Interviewing My Protagonist
A heart-to-heart with Caleb Birch from Open House
*Below is an interview with Caleb Birch, the protagonist of my new horror novella Open House, published by PsychoToxin Press on June 15, 2023. Some liberties were taken to preserve the innocent…and the plot.
Me: Welcome Caleb! It’s so good to get to spend some time with you again. For those who haven’t had a chance to read Open House, can you tell us a little about yourself?
Caleb: Sure. I guess the first thing people will learn about me is my job. I’m a Realtor in Los Angeles. You know, the big multi-million dollar homes…those are mine to sell.
Me: Well, in fairness, you didn’t exactly sell your last listing. In fact, things got a little dicey for you when…
Caleb: Of course. *Clears throat* Look, I’m sure even if people haven’t read Open House they’ve at least seen the news reports about what went down that night, and really, I don’t blame you for bringing it up, but if we could just focus more on my career or maybe how I got to where I am -
Me: Is it true that you locked yourself in a bathroom because you were afraid of -?
Caleb: Okay, didn’t my publicist give you a “no ask” list?
Me: Sorry. Right. Of course. So, you mentioned about how you got to where you are today. Let’s get into it because I think it’s fair to say you became a rather large success. I’m sure your mother would be proud of all you’ve accomplished.
Caleb: Don’t mention my… *takes a deep breath*. Yeah, packing my bags and moving to California changed my life. For the better, obviously. I mean, it wasn’t always easy, even before the night that Open House is based on, but I knew I wanted to make a name for myself.
Me: And a lot of money.
Caleb: Well, yeah. I mean, is that so bad? We didn’t have a lot. My mom and me. She tried, but when you’re left raising a kid by yourself…You know, never mind. It’s all in the past. When I became a Realtor, I decided I would help others find their perfect homes to complete their perfect lives the same way I was searching for my own version of perfection.
Me: That’s…rather profound. And a little sad.
Caleb: *frowns* It’s not sad. Not all of us have storybook existences.
Me: I didn’t say -
Caleb: Some of us had to make up our own happy endings.
Me: I wasn’t trying to -
Caleb: You don’t get it. Of course you don’t.
Me: I mean, I wrote you into existence, so I think I get it a little -
Caleb: You’re just like her.
Me: Her? As in -
Caleb: Did she tell to come here? To mess with me? To ask me questions about my past?
Me: Whoa, just calm down. I think we got a little off track. Let’s take a breath -
Caleb: Because I’m not afraid. Get it? I’m. Not. Afraid.
Me: I think maybe we should call it a day -
Caleb: I’m not afraid.
Me: *Slowly walks to the door, pausing a beat to look over my shoulder at Caleb, who is sitting on his chair, rocking his body gentle and muttering*
Caleb: I’m not afraid.