Andrick wrote:
old school criminal
They definitely are a breed apart.
I have a dear "honourary" uncle, whom lives in my neck of the woods. He retired to Thailand about 10 years ago from Britian. He is what I consider to be the epitome of an "old school criminal."
At circa 70 years old, he's always immaculately dressed with his shoes polished to a fine shine (which is amazing, because most foriegn men here wear flip-flops
everywhere.) and his hair is always slicked back - classy. He does have battle scars, however, his right eye is glass, and his has a damn intriguing scar on his right cheek (I've learned not to ask, how where and why
) but the thing that has always struck me, is that his manicured hands are the softest of anyone (male or female) I've ever met.
He was a "minder" for many years, working for the infamous
Kray Twins of London in the 50's and 60's.
I've never asked him directly about what he did (or does, for that matter, because he still makes regular trips to Spain, which is a notorious retirement spot for ex-London gansters.) He did once let slip about something he did concerning Jack McVittie, but then we never spoke of it again. Eeek.
All that said and done, he is the consummate gentleman, and treats me like a daughter. Every time we meet I laugh the whole way through, but I'm very aware that he is somebody that I would never, ever want to be on the wrong side of.
For me, your portrait of Sam totally evokes the feeling of my Uncle. Or rather, that it evokes a feeling of what I imagine Uncle J was like before he retired.
Once again, it's a brilliant image!