9 May 1998
After much hoo-hah and credit card juggling, Andy and I decided to just drive into Chicago and give the nice lady
some cash for the tickets, as it was nearing the premiere date and tickets were nearly sold out. The Coalition
folks would only be there until 7:00, they said, and we left Palatine at around 5:30 p.m., heading into hideous
Friday night traffic.
Many gas fumes. Much creeping. Much NPR to soothe our nerves.
The Coalition for the Homeless wasn't hard to find, and we arrived shortly after 7. I told Ellen Harris, the kind woman in charge, that I would be taking my high school chickens to the film and she said she'd mention it to Michael Moore, that he'd be interested to hear that. Shyeah, I thought. But I was pleased to give her the dough and have the tickets, so I smiled and nodded.
On Tuesday, April 7 we departed from the school at 5:00 p.m. Spirits were high on the bus until Andy and our bus driver announced that we probably wouldn't have time to stop anywhere for dinner.
"MISS COUGHLIN! We are HUNGRY!" Hurt little chicken faces, looking at me pathetically. We decided to do the McDonald's oasis and they were happy once again.
It was raining and yucky when the Big Yellow Limo deposited us a few blocks away from the theatre (much to the relief of the potentially embarrassed students, who didn't want to stick out any more than we already did) and we waited in line for about 1/2 hour to get in.
Seating was first-come, first-serve, so when they finally let us in we began shuffling anxiously towards through the lobby in our little herd.
"Miss Coughlin!" Andrea grabbed my arm and pointed at a figure some 5 feet away from us, standing near the wall and chatting with a small group of people. "Isn't that him?"
"OH MY GOD." I was suddenly star struck. Michael Moore was sharing my oxygen!
"Go say hi!" she urged.
"No! Oh my God. Oh my God. Let's go sit. Let's go sit." I fairly ran into the theatre and we found seating near the front. Many people were milling around. The theatre was dimly lit. I couldn't stand it. I had to say hi to him.
I returned to the lobby and waited behind the little clusters of people waiting to talk to him. I don't know why I get so nervous around "famous" people, but I do...I honestly though I would collapse with anxiety.
Finally it was my turn. Andy's sister Cinda, who had come along as a chaperone, suddenly appeared at my side, which helped me to speak in a language he'd understand. I introduced myself and told him that I had brought a group of high schoolers to see the movie.
"OH!" he said, breaking out into a grin. "YOU'RE the one on the field trip!" Oh my God. Ellen had told him about us. He cared. Suddenly, in the space of three seconds, MICHAEL MOORE AND I WERE BEST FRIENDS. We hugged. We chatted. He said he'd meet us for pictures after the movie. He was the nicest, kindest man I've ever been tooth-achingly nervous to meet. I stumbled back to my seat in a cloud of tears and hysterics.
"LOOK at Miss Coughlin" The chickens were scared of me as I passed them on my way to my chair. They talked about me like I wasn't there. They had never seen my emotionally incapacitated side. I dropped into my seat and tried to lean past three people to tell Andy what had happened. Two rows of chickens gazed at me nervously. Tears were dripping off my chin.
"He knew who we were! Oh my God! Oh my God!" I couldn't get myself together. I was so happy that we had been able to come, and that he had been so kind.
It got more amazing.
Before the move, he spoke for a bit as a kind of introduction. In the course of his speech, he announced that we were here and we STOOD UP SO PEOPLE COULD CLAP AT OUR PRESENCE. I was so happy that I clapped too. Standin' and clappin' for myself and for my chickens. I am a dork!
After the movie, Michael Moore met us back in the lobby for pictures, as promised. I shoved a copy of the assignment I given when I showed his movie, and he accepted it gratefully. The kids got to banter with him for a bit, and we annoyed many people by monopolizing his time with our many action photos.
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Graham swindeled a movie poster from some woman working there, and MM autographed it for my classroom. ("To Miss Coughlin's class--the coolest!") When we finally left and hopped on our Limo, he ran alongside it and waved goodbye.
I am so not worthy.