[Leica] Smart as remarks 3

[tedgrant at shaw.ca (Ted Grant)]

Smart Ass Remarks 3



A week before EXPO 86 in Vancouver opened, I had an assignment to shoot the 
visual mood

of the site.  During my fourteen hour day, I was challenged 24 times by over 
zealous security guards.



The questioning became annoying as each time I had to go through the same 
question routine.

Who was I, what was I doing.  Even though an accreditation pass hung around 
my neck completely in sight!



I had a Leica 280mm telephoto lens and camera mounted on a tripod,  Leicas' 
hanging on my shoulders, around my neck and an equipment bag.  It was 
obvious I wasn't a bad guy or amateur who sneaked in a back gate.



The questioning was almost identical each encounter: However I bit my tongue 
even though the conversation was ripe for smart ass remarks.



                        "What are you doing in here?"



                        "Do you have a pass?" (It was hanging around my 
neck)



                        "Are you going all over the site?"



                        "Who are you with?"



With the final question each time I realized it meant, "what company"  I was 
shooting for.

And I explained who, what, and where.  Finally after twenty-four times of 
this routine,

even with a couple of security guards within sight of each other by a 
hundred yards, asking the same routine..

By the time the final guy asked his question I'd had it!



"Who are you with?"



I looked around 360 degrees and back to the guard as straight faced as I 
could and replied, "I believe I'm

all by myself!"  He looked somewhat stunned.  End of questions!



Smart ass remarks prevailed.