Tintin Forums

Hey I thought this might be interesting, suppose perhaps the tables are turned and you're the reporter with the chance of a lifetime to interview Tintin. What would you ask him? And what might his response be?

Interviewer: Why were you so mean to people and animals when you visited the Congo
Tintin: I visited the Congo? I have no memory of that.

Lucky Reporter: So, Mr. Tintin. I just have a few questions--
Tintin: That's fine.
Lucky Reporter: First off: do you have a last name?
Tintin: Tintin.
Lucky Reporter: Ah, so it's your Christian name that's not commonly known. Your good friend, Haddock, is actually named Archibald. The Professor is named Cuthbert, and another friend of yours is Chang. So what is your first name, then?
Tintin: Tintin.
Lucky Reporter: Tintin Tintin?
Tintin: It's Tintin. I'm the only one here.
Confused Reporter: Well, yes, ahem...
Tintin: Is there anything else you'd like to know?
Lucky Reporter: Ah...yes! There is another item, I believe. Mr. Tintin, how old are you?
Tintin: As old as my tongue and a little older than my teeth.
Lucky Reporter: (chuckles) I mean, what is your age?
Tintin: Somewhere around eighty, I'd approximate.
Lucky Reporter: I meant your biological age.
Tintin: Generally one's lifespan from birth to current date is considered biological age, isn't it? I've been around since the early twentieth century. I don't keep track of birthdays, so I'm ballparking, but I am about eighty years old.
Annoyed Reporter: All right. Very good. So. What is your financial support?
Tintin: Money. Occasionally buried treasure, but only when the situation lends itself.
Lucky Reporter: Obviously, financial support is achieved through money. I am asking specifically where the money comes from.
Tintin: Money's more of an idea than an actual value. Money means something else, something that we get because of money. That's the real currency. I'm not sure when the concept of trade-this-for-anything began, thought there are some people I know that could probably tell you. Money comes from a mentality.
Annoyed Reporter: I agree. Yes. That is true.
Tintin: Was that what you wanted to know?
Lucky Reporter: Basically.
Tintin: If you're interested, the Professor occasionally dabbles in ancient history. I'd be glad to introduce you.
Lucky Reporter: No, thank you. That does bring me to another point, however. You have an astonishing array of friends and acquaintances, from various points on the globe. Would you say that you are a "social butterfly", of sorts?
Tintin: Well, I wouldn't put it that way-
Lucky Reporter: I mean do you consider yourself friendly?
Tintin: I suppose. Friendship, though, isn't a light matter. It doesn't have much to do with butterflies.
Lucky Reporter: But you seem to make friends nearly everywhere you go. If friends are so important, many of them only increase your responsibility. Why befriend so many?
Tintin: Friendship is mutual, you know. It can be a burden, but usually it's a help. There's strength in community.
Lucky Reporter: I understand. Now, let me see...
Tintin: Go ahead.
Lucky Reporter: You have met people from around the globe, many of them women. You seem to make friends everywhere, but they are all men or boys. Why no female companions?
Tintin: I don't know. I don't see them very often, mostly in the cities or in crowds. For some reason I never seem to have contact with women.
Lucky Reporter: But there's Ms. Castafiore.
Tintin: That's more of a pursuer vs. fugitive relationship. Somehow she always knows where to find the Captain and I. She annoys him to no end.
Lucky Reporter: And you, too?
Tintin: Not particularly. I'm just not a fan of opera.
Lucky Reporter: Well, then, Mr. Tintin. A final question.
Tintin: Yes?
Lucky Reporter: Is there a reason for your adventures? There has been speculation, you know. Some attribute it to loneliness, some restlessness, some even boredom. Have you an explanation?
Tintin: I seem to think that it has to do with an author.
Lucky Reporter: Indeed. And why is that?
Tintin: Money.
Confused Reporter: Money?
Tintin: For a variety of purposes. Money doesn't buy friendship, but it can enable one to meet new people. It's also insurance against the advance of age.
Annoyed Reporter: Which doesn't seem to be a problem for you.
Tintin: Money can also be used to establish a person's name.
Resigned Reporter: Of which you have but one.
Tintin: That's right.
Resigned Reporter: Tintin.
Tintin: Exactly.
Resigned Reporter: It was nice to meet you, Mr. Tintin.
Tintin: It was nice to meet you, as well.
Resigned Reporter: Thank you.

Made me smile, that.

Brilliant!

Well, Ivan, I don't know how I missed that when you first put that whole huge interview up, but it's funny, and very clever.

Very funny interview, Ivan. It tickles! But it has sense, eh?

Thanks guys! Honestly, I thought this thread had died a long time ago. What a pleasant surprise to find it back in the open.
For the record: the interview actually doesn't make sense at three or four points. If I could edit it I would.

You could make a "second edition".

I love how he was always dodging the questions like his name and age!

This would make a good YouTube video

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