Author Games: Caper Crew

M.J.'s Grifter: The Chameleon (hashtagging)

Name: The Chameleon

Age: There are varying descriptions of The Chameleon. Some describe her as a young 20-something, fresh-faced, and new to the crime scene. A newspaper tabloid recently reported their theory that The Chameleon is in fact the 33-year-old heir to the Orange family throne. A rival publication slammed this theory, claiming instead that The Chameleon is a 40-year-old well known in the film industry. One source, unproven of course, claims to have seen a birth certificate for The Chameleon, putting her at a whopping 59 years of age! The truth behind The Chameleon's age and beauty is yet to be discovered.

Gender: Most aliases attributed to The Chameleon are female. Most. Rumour has it that one time The Chameleon successfully integrated into an ancient secret society at Cambridge University - one that has historically only had men on its roster.

Mastermind: It takes a chameleon to recognise another chameleon. Mary-Jane was the best grifter on the scene, no doubt about it. Many didn't think she'd take on a potential rival. But two criminals are always better than one, right? And with The Chameleon staying resigned to the shadows, it leaves Mary-Jane alone to bathe in all of the glory.

Expertise: Grifter. Much like their animal namesake, this Chameleon changes her stripes to best fit in with her environment. One day a diamond heiress seeking out a benefactor for her father's failing business, the next a plucky young investor wanting to take on that very job. A master of disguise, if you're looking to make a connection, you call up The Chameleon for the job. Need a smooth talker? A loud distraction? Some eye-candy? The Chameleon is your girl.

Mugshot: There are no known images of what The Chameleon truly looks like. Some say that the only way to identify her is by a small tattoo of her namesake, hidden on her inner left thigh. But in order to get to that, you'll need some tricks up your sleeve.

Criminal Profile: Rumour has it that The Chameleon has a background in musical theatre. Allegedly, playing Thelma in a school production of Thelma & Louise was her first brush with crime. After failing to secure a callback to play Velma in Chicago, The Chameleon decided that she needed to get more hands-on experience of being a criminal. A true method actor, The Chameleon never breaks character and there is nothing she won't do to sell the role. After all, you have to be committed to eat a live pufferfish without knowing if your team has managed to find the antidote. Even at a rendezvous with the team, The Chameleon will show up in character and remain as such. It has been such a long time that some question if she even knows who she is anymore.

Criminal Record: After her theatre dreams were crushed, they say The Chameleon turned to crime to renew her acting passion. In what is reported to be her first heist, she played a struggling single mother in debt and within an hour had seduced the bank clerk into handing over the combination to the vault. From then on, the crime world has been her playground. It is difficult to say just how many crimes The Chameleon has committed, but rest assured she lurks in the shadows of any big heist. You don't get that kind of reputation from playing in the little leagues. Crime pays the bills, sure, but The Chameleon is all about the acting exposure. Next time she auditions for Chicago, no way they can turn her down.

Signature: Any good grifter never uses the same disguise twice.

Other: If you are the casting director for Chicago the Musical and you are reading this, The Chameleon would like you to know that she is available to play the role of Velma at short notice. She has already started memorising her lines and can be off book by next Tuesday.