This is a name that cropped up at work today and after a snigger or two, I thought that names can mean a lot or a little... Character Interview time methinks
What’s your name? Jack Crapper
How old are you?15
What do you look like? I have greasy dirty blonde hair that never looks clean, even if it is. My eyes are always watering, the air where I live isn't clean and it irritates them, they are a dull blue when they're not streaming red. I'm fairly tall but because my family is poor I'm thin as well, I feel as though I am a thin cane used for training plants rather than a person at times. The wind could blow me away if iot blew hard enough
What are your speech patterns like? I have a broad Karanan accent which anyone would recognise as coming from the Flavela district. Some people from the southern parts of the city struggle to understand me at times, but I rarly come into contact with them so its no bother.
Do you sometimes lie? “White lies” or significant lies? Can people usually
tell when you’re lying or are you a really accomplished liar? I lie all the time but only to protect myself. I lie about finding work and the amount I have done. I'd get a beating from my dad if he knew some of the things I got up to.
What is your usual facial expression? I try and keep myself as unnoticable as possible. I don't want any trouble. I know I look dirty coz I usually am but an expression of unnoticableness is what I try to wear.
How do you handle anger? Are you slow to anger or easy to annoy? Are
people afraid of you, and if so is this justified? Rich people are scared of me! They think I am going to try and steal their things. They look at me as though being poor is a disease they could catch if I got too close. I get angry at them, its not my fault we have no money.
How do you react to confrontation? Would you give anything for a quiet life
or do you enjoy winning an argument or a fight? I've lost my share of fights and won a few. I'm not a good fighter and I'd rather stay away from physical confrontation. I can yell at people though and I will stick up for myself.
How much power do you wield at home, in the workplace, and in social
situations? Are you the quiet “power behind the throne” type or do you
wield obvious power? Or do you feel powerless? If so, why – and what
might be the catalyst to make you change? I'm just a kid. My parents have the power at home but not much, dad can't work due to his accident and mum looks after my sister, who is always sick. She survived the Twenty Day Fever when she was a child but has never been well since.
What (in your opinion) would be the first impression most people get when
they meet you? Dirty Street Urchin.
In your case, is ‘what you see is what you get’, or do people sometimes
make the wrong judgement about you? If so, why would this be? I'm exactly what they see, a dirty urchin, though I do try and make a cray or so here and there. Anything helps though I have not yet taken to begging... yet.
What is your level of education? Has what you have been obtained by
‘street smarts’ or ‘book smarts’? I'm not that smart at all. I learnt what I know from my mates, I never went to school. I can't read or write very well. but learnt my name from my mum
Where do you live? We have a small lean-to in the Flavela District of Karana, there are small rooms which we fashioned out of tarp. I sleep against the brick wall of an inn, which makes up one side of the place we call home.
Do you live alone, share a house, or…? There are four of us, Dad, mum, Kira, my younger sisrer and me. I had four other brothers and a sister but they all caught fever and died.
Are you in a relationship, or part of a family?
I have a family
If yes, are you happy or discontented in the relationship / this family?
Tell me about it. We love each other and get on well most the time. Dad was injured in an accident and our luck has been sour somewhat since but we have each other.
Who is your best friend? (If you have one). When did this relationship
start? What makes you friends? I have a friend, Rory Durkin, he helped me out the first day I went looking for work in the streets as a boot polisher. He showed me the best spots to go and who to avoid. We often work together on other things as well. We make a good team.
Who is your enemy / who do you dislike most? Why? When did this dislike
start, and why? John Suresedge from the Barrio, He bullies me and tries to take the money I make, I have had my eye blackened by him more than once, mostly I avoid him where I can but some days its tough
Who else is in your circle of acquaintances? Who would you turn to in
times of trouble? There is always Rory, but there is Kat too, she would always help me. She lives near us and I have known her since forever. Dav and Tam too. I know a load of the kids my age from my area.
If there is anyone in your circle that might betray you, who would it be?
Is there anyone you would not expect to betray you? How would you
feel/react if they did? I don't want to think about any of them doing so but I wouldn't blame them, everyone needs money right?
How would you describe your personality? What are your best points &
assets? What are your flaws or weaknesses? I wish I was smarter; I could get a proper job then. I'm pretty loyal to my friends, I back them up in a fight if I have to, though I'd rather not fight at all.
If there was one thing about your LOOKS that you could change, what
would it be? I'd be bigger built, less like a grass switch!
OK, so there are things I need to do to get to know this guy better but from a name I sniggered at first thing this morning to this isnt a bad start!
I just need to figure out where he fits in and what he does! Short story time I think.
