Diary of a 'Star Wars' fanatic
Sunday, May 9, 7:00 p.m.: Arrival. The drive past San Francisco's Coronet Theater led to some major doubts about this little adventure of mine. We're talking major encampment: tents, a couch, sleeping bags, tables and 25-30 people milling about.
It feels a little like walking into the school cafeteria on your first day at a new school. Everyone seems to already know each other, and reaching out to newcomers does not seem to be high on anyone's list of priorities. This is my fault, too. I'm so overwhelmed by this experience -- it's making me a little shy. After staking out my spot of concrete, I pick up some dinner at the Round Table next door.
The technology here is amazing. There are five laptops all connected to the Internet with a DSL connection. Not to mention a TV and VCR. Several of the laptops were donated by Fujitsu. The DSL connection is courtesy of Scour.Net. The photocopy store next door to the theater is allowing the group to use their electrical power by running cords under the front door.
There's also quite a crowd here. Most seem to be in college. Almost all the line-goers are guys. There's only about three other women besides me.
10:00 p.m.: A lot of people are clearing out. I still haven't figured out how many will stay the night.
Reaction from passers-by totally varies. It's more negative than I expected. Lots of calls of "Get a life," "Go home" and "Losers." Then there are the people that slow down to take pictures of the crowd. Makes me feel like an exhibit in a zoo.
10:30 p.m.: Really wishing I hadn't volunteered for this right now. It's very cold. I'm very tired. I'm beginning to realize that I'm not going to get any sleep tonight. I've only been here 3.5 hours. Aaah!
Cops come by periodically to check on us all. They had to be called last night because of an harassment problem. According to the people who were here, five squad cars responded to the call within minutes. Not bad. At least I'm not worried about my safety.
11:00 p.m.: What a turnaround. Just when I was really beginning to wonder what on earth I was going to do with myself for 25 hours I find myself in the middle of a rousing game of Star Wars Trivial Pursuit.
This is why I came here -- to be totally immersed with the people who live and breathe this movie. The Trivial Pursuit rules had to be modified to add difficulty. I am happy to say I held my own in the game. In fact, it came down to a draw between me and my new buddy Noah.
We packed it in after 1:30 a.m. Even for these guys, three hours of Star Wars trivia is more than enough.
Monday, May 10, 7:00 a.m.: I think I slept. It wasn't nearly as cold as I expected it to be. When the wind dies down it's actually not bad. I woke up to the sounds of very loud rush hour traffic. Took a nice walk over to a local coffee shop with my Trivial Pursuit mates, Travis and Noah. A serious debate over the merits of the new, fully animated character, Jar Jar Binks ensues over coffee.
Time to hit the laptops. First thing on everyone's list is checking on all the latest Star Wars news. A small crowd hangs out at the other end of the marquis near the pay phones. The phone numbers are published on the Internet. So besides being the main communication link for the people in line here, they are also a constant source of interviews. Just about everyone here has been interviewed by radio DJs or reporters wanting to know:
- Is it cold?
- Why are you doing this?
The folks here have gotten so they just pick up the phone, rattle off the stock answers and then ask if there's anything else.
8:30 a.m.: The whole day stretches before me. I can't remember the last time I had nothing to do but wait around for an entire day. It sounds kind of relaxing.
I'd better not let anyone at work know that. I think it's time to catch up on some e-mailing.
3:00 p.m.: I had an interesting chat just now with two of the guys here, Travis and Jeremy. Both admit they would rather not be here.
Given the choice, they'd be happy if everyone packed up and went home until just before the movie opened. But with so many others in line, they're kind of forced to be here to get opening night tickets. And that's what this is all about; seeing the first showing of 'Phantom.'
"It only happens once," Travis explains. "You can't replace five minutes before the show starts. The anticipation people will have comes from waiting 20 years to see this film. That kind of excitement you're not going to get the next day or the next week."
5:00 p.m.: It's starting to get pretty chilly. It hasn't been too bad being in the sun for most of the day, but now that the wind is picking up it's getting cold.
People are so fascinated by this line. There's a young boy, probably about 12-years-old, that comes by with his mother every day just to talk to the line-goers. And then there's the little old ladies that just walk by shaking their heads and chuckling to themselves about us "crazy young people."
Not everyone is nice, though. There are plenty of people who seem to enjoy ridiculing us. I've been called a "loser" enough in the past 24 hours to last a lifetime. You've got to wonder where this animosity is coming from. Nobody here is bothering anyone. In fact, quite a few of them are raising money for charity. They get people to sponsor them for the number of hours they spend in line and all the money will be donated to The Starlight Children's Foundation.
Most people here just laugh off the insults. They way they figure it, they're the lucky ones. They're the ones with the vacation time and the disposable income that allows them to spend this time in line. Everyone else has to trudge to work every morning.
Even on a slow day like today the media attention is fierce. The pay phone rings constantly with radio stations looking for interviews -- not to mention the film students covering the event. The San Francisco Star Wars line seems to be the project du jour for film and photography students. There have already been at least four camera crews here today, not counting the ZDTV crew that came out to shoot me for the story I'm doing.
I can see how some of the people can stay here so easily for days on end. The hours just blend into each other. It's very peaceful.
There was a lot of talk today about statements made by George Lucas. He basically said there's no way this movie can live up to the hype. Fans here think he's afraid the movies may some day become the basis for a new religion. They practically already are. People here can recite lines in the movies as easily as most preachers can rattle off bible verses. The movies are treated with the same kind of reverence. I think that's what makes this whole experience a little weird. I can't quite comprehend the intensity of the feelings here. Star Wars is all anyone talks about. It makes me wonder whether my fellow line-goers' behavior is unique to the situation or whether they always converse in Yoda-speak.
There are worse things to be obsessed with.
7:30 p.m.: I can't believe it's almost time to go. Earlier, I heard this experience described as being like summer camp. Perfect description.
You've been dreaming of returning to all the comforts of home, but when it comes time to leave you realize the time has flown by and you'll miss all your new friends.
But I will be back. My 25 hours in the 'Star Wars' line has earned me one ticket to the movie debut of a lifetime. At midnight on May 19, you'll find me back in line at the Coronet Theatre. Till then, may the force be with you all.