Hi. I didn't even think to write to you about this so the story has been laying around for almost a year now. But, if you'd still like it, here it is.

It was February 21, 1998. For over three years I had wanted to meet Marilyn Manson but each opportunity had been screwed up in one way or another. But on this day, he was signing copies of The Long Hard Road Out Of Hell at Virgin Records in San Francisco. I hadn't bought the book yet (I was going to wait till I was there to do so) and I just threw on my Morrissey shirt which features a photograph of Moz feeding some ducks with the words: "It takes strength to be gentle and kind." I thought he would like seeing that shirt... for some reason, I figured he was a fan of Morrissey's and he would like the phrase. I showed up, messed around for several hours inside and around Virgin records awaiting Morrissey, I mean Marilyn.

Anyway, there was a whole bunch of stuff that happened in between but let us cut to where I'm getting at.

So, it's almost thyme for us to be let in. I'm by the entrance holding my book when someone asks if I know what Mr. Manson says about Morrissey. I don't. He points out a part where Mr. Manson says anal sex doesn't count as coitus (unless you're Morrissey). Something like that. I'd find the exact quote but a friend of mine has the book. So I'm kind of excited and kind of worried in a silly sort of way. And they point out the section on homosexuality which has many, many Morrissey references. And then... we were let in.

Approaching the table I am nervous, excited. Marilyn Manson is a band I've followed for several years and now was my chance to have some sort of contact with them. About ten-fifteen feet away from Mr. Manson I say, "Mr. Manson," and he looks up, "Will you make fun of me for wearing a Morrissey shirt?" He nodded and I covered it up with the book saying "it's not Morrissey, it's, uh, Morrissey Manson." He laughed.

When I was at the table, Marilyn asked me where I'd like him to sign. I pointed out a glowing sphere he was cradling in a picture. As he started to sign the top of the page, I thanked him but not for just the autograph.

I noticed the first letters didn't look like "Marilyn" so I figured he must have a very messy signature. Very messy considering the rest of the words didn't look much like "Marilyn Manson" either. He handed the book back and I looked to see "you're gay....Marilyn Manson." I asked, since I'm gay, if I could have a hug. And the lady who was working there said we have to keep the line moving. Fooey. Mr. Manson said, "Hug the cop. Cops need hugs too." So I approached the big burly man and put my arms out to hug him. He put his arms out to block me saying he doesn't need hugs. He seemed quite nervous. Mr. Manson and the employees laughed. Perhaps that's where the "cops and queers" line derived from. I thanked him one more thyme before leaving.

In November of that year, I ended up spending a day with a fellow in a band by the name of Healthy Morbidity. I told him about my meeting with Marilyn and it turns out that the H.M guy was actually an employee at Virgin and he had heard about me from the other employees... and that's it.