Like a mad scientist, I've been gathering bits here and there to piece together our handsome and dangerous hero. I've only just started my research, so a lot of his background is still in the works. As this is a community event, I thought it would be fun to post how the story starts to come together, and also allow folks to give input if they so wish. Of course we will eventually get to a point where I'll be working on the plot, so that's when things start to get 'hush hush'.

Onto our hero. Here's what he's told me about himself so far.

His name is Harlan Mackay, but his man calls him 'Harley'. Why you ask? Well, because back in 1918 when he was twenty-two years old, he was recruited by the Motor Transport Corps, which operated under the American Expeditionary Force that deployed to France during World War I. (More about what exactly he did as part of that unit coming soon. I just got the M.T.C manual and it's kinda big. Though it's going to have something to do with motorcycles.)

Back to his nickname. It was given to him by his partner in crime, his best friend, the ying to his yang--who doesn't have a name yet--and it has something to do with some big hooha that happened when Harlan refused to leave his Harley Davidson behind enemy lines. (The man likes his motorcycles).

Harley is 29 years old (as of 1925, when the story takes place), is 6'4", has med-brown hair with hazel eyes, and various tattoos. Harley's one hell of a driver and took up boxing when he got back from France. I'm still working on how the war affected these fellas and whether they became lovers during the war, or have yet to move beyond friendship.

They are, however, also partners of a different kind. They're Prohibition Agents in a city where lawlessness is coming at them from all sides, including their own.  The Big Apple -- NYC. What do you do when you're an agent trying to enforce a law your own city's mayor doesn't believe in? Where agents and cops are on gangsters' payrolls? To what extent do Harley and his partner crack down on bootleggers and Prohibition? Is no joint too small? Or do they go after the big fish? (I'm guessing the thrill is something they need, and that means going after Tommy-gun-toting gangsters).

Now, here's the next thing. We need to get Harley his man. Then I can put lettuce out for the plot bunnies and see how they get on. What I do know, is he's cheeky, playful, has a knack for getting Harley into trouble, and uses humor to keep people from knowing what he's really thinking or feeling. He's cocky, a good actor, and knows it. He comes off as the life of the party, and Harley is under the impression that he needs his partner more than his partner needs him, which would be wrong. This fella can switch between sweet and scary in 0 to 60. Hm... time to get those bunnies hopping.