Colorful Characters

Ari Fleischer, former White House Press Secretary, used the term this morning in a Today Show interview, referring to non-mainstream reporters, the ones he would call on at the end of press briefings, if time allowed. It reminded me of the moment I crossed over that line. A State Attorney called a news conference which I attended as the new second banana in a bureau of a major metropolitan daily. The Legend In His Own Mind had previously known me as one of the minions of a smaller local rag, lovingly called "The Mullet Wrapper" or "The Nudes Tribune". The gaggle of reporters milled about in the attorney's office until some asked him why he didn't get started. His eyes darted about the room and he mumbled, "We're waiting for the Herald." The other reporters turned toward me expectantly, watched as I demurred, "The Herald is here," and broke into raucous laughter at the bewildered attorney. The legend was behind the times. Question, Sir: Who are the colorful characters?

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