Ciaran Sinclair

If you had asked who the class clown was at Carrollton High people would have answered “Ciaran Sinclair.” Yet when you asked who the nerd was who always got the highest grades people answered “Ciaran Sinclair.” Not everyone found this logical but there was a reason Ciaran chose to have himself labeled like that. Ciaran was bored in school. As a small child study always came easy to him. He just had to read a book once and he could memorize from it. Because of this he found studying so easy he flew through his classes with high grades as the result of his labor. Feeling blase during class prompted Ciaran to make use of his wit. He found out soon that by making others laugh he too was occupied--- and so Ciaran's career as the class clown was born.

Being only 5'4 and getting good grades meant he was an easy target for bullies. But making people laugh (whether it was at or with him) meant people liked him and because of that the bullies left Ciaran alone. His father taught him at a young age that if you made people laugh they would always like you and over the years it became Ciaran's defense mechanism by choice. Though his father was away from home often due to long hours at the factory he considered his father the greatest man in the world.

As a child Ciaran spent every Sunday afternoon with his dad listening to the stories his father told him about their large extended family. There were stories about his uncle, who worked as a clown, his aunt, who worked at the rodeo and even stories about his great-uncle, who worked as a rodeo clown. Many of these stories made Ciaran laugh. If there was one man Ciaran regretted never being able to meet it was the great-grandfather after whom he was named. His father told the most stories about him because he, like Ciaran, had heard those stories from his father.

At least once a month Ciaran visited his grandfather and during games of chess they would talk about many things. He learned a lot from his grandfather and he still has fond memories of the man. His grandmother was a sweet old lady who always made sure there was a warm apple-pie waiting for him. Ciaran always enjoyed the family meals she made during his visits as it was always after the meal his grandfather brought out the chess table. It was thanks to his grandparents Ciaran actually stuck to his studies. His grandfather had never managed to go to high school nor send his son to college so he was very proud to hear Ciaran did go.

One day during American History Ciaran grew fatigued with the coursework and decided to put on a hat, wooden teeth, and pretend to be Abraham Lincoln. Yet before he got the chance to pull his act another kid took his chance. Ciaran cracked up and actually ended up on the floor clutching his stomach because it hurt him from laughing. The kid was then sent to detention and Ciaran made sure that he would soon was send there as well.

Detention wasn't anything serious and as Ciaran walked in he determinately found his clever classmate. He headed on over, introduced himself, and that afternoon in formed a strong friendship between him and Dally Schroder. From then on people got to know them as the 'trouble twins'. Both boys made sure they were in more classes together (something Ciaran achieved by making their principal believe he would be of more help in classes where other students needed his help). After getting his timetable altered not a day went by they didn't get into mischief at least once. Luckily, they usually managed to get away with their pranks.

Sadly he noticed Dally slipping away from him (though Ciaran tried to prevent it). He understood why Dally dropped out but he missed the fact they weren't able to go to college together like he had hoped they would. Still, though their paths drifted apart, Dally never left his friend's mind and Ciaran was always thinking of ways to help out whenever possible. There was one thing he did do: provided Dally with art supplies. He knew it was the one thing that made his friend happy.

After high school ended Ciaran decided to go to to university for business. His dad wanted him to become an accountant. But though Ciaran did what his father asked he never truly enjoyed it. Everything was too easy for him once more and he grew fatigued. Without Dally getting into trouble wasn't half as fun. Seeking diversion Ciaran went to the horse tracks. It was where he studied, relaxed, did his homework and sometimes placed bets.

Not getting any money from his dad (as unlike some kids he knew he wasn't born with a silver spoon in his mouth) Ciaran had to pay for everything himself. He hadn't managed to get a scholarship but he wanted to make his grandfather proud. He had promised the man he'd be the first Sinclair in 3 generations who not only attended but also finished college. The problem was that he needed money to pay for it and flipping burgers at McDonald’s got very old very fast. Unwitting of how it would help his financial situation he began betting at the track to see if he, like the great-grandfather, who was his namesake, would have the same knack and luck at picking the right horses. It turned out that he did share that talent and saved up for months to become co-owner of a great club he enjoyed visiting.

One afternoon he bought half the club. Deciding to borrow some money from a guy he knew Ciaran placed a bet on a horse he was sure to win. With the money he'd win he'd be able to buy out his partner and truly own Crazy Pianos. Sadly things didn't go as he expected. The horse tripped and lost--- meaning Ciaran had a huge debt and no way of paying it off

The guy he had borrowed the money from offered him an opportunity. They needed a small guy for a specific break in and Ciaran was the right height. Not wanting to have to sell his part of the bar Ciaran caved in and agreed. But just as they were about to enter the building the police arrived. Ciaran was arrested and escorted to a jail cell. He had one phone-call and instead of calling a lawyer he called his best friend. The first words from his lips were “Dally? I fucked up. Can you help me get a lawyer?”.

As usual Dally helped him out. They always had each others backs and though the lawyer wasn't an amazing one Ciaran still got off easily. He ended up having to spend two years in prison. He stopped his bookmaking, finished his studies while in jail, and when he got out the co-owner of Crazy Pianos told him he was still welcome in the club. He worked himself up in the club by doing every job there was. He did this to get to know the employees and become close to them. He still dreams of owning the club by himself one day. But for now he's content at just working behind the bar, in wardrobe, or on the stage as host of the evening.

Ciaran lives to entertain people and make them laugh. He is fiercely loyal to his friends and enjoys spending long evenings with them. He is always willing to lend a hand if someone needs his help. If people just want to talk to him he will listen for hours making sure there's always enough coffee, tea, or other beverage of choice. Ciaran likes to cook and has a variety of cookbooks. He reads them as novels and tries out different things when opportunity arises. He can spend hours reading or just thinking things over in his life as it calms him down.