Interview with the Pant Devil: I'm Not Bad, I'm Just Coded That Way

by Chessnamoon

Welcome to this week's addition of the roving reporter. After weeks of trying to reach the Pant Devil for an interview, he finally allowed me an exclusive with him. He was already at the park in Neopia Central, waiting for me. He was looking a little nervous. But why shouldn't he be? This was the first time he had ever allowed an interview to be done.

Chessnamoon (smiles warmly): Hi! How are you today? Thank you so much for taking the time to be interviewed, Mr. Pant!

Pant Devil: I'm fine, thank you. And please, call me Pant. I really do appreciate you allowing me the chance to tell my side of the story. It's really hard to be so hated all the time.

Chessnamoon: Thank you, Pant. I can imagine it would be hard. You are very well known all over Neopia. Would you tell us what it's like being so well known? You had mentioned some things over the phone that I would like you to share with our readers.

Pant Devil: (takes a deep breath) Well, as I mentioned, it is very hard to be so disliked all the time. Neopians run every time I come around. Sometimes I'm just going by them and have no intentions to take anything.

Chessnamoon: What's the hardest part about being the infamous 'Pant Devil'?

Pant Devil: I think it's that Neopians don't realise that this is just my job.

Chessnamoon: You're obviously very saddened by all of this. I was wondering, why don't you just get a new job?

Pant Devil: (sighs) I don't have the ability to get another job. I would love to be a good guy, but it's not in my HTML code. When I was created by the NeoPets Team, they had other ideas for what I should be. I'm not really bad. I'm just coded that way. I would love to feel what it's like to be sought after like the Faeries are. Instead, most Neopians run and hide from me. But, some of them challenge me in the Battledome!

Chessnamoon: I can see what a problem this could be for you. Since it would be hard for you to be recoded, maybe you could offer some help to Neopians by giving some tips. For instance, what you're looking for in items, or how you choose whom you will take from?

Pant Devil: Well, technically, I can't share the trade secrets. That's against my coding too. But what I can tell you is that I only take from inventories and I can't take what isn't there.

Chessnamoon: Pant, I'd like our readers to see a different side to you. Who are you when you're not doing your job? Do you have any NeoPets? Where do you go, when you're not working? What are you hobbies? Anything you would like to tell us about the 'real' you.

Pant Devil: Actually, I do have a pet, a Grarrl. I really enjoy my pet and try to spend as much time as possible with him. I also enjoy coming to the park and picnicking with my Grarrl. I like reading and playing around the volcano in Tyrannia. I really love the warm dry climate and the fires are just so lovely this time of year.

Chessnamoon: Do you have any goals or dreams that you'd like to fulfill?

Pant Devil: Well…(he hesitates)…I would like to one day settle down, get married and have little Pant Devils. Although, she would have to be understanding of my job…(looks at me)…Hey, are you free Saturday night?

Chessnamoon: (looks startled) I…um…I'm sorry, I'm dedicated to my career and I have to…uhhh…work that night. Are there any other thoughts you would like to share with our readers?

Pant Devil: Yes, there is. Please don't take it personally if I happen to take something from your inventory. I really do try to control the urges to take from Neopians. But the coding is just too strong! Oh and I am available!

Chessnamoon: (tried to end the interview very quickly) Thank you so much for spending your afternoon with me. I'm sure our reader will enjoy this look into the 'Pant Devil' as much as I have!