, we’ve still got a plane to catch”. I just grinned madly, ecstatic that he was willing to sign all of my books. As I finished off the first bag setting them all on the table he exclaimed “Wow, is that a bag of holding you’ve got?” I just grinned again, “It feels that way sometimes”. Emptying out my other bag I began putting the signed books back into my first bag. I notice that she is becoming slightly agitated as he continues to sign away. Finally he finishes the last book and as I am putting it in my bag he extends his hand. Shaking it with a grin I thank him over and over for the signatures. He just smiles back and says no problem. With a happy grin on my face I turn and walk out of the store. My first act, as I walked out of the store with my prize was to call my brother. “Hey bro,” I began when he picked up, “Guess what?” “What’s that?” he asked already sounding amused and my jolly tone. “I’ve got bragging rights!” I exclaim. “Oh?” he replied with his trademark tone of amused curiosity. “Yup! I am on Fort Lewis and where they just finished a Salvatore book signing. And I got him to sign my entire collection!” “That’s awesome!” My brother exclaimed. “I’ve got four or five of his signed, as many as I have in hardback”. “Well, I’ve got the whole thing now!” I brag, “I’ve got the entire collection of hardbacks, except two!” I then proceed to tell him abbreviated story of my afternoon. “That’s awesome bro, I’m jealous” he replied as I finished my tale. I just grinned and knew he could hear it. It’s not often that my brother has the opportunity to say he is jealous of me. Typically it’s the other way around. Very shortly he had to go however and I got on my car to drive home, giddy with the enormity of the day I just had. So I immediately rushed to my best friend’s house and told her all about it.
	escrito por Jeffrey Bailey