Character Interview with Noah Jones

The Primrose Files

What is your name? Do you have a nickname? If so, who calls you by it, and how did you get it?

My name is Noah Jones. I don’t have a nickname, but I did name myself…

You did say Primrose cleared you for this interview, right?

Yes, they did. Please, go on.

Just making certain. Humans can be a bit strange about knowing aliens are about. Where was I? Right, naming myself. Yes. Good thing I did. I shudder to think what name Primrose would have come up with, considering their practice of naming alien species—or tech—is rather simplistic.

How old are you?

According to my latest ID, I’m 42, but I’m not quite sure what my exact age is. I landed on Earth in 1648, so about 364 in human years. Age is not something my species keep track of, so I don’t know how long I’ve been around. I’ve been a recorder for at least a hundred years converted in human time, that much I do know. Though, that is an estimate based on my records, converted from an array of different timekeeping systems.

I suppose humans would say it’s complicated.

Do you ever lie? If so, when?

I try to avoid it, but considering I landed on this planet in 1648, and haven’t always been human, it is unwise for me to always tell the truth. So, yes. I lie. About my age, about taking over my shop from my father, about where my family comes from, originally, and whether I have any, family, that is.

What is your greatest achievement?

Keeping my small shop afloat for as long as I have. Granted, I don’t rely solely on its income, but with ebooks on the rise, I’m pleasantly surprised at how eager people still are to own first editions.

What is your most treasured possession?

A leather-bound seventeenth-century King James Bible. I wanted to own my own copy ever since I read it in a library. It was my first purchase as a human. It is also the book that gave me my name.

Though, after so many years, I don’t need to read the story, Noah’s tale has guided me through many desperate moments. Simply having the book within reach helps, too.

What is your greatest regret?

Not being able to contact or go back to my kin. I’ve been separated from them for so long, now.

Of course, I’ll never be able to return to my planet. I can’t transform again, and I wouldn’t be able to survive in this form. But, a small part of me is still Rei, and I would so love to be able to connect to my kin again.

Long years went by where I didn’t think it would ever be possible, but humans seem determined to travel into space, so I hold onto my hope.

Do you put on both socks then both shoes, or one sock, one shoe, other sock, other shoe?

I didn’t wear socks, at first. For a long time, actually. Or underwear. Those are not items you tend to see when you look at humans. It took me a long time before I dared say good day, let alone ask about clothing habits.

But that was then. I’ve learned to appreciate socks, especially during the chillier months. Human appendages cool quickly. I tend to put both socks on first, to keep my feet from getting chilly, and both shoes after that.

Do you grind your teeth?

Not anymore. Or not often. It seems humans are not always able to control their body.

I did it a lot when I was still learning how my body worked and everything was still so new. I felt the need to test all its functions out best I could.

Do you hold the door open for the person behind you or do you let it go?

One of the first shopkeepers I worked for always held the door open for his customers, especially ladies he admired. I found that people appreciated it, so I started doing it as well. It pleased the people as well as my boss.

Though these days many people seem too busy to appreciate a door held open for them, I still continue to do so.

What do you like to wear?

Paisley button-down shirts with contrasting collars. They make me smile.

What are your hobbies?

Books are both my work and my hobby. I very much enjoy reading when I’m not in my shop. I can spend many happy hours diving into beautiful fictional worlds, or learning new facts or languages. I also enjoy book discussions with a select group of peers.

What are your long-term goals?

I’m afraid I’ve long giving up on setting long term goals. When you live as long as I do, long is such a relative term. Though, I do keep an eye on my finances. They need to last me quite a while.

What are your short-term goals?

Making Connor happy, is high on my to-do list these days. Though he’s made it clear he is already happy.

Making more of an effort to get to know my shop assistant is a close second. She at least deserves to know the truth about me after this whole Primrose mess. Though I’m not all that thrilled with her dating a Primrose Agent.

Last, but not least, providing comfort for some of the lost aliens Primrose harbours.

Are you an optimist or a pessimist?

Unquestionably an optimist. I would not have lasted as long as I have on this planet had I been a pessimist.

BOOKS IN THE PRIMROSE FILES SERIES AND SERIES EXTRAS

Mockup cover with textured, crumpled paper background. At the top in purple text 'Coming... Some day'. Below, a torn paper effect reveals a dark cosmic background with the title 'ROBOTS, JACKSON AND MACALLISTAIR' in golden font with a slight reflection.

Mockup cover with textured, crumpled paper background. At the top, in purple text 'Coming... Some day'. Below, a torn paper effect reveals a cosmic scene with the title 'CYBORGS, KONRAD AND COPPERFIELD' in orange.