The line for the “Lego Build” event snaked around the perimeter of Lego Land at the Mall of America. A buzz of excitement reverberated through the line when a shaggy Lego Land employee unclipped a rope that sectioned off the event, opening the festivities. The free “Lego Build” event allowed lucky participants to build a designated Lego item and then take the Legos home. I stood in line with my son because I’m broke, a glutton for punishment, and keen on reliving my childhood.

The man directly in front of me in line had feathered hair, jean shorts, and crisp white sneakers. As we inched forward towards the event area, the man anxiously looked up and down the line.

“What are we in line for?” He asked me. “What is this thing?”

“Um, it’s the Lego Build event,” I replied. 

“Cool,” the man replied. “What do we do?”

 “We get to build a Lego pencil and book,” I said. “And you get to keep it.”

“It’s free?” The man asked.

“Yup.”

“Cool,” the man said amazed.

At that moment, it dawned on me: Apparently, this man was just walking through the Mall of America. Then he saw a bunch of kids and their parents forming a line. Then he just got in to line without a single care of what the line was for. He wanted in on whatever action was going down.

Perp alert?