Eventually, after the sun had set and we were all fairly chilled, we were off! We didn't start singing until we ran into the first crowd of people, down by East Halls. They cheered us as we passed them. Eric did his "nudge-nudge" bit to innocent bystanders, getting a variety of responses.

Much to my surprise (not really), I had a lot of fun as a pallbearer. Megan, who'd started out as Spam-Lady, joined us to replace Abner. The coffin, designed and constructed by Kzin from the cardboard we'd received from the Speech Comm department, was not heavy and was consequently easy to carry. We did silly things like fall way behind and then run to catch up or start dancing around while singing "Bright Side of Life." Once or twice we stopped in the middle of the street and called, "Seance!" Everyone gathered around and put their hands on the coffin while we yelled, "Ance, ance, ance, ance!" And gradually, the coffin would start shaking tremendously and we'd yell, "He's with us! We love you, Graham!"

We had the same trouble as last year in getting around the corners, which somewhat annoyed the efficiency experts (disguised as Police Services).

This year we really got a good response from the crowd. Paul had designed a banner that said, "Is it a prank? Is it a sorority initiation? Is it a good-bye service for Bryce Jordan? No, it's..." then you flip it and it says, "The Monty Python Society, commemorating Graham Chapman (1941-1989) Always Look on the Bright Side of Life."

At least, that's a paraphrasing of the banner.

We sang until our voices went hoarse. Steve had picked up some 2-by-4's from the same work site, and they'd lashed them together as a makeshift cross, which Steve carried in the parade. He also had a sign that said, "I'm not the Messiah! I'm just Brian!" He followed the ensemble, and we sang to him every once in awhile. Someone had brought candy, and we tossed it out to the kids we saw.

This time, we didn't stop in front of the judges' stand, although we considered it. We were ushered along (perhaps they know better, eh?).

The Spanish Inquisition was popping up everywhere, much to everyone's surprise, in the form of Cathy and Holli.

Holli Weisman as Cardinal Gumby

Once, I forget why, I faked my death on the pavement. They covered me with the banner and attempted to pick me up, which I resisted, because they didn't have a firm grip on me. But I was resurrected, by some miracle, and the parade continued.

Near the end, we ran into some woman who asked Cathy if she was a man or a women. And then someone else asked if we were a Satanic cult (right!).

We were all flying high after the parade. Eric took the "cross" and jammed it into a trash can, which left me helpless with laughter.