Monkey Wrench

[ayen]

Monkey Wrench’s HellQ

Who are you? Sum yourself up in one sentence.
I’m a girl who loves robots and wants to make the world a better place.

Do you have any nicknames, street names, titles, or nom de plume?
Al, Monkey.

What is your full birth name?
Alexandra Melissa Durham Junior

Where do you live?
Safe part of Freedom City.

How old are you? What year were you born (if applicable)?
I was born August 1, 1986. Yes, I’m 29. Yes, I’m about to turn 30.

Physical Traits


What is your gender? If not applicable, please explain.
Female.

How would you describe your heritage?
German, Irish, and English. All white.

How tall are you?
5’6.

What is your body type?
Slim.

Do you have any particular weaknesses, such as allergies or physical disabilities?
I’m allergic to roses. I start to break out in hives if I touch them and I’ll sneeze a lot, but I can still breathe.

How do you carry yourself? Are you graceful, or heavy on your feet? Can you be stealthy, do you walk with confidence?
I’m not exactly graceful, but I’m not a klutz either. I probably should have taken dance lessons or something when I was a kid, but I didn’t. I’m just normal. I can be stealthy if I need to be though.

Describe your skin, eye, and hair color.
I have pale skin and I sunburn easily. I have blue eyes and dirty blonde hair.

How do you wear your hair, if applicable? Do you have facial hair?
Usually it’s back in a messy bun or a ponytail. If I’m feeling girly, I’ll put it in pigtails.

Do you consider yourself attractive? Do others?
I don’t really think about it much. I mean, if I’m attractive or not, I can’t really change it. Other people do seem to find me attractive, once they get over the fact that a girl is working on their cars.

Do you have any scars, tattoos, piercings, or birthmarks?
My ears are double pierced. I have a scar on my right ankle from when I broke it, the first and only time I tried ice skating (age 13).

Do you resemble anyone famous?
Nope.

Do you have a dominant hand?
Right.

What kind of clothing do you wear?
Generally, baggy jeans and boys’ tee shirts. My Captain America one is a favorite.

Do you wear makeup?
I wouldn’t know how if I tried.

What is your vocal range? Is your voice distinctive in some way?

I have a mellow voice, not too high and not very low. I can sing a little, but I’ve never been trained or anything.

Do you have any distinctive habits, nervous tics, or mannerisms? Where did they come from, and what causes them? Do other people notice and remark on these habits? Do they annoy you or other people?
I chew on pens and pencils when I’m thinking. My Bics and #2s are covered in teeth marks. It’s no big deal, except the guys in the shop have learned not to loan me their pencils.


History

Where do you come from?
Freedom City, born and bred.

Have you made any major moves, or do you live in your hometown?
I spent some time abroad when I was in the army, but I’ve always come home to Freedom City.

Do you feel loyal to your country of citizenship? Do you consider yourself patriotic? How do you feel about the government of your country?
I consider myself patriotic. I served my country proudly for eight years and I continue to serve it by being a good citizen. I don’t go much for politics, but I believe in my country.

How do you feel about the place you come from?
Freedom City is terrific. It’s a huge melting pot of cultures and influences. I love the diversity and the different people there.

Where is your home town? What was/is it like?
Freedom City was a great place to grow up. Safe enough to walk home after school, but still worldly enough to learn something from the neighbors.

Growing up, were most of the people you knew similar to you, or were you somehow a minority? How did that affect you?
I always knew that I was different. I loved to read and to invent and create while other people seemed content just to go through life as parts of machines. I didn’t want to be a part in a machine. I wanted to create a better machine. I didn’t get downtrodden, though. I pitied people who couldn’t try to be better.

Is there something you've always been really good at or really bad at? How has that affected your life?
I’ve always been amazing with robotics. Tell me what you want him to do and I can make a machine to do it. I’m also a great baker, if I do say so myself.

Were there any traumatic experiences in your early years (death of a family member, abandonment, orphaned at an early age)?
I never knew my mother. She died in childbirth. Because she died in childbirth, I was spared most of the trauma that could come with losing a parent. I was happy with just my dad.

Briefly describe a defining moment in your childhood and how it influenced your life.
When I was 11, I stayed up late one night to watch the news. I was watching a report on a local hostage situation when I saw my dad on TV. He looked so noble, directing other officers, talking to the news anchor. The story didn’t show how it ended, all they said was that some officer was shot and that the hostages were recovered. I was terrified that it was my dad, but at midnight, he walked in the door as usual. I started crying, but he gave me a big hug and promised that he’d always come home to me. It wasn’t until that night that it really occurred to me that some day, he wouldn’t. I wanted to protect him, even though I knew I was just a little kid. Knowing I could lose him made me even closer to my father.

What stupid things did you do when you were younger?
I didn’t have time to do many stupid things. I got up early every morning to help in my auntie’s bakery. But at night, when my homework was done, I had plenty of time to do whatever. I liked to take my inventions out to abandoned parking lots and malls to try them out. It wasn’t very safe, a girl on her own lugging a wagon full of parts, but I kept going.

Where did you go to school? How much school did you have, and did you enjoy it?
I went to Freedom City High School. I left school when I was 16 to help in my auntie’s bakery full time. School was okay, but it was full of a lot of pointless material and shallow people. Do I really need to know about Marlowe? Or Shakespeare? No. Do I really need to worry about who’s going to prom? No. I got my GED a month after I turned 17.

Do you have any mementos of your childhood? What are they, and why did you keep them? If you have none, why not?

When I was a little girl, I wanted a dog. My dad wouldn’t get me one. Instead, he got me a stuffed dog named Officer Barky. Officer Barky was good for a snuggle, but he was too soft. So I installed a robotic skeleton and basic movement commands. Now Officer Barky lives in my apartment. He wanders around the apartment on his own until I tell him “Bedtime, Officer Barky!†Then he goes and sits by the foot of my bed. Good dog.

I also have a baby blanket that my mother knitted me. I just can’t imagine getting rid of it. It’s a yellow and green striped blanket that I use as a pillow cover.


When did you decide to become a hero? Why? Did anyone influence you one way or another in the decision?
I knew from an early age that I would be a hero, but I didn’t really put it into words until I came home from the army. The army was great for helping people and working on machines, but it didn’t put my full skills to work. As Monkey Wrench, I can really use my devices to help people. I wanted to make the world safer for everyone, from police officers on their beat to kids sneaking out at night. I just wanted to make a fairer world.

Is the reason you give people for becoming a hero different than your real reason? If so, why?

What you see is what you get. There’s no point in telling people something different.


Do you have any deep, dark secrets in the past that may come back to haunt you?
Sorry, no.

Do you represent yourself as being different from who you really are? Why?
Not really. I do think we’re all a little different then the people we make ourselves out to be, but I try to be as honest as possible. Apart from having a secret identity, but that’s unavoidable.

If you do have these secrets, what do you fear would happen if the truth became known? How far would you go to protect those secrets?
n/a

Do you have any sort of criminal record? If so, is it public knowledge?
No criminal record. My dad would have killed me.

Family


What are your biological parents' names?
Alexander Durham and Melissa Durham.

Were you raised by them? If not, please explain and describe who raised you.
I was raised by my dad, Al Durham, and by my auntie, Katie Durham.

What was their standing in the community? What did/do they do for a living?
Dad was a police officer, good and upstanding. He was highly respected. Auntie Katie worked as a baker.

Where are your parents now?
Dad retired and lives on his own, about a half mile away from me. Auntie Katie lives across town, above her old bakery. She still goes down there from time to time to pick on the new owners.

Did your family stay in one area or move around a lot?
They’ve always been from Freedom City.

How did you get along with their parents? How do you get along with them now (if applicable).
Dad and I had an ideal relationship. I always loved and respected him and he always cared about me.

How do your parents view you now, or how would they?
Dad’s proud of me for my service to my country and for my “hobby.†He doesn’t know about the hero stuff, but I suspect he’d approve.

Do you have any siblings? If so how many and what are their names? Describe your relationship with them.
No siblings.

What was your birth order in the family?
First and only.

Where are your siblings now (if applicable)? Do they have families of their own? What do they do?
N/a

Do you stay in touch with them or have you become estranged?
n/a

Do you love or hate one member of the family in particular?
I’m very close to my father.

Is any member of the family special to you in any way (perhaps, as a confidant, mentor, or arch-rival)?
I’ve always looked up to my father as a sort of hero. He always does what is right and always takes care of the bad guys. Even in his retirement, he still volunteers at the local food pantry. I wouldn’t mind growing up to be just like him.

Are there any black (or white) sheep in the family (including you)? If so, please explain.
I wouldn’t say my family understands me, but I’d say they support me and that’s good enough.

Do you have a notorious or celebrated ancestor? If so, please explain, including how it has affected your life.
The Durham line goes way back, but we’re mostly simple folk. No politicians here.

Do you have a partner and children currently? If so, please describe them.
Nope. Single.

If you do not have a partner or children, do you want them someday? How firm are you in your opinion on this, and what might change your mind?
I think having a partner would be nice, but it’s hard to imagine someone who would keep up with me and who would support me in all my efforts. I’ve gone through a lot of effort to keep my hero side a secret; it’s hard to imagine someone I trusted enough to share that with. But it would be nice.

I think I want kids. It depends on the right man, though.

What type of person would be your ideal mate?
Intelligent, kind, strong. A hero in his own way. Quiet. Funny. Someone who would take an interest in my work, but not to beat me at it. Cute wouldn’t hurt either.


Relationships

Do you have any close friends? If so, please describe them, and how you came to be close to them.

My closest friends are probably Pedro Mendez and Johnnie Clark from the shop. Pedro’s a real joker, always cracking one about something or other. Johnnie’s a straight man. Between the three of us, the days go by fast. They’re always teasing me about settling down with one of them or the other. Once I pretended to have a secret admirer just to get them off my back, but I got bored of sending myself flowers.


Do you have a best friend? If so, how did they become your best friend? How close are you to your best friend?
My work is my best friend.

If you were to go missing, who would worry about you?
My family would be worried sick. I see my Dad several times a week and he’d worry if I didn’t show up for dinner. I don’t see Auntie Katie all that often, but I call her every Sunday and she’d freak out if I didn’t.

Have you lost any loves? If so, how did it happen, and what did you do?
I don’t think I’ve ever been in love. I’ve been in like a few times, but love just hasn’t happened for me.

Do you have any bitter enemies? If so, please describe them and their history with you.
No real enemies yet. I’m just starting my career as a super hero.

If you have enemies, how do you think they might attempt to work against you in the future?
n/a

What is the worst thing someone has done to you?
When I was 14, I had it bad for an 18 year old. I was only a freshman and he was a senior, but I was convinced it could work. He was having a hard time in shop class, so I invented a new multi-tool to help him out and gave it to him. He sold it on eBay. When I asked why he did that, he said it was just a toy.

Where do your loyalties lie? In what order?
1. My father.

2. My work.

3. Auntie Katie

Who or what do you trust the most? Why?
I trust my father the most. He’s never lied to me, even when it would have helped him.

Who or what do you despise? Why?
I despise criminals. Some people hurt others for no reason and I can’t stand them.

What qualities do you admire most in other people? Are these qualities you possess?
Honor, loyalty, bravery, intelligence. I like to think I possess those things.

What qualities do you hate most in other people? Do you have any of those qualities?
Sloth and selfishness. Can’t stand it.

Do you have a secret identity? If so, who knows it? Do you hide it from people who are close to you? Why?
Monkey Wrench’s secret identity is Alex Durham. No one knows it. I want to keep my loved ones as safe as possible and so I protect them from my potential enemies

Do you work well on teams and in groups? Are you a leader or a follower?
I can follow good ideas, but i have a hard time following along “just because.â€

Are you on a super team? If so, how do you get along with your comrades? Do you trust them, or do you have secrets from them?

No super team.

Are you a member of any church, fraternal organization, club, committee, political party, or other group? How much time do you spend on that?
Nope. The biggest thing I belong to is the Fantasy Football League at work. Which I am currently winning.


Personality & Beliefs

Who are your heroes?
I admire Commander Stars. He stands up for the little guy and fights for what he believes in. Other than him, Einstein, Tesla, and my dad.

Did you ever become disillusioned with former heroes or idols? If so, why and what were the circumstances?
My heroes have never really let me down. I guess it’s because I don’t idolize them. I look up to them, but I acknowledge that they’re human and they make mistakes, like normal people do.

Do you like being a hero? If so, what is the most rewarding part? If not, what makes you keep doing it?
I do like being a hero! The most rewarding part is going home at the end of the day and knowing I helped make the world a better place.

Is there anything that would make you give up hero work, or even switch sides?
I can’t say. It’s too new to me right now to imagine doing anything else.

What are your short term goals (what would you like to be doing within a year)?
I’d like to have perfected my body armor, the Samus. I plan to still be fighting crime, but also be to established within ArcheTech.

What are your long term goals (what would you like to be doing twenty years from now)?
I’d still like to be fighting crime, but I think I’d like to be a teacher of some kind. passing on my knowledge to the next generation.

What is your greatest fear? Why? What do you do when something triggers this fear?
My greatest fear is my devices gaining intelligence and rising up against me. I have no problem with AI, but I’d like to believe I’m a benevolent creator and they’d want to stay with me. Call it an abandonment issue. When something triggers this, I usually take extra care of my devices - extra polishing and tuning, almost to an obsessive point.

Is there anything you would give you life for?
Family, freedom, my country, take your pick.

How do you feel about money and material wealth? Do you desire it or disdain it? Are you miserly with what you have, or do you like to share? Is it a mark of success, or a means to an end?
Money is a tool. It can be used to accomplish great things, but it’s not consequential of itself. I share what I can and I put the rest to good use.

How do you generally treat others?
Well enough. Treat others as you would be treated and all that.

Are you a trusting person? Has your trust ever been abused?
I trust only a few people. It’s not that I’m distrustful, but trust needs to be earned, not freely given.


Are you introverted (shy and withdrawn) or extroverted (outgoing)? Do you have a lot of self-confidence?
I’m introverted and I admit it. I’m not much good around people. I can put up a front, but that’s it. Despite that, I’m still confident. I know I’m brilliant and that I have a lot to contribute to the world.

How do you act around attractive, available members of your preferred sex?
Oh geez. There’s a lot of blushing and babbling like an idiot about whatever project I’m working on until they leave.

What are your most annoying habits?
I chew on pencils, pens, tools, pretty much whatever I can get my mouth on. It’s probably not sanitary, but there it is. I like biting things.

I’m also a bit arrogant and I tend to look down on stupid people,

Do you feel contempt for any general category of people? Who are they, and why?
Ignorance is one thing. Ignorance can be overcome with education. But I can’t stand stupid people. I just can’t.


What is your favorite food? Do you prefer any particular type of food? Do you take the time to enjoy your food, or do you eat as fast as you can?
Philly cheesesteaks. Can’t get enough of them. I’ll eat them all day. I tend to wolf down my food.

What is your favorite drink (alcoholic or otherwise)?
Coke is the favorite.


What is your favorite treat (dessert)?
Oreos and milk.

Are there any specific foodstuffs that you find disgusting or refuse to eat?
Octopus. Seriously, who eats that?

What is your favorite color? Are there any colors you dislike?
I don’t care much about color, but I’d have to say I like blue. Dark blue. I dislike orange.

What sort of music do you like? Is there any that you hate?
I like rock and roll, everything from the ‘80s to modern. I don’t do rap.

If you have a favorite scent, what is it?
Jasmine. It’s one of the few things that can make me feel feminine.

Do you have a favorite animal?
I love dogs. I’ve always wanted one, but my lifestyle just wouldn’t work with a pet.

What is your most treasured possession? Why?
Apart from some childhood toys, I’d have to say my dogtags. They hang on my bedroom mirror. They’re a reminder of service and sacrifice well spent.

Do you enjoy "roughing it", or do you prefer your creature comforts?
I’ve roughed it enough, thank you. While it’s available, I’ll take my hot meals and warm bed.

Is there a job or a task you would absolutely refuse to do?
Licking someone’s shoes. I mean, gross.

Do you consider yourself a spiritual person? If so, how do your beliefs affect your life?How important is it to you?
I’m not a spiritual person at all. I believe in this life, one chance to make everything work.

Was your faith influenced or molded by anyone special?
My Dad influences my faith, naturally. Auntie Katie tried, but most of what I got from her Methodist church was that baking brings people together. I knew that already.

If you belong to a religious organization, how often do you attend? Do you have a specific place of worship, or friends within the organization? How much do you agree with the beliefs of your organization?
N/a

Could you kill? Have you killed?
I was in the army. In Iraq and Afghanistan. What do you think?

What circumstances led to you forming that conviction, or taking that action?
Everything fair in war.

Are there circumstances under which you believe it is permissible to kill? What are they?
I  believe there is a time and a place for it, yes, when you are fighting an evil or in the name of something right. Usually there’s another way, but sometimes it’s the only option left.

How would you react to watching someone kill another person? Would your reaction be different if the killer was a friend or an enemy of yours?
It matters a lot more who is being killed than who is doing the killing.

How would you react if something important was stolen from you?
Freak out for about 30 seconds, then cooly calculate how to get it back.

How would you react to public humiliation?
Not well. I’d probably hide for a week.

How would you react if a good friend or relative were purposely or accidentally killed? Has it happened to you?
I’ve been fortunate enough that no one in my civilian life has been killed on my watch. In my army life, people died all the time. You learn to live with it. It’s cruel and unfair, but that’s life sometimes.

What do you consider to be the worst crime someone could commit and why?
Raping a child. Do I have to explain it?

If your life were to end in 24 hours, what five things would you do in those remaining hours?
In no particular order: 1. Finish my body suit. 2. Get laid. 3. Find a replacement for me at the shop. 4. Tell my dad I love him. 5. Write a will.


Career & Training


Do you have any special training in your hero skills? If so, where and how did you get it?
My army training comes into play, but most of my robotics work is all self-taught. I just have a knack for it.

Who taught you the most about your heroing abilities? What was your relationship with that person?
No one taught me much. I checked out books from the library, I researched on the internet, I learned on my own terms.

Do you have any particularly unusual skills? How did you acquire them?
I bake. I suppose that’s not incredibly unusual, but I do it really well. Auntie Katie taught me in her shop.

Do you do something besides hero work for a living? Have you ever done anything else, or do you plan to?
I work as a mechanic at Leo’s Auto Shop. I’ve been doing that for a couple years. Someday, I’d like to go into teaching, but I’m not too sure how to go about that.

What is your preferred combat style?
Long range, via drones.

Have you ever received any awards or honours?
Distinguished Service Medal, 2008.

What skill areas would you like most to improve in? Is there anything you can't do that you wish desperately you could?
I’d like to learn to dance. I’m a terrible dancer.

How do you act around people who are more skilled than you in areas you'd like to improve? Are you jealous, or do you try and learn?
I do get a little jealous, but then I try to learn from them. No other way to improve.


Lifestyle & Hobbies

What is a normal day for you? How do you feel when something interrupts this routine?
Normal day, I wake up early and read the paper. Then I go down to the auto shop, have lunch, and work for about five hours. Then I stop by the grocery store and head over to Dad’s. We have a nice time, we play a little chess, I leave there around 8pm so he can get some sleep. Then it’s home to tinker and build until I pass around sometime around 2am.

Hero time has cut into my tinkering time, but I’m making it work. Generally I don’t like it when something interrupts my routine. I have a nice life. But when things disrupt it, I adapt and move on.

Do you have any hobbies, or interests outside hero work? What are they, and where did you pick them up?
As previously mentioned, I bake. A lot. When I’m not in my workshop, I’m in the kitchen. It soothes me. And feeds me.

What do you do for fun?
Baking, tinkering, chess.

Do you have a costume? What does it look like?
I want a costume, but I get embarrassed any time I try one. They just look silly on me. The closest I’ve gotten is a black get-up with a ski mask. On the ski mask is a red spraypainted wrench with the word “monkey†blocked out.

How do you normally dress when not in costume?
Jeans and graphic tees. And sneakers.

What do you wear to bed most nights?
A tee shirt and undies.

Do you wear any special jewelry? What is it, and what does it look like?
Jewelry would just get in the way.


Do you have a special place where you keep your valuables?
I have a shoebox under my bed that holds a couple pictures of me and dad growing up and a lock of mom’s hair.

What's your preferred means of local travel? How about long distance?
Generally, I drive. It’s just easier. Long distance, I fly or take the train.


Miscellaneous

Have you ever made a will, or tried to make arrangements for your death? What provisions did you make?
I’ve never made a will before, but it’s on my to-do list. Being a super hero has reminded me how fragile life is and I want to make sure my family is taken care of.

If your features were to be destroyed beyond recognition, is there any other way of identifying your body?
Nope. My face is what I got.

What would you like to be remembered for after your death?
For my brilliant inventions. And maybe for my lemon poppyseed muffins.

Do you believe you pose a threat to the public? Why or why not?
I don’t think I pose a threat, any more than a beat cop. I’m one of the good guys, just with a lot more toys.

What do you perceive as your greatest strength?
My brilliance.

What do you perceive as your greatest weakness?
I’m not good at much else than robots. Probably my interpersonal skills.

As a player, if you could, what advice would you give your character? Speak as if he/she were sitting right here in front of you. Use proper tone so they might heed your advice...

“Okay, Al. Listen up. You’ve been through some rough times. You have some rough times ahead. But you’re gifted. You need to learn to enjoy that gift more. Let yourself laugh and smile. Make some friends. You’ll need some allies. And it will all work out all right in the end. Just believe in yourself and believe in others, not just in machines.â€

 

 

[ayen]

Monkey Wrench’s 20 Questions

1. Where is your hero from?

Freedom City, New Jersey

2. How would your hero physically describe him/herself? Is this different from how others would?

“5’6. Blue eyes. Blonde hair. Skinny.â€

While MW’s description is accurate, it doesn’t cover everything, like the keen glint in her eyes when she spies a new project, or the deft and delicate way she handles her tools.

3. Does your hero have distinguishing speech characteristics or recurring mannerisms?

She chews on pens and pencils when she’s focused. Despite that, she doesn’t like gum.

4. What is your hero's motivation?

She wants to make the world a safer place for all good people.

5. What are your hero's greatest strengths and weaknesses?

Her greatest strength is her innovation. Her greatest weakness is her love for her father. It could very easily be turned against her if an enemy knew about him.

6. What does your hero love? What does your hero hate?

MW loves philly cheesesteak sandwiches and the sound of metal screws falling onto the floor. She hates traffic.

7. How would you describe your character's mental and emotional state?

Mentally, MW is a strong, capable, independent, intelligent woman. She knows what she wants and while she’s not entirely sure how to get it, she’s willing to try whatever it takes to get there.

Emotionally, she’s excited. Life seems to be really going her way. She’s eager to try this new life as a super hero and excited to see what it will bring her.

8. What does your hero fear the most?

Her father getting Alzheimers.

9. What is your character's greatest ambition?

To help build a safer future for all mankind, but especially for law enforcement.

10. How does your hero feel about the state of the world and his/her place in it?

She thinks it’s a dangerous world and that her place is to help make it safer.

11. Does your hero have any prejudices? How does he/she get along with others?

She has a problem dealing with “stupid people.†She just doesn’t have the patience for it. In general, she gets along with others. She’s a little short in her responses, but that doesn’t mean she’s not polite.

12. Where do your heroes loyalties lie? In what order?

1. Her father.

2. Her work.

3. Her country

13. Does your hero have a lover or partner? How do they feel about the hero now?

MW doesn’t have a partner or a lover.

14. Does your hero have a family? What is the relationship there like?

MW has a small family, just her, her father, and her aunt. She is very close to her father and visits him at least three times a week. She would be lost without him. She doesn’t have much in common with her aunt, but still calls her every Sunday.

15. How would the people closest to your hero describe him or her?

Father: “Al’s a special girl. Brilliant, always inventing something or other. I admire that girl.â€

Aunt: “She’s a sweet girl.A little too focused on her toys, but a decent man could fix that.â€

16. Is your hero a role model?

She’s a role model for the right person, but not everyone could follow her path.

17. How spiritual is your hero? Does your hero follow a relgious tradition?

MW isn’t spiritual at all. She believes in God, but she also believes in making your own destiny.

18. Is your hero part of a team, or would he/she like to be? Why?

She would like to be part of a team, but she isn’t sure how to go about making that happen or if she could trust people enough for that. She’s hoping ArcheTech can serve as a basis of making friends and allies.

19. How does your hero feel about the place of metahumans and aliens on Earth?

Immigration is the way of the future. Be nice to your neighbors and they’ll be good to you.

20. If you could give one piece of advice to your hero, what would it be?               

  “Put down the screwdriver, let down your hair, and go make some friends. The work will be here when you get back.†