Sands through a three-hour glass of Gaiman
Breaking out at Galaxy Books, a Neil Gaiman signing session. A rather relaxed affair, the kind where free tickets from the front counter are needed to stand in the line. Those with don't tell those without, expecting them to read a small A4 sign inside the bookshop. Running into the fray at 13:20, there was no chance of seeing the speed pick up on the number there and the general milling in place.
And there was a lot of black instore
Comparatively, in the cold of a city night, the Books Kinokuniya session was a haphazard affair. Disorganisation abounded. Signs leading up to the night insisted on patrons booking. The word essential damned in an emboldened uppercase. There was no need to book. With over 300 people in the line and more trickling in, the air apparently swilling on make believe conditions.
Neil was playing it by ear. Signing only the new Mirrormask for people plus five items. Then any five. Then only three personal 3 items with a store purchase. Then only 3 items total. Waiting at the back of the line from 17:40 was not good. Especially given the Q&A and reading of Anansi Boys holding the line in a stop motion pause.
Faint applause. And the realisation that holding a place in line was a futile and utterly inane effort.
Slow moving, doors of the store closed at 19:00, Gaiman still going strong hours later, a double dozen or so still inside the doors at 21:00 waiting in the zigzag queue.
Approaching but not touching Neil Gaiman
After a three hour long wait, time was to hit the front. In addition to handling the comics, finding some person not only waiting for their tun but also willing to do a stranger favour. Taking a shot is one thing, a steady hands is a favour too far with the truncation of time ticking away.
The right hand says something silent to the face cropped off by choice. The author himself looks curiously at the camera.
In the rush of getting the copies of 1602 signed and moving on for the next persion, Gaiman gently warns, "Don't, it's still..." before standing to the side. But the ink, thankfully, was dry by the time the next person was in front.
Thursday, 21 July 2005
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Previous entries on Freeload
- Speak and spell the time reads well
- Three on the first, last either way
- Scum of the Earth
- Australian Institute of Music Showcase
- Complimentary noises ground the water
- Bullets on the street
