This ridiculous security measure was overseen by no less than six hired security guards with magnetic wands and one weasely movie rep. I, of course, had a camera and I, of course, refused to take it back to my car. There weren't even batteries in it. But I did have batteries in my bag. Finally after arguing with the wimpy little rep about how this was a film festival and we had been allowed to have cameras in the Paramount all week, a nice African-American lady security guard offered to hold my batteries during the film and I went in. This ridiculous security measure (who the fuck is going to take a still capture of a film that comes out in a few days anyway? Jesus Fucking Candlestick! Between this and the fucking incessant red dots that pop up on any light-colored sequence in a film nowadays, I'm ready to find the head of security at each and every major studio and slap them in the nads!)

Anyway, I went in and took my usual seat in the third row. Pretty quickly, AFF Film Programmer Phil Scanlon came out and introduced the film. I already knew that no one from the film would be there (the Fox rep had already told me that when I argued about using a camera during a Q&A).

The film ended at about 9:16 and I realized I had just 4 minutes to get over to the next block to get to the 9:20 showing of "Jailbait" starring Michael Pitt. I went up to a female African-American security guard and asked her if she had my batteries and she said "No." I was like, "Are ya sure?" How embarrassing! I didn't remember what she looked like. I had been in such a huff going in that I didn't really even pay any attention. Finally the correct security guard was found and I tried to thank her profusely for being so kind with her offer. She didn't have to do that.

I hightailed it over to The Hideout, which is just over on the next block. On my way in I noticed a group of teenagers with badges smoking and talking out front. Inside, some singer/songwriter type with an acoustic guitar was playing and singing. I went into the theater and got my seat. There were quite a few people in the house but not enough to make it difficult to find a place.

A female volunteer introduced the film and mentioned the music in between movies was provided by some outside company but then said that it might not have been playing due to the "open mic" going on.

After the film I wanted to go home and to try and get some sleep. I was having my wisdom teeth pulled the next day at 1pm and the dentist had given me a prescription for some "Valium" to take the night before but I had trouble find a pharmacy that would fill it. I had made some phone calls and the 24 hour Walgreens at Town Square said they could fill it so after the movie I spent an hour there getting that taken care of. I went home, popped the pills and went to bed.

Lodger@aff2004