Grievous's bodyguard

[tikistitch]

So, it was off to the con. Well, not before we were stopped by a couple of rent-a-cops at the doorway of the convention center. It seemed that despite Earl sister Linda's disabled access pass, and despite the fact that he was attempting to reach the convention in a 40-lb costume in the pouring rain, they absolutely forbade entrance. Thankfully, we know the famous Mr. Tikistitch, and he gallantly ran to the rescue and escorted us past the fuming hall monitors.

Then it was time to enter the contest. The first step was the mandatory weapons check at the doorway (don't wanna go whacking wookiees with those plastic lightsabers kiddies. Then it was on to enter the contest.





"And so, how long have you been doing Evil?"



"I like to encourage young people to join the Dark Side."

Everywhere we walked, a crowd quickly gathered.



"Grievous! Grievous!! Turn this way!!"



The General collapsed for a well-needed rest in the collecting panels room.



Ah, it's so difficult being a rock star! Paparazzi, everywhere!



"Say something evil for the camera!"



Finally, finally, finally, it was time for the costume pageant! Earl won FIRST PLACE in the villains category. Then it was up to us, the crowd, to pick out the grand prize winner. The other winners included a young girl dressed in an awesome Amidala costume (she even had a matching doll!!), a young woman dressed as Padme out for her "Sound of Music" picnic, an absolutely hysterical costume of a 12-back Luke Skywalker carded action figure, and an extremely elaborate Han Solo on Tauntaun--the latter had moving eyes, ears and could even vocalize. Tough competition!! We started to chant, "Grie-vous! Grie-vous!" But would it be enough???