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Bo Malloy
Q: We heard from your older brother Jed a bit about the family dynamics. What would you say is your place in the family?
A: I’m sixth of nine. Not quite in the middle, but close. I think I’ve been labelled the quiet one. The thinker. Not really sure if that’s true, but you could ask one of the others. Most Malloys have an opinion – even if it’s wrong!
Q: You have, in fact, been dubbed the mediator by some of your siblings. Do you think that’s correct?
A: Officially? No. Unofficially? Probably. I’m not trying to disrespect any of my brothers and sisters cause I love them all and would do anything for them, but if you haven’t noticed, there is a stubborn streak that runs pretty deep, not to mention most of the family are somewhat outspoken. Well, maybe not Will and Sissy so much, but the rest of them for sure. Sometimes that leads to ‘tension’, shall we say, and for some reason they come running to tell me about it. Not sure why, really, since I don’t always have advice, but I suppose I’m a good listener. Maybe that’s why.
Q: Perhaps you’re being too modest?
A: Well… I guess I’m the most level-headed one of the bunch when it comes down to it. I have settled a dispute or two in my day. Jed and Zeb fight all the time, most of it in fun. My older sisters Fanny and Mary don’t always get along, but they both left home early so I never had to settle much there. Will doesn’t tend to get in too many scrapes – actually scratch that. He gets in lots of scrapes but usually from doing something stupid on his bike, not because he doesn’t get along with people. Now, Reba is another story. It seems she was born fighting. Maybe it’s the red hair. And trouble seems to follow Pip wherever he goes, except he rarely pays for it. I guess that comes with being the golden boy.
Q: Do I detect a hint of sarcasm?
A: Oops. Maybe. Pip is my little brother and I love him the same way I love the rest of my family. That’s one thing you’ll find out pretty quick about the Malloys. Even though we may not see eye to eye all the time, we stick together when we have to. I guess what I meant was, Pip’s the baby, so naturally, he’s a bit more spoiled than the rest.
Q: What made you want to study mixology?
A: Honestly? I saw an ad at the local college and thought it might be fun. But once I got into it, I actually enjoyed the science behind it, if that makes sense. Some of my family don’t think it’s a good career – not manly enough or something ridiculous like that. But it suits me since I like to watch people and I’m a good listener. The tips are really good, too. The only part I don’t like is seeing people get out of control and not being able to do anything about it. Sure, I can cut people off if they’ve had too much to drink, but I can’t refuse to serve someone just because I know it’s a bad idea. Unless they’ve been banned from the place or something, but then that’s a whole other thing.
Q: What do you like to do for fun? Do you have any hobbies?
A: I like the outdoors. Fishing and stuff like that. I haven’t had the chance to do much of that since moving, but hopefully one day soon. I also like reading. Westerns mostly, but I’ll read just about anything if it’s in front of me.
Q: What made you move out west?
A: It’s hard to explain, really. I could have gotten a job at a bar back home, but I felt like I was stagnating – that my life was passing by and I had nothing to show for it. Two of my brothers, Jed and Zeb, had moved to Alberta several years ago and I always wanted to visit. So I saved up and decided to do it at Christmas time. I told Jed right from the start that I was going to look for work once I got there. I guess I just needed a change of scenery. An adventure before I get too old to care.
Q: But you’re still in your twenties.
A: True, but there was nothing holding me back in Newfoundland, so I figured the time was right.
Q: No relationships, I take it? Girlfriends?
A: If you’re asking if I moved because of a girl, the answer is no. I never had a serious girlfriend back in Newfoundland and I don’t have one here, either.
Q: So there’s no special someone in your life?
A: Um, no.
Q: You answered that fairly quickly. Care to elaborate?
A: No.
Q: I heard that you might have feelings for a certain someone. Is that true?
A: Who told you that? Jed? Reba? Listen, I may or may not like a certain female of my acquaintance, but to this point we are just friends and I don’t see that changing in the near future. Which is fine with me.
Q: I seem to have hit on a touchy subject.
A: That’s all I’m going to say. I may be the level-headed one, but I’m also a Malloy and that stubborn streak runs a mile wide. You won’t get any more out of me so you might as well quit trying.
Q: Understood. Where do you see yourself in five years?
A: That’s a tough one. I’d like to say married with kids, but I’m not sure that’s in the cards for me. If I think about it too much I get feeling depressed, so I try not to. I just take one day at a time and do the best I can.
Q: That sounds sensible. Thank you for stopping by today.
A: No trouble.
Vol 1 – Neighbourhood Tangle – JED
Vol 2 – Neighbourhood Watch – BO
Vol 3 – Neighbourhood Rebel – REBA
Vol 4 – Neighbourhood Upstart – PIP
Vol 5 – Neighbourhood Freedom – WILL
Vol 6 – Neighbourhood Cupid – ZEB
Vol 7 – Neighbourhood Wrap – FINALE
Creative use of the character!