Maj. Major Dance
Major, USMC; Windows Site Security Chief Major Dance
Maj. Major Dance acts as security chief for the Windows site, an area in the ten-block radius of the Sheep Meadow in Central Park, New York City. He is immune to jokes made about his given name being the same as his rank; in fact, he often beats others to the punch at introductions by giving the history of his unusual moniker.
Major does not sit idle. When not working, he spends his free time learning new skills, reading and researching. He enjoys puzzles and games for the mental stimulation, and is fond of board games, computer games and role-playing games.
He is equally adept at martial arts, deployment of numerous weapons and ordnance, and battle strategies. The study of military history is a favorite pastime. He may occasionally be seen arranging condiments on the dining table into battle formations to rehearse famous skirmishes.
Dance is affable by nature, but dangerous when provoked. He has trust issues stemming from abandonment by his widowed mother as a teenager, so he does not engage in intimate relationships and is an affirmed asexual.
“Doctor Dax didn’t stutter my name,” Dance continued amiably, offering a slight smile and a hand in greeting to each of the Luminaries. “The military has a strange sense of humor, as did my parents. My given name is, indeed, the same as my rank, which the Marines couldn’t promote me to fast enough, just for the sake of the joke. Someone in the Pentagon must’ve been reading Catch-22 a few too many times.”Though his promotion came quite early, Dance has proven himself more than equal to the task. He is a Mensa member and knows his specialty well, both from the side of law abiding citizen and his criminal youth. Dance is an adept pickpocket, though he refrains from using that talent as a party trick and keeps it strictly within the confines of his job description.
Major does not sit idle. When not working, he spends his free time learning new skills, reading and researching. He enjoys puzzles and games for the mental stimulation, and is fond of board games, computer games and role-playing games.
He is equally adept at martial arts, deployment of numerous weapons and ordnance, and battle strategies. The study of military history is a favorite pastime. He may occasionally be seen arranging condiments on the dining table into battle formations to rehearse famous skirmishes.
Dance is affable by nature, but dangerous when provoked. He has trust issues stemming from abandonment by his widowed mother as a teenager, so he does not engage in intimate relationships and is an affirmed asexual.
Physical Description
General Physical Condition
Fit enough to pass military physicals, Major maintains a regular exercise routine but dislikes exercising in general. He does just enough to get by and keep him in shape for working in the field. He's soft around the middle, not quite a muffin top, but he's not vain so he doesn't mind.
Body Features
Broad shoulders, generally fit, slight muffin top around his middle
Facial Features
Handsome; looks affable and friendly when smiling, yet dangerous when he scowls; has an intense, hawk-like gaze when he is threat-assessing; ridiculously long eyelashes.
Identifying Characteristics
He stands out in a crowd due to his height.
Apparel & Accessories
When not in uniform, Major prefers to dress in sweats and hoodies, but will dress up in jeans or slacks for the appropriate occasion. He tries to avoid parties.
Mental characteristics
Personal history
Son of Sergeant Robert Dance and Martha Earl, born in Bozeman, MT, he was fourteen when his father passed away. Major was an excellent student and graduated high school two years early, at which time his mother decided he no longer needed to live under her protection. This was prompted by the presence in their lives of a boyfriend who didn't like Major, and Martha chose her new partner over her son.
With no place to go and no close friends, Major lived on the street for two years. During this bleak period, he did odd jobs, learned to pick pockets and occasionally prostituted himself in order to eat. It was during this time that Major became aware of the processes of crime going on all around him, setting him on the path to pursue criminal justice. These events are also responsible for his trust issues and lack of interpersonal relationships.
With no place to go and no close friends, Major lived on the street for two years. During this bleak period, he did odd jobs, learned to pick pockets and occasionally prostituted himself in order to eat. It was during this time that Major became aware of the processes of crime going on all around him, setting him on the path to pursue criminal justice. These events are also responsible for his trust issues and lack of interpersonal relationships.
Gender Identity
Major's identity is fully male.
Sexuality
Though he has engaged in sexual activity, he does not like it nor the intimacy necessary for sex to be fulfilling; therefore, he avoids sex and physical closeness where possible.
Education
He joined the marines on his 18th birthday and put himself through college, subsequently earning a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering and a Master's in Criminal Justice, specializing in cybercrime, from the University of California in Irvine. Dance is mostly auto-didactic, being an avid reader, and has taught himself numerous skills.
Employment
Major Dance is career military and has no plans to retire.
Accomplishments & Achievements
A member of Mensa since the age of twelve, Major is a brilliant man. He was also one of the youngest Marines promoted to the rank of Major, which he speculates might well have been a gesture of military humor, given that the rank is the same as his name. He hopes to be proven wrong by ascending to Lt. Colonel early as well.
Mental Trauma
Major's ability to trust and engage in intimate relationships was seriously damaged when his mother kicked him out of their home at the age of 16. He has never recovered from this loss.
Intellectual Characteristics
He has a bright, quick mind, often leaping far ahead of others. He is accustomed to being the smartest one in the room, until meeting the Luminaries. He has a fondness for mental exercises and games that stretch his abilities.
Morality & Philosophy
He believes the Marine code of honor and behavior to his core. He is a soldier first and a man second.
Taboos
He observes a strict, old-fashioned moral code: never hurt a woman or child; never start a fight, but it’s okay to finish one; honesty is the best policy; don’t kill without a damned good reason.
Personality Characteristics
Motivation
At heart, he is a Protector. Having spent time in his youth in a vulnerable position, he vowed he would never be helpless again, nor would he stand by and allow others to be helpless. At previous posts, he spent off time at youth centers and helping out at homeless shelters.
Savvies & Ineptitudes
He’s good at fighting and picks up physical disciplines easily, but has no sense of rhythm so he can’t dance. Major is also tone deaf and never, ever sings.
Likes & Dislikes
o Likes peanut butter, Kona coffee, snowy or rainy weather, mental exercises, puzzles, keeping busy, reading, learning new skills
o Dislikes sex and intimacy, hot weather, sitting still, parties, drinking alcoholic beverages, getting high, being made to look like a fool
o Dislikes sex and intimacy, hot weather, sitting still, parties, drinking alcoholic beverages, getting high, being made to look like a fool
Hygiene
Prefers to be clean, but if he’s in the field he has no problem going for days without a bath.
Social
Contacts & Relations
Dance does not form deep relationships with others due to his trust issues. He occasionally dates women, but never more than twice.
Family Ties
Dance and his mother are estranged. He has no siblings or other relatives.
Social Aptitude
Dance can be affable and charismatic. He can also be harsh, prickly and cold, depending on the situation or the turn of a conversation. When dealing with other soldiers, whether of higher or lower ranks, he treats all with the same respect and business-like attitude. In dire situations, he is not afraid to take command and intimidate underlings to get the job done.
Major avoids flirtation and will leave a room if he perceives someone is showing overt interest in him. He usually turns down invitations to go out with the boys for a beer, preferring his own company or a good book to social interaction with others. If his attendance is required at a military social function, he can be charming and friendly, quick witted and funny.
Major avoids flirtation and will leave a room if he perceives someone is showing overt interest in him. He usually turns down invitations to go out with the boys for a beer, preferring his own company or a good book to social interaction with others. If his attendance is required at a military social function, he can be charming and friendly, quick witted and funny.
Mannerisms
Major Dance is comfortable in his own skin, whatever the situation... until someone gets close to him. He will relocate in close quarters to put distance between himself and the other person, sending clear signals that he is uncomfortable.
Hobbies & Pets
Major loves dogs and horses, animals he kept as a boy, but has not been able to have any since joining the military.
He has no real hobbies, but is interested in learning everything. When presented with the demonstration of a trade or skill that snags his attention, he will undertake study of it until he has a good grasp of the techniques.
He has no real hobbies, but is interested in learning everything. When presented with the demonstration of a trade or skill that snags his attention, he will undertake study of it until he has a good grasp of the techniques.
Speech
Major had gone to great lengths to remove his natural accent in favor of an American Broadcast accent. There is a slight nasal tone to his voice, which is deep and resonant. He's fond of picking up whatever slang is in vogue. Though he can speak eloquently with his enormous vocabulary, he takes pains to adjust to his perceived level of his audience in order to avoid being misunderstood.
Wealth & Financial state
Since the military provides for his basic needs, he doesn’t reach beyond that and lives comfortably on his pay.
“Artificial intelligence?” Col. Stewart asked, frowning in suspicion.
“Yes, sir, but not the SkyNet kind,” Dr. Lowe assured the officer with a trace of pride in face and voice.
The Terminator movie reference obviously brought unpleasantly realistic images to mind for everyone at the table.
“I’ll see to that,” Dance promised with an edge of irritation and a mighty scowl. “Computers do serve their purpose, but there’s far too much naughty and dangerous stuff happening on the Web, genies escaping bottles that ought to’ve remained corked up, and I don’t have a lot of patience with shenanigans. I’ll have watchers watching everything, and watchers watching the watchers to make sure everyone’s behaving properly on the official network.”
The Colonel nodded. “You should all know that Major Dance is very good at his job, which is why I picked him to be our security chief. Not a lot gets by him, and what does slip through he catches and corrects fast and hard.”
“Yes, sir, but not the SkyNet kind,” Dr. Lowe assured the officer with a trace of pride in face and voice.
The Terminator movie reference obviously brought unpleasantly realistic images to mind for everyone at the table.
“I’ll see to that,” Dance promised with an edge of irritation and a mighty scowl. “Computers do serve their purpose, but there’s far too much naughty and dangerous stuff happening on the Web, genies escaping bottles that ought to’ve remained corked up, and I don’t have a lot of patience with shenanigans. I’ll have watchers watching everything, and watchers watching the watchers to make sure everyone’s behaving properly on the official network.”
The Colonel nodded. “You should all know that Major Dance is very good at his job, which is why I picked him to be our security chief. Not a lot gets by him, and what does slip through he catches and corrects fast and hard.”
Honorary & Occupational Titles
Major
Station Security Chief, Windows Site, NYC
Station Security Chief, Windows Site, NYC
Date of Birth
March 27
Year of Birth
1971
Birthplace
Bozeman MT
Children
Gender
male
Eyes
Dark blue, almost indigo
Hair
Medium brown, worn longer than the traditional Marine "sidewalls"
Skin Tone/Pigmentation
Farmer's tan, fair beneath his clothes
Height
6' 2"
Weight
185
Quotes & Catchphrases
"Welcome to the Twilight Zone."
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