Time is running out! Get that editing done!

My editing deadline was for the 31 of January. So it was time to head out to Starbucks, find a chair or table, and just hunker down.  I was down to editing the last chapter! With a week to spare on my deadline! Things were looking good.

It’s the last chapter, line number 59- She went into the…

I have a wonderful leather chair, computer on lap, notebook, fountain pen by my side, my flat white to sip, and not much more to do but edit!  No one is sitting near me! What luck!

Then this older gentleman comes next to me, mind if I sit?

Go ahead, I smile.

Maybe that was my first mistake! I should have scowled, or looked terribly annoyed and fierce.

He does and then the conversation begins. What are you working on?

Editing.

I should have said shopping for shoes.

A famous writer! He booms out.

How he went from editing to Famous Writer is beyond me! But he did, and he turns around to the people sitting behind us. Hush, she’s doing important work, She’s a famous writer!

Why isn’t there an eject button in my chair? People are staring. Groan. I just stare harder at the screen.

Focus… Line number 59- She went into the….

A man in his sixties sits down now in the chair opposite us.

The older gentleman shakes his head, tsk tsk. You better put that phone away. She’s a famous writer.

It’s an important phone call. I won’t be long. Miss…is that okay?

Me..mumbling and sinking deeper into the chair… You’re not bothering me. Seriously.

Actually, I am thinking, do I pack up and just run? But I do like the Miss reference. He can stay.

The older man now starts a conversation about slide rulers and how no one uses them today. I’m listening in.  I can’t help myself! I know what a slide ruler is. How old does that make me? That was a no dating rule back in the day….Guy has slide ruler? No way!

I start to fade out their conversation, when suddenly the older gentleman pulls out his phone to check an email! The other man, looks at him, and says rather loudly. You told me to put mine away. You’re bothering her! She needs to finish her editing. How can she concentrate if you are going to have a telephone conversation sitting right next to her?

No, no, I’m fine….seriously…carry on please…you’re not bothering me at all.

God…I am still at line number 59…- She went into the…

Then a group of white-haired men enter and come over to my area. The elderly gentleman stands up.

Hey guys!

He’s loud enough for them to hear and the entire Starbucks!

I’d like you to meet this wonderful lady. She’s a famous writer. We better move over here so we don’t disturb her.

They all say hello. Shake my hand. By this time I am thinking, seriously give up, make a graceful exit.  People are staring.

The old gents sit behind me. One taps me on my shoulder.

We don’t want to be too far from you. What are you writing?

Novel…women’s romance. I say, hoping that will put them off.

Oh…better not tell my wife about that! She’ll want to meet you.

He then turns back to his table and says, Hey Joe, whose died since the last time we met?

That’s it…I cannot get past line number 59…I break into laughter. I cannot finish the edit today.

Tomorrow it will be Last Chapter Line number 59…She went into…

In the meanwhile, it’s time to sneak out without signing any autographs!