The Masterpiece

Content Warning: The source text and this guide include references to addiction, abuse, domestic violence, death by suicide, and the neglect and exploitation of children.

Roman Velasco, the story’s male protagonist, is first introduced as a rising star in the LA art world. He has lived a troubled life as a child and teenager. Roman was born as Bobby Ray Dean and raised by a single mother who turned to sex work to support her son and her drug habit. His mother was frequently absent in his early years, but she always came back home to him; however, she died of an overdose when he was seven years old. Bobby Ray thereafter spent his youth in a succession of foster homes. He would often escape from foster care and live on the streets as part of a gang, putting graffiti on buildings around San Francisco. The police eventually caught up with him and sent him to a youth rehabilitation program. There, he tried his hand at other art forms and discovered he was good at it. He then took on the pseudonym Roman Velasco and pursued art.

In addition to being a gifted artist, Roman is handsome, dark-haired, and around 30 years old.