Pockey named BFF "Stud muffin of the month"

On Tuesday afternoon's Seattle-to-Bremerton crossing aboard the ferry Walla Walla, 22-year-old Silverdale resident Shane Pockey was named March's "Stud Muffin" in a recurring contest where the floating female population decides which ferry-riding male most embodies the red-blooded American spirit that ferry riders are so well known for.

Pockey, who works as the general manager at Xanadu Comics in downtown Seattle, edged out last month's winner, "Big Mike" Lozano, a longshoreman from Bremerton known for his droopy lip and "dreamy eyes", in a 23-19 vote.

Unable to hear the smattering of applause when his name was announced over the PA due to the blare of Ookla the Mok's greatest hits on his headphones, Pockey finally learned of the  honor when friend Gary Nessburger sent him a text message. But Pockey, characteristically, took the news in stride, casually tipping back a cream soda and barely looking up from his Star Wars X-Wing Republic Commando Series book.

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"Shane's always been that way," said Nessburger, who plays Dungeons and Dragons with Pockey on Tuesday and Wednesday nights. "One time we were shopping for Star Trek accessories and he didn't bat an eye when we found the PERFECT Mr. Sulu Snuggie. Dude's one cool customer."

Pockey, seemingly annoyed by the attention, did agree to answer one question from this reporter. When asked what he'd do with the $25 prize money, Pockey's thoughts went quickly to his two true loves. "Tonight I plan to super-size my nuggets," he explained, "and then I'm going to buy a new World of Warcraft gamer's guide."

Pictured below in a photo she provided to Ferry Tales is Deena Crenmeyer, a Seattle resident and organizer of the monthly "muffin" contest. She admitted Pockey has been a secret favorite of hers for several months.

"The way he nibbles at his hot pocket, the lilt of his hoodie against those ghostly white cheeks of his -- well it gives me the chills," said Crenmeyer, 29. "I sometimes dream that I'm Princess Leia and he's Luke coming to rescue me in the Death Star. It's silly, right?"

For his part, Pockey was non-committal when asked if he'd attend the next week's Ferry Ladies Potluck and Bunko night, which is customary for the "muffin" winner.