Interviewer: “Hello, and welcome to this week’s episode of Get to Know Your Characters, I’m your host, and today we have Aspen Kavanagh on the show. How are you, Aspen?”
Aspen: [Stares at Interviewer]
Interviewer: “Ah, okay. [glances down at notes in front of her] For those who don’t know Aspen, he was born in Boston, Massachusetts and moved to New York City with his parents when he was four years old. He’s an only child. Can you tell us a bit about your childhood?”
Aspen: “What do you want to know?”
Interviewer: “What was it like growing up as an only child?”
Aspen: “It was life. I have nothing else to compare it to. If you’re going to ask questions, at least make them good. I’m short on time here.” [Checks phone]
Interviewer: “Ah. Yes. Very well. I have some questions from readers. How old are you, Aspen?”
Aspen: “Thirty-two.”
Interviewer: “And how tall are you?”
Aspen: “Tall enough to get the job done.” [Sighs] “I’m six-foot-three.”
Interviewer: “Very tall then.” [laughs] “Do you like anime?”
Aspen: “I don’t know what that is.”
Interviewer: “It’s Japanese animation.”
Aspen: “I don’t have time for watching much TV, and when I do, I prefer sports. Baseball, mostly. My job keeps me busy.”
Interviewer: “What is your job?”
Aspen: “My job is a job. I do things for the boss.”
Interviewer: “What’s your favorite season?”
Aspen: “Baseball season.” [Stares]
Interviewer: “You’re very direct.” [Laughs]
Aspen: “There’s no use saying more than what’s needed. I don’t talk to fill in the silence.”
Interviewer: “Oh, that makes sense. Do you ever go to the gym?”
[At this point in the interview, Cillian walks into the room]
Cillian: “What the feck is this?”
Interviewer: “An interview? We’re booked with you next week, Cillian.”
Cillian: “Since fucking when?”
Aspen: [Smirks]
[Vail comes stumbling into the room and grabs Cillian’s arm, trying to drag him out]
Vail: “I told you about the interviews. Meg and Ki set them up.”
Cillian: [Doesn’t budge] “And why the feckin’ bloody hell would we do interviews? Our time is more valuable than that. I’m not doing it.”
Vail: “You will. You promised me.”
Cillian: “When?”
Vail: [Peeks at Interviewer] “Last night, when… you know.”
Cillian: [smirks] “Oh, that’s what you were talking about.”
[Vail manages to coax Cillian out of the room, but not before Cillian gives Aspen a salute]
Interviewer: “Where were we? Yes. The gym. Do you go?”
Aspen: “Cillian and I lift weights. He likes to kill himself on them, but I keep in shape. Our job is physical and there’s lots of lifting things.”
Interviewer: “Can you tell us more about the Killough Company? What’s it like working with Sloan?”
Aspen: “Tough. He’s a good boss, but if you fuck up, he’ll let you know, and you don’t want to fuck up too many times.”
Interviewer: “When did you join?”
Aspen: “Right after high school. Eighteen. I started on the lowest rung on the ladder at the company.”
Interviewer: “Fallon didn’t and he’s a legacy, too. Because you are a legacy, aren’t you? Your father was in the company.”
Aspen: [Shrugs] “Briefly, before he died. I didn’t want any favors. I work hard and I get where I want because it’s what I want.”
Interviewer: “Are you saying Fallon has it easy?”
Aspen: “No.” [Stares at interviewer for a long moment and she shifts uncomfortably] “His family is very exacting. They expect him to start near the top and they wouldn’t let him start down at the bottom, even if he wanted to.”
Interviewer: “I see. What do you think of Fallon’s family?”
Aspen: “…. Next question.”
Interviewer: [Laughs nervously] “Can you tell us about your family? Your mom is American and your dad is Irish?”
Aspen: “My mom’s from the Virgin Islands, and my dad is dead. But yeah, when he was alive he was Irish.”
Interviewer: “How is it working in a predominantly white mob with your biracial heritage?”
Aspen: “That’s none of your business. I do my job, and I do it well. That’s all that matters.”
Interviewer: “Of course. I’ve been told you’re talented with knives, how did that come to be?”
Aspen: “I don’t know. It just did. I bought my first knife when I was twelve and started practicing with it on a tree. Tried to hit a target. Over time, I got good.”
Interviewer: “And you have expensive knives now?”
Aspen: “You could say that. They’re Japanese Honyaki steel. About five grand each.”
Interviewer: “Interesting.”
Aspen: “Listen, you’ve had your ten questions, all right? I got things to do.” [Stands] “People to do.”
[Fallon slides in front of the door with socks on, grinning]
Fallon: [Waggles eyebrows] “I heard my name.”
Aspen: [Hides a grin] “Have fun with Cillian next week. Good luck. You’ll need it.”
[Aspen leaves, dragging Fallon down the hallway. All the interviewer can do is stare. She looks down at her notes and sighs]
Interviewer: “Why did I take this job offer?”
If this is the first time you’ve met Aspen, you can get to know him better HERE
If you already know Aspen and want to leave him a love note, you can do it HERE