Reality Shifted app

[jackalpi]

Timezone: ET
Other Characters: Jamie McCrimmon
Character: Damian Spinelli
Series: General Hospital
Deviance: 1
Age: 30 (April 27th, 1978)
Gender: male
Species: human
Canon Used: Soap canon as aired on TV.
Appearance: Photo 1 Photo 2

Psychology:

A self-professed computer geek, Spinelli is highly intelligent, well-read and somewhat lacking in social skills, stemming from many years spent cultivating what he refers to as his "cyberskills". Since most of his time is spent in front of a computer, he is awkward around people, often coming across as anything from mildly quirky to eccentric, with at least one citizen of Port Charles (Sonny Corinthos) referring to him as "Freak of the Week". He has a unique way of saying things, and a tendency to give everyone around him nicknames based on his perceptions of their character, like 'Stone Cold' for mob enforcer Jason Morgan or 'Maximista' for his paramour, Maxie Jones, who works for the fashion magazine Crimson. He has a nickname or two of his own, often (but not always) referring to himself in the third person as 'The Jackal', or using names like 'The Assassin of Cyberspace', 'The Grasshopper' or his alter-ego 'Jackal P.I.'.

'The Jackal' is also given to flights of fantasy, imagining himself in situations where he is suave and debonair, and often cultivating the persona of hard-bitten, Sam Spade-esque gumshoe Jackal PI in these daydreams - dreams which he made partially come true upon acquiring his private investigator's license. Even with this, Spinelli is not the world's most talented detective. While he is certainly brilliant enough to handle the deductive aspect of things, he is woefully deficient in the use of firearms, in fact managing to shoot himself in the foot while trying to use a gun. He also goes through a learning curve when it comes to remaining unseen while on a stakeout and other stealth-related skills, and while he has improved in these he is still much stronger behind the computer screen than behind the dashboard of the car. What he lacks in subtlety he makes up for in enthusiasm, often expressing his joy in an almost child-like glee. However, he is also often prone to periods of self-doubt, usually in regards to his perceived lack of manliness, something he desperately wishes to be rid of. He rarely drinks alcohol unless quite upset, preferring instead to sip the "nectar of the gods", orange soda. While his favorite food is barbeque potato chips, as of late he is starting to move to a slightly more healthy life-style, enjoying organic foods, smoothies and the benefits gained by practicing yoga.

He considers Jason Morgan to be not only his friend, but mentor, wise in the skills that show "manly prowess" - traits that Spinelli fears he lacks. Usually this wish coincides with the urge to impress the object of his affection, Maxie Jones. Spinelli is a firm believer in the ways of courtly love, and tries to make himself worthy of her by acting bravely and honorably, and by doing whatever deeds she might desire of him.

Other Skills/Abilities:

Spinelli is a highly skilled computer hacker, with the ability to work his way into government databases with seemingly little effort. He is able learn new computer systems quickly, unearth information with ease and falsify records with only a few keystrokes. He is an excellent computer programmer as well, having created a successful video game - "The Saga of Stone Cold" - in the past. He is also not half bad with accents and impressions, having pulled off both a convincing Australian accent and a reasonable Bogie-as-Sam Spade impression - the latter often coming up when he slips into fantasies involving Jackal P.I.

Other Weaknesses:

Human weaknesses in general, lacks a spleen, prone to motion sickness, has a fear of clowns (which isn't a weakness, per say, but if fears ever come back to life again...)

History:

History link, up to the section 'Winifred and the Hospital crisis'. However, while he has gotten through the hospital crisis and he discovered the FBI is still after him, the evidence that they have against him is at this point has not yet been destroyed, leaving him feeling as though he needs to go on the lam.

Canon Point:

March 4th, 2009, after leaving a good-bye note for Jason.
(http://soaps.sheknows.com/generalhospital/update/id/6197/A_Tender_Kiss_Goodbye/)

Reality Description:

Port Charles, located in Western New York, not too far from Buffalo and Rochester. Like any other city its size, it boasts the usual sort of locations one would tend to find - hotels, diners, bars, parks, a waterfront...and of course, hospitals, including General Hospital. It also has its share of well-to-families, including the Quartermaines and the Cassadines, the latter family maintaining a mansion on nearby Spoon Island.
In many aspects it is a normal city on the outside, but under the surface it soon becomes evident that there is a darker underside to be found there, one controlled by the mob, with warring factions often trying to take territory from one another. Many of the residents of Port Charles are well aware of the existence of the mob, for their lives are intertwined in one way or another with the members of the various families, and when things happen in Port Charles, they tend to happen on a very grand scale.
It is also a place where strange and unusual things happen, some of which seem would seem quite bizarre, like alien visitations and vampires stalking the streets. But except for those who have experienced it directly, these occurrences are often written off as fantasy or delusion - or in some cases, never acknowledged at all. Surely the fact some people have a completely different face now than they did before is due to plastic surgery, or that many of the children that live here seem to grow up overnight is simply coincidence. If someone dies, they may very well vanish for years and then turn up again as though nothing is wrong, with only a barely believable story as to why they survived when there are witnesses to the (often) horrific means of their 'demise'. But sometimes dead is dead as well. It all depends on if there's a body to be found afterwards. In short, though, it is a place much like regular Earth, with dramatic twists and turns in people's everyday lives...well, and the usual oddness that comes with living in a soap opera world.

(For a very lengthy listing of the various buildings and locales throughout city, please see the page http://general-hospital.wikia.com/wiki/Port_Charles,_New_York )

Important NPCs -
Jason 'Stone Cold' Morgan - born Jason Quartermaine, once a bright teenager studying to be a doctor. Became an organized crime family enforcer and hitman for Sonny Corthinos after a massive head injury resulting in brain trauma. At the canon point in the app, recently returned Sonny's organization to him after a stint where Sonny had stepped down and handed over the organization to him. Currently is a reluctant informant for the FBI, having been forced into working for them in an effort to get the hacking charges against Spinelli currently dropped. Arguably Spinelli's best friend, one who he sees as a mentor. Generally quite taciturn and seemingly emotionless, but much more complex than he appears on the surface. (If you want more information, his wiki entry is here: http://general-hospital.wikia.com/wiki/Jason_Morgan_%28Steve_Burton%29>)

Mariah Maximilliana "Maxie" Jones - Dubbed 'Maximista' by Spinelli, she is the love of his life. The daughter of Frisco and Felicia Jones, she was diagnosed with Kawasaki disease and received a transplant at a young age, her new heart provided by the untimely death of her cousin B.J. Maxie is, on the outside, vain and not above scheming to get what she wants. However, on the inside, she is hiding a large amount of insecurity stemming from a feeling of abandonment by her parents, both of whom had left town when she was still young, leaving her and her sister in the care of her uncle, Mac Scorpio. It took the death of her sister Georgie for Felicia to return, and at the time of Spinelli's canon point, Frisco has shown no signs of making contact any time soon. She is employed at Crimson Magazine as an assistant to the editor Kate Howard. (Maxie's wiki entry is here: http://general-hospital.wikia.com/wiki/Maxie_Jones_%28Kirsten_Storms%29)

Samantha McCall - "Fair Samantha" is Spinelli's friend, an ex con who who has turned her skills towards a more investigative bent and is working towards becoming a private investigator. At this point in canon she has not yet opened the private investigation agency with Spinelli, but the creation of McCall and Jackal PI is on the horizon. Previously involved with Jason Morgan, they are in the first stages of reconciliation after a previous breakup. (Sam's wiki entry is here: http://general-hospital.wikia.com/wiki/Sam_Morgan_%28Kelly_Monaco%29)

Lulu Spencer - "The Original Blonde one" or "Fair Lulu" first met Spinelli when they were in a study group together, and were subsequently kidnapped by Lorenzo Alcazar before being rescued by Jason. Spinelli had a crush on Lulu for quite some time, often falling into daydreams about her - ones where he swept her off her feet. They are still friends, and Lulu works with Maxie at Crimson. (Lulu's wiki entry is here: http://general-hospital.wikia.com/wiki/Lulu_Spencer)

Sonny Corinthos - "Mister Sir", as Spinelli refers to him, is one of the most powerful mob bosses in Port Charles - and not much of a fan of Spinelli. Spinelli's unique manner of speech irritates Sonny to no end, and while Sonny knows that Spinelli's hacking talents are useful, he only barely tolerates Spinelli's presence, in large part due to Spinelli's friendship with Jason. In the not-too-distant past (again, as per canon point), Sonny attempted to pull himself out of the mob life and go legit, giving his business to Jason. This attempt proved to be short-lived, and in order to gain power again, Sonny married rival mob boss Anthony Zacchara's daughter Claudia - an 'agreement' cooked up by Anthony in a convoluted scheme to take care of the other rival mob factions in the city once and for all. Anthony, however, has been turned over to the FBI - and now, not only does Sonny have control of the Zacchara territory through Claudia, he has recently taken back his own organization from Jason. (Sonny's wiki entry is here: http://general-hospital.wikia.com/wiki/Sonny_Corinthos_%28Maurice_Benard%29)

Johnny Zacchara - "The Mob Prince", member of rival mob family the Zacchara's, Johnny has recently severed ties with the family business, leading to some difficulty finding work due to his criminal background. He is currently dating Lulu Spencer, and thanks to his physique, is currently being paid to accompany Maxie to club openings to promote Crimson, much to Spinelli and Lulu's dismay. (Johnny's wiki entry is here: http://general-hospital.wikia.com/wiki/Johnny_Zacchara_%28Brandon_Barash%29)


Additional note: If you would like, here are some clips to give you an idea of who Spinelli is, from roughly around his chosen canon point (give or take a couple of months).
Maxie and Spinelli
Spinelli's detective fantasies
Spinelli sings for Maxie
Spinelli goes on the Lam (his actual canon point)