An Interview with a Fallen Angel

Setting up a meeting with an invisible alien wasn't the hard part of this assignment. The difficulty began when IWAXF arrived at the appointed time and place but couldn't find the subject of the interview. After a half hour's confusion, we discovered that our subject had been in attendance all along. I guess that's the advantage of being invisible. You can size up your "opponents" before they even sense your presence. Hidden behind the console of a computer at a back booth in the cybercafe, the star of the X-Files episode "Fallen Angel" waited for us to settle ourselves and get down to business.

IWAXF: Sorry for the mix-up. We didn't mean to keep you waiting.

Invisible Alien: No problem. I should have signalled you sooner but I thought I'd size you up first. Just force of habit. Can't be too careful these days. By the way, call me Harvey.

IWAXF: Okay, Harvey. So how did you find yourself the star of one of the early episodes of "The X-Files"?

Harvey: Well, I'd been a fan from the outset. Actually, I missed the pilot episode but caught on starting with "Deep Throat". I thought, what a great show. They should have an episode about someone like me. So I contacted an agent for myself, since I'm sure they wouldn't have even considered me without an agent.

IWAXF: Yeah, that's typical for all aspects of the business.

Harvey: Exactly. So I figured with a slick agent-type I'd get my foot in the door. And it worked. They were interested and the viewers got "Fallen Angel".

IWAXF: How closely does the episode follow events from your actual life?

Harvey: Not that closely. I think all actors get those sorts of questions. I'm a character actor. Sure, the invisibility is an aspect of who I am, but the role itself was actually a bit of a stretch. I mean, I don't have any powers to irradiate people or that kind of thing, if that's what you're asking.

IWAXF: So it must have been kind of weird to play a character who was considered evil or a menace...being tracked by the military?

Harvey: Man, you said it. Sometimes it was a bit too real, if you know what I mean. I started thinking what a drag it would be to be chased and persecuted in that manner. On the other hand, it was sort of a charge to have someone like Agent Scully hot on my heels. Know what I mean?

IWAXF: Well, she and Agent Mulder are certainly dedicated.

Harvey: Yeah, dedicated. That's what I was thinking.

IWAXF: So how did you get interested in acting?

Harvey: I just love the movies...everything about the movies. Being in an old, dark theater, watching the previews and the dancing hotdogs, sharing the experience of a movie for the first time with an audience. The anticipation, the enormous scale of the whole experience. I used to sneak into movie theaters all the time.

IWAXF: Yeah, I bet it was pretty easy for you.

Harvey: One of the advantages of being invisible. But it's not all good, ya know. There are downsides to being invisible. You never get the respect of people making eye contact with you during conversation. Like now. You're looking about chest level on me right now.

IWAXF: Sorry 'bout that.

Harvey: Heck, it's not your fault and women have to deal with that crap all the time. It's just that sort of thing and the fact that no one will ever look at me with any special emotion in their eyes except perhaps some level of confusion. But there are advantages too and I have to focus on those.

IWAXF: I suppose some people are a bit frightened by you?

Harvey: You're right, of course, but that's one of the things that worked to my benefit in filming "Fallen Angel". I evoked some real emotion from Mulder and Max when I approached in stealth mode. They couldn't help but feel some fear.

IWAXF: Switching gears...if you could go anywhere in time and use your invisibility to your advantage, when and where would you go?

Harvey: Geez...for a minute there I thought you were going to ask me what my favorite animal was.

IWAXF: We can get back to that one later if you want...

Harvey: Pass! Let's see. Where would I go... I think it would be very interesting to be present for the political maneuverings that took place during World War II. To be able to sit in the room, like a fly on the wall, and hear the plannings and strategies during some high powered meetings.

IWAXF: Interesting. You have an interest in politics or just history?

Harvey: Not the politics of the day. Just the way that political posturing and maneuvering changed the course of history. Other than that, I guess I'd like to solve some mysteries that exist to this day. You know, like be a witness in the book depository or on the grassy knoll. Find out the answers once and for all regarding unsolved questions through the years.

IWAXF: Sounds like you have a bit of the sleuth in you?

Harvey: Sure. I guess I'm just curious like everybody else.

IWAXF: So...you must be into computers since you picked the meeting place. Do you surf the web?

Harvey: Yeah. It's pretty interesting. It's amazing what you can type into a search engine and find a page for...of course, sometimes the content is pretty limited. But I'm interested in learning HTML and maybe hosting a web page of my own. That's one way for me to make a visible impression on people.

IWAXF: So what are your plans for the future? More acting?

Harvey: Definitely. Science fiction movies are really big now. Plus, television has really latched on to the genre with entire channels dedicated to sci-fi fare. I figure if someone like that Predator alien can capture fame and fortune, then I can too.

IWAXF: Do I detect some hostility toward the Predator?

Harvey: I wouldn't say hostility, but as any invisible alien will tell you, the idea is to stay invisible. But that hack is so vain he couldn't remain in the shadows. He just had to show off his great hair and facial structure and that sort of breaks the code of invisibility. Let's just say he doesn't have a lot of fans in the invisible community.

IWAXF: Well, he did get a sequel and as you said, he has a fan base.

Harvey: Yeah, credit where credit is due. I think I could generate a comparable fan base if allowed a reappearance on "The X-Files". My character is still out there, you know. But I think I'd rather broaden my instrument and take on some varied roles.

IWAXF: So do you have some scripts you've been offered or some project in the works?

Harvey: Yeah, I've been wrangling over a final contract for a remake of "The Invisible Man". Plus I have several offers for one-shot appearances on some cable and syndicated shows. I have enough offers to be able to make some choices.

IWAXF: So we can look forward to seeing you on the small screen as well as the big screen.

Harvey: Yeah, if everything goes according to my plan I'll spend some time working on my acting resume so I can work up to directing. I know, it's become a cliche. The actor who really wants to direct. But I think I have a vision and perspective that I can bring to film that is unique.

IWAXF: Well, good luck to you and we hope to see your name in the credits in the upcoming years. Thanks for your time.

Harvey: Thank you. It's been real.

November 28, 1997