Rogues Gallery: The Tradesmen
The Cobbler/Titinius
Julius Caesar
A Radio Play
The Cobbler enters into verbal byplay with the somewhat pompous tribunes, Marulius and Flavius, who have come to clear the Roman streets of a crowd of gathered commoners awaiting a glimpse of Caesar. While recognizing his own humble origins, The Cobbler clearly is a clever and articulate man, exasperating the tribunes with his plays on words, puns and by deliberately misunderstanding all that they say. Amusing himself and the onlookers, for a few brief moments this man uses his wit to get the better of his superiors. It is only when he admits that "we make a holy day to see Caesar and rejoice in his triumph" that The Cobbler's tone turns serious, almost reverent, and he finally gives an honest answer to the questions he'd been asked.
Titinius is an officer serving under Cassius, and prior to battle he relays commands to his subordinates in the field, later returning for a military conference. A competent strategist in his own right, it is Titinius who observes that Brutus has sent in his troops too soon, resulting in the burning of Cassius' camps. Uncertain now whether the approaching army is friend or foe, Titinius is dispatched to determine their identities. When Titinius is surrounded by horseman, Cassius assumes the worst, and despairing, orders his servant to help him commit suicide.
But it was a tragic mistake, one Titinius learns of too late when he returns instead with news of a victory. "Alas, thou hast misconstrued everything!" he cries. Loyal to a fault, and overcome with grief and guilt at the death of his general and good friend, Titinius utters a moving tribute to his fallen leader, and stabs himself with Cassius' sword.
Construction Sign Man by Bus Stop
Falling Down
A long-haired, muscular man wearing jeans, tank top, an orange safety vest and bandana is stationed at the edge of a Metro Rail construction site, his sole duty to keep people out. He's an average guy in a mediocre job, who appears to enjoy the power that carrying a stop sign gives him.
It's the hottest day of the year when Bill Foster abandons his car in traffic gridlock, gives up waiting for the crowd to board a city bus, and searches for a way home on foot. He tries to cut across the construction site, but the man with the stop sign quickly moves to stand between Bill and his objective. Brandishing his sign like a shield, he is abrupt to the point of rudeness, as he sarcastically directs Bill to "Go around. Follow your tootsies."
Lloyd Nichols
Diagnosis Murder ("Murder at the Finish Line")
Lloyd Nichols is a former race car driver and later crew chief, who has been demoted to engine mechanic for a prominent stock car racing team. He's a brooding, bitter, hot-tempered man, taking out his frustrations on whoever is handy, particularly those who mention his fall from grace. It's this open hostility that brings him under suspicion when the team's lead driver is murdered.
Yet Lloyd continues to take pride in his work, and has a real affinity for the sleek race cars and their high performance components. When the back-up engine blows because someone spiked it with metal filings, Lloyd's voice softens with something akin to grief when he proclaims that they "tore her heart out."