Oh, She’s A Speaker All Right!
I am working security for a big show. It is simple work: check the tickets and deal with anyone acting up. We deal with most of the visitors, and as it gets closer to the start time, the majority of the crowd is dealt with and only a few latecomers are left.
Out of nowhere, a smart-looking woman makes a beeline to the door.
Me: “Ticket, please.”
Woman: “Gah! Don’t you know who I am?”
Me: “I don’t, but I do know you need a ticket.”
Woman: “I can’t believe this! I’m the guest speaker!”
I have no way to confirm this. We expect speakers to get here early, and she’s coming through the main entrance, not the big guest entrance.
Me: “Then we need to see your ID, please.”
Woman: “This is stupid. Just let me in!”
Me: “I need to see a ticket or an ID pass for speakers.”
Woman: “If you don’t let me in, there won’t be a show!”
I don’t flinch. She eventually calls someone, and it sounds like she has forgotten her ID. From what I can make out, it sounds like the person is telling her to go to the main entrance, which she is now arguing about. Eventually…
Woman: “They said you have to let me in.”
Me: “I’m sure they will call me on my radio if that’s the case.”
She tries to push past.
Woman: “This is stupid. I’m going to get you fired!”
She ranted and raved and then made another phone call. Eventually, someone from the main entrance came and got her. It turns out she wasn’t even a speaker; the organisers had asked her to join a panel but she didn’t tell anyone she was going to be there!
Better yet, the panel was about dealing with conflict in stressful situations. Sounds like she could have been better in the audience for that one!