The downside to having such wonderful sleeping conditions (thanks to the amazing generosity of the Smiths) is that when you have to get up early, it makes it that much harder. However, the lines are long and pitiless, bowing to no man, regardless of press credentials.
I manage to get fairly early into the Ballroom 20 line. This way, there are only a few hundred people in front of me. After waiting outside, then getting inside, then being put outside again (through a hilariously long maze of chains), the mind is continually shocked at the sheer mass of humanity that this convention brings together. It’s six in the morning, still in ‘Die Hard Fan’ time, but at Comic-Con, EVERYONE is a Die Hard fan. Even with all of their chains and line switchbacks and hallways twisting and turning for miles, there is STILL a line out the door. Not just any old door, the door that is on the opposite side of the convention, one floor down. Luckily for yours truly, I can gaze upon those unfortunate souls from my lofty position up on the second floor balcony. Chuck is up first, with a “secret surprise” for the fans. I hope I get in.
