Allow me to introduce you formally to the main players of my 99% written novel hit.the.floor. And this is something of a style departure for me (which is laughable in itself as I don't really have one), trying something totally new and much rougher, with more of a concept feel to it. I rather like it, but I know it's not to everyone's tastes. So, for those of you interested in the people I'm trying to portray, or if you'd like to decide whether I achieved my goal of putting across the varying personalities, here's a quick left to right run down of who's who:

1). MIGUEL CARRERAS (Mig)- he's Nick's best friend and constant support, a Spaniard. He's easy going and not at all prone to violence, much preferring negotiating to drawing weapons or fists. He's Toni's only real ally, aside from Steve, at least until Nick finally accepts she's on his side.

2). TONI BUCHANNAN - my main heroine, a feisty, vampish woman with a very sharp mind, not afraid to risk herself, she has real balls. An innocent thrown into the lion's den of criminals thanks to Jay, she seeks to regain her freedom rather than accept fate, whatever the cost. When Mig convinces her to join Nick's plight, she returns to the Polanski's clutches, only to play the actress and retrieve Nick's father's work.

3). NICK TESTONI - My hero, a character full of shades of grey. He's no angel, has done things in his past that would send him straight to the gates of Hell, but when his father is killed aboard a plane that explodes, his sister is then murdered in front of his eyes and one of his closest allies betrays them, he is left with nothing but grief and a burning desire to continue the legacy his father left him. But he is very much a David against the Goliath might of the far-reaching Polanksi empire, and plagued by paranoia and doubt in himself. He is an uncanny markman with handguns, and favours a SIG 226 limited edition, given to him by his father as an eighteenth birthday present. His gift comes at a price, however, the concentration levels leaving him with crippling headaches and blackouts if things get hectic.

4). JAY POLANSKI - The brawn half of the Polanski brothers, Jay is a charistmatic sexual charmer with a lust for violence and belittling those not deemed worthy to him and his brother. Good looking, he trained in the Navy for a short while, until he was dismissed for beating a fellow cadet to within an inch of his life and then accused of raping two women on shore leave. He loves women who initially fall for his classic good looks, as Toni does, then are repulsed by his predatorial nature, seeking to take them against their will. But he finds a true attraction to Carrie, swayed by her innocence and softness. He's prone to bouts of insane rage, and the only person he truly listens to is his brother, Jake, holding him in a god-like esteem.

5). JAKE POLANKSI - Most definitely the brains of the Polanski enterprise, Jake has an incredible brain for both business and crime. He's methodical, cool and rarely looses his temper. Always to be seen in a well tailored suit, or honing his physique, Jake too has a history in the Navy, where he reached officer status before leaving when his wayward brother was dishonorably discharged. He runs the businesses that their criminal activities run behind. Of all the people in this novel, he's the one you really don't want to cross.

6). CARRIE BLACK - Carrie is neither a heroine, nor a villain. Like Toni, she is an innocent thrown into the fray, but she is much more the submissive of the two women, much more comfortable with doing whatever Jay asks of her to keep herself and her best friends safe. Her innocence and alluring gentleness win Jay's heart, though they can't subdue his carnal desires. She eventually saves Jay from the machinations of Jake's other half, Karen, who is her main nemesis throughout the novel, and in doing so gains the trust of both Jay and his brother.

7). STEVEN CONNOR (Steve) - Steve is Jay's right hand guy. He's a good guy at heart, but revels in the lifestyle that their activies afford them. He's British and has a very sarcastic sense of humour, mixed with a real joker's streak, he's the cheeky guy next door who would get past anyone with a grin and a tall tale. He falls for Toni in a big style, and is her safe port when Jay's violent sexual desires begin to surface. Not averse to violence, but tends to leave most of that to Jay. He's also a label whore, always in the latest designer stuff with the newest tehcnological gadgets in his hands.

8). KARL ROLLINGER - The mercenary who betrays Nick's father and arranges his murder, Karl is the killer without a conscience, but incredibly loyal to those who can afford the price he asks. He's Jake's best guy, an efficient worker who solves pretty much any problem thrown at him. He was born to a Russian mother, but given up for adoption at a very early age, retaining a certain innate degree of coldness of his native country's people. Not a man of many words, he's much more one to let his talents with a hand gun do the talking.

- - - - - - - - - - - - -

All done in Photoshop from scratch with very little reference, mostly for the hands.