On a blustery but warm St. Paddy's day, Nick James' cheeks are painted with shamrocks instead of the usual bright red circles he wears to his office - a section of roped-off sidewalk in front of FAO Schwartz. He greets passersby, presses the flesh and hams for photos with a panache that would make a politician blush.
The FAO Schwartz toy soldier for four-and-a-half years (and five winters, he notes) James' employers have the right man for the job. When offered the position, he said "You play with toys and get paid for it? Where do I sign!" Though some of his jests have the timing of well-worn schtick, he clearly loves his work, accommodating requests for photos and directions with equal good cheer. "Giving directions is my second job," James says. "If it wasn't for me, everybody would be lost in this town." Indeed, in a half-hour, he's asked for directions five times (his picture's snapped only three).
Though there are other soldiers at other FAO flagship stores - in Orlando, Las Vegas, New York and San Francisco - Nick believes he's the "most famous," and takes credit for building the job into what it is, through both his longevity and personality. Before him, people perceived it as a sucky job, he feels, but now, people envy him and say, "This guy has the best job in Chicago."
In the world of living toys, James knows he's among the elite - after all, "I'm the one lighting the Christmas tree with Mayor Daley, and Ronald McDonald and the Precious Moments are down below. There's a little rivalry," James admits. "But I'm humble."
That must be hard when TV crews ask him for toy recommendations. Has he been offered payola by toy companies to push their products? He says no and seems disappointed, joking that he'd appreciate a few offers "under the table." A past flirtation with acting in Hong Kong led to several small movie roles (including a part in Jean-Claude Van Damme's "Kickboxer"), and James says he's once again "dabbling in acting." But for now, he's happy with his current role. "I'm not just the Goodwill Ambassador for FAO Schwartz, but the city of Chicago," he enthuses.
James even got married in the store. Dressed in full regalia (minus painted cheeks and hat), he exchanged vows with his bride Lynne, attired as a princess. Like the parents who want to burn off their kids' energy with a trip to the toy store but instead get sucked in themselves, Nick James is in deep. "It's like our song says - 'Welcome to our world. You're in our world now.'"
(Keir Graff)
copyright 1999 New City Communications, Inc.