Finally headed West
It was our third Super Bowl, Jim, Dave and Ronnie and I were in Pasadena California to watch the Buffalo Bills play the Dallas Cowboys. I wasn't a big fan of flying and this was going to be cross country and I knew i had to keep the streak alive and make this game since Buffalo actually might win one.After gaining up the courage I got on the plane with a bet that my hotel and accommodations would be paid by Dave if I made it there. The flight was easy and the company great. I had a large construction worker next me and we shared drinks the whole way and talked with the waitresses. Six hours later I was in the sky circling over LA airport.It was an amazing site looking down at the world below with the mountains around.
There is something magical about airline travel, especially after four or five shots of tequila.I finally landed, said my goodbyes and got into the airport. My friends were not there as I anticipated since they had no belief that I would make it in the first place. I got my baggage called them and had to put the waitress at the airport on to prove and confirm that I actually was in LA. After waiting a good couple of hours, they finally arrived and we headed into the LA experience. "DeTitta, I still can't believe you are here" Jim kept saying over and over "The odds were that John De Titta wouldn't get on a plane" well, I took those odds and got a free hotel out of the deal and was set for a Buffalo Victory! I mean what are the odds of one team losing three super bowls in a row!
I got a hard shot to my arm from Dave who said "De Titta we are going to Leno tonight, you gotta get us seats". I always had the gift of gab and always a challenge to heart. "Dude not only are we getting in Leno, but I will get us backstage" they all laughed it off the same way we laughed when people would say "Buffalo is going down".I was wearing my Buffalo Bill colors, I mean it was the super bowl and I wanted to know my team. Which put the whole talking way in to Leno as hard as it could be dressed as an obvious tourist.We got in line and it was long, it was the line for extra tickets in case someone didn't show and the only chance we had in that line is if the entire ticketed patrons got the date wrong and didn't show. I noticed in the corner of my eye a separate door to the side. The door was secure with several guards around it and I dude with a clipboard.
I immediately headed in that direction."John" someone screamed, "John DeTitta" they screamed again. "where the hell you going" I turned and looked at Jim and gave him a hard look like dude I got a plan and he finally got it and just smiled.I walked over to the security guards and started talking. I knew if I had any chance I had to bring their guard down and become a friend. "You guys going to the game" they looked at me with my oversize Buffalo Bills shorts, bills shirt and hat. "Buffalo is going to lose again", the biggest one said "Yea, what's it like to be a fan of the biggest losers" the other chimed in. I knew now we had something in common the Bills, I loved them and they hated them."Actually I believe we are not only going to win" I continued, "But we will win by 14 or I will personally come here tomorrow and set you up with some Buffalo women" that got them going.
There was a slight difference between Buffalo Women and LA Women and I heard it while they rolled on the ground. It was my diversion and they didn't understand it, while they continued their laughing I glanced over at the names of VIP guests on there lists, I found a couple of easy ones and one with a star on it and remember all three.There was no point to continue the conversation as it had digressed way beyond any chance of intelligent conversation and I backed away through their laughter and references to my mother, who I wasn't quite sure why was placed into the conversation.I went back into the line of wanna be attendance and was Dave looked me in the face saying "the great John DeTitta, couldn't get into Leno". I smiled at his lack of confidence, intelligence and personal hygiene and said "watch".
After a good half hour the guards left, and a young female took their place. The guards made there way into the theatre for security and the line hand dwindled down for VIPS that the work load would be minimum for the young lady working the door. "Come on!" and just do exactly what I do" I screamed at Dave and Jim and they followed right behind me knowing I had a plan. We walked right up to the VIP Tent and I smiled at the young lady working the door. "May I help you" she asked, "Yes, I said, we were told to come to this door to get our tickets" she looked me over and almost started to laugh. What VIP would dress in Buffalo Bills colors? What VIP would root for the Buffalo Bills in the first place?"Your names" I proceeded to introduce Dave and Jim remembering the names and the list and they both nodded their heads with confidence. She looked at her clipboard and was in shock when she found a match in the names. "Come in" she said to them and proceeded to allow them to enter into to the VIP section of the theatre into their awaiting seats.
Then she looked at me with a smile "your name is.." I proceeded to give her the name of the VIP with the star next to it, it was a name I didn't recognize so I'm sure she didn't' recognize it either. After looking at me and then back at the click board and then back at me she finally said "How long have you known Mr. Rather" I got it, I was a friend of Dan Rather's who was going to be a guest on the show. Man I was in and I had a chance to go all in. "Since I was a child, he was a friend of my Dads" the line hit perfect, and I said it in confidence. She smiled at me and told me I could wait in the Green Room and watch the show.Not only had I gotten my friends in, but I was ushered to the Green Room and sitting next to Dan Marino and the rest of the guests looking like the biggest tourist Buffalo Bills fan watching the show and grabbing something to eat with the rest of the VIPS.
I soon realized after I did the meet and greet and walked all around backstage that Dan Rather would be coming soon and I would be discovered. I don't know what that would mean but I figured it would be better to watch the show from a different location and during a commercial break I made my way from the Green Room to the seat while my two friends Dave and Jim were laughing uncontrollably seeing me come from the Green Room into the theatre.
Buffalo lost that game for the third time, however the trip was tremendous, its like anything in life the journey and the present is always better then the destination.
John Detitta
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