Tales From Dragon*Con!

[gladstone.livejournal.com]

It was the early '90s, and it was the second Dragon*Con I'd attended, or maybe the third. I was walking down the street in front of the Atlanta Hilton and Towers late one evening, and I sensed that someone was following me. Indeed, a gentleman of African descent caught up with me and informed me that it was his birthday.

"Well, happy birthday," I replied, and he stated that I looked lonely, and that he had a ladyfriend visiting from Italy, and would I like to meet her?

I replied that, while I was alone, I wasn't actually lonely, and I didn't want to spend time with his Italian friend, whom I'm sure was quite lovely. He was quite insistant, but I would not budge. He tried to appeal to my generous nature, letting me know how much he wanted to have some cash to really enjoy his birthday. It didn't work because I don't have a generous nature.

He would not take "no" for an answer, and I could not seem to get away from him. Fortunately, a lady in a car stopped to ask for directions. While he was distracted, I made my break for it, fast-walking to the (late, lamented) Dunk 'n Dine just down the street. The lady must not have needed detailed directions, because the gentleman with the Italian friend caught up with me just as I got to the door of the (late, lamented) Dunk 'n Dine. He was extremely disappointed that I didn't want to meet his friend, and informed me that he felt that my reason for refusing him had something to do with his racial ancestry.

I lingered over my dinner.

On the whole, I have to say that I do not regret not having accompanied the birthday boy to his hotel room to meet his Italian ladyfriend.