"Almost broke me," he admits with a faint grimace. "I was singlehandedly supporting the liquor industry in my corner of Brooklyn for a while."

He's making light, but it was a matter of time before his liver imploded, and he knows that now. But this is too dark a topic for a nice day. "I would love to see your studio! The angel has a room set up in his apartment for me, but I'd like a little more space, myself. Even if I'm not out all the time."

Realizing that's a statement that might require some clarification, he adds: "What I mean is, my body is an angelic vessel. I share it with an angel named Balthazar. He's taking a back seat right now but if you see me again and it doesn't seem like me, it's him."