JohnnyDepp-Zone.com

The fans waited outside the Paramount Theatre in Aurora, Illinois until midnight, hoping for a chance to see Johnny Depp for just a few seconds . . . and, incredibly, they got their wish. Despite filming that ran far later than expected, and a private jet waiting at the airport to take him back to Los Angeles for his son’s sixth birthday (Wednesday, April 9–Happy Birthday, Jack!), Johnny Depp did not leave Aurora until he greeted the loyal well-wishers who had stood for many hours in the cold and rain. Wow.

Here’s how Andre Salles described the scene in the Beacon News: “If patience is a virtue, then hundreds of the most virtuous people you’d ever want to meet crowded the steps of North Island Center in downtown Aurora Monday night, waiting long hours to meet actor Johnny Depp. And just after midnight on Tuesday morning, their patience was rewarded. [. . .] At about 12:05 a.m., Depp made his way out of the theater, surrounded by Aurora police and Paramount security personnel. And he spent the next 25 minutes shaking hands, giving hugs and talking to as many people as he could.”

Adds Salles, “It began raining just as Depp started making the rounds, moving west along Galena Boulevard and spending extra time with fans who had waited all day to meet him. Some, in fact, had waited more than one day–hopeful Depp watchers began arriving at the Paramount as early as Saturday, and dozens of them camped out all day Sunday. The scene was one of controlled chaos, as people positioned themselves to get the best view, or snap a clear picture. Excited screams filled the night air, and many had tears in their eyes as they came away from their brief encounter with Depp.” As the photo shows, neither cold nor rain nor gloom of night could chase the smile from Johnny’s face as he said hello to the Aurora crowd; to see a larger version of the photo, click here: Click for picture. That’s the marquee of the Paramount Theatre lit up behind JD and security chief Jerry Judge.

Many Zoners were in Aurora, frozen to the bone but otherwise euphoric; if you visit the Zone’s Porch forum, you can read eloquent, uplifting accounts of their meetings with JD. The Zone thanks Emma for the story from the Beacon News and Carasun for the meet-and-greet photo, which was contributed by an anonymous friend on myspace. Many thanks to her or him as well! –Part-Time Poet