OH. MY. GOD.
Dragoncon 2003, still. The three of us were trying to figure out WHERE we could get Anne McCaffrey’s autograph, since Ash and I wanted it for our moms, who were big fans. We couldn’t figure out where or when she was signing, so after a bit of wandering around and digging through the guidebooks, we decided to ask.
So, here I am, wearing Ruby Heart. Basically a pirate with a giant hat and vinyl jacket.
We see a volunteer, already speaking to someone, and approach them to ask once they were done with the previous person. We kinda stand there, creating a small circle, our attention on the volunteer and not on the person they are speaking to. Well, while we are waiting, my eyes wander over to the person the volunteer is talking to.
IT WAS MY HIGH SCHOOL ALGEBRA TEACHER.
My brain into red alert mode. I slowly backed away, hoping to not attract attention to myself, and then took off speed-walking to another part of the room. Cath and Ash didn’t even know where I’d gone.
It was utterly terrifying. She never saw me. Thank God. Never seen her there since.