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Our talk with Gasking has ended. Below is a transcript of today's talk. Gasking, 22, met Tim Doyle of countdown2titanic.com in 1998. They expanded Countdown to Titanic by starting Countdown: The Ultimate Fan Site together with Phillip Nakov (Los Angeles). Gasking's favorite "Star Wars" character is Han Solo. washingtonpost.com: Good morning, Lincoln. Let's set the stage for our readers. It's about 10 a.m. in Los Angeles. What's the weather like? Are you sitting in a chair on the curb? Are you wearing a "Phantom Menace" T-shirt? And how many people are in line with you? Lincoln Gasking: It's 10 a.m. here – the weather is warm, and I'm sitting amongst a whole lot of computer and video equipment, Queen Amidala and Jar Jar blow-up chairs, and the remains of breakfast – the line stretches around the corner and up the next street. There are about 100 people in line right now.
washingtonpost.com: You've been there for about a month. How did you do the normal, everyday things like shower, shave and take care of other bodily functions? Lincoln Gasking: We go across the road to shower at the Roosevelt Hotel every morning.
Washington, D.C. : What happens if the movie isn't that good, as critics are already saying? Will you feel that standing in line for a month just wasn't worth it? Lincoln Gasking: What do critics know? This film is for children. Just like it was back in '77. As for lining up, it's been like a huge party. Yee-ha.
Arlington, Va.: How many tickets will you be buying? Lincoln Gasking: We are buying 750 tickets.
College Park, Md.: Has it rained at all while you were waiting in line? If so, what did you do? Lincoln Gasking: Yes it has rained early on in the line up, and we've had to endure Mother Nature and her wicked ways. Bur guess what?
Phoenix, Ariz.: I admire your enthusiasism. Aren't you afraid of knowing too much, though? What is your plan for coping with knowing so much the movie is anti-climatic? Lincoln Gasking: We are all spoiler free here. That's the whole line. We don't want to know anything till opening night.
College Park, Md.: Lincoln, do you have any "Star Wars" tattoos? Lincoln Gasking: No! I don't have any tattoos.
Washington, D.C.: We are watching you on the Web cam, can you wave while you type! Lincoln Gasking: Of course I can.
Fairfax, Va.: Who is the "we" buying the 750 tickets? Lincoln Gasking: That would be the line. "THE LINE."
City of Rocks, Md.: What's it like at 4 a.m. when only the drunks and homeless are interested in you folks? Lincoln Gasking: Well I'm normally asleep, but some of the guys, and girls, run the Knightline TV show. We also do many radio interviews during the night.
Alexandria, Va.: What's the most interesting, unnerving, or insulting comment you've received from people walking by on the street? Lincoln Gasking: Well, what is unnerving, is the fact that Jay Leno keeps ribbing us. He comes down here and has paid geeks to fill in for us and be part of the line.
Arlington, Va.: Have you left the line at all? Lincoln Gasking: Yes, for obvious reasons.
Washington, D.C.: How are you paying for this? Do you work? Lincoln Gasking: I saved for a year for this – I actually am still at work – I sell short term leases on apartments via the Internet so all I need is e-mail.
Washington, D.C.: With all the hype you've become a mini-celebrity. Do you plan to parlee your status in anyway, perhaps an appearence in "Ep. 2"? Lincoln Gasking: I would love to be part of "Episode 2" in a stormtrooper-style role =) but now I'm sure they would not want to involve me at all in "Ep 2."
Rockville, Md.: Are you going to do this again for Episodes II-III? Lincoln Gasking: We're already talking about "Episode 2" – but it will be hard to beat 6 weeks ... perhaps a road trip across America picking up people as we go, finishing at Mann's Chinese?
Chicago: What is the general make-up of the crowd waiting in line? It's my understanding that here in Chicago, where the line began fairly recently, that there are many in the line that appear to be being paid by scalpers to stay in line for them. Do you happen to know or have you heard what the going rate for scalped tickets will be? Lincoln Gasking: I have no idea how many people here are being paid by scalpers – but certainly in our group the goal is fairly and squarely on raising money for the starlight foundation and seeing the movie ourselves
Arlington, Va.: Are you doing this off batteries and a cell phone connection, or do you have long extension cords? Lincoln Gasking: I am on battery right now – but we have full power, we have 2 ADSL connections – most of it is being used for Countdown TV.
Washington: Taking into account phone sales, will there be enough tickets for everyone in line? Lincoln Gasking: We have organized 750 tickets in a block to be bought before the tickets go on sale – so everything is fine
Washington D.C.: Have you made any new friends while you waited in line? Lincoln Gasking: I basically knew everyone before the line started but I have definitely furthered relationships – it's a lot different communicating online to in line. We all plan to get together after this
Fairfax, Va.: You say that Leno has "paid geeks to stand in line." You just spent 30 days sitting on a sidewalk so you can see a movie. This doesn't qualify you as a geek? Lincoln Gasking: Some people are proud to be called geeks. I don't think of myself as one – but it certainly qualifies someone to be waiting in line for this long.
Washington, D.C.: What do you feel will be the next big countdown movie? Does "Lord of the Rings" stand a chance? Lincoln Gasking: "Austin Powers," "Lord of the Rings" and "Eyes Wide Shut" will all be our focus after "Star Wars."
Rockville, Md.: I heard that you got to speak to Master George the other day. Was that the highlight of your experience thus far? Count me in for the roadtrip for "Episode II"! Lincoln Gasking: George Lucas was cool – but probably even cooler was getting to see the "Episode I" trailer in Mann's Chinese Theater with Ray Park/Darth Maul, and having him do some demonstrations in line.
Washington, D.C.: What else besides "Star Wars" would motivate you to spend six weeks in line? Lincoln Gasking: I don't think I would wait in line for anything else – but the thing that fires me up in the future is definitely the Sydney 2000 Olympics
Arlington, Va.: For all of us not from LA, are the seats in the theater numbered, and if not, where do you plan to sit in the theater? Lincoln Gasking: Seats are not numbered but all the seats in the Chinese are unbelievably good – I had to sit in the front row for the Entrapment World Premiere but that was still a great seat. I plan to sit towards the front, probably the exact middle of the theater
Bethesda, Md.: Do your parents-family-friends think you are completely insane, or are they there in line with you? Lincoln Gasking: My girlfriend is coming down to the line, my parents are proud I am raising money for charity, and my brother wishes he was here
Olney, Md.: I was just wondering how you guys are making a living if you are waiting in line all day and all night. Lincoln Gasking: We're all running on savings right now.
City of Rocks, Md.: What's the male-female ratio there? Any Leias or Amidalas on line? Lincoln Gasking: There are 35 percent female 65 percent male – some times there are more female than male in the line, which i didn't expect
Alexandria, Va.: Do you find waiting in front of sci-fi movies is a good place to meet chics? Lincoln Gasking: There have been a lot of relationships develop in line, so the answer is yes
Fairfax, Va.: I need your advice. I'm planning to see "TPM" while on vaction next week in Myrtle Beach, S.C. Do you foresee the same type of crowds you see in a smaller city like that? I called the theaters, and they are offering pre-sale tickets. Do you think showing up at the theaters early on the 19th – 6 or 7 a.m. – will do the trick? Thanks for your time. Lincoln Gasking: I think there will be crowds everywhere, but not thousands – you should be fine
washingtonpost.com: You'll get your tickets tomorrow. Will you and the others stay in line to be the first ones in the theater on May 19? Lincoln Gasking: Absolutely – for some people here, that's what they care about most
Laurel, Md.: Lincoln, you say about 100 people are in line to buy 750 tickets. So, does this mean friends/family of the people in line will be able to attend without spending even a second waiting for tickets? Lincoln Gasking: Only if participants declared at the sign up how many tickets they needed.
Baltimore, Md.: I understand that Han Solo is your favorite character. How do you feel about Liam Neeson? Lincoln Gasking: I have to wait and see the movie. Han Solo's gonna be hard to beat.
Virginia: Will you be back online after viewing the film to rate/review it? Lincoln Gasking: We don't wan't to spoil it for anyone, besides, getting through the crowds after the movie is gonna be hard enough.
Washington, D.C.: I'm not familiar with the area around Mann Theater – I'm wondering if any of the area businesses or residents opposed this line. Here in D.C. the neighborhood associations have fits over allowing people to stand in line for weeks on end. Lincoln Gasking: If anything people have taken to us. No one has been unkind to us. And when they find out that we're doing this for charity aswell as Star Wars, they are even more welcoming
Fairfax, Va.: Are you No. 1 in line? If not, how long has No. 1 been in line? Lincoln Gasking: Yes. I am.
Bethesda, Md.: GIRLFRIEND!!! Holy COW! Real geeks aren't allowed to have girlfriends. You're just fine in my book. However, isn't she about sick of this line thing ? I mean, 6 weeks with no real quality snuggling time must be a bummer for BOTH of you! Lincoln Gasking: I speak to her all the time, and she's cool like that.
Bethesda, Md.: A longtime rumor was that Kenneth Branagh would get the young Obi-Wan role. Was Ewan McGregor a better choice? He's on record saying that filming "TPM" was the most boring thing he ever did. Was Branagh ever really offered the role? Lincoln Gasking: That was started by the rumour spreading guys.
Virginia: When I asked about rating the movie, I didn't mean literally right after. I meant a couple days later, will you give your opinion on whether it was worth a month of your life? Lincoln Gasking: Sure I will, but it has to include the experience, not just the movie. The month has been a wonderful experience for all of us.
Washington, D.C.: Your intense dedication and loyalty to your goals would be a plus for any employer. Will you be including details of your quest on future resumes? And if so, what kind of organization do you think would most benefit from your experience as a seasoned curb-sitter? Lincoln Gasking: I'm not sure about that, but thanks.
Fairfax, Va.: How do you reply to the comments that the special effects are not that good? I hear that the animated characters, used instead of puppets, look cheap. Lincoln Gasking: We are all spoiler free, so until we've seen the movie we cannot comment. Besides, plot does matter.
Arlington, Va.: Obviously, if you went to the Entrapment premiere, you aren't in line 24-7. How much time per week are you physically on the pavement? Lincoln Gasking: I am here as most of the day I can, and make it my duty to sleep with my fellow comrades here on the sidewalk. As the line grows, I have to tend to admin and making sure everything runs smoothly.
Washington, D.C.: Are you nuts, a die-hard or both? This is more about "living" – oh, the stories we can tell – than it is about actually seeing the movie, isn't it? (In a weird way, I'm a bit jealous that you're able to do this). Lincoln Gasking: It's not about being nuts or a die-hard. It's about sharing an experience with people who have in their own way been touched by Star Wars.
Alexandria, Va.: Why have you not been arrested for loitering? Lincoln Gasking: Because we have a permit to be here.
College Park, MD.: Do you ever dream that you're in "Star Wars"? Lincoln Gasking: No.
Arlington, Va.: Why was it important for you to do this? I mean, how does someone decide to spend a month in line? Lincoln Gasking: I just had to be at the first screening. I knew it would be a fun thing to do, and it is fun doing this.
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