Today was the day. Months of preparation and training had led Galton (and some 200 other staff) to this faithful day at the stadium. And just what was it that he was so prepared for? Why the London Kennel Club Familiar Show, of course. Which everyone knew was England, no the worlds, most prestigious and popular familiar pedigree competition. Witches, Wizards and Wix came from all over to present their beloved pets to judges of the highest order. Owls, felines, ferrets, toads, lizards, snakes, spiders, rats, bunnies, Pygmy puffs, half-crups, by Merlin even fish had competitions over the next 2 days. It was a spectacle in every sense. And Galton was lucky enough to be apart of it.
Stationed at entrance 3B, Galton was paired with a senior security specialist and set to search and admit all guests with the dragon tier tickets. Dragon tier tickets being the most expensive (not counting the un-buyable Snidget tier tickets given to sponsors) package that one could purchase to the show. How exactly a new bouncer was given such an assignment (and honor) was a bit of a mystery to Lansdale, but he was not going to argue against it. If anything he viewed it as a stamp of approval towards his aptitude for the job. He was excited to see just what types of guests it was that held these exclusive dragon tier passes. Would he see any one famous? Or maybe the fabulously wealthy? A high ranking government official or two? The more he thought about it the more excited he got. He had not thought too much about the fact that, as with any bouncer gig, there was the possibility he’d be turning away such clientele. Nor what he would do in such a case. But that’s why he was station with a senior security specialist after all.
Nerves and butterflies welled up as he made his was to the stadium at an early 4:30 am. Judge and familiar admittance was to start at 6am, and guest admittance at 7. So it was important that all security staff be in position, prepared and briefed on all safety protocol before this. He was wearing a set of issued robes, that would match all other security personnel, and followed the theme of the shows staff. It would be easy for anyone to recognize that he (and all others) were affiliated with the competition. They were much fancier than the robes he normally wore to work, which was a nice boost to his confidence. In ways it reminded him of the first time he’d donned dress robes and attended a Hogwarts ball. Though hopefully this would be notably less chaotic than that.
Entering the stadium he was given a quick check to validate his credentials and search his possessions. This was such an event that even the vetted staff needed to be verified the day of to make sure no one had alterior motives. Galton feared how early they must have woken up to beat him here. Turning up at the staff room he’d be greeted by a gathering crowd of folks all decked in the same uniform as himself. Scanning the crowd it was hard to discern faces, but he knew he recognized a few of them. Then the briefing began.
The rules for all staff were as follows:
- Attitude: Staff was to maintain a friendly face to all guests, stern when needed by not as the norm. Staff assigned to doors catering to Gryffin tier tickets or above are reminded that their patrons may be more fussy and to take extra care.
- Wands: wands were to be held in hand at all times that free hands were not needed. If it must be holstered, you would do so in the issued chest holster where it could be drawn quickly. This applied to wandless capable caster as well.
- Spell usage: spell usage should be limited to the approved list unless a situation of classification 3 or above arises. All guests shall be asked that they consent to being cast upon before any spell is used on them. Refusal is respected, but their admittance will be denied.
- Breaks: all breaks will be given at their scheduled time, approximately every 2 hours. Staff is not allowed to leave posts without being relieved by another. If an impromptu break is needed, the break guards should be dispatched for. If they do not show up within 5 minutes, the port should be closed and one guard must stay until there are two again. This is only for emergencies.
- Should a situation of classification 3 or above arise, the red spark charm should be used to notify others of the situation. Spell usage should look to minimize damages. Stupify is the preferred method of debilitation.
The basics covered for their behavior, the entrance protocol was listed:
1) Tickets will be checked, cross verified with ban list
2) Body search is preformed
3) Bag check is preformed. Enchanted bags are not permitted.
4) Wand make is noted, guests are directed to wand and bag check
5) If familiars are present send them to the appropriate familiar registrar nearest to your gate
6) Should any of the following steps raise issues, entrance should be denied, and their identity noted on the ban list. It has been charmer to update on all other ports lists
With the briefing done at 5:15am they were left with 15 minutes to refresh themselves in whatever way needed then find their partner and head to their assigned port.
Galton took the break to find a bathroom then wolf down a few pastries before needing to be ready. Roughly 12 minutes after the briefing he found his senior security specialist partner and they headed off to gate 3B.
The senior security specialist that Galton had been paired with was one Jon Blackwood. Roughly 36 years old, the wizard had built a career in the security industry, specializing in sporting and event management. This was only the third time Galton had met Jon, and from what he could discern, Jon was not the most talkative. A lot of security type were like that. Most of Galton’s fellow bouncers were all mean mug and zipped lips. It was quite boring at times. If we was going to be standing next to someone for the next 10 hours he’d rather they be able to pass some time with idle chatter. But maybe Jon would surprise him.
As they came to their posting Galton was immediately impressed with the wealth or it all. Silk ropes and a red carpet were normal for a bouncer, but something of this caliber was not. Intricate carving and detailed metal work on all the fencing, fine embroidery themed around dragons, it was all a lot more than he had expected. But when you paid what these folks were paying, you wanted your moneys worth. They took up their spots at 5:41am. Jon reminder Galton that he was covering steps 1 and 4. If the line got long he was also authorized to take over step 3 to streamline the process. It was a tad annoying to have to be the one to check the list, but Galton had the names memorized (so far). He placed the charmed list in one hand, and his wand in another. By 5:57am they would see their first guest.
Though technically these folks were not dragon tier ticket holders, they were still allowed to admit them. Judges bordered somewhere between staff and esteemed guests, and the trainers showing up with familiars at this port would have had dragon passes if they’d not qualified for the show. While the judges were a pretty standard show, the trainers were something else. There was a reason their familiars were qualified for this show. Galton had never seen felines with coats so slick, toads with such patterns, or Pygmy puffs so vibrant and full. And he was only seeing them for a brief moment. Galton almost began envying the judges he was checking in. What sort of magi-zoologist education did one need to be able to judge such a competition? Galton was never particularly fond of the care for magical creature class back at Hogwarts, but maybe he’d been too rash.
Between the ticket checking and wand noting his thoughts turned to Toad. What would it take for him to get her show ready. She was on the old side, but she was so cute. And unique. The baldness would probably win her a category or two, surely. And if not, there was always magic to bring her fur back. It was actually provoked quite the question. How much magical alternation was allowed in the standard categories. He knew there was a charmed category were the really… magical looking familiars were allowed, but what about the normal? How did judges know if a familiar had been overly magically modified? He had thought to ask one of the judges they were checking in, but he didn’t think Jon would have liked that. Or his boss. Maybe there would be a chance to ask later in the break-room.
Before he knew it, 7am came. The dragon pass holders seemed to not be as timely as he had expected, but even still a small queue had formed. Jon gave him a nod and he knew it meant he’d be taking over step 3 until the line cleared out. It meant he would be casting a lot of Revelios, Specialis Revelios, maybe even some Reparifarges. All tools they had to make sure no one was sneaking in any nefarious tools or contraband. They’d been warned about two main things - familiar-nappers and outside food/drink. These pets were worth sizable chunks of coin, so kidnapping was the largest worry. Then you had something worse, cuts into concession’s profit.
It wasn’t long before he’d found his first concealed bottle of fire whiskey. Then a second of giggle water. Then a third. Most feigned ignorance of the rules when confronted but a few put up protest. Galton hadn’t really thought it would be the dragon tier that tried something so silly, but saving on overpriced drinks seemed to be a universal desire. Placing all the drinks into and enchanted satchel Galton could only smile at the party it’d be used for later with the staff. They weren’t going to just throw it out after all. That would be a waste.
Within 20 minutes they had the line under control and Galton returned to his standard duties. Having made it though the opening rush, Lansdale was harrowed by the fact that that was most likely the excitement of the day. Now began the actual work. The long, monotonous job of standing and watching. Sure there were most guests to come, but there weren’t that many dragon tier patrons. They would not have the steady flow that gates 4a-7c would have. He envied those at 5a in particular. They were on the port closest to the floo network. They expected so much traffic there were 6 people assigned there alone. Galton’s daydreams of being busy were only broken by the sight of red sparks flying high from an adjacent gate.
It seemed to be gate 4c. Excitement shot across Galton’s face as he readied himself to reinforce his colleagues.
“Where would you be going? You know that’s the urgent response team’s territory right? Your spot is here.” Jon’s voice ripped through Galton’s hopes like a sictumsepra. He’d allowed himself a moment of hope that anything interesting would happen to him. But that was not his fate today. Certainly not the fate of most bouncers. If he was lucky he’d get to deny entrance to someone and add their name to the ban list. If he was lucky. He let a frown cross his face for a moment as he replied to Jon.
“Of course, totally didn’t forget.”
He turned back to starring at the rug, waiting for whatever rich guest came next. At least he was getting paid a premium for the boredom today. He let out a small sigh as he settled in for the long haul. Maybe next year’s London Kennel Club Familiar Show.
