Shhh! The executives are working

I picketed most of the morning of Day 3 at the Warner Bros. gate on Olive Ave. called the "executive gate." In contrast to the industrial character of the other gates, just inside this gate is a quiet, park-like setting where the Warners executives work.

Most of the traffic going in and out are pedestrians, as there is a Warners building across the street, and employees shuttle back and forth on foot. As a result, there is a lot of unusually close, person-to-person interaction between striking writers and Warners employees. We got a lot of support from rank-and-file employees, many of whom clearly did not feel good about crossing a picket line. Many of those who averted their eyes from us would still respond positively when given a friendly greeting.

In fact, when I inquired about details, some particularly chatty employees were only too happy to confirm that, yes, those offices just 30 feet away are indeed the executive offices, and, yes, there are Warners executives in there right now. Thanks for the info!

However, there were some Warners employees who tried hard to act like we didn't exist. Which isn't easy when you're passing forty people in red shirts holding picket signs. But they tried. Some of these unresponsive folks looked suspiciously like executives who were dressing down for camouflage. (I don't think I saw a suit all day.) And they looked encouragingly unhappy.

It must be hard for Warner Bros. executives to see the WGA getting so much support from everyone driving and walking by -- and getting virtually zero negative feedback. It feels like everyone is with us right now.

So I guess I shouldn't have been surprised when a pair of Warner Bros. personnel from the executive offices attempted a little psychological pushback today. As these two women emerged from the executive area and then waited for the light at the crosswalk, they positioned themselves unusually close to us. Then they crossed their arms and rolled their eyes -- clearly wanting us to see them doing it.

We ignored them, and they didn't like that. As we continued to wave to the people driving by and showing their support, these two brave WB soldiers escalated their psy-ops attack. They added a stage laugh and to their eye-rolling, as if to say, Oh, big deal, you're getting people to wave.. One said loudly to the other, "It's not like they're actually doing anything."

Naturally, we just ignored their lame efforts. But right as the light changed, one of the women just couldn't resist a confrontation. She came up to me.

"Hey," she sneered. "Don't you guys get tired of just standing out here?" Her companion thought that was just hilarious.

"Actually, no," I said, and then yelled: "We're going to stay out here AS LONG AS IT TAKES!*"

They both flinched and quickly crossed the street.

And that's when the funniest thing all day happened. The Warner Bros. guard at the gate came out and approached me.

"Hey, I've been cool with you guys," he said. "But we have to watch the noise level in this area."

I have no idea why this person thought I would respect a social taboo against bothering the Warner Bros. executives inside with excessive noise while they work. But, damn, that was funny. Made my day.

"REALLY?" I bellowed like a complete jerk. "SHE WAS JUST ASKING ME IF I WAS TIRED AND I LET HER KNOW I WAS OKAY. WHAT'S WRONG WITH THAT?"

The guard threatened to call the police if I didn't quiet down, so I just kept yelling at him until I was hoarse, in order to demonstrate my right to make noise and his right to discover that he couldn't do a damn thing about it**. The guard retreated inside and didn't call the police.

So that's the attitude of Warner Bros.: It's okay to make noise at the other gates, but not at the executive gate. I mean, come on. A little respect for the poor executives, please. They shouldn't be inconvenienced by the sounds of the unrest they're causing.

The Warner Bros. executive gate is located here.

Here is the street view of the gate:

Here is a satellite view of the executive offices:

And here's what it would look like if this were a Warner Bros. action movie and someone "targeted" the area:

Remember, they want you to be quiet there. Try not to disturb anyone.

*I may have used slightly stronger language, but the cursing on this blog has been getting out of hand lately, and my Mom reads this thing. Hi, Mom!

(Another security guard story.)