So what's yer name, kid? Real name, I mean--first an' last. I gotta keep accurate records or the city gets on me back, but I ain't gonna share 'em wit no one.

August Meyers.

Ya gots a nickname? How'd ya get it?

Mush. Far as I can figure, it’s either ‘cause no one could understand me when I first got here an’ mumbled so much, or it’s ‘cause my skin is the color of oatmeal mush. Probably both, actually.

Know how old ya are? When's yer birthday? The boys all likes to chip in an' make ya feel special. By which I mean, they likes any excuse for a party.

I’m sixteen. My birthday’s ‘round the middle of June, let’s say the fifteenth? Ma was never too good with dates.

Now describe yer appearance for me. Try an' be detailed. My mem'ry ain't what it useta be, an' if I hears about a vicious killer on the loose, I wanna be able to check my records an' make the connection.

-smirks- Well, I’m real attractive like. ‘Round about 5’10, give or take. I’m very… uh, fit, I guess, woul’ be the world. Lotsa muscles. The ladies love the muscles. –smirks- I got my black hair, it’s real tight curls. Brown eyes. Skin the color of mush. Tha’ enough?

Got any odder job 'sides sellin' papes? Legal or illegal, I ain't gonna squeal on ya.

I work backstage for some of the local theatres sometimes. Usually for Medda, over at Irving Hall, but I sometimes head over to Greenwich Village an’ the Laughing Butler. There’s a lot of pretty girls over in the Village. Makes it worth my time, ya know? –chuckles-

All right, time for the big one. What kinda person are ya, kid? How d'you treat odders? How d'you treat yerself? We gets all kinds here, so be honest--I just wanna know what to expect.

I’m real nice to everyone. Real cheerful. I like makin’ jokes and makin’ my pals laugh. A’course, I also love the ladies. I’d say I’m a real ladies man, ya know? –smirks- Anyway, I jus’ try to stay cheerful and look on the bright side. There’s no use in bein’ sad, is there? Nah. So I enjoy life and everythin’.

Got any hobbies? Whaddaya do wit yer spare time?

Working in the theatres, I guess. Takes up a lot of time. An’ courtin’ the ladies, of course. So, uh… I’m out late a lot, an’ you know it, Kloppman. You’re jus’ gonna want to write me a permanent pass, huh? No? Well, tha’s okay. I’ll jus’ pester ya every mornin’ like I always do, huh?

How 'bout vices or bad habits? Smokin', drinkin', gamblin'? I want 'cha to promise to keep 'em outside the house.

Sure, a bit of smokin’, a bit of drinkin’. I used to gamble, until Race came an’ started winnin’ all my money. So now I don’ gamble no more. Not with Race, anyway. Right, right. Outa the house. Got ya, Kloppman.

Got any fam'ly or friends 'round here? Or enemies, for that matter? Tell me who ya knows in the area.

Well, all the boys in the lodgin’ house, a’course. I guess I’m closest to Blink, Jack, an’ Race, but I get along with everyone. An’ I know Medda pretty well, an’ most of the theatre people at Irving Hall an’ the Laughing Butler. An’, uh, ya know Stage? Over in the Village? I know her pretty well, she always does the Butler’s shows. She sure is somethin’, ain’t she? –whistles- Don’ got no enemies. I get along with every one.

An' maybe a special someone? I got a special set o' rules when it comes to that sorta t'ing.

Ya know me, Kloppman. The ladies love me an’ I love ‘em right back. Right now, I ain’t got anyone special, but I figure if I jus’ keep chattin’ up Stage, eventually she’s gonna fall, yeah?

Fin'ly, every boy's favorite question... *chuckles darkly* What can ya tell me 'bout yer past? Where'd ya grow up, what brought ya here, an' what happened in between?

Aww, hell. –uncomfortable for the first time- Um. So, uh, my ma wasn’t, uh, real respectable. Ya can probably guess what she did for a livin’…. –shrugs- Anyway, I never knew who my pa was. Ma never really wanted me, she kept me till I was five then dumped me on an orphanage, a’cause I wasn’t sleepin’ too good at night an’ she figured I’d better get out a’fore I get any emotional scars or nothin’…. –chuckles- I never really loved her, so I don’ care. So I was at the orphanage for a few years, till I was eight. Then I ran away. The place was hell. Er, uh… heck. Ended up on the streets for a couple of months, then had the bright idea to start sellin’ papes. One of the older boys brought me here after the first day, an’ I’ve been living here ever since.

OUT OF CHARACTER

Profile By: Peep Shakespeare

E-mail Address: melgre2@aol.com

AIM or Other Screen Name(s): melgre2 (AIM)

Character Song: Ladies' Choice from "Hairspray" (Zac Efron)