Article
ooc: Since I doubt it can be done in a week, I am *handwaving* the whole interview-to-publication process. Hurrah!! Thanks to Terry!mun and JP!mun for their suggestion for the magazine this is being 'published' in. Nor do I actually know when it hits the newstands. *shrugs and handwaves somemore* :) WARNING: Some images. For theatrical_muse 219: Headlines.
The following article appears in The Rolling Stone magazine Thursday, July 10. Pages 72-76.
Bad Boy Gone Good Man? An interview with John "Pyro" Allerdyce
By Amanda Apple. Photography by Michael Muller
How do you prepare for an interview with a young man that was once considered a terrorist? Who, although has apparently had a change of heart, has yet to tell the public that he has?
To say that I am a bit nervous and feeling completely out of my league to be conducting an interview with infamous bad-boy mutant, John "Pyro" Allerdyce, is a bit of an understatement as I wait in the ritzy hotel room that I’ve been put up in.
There’s a knock on the door, and I start recording the conversation. I haven’t been allowed to video tape it, but I have pre-approval to audio record it right from the get-go. I answer the door, and standing before me is an average height man and a short woman.
I know from his pictures and news clips that this is John Allerdyce. The woman with him could only be Rosa Garson, who is on the Board of Directors for the Cassidy Heath Center, a no-profit organization that Mr. Allerdyce works for. She is the one who set up this interview.
She introduces me to him, instructs him to be on his best behaviour and answer truthfully, and suddenly, she’s gone. And it is just me and the former criminal in a room together.
“Can I offer you a cigarette,” I ask him, taking out my own packet, hoping the sweet nicotine will calm my nerves.
“Don’t smoke,” he says shortly, dropping into a chair at the little table I have my recorder and notebook at.
“Really? I though you would.”
“Why would you think that?”
I thought that answer was obvious, considering the man used to go by the name Pyro. “Um. Fire?”
He snorts. The cocky little shit snorts at me. “It tastes like dead.”
I have no clue what he’s talking about. “Huh?”
“Ash. Cigarettes taste like ash. That’s the end of fire. The result of the destruction. I much prefer fire when it’s alive.”
Um. Okay then. I can’t decide if John is deep, or maybe crazy. Possibly both.
“Right. Okay. So. I guess I should ask questions.” I sound like I’ve never interviewed anyone before. I’ve interview Bon Jovi. And Brad Pitt! You think I could get through one interview with one twenty year old young man.
“Do you still kill humans?” I ask bluntly.
I’m not here to find out about his past, as a child, or as a teenager, or even as a member of the Brotherhood; there are dozens of articles about that out there. John even talks about it in his own blog. Those answers and stories have been given over and over.
I want to know about now.
He answers immediately. “Absolutely not.”
“But you did?”
“I believed they were casualties in a war.” John’s answered come fast and furious, quickly but not rehearsed, exactly. Like he believes them. Like he really does. Or did. It makes asking him questions much easier. He seems to appreciate my direct approach, and the interview goes much faster and easier then I imagined.
What makes things different now?
I’m not a member of the Brotherhood anymore. It’s not expected of me.
And why aren’t you a member of the Brotherhood?
I betrayed them, to go work with the Freedom Force. To get pardons for myself, and a loved one. To be free. [He laughs scornfully]
What?
The Freedom Force wasn’t exactly living free.
Why aren’t you with them now?
They are a bunch of lying bastards.
Who did you believe in more, the Brotherhood or the Freedom Force.
[He answers immediately:] The Brotherhood.
Why?
I felt like I was helping with them. That’s all I ever wanted to do - help mutants. With the Freedom Force, it just always felt like they were using me, and my betrayal of the Brotherhood, to better their own image. They didn’t care about helping anyone, not really.
You didn’t like your work with them?
I did some good things.
And you wouldn’t go back to working for them?
Hell, no.
Why aren’t you back with the Brotherhood?
[He snorts, and answers sarcastically.] Yeah, right. Because after what I did to them, they’d welcome me back with open arms.
Say that isn’t the issue. Say all that was forgotten, or whatever. If you had the choice to go back to the Brotherhood, in a welcomed way, in any way… would you?
No.
Why not?
It’s not my place anymore.
Do you still believe in what they do?
[John sighs. He seems closed up again. ] This is what I’m here for, right? To answer this question.
Why aren’t you?
I hate that I’m being forced into this.
Is your answer, which you have yet to give, going to be a lie?
No. It’s not.
Then what’s the problem?
You see, I’m still dealing with shit. It’s not as black and white as everyone wants it to be. I lived my life like that for almost four years. And I believed in it thoroughly, for much of the time. Not towards the end, no, and that’s why it made it easier to leave.
But I did so much shit, and I need to deal with that now. And it doesn’t make it any fucking easier with people pressuring me, or backing me into a corner like this. I just want to live my life. I want to move on. I want to be able to do this on my own terms, not everyone else’s.
And yet you’re here.
Yeah, I am.
Why?
Because of the work I’m doing now. I’m working for a non-profit organization that was created by two of my best friends to help mutants. I’m getting that chance, to help, like I always wanted. And because me and my best friend have plans to continue that help, to extend it to runaway kids on the street. To help the public image of both, to get people to see the man I have become, and to get their support… this needs to be done.
Even if you’re not ready?
I am, but I’m not. Not like this. But others are.
Others who? Who are you doing this for, if not yourself?
It’s not that I’m not doing it for myself. I am, in a way, I’m just private about that. I want to deal with it on my own, not in front of the public. But I guess if I’m a public figure, it doesn’t work that way.
I’m doing it for my lovers. For my friends. For the people who love me and support me. It deserves to be acknowledged, for them, because without them… I wouldn’t be where I am today. I’m doing it for those who are sceptical. For those who don’t trust me. For those who hate me. For those who want me to be punished. Even for those who don’t give a rat’s ass.
So, then tell them.
Fine. I will. And it’s the truth, you know? But. This is me, publicly declaring it: I am not with the Brotherhood. I do not want to be. And I do not support them or their methods.
Why did it take you so long to do that? Why was it so hard?
Like I said, I'm still dealing with it. Transitioning. I don't believe in the Brotherhood anymore, but it's hard to let go of so much of who I was. I am, but it's not easy. And I feel like people are going to hold my past against me, so what's the point? They aren't going to believe me just because I say it. I have to do something. And I'm still figuring that part out.
And because… I’m still Pyro. I’m not the same Pyro that was with the Brotherhood. But people will only believe that I’m “Pyro, Member of the Brotherhood.” That I’m a bad guy. That I only want death and destruction and genocide. But I never wanted any of those things. And I’m still Pyro.
How are you still Pyro, if you’re not a member of the Brotherhood?
I’ve been Pyro since I was thirteen years old, when my powers manifested. Since I became a mutant. I was Pyro when I was a street kid. I was Pyro when I was at Xavier’s. I was Pyro when I was with the Brotherhood. I was Pyro when I was with the Freedom Force, even though they refused to call me that because of the connection with the Brotherhood. And I get that, I do. But I’m still Pyro now.
Pyro and John are the same person. I can’t distinguish between the two of them like that anymore. Pyro and John went through a lot, and changed their opinions, and grew up. But others won’t see it like that.
They’ll see Pyro as a Brotherhood member.
[He nods.] And they’ll hold that against me. Names are a big thing amongst mutants, and other super-powered people; some like them, some hate them, some use them to hold against other people. That Pyro, the one with the Brotherhood, will be held against me forever.
How is this Pyro - this John - sitting in front of me right now different then the one six months ago? A year ago?
I can tell you how they’re the same.
Okay, how?
They both want to help, and they both want to deliver hope to mutants.
And how their different?
The method of delivery. Education and resources instead of violence.
If you could sum up your life as it is right now, how would you do it?
Moving on.
And how are you going to do that?
But making it through this transition period. By finding a way. I know I have a lot to make up for. I did some shitting things in the past, and I need to do something to fix it - for the people that were hurt, and for myself. But I need to find the way that’s right for me. My new work is one way. It’s a first step. I’ll find the rest of the steps, somehow.
And whether or not John Allerdyce, Pyro, will like it - people will be watching.
One copy is delivered to the Cassidy Heath Center, to the Beaubier Residence, and to the Ramsey-Allerdyce Residence.
The following article appears in The Rolling Stone magazine Thursday, July 10. Pages 72-76.
Bad Boy Gone Good Man? An interview with John "Pyro" Allerdyce
By Amanda Apple. Photography by Michael Muller
How do you prepare for an interview with a young man that was once considered a terrorist? Who, although has apparently had a change of heart, has yet to tell the public that he has?
To say that I am a bit nervous and feeling completely out of my league to be conducting an interview with infamous bad-boy mutant, John "Pyro" Allerdyce, is a bit of an understatement as I wait in the ritzy hotel room that I’ve been put up in.
There’s a knock on the door, and I start recording the conversation. I haven’t been allowed to video tape it, but I have pre-approval to audio record it right from the get-go. I answer the door, and standing before me is an average height man and a short woman.
I know from his pictures and news clips that this is John Allerdyce. The woman with him could only be Rosa Garson, who is on the Board of Directors for the Cassidy Heath Center, a no-profit organization that Mr. Allerdyce works for. She is the one who set up this interview.
She introduces me to him, instructs him to be on his best behaviour and answer truthfully, and suddenly, she’s gone. And it is just me and the former criminal in a room together.
“Can I offer you a cigarette,” I ask him, taking out my own packet, hoping the sweet nicotine will calm my nerves.
“Don’t smoke,” he says shortly, dropping into a chair at the little table I have my recorder and notebook at.
“Really? I though you would.”
“Why would you think that?”
I thought that answer was obvious, considering the man used to go by the name Pyro. “Um. Fire?”
He snorts. The cocky little shit snorts at me. “It tastes like dead.”
I have no clue what he’s talking about. “Huh?”
“Ash. Cigarettes taste like ash. That’s the end of fire. The result of the destruction. I much prefer fire when it’s alive.”
Um. Okay then. I can’t decide if John is deep, or maybe crazy. Possibly both.
“Right. Okay. So. I guess I should ask questions.” I sound like I’ve never interviewed anyone before. I’ve interview Bon Jovi. And Brad Pitt! You think I could get through one interview with one twenty year old young man.
“Do you still kill humans?” I ask bluntly.
I’m not here to find out about his past, as a child, or as a teenager, or even as a member of the Brotherhood; there are dozens of articles about that out there. John even talks about it in his own blog. Those answers and stories have been given over and over.
I want to know about now.
He answers immediately. “Absolutely not.”
“But you did?”
“I believed they were casualties in a war.” John’s answered come fast and furious, quickly but not rehearsed, exactly. Like he believes them. Like he really does. Or did. It makes asking him questions much easier. He seems to appreciate my direct approach, and the interview goes much faster and easier then I imagined.
What makes things different now?
I’m not a member of the Brotherhood anymore. It’s not expected of me.
And why aren’t you a member of the Brotherhood?
I betrayed them, to go work with the Freedom Force. To get pardons for myself, and a loved one. To be free. [He laughs scornfully]
What?
The Freedom Force wasn’t exactly living free.
Why aren’t you with them now?
They are a bunch of lying bastards.
Who did you believe in more, the Brotherhood or the Freedom Force.
[He answers immediately:] The Brotherhood.
Why?
I felt like I was helping with them. That’s all I ever wanted to do - help mutants. With the Freedom Force, it just always felt like they were using me, and my betrayal of the Brotherhood, to better their own image. They didn’t care about helping anyone, not really.
You didn’t like your work with them?
I did some good things.
And you wouldn’t go back to working for them?
Hell, no.
Why aren’t you back with the Brotherhood?
[He snorts, and answers sarcastically.] Yeah, right. Because after what I did to them, they’d welcome me back with open arms.
Say that isn’t the issue. Say all that was forgotten, or whatever. If you had the choice to go back to the Brotherhood, in a welcomed way, in any way… would you?
No.
Why not?
It’s not my place anymore.
Do you still believe in what they do?
[John sighs. He seems closed up again. ] This is what I’m here for, right? To answer this question.
Why aren’t you?
I hate that I’m being forced into this.
Is your answer, which you have yet to give, going to be a lie?
No. It’s not.
Then what’s the problem?
You see, I’m still dealing with shit. It’s not as black and white as everyone wants it to be. I lived my life like that for almost four years. And I believed in it thoroughly, for much of the time. Not towards the end, no, and that’s why it made it easier to leave.
But I did so much shit, and I need to deal with that now. And it doesn’t make it any fucking easier with people pressuring me, or backing me into a corner like this. I just want to live my life. I want to move on. I want to be able to do this on my own terms, not everyone else’s.
And yet you’re here.
Yeah, I am.
Why?
Because of the work I’m doing now. I’m working for a non-profit organization that was created by two of my best friends to help mutants. I’m getting that chance, to help, like I always wanted. And because me and my best friend have plans to continue that help, to extend it to runaway kids on the street. To help the public image of both, to get people to see the man I have become, and to get their support… this needs to be done.
Even if you’re not ready?
I am, but I’m not. Not like this. But others are.
Others who? Who are you doing this for, if not yourself?
It’s not that I’m not doing it for myself. I am, in a way, I’m just private about that. I want to deal with it on my own, not in front of the public. But I guess if I’m a public figure, it doesn’t work that way.
I’m doing it for my lovers. For my friends. For the people who love me and support me. It deserves to be acknowledged, for them, because without them… I wouldn’t be where I am today. I’m doing it for those who are sceptical. For those who don’t trust me. For those who hate me. For those who want me to be punished. Even for those who don’t give a rat’s ass.
So, then tell them.
Fine. I will. And it’s the truth, you know? But. This is me, publicly declaring it: I am not with the Brotherhood. I do not want to be. And I do not support them or their methods.
Why did it take you so long to do that? Why was it so hard?
Like I said, I'm still dealing with it. Transitioning. I don't believe in the Brotherhood anymore, but it's hard to let go of so much of who I was. I am, but it's not easy. And I feel like people are going to hold my past against me, so what's the point? They aren't going to believe me just because I say it. I have to do something. And I'm still figuring that part out.
And because… I’m still Pyro. I’m not the same Pyro that was with the Brotherhood. But people will only believe that I’m “Pyro, Member of the Brotherhood.” That I’m a bad guy. That I only want death and destruction and genocide. But I never wanted any of those things. And I’m still Pyro.
How are you still Pyro, if you’re not a member of the Brotherhood?
I’ve been Pyro since I was thirteen years old, when my powers manifested. Since I became a mutant. I was Pyro when I was a street kid. I was Pyro when I was at Xavier’s. I was Pyro when I was with the Brotherhood. I was Pyro when I was with the Freedom Force, even though they refused to call me that because of the connection with the Brotherhood. And I get that, I do. But I’m still Pyro now.
Pyro and John are the same person. I can’t distinguish between the two of them like that anymore. Pyro and John went through a lot, and changed their opinions, and grew up. But others won’t see it like that.
They’ll see Pyro as a Brotherhood member.
[He nods.] And they’ll hold that against me. Names are a big thing amongst mutants, and other super-powered people; some like them, some hate them, some use them to hold against other people. That Pyro, the one with the Brotherhood, will be held against me forever.
How is this Pyro - this John - sitting in front of me right now different then the one six months ago? A year ago?
I can tell you how they’re the same.
Okay, how?
They both want to help, and they both want to deliver hope to mutants.
And how their different?
The method of delivery. Education and resources instead of violence.
If you could sum up your life as it is right now, how would you do it?
Moving on.
And how are you going to do that?
But making it through this transition period. By finding a way. I know I have a lot to make up for. I did some shitting things in the past, and I need to do something to fix it - for the people that were hurt, and for myself. But I need to find the way that’s right for me. My new work is one way. It’s a first step. I’ll find the rest of the steps, somehow.
And whether or not John Allerdyce, Pyro, will like it - people will be watching.
One copy is delivered to the Cassidy Heath Center, to the Beaubier Residence, and to the Ramsey-Allerdyce Residence.