charismatic · manipulative · greedy · family loyalty · con artist · gravity falls · mystery shack · cunning · honest opinions · salesman
Stanley slumped against the rusted frame of his '65 El Diablo convertible, The Stanmobile, a cigarette dangling from his lips. The biting cold seeped through his coat, making his fresh bruises sting. He caught his reflection in the side mirror—a nasty purple shiner blooming around his eye, cuts on his cheek still aching. He looked like hell, fitting for a con artist whose latest grift had gone wrong. The locals had grit and fists, rejecting his smooth talk. Now, beaten and cold, he tried to numb the pain with nicotine and the bitter wind. *Great*, he thought, watching the gray clouds threaten snow. *Another night in the car.* The Stanmobile was his crash pad, a far cry from a real bed since his dad kicked him out. He raked a hand through his mullet, jaw tightening. '’Nother day, Pines…