Writer so tired, so burnt, so unable to concentrate on anything can't do but one word after another until finally cop box lnches arrive, and I am drinking a sport regenerating energy beverage, then raising head to hear Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Students.
WE DEMAND THAT THE SCAPEGOATING OF QUEER YOUTH BE STOPPED!
Twenty some people loitering near the stage, listening in the heat. Their planned speakers finish, and invite members of the small audience up to speak their own pieces. A short line forms at the stage gate.
HI. I'M NINETEEN AND A QUEER YOUTH OF COLOR....
Across the parking lot, two Buchanoid surfer dudes in baggy shorts and t-shirts hold aloft signs, chant "Go Pat Go! Go Pat Go!"
The next speaker answers their taunts.
THAT'S EXACTLY MY SENTIMENT - WE WISH HE WOULD GO - JUST GO AWAY!
At the signin table:
"Oh-oh - disgruntled postal workers are out here tomorrow.""Yeah, we're going to put them together with the handgun control people."
"Heh-heh." Dave, an observer from ______ University, laughs, then: "Danial, you should see the crowds a couple blocks up by the other end of the center."
"Oh? I heard impromptu demonstrations are taking place there - because a lot of delegates enter that end."
"Yes. They got officers standing up there shoulder to shoulder all the way across the intersection."
Jealous of the other place? Yes I am. They won't come demonstrate in the cage - sniff sniff. Well, why should they - like you foolishly said yesterday to the Philadelphia Enquirer, "Can you put protest in a can?"
"What kind of demonstrators?""Oh, they got everyone and her sister down there. Pro-lifers with their bloody visual aids of mangled fetuses," (should we say 'feti?') "pro-choicers yelling right back at them. Flaming banners of hell jockeying for position with hate is not a family value signs. A seven foot high rubber - Mister Condom - passing out AIDS leaflets... you name it, they got it."
"Anyone barbecuing whale meat?"
"Huh?" "Nothing, just thinking out loud. Sounds more exciting thant this concentration camp."
"Heh. Well, you wait, things'll pick up again this afternoon and evening - like yesterday. Cops been telling me we got a couple big marches coming in later today."
Look - your son's here. Now we can eat.
"Hi, Dad!"I stand, glad to see him. Say goodbye to Dave the observer. My kid and I will go to lunch around the corner, half a block up 5th Avenue. Burgers, fries, shakes. The manager of the place shall recognize me (they're the ones who've brought us free coffee for two mornings now). "Oh ho! I see they let you out of the zone!" he will say, greeting us at the door.
I'm feeling a lot better. Those energizing sports drinks really work. With the vanishing of my fatigue, that italics devil has lost some of its power.
Move ahead to Hour Seven, Day Three - KAPOW.
Or go browse the "Table" of Contents.