Author’s note: Some of this material is of a mature nature. Readers should be aware that there is mildly explicit material (like that expressed in Chapter 30)
It was the weekend of the 28th and 29th of September 2013. Eric was excited to be attending the entire weekend of the Edmonton Expo (Comic Convention).
On the Saturday he attended a variety of sessions, including Star Trek: Voyager’s Ensign Kim, Garret Wang’s Q&A spotlight. He wandered around the exhibit hall with friends, and bought a sexy drawing of Lost Girls’ Dyson, Kris Holden-Ried, and a green waistcoat vest. Overall a relaxing day. He also decided that day to pay for the photo ops with Christopher Lloyd (Doc Brown on Back to the Future and Reverend Jim on Taxi) and a Back to the Future Delorean replica, which was taken at the end of the day, and a photo op with Torchwood’s John Barrowman, to be on the Sunday.
Over the Saturday night Eric debated what he should wear to John Barrowman’s photo op. In the end he decided to wear a khaki utilikilt (one he bought in Seattle a couple years before), and the green waistcoat vest he had bought the day before with a white short sleeve dress shirt.
Sunday started with Christopher Lloyd signing the photo of them. Then Eric had some time and noticed the line for Kris Holden-Ried’s autograph session was short, and he was due to arrive in half an hour. Thanks to the wintery weather the half hour turned into at least an hour wait. But there was some good chat with the others in line and those around. Including comments on the drawing of Kris. When Kris finally arrived, and Eric got up to have the image signed, Kris commented on how he had seen the drawing before and approved of it.
Eric then wandered a little before going to John Barrowman’s Q&A Spotlight, which was amazingly funny. Eric tried to leave as soon as he could as the spotlight session wrapped up in order to get a good spot in line for John Barrowman’s photo op.
While in line, waiting with the throngs of others, Eric still hadn’t thought of what sort of pose to go for. There were a few he was debating: having John’s husband Scott Gill in the photo with them; a standard pose or one hugging John; or having John look up his kilt. Eric knew that John had Scottish roots, hence choosing the kilt. The moved at a steady pace, and soon Eric was at the front. He was nervous and still a little undecided. Then it was his time….
Eric stepped into the booth, and gave John a hug. That was the confirmed moment he decided on the photo. John asked what pose, and Eric said: “If you don’t mind, I think one of you looking up my kilt would be good.”
John nodded and the camera man prepared to take the photo. In that instant, Eric realised he hadn’t thought about his actual pose… How he should stand and act. As John leaned over to ‘look’ under Eric’s kilt, Eric’s thought went to posing as a shocked reaction.
*flash*
The photo was taken.
Then John actually looked.
John stepped away, red faced, shocked, and embarrassed. The better photo, missed.
He apologized to Eric, to which Eric was smiling and assuring him it was alright, as he was hinted by the staff to leave the photo booth, as there were many more people still in line.
Eric continued down the exit towards the photo pick up, and waited for the photo to be printed. He had also paid to to have it emailed. As the photo was given to him, he started to receive positive comments on the uniqueness of the photo.
Eric wandered around for a bit before getting in another long line for John Barrowman; this time his autograph session. Once again he got positive comments on the photo as he stood in line and waited. The line was long, and Eric realized he would miss Christopher Lloyd’s Q&A Spotlight. but he didn’t mind. Getting John Barrowman’s autograph seemed more important, especially, in light of John’s reaction to Eric wearing his kilt authentically.
It was worth it. When Eric got up to have John sign the photo, there was no need to remind John who he was. John once again apologized for looking. Eric replied that if it would have bothered him he would not have suggested it as a photo; he was quite comfortable with what had transpired. John then turned to his husband Scott, and tried to explain what he saw. Indicating he was quite impressed.
John signed the photo.
“Eric, love always and WOW! John Barrowman”
Eric thanked him and moved off, for the next person.
In the short time remaining of the Edmonton Expo, Eric met up with a couple friends briefly to show them the photo, then to a session on getting published.
Was the photo shoot also John Barrowman’s highlight of the 2013 Edmonton Expo? Would John incorporate the story in other Q&A Spotlights? Would Eric have a future story to rival or beat this one?
Only the future will tell.
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That's the best story ever.
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