Story time!

So, tonight, my mom and I used my student ID to rush the touring production of Aladdin. I wanted to see it, because:
1. It's a Broadway show and you already know this is just something I can't get enough of
2. It's starting the guy who originated the role of Aladdin on Broadway, Adam Jacobs
3. I just desperately need a mental break

Anyway, so my mom picks me up from school at around 3:40. She planned on being in the pick-up line at 3 so she could pick me up exactly when school ended. However, my dad came home from work early and started talking with her, so she ended up leaving and getting in line literally when the final bell rings. So, we started off a little later than anticipated. I also went through the entire day thirsty, so I ended up asking my mom to stop and buy me a water bottle from the gas station (it turns out we had a whole 24-pack in the trunk, but c'est la vie). So, by the time we left town, it was basically 4 p.m.

The rush line opens at 6 for the show at 8, so we were planning on arriving no later than 5 to get in line. We manage to get there and get in line at a quarter to 5, and we're thinking that this will work out. There's only about 20 people or so in front of us, and when my mom checked availability for rush tickets earlier, it looked pretty open.

About fifteen minutes after we arrive, a kind staff member lets us in the building so we can line up in front of the box office and get out of the rain. But as she lets us in, she announces that there is a very limited quantity of tickets available, and she will be opening up limited view tickets to try to increase the number available. We got a little nervous, but we thought it would be okay.

But, more and more people came in and bought the tickets from an open window at full price, and everyone in line felt their chances slipping.

At 6 on the dot, the staff member announces the start of the rush, and says that they have about two dozen tickets available, and once they're gone, they're gone. Also, they will not necessarily be in the same row, so some parties may have to split if they really want the tickets. Having done a little count, I'm sitting there and feeling relatively certain that there will not be two tickets remaining for the two of us.

We get near the front, and we hear a girl ask, "Do you have five more?" She ends up buying six to fit her entire group, and we're getting nervous. Then, a woman walks up, and apparently there are only two tickets left.

She turns them down, though, and the group in front of us move up. They also turn down the tickets, because they need at least three, potentially four tickets. So, we walk up, and the worker says that there are two left, but they aren't together. One has a good view and the other is obstructed. We buy them for the $25 each, and Mom says that I can have the better seat.

It turns out that my seat was the last seat that wasn't considered obstructed, and it hadn't been sold earlier in the rush process because everyone wanted pairs. My ticket was the second row in the balcony, center section. I had the best seat available and the last seats in the house.

Needless to say, it was really cool, and I'm so happy I went and managed to get that ticket. The magic carpet scene alone was probably worth much more than I paid.