Interview with Jackie Coleman of 'Floor 21' by Jason Luthor

We’re thrilled to be talking to Jackie Coleman from Jason Luthor, FLOOR 21.  It is a pleasure to have her with us today at Pimp That Character!

Thank you for your interview, Jackie.  How old are you and what do you do for a living?

I’m, uh, 17 years old. Technically, I’m a student. Part time, I’m a snoop. You know, sneaking into places I shouldn’t be. Getting in trouble. Running for the hills. A full time mess.

Can you tell us about one of your most distinguishable features?

Well, I’m pretty smart, so that’s something. I can also shoot a basketball like nobody’s business.

What is your most treasured possession?

It’s kind of a combo deal. I have a baseball cap and bat I got from my mom and dad. This was like, years ago. I still remember when I hit my first homerun and he slapped it on my head. I guess those were just better times. You know?

What is the trait you most not like about yourself?

I think I just really like to explore. I want to know everything about everything. So, obviously that gets really frustrating living in a place like the Tower. It literally takes someone dying to get any answers from Tower Authority.

Are you a loner or do you prefer to surround yourself with friends?

Definitely a loner. I’m not sure if that’s by choice, but that’s how it is. I’ve got friends! Just, not many. I mean, I’ve got some issues connecting with people. That’s not a surprise to anyone that knows me. I don’t know if that means I prefer to be alone or not. It’s just the way things are.

Who is your best friend?

Allison. She kind of grinds my gears sometimes though. She’s just way too perfect. It’s just, it’s like everyone loves her. I mean, don’t get me wrong. I loved her first. I just wish she was a little more curious about what life’s like outside the Tower. Still, I mean, she’s the only person I know who can get me dancing. That’s got to count for something.

Do you have children?

God, no. I mean, no offense to the girls that have kids when they’re young. I just don’t know why you’d want to have kids when we live in a place like this.

Someone is secretly in love with you.  Who is it and how do you feel about that?

How many people are going to read this? God. Uh, Mike Chapman. He’s this, um, friend of mine. Well, the truth is, he saved my life once. Basically, he saved me from going nutters once when I was exploring the Tower. I don’t know. Ever since then, I just . . . I crush on him, I guess. He’s the only other person I know who wants to get out of this place. Plus, he’s a Scavenger, so he gets to go down into the lower floors. It doesn’t get any cooler than that.

When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

When I was super young, I wanted to be like my dad. I knew he did research, so it was like, I wanted to do the same. I’m at least as smart as he is, so it kinda makes sense. When I got a little older, I started wanting to become a Scavenger. At least that would give me a chance to explore the Tower.

If you knew you were going to die tomorrow, what would you do today?

That’s . . . That’s hard, you know? One part of me says I’d just try to get to ground floor and get out of the Tower. But, I think that, if I were being super honest about it, that I’d just try and get my parents to hang with me like we used to. I guess . . . I don’t know. I guess I miss that. 

About the Author

Jason Luthor has spent a long life writing for sports outlets, media companies and universities. His earliest writing years came during his coverage of the San Antonio Spurs as an affiliate with the Spurs Report and its media partner, WOAI Radio. He would later enjoy a moderate relationship with Blizzard Entertainment, writing lore and stories for potential use in future games. At the academic level he has spent several years pursuing a PhD in American History at the University of Houston, with a special emphasis on Native American history.

His inspirations include some of the obvious; The Lord of the Rings and Chronciles of Narnia are some of the most cited fantasy series in history. However, his favorite reads include the Earthsea Cycle, the Chronicles of Prydain, as well as science fiction hits such as Starship Troopers and Do Androids dream of Electric Sheep?

For More Information

• Visit Jason Luthor’s website.
• Connect with Jason on Facebook and Twitter.

About the Book:

Title: Floor 21
Author: Jason Luthor
Publisher: Scout Press
Pages: 355
Genre: Sci-fi/Dystopian

The last of humanity is trapped at the top of an isolated apartment tower with no memory of how they got there or why. All travel beneath Floor 21 is forbidden, and nobody can ever recall seeing the ground floor. Beneath Floor 21, a sickness known as the Creep infests that halls of the Tower. A biological mass that grows stronger in reaction to people’s fear and anger, the Creep prey’s on people by causing them to hallucinate until they’re in a state of panicking, before finally growing strong enough to lash out and consume them. Only a small team known as Scavengers are allowed to go beneath Floor 21 to pillage the lower levels in search of food and supplies.

Jackie is a brilliant young girl that lives far above the infection and who rarely has to worry about facing any harm. However, her intense curiosity drives her to investigate the bottom floors and the Creep. To deal with her own anxiety and insecurities, she documents her experiences on a personal recorder as she explores the secrets of the Tower. During the course of her investigation, Jackie will find herself at odds with Tower Authority, which safeguards what remains of humanity, as she attempts to determine what created the Creep, how humanity became trapped at the top of the Tower, and whether anyone knows if escape is even possible.

For More Information

• Floor 21 is available at Amazon.
• Discuss this book at PUYB Virtual Book Club at Goodreads.