An interview with Savannah's Gentleman Vampire

I have to say this is something I never thought I would be doing. In fact, when the man known as Savannah's "gentleman vampyre" left a message in my voicemail I was completely taken aback. Completely unable to say no, I agreed to meet him in his home for tea and conversation. I wasn't disappointed.

I drove across Savannah to meet the man who wishes to be identified only as Solomon on a very brisk day. In fact, if I had to hand pick a time to meet a vamp this would likely not be my favorite time of weather as it was very overcast, heavily clouded, cold, and windy. I watched dead leaves blow passed his brownstone and had to wonder if that was an omen. I was about to begin climbing his stairs when my cell rang. It was Solomon instructing me to enter through the garden gate on the side. He explained the entry way was under construction and it was inhospitable.

The garden entrance is one of many in downtown Savannah. In fact were I not meeting an English vampyre, it could be any number of entrances I've passed at any given time. A greenman fountain adorned one garden wall and half dead vines adorned another. A small bistro table and chairs sat surrounded by dead leaves was near the entry way. In better times, a large ceramic pot could have held a rose bush, but it was clearly dormant now.

I came upon the garden entry and before I could ring the bell...yes a bell, not a doorbell...the door opened and a pretty young woman of about 20 asked me to come in and directed me to the parlor. She was petite, in pearl gray slacks and matching silk top and identified herself as his receptionist. I thought it was interesting and probably no coincidence that she seemed to blend in with the rest of the decor. It was not exactly the way I expected a vamp to decorate his home. No skulls, no torture chambers, no hidden switches precariously poking out of the wall. It was nothing if not very Japanese inspired and very carefully walking the fine line between elegant and understated. A large statue of Kwan Yin faced the end of the hall and beyond that was a very English tea parlor. Unlike the rest of what I'd seen so far the, parlor was appointed with large dark leather sofas and chairs, heavy antique rugs, and velvet curtains. At one end of the room a rather large buffet was laden with pastries, tea sandwiches, and fresh fruit. I was very impressed to say the least.

And then the man himself walked in.

Tall, pale, shoulder length black hair, and vivid gray blue eyes very nearly reminded me of a starring character in a romance novel. He was dressed very simply in black slacks and gray shirt. I have to wonder if it were part of the receptionist's job description to match her boss and his home. Mr. Solomon is, despite his name, very English with a slight Irish lilt. With the exception of being impeccably dressed, groomed, and considerably less awkward, he almost reminded me of a character in a BBC production. After ten minutes of tea and polite chit chat he was ready to get down to business.

Within thirty minutes he disclosed his identity, of which no force under gods will make me relay, and explained he was part of an elite group of individuals that thrived upon secrecy. I had to ask why he would disclose himself in an interview if that were so important.

" I have been a part of this for thirty-seven years and I see a lot of good being done from within our circles. We are not animals and serial killers. We are human beings but something more. We are not a separate race. We are not diseased. We are the next evolution. We are a debaucherous lot but we do a lot of good and it is time the rest of the world know that."

" I know there are different kinds of vampyres. What kind do you classify yourself? " I could tell he was not particularly happy with this question but it was almost as if he wanted to get it out of the way and get to the meat of the interview. I was happy to oblige.

" I take in a variety of energies and I don't like tags. I would identify closely with a Dionysian vampyre, a feeder of pure undiluted ecstatic energies. I can sip from crowds and be content but my true needs rest in raw sexual energies. I am a professional in many arenas of that nature and thrive on both giving and receiving of this energy. I could classify myself as a sangoerotic vampyre. "

After several minutes of conversation along this vein, Mr Solomon escorted me into his cellar which had been converted into a modern day dungeon. Along one wall there were cuffs, whips, scourges, and manacles. Along the opposing wall was a rather extensive collection of wines. A large Saint Andrews cross rested in a corner and various assortments of other items I thankfully didn't recognize were neatly arranged on tables and in display cases. There was even a very nice collection of antique Japanese torture devices including an eye spoon.

We walked through this section into a large open room covered in sawdust and with various large pieces of lumber. I had to ask.

" I am an antique reconstructionist of fine furniture and trims on Victorian and Antebellum homes. It's my hobby, where I find my state of Being." He explained that this is also something he does for a higher purpose also.

" Several local groups have begun a humanitarian movement. We are elevated. I am part of a group which collects clothing, furniture, and food for local shelters and individual families. My part in this group is to sometimes locate affordable housing for displaced families. I am fortunate to be in a position to do this. I donate my services as a reconstruction artist to revive homes that have been damaged by fire or termites. It is my passion. One of my many passions."

" Explain this elevation. How do you reconcile the definition of vampyre with what you perceive to be elevation?"

" You won't find a vampyre in a goth bar with deaders banging about and wearing bad fangs and pseudo domme drag. You find them in places where life and death are constantly waging battle. This is just a part of life but it is a small part. I'm going to get older. I'm going to pass along and rot in my grave a happy debaucherous old man. I'm not going to live forever but while I'm here I'm going to LIVE with abandon. I know these cycles intimately.

We vampyres don't go in for the literary. We take life but in the end everyone walks their way and goes on with their lives. No one really gets hurt, everyone has a round about and moves on. You really have to remove the textbook vampyre from the historical vampyre as an energy worker. We have a higher need to replenish our life force and we know exactly how it is best done. This is what separates us from the average joe. Most would get a cup of coffee or a cup of tea and move along. I take a jog and follow behind a pretty lass with a big aura. That means she has healthy energy and plenty to spare. This is a move up the evolutionary ladder, not a romantic tragedy or a gothic romance. "

Solomon went on to explain that on the rare occasion when he is unable to find a "mark" he has had mild to severe physical ailments in the past. Now he says he is better than ever and at 53 is content to continue looking 30 and enjoying good health.

Good on you mate.