The brothers' zodiac

In both Dave's adventure in Europe and Barett's adventure in prison there has been mention of zodiac signs.  I remember Brett and Blaine agreeing that the brothers be born under the sign of the Gemini, the twins.  I think the date was on the cusp close to Taurus.  This is interesting as Utah has more Taurus like traits while Barett is more Gemini.  Dave is on the cusp of Sagittarius and Scorpio, the exact opposite of Utah and Barett.  He compliments them while also opposing them.  I see Rick as a Leo.  I don't know if that is his real sign, but here is why I think that.  Fire signs are very adventurous.  Leo, atop of this, is all about expression and getting noticed.  Rick's bigger than life weapons, vehicles, and equipment confirm this.  A second reason is Rick's famous hair.  Leo's are often known by their luxurious manes.

However, it was the signs of the Chinese zodiac that I wished to discuss.  I see Dave as a Tiger.  The tiger is bold and daring.  He tends to reckless behavior, often leaping at opportunities.  Tigers prefer first hand experience to second hand knowledge.  Furthermore, they are attracted to the unusual and surprising.  They tend to be optimistic and intuitive.  In love, they dislike too much restraint.  They are attracted to independent partners who share a love of adventure.  There is a risk that tigers will grow bored of a relationship and will seek new possibilities.  Career wise, tigers prefer simple and direct tasks.  Tigers are energetic and rise to the challenge.  However, failure can take the wind out of their sails.

If Dave is a tiger, that makes the twins the sign of the Boar.  The boar is honest and forthright in dealings.  He tends to be reserved with strangers, showing affection only to close friends and loved ones.  Boars tend to be a little naive socially, often saying the wrong thing or otherwise coming of as a little awkward.  However, as they are very genuine, this is forgiven or dismissed.  Boars are idealistic .  Moreover, they hold their own reputation in high esteem.  In love, the boar may have trouble with those that wish to exploit his trust.  However, a failed relationship does not bring him down.  Observant and imaginative, boars make a rewarding lover to those that give them the chance.  Career wise, boars balance work with their daily lives, not letting either unbalance the other.  Boars dislike risk and err on the side of caution.  They prefer cooperative duties.  Boars are intelligent, and pick up on things quickly.

Rick would be a Rat.  Rats are opportunistic, taking action before anyone else can even determine what is going on.  Rats are quick to asses a situation.  Ambition can sometimes drive away friends.  Despite this, the rat is generous and loyal.  Rats are witty and mix well in a social setting.  Yet, they fiercely guard their private life.  In love, the rat is sensual and passionate, even fearless.  Rats are deeply emotional and can be hurt easily.  Rats can be quite charming.  Career wise, the rat is meticulous and adaptable, often tackling several projects at once.  Just the same, it is advise the rat not overstep his bounds.  The rat is prone to criticism and impatience with coworkers.

Fisher would be an ox.  The ox is reserved and stable.  Firmly grounded, the ox goes about things in am orderly and well-reasoned fashion.  The ox is highly opinionated.  She is patient and sturdy, disliking risk.  The ox is prone to over-thinking, which may lead to depression.  In love, the ox is tender and caring.  She is not overly romantic and must be encouraged to have fun.  Career-wise, the ox prefers to work behind the scenes.  The ox takes her work very seriously.  She is highly skilled and very organized.

I see Tsai Lee as a snake, making her six years younger than Barett.  However, these are her traits.  The snake is intellectual and decisive.  She has little patience with that that does not stimulate her mind.  She is quick to assess a situation.  She is competitive and confident.  The snake is loyal and caring to those she trusts.  In love, she is flirtatious and seductive.  She enjoys her freedom while prone to jealousy of her lover.  The snake is romantic and loves to tease, being quite playful.  Career-wise, she is very controlled.  The snake spots a problem and deals with it in a restrained and collected manner.  Independent work is best.  Jobs require both courage and patience suit the snake well.  Snakes have a sharp memory.  However, time must be set aside to relax and to contemplate, lest the snakes energy be depleted.

By the way, this information is from Chinese Astrology by Man-Ho Kwok.  Other sources may have different information  Also, the book is far more in depth.  This is more broad strokes.  Anyhow, let me know how much or how little you think this relates to your character.  I found it, for the most part, surprisingly accurate.  My biggest concern is both Barett and Utah as boars, but having distinct traits.  Barett can be awkward in a social setting, however, Utah is the honest and forthright one.  Hmm.

Theme Songs

In writing Dave's adventures in Europe, I have come to realize just how important music is to the character.  This got me thinking about what songs would be featured in the Coontails' movie.  Dave's current theme song in my mind is by the Jungle Brothers as remixed by Fatboy Slim.  Though it is more electronica and hip hop oriented, the theme and the execution fit quite well.  It is tongue in cheek and narcissistic at the same time, much like Dave himself.  It is titled "Because I Got It Like That."  Here's a taste.

Play in the rain and don't get wet

Walk through the desert and don't even sweat

Play in the snow and don't get cold

I'm just a cool, young brother who looks kinda old

Run around the world school on the side

If I commit a crime and get caught I slide

I got ladies uptown and money on the floor

There's not a thing in the world that I'm asking for

Why?

Because I got it like that

With Utah, the Police's "Demolition Man" works very well.  It sums up his destructive nature, and the fact that destruction is often part of his job.

Pink Floyd's "Another Brick in the Wall" represents Barett suitably as he is antiestablishment.

With Rick I am thinking "Like to Get to Know You Well" by Howard Jones.  Also "Dozen Girls" by the Damned is good, too.  "He's got charm.  He's got style.  He's got a dozen girls.  Oh, tell me why he's got a dozen girls."

"New Religion" by Duran Duran captures Dave's more serious and dangerous side.

Other possible tracks are:

"Cult of Personality" by Living Color, embracing the political aspects of their world.

"Big Truck" by Coal Chamber, a great theme for the Grunting Doberman

"Hey Man Nice Shot" by Filter, another good political song and personally the only good song by Filter.

"I Kill Spies" by Agent Orange for obvious reasons

If you have any songs that fit with the brothers or their world, please post them as comments.

Dave Goes to Europe Chapter 3: Germany

The next couple of days found Dave working on the new car.  The powers that be assigned him a team.  Of the number enlisted to assist him Dave selected just four.  Anymore would have just been in the way.  Each member, including Private Dean, had an interest in cars.  Each had experience as a mechanic, a weekend racer, or the like.

Private Dean must have had a criminal background as a carjacker and chop shop employee.  She helped Dave to remove the doors and shell that he could apply a layer of kevlar.  They removed the racing seats as well that Dave could wrap them in kevlar.  Afterwards, an assistant added foam cushions and set about sewing microfiber covers.  Dave suggested a charcoal color to keep in line with the rest of the interior.

The armored seats were something new.  Dave had never thought to do that before.  However, should the armor at the rear of the vehicle fail, the double layer of kevlar would protect the driver and the passenger.  Armoring the Bughatti took up the better half of a day.  Since it was a mid-engine car, the firewall was behind the seats.  Armoring the firewall provided even greater protection against pursuing vehicles.  However, armoring the front of the passenger compartment required some ingenuity and a lot of time.  Armoring the floor, though optional, proved less difficult as Dave just laid a layer of kevlar below the carpeting.

Earlier, he had phoned the manufacturers of the bullet resistant glass and gave them the dimensions for the windshield and windows.  He wanted superior protection at the front and rear.  The sides would be less armored as he still wanted to lower and raise the windows.  The car was not to be equipped with guns.  He was already pushing the curb weight of the vehicle.  If one needed to fire at the enemy there were three basic steps.  See window.  Lower window.  Fire out aforementioned window.