Neighbor #4

Neighbor #4 was a tall, affable man in his early- to late- 40's. He was standing guard at a downtown hotel. "A short survey? Oh, okay. George, she wants to ask me a survey." George, the hotel doorman, nodded, looking at something over his other shoulder



Where do you live?
"Where do I live? I live in Bloomington."

What do you do?
"What do I do? I work here, hotel loss prevention, and I also do private security."

If you could have any super power, what would it be?
"Hoo, if I had a super power, what would it be... I wish I had the power for world peace."

In three adjectives, how would you describe yourself?
"Three adjectives to describe myself... honest, hard-working... consistent."

What's your favorite city or town?
"Good one! My favorite city... tough one... I'd have to choose Denver, Colorado. Or Atlanta. Yeah, it'd be Denver or Atlanta."

If you won the Powerball, what would be the first thing you'd do?
"If I won the powerball, what would I do... definitely something charitable."

In three words, how would you describe the United States?
"In three words, hm... well, it's still the best place in the world. We give a lot... it's humanitarian. We give a lot to foreign aide."

Do you own a gun? If not, would you?
"Do I own a gun? No. Would I? Yeah, I think you have to nowadays. I just haven't gotten around to it."

Who is your favorite movie star?
"My favorite movie star? Oh that's easy. Lawrence Fishbourne. And oh, Samuel L. Jackson. I like what he does." [George interrupted, asking what about Denzel?] "Oh, Denzel. But he's got a family, he doesn't make a lot of pictures like the other guys. He's a family man. Nothing wrong with that."

What's the strangest thing you own?
"What the strangest thing I own... hoo, that's tough. Hm. I've got an old truck I'm restoring. People always wonder why I've got that. I'm just taking my time restoring it, you know."

What's your favorite restaurant in Minneapolis?
"Hands down, Rudolph's!"

Can you dance?
[George snorted] "I'd like to think I can! Nah, can't really dance."

When I thanked him, he bent down and gave me a big hug, thanking me for the interview. He said it was very American of me. "You can stop by any time! Just ask for me, Jeff. Or George!"