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.

My name's Daniel Lao.

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

Sure do, Swifty "(the Rake)". *sheepish* Well I used to be a pickpocket, a real swift one, too.

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.

Fifteen, nearly sixteen. I was born June sixth, 1884.

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.

Well, I'm Chinese, so I got the skin and eyes.....they're dark brown by the way. My hair's brown, too. I'm about 5'9" right now, but somebody told me I'll probably grow in a few years.

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

Well, pickpocketing, I guess.

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.

Well, I lie sometimes, if I don't like someone. And I'm shy, I guess. That's what I've been told, anyways. I get really nervous around girls and keep to myself a lot. Sometimes I let other people's secrets slip, on accident- I swear.

Got any hobbies? Whaddaya do wit yer spare time?

I like learning--Old habits my Dad put on me die hard, I guess. I'm a real good speller.

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

I smoke a little....and stealing is real bad habbit if I don't know the person too well.

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

I don't know anyone....well, I know a newsie here, Bumlets. And my sister's in the city somewhere, if I ever find her.

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

Nope, not yet.

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?

My parents came to California from China right after they found out I was conceived. My older brother by five years was with them. They met a real nice Irishman named Daniel- They thought he was American-who helped them into the railroad business. I was born, my sister was born a year later. We worked and traveled, till I was about eight. My father got lock-jaw and died. My brother took his place. My brother was....he was killed when we were in this small town cause he was Asian. I was ten. My mother, already ill, died.

I took my kid sister here to New York a few months later....I was eleven. She was ten. I started pickpocketing- something I learned from a man that worked with my father-to support ourselves. I got caught one day and taken to the Refuge for a few weeks. My sister wasn't with me. I haven't seen her since.

When I got out I was right back to my old habits--stealing to survive. I had nothing to lose. I tried stealing from this one kid selling papers, Bumlets, and he caught me and told me to be a little more honest....come here and sell papes instead of stealing. *laugh* And here I am!

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Profile By: Cricket

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