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NEW YORK, NY June 22, 2004 — New Yorkers who spent up to 24 hours standing - and sleeping - in line finally got what they were waiting for today: A signed copy of former President Bill Clinton's autobiography. WNYC's Beth Fertig was at the midtown bookstore earlier where Clinton fans said it was worth the wait.

Let's be clear. The people cheering for Bill Clinton as he entered the Barnes and Noble at Rockefeller Center today were die-hard fans. They were the ones who began waiting at noon yesterday just for a chance to get the former president's signature, along with a quick handshake.

MILLAR: I was excited, you know. I cried a little. Because he even took my hand.

Marcelita Millar was number 22 in line. She arrived at noon yesterday and camped out overnight on the street. Leroy (LEE-roy) Haynes brought a lawnchair so he could wait in comfort to meet Clinton.

HAYNES: It was a great experience. He made eye contact with me. I told him I'd be president someday, he said I hope you make it.

Haynes was practically floating as he clung to his autographed copy My Life. But the 26 year-old lawyer said this event was about much more than star-power.

HAYNES: I really admire the man and I wanted to be here for the making of - or the start of the re-writing of his chapter in history. I think people taking shots at him for so long and finally his words can come out. I wanted to be a part of that.

Jessie Zhang said she also came to get Clinton's side of the story.

ZHANG: I want to hear what he write about everything, all the events. And also I have Hillary's book.

HANDLERS: Sir, how are you? Go right on up.

The book may have been panned by critics. But the line of customers wrapped all the way around West 48th Street. Inside, handlers kept everyone moving toward the desk where Clinton sat, relaxed and smiling for the hordes of media.

CLINTON: Hello Thank you, bless you.

There was no time for personalized messages; just a signature. Within an hour, Clinton guessed he had signed over 350 books. He noted that his wife had signed 70-thousand copies of her autobiography. But some autograph seekers were apparently looking for more than a keepsake.

Outside, 16 year-old Zach Howitt stood in the rain with a few friends from New Jersey. They arrived at four-thirty this morning so they could sell the autographed books on E-Bay.

HOWITT: Just going on Ebay this morning I see already pre-ordered for about a couple of hundred dollars, considering the book is $30 something that's already a huge profit and it's great fun standing out here.

Howitt and his teenage friends acknowledged they didn't know too much about the former President, beyond the scandals. But they said they still wanted to meet him and get their own look at history. For WNYC I'm Beth Fertig.