So I'm attending Tekko 2008 in Pittsburgh. We just got done with Friday, selling in Artist Alley. I had sold last year, when they were in the expo center, and everything was great. It ran smoothly, he tables were in a GREAT area, and all was well.

Apperantly, the expo center let them know at the last moment that there were renovations being done at the time they were holding Tekko 2008, so they had to move the con. But no big deal right? They expect a great turn-out. And all in all, the Radisson Hotel, while smaller and more cramped, was efficient enough. Or at least it should have been.

Artist Alley was split up between two rather small rooms. When we arrived at 8:30am this morning to begin set-up, the room was crammed to the walls with tables in rows. Basicly, there was a single open line to the right for people to walk from the front to the back, and about 5 lines ne-person wide for people to walk down to reach the tables.

BAD set-up.

So we asked forthe alley head to fix the layout. We offered several solutions. She was nice (I'll admit, I was kinda peeved at first, because they made it seem they were NOT gonna change it and we'd have to live with it. Had we, I would have not sold and demanded a refund, I'll be honest). So they set about fixing the problem and re-arranging it into a circle. Tables on the outside, with an island of tables in the middle, and a single (still slightly cramped but efficiant) space for people to walk around. They busted their asses getting it all moved around for us. And in the end, all was well. We were only set back about a hour hour, but the alley wasn't open to the public for another hour anyways. So we set up.

The morning went smoothly. Slow at first, but business built quick. We were to be open until 8pm that night, which was early to close, but within reason. However, we read that the Alley would only be open until 6pm on Saturday. This alarmed alot of people. Saturday is big busy business day, and once the Dealer's Room closes, all those people with money go to the Alley! So naturally, we protested this early closing time. How did we protest?

We passed around a petition requesting that the hours be changed. Let us stay open until 10! We were not loud or mean or demanding. It was a request. If we close that early, at least give us a reason. Well, pretty much everyone signed it with their name and studio name. And after an hour or so, some of the staff went around and told us we were not only going to be open until 10 tomarrow, but we'd be allowed to sell until 9 tonight! Bonus~ We were all very happy.

So it rolls around to 8:30. Since the Dealer's Room closed at 7pm, all the business is where we are at. I was making so much money. Suddenly, through the doors comes a gentleman, and he yells for attention. We fall silent and listen. He asked all non-alley people to please leave the room for about 5 minutes. He needed to discuss something with us Artists. We were all wondering what it could be. So the customers leave, and he closes the doors. This guy introduces himself, saying he's in charge of both Artist Alley and the Dealer's Room. The lady under him who was in charge of Artist Alley was super nice and sweet and willing to work with us.

This prick proceeds to yell at us and threaten us. Apperantly we were not ALLOWED to form a petition to have the alley times changed. We were not ALLOWED to petition. He went on and on about how we were breaking the rules, and he could kick every one of us out without a refund. He belittled us, once refering to us as "little children" (("You'd better all be good little children" I believe was the demeaning statement he used). He said we were to "appologize to Lidnsey" (the Artist Alley head, who looked ashamed of his behavior) and thank her for everythng she did for us. He then went on to say that while they didn't have enough staff to keep us open that late, they were allowing us to remain open until 10pm on Saturday. He then went on to tell us what hours he would be in the dealer's room. He invited us (in condensending and VERY threatening tones) to come bring him "any complaints or problems. Please".

This prick was looking for a fight. I was shaking with rage, and managed to stay quiet. But I wanted to break his jaw for the way he spoke to us. Then he opened the doors back up, so we could sell for the last 20 minutes we were to be open that night. HE COULDN'T EVEN WAIT UNTIL WE'D CLOSED TO SAY ALL THIS. But I was too angry to sell anymore. I packed up, all the time wanting to vomit with disgust. If it hadn't been for wanting to spend time with my friends who I rarely get to see, I would have walked out and never come back.

It wasn't until later both me and my friend regretted not grabbing out cameras and recording the whole speech. It would have been on youtube had we thought to do so.

So we decided to get revenge. He wanted us all to thank Lindsey, so we decided to do just that. We'd get a card for all of us to sign that would thank HER and HER staff for being kind and pacient with us. Not a big slap, but it was the best we could do. So we go to Walmart and look for cards. And apperantly someone fell in with us up high, for my friend found the perfect card for everyone to sign. On the front it says in BOLD words: "Some people are lame. Others are awesome". The inside just says "Thank You".

Perfect. Innocent. But it drives the point across. So we intened to take this in tomarrow for everyone to sign. Then we'll give it to her. And it won't take long for it to get back him. A compliment to her and her crew, and an obvious insult to him.

Tomarrow will be a beautiful day, and it can't get here soon enough.

In a similar note, my friend checked the contract (that the guy pointed out that we had signed and there were spefici rules against what we'd done), and came up with something interesting. The only reasons where they can kick us out WITHOUT refund is if we have visably placed porn and bootleg/illegal material. So if we get kicked out, we're gonna fight for a refund. We signed that contract, and have followed the rules. He might be able to kick us out, but we WILL be entitled to our money back.

I'll post tomarrow night to let you all know how it went.