The Slicer Chronicles Character Interview: Kyra Amber Marston

Kyra Amber Marston
Five Year Psychiatric Evaluation.
Interviewer: INT Charles Cameron.

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INT: Please state your name for the record, alongside any nicknames you may have had or currently have.

-Marston, Kyra Amber, sir. I generally go by Kyra or my surname.

INT: Please state your eye and hair color.

-Grey eyes, dark brown hair. Did you want a physical description for the record as well, sir? (INT: No, just eye and hair is fine, ma'am.) -Okay.

INT: Do you have any distinguishing facial features?

-No, sir.

INT: Do you have any birthmarks or scars?

-No, sir.

INT: Who are your friends and family? Who do you surround herself with? Who are the people you're closest to? Who do you wish you were closest to?

-My father, Kirk, still lives in Austin, and I communicate regularly. Mother's dead. Boyfriend is NetCop Agent David Hadley.

INT: Where were you born? Where have you lived since then? Where do you call home?

-Born and raised in Austin, Texas, sir. Moved to New Orleans to attend NetCop Academy of Louisiana seven years ago. Assigned to New Orleans region under supervision of Region Chief Hector Diaz upon graduation. Been here since.

INT: Where do you go when you're angry?

-I'm not an angry person, sir. I don't have a failsafe.

INT: What is your biggest fear? Who have you told this to? Who would you never tell this to? Why?

-Dying, sir. (INT: Do you mean dying alone, or--) -No, I mean death. I had this one thing lately, a brush with this rapist-- (INT: The Jerry Tuttle incident?) -Yes, sir. I really, honestly thought I was gonna die. One of the scariest things I've ever been through.

INT: Do you have a secret?

-Not that I can think of, sir.

INT: What makes you laugh?

-My boyfriend, David. Funniest man I know. (INT: I've heard that from your chief, Hector.) -Oh, you talked to Hector already? (INT: Yes, ma'am. He also says Agent Hadley can push the jokes way too far.) -He just likes to push Hector's buttons. Man needs to loosen up sometimes, in my opinion.

INT: Have you ever been in love? Had a broken heart?

-I had a boyfriend in secondary school. We dated a few years, but broke up right after graduation. (INT: May I ask why, or--) -No, it's fine. He got enrolled to be a lawyer at some damn place up north, and I wanted to go to NCLA for enforcement. Just parted ways, is all.

INT: What is in your refrigerator right now? On your bedroom floor? On your nightstand? In your garbage can?

-That's pretty personal sir, mind if we skip that one? (INT: Unfortunately, we can't, Agent Marston.) -Okay. Refrigerator is clean. I have a few things in there, but nothing expired. Bedroom's clean. My garbage needs to be taken out, but that's just 'cause I haven't done my daily cleaning yet today, sir.

INT: What type of shoes or coverings do you wear on a day-to-day basis?

-At work I wear heels. I try to stay professional. At home I wear sandals or flats, sir.

INT: When you think of your childhood kitchen, what smell do you associate with it? Why is that smell so resonant for you?

-Smell? Fresh herbs. My momma used to grow pots of herbs on the windowsill. Dill, basil, mint, thyme, and rosemary, in that order, left to right. Dad used to grow bellpeppers out back, too, but they don't really smell 'till you cut 'em open. But those herbs smell to high heaven.

INT: Let's say you're doing intense spring cleaning. What is easy for you to throw out? What is difficult for you to part with? Why?

-I could do to get rid of some stuff. Sports equipment, some junk up in the attic. I am not getting rid of my furniture, though. Lot of it's been in the family for years.

INT: It’s noon on a Saturday. What are you normally doing? Please be specific.

-I'm either plugged in when it's my turn on rotation or maybe havin' a few drinks with Hector and David, sir. I don't go out much anymore.

INT: What is one strong memory that has stuck with you from childhood? Why is it so powerful and lasting?

-The day my momma died. I was fourteen years old. We lived in a good neighborhood out there, but this gang came in, started trying to loot the houses and just go crazy. My dad bought a rifle to protect us in case those assholes come by our way, but it didn't help. One of 'em came by, knocked on the door like a gentleman. Momma thought it was safe, and started going up there, when the man opened fire. I didn't get hit, thank God, but my dad took one in the leg and momma took one in the chest and one in the head. Didn't kill her right away, either. She started doing silly stuff, like singin' nursery rhymes and sayin' poems. Dad called for an ambulance, but she bled out before they got there. (smiles) Last words she said to me was "I love you, Ki-Ki." She came to long enough to say she loved me. That's somethin' you'll never forget. Ever.

INT: You're getting ready for a night out. Where are you going? What do you wear? Who will you be with?

-I don't really go out, sir. Don't like the crowds.

INT: What is your favorite occupation?

-(laughs) I like mine. Get to rid the world of the bad guys and help folks out what need help.

INT: What is your most treasured possession?

-My collection of vacation stuff. Every year, my dad would take us out somewhere. Redwood forest, Grand Canyon, London, that sort of thing. And every year I would take a picture and get a souvenir of some sort. I still have 'em all, keep 'em in my living room.

INT: What do you consider your greatest achievement?

-I caught the bastard. (INT: Excuse me?) -The man that attacked us. After momma's funeral, I plugged in and read everything I could about Slicers, watched memories, and the like. Took about a year of jumping around, but I finally found the man. He had the memory to prove it. Name was Clifford Payne. White male, thirty-one years old. Tracked him down, shot him in the leg, and ripped out his VI button so he couldn't call for backup. Then I called the police, and they arrested him on sight. NetCop confirmed his guilt, and I got scholarships thrown at me by about ten state academies. Texas wasn't one of 'em, but Louisiana was and their instructors looked like they knew their stuff, so I went there.

INT: What is your idea of perfect happiness?

-I'd say having a good family to love and support you. Every time I talk to my dad, he reminds me how much he loves me. That's happiness, right there.

INT: What is your current state of mind?

-I'm fine. A little hungry, but that's normal.

INT: What or who is the greatest love of your life?

-Well, I don't know about "love of my life" yet, but I'm really happy with David, sir.

INT: What is your favorite journey?

-The trip back and forth to Austin to see my dad. It's long, and I only do it about once a year, but it is some gorgeous.

INT: What is your most marked characteristic?

-I'd say my dedication, sir. When I'm on duty, ain't a damn soul better. You can bank on it.

INT: When and where were you the happiest, Agent Marston?

-The day David said "yes" and we became official. I wanted to ask him out for a while, but I was too nervous. The day he saved me from Tuttle, though? I opened my eyes, and he was the first thing I saw. (pause) He's such a good man. Anyway, he went in to the hospital afterward, and I asked him before they put in the drugs so I'd know the answer was real. And he looked me dead in the eyes and said, "I've been waiting for you to ask that!" I tell you, I could've flown that day.

INT: What is it that you most dislike?

-People who think they're better than you, sir.

INT: What is your greatest fear?

-Now wait, didn't you already ask me that? (INT: I did, sorry. Been meaning to take that out. Moving on.)

INT: What is your greatest extravagance?

-Like, spendin'-wise? (INT: Yes, ma'am.) -Oh, okay. I spend a lot on business suits, but really, I save more than I spend.

INT: Which living person do you most despise?

-I don't really hate anyone. But there's this one guy Hector was tellin' me about the other day, name of Udon somethin'-or-other-- (INT: Are you referring to the war lord Udo Ugundokov?) -That's the one. Killin' people like crazy over there. Heard he's even getting a cult of personality startin' over here. I'd watch out for him.

INT: What is your greatest regret?

-Not gettin' a chance to say goodbye to my momma. I was in so much shock I couldn't say "I love you" back to her.

INT: Which talent would you most like to have?

-Oh, man, I'd love to be able to sing. I honestly couldn't carry a tune in a bucket the size of Texas.

INT: Where would you like to live?

-I'd like to move back to Austin, sooner or later, sir. Be with my dad.

INT: What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery?

-Losin' a loved one, definitely.

INT: What is the quality you most like in a man?

-The ability to make me laugh.

INT: What is the quality you most like in a woman?

-Well, she can't be prettier than me, that's for sure. (laughs) Really, just be a good person. Help those that need helpin', that sort of thing.

INT: What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?

-I get too overzealous at work sometimes, sir. Tend to jump to conclusions, especially if I'm really involved in a case.

INT: What is the trait you most deplore in others?

-No respect for the law. I can't stand that.

INT: What do you most value in your friends?

-Honesty and loyalty, sir. If you can't be honest or you talk bad about me, you best get to steppin'.

INT: Who is your favorite hero of fiction?

-(pause) Man by the name of Atticus Finch. Ever heard of him? (INT: Wasn't he the protagonist of "To Kill A Mockingbird?") -(nods) Yup. Good man. Everyone should be more like him.

INT: Who are your heroes in real life?

-I think I'd say Josh Eastwood. (INT: The actor?) -Yes, sir, great-grandson of Clint. Man stood for what he believed in. You know that man spent sixteen years as a police officer between movie shoots? (INT: I did not, actually.) -(nods) Yes, indeed. Again, he was a good man.

INT: Which living person do you most admire?

-My dad. He's been a role-model for me my entire life, sir.

INT: What do you consider the most overrated virtue?

-Kindness, sir. Sometimes, people get it, but they sure as hell don't deserve it in my eyes.

INT: On what occasions do you lie?

-Not at all, which is entirely too much, sir. (laughs)

INT: Which words or phrases do you most overuse?

-I don't overuse too many words or phrases, sir.

INT: If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

-I wouldn't. I am who I am, for better or for worse.

INT: What are your favorite names?

-I like a few different ones. I like Kirk, obviously. I like Brendon. I think Ariel would be a beautiful name for a girl.

INT: How would you like to die?

-I don't want to. I don't-- No. I'm not-- N-no. No. Not thinking about that. I can't. No. Move on. (INT: Unfortunately, Agent Marston, I need an answer--) -Then you can kiss my ass, sir. Ain't gettin' one. (INT: With all due respect, refusal to cooperate will result in the loss--) -Fine. I don't want to see it happening. I just want it to happen and be over with, happy?

INT: If you were to die and come back as a person or thing, what do you think it would be?

-I'm gonna reach across this table and kick your ass down Canal Street and back, you don't knock it off with these death questions, sir! (INT: But Agent Marston, we--) -You what? Gonna fire me? Take sanctions against me? Let me tell you somethin', son. My record is spotless. I have received more commendations for my work in the past five years than you ever will in your career. I. Am. Afraid. Of. Death. Get it through that thick freakin' skull of yours. I know for a fact that an interview question of this caliber can be omitted when the content of the question calls in to play or brings forth mortal fear in the interviewed Agent. That is occuring here. Now knock it the fuck off and MOVE ON!

INT: Okay. Final question. What is your motto?

-(deep breath) (pause) "Live today like it's your last, so every day can be your fullest." There, I'm done. Now leave me alone.

(Psych Eval Interview Concluded.)