Friday, February 27, 2015

"Dead Reckoning" Character Interview

     As with the "Kaishaku" character interview on Monday, this interview was only previously posted on the Musa Publishing blog.  And for those just tuning in, today and tomorrow are the only remaining days to purchase both "Dead Reckoning" and "Kaishaku," for the foreseeable future, as Musa Publishing is closing.


      Character Interview—Kurt Minnifield from “Dead Reckoning”

Q: Why do you think Paul Stansfield chose you to represent “Dead Reckoning?”
A:  Because I was one of the ones in the thick of everything, I guess.  I was both victim and victimizer, you could say.  Plus my dashing good looks and charm don’t hurt either! (Laughs).
Q:  Tell us a little about yourself.
A:  I come from a small town in western New York state, called Warsaw.  Graduated from SUNY New Paltz with a degree in communications—meaning I was prepared for nothing, basically! (Laughs)  Took a job at a local theater building sets, and filled in for a sick actor once, and got hooked.  I was never one of those Method types, though—they often take things too far.  At the end of the day, you’re still pretending, no matter how much preparation you’ve done.
Q:  Where do you live?
A:  After the events of the story I relocated to the Pacific Northwest.  I won’t say where, because I’m sick of talking to reporters (this one interview excepted).  I really like it—it’s beautiful, and the people are laid back, cool, and tolerant, even to fictitious people.  Although the time zone is a bit of a bitch.  NFL games starting at 10 A.M?  Outrageous!
Q:  What do you wish people would know about you?
A: Mainly, no matter what I and some of the others did--and some of it, let’s face it, was dreadful—we had good reasons.  I think anyone would have responded in a similar way.
Q:  Is there anything that you wish Paul Stansfield had kept his mouth shut about?
A:  Looking back on it, I’m aware of how much I criticized other characters, was kind of negative at times.  But I did say, and think these things, so I can only blame myself.  But otherwise I thought it was fair—it gave every side a chance to explain themselves, in a way.
Q:  When were you born
A:  1986.  And my parents looked the part in the photos of me as a wee kid.  Big hair, parachute pants, I tease them a lot about it.
Q:  What music do you listen to?
A:  Classic rock, some punk and hardcore, old school rap, and as a guilty pleasure—a little disco.  So bandwise, my favorites are The Beatles, The Stones, The Kinks, Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, Jimi Hendrix, Run DMC, Public Enemy, The Beastie Boys, The Sex Pistols, The Misfits, GWAR, and The Village People.
Q:  Where have we seen you before?
A:  Nowhere, unless you took in New Paltz theater productions.  Or a foot fungus commercial.  Or a video for the worst hair band I ever had the misfortune to hear.  Wolf Blade?  Wolf Sword?  Something awful and ridiculously cliché like that.  Even with the idiotic “umlauts for decoration, not actual pronunciation” crap.  Because we can all agree that punctuation makes you a badass, right?
Q:  What is your perfect evening?
A:  An abandoned roller rink, a case of Mad Dog 20/20, and a giraffe!  No, just kidding.  A small gathering of close friends, a barbeque, and later, a Wes Anderson movie.
Q:  What is your favorite sports team?
A:  The Buffalo Bills, baby!  Alas, I was too young to see them much during their sort of heyday in the early 90’s.  Although my parents said I cried for weeks after fucking Norwood missed that field goal…
Q:  What are your biggest fears?
A:  Clowns, velvet, and commitment! (Laughs).  No, probably it’s that I ever have to go through something like the “Dead Reckoning” events again.
Q:  Why should readers be interested in your story?
A:  Because it’s the most comprehensive account of a really fucked up situation.  And maybe as a warning, to show how tiny mistakes can mushroom into disaster.
Q:  What are your turn ons?  Turn offs?
A:  Jeez, what is this, a Playboy Centerfold interview?  Next question.
Q:  What is your favorite ice cream flavor?
A:  Mint chocolate chip.  I’m green all the way!
Q:  Will we be seeing more of you, or are you stepping out of the limelight?

A:  Emphatically stepping out of the limelight.  My five minutes of fame felt like a century.  More than enough for me, thanks.

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