Neal and the Columbia University Tunnels

Columbia University has been much on my mind recently. In my current story Raphael's Dragon, Neal is about to finish his first year of grad school. Two years ago, on October 23, 2014, I posted Complications, the story that started Neal's adventure at Columbia. Complications was a first in a couple of respects. It was my first fanfic and it was Neal's first opportunity to correct a deficit in his resume, namely a lack of a degree. In canon, Neal ran away before graduating from high school. The only degrees he had were fake. That someone as brilliant as Neal didn't have any legitimate degrees was emblematic of the bittersweet nature of the series.

Game Theory, Caffrey Conversation Style

Board games are one of the many delightful White Collar canon themes we love to keep alive in our series. Mozzie continues to play Candy Land with June. He plans a con by using Monopoly. In the Caffrey Conversation AU, we've expanded the gaming concept to include not only board games but other types as well.

The Many Folds of Origami

Neal's connection to the art of paper-folding can be traced back to the flashback episode "Forging Bonds" where when he and Alex communicated via origami flowers. In "Bad Judgment," Kate left Neal an origami message in a bouquet of flowers at her father's grave. When Neal stole a painting in the first season episode "The Portrait," he replaced it with an origami butterfly.

The Power of Two

If there's a magic number for White Collar, it has to be two. The series is based on the strong relationship between Neal and Peter. Almost as important is Neal's friendship with Mozzie. In canon, much of the tension arises from Neal being pulled back and forth between his two friends.

The Arkham Round Table

Penna and I often compare working on the Caffrey Conversation AU to the team experience of screenwriters on a TV series. Many times we feel as if the characters are participating in our conversations. With the Arkham Round Table, I've extended the concept to the story itself.

When You Have to Take Down a Friend

In Raphael's Dragon, I pay tribute to one of the classic canon scenes of White Collar. In "Countdown" (Season 3, Episode 10), Peter suspects Neal stole the U-boat treasure. He calls on his former mentor Phillip Kramer for help, and Kramer warns him how it will hurt to arrest Neal. He says that Peter won't be slapping handcuffs on a criminal but on a friend. In Kramer's view, it's only a matter of time till Neal returns to his old ways.

The Dutchman and Goya: A Moment of Serendipity

Curtis Hagen is one of White Collar's main villains. His sardonic wit has made him a fan favorite. In our series, he makes his first appearance in The Dreamer. Since our stories are set pre-canon, Peter doesn't know the identity of the master art thief and forger whom he's dubbed the Dutchman. It was up to me to figure out a way for Neal to uncover his identity.

Raphael's Dragon: The Secrets Neal Keeps

In Choirboy Caffrey, Penna references "The Gift of the Magi," a short story by O. Henry, to compare Neal and Peter's differing attitudes toward problem-solving. Neal believes the tale is a beautiful example of how a couple showed their love for each other through the sacrifices they made. Peter hates the story. He thinks the couple should have worked together to arrive at a solution. Peter makes the case that partners need to consult with each other. Neal protests that life isn't always that clear-cut. Peter says it is if Neal doesn't overcomplicate issues. But then Neal's life is all about complications, isn't it?