"WE DON'T have a plan for this" said the Chicago policeman to his partner, eyeing the rapidly swelling crowds waiting to get into the city's Grant Park.
Who could have done? History was in process, and the people were going to mark it with a joyous party in Barack Obama's hometown.
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Watch a slideshow of pictures from ChicagoThe crowds had started gathering outside the park about noon, seven hours before polls closed. They soon started the celebrations, with impromptu Obama songs and acts, banners and posters of their political hero.
A Chicago Cubs fan in an Obama shirt marched up and down the lines of waiting supporters shouting "Obama O, Obama O". Another man with an acoustic guitar serenaded people with Barack-themed songs seemingly made up on the spot.
And the famous American entrepreneurial spirit was also clearly present, with a veritable industry of vendors selling commemorative T-shirts and badges.
At 3.30 they opened the gates, and thousands of people started flowing in, the warm Chicago weather smiling upon them, even in November.
Randolf Rake, a lecturer from Washington DC, was excited: "This is such a great day to be here in Chicago, I can hardly believe it's happened. But I think that people in America wouldn't embraced Obama's message of hope if it hadn't been for these long dark eight years.
"Things are going to change now, America's not going to be the pariah of the international community any more".
First time voters, Lauren Golfson and Dawon Smith, both 18, and from the south side of Chicago where Obama's political career began, said "This is just so exciting, it's history being made. Obama's going to take us out of Iraq, is going to sort out our economy and he's going to stop the support for the elites and look after people like us. We're real Americans."
The huge park, nestled between the high rise landscape of the city's central business district and Lake Michigan was rapidly filling up. In case anyone forgot why they were there, a tower overshadowing the open space had giant letters spelling USA beamed upon it and another had Vote 2008.
Some people had strong personal reasons for being there, clearly feeling a sense of connection with Mr Obama.
Adar Cohen, from Chicago, had flown back from a course at Trinity College, Dublin, just to vote in person. He has long been involved in Chicago community projects for people with dealing with drug addiction: "It will be great to have someone in the White House who would listen to the problems of such people," he said.
Caroline Allen, originally from Missouri, said she registered her home state to have an impact on the vote in a marginal. "It's so important, Barack is for the world, I didn't want to waste my vote."
Her friend Chinyere Brown, an African American, said "Race became a side issue in this election, but symbolically it's so important.
Everybody in the African American community knows now that everything is possible and that they can do it."
A third friend, Sarah Koenig, said "We started voting for Barack Obama when we were at college together, when he ran for the Illinois state senate, so we've had the pleasure of voting him into office all the way to the White House."
There were moments of drama, in what was largely a simple celebration for a near certain victory. As early results came in, John McCain took what would a very brief lead in electoral college votes. Almost as one, the thousands of people went quieter, their joy moving to a pensive murmur. It didn't last long, when Pennsylvania was called for Obama, they erupted once again – and when Ohio was called they moved from raucous happiness to near delirium.
Lisa White, an African American from Chicago and community worker, told The Scotsman that she phoned her daughter in Arizona to make sure she'd got out bed to vote, in the hope Obama would McCain's home state. She met Obama two years ago when she brought a petition to the Illinois state legislature to try and get more help for prisoners. She said: "All the politicians ignored us, but when Obama came out, not only did he sign the petition, but he spoke to the people who brought it. He's a great man who really cares and I'm so pleased he's going to the White House."
Allan Barnes, a retired Jewish dentist from Florida, had driven all the way up to Chicago to witness events for himself. He was moved to tears by the night, saying that all the propaganda about Obama being anti-Semitic hadn't worked on him because he'd read up on the candidate's own website. "There's a few of my relatives I won't be speaking to ever again after tonight," he said. "Some racist millionaire women."
At 10pm Chicago time, as the California result came in, one of the giant video screens in the park flashed up the message "Obama elected President." The air exploded as the throngs filled the night sky from the top of their lungs with cries of: "Yes we can! Yes we can!"
And last night, they had.
MORE ON THE US ELECTIONS:•
Chicago parties for its new, home-grown President, Barack Obama•
Alex Massie: This is Obama's time•
Defeated John McCain pledges support to President-elect Obama•
US election graphic: How the states were won•
Slideshow: Obama and McCain give their final speeches•
Slideshow: Obama supporters react in Chicago•
How it happened: Scotsman live blog•
Video: Hillary Clinton pledges her support for Obama•
Voting system creaks during record turnout•
• Prime Minister 'looking forward' to working with Obama•
'We are going to the White House!' - Obama's Kenyan family celebrate victory