Name: Andy Costello.

Also Answers To: "The New Yorker".

Occupation / Title: Writer, Dramatist, Magician, New York Tour Guide, Improviser, Official ABC Television Props Maker (silver hammers a speciality).

Brief Summary: Andy is a very interesting and helpful guy who has been of great assistance to me during a couple of my trips to New York. He is especially proud of his ability to locate just about anything that might be needed in the way of props at the last minute. Also a good magician, and a talented writer.

World Records Held:
Best Props Finder / Maker in Manhattan
Best Not-Yet-World-Famous Dramatist in New York State
Expert Book-store Browser

Other Notable Achievements & Honours: Does some really cool close-up coin magic. Was the first person to introduce me to the term 'decompress', as in after an unusually stressful hour-long production meeting, "I'll stick around for a few minutes, you know, just while you decompress."

Best Party Trick: Being asked to find a small silver hammer within half an hour, and managing it.

Special Powers: An admirably impressive gift for making beer vanish. Can keep a straight face during meetings with television production people, even when the proceedings have become farcical.

Known Weaknesses: Has been known to recommend traipsing half-way across town to see things that are sold out. Can't quite get the hang of pronouncing the British colloquialism 'sorted'.

Catchphrase: "I know where I can probably get one for you."