A multimedia project by Todd Heisler, there are some beautiful stories here.
For three decades, Ms. Wirth, 54, has been slinging drinks and entertaining guests at Marie's Crisis, a piano bar in the West Village. Link
A former painter, Ms. Dixson, 30, taught herself taxidermy, starting with a pair of deer feet. Link
An ironworker and bike racer, Mr. Marmo, 26, spent much of his teens and early 20s in and out of jail for vandalism, drugs and bar fights. Link
A father of three, Mr. Mocha, 51, served 12 years in prison after robbing nine banks on Long Island. Link
A lobby attendant on the Upper West Side, Mr. Vega, 52, retired from boxing in 1986 but still earns extra money sparring. Link
More of Todd Heisler's work here.