The Short Life Of An Embarrassing Detroit Rumor

I was present for the birth and death of a rumor Friday night. But because it was a rumor, it probably lives on, even as you read this.

I heard the rumor in the men’s restroom at the Fillmore during the local premiere of “BURN,” the award-winning documentary about Detroit firefighters.

Not coincidentally, the subject of the rumor was Donald Austin, Detroit’s fire commissioner, who has carried out Mayor Dave Bing’s budget cuts that have reduced firefighters’ pay and the number of rigs protecting the city.

First, the context: The “BURN” premiere Friday was an extremely high-energy evening that combined the excitement and boozing of a Tigers’ Opening Day with the collective emotions of the audience's many firefighters, whose passion and sorrows were the movie’s focus.

That resulted in a truly unique movie-going experience. Catcalls, applause and cussing were so frequent that noise from the 2,000-person audience seemed to become part of the film’s soundtrack. That's not the way I would want to see every movie, but the raucous commentary increased the energy and sensation for me Friday night.

On Saturday night, one of the film's stars, Battalion Chief Craig Dougherty, took to the stage on behalf of the filmmakers and other featured firefighters and asked for a little respect. The crowd remained quiet throughout the evening.

 Austin was the chief target of the taunting Friday. He also played a prominent role in “BURN,” and his appearances on the screen were greeted with F-Bombs, boos and cries of “ASSHOLE!”

Austin, who grew up in Detroit, comes across in the film as a forceful and articulate administrator, but he also is shown at times acting like a scold, which didn’t help him with the rank-and-file watching “BURN.” In one scene, at a solemn Memorial Day service in Elmwood Cemetery, he refers to Detroit as Los Angeles, where he worked as a firefighter and supervisor for many years.

After the film ended, I took advantage of a break before an on-stage question-and-answer session and headed to the restroom. It was jammed, and the firefighters present were buzzing.

One guy, talking loudly, announced that he had seen Austin leave, angrily, during the movie.

“He grabbed his lady friend like this, and they walked out,” he said.

While speaking, the rumor-monger demonstrated how Austin had summoned his companion by reaching over and grabbing the guy at the next urinal by the back of the shirt collar.

That seemed to be crossing a boundary of acceptable men’s room behavior, especially to me, because I was the guy whose collar he grabbed. But his gesture was totally in keeping with the boundary-crossing vibe of the night, and I laughed like everyone else.

The idea of Austin bolting mid-movie touched off even more derogatory comments in the restroom. Someone called him a "pussy" who can't take the heat. I’m sure, like me, everyone who heard the story returned to their seats and shared it.

My friend and I talked about Austin and wondered what it would be like to sit through a movie and listen to people mocking you. Not many moviegoers have undergone that experience, I’m sure.

So imagine our surprise, 30 minutes later, when we were walking out of the Fillmore’s crowded lobby, and there was Donald Austin. He was also walking out. He seemed to be alone.

Reporters had stopped him, and he was standing there, calmly answering questions. He expressed his admiration for the way “BURN” captures the reality of Detroit firefighting. He was friendly. He shook some hands. I didn’t hear any catcalls.

Hmmmm. So that guy in the restroom was lying. Or maybe just mistaken. Maybe he did see a balding, middle-aged man grab his date by the collar and walk out. Maybe the truth lies somewhere in the middle.

I wondered how quickly the rumor of Austin’s sudden departure from “BURN” was spreading, even as he stood in the lobby when the show was over.

I called Austin this morning.

It turns out that was him, summoning a female in the theater's balcony. It was shortly after "BURN" began.

The woman was the department's 2nd Deputy Commissioner, Charleta McInnis. Austin said he had gone to get her so she could sit in better seats on the mezzanine, where he and other officials watched the film.

"That was a total misunderstanding," Austin said. "I saw the whole film. I was not angry. I understand why those guys are upset. I would be upset, too, if I were in their shoes. But they don't understand me. I'm working to change that." 

Funny how rumors start. 

I can only imagine how Carlita Kilpatrick must have felt when she first heard the whispers that she had beat up a stripper.