Post by Gravedust on Sept 8, 2010 14:24:02 GMT -8
The Long Con
Name: Benjamin J. Pell
Class: Roper
XP:
Reputation:
Attractiveness: Buzz: Specialties:
Misdirection: Buzz: Specialties:
Tech: Buzz: Specialties:
Lore: Buzz: Specialties:
Persuasion: 3 Buzz: Specialties:
Intimidation: Buzz: Specialties:
Sparkle: 3 Buzz: Specialties:
Luck: Buzz: Specialties:
Empathy: 2 Buzz: Specialties:
Lie: Buzz: Specialties:
Sleight-of-Hand: Buzz: Specialties:
Lockpick: Buzz: Specialties:
Sneak: Buzz: Specialties:
Connections: Buzz: Specialties:
Read: 2 Buzz: Specialties:
Notice: 1 Buzz: Specialties:
Rep: ----- Specialties:
Fasttalk: Buzz: Specialties:
Research: 2 Buzz: Specialties:
Dirt: 2 Buzz: Specialties:
=================================================
<Transcript begins>
(BP:) Well, I wanted to be an actor, you know... THis is Hollywood after all, right? The big dream? Well, actuallY I was an actor for a while. Got some bit parts and a pilot for some ... Horrible little show for the sci-fi channel. <Laughs> But I was in makeup the entire time, right? I was playing an alien, so nobody ever saw what I really looked like.
(AG:) <Unintelligible>
(BP:) <Laughs> Yeah, right? You know how they say some people have a face made for radio? That's me to a T. ...Well okay, okay I'm not that bad, really, but you know how they like everyone they put in front of a camera to look like some kind of model? Well, I just don't cut that.I mean I can act. I really can act. But I just don't have the face you need for television. So that sort of went down the tubes. I mean I didn't want to play a series of scaly aliens for the rest of my life, so one new years - I must have been like.. twenty-two at the time - I made vow that I'd only take real, serious acting work from there on out, even it it meant I staved.
(AG:) And how did that work out?
(BP:) Well, I starved. <Laughs> It's a rough town, you know. But that's a nice segway into how I got into the business, which I sense is going to be your next question.
(AG:) Yes, actually it was.
(BP:) See? Mind powers. But all right. So there I was, working two jobs just to keep from getting kicked out of my rathole apartment -while still trying to make every audition I could- When finally I just said to hell with it. I was burning myself out with this rat-race, right? Soon I wouldn't be good for everything. I remember looking out of the window at one of my jobs and seeing this bum with his sign out, right? I figured hell, that guy probably gets just as much as I do, and what's he doing? Sitting there with a sign. People feel sorry for him, they toss him a coin and maybe feel better about themselves. Fair enough, I'm not going to be the one to knock that. But I thought about it, and I figured, 'I bet I could improve on that' You know, if people want to shell out a little cash to help someone, and more importantly feel like they're a good person... That's something you can sell, you know? I figured there was no reason -I- couldn't be the one selling that, and doing a better job of it than that guy with the sign.
(AG:) That's a bit cynical.
(BP:) Cynical? Sure, absolutely. But it's not like I didn't need the money almost as bad as that guy. So anyway. That's how I got started, in essence. I'd stage a scene. Some little personal tragedy that I could spool out right in front of people, tug their heartstrings a bit, get them to open their wallets. All the world's a stage, right? except now I'm writing my own scripts, doing all the performances myself, and now I'm my own manager. Best job in the world.
(Waitress:) Are you two ready for drinks?
(AG:) I'll take the house draft, please.
(BP:) Same as him, and thanks so much.
<A four second pause>
(BP: So that's how I got started. My first few shows I actually did after work was out, I'd drive across town and put something on. Then I started doing weekends which worked a lot better. The trick to it was it had to seem incidental, like things were just happening right then, and this character just -at that moment- needed a hand or some help or.. You know. It had to seem like the last thing they wanted to be doing was asking other people for money. So you have to create this circumstance, this need, and then you let the audience fulfill it. And then there's the payoff for both of us, I get my money, and they get this character thanking them, personally, for helping them out. On good days there'd be tears on both sides. <Chuckles>
(AG:) So you were successful?
(BP:) Oh, yeah. I mean it was a small time thing, and there was only room for me. ..And I had to keep moving, you know.. my shows were pretty memorable so you can't do another in the same place until a lot of time's gone by. You don't want someone to go 'hey, I've seen this guy before'. But I made enough to keep the bills paid, sure. Eventually I quit both my jobs and supported myself just on the shows alone. It got to be sort of addicting after a while. You might know how that is.
(AG:) Yeah, I might. So how did you know how to get to people? How did you know what would work?
(BP:) Well, in addition to acting classes when I was in college I took some behavioral psychology courses. I don't think I ever wanted to be a shrink, really, but the field always interested me. I guess I thought it'd help with my acting, too, help me get into characters heads and motivations. I guess in a way it did. It helps me know what people are thinking, and how to get them to think what I want, and how to use that to get them to do what I want. A lot of people do it by instinct, and instinct still plays a huge part of it. But I've read the books, and know the theories behind it. I think it helps.
(AG:) And how did you get into the big time stuff?
(BP:) Well, I guess I overplayed my hand a little. After about a year and a half of putting on my little performances I was approached by a guy -and no I'm not going to give you a name, sorry, but maybe you can guess- Who said in as many words that he knew what I was doing, and that he could use my sort of talent with a little project of his own he was in the middle of. He was a gentleman, and didn't threaten to rat me out or anything. <laughs> So of course I said yes, and as it turned out it was one of the best decisions I've ever made. And that is, in a nutshell, how I got into the business.(Waitress:)Here you are, <Unintelligible> if you need anything else.
(AG:)Thank you.
(BP:) Aaah, Thanks. This is great.
(BP:) So, <NAME WITHHELD> Have you got a feel for me now? Is there a job for me in all this?
(AG:) I think there could be, for you, yes.
(BP:) Well great! That's great. I've been off the field for a few weeks, about time I got back on my feet, you know? But here's where I have to get a little direct with you, <NAME WITHHELD>. Are you taping me right now?
(AG:) I don't- What?
(BP:) See, you're leaning to the side a little with your shoulders forward, like you want to keep your coat from moving too much. People do that to keep the fabric from sliding on your microphone and messing up the recording. It was pretty obvious when you reached for your drink. Though to be honest I noticed it before.
(BP:) Now, I can appreciate that you might want to have some insurance if it comes down to it, but at this moment I'd like to direct your attention to the two tourists who are standing on the street corner taking pictures of the skyline for the last few minutes. They happen to be pretty good friends of mine and several of those pictures feature the two of us together, enjoying our drinks. Not to turn this conversation unfriendly, you see, I'd still like a job and I think working for you specifically could be a rewarding experience for us both. I'm looking forward to it. But I want to make it clear that if the contents of that tape are ever used against me, I'll see to it that those pictures find their way to the public. And that would be pretty awkward for the both of us, wouldn't it?
(AG:) Awkward is a way of putting it, yes.
(BP:) Well good! I'm glad we see eye to eye. So why don't we turn that recorder off and talk some business?
<TRANSCRIPT ENDS>
----------------------
:Description:
Benjamin (Ben to most people) Pell is a rather benign-looking man overall. In his late twenties, stocky and a few pounds happily overweight with a rounded, blunt pug nose and a wide chin. His head is topped with slightly curly brown hair at a medium length or longer, which he often hides under ballcaps or other hats as the occasion suits. He actually prefers shorter hair, but the extra length makes it easy to slip into certain characters. Besides, it's easy to make hair shorter if he needs, but to make it longer takes time. So he keeps his hair at what is literally a happy medium.
He's comfortable in most any sort of clothing, and in truth seems to show no real preference. To all appearances he's just as comfortable in a 3-piece suit as he is in sweats and a windbreaker. His usual mode of dress is generally somewhere in between the two, though not always totally casual. He maintains an extensive and well tailored (or intentionally ill-tailored in some cases) wardrobe, considering it to be one of the many tools of his trade. His collection includes a multitude of different uniforms and dress styles. He is an assiduous clothes shopper and bargain store hunter, and more recently has taken to ordering clothes from overseas to add a bit of foreign spice to his outfits.
He is warm and affable in a quiet sort of way way. While comfortable in the spotlight, when out of the spotlight he tends to slink back into the crowd and observe, and much prefers to talk privately to two of three people than address a group. But personally he is almost unfailingly polite and friendly, and is happy to have a chant with anyone in the vicinity. And there is where his best qualities become most evident. While not a truly handsome man, he can be quite charming. From his warm laugh to his cherubic smile, he has a way of getting past peoples defenses and getting them to open up. As part of his preparation process, Ben has taken to using the Internet and a few select contacts to find out as much about his targets as he can before going to seeing them in person, and has gotten somewhat adept at uncovering other information about them as well
On the downside, he does tend to flounder a little bit when things deviate from the intended script, and he has a little more trouble thinking quickly on his feet than some others. But so long as the plan is running smooth he is nearly unflappable, no matter how much pressure is put on him, or how extreme his acting has to become in order to get the job done. Once he puts a character on it doesn't come off until the job is finished.
Name: Benjamin J. Pell
Class: Roper
XP:
Reputation:
Attractiveness: Buzz: Specialties:
Misdirection: Buzz: Specialties:
Tech: Buzz: Specialties:
Lore: Buzz: Specialties:
Persuasion: 3 Buzz: Specialties:
Intimidation: Buzz: Specialties:
Sparkle: 3 Buzz: Specialties:
Luck: Buzz: Specialties:
Empathy: 2 Buzz: Specialties:
Lie: Buzz: Specialties:
Sleight-of-Hand: Buzz: Specialties:
Lockpick: Buzz: Specialties:
Sneak: Buzz: Specialties:
Connections: Buzz: Specialties:
Read: 2 Buzz: Specialties:
Notice: 1 Buzz: Specialties:
Rep: ----- Specialties:
Fasttalk: Buzz: Specialties:
Research: 2 Buzz: Specialties:
Dirt: 2 Buzz: Specialties:
=================================================
<Transcript begins>
(BP:) Well, I wanted to be an actor, you know... THis is Hollywood after all, right? The big dream? Well, actuallY I was an actor for a while. Got some bit parts and a pilot for some ... Horrible little show for the sci-fi channel. <Laughs> But I was in makeup the entire time, right? I was playing an alien, so nobody ever saw what I really looked like.
(AG:) <Unintelligible>
(BP:) <Laughs> Yeah, right? You know how they say some people have a face made for radio? That's me to a T. ...Well okay, okay I'm not that bad, really, but you know how they like everyone they put in front of a camera to look like some kind of model? Well, I just don't cut that.I mean I can act. I really can act. But I just don't have the face you need for television. So that sort of went down the tubes. I mean I didn't want to play a series of scaly aliens for the rest of my life, so one new years - I must have been like.. twenty-two at the time - I made vow that I'd only take real, serious acting work from there on out, even it it meant I staved.
(AG:) And how did that work out?
(BP:) Well, I starved. <Laughs> It's a rough town, you know. But that's a nice segway into how I got into the business, which I sense is going to be your next question.
(AG:) Yes, actually it was.
(BP:) See? Mind powers. But all right. So there I was, working two jobs just to keep from getting kicked out of my rathole apartment -while still trying to make every audition I could- When finally I just said to hell with it. I was burning myself out with this rat-race, right? Soon I wouldn't be good for everything. I remember looking out of the window at one of my jobs and seeing this bum with his sign out, right? I figured hell, that guy probably gets just as much as I do, and what's he doing? Sitting there with a sign. People feel sorry for him, they toss him a coin and maybe feel better about themselves. Fair enough, I'm not going to be the one to knock that. But I thought about it, and I figured, 'I bet I could improve on that' You know, if people want to shell out a little cash to help someone, and more importantly feel like they're a good person... That's something you can sell, you know? I figured there was no reason -I- couldn't be the one selling that, and doing a better job of it than that guy with the sign.
(AG:) That's a bit cynical.
(BP:) Cynical? Sure, absolutely. But it's not like I didn't need the money almost as bad as that guy. So anyway. That's how I got started, in essence. I'd stage a scene. Some little personal tragedy that I could spool out right in front of people, tug their heartstrings a bit, get them to open their wallets. All the world's a stage, right? except now I'm writing my own scripts, doing all the performances myself, and now I'm my own manager. Best job in the world.
(Waitress:) Are you two ready for drinks?
(AG:) I'll take the house draft, please.
(BP:) Same as him, and thanks so much.
<A four second pause>
(BP: So that's how I got started. My first few shows I actually did after work was out, I'd drive across town and put something on. Then I started doing weekends which worked a lot better. The trick to it was it had to seem incidental, like things were just happening right then, and this character just -at that moment- needed a hand or some help or.. You know. It had to seem like the last thing they wanted to be doing was asking other people for money. So you have to create this circumstance, this need, and then you let the audience fulfill it. And then there's the payoff for both of us, I get my money, and they get this character thanking them, personally, for helping them out. On good days there'd be tears on both sides. <Chuckles>
(AG:) So you were successful?
(BP:) Oh, yeah. I mean it was a small time thing, and there was only room for me. ..And I had to keep moving, you know.. my shows were pretty memorable so you can't do another in the same place until a lot of time's gone by. You don't want someone to go 'hey, I've seen this guy before'. But I made enough to keep the bills paid, sure. Eventually I quit both my jobs and supported myself just on the shows alone. It got to be sort of addicting after a while. You might know how that is.
(AG:) Yeah, I might. So how did you know how to get to people? How did you know what would work?
(BP:) Well, in addition to acting classes when I was in college I took some behavioral psychology courses. I don't think I ever wanted to be a shrink, really, but the field always interested me. I guess I thought it'd help with my acting, too, help me get into characters heads and motivations. I guess in a way it did. It helps me know what people are thinking, and how to get them to think what I want, and how to use that to get them to do what I want. A lot of people do it by instinct, and instinct still plays a huge part of it. But I've read the books, and know the theories behind it. I think it helps.
(AG:) And how did you get into the big time stuff?
(BP:) Well, I guess I overplayed my hand a little. After about a year and a half of putting on my little performances I was approached by a guy -and no I'm not going to give you a name, sorry, but maybe you can guess- Who said in as many words that he knew what I was doing, and that he could use my sort of talent with a little project of his own he was in the middle of. He was a gentleman, and didn't threaten to rat me out or anything. <laughs> So of course I said yes, and as it turned out it was one of the best decisions I've ever made. And that is, in a nutshell, how I got into the business.(Waitress:)Here you are, <Unintelligible> if you need anything else.
(AG:)Thank you.
(BP:) Aaah, Thanks. This is great.
(BP:) So, <NAME WITHHELD> Have you got a feel for me now? Is there a job for me in all this?
(AG:) I think there could be, for you, yes.
(BP:) Well great! That's great. I've been off the field for a few weeks, about time I got back on my feet, you know? But here's where I have to get a little direct with you, <NAME WITHHELD>. Are you taping me right now?
(AG:) I don't- What?
(BP:) See, you're leaning to the side a little with your shoulders forward, like you want to keep your coat from moving too much. People do that to keep the fabric from sliding on your microphone and messing up the recording. It was pretty obvious when you reached for your drink. Though to be honest I noticed it before.
(BP:) Now, I can appreciate that you might want to have some insurance if it comes down to it, but at this moment I'd like to direct your attention to the two tourists who are standing on the street corner taking pictures of the skyline for the last few minutes. They happen to be pretty good friends of mine and several of those pictures feature the two of us together, enjoying our drinks. Not to turn this conversation unfriendly, you see, I'd still like a job and I think working for you specifically could be a rewarding experience for us both. I'm looking forward to it. But I want to make it clear that if the contents of that tape are ever used against me, I'll see to it that those pictures find their way to the public. And that would be pretty awkward for the both of us, wouldn't it?
(AG:) Awkward is a way of putting it, yes.
(BP:) Well good! I'm glad we see eye to eye. So why don't we turn that recorder off and talk some business?
<TRANSCRIPT ENDS>
----------------------
:Description:
Benjamin (Ben to most people) Pell is a rather benign-looking man overall. In his late twenties, stocky and a few pounds happily overweight with a rounded, blunt pug nose and a wide chin. His head is topped with slightly curly brown hair at a medium length or longer, which he often hides under ballcaps or other hats as the occasion suits. He actually prefers shorter hair, but the extra length makes it easy to slip into certain characters. Besides, it's easy to make hair shorter if he needs, but to make it longer takes time. So he keeps his hair at what is literally a happy medium.
He's comfortable in most any sort of clothing, and in truth seems to show no real preference. To all appearances he's just as comfortable in a 3-piece suit as he is in sweats and a windbreaker. His usual mode of dress is generally somewhere in between the two, though not always totally casual. He maintains an extensive and well tailored (or intentionally ill-tailored in some cases) wardrobe, considering it to be one of the many tools of his trade. His collection includes a multitude of different uniforms and dress styles. He is an assiduous clothes shopper and bargain store hunter, and more recently has taken to ordering clothes from overseas to add a bit of foreign spice to his outfits.
He is warm and affable in a quiet sort of way way. While comfortable in the spotlight, when out of the spotlight he tends to slink back into the crowd and observe, and much prefers to talk privately to two of three people than address a group. But personally he is almost unfailingly polite and friendly, and is happy to have a chant with anyone in the vicinity. And there is where his best qualities become most evident. While not a truly handsome man, he can be quite charming. From his warm laugh to his cherubic smile, he has a way of getting past peoples defenses and getting them to open up. As part of his preparation process, Ben has taken to using the Internet and a few select contacts to find out as much about his targets as he can before going to seeing them in person, and has gotten somewhat adept at uncovering other information about them as well
On the downside, he does tend to flounder a little bit when things deviate from the intended script, and he has a little more trouble thinking quickly on his feet than some others. But so long as the plan is running smooth he is nearly unflappable, no matter how much pressure is put on him, or how extreme his acting has to become in order to get the job done. Once he puts a character on it doesn't come off until the job is finished.