Dan’s tall, but not too tall.  An oval-ish face, long nose, surprisingly graceful, perhaps because of the relative narrowness of it.  Brown eyes, on the lighter side, and very close cropped hair, nearly military (still), but accompanied by the mustache and goatee in the style of one of his influences/heroes, WEB DuBois.

He dresses as well as he can afford; while his suits aren’t specifically tailored, they’re clean and in good condition, if a little ill-fitting because of his body shape.

He moves more on the balls of his feet and his physique tells that story. For all the scraps he got in as a kid, and overseas, he’s never been a fighter, specifically.  But about six years ago, he discovered (he may well say ‘rediscovered’, but…) boxing.  Yes, as a late-20’s guy, and both more diligently and with more success now than then, he goes several times a week (when time permits, of course) to Gino’s, an Italian-run place between 2nd & 3rd on 123rd.  Sure, it’s a cross town bus, but it helps him keep his business separate.

Regardless, there’s a boxer’s strength to him; standing tall he has a presence; a slight lean back & he seems as open as a sunny morning, but with that bend in the knee and leaning into you? That can be looking down the business end of long gun.  The fast right jab to keep you off balance and then a wicked left hook; step in close and a half clinch into a crushing uppercut & lights out.

But he focuses on his charm, a friendly word, tending toward overly-complimentary.  A hint of tease, and bright pennies for the little ones he meets.  For all the horrors of war - and in the artillery, you just see less of it - Nothing will ever take the terror of the small children, lives suddenly torn asunder, from his psyche.  But being the shoulder to someone in need, a friendly voice, a Confrere; that’s who he is.