We saw Kevin Valencia and his friend sitting in front of American Apparel on East University Boulevard.
Wildcat: Hi, I’m from the student paper, the Wildcat, and I was wondering if I could interview you.
(Friend): Sure.
W: OK, I’m going to take your picture.
(Friend): Wait, are you going to pay me?
W: What? No.
(Friend): No way. This is my person, and I’ve had a rough day. Fifteen-year-olds and 16-year-olds here, and you want to put something in the paper. Put that one in the paper! Otherwise, you can leave us alone.
W: I can leave. It’s OK.
Valencia: No, I can do it. It’s OK.
W: Is that OK?
V: I can do it.
W: I just don’t want him to get mad at me.
(Friend): I’m not mad at you. I’m mad at the minuteman at work. You want to put something in the paper, I’ll get mad at you. Fifteen and 16-year- olds, I’ve got a 45 mag in the trunk…
W: Yeah.
V: Don’t mind him.
W: OK, I’m going to take your picture. What’s your name?
V: Kevin Valencia.
W: Well I was just walking around, and, what are you doing on University?
V: Waiting for somebody.
W: I don’t want to be intrusive.
V: You’re not intrusive.
W: How come you’re in an army suit? Are you in the Air Force?
V: No.
W: Do you just … like to … dress up?
V: Yeah, for the hell of it.
W: Yeah, I do that too a lot. Um, where did you get it?
V: Savers.
W: Oh really, the entire thing?
V: Yeah.
W: It’s really cool. Are you allowed to carry a gun?
V: Yeah.
W: How can you get a permit?
V: To get a permit, you have to be between 18 and 21. Eighteen you can carry a shotgun. Twenty-one you can carry a pistol like mine.
W: Cool. So what do you do during the day? Do you just hang out and go to University?
V: Hang out with friends.
– interview by Andi Berlin
