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<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Hi all. Last night, Velvet and I went to a
Josh Groban concert at the Stockton Arena. We had bought tickets well in
advance because Velvet can't climb steps. We had seats at floor level 1
section 9.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2> When we showed our tickets to
the arena staff, we were repeatedly told, "You're up front on the floor".
We walked through accompanied by an usher, but when he realized who we were: a
blind man with a guide dog and a lady with a cane, our section magically didn't
exist any more. "I can't tell if that's... see how this here is
underlined... Kathie will take care of you. She's a supervisor", and off
he went into the crowd. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2> Kathie instructed us to
follow her back the way we'd just come. She just left us standing and took
off with our tickets. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2> Finally, Velvet couldn't stand
any more and I was getting more irritated by the minute. There were six
chairs near to where we were, and we sat down. After maybe fifteen
minutes, six women approached us and demanded that we move. Kathie was
with them, and she insisted that we again follow her. We were seated on
the far right of the arena sitting sideways to the stage. Velvet kept
insisting that this wasn't right, that we had paid for floor tickets and that
they had been taken from us. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2> Finally, Josh Groban's security
man came up to us and demanded to see our tickets. "This is where you're
supposed to be. What's the problem"?</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2> Velvet explained that these were
not our assigned seats, that our tickets had been traded out for these
seats. The security man then questioned me. "You bought two
seats?</FONT> <FONT face=Arial size=2> With the dog you didn't buy
three?" </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2> A reasonable man would have just
pulled out his law card, but to my shame, I lost it. I really lost
it. His question cast me right back to the 70s. I think that the
reason it had such an effect on me was that all control and hope for what
should have been an orderly entrance and enjoyable evening were dashed.
"If you want to enjoy the rest of the show", Mr. Security went on, "then you're
going to have to speak to me with the respect I've shown
you". </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2> "I'm sorry", I
said.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2> "What was that, I didn't hear
you."</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2> "I will enjoy the show",
but the experience was just wrong. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2> Velvet and I have been to many
venues and we've always had a good time. Where accommodations have
had to be made, they have been undertaken with grace and good will on both
sides. All we wanted was to be shown to the seats to which we were
assigned. Instead, we were marginalized. I admit some responsibility
for this because I lost my temper; but sometimes, when you have been warn down,
all you can do is yell. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV> On Monday, Velvet and I shall attempt to talk to
the management of the Stockton Arena. We will present our arguments in a
reasonable fashion. </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV> This is not the first time something like this has
happened to us at this venue. The first time, Velvet fell amid a whole
scrum of people and nobody helped at all. </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV> Progress can be hard even when the law and common sense
are on your side. </DIV></BODY></HTML>