What can I say, just 4 hours of sleep today after the show yesterday in Atlantic City. Our travelling band was short a member as Seeker (Brian) was not able to make the trip down. So George and I drove to AC from Westport and picked up Jack on the way to AC. The Three Amigos had a magical evening. We headed down with no tickets in our pockets. After dumping some twenties in a non cooperative slot machine (but we did get plenty of free drinks!) Jack headed to the roulette table and we followed. It didnt take long to see that Jack had the magic last night and he was on fire. George and I broke out some cash and let Jack make the calls. He was like a seasoned NFL head coach calling the right plays. His success rate was very high and we were hitting the drinks pretty hard. Its been a long time since i drank cognac and since our expectations were very high for the evening, i let loose. I must have had 10 Courvousiers before the show. G and J were keeping up on the heinekens and bud lights. After a very good run, we went to the box office. Jack grabbed a 2nd row single on Pino's side and locked in for the evening. He later disappeared and was found beating up the roulette table again.
We were checking the box office for tickets and the early karma said it was gonna work out. Seeker was texting us that he pulled up 14 different tickets in the first 11 rows. The box office said the better seats would possibly come up around 7pm. We met up with Lisa and Michael who just finished dinner and we stationed ourselves near the box office. George found some guy who was holding a pair in the 6th row on Pete's side. I wasnt sure at the time that there were 2 tickets until he came back and said he had a deal for both of us and I fronted the cash. The result, less than half price for the pair. The dude was comped these tickets and said his friend was a no show. After giving G the cash, I head back to the box office and suddenly a pair in the 8th row on Pete's side popped up and I motioned to Lisa to come over. She grabbed the pair and we were all set.
We make one last trip to the tables for a couple more drinks and decide to go in. We head to the front where we find Eddie Ryan, Joyce, Meg and the fabulous Starke brothers (and Jess). We find Rosie O'Donnell right behind us in the 2nd row. It was Rosie's first WHO show. I told her that 10 years ago when my son was 6 and she was starring as Rizzo in Grease, she spent some time with the lad and she signed his Grease t-shirt. I thanked her for being so cool and promised her an outstanding show (as if i'm in the band). Jack was settled in to our right.
The show begins and things are cool for the first 5 songs, Lisa and Michael are there with us, Meg, Joyce, the Starkes and Jess right behind us and Eddie on the front rail. The Borgata security teams starts patroling and starts checking tickets. They toss Lisa and Michael and then confront George and I. They start taking us out of the front row and then *poof* the magic begins. Pete sees this and addresses security and tells them that "They pay us to be in the front and we belong in the front and no one can toss anyone out except the band". George can tell you the exact words, I was still buzzing on the courvousier. Suddenly, the guard from the front row direct George back to the front row and grabs the guard walking me out. He approaches and says, "hey, he stays, you heard the man", I proudly take my spot next to George and we thank Pete and Roger. They give us the nod. I think even Rosie O was blown away by this. The crowd loved it and we were set in the sweet spot between Pete and Roger. Eventually everyone was in the front row for stints.
A little while later, Lisa re-appears and squeezes between George and I, followed by her hubby Michael soon thereafter. The guards dont seem to notice or maybe they remembered that we're Pete's friends. The show rocks. We ask Roger for Naked Eye repeatedly, he clearly heard us and smiled, but we it was not to be. I didnt shoot any pics til the end of the show. Security wouldnt let me call friends on the cell, they thought I was recording the show. So I ask the guard if its cool to shoot pics and he gives me the approval, "just no recordings". Here are some photos from the show for your viewing pleasure. Rosie O calls a friend, George and Lisa in the front and some show pics. I shot about 140 pics at the end of the show and George blew out about 400 hundred.
After the show, we head back for some more roulette and a couple of nightcaps. We drive Jack home and George and I drive back to Connecticut. Two large coffees, the Wawa store makes a great cup of Hazelnut and a stop at the "King" for a 1am burger. Neither of us had dinner, so desperate times call for desparate measures. I get home around 5am and crawl into bed at....5:15 am. Ironic, eh? Sunday its off to the Nassau Coliseum for one more show.....
I want to thank George and Jack for another amazing night of magic! Jack was on fire last night and I appreciate you rolling our chips in with yours.... Also nice seeing the gang, Meg, Joyce, Starkes, Eddie, Lisa, Michael and anyone I forgot to mention.
