Joseph Schmidt

**Joseph Danger Schmidt** is the reluctant straightman of *For Real This Time*, and main character. He is the honorary leader of the gang, and is practically the secretary of the house.

## Profile

### Appearance

Joseph has a fair build, due to his past in cross country. Average weight, average height. He has brown greasy hair, due to the fact the Gang's shower is broken. He usually wears hoodies, and jeans. When at home, he is either completley nude, or shirtless.

### Personality

Joseph Schmidt is often regarded as the most grounded and reasonable member of the gang, providing a semblance of stability in their otherwise chaotic lives. His sense of responsibility extends not only to managing their finances but also to maintaining a sense of order within the household. Despite his critical role in keeping the gang afloat, Joseph's personality is not without its complexities. Beneath his façade of composure and responsibility, Joseph harbors a simmering undercurrent of instability. This instability is particularly evident in his interactions with Noah Anderson. Despite their long history of friendship, Joseph's simmering anger and occasional displays of outright hatred toward Noah hint at unresolved tensions that date back to their early days. These feelings often bubble to the surface, leaving observers to wonder whether Joseph's resentment might be rooted in deeper issues or personal history. Joseph's battle with depression is another facet of his personality that reveals vulnerability beneath his practical exterior. While he strives to keep the gang's finances in order, he often grapples with his own mental health challenges. His struggles with depression occasionally manifest, reminding those around him that even the most stable individuals are not immune to the weight of their inner demons. These moments of vulnerability humanize Joseph, demonstrating that he is, like the rest of the gang, a multifaceted character dealing with his own share of internal conflicts.

## Biography

### Early life

Joseph's early life was marked by relative normalcy and a modest upbringing in Roseburg, Oregon. He was born into a middle-class family and grew up in a close-knit neighborhood. During his childhood, Joseph developed friendships that would shape his life, particularly his long-standing bond with Noah Anderson, whom he had known since their days in elementary school. In middle school, Joseph's path crossed with the other core members of the gang, forming the foundation of their enduring friendships. These early connections would set the stage for the unconventional adventures they would embark on together in later years. As Joseph entered his early 20s, he faced a series of financial setbacks. He found himself grappling with the burdens of student loan debts, which he had accumulated in pursuit of higher education, and his penchant for making ill-fated bets. These financial challenges would eventually lead him to move in with the gang, sharing their unorthodox lives and shouldering the responsibilities of maintaining their collective finances. While he provided the stable foundation for the group, he had to confront the consequences of his past financial decisions, a burden he carried in addition to the weight of his student loan debts.

### Modern day

In the present day, Joseph finds himself shouldering the responsibility of managing the gang's finances. He juggles various odd jobs and money-making schemes to keep afloat and support his friends. Despite his own struggles, Joseph remains committed to the well-being of the gang and ensures that the bills are paid, even if it means bending the rules occasionally. His ongoing battle with depression is a heavy burden that he hides behind his role as the reluctant straight man. The gang remains largely oblivious to Joseph's inner turmoil, as he maintains a stoic facade while providing the stability that keeps their chaotic lives from spiraling completely out of control. Joseph's story is one of resilience in the face of adversity, where he navigates the challenging landscape of financial hardship and mental health issues while trying to create a sense of normalcy within the offbeat world of the gang.