My always expanding opinion of Jess Castle:
 
Jess qualifies as "a pretty cool guy," and yet, when my mother asked if Jess is "nice," I said, "no."  It never really occurred to me before, but Jess really isn't nice.  Neither am I, for that matter, as my readers would likely agree.  Jess and I are assholes.  This term often means one who makes himself look bad in the view of qualified judges of character.  In this case, however, it means we often think badly of other people.  We are qualified judges of character with a lot of cynicism.  Jess's descriptions of people he doesn't like are often howlingly funny.  He tells me that I, too, have a talent for describing people I don't like with exceptionally unflattering terms. 
 
I had previously thought of myself as liking "nice people."  This is not true.  Scott, you are nice, and I like you.  However, I probably don't like you because you're nice.  If you weren't nice, I wouldn't like you any less. 
 
Jess has above-average intelligence, and he makes efforts to build on it.  I respect that.  I couldn't say why.  I suppose I subconsciously think of him as a useful resource, likely to be a good person to know in the future.  There are probably other, less selfish reasons, but I don't know what they are.  It's similar to cats: do I like cats because they provide me pleaseure, or because they're "cute?"  I dunno. 
 
Intelligence gives people the option of having complicated and enjoyable discussions, of course.  That probably has a lot to do with it.  But I respect the fact that Jess builds on his intelligence (studies national issues and philosophy with equally scrutinizing care).  Why should I respect this?  Hell, what's respect, for that matter?
 
So, if anyone has comments on Jess, namely, those two of my readers who met him last night, please give them to me.  I study all of you all of the time, just so you know.  You are never alone.