So, I’m sure you have seen all the white tents hanging around the Mall by now. Do you plan to go to the Tucson Festival of Books?

I might visit it. I worked it last year. I was Brother Bear. So, since I only saw it from inside a costume, this year I might just go and enjoy the festivities.

Brother Bear? How did you get wrangled into that?

Eh, I worked for the Bookstore. I actually fought to be a character since I was required to work anyway. It seemed a lesser of all the evils.

What’d you do as Brother Bear?

I walked around, danced, gave people hugs, took a lot of pictures and signed autographs. You know, the usual for a 5-foot-8-inch animated bear.

You could have used that disguise to your advantage. You know, go up to girls you thought were cute.

I could have but did not. It was a matter of professionalism.

So, you are always about the professionalism?

(Laughs.) Not always. There were some fun behind-the-scenes antics that took place.

Tell me about one of these.

Well, there might be a photo of me giving someone the bird as Brother Bear. There just might. But you didn’t hear it from me.

Oh, what a great children’s lesson!

They got to learn sometime. Wait! That makes me sound like a horrible person!

Naw, just real. It must have been hot in that costume.

It was, and with the first days of heat for the year. Let’s just say it wasn’t pleasant.

How long did you have to wear the costume?

It was an eight-hour day on both Saturday and Sunday, but they treated us costume dwellers really well. We could unmask during breaks.

Did you get to see any of the exhibits?

Not really. I mostly advertised for the Bookstore and took pictures. We had to be at certain places at specific times for character visitations so that the kids could take pictures with their beloved friends. So, I didn’t really get to see any of it. That’s why I might go this year.

Sounds like a fun weekend.

No comment.

—Dallas Williamson