DEN Character Interview: Enrique Suarez
“Gotta love a girl who loves thrill rides.”
– Enrique Suarez
Welcome back. We’re starting our second character interview to promote the official book launch for my new thriller, Den, which will be this Tuesday October 25th. It’s a Double Feature Book Launch Bash which also features The Dracula Journals Book 1: Dark Decades, by my friend, author Thom Reese.
Den is about Amy Raven, a disgraced college basketball star who tries to start her life over with a job at Gameland, an amusement park that’s making a comeback. But the park is really a live game in which Amy is hunted by various predators who compete to win her as their prize. I’m interviewing a few of the book’s primary characters, and tonight we’re speaking with another of Gameland’s staff, Enrique Suarez.
(Enrique, a handsome young Hispanic man with an infectious smile, strides into the room, meeting my gaze as he seats himself.)
RAD: Welcome, Enrique.
Enrique: Mr. Dunn. What’s up?
RAD: What’s your role at Gameland?
Enrique: My title is Assistant Park Manager. That really means I’m Gunther’s gopher.
RAD: You mean – ?
Enrique: Errand boy. I “go for” this and “go for” that. Whatever he tells me.
RAD: You okay with that?
Enrique: (shrugs) It’s a job, man.
RAD: So you take what you can get.
Enriq
ue: No, but I don’t sweat it. Gunther’s the Park Manager, and his dad’s the CEO. So I do what he says. But they hired me to help get the park going again because I know what I’m doing. Been working parks for six years now. So I’m handling all the administration, making sure we’ve got the right staff and they’re fully trained. Yeah, I’m a gopher and they’re working me like a dog, but they need me, man. And they know it. so I don’t sweat the small stuff.
RAD: That’s a lot of responsibility for someone your age. You’re, what, 22?
Enrique: 24, man. I worked for my uncle down in Mexico, did a lot of business management down there, so I know the ropes.
RAD: Do you hire staff?
Enrique: (frowns) Nah. Gunther does the hiring. (Silence.)
RAD: You have concerns about some of the people he’s hired?
Enrique: Like I said, it’s their park. If it were up to me, I wouldn’t have brought in the Dugans.
RAD: The archer twins.
Enrique: Yeah. Something’s off about those dudes.
RAD: What about the rest of the people working at Gameland?
Enrique: They’re fine. No problems to report.
RAD: Amy Raven’s your newest Gameland employee. What do you think of her?
Enrique: What do you think I think of her, man? She’s hot! I mean, smokin’!
RAD: (smiles) That seems a little unprofessional.
Enrique: Hey, if she says the word, I’ll back off. But I don’t think she will. She’s into me, and I’d be crazy not to be into her. Anyway, no rules against dating other staff.
RAD: What about rules against trainers dating staff?
Enrique: No rules, man. Trust me, I checked. Soon as I saw her picture. Even if there were rules against it, I got ways around that.
RAD: You have some kind of special influence?
Enrique: Something like that. They need me and they know it. So if I want to date the most gorgeous girl on staff, they’re not gonna hassle me over it
RAD: I got the impression from the Dugans that there’s more going on at the park than what the public’s been told. We all know the park was shut down seven years ago when Jennifer Haslin died in a fall from the Sky Hammer, Gameland’s giant drop. Have measures been taken to ensure that the park is safe now?
Enrique: Yeah. They hired me.
RAD: What does that mean?
Enrique: Means it’s safe while I’m there, man. (sours slightly) Gunther’s also put in some security measures on the rides. Nothing like that tragedy’s gonna happen again, don’t worry.
RAD: That’s reassuring, but the Dugans indicated something else about the coming weekend that sounded a little suspicious. Any reasons to worry about your staff, especially newer employees like Amy?
Enrique: Everything the Dugans say or do sounds suspicious. That’s why I’m watching them. I’m also keeping a close eye on Amy, don’t worry.
RAD: I thought you said the park is safe.
Enrique: (smiles) Doesn’t mean I can’t keep a close eye on her. Anything happens, I’ll be right there to keep her safe.
RAD: Don’t you have security to protect people at the park?
Enrique: As long as they handle it, sure. If not, I’ll step in.
RAD: So you have some kind of special training in security or law enforcement?
Enrique: I’m there to make sure things run smoothly at the park. And that’s what I’ll do.
RAD: You seem really invested in Gameland. Most people your age would consider this nothing more than a summer job.
Enrique: It’s a stepping stone, leading to bigger and better things.
RAD: Like what?
Enrique: I’m helping out here as a favor to my uncle. If I do a good job, he’ll take me on as a permanent partner.
RAD: What does your uncle do?
Enrique: Trades commodities.
RAD: Again, that’s surprising for someone your age. That’s what you want to do?
Enrique: If you saw the way he lives, the cars he drives, the size of his video screen, the girls hanging at his mansion – you’d want to become a stockbroker, too, man.
RAD: So you’re looking for the rewards, more than the job itself.
Enrique: Of course. You want something, you go for it, whatever it takes.
RAD: You feel that same way about Amy?
Enrique: Absolutely. Look, I’ve known a lot of women.
RAD: I got that impression
Enrique: Amy’s different. She’s – there’s just something about her I can’t stop thinking about, you know? It’s like – I know she can handle herself, but I want to be there to take care of her. Like, long-term.
RAD: That sounds pretty serious.
Enrique: About Amy Raven? – yeah, man. I’m real serious.
RAD: Well, thanks for joining me today. I hope everything works out for you.
Enrique: (winks as he shakes my hand) I’ll make sure of it, bro.
RAD: We’re working to learn more about the comeback of Grater Gameland and see if it succeeds. Meanwhile, watch for our next character interview, to meet the most integral part of Gameland. See you soon! Meanwhile, you can register for the Double Feature Book Launch Bash here!
#DenThriller
