A [Kind of] Funny Con Story

Here's a [kind of ]funny con story from an AtlantaCon in the early 80's.

Bob McLeod, John Beatty and I drove up. Pat Broderick decided to fly in rather than face the madness of an 8 hour ride with Beatty and I.

The first day of the show and the artists set up. Beatty, Broderick and McLeod are all in a row. I'm hanging out with them when not visiting with Paul Gulacy. Anyway...

Up walks a fan and stops in front of Bob. [All artists have name cards on the tables.] The fan proceedes to tell Bob what a huge fan he is of Bob's work. The fan inquires about the price of a sketch. Bob tells him the amount. The fan says that he wants several figures... all of the Micronauts. Bob calculates the cost and tells him. The fan says, "No problem."

The fan asks Bob if he can ink it. Bob says, "Of course, but the cost would be more." Bob tells him how much. The fan says, "I love your work. No problem."

The fan then asks if Bob could color it. Bob says, "Of course, but the cost would be more." Bob tells him how much. The fan says, "I love your work. No problem." They agree on the final price. Bob tells the fan to check back at the end of the day and the fan goes off.

Bob is really happy to meet such a huge fan of his work. He says that he's surprised that the fan wanted the Micronauts since he could have gone to Pat and gotten him to do it. [Pat was a fan fav for the Micronauts at the time.] Of course Beatty and I start teasing Pat and even Bob joins in [a little].

Bob starts on the Micronauts piece. Other fans come around, but Bob is being careful about taking on more sketches since he has so many figures to pencil, ink and color. As everyone probably knows, Bob gives fans a lot for their money and when he colors a piece --- man, is it sweet.

So Bob's working away... we're still teasing Pat... more fans are being told that Bob's sketch list is full... the fan comes by periodically to check on the progress... it is looking soooo nice.

Late in the day the fan comes by and stands directly in front of Bob. Bob looks up and smiles. The fan doesn't...

"Sir," he says, "There has been a terrible mistake..." The fan goes on to say that he thought Bob was Pat Broderick. He's sorry, but he won't be wanting the sketch. The fan then moves down to Pat Broderick. He proceedes to tell Pat what a huge fan he is...

Of course Beatty, and I start teasing Bob... and Pat even joins in [a little].