But I had one more trick up my sleeve. A dear friend secured tickets for the Cardinals-Cubs game. It was a Saturday matinee game, with a 3:15pm start, between two bitter National League rivals.
While driving Friday afternoon across Missouri towards St. Louis, we heard on the radio that Saturday's game would be postponed until 6:15pm. Not good. We planned to drive after the game and get closer to home.
We were already a day ahead of schedule, deciding against an Iowa fair on Friday. The gang was ready to be home. Really ready! I was sensing rebellion in the ranks. What could I do? I thought about the dilemma while zooming across the Show-Me state. We're baseball fans, but after four weeks on the road they weren't interested in another game. They wanted to get our dog and sleep in their own beds, in that order.
Fearing mutiny, I hatched a plan: 1)park near and visit the Arch, 2)walk 5 blocks to Busch Stadium, 3)get tickets at Will Call, and 4)trade them on the street for Friday night's game. It was a tall order, as it was 6:30 when we parked the RV at the edge of the Mississippi between the Arch and a docked riverboat casino. This area looked sketchy; I wasn't sure if the Paddy Wagon would be safe.. I had reservations about the "parking attendant," thinking he could've been hustling tourists. "Parking" was embroidered on his knit polo shirt. Why wasn't he sitting inside the small air-conditioned booth?
I was relieved when the Park Ranger at the Arch said I had indeed chosen the safest place to park the RV. I could stop worrying about the Paddy Wagon and focus on trading with the real hustlers on the street outside the stadium.
The game started just about the time I got my tickets at the window.
"You guys stay here, and take some notes."
I donned my game face and marched across the street to find an active market. I found some "floor traders" under what looked like a buttonwood tree.
 |
| Watcha got? |
John: Yo, I need to trade 4 tickets for tomorrow's game for tonight's game.
Scalper #1: Oh really?
John: Yeah, these are four good seats, together. Everybody's gonna want tomorrow's ticket.
Scalper #2: For real?
John: Whatcha got, my man?
Scalper #3: Sir, tonight's ticket is hot. That's what folks want.
John: Funny you still got 'em.
Just then, the crowd cheered as Cardinal first baseman Lance Berkman hit into a fielder's choice for an RBI, scoring the third run of the bottom of the 1st.. We were standing near the outfield section and a group of homeless watching the jumbo monitor were dancing a jig. All citizens of Mound City hate the Cubs.
John: It's 3-0 Cards. This game's over. In 15 minutes, you'll wish you traded those tickets to me. You're holding confetti, dogg.
Scalper #4: Here; I'll trade. You're not a Cubs fan, are you?
John: Not tonight.
We enjoyed a great game in club level seats, and the Cards won 4-1. That's a winner!
.JPG)
There was also great entertainment on the street after the game:
A very happy crew walked back to the river under the iconic arch after the game.
Johnny can negotiate with them all!
ReplyDelete