Talent in Disguise

F rank Abigail, 17 years old, set out on a mission to reacquire upper-middle-class stability after his parents’ divorce, to achieve respect. Consumed with envy at his compatriots’ ostentatious lifestyle he dreamed of working miracles to emulate their success. And he did perform wonders! … with his checkbook. There was no money in his account, but with a checkbook and a sense of gall, nothing could stop a boy genius. This young con artist successfully impersonated an airline pilot, doctor, assistant attorney general and history professor, cashing more than $2.5 million in fraudulent checks in 26 countries. He was not really into flying, into healing, into the law; those were just dodges that secured his access to the institutions whose financial security is poorly constructed. In the beginning Frank had his share of good fortune. He absorbed the rules of the paper-money system and learned how to benefit from these imperfections; all of this, of course, was propelled by his utter sincerity in various guises, and fueled by his weird gift to make himself seem older or younger than he is. In the short run Frank was cornered, tried and taken to prison. The FBI offered Frank a deal by which he could live out the remainder of his sentence working for the bank fraud department of the FBI, to which Frank submitted. Frank has been enjoying secure living and a happy marriage for 26 years, has three sons, lives in the Midwest, has caught some of the world's most elusive money forgers, and earns millions of dollars each year creating unforgeable checks. His story provided an inspiration for a gripping film.

“I’ll never …desert you”

T he words "I live with my parents" used to evoke images of the lazy, unemployed and, essentially, the losers. But today, twenty- and thirty-something New Yorkers who could afford to have their own place are opting to stay at home and reap the perks. According to the latest U.S. census data, published in August 2008, 19 million young adults between the ages of 18 and 34 clung to their parents' household and are unwilling to fly the parental nest.

Jillian Kelleher is a senior account executive at a public relations firm who makes $65,000 a year. She wears Diane von Furstenberg, and is a regular at some of the city's hottest power lunch spots. Anyone meeting her for the first time would assume that she has a way of living in a luxurious downtown apartment. But - surprise! - Jillian lives with her mom and is basically milking her for free rent and food. In fact, this 25-year-old sleeps in the same room she's had since the 10th grade. "I have the best room ever," Jillian says. "Basically, I'm never leaving." Still, she's aware of the stigma that comes with being a young, working professional who stays put. "When you're 25 and successful, people question why you're not on your own," Jillian says. "I get some sneers—nothing overt, but people seemed absolutely flabbergasted." In fact, Jillian lives with her mother by choice. After college she was traveling so much for work that it made financial sense to stay there rather than pay rent for an apartment she never used. When she got her current, relatively travel-free job, Jillian realized that she actually really enjoyed their living arrangement. "We'll sit for hours and dissect everything from boy troubles to nail polish," Jillian says of her mother.” I share all my troubles with her. You can take a leap because you have that safety net."