(Photo: Spencer Heyfron)

What do you do for the city?
I work for the Department of Correction. Something to do with prisoners. I can’t say more than that.

Is this what you wear to work?
I don’t have to wear a uniform. I wouldn’t have taken the job if I had to, because I don’t compromise who I am.

You’ve never dressed up for a job?
Absolutely not. I’ve been lucky. In the beginning, people looked at me kind of weird, you know, Who’s this Gypsy-looking guy? or whatever, but I can do my job and I do it well, so that’s all that matters in the end.

You’re wearing a lot of skulls.
That’s the rock-and-roll thing that I love. They were made for me by a friend, a jeweler down on Macdougal Street. The skull stands for the fact that we’re all going to end up the same—just a skeleton or somethin’. It’s always been associated with some badass thing—back in the day, even the pirates had them. And rock and roll is badass, too. Well, it used to be.

Do people prejudge you?
All I can say is I have all kinds of friends. My partner at work happens to be the most straight-looking guy you’d ever want to meet. And I love him to death. When we’re walking around together, we look like the extreme odd couple. He definitely looks like a cop.

But you don’t.
No, absolutely not, and I don’t want to be treated as one. I just want to be treated as a decent guy. I love music, going to concerts and museums, and reading a good book. That’s my thang. I love motorcycles. I’m still a kid.

Sounds like you’re pretty happy.
I am. I mean, I don’t ask for much. When I retire, I’m gonna go live in a trailer park.

Related:

• Archive: “Look Book”
• Articles by Emma Rosenblum
• Table of Contents: Feb 2, 2009 issue of New York | Subscribe!