TAFF - pg 31 Christmas came early this year! They seemed fascinated by my capac- ity. I don't know why. Afterwards I was in the hotel bar until quite late that evening. Saturday, April 16, 1960 Up at 8. Met Ted Carnell & we walked down to the American Express office, where I got my tickets to Paris. It had taken a couple of days to secure a definite confirmation for my return flight. AIR FRANCE had a special deal. Go early Monday and return late Thursday night & it was about ½ fare. Around $28.00 for the trip. Something like $45 or $47, I think, otherwise. On the way back, I stopped in Foyle's Book Store & had them put Stanleigh Vinson on their mailing list. He wanted some Passing Show mags from back in the 30's. Then, we went to see about renting a projector. I got a projector, magazines, screen and spare bulb. Had to put up a 26 lb deposit, plus the rental of another 3 lbs, I think it was. Since they would not be open Monday & I'd probably be gone by then, the problem was how to get my deposit back. I suggested they call the hotel, where I'd previously told the manager I wanted to rent a projector and had inquired as to the current available. The camera shop proprietor hemmed and hawed. Finally, I said, "Do you have a telephone?" as I walked behind the counter and into his office with him behind me. Sensing his still further indecision, I picked up the phone and handed it to him and said, "Call the Kingsley Hotel and ask for the manager, Mr. Edgar." He did and everything was worked out smoothly. During the conversation I flipped out my passport to him so he could double check my identity with the hotel. He sort of gave a half-sigh and half-wince when he saw the U.S., passport. Parking the projector temporarily at Les Flood's shop, I had lunch with Ted, Les, Brian Aldis and Ildeko Hayes, along with a stop at their favorite pub. Miss Hayes used to work for Ted, but now worked for a record company, I believe. Quite attractive and charming and intelligent to talk to, I can't recall what all we talked about, but the group reminded me of when we get Marty Greenberg, Phyllis Economou, Lou, etc. together for lunch at a Midwestcon. We got back to the hotel and were ready when the con opened at 2 pm. I got to meet Vin¢ Clarke today, having met his better half yesterday. Doc Weir opened with a general hell raising speech about fans taking unwarranted quantities of Hotel Notepaper from the lobby, etc. Since I had about 8 in my coat pocket, I tried to slump down in my chair & pass unnoticed. Doc wound up by introducing Ted Carnell. Ted spent his time in eulogizing me, much to my embarrassment. I still had no idea of what I would say. I did have some notes of some points I wanted to cover, so the "speech", if you want to call it that, was an ad lib affair. I guess it didn't turn out too badly. It's been my experience that most convention speeches are forgotten by the audience 5 minutes after the speaker is done, anyway. I finished up by presenting Ted with a Bellybutton Brush "For the man who has every- thing." Later on, after circulating about & trying to meet everyone I could, I ate supper with Ron & Daphne Buckmaster, Lawrence Sandfield,