Well we had excitement in the Box Office and Lobby at PCPH last night.
Our local Senior organization RSVP provides two ushers for each performance....they get complimentary tickets to the evening's performance - they take the tickets, tear them in half, keep one half, return the other....and also hand out programs. Last night we had a NEW lady, Nellie. It was her first time ushering, so I took her through the process. HOWEVER, her friend, Dorothy, who is an experienced usher decided NOT to show up...so Nellie was on her own.
We had TWO busloads of out of towners. One bus from the Masonic Home in Franklin, Indiana, had about 30 - and some of the people had been here before. The other bus was from Peoria, Illinois, and had about 57 people on it - making their first visit.
WELL - the Peoria group had paid for but not picked up their tickets.....they started pouring into our small lobby....and creating quite a bottleneck. I left the box office and asked who was in charge of handing out the tickets.....and a couple of the ladies just said: "We don't have our tickets yet."
Well - I figured there might have been a method to the madness, so I went out to the bus. There were a couple of people helping people out of the bus, so I approached them and asked: "Who is in charge of handing out the tickets." And a lady replied again: "We don't have our tickets yet...." So I said...."No, that's not what I asked. Who would hand out the tickets." Another lady stepped up and said; "Me....I would." So I handed her the tickets, thinking if they had their tickets before any more of them got into the lobby, it would be helpful.
I started to walk away when a tall man stopped me. He had on a badge that said Convention...something...and the name Leroy. "What is your name?" he asked. "I said 'Jack'", and put out my hand which he took. "No....your whole name...." And then he grabbed my name tag to read it. "I don't like the tone you took with her.....you are very rude. I know people and I will make sure they KNOW ABOUT YOU." I took my hand back like I was snake bit and walked away. It's a good thing for Leroy that I had the restraining spirit on me.
ANYWAY....I went back to the lobby where the lady was having difficulty handing out tickets, so I asked her if she wanted me to help and she said YES..... So I took several of them and asked the Peoria group to raise their hands if they needed tickets, and got them ALL passed out - and the people into the theatre in about six minutes.... OF course new usher Nellie was beside herself trying to keep up.....but she was a trouper.
I never saw Leroy again......but I had gone to the Box Office and got the ticket for the WORST seat in the house for him....if he came in the get one.....
Found out from President Michael....that he was with the organization that had asked for COMP tickets.....and a few other things...
ANYWAY....it has been my experience that people who "know people" never say they "know people".....I "know people" but I never say it....
END OF STORY....so far. I can't wait to read the letter someone sends or forwards to us.
Oh except that the bus driver and the lady in charge both said to me: " We've been with these people all day....NEVER AGAIN...."
