Charles Rappleye is an award-winning investigative journalist, editor and author. Before taking the stage to lecture on the life of Robert Morris and the creation of public credit during the American Revolution, Rappleye sat down for our “In The Green Room” Q&A.

Q. What is the last thing that inspired you?

A. The State of the Union? Well, I haven’t heard the whole thing yet, but I think Obama has his inspirational moments.

Q. What is your favorite thing about L.A.?

A. The neighborhoods.

Q. What’s the best advice you ever received?

A. Keep your mouth shut, which is not what I’m doing here.

Q.If you could get anything, what item would you bid for on eBay?

A. A leather bound copy of Ben Franklin’s Diary.

Q. What is your biggest weakness?

A. Tobacco.

Q.Did you get into trouble as a child?

A. Generally speaking, yes.

Q. What literary character do you identify with?

A. Huck Finn. Talk about getting in trouble as a kid.

Q. What do you wake up to?

A. Well, there is a wife and dog right next to me every morning when I wake up.

Q. Describe yourself in five words or fewer.

A. Fifty-five and ticking.

Q. What is your greatest extravagance?

A. Martinis.

Q. What would be your profession in another life?

A. Hitting a baseball.

Q. What would your death row meal be?

A. A nice ribeye steak and a nice side of greens, maybe Spinach… and that martini.

Q. What is your favorite holiday and why?

A. Dia de los Muertos because it is rich and deep and interesting and still new to me.

Q. Who would write your biography?

A. My son or my daughter, and they’ll have to figure out which it will be.