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Message

Subject: Re: Joe and Harlan at the Movies
Date: Tue, 27 Dec 2005 00:46:58 +0000 (UTC)
From: jmsatb5@aol.com
Newsgroups: rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5.moderated

Keith Cramer wrote:
> Joe,
>
> Harlan sent me.  Well, Harlan sent everyone, really.  There has been a
> thread over on Webderland recently of rude movie behavior, and Harlan
> popped in and said the following:
>
> "Some day, when I get up the proper mind-set to retell the tales, I'll
> ensorcel you with the two best "shutting up people who talk in movies"
> stories in my repertoire of intentional, over-the-top violence in public
> places. Until that time, if you want to enjoy one of those two tales (told
> not nearly as well as I do it) you can go find Joe Straczynski's website
> and ask him. He was part of the brouhaha and is one-third of my living
> proof that I don't make this shit up.
>
> Ta-ta, kiddies. -he"
>
> Keith again.  And of couse rampant speculation ensued, and the thread
> continued.  A day or two later, Harlan posted this:
>
>
> "MOVIE THEATER AUDIENCE BABBLE REDUX
>
> ANDREW LAUBACHER:
>
> The essay that included the anecdote about the guy yelling at "Leroy" in a
> NYC movie theater years ago was a section of the piece titled "The 3 Most
> Important Things in Life" and, yes, it IS a terrifying, marvelous story,
> available in my book.
>
> You're right.
>
> But you're wrong.
>
> The two experiences to which I obliquely refer are two I've never
> published. They happened TO ME, as opposed to the one you know, at which I
> was merely a huddled, terrified observer.
>
> No, the two most interesting SHUT THE FUCK UP OR I'LL KILL YOU!!
> stories of my own personal experience remain shrouded in silence. But, as I
> suggested, you can always go over to Joe Straczynski's gabfest and tell him
> Harlan sent you. I haven't busted Joe's chops soundly since the last time
> we had dinner, all four of us, and I sorta miss the pleasant hiss of steam
> coming outta his ears.
>
> Yr. pal, Harlan"
>
> -------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Keith again:
>
> So, if you are kindly disposed to recall the tale in question, I'm sure all
> will be amused.  If you post it here, I'll copy and paste it over on
> Webderland, verbatim.
>
> Thanks for your consideration.  And thanks for B5.
>
> -Keith Cramer

The problem is...just to tell it *verbally* takes nearly 20 minutes,
it's not something you can sum up in a few paragraphs.  It would be a
fifteen page essay, because it covered a lot of time and permutations.

So my suggestion is that somebody at a convention ask this, so it'll
get voice recorded, and can be made available for anyone who wants to
transcribe it or upload the mp3.

jms