Editing Mrs Plenty

{{Spoiler}}{{Character

|allegiance = [[The Masters of the Bazaar]]<br>

|relationships = [[Jervaise]] (husband)<br>

[[His Amused Lordship]] (it's complicated)<br>

[[The Masters of the Bazaar]] (benefactors)<br>

}}<blockquote>''"The pearly proprietress of the carnival, Mrs Plenty is patroness of many a struggling artist and bane of many a carnival performer."''<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Mrs_Plenty_(Election_Candidate)|Mrs Plenty (Election Candidate)|Fallen London|}}</ref></blockquote>'''Miriam Plenty''' is the owner and namesake of [[Mrs Plenty's Carnival|Mrs Plenty's Most Distracting Carnival]], located in the East End of [[London]].

==The Ringleader==

<blockquote>''"And now I'm here and I'm gonna SACK THAT FIRE EATER IF HE DON' PULL HIS SOCKS UP. Funny old world, innit?"''<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Have_a_chat_in_the_shadow_of_the_wheel|Have a chat in the shadow of the wheel|Fallen London|}}</ref></blockquote>Though she does not often discuss this due to potential backlash over her humble origins,<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Blackmail_Mrs_Plenty Blackmail Mrs Plenty, ''Fallen London''] ''"I'm sure the press would be kind when reporting your humble origins and the... quaint customs of Mutton Island."''</ref> Mrs Plenty hails from [[Mutton Island]]:<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Have_a_chat_in_the_shadow_of_the_wheel|Have a chat in the shadow of the wheel|Fallen London|}} ''"Miriam Plenty smiles, and for a moment you see a Mutton Islander rather than a patroness of the London bohemian set."''</ref> the source of her charming Cockney accent, as well as her famous Rubbery Lumps<ref name=":02">[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Lu-umps!_Get_yer_rubbery_Lu-umps!_Pride_of_the_Neath! Lu-umps! Get yer rubbery Lu-umps! Pride of the Neath!, ''Fallen London''] ''"Alarming beasts dredged up from the Unterzee, hit on the head, chopped up and fried in batter. Two hours from trawler to newspaper wrapping. Luvverly. No Rubbery Man content whatever. Guaranteed by Mr Hearts, so it is."''</ref> that she promotes and sells even outside the Carnival.<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Take_some_refreshment Take some refreshment, ''Fallen London''] ''"Mrs Plenty knows a good business opportunity when she sees one. There are Rubbery Lump stands dotted all around the Labyrinth, shunned by cats and haunted by urchins."''</ref> She and her husband [[Jervaise]] ran a bar called the Cock and Magpie before they left for [[London]].<ref name=":52">[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Take_a_good_look_around Take a good look around, ''Fallen London''] ''"[…] Miriam used to run this place a'fore me, with 'er 'usband. Both of 'em tangled up with them Masters up in London. Terrible business. Still, I hear she's played fair well with a bad hand. Even had a go at making Rubbery Lumps. In London! […]"''</ref> Although she is no longer welcome on the island due to her past dealings, she returns in disguise for the [[Fruits of the Zee Festival]],<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Confront_a_Hooded_Lady_of_Mysterious_Provenance Confront a Hooded Lady of Mysterious Provenance, ''Fallen London''] ''"'[…] all right, don't shout about it,' she hisses. 'I'm all in a cognito, ain't I? Just wanted to see the old stomping-grounds. Remember younger, stupider, simpler days. Look, if keep your bleedin' mouth shut I'll owe you one. Take this as surety.' […]"''</ref> and she spends one night a year running the Cock and Magpie just like old times.<ref name=":22">[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Visit_Mutton_Island_with_Mrs_Plenty_(12_FATE) Visit Mutton Island with Mrs Plenty (12 FATE), ''Fallen London''] ''"...there is a lit lantern hanging over the Cock and Magpie's door. Inside, laughter. Miriam Plenty'' ''[...] takes up her space behind the bar, and pours you a generous ale. "On the 'ouse," she says with a wink. "All on the 'ouse tonight." [...]'' ''Candles flow from the kitchen, and are in need of continuous resupply.'' ''[...]'' ''They share stories of bad ends and darker crossings. Behind her mask, Mrs Plenty doles out comforting advice in the form of too-neat parables as she serves her ale. "Best I can do for 'em," Mrs Plenty says as you depart. "Too late for most. But maybe one or two will remember a better time.""''</ref>[[File:Lumps.png|thumb|Rubbery Lumps]]While today she profits off its traditions, Plenty had always wanted to leave Mutton Island.<ref name=":6">{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Have_a_chat_in_the_shadow_of_the_wheel|Have a chat in the shadow of the wheel|Fallen London|}} ''"...life was a lot bleedin' simpler back then. O'course, I wanted to leave the island even before I started looking for it. But then the search was everythin'. [...] And now I'm here and I'm gonna SACK THAT FIRE EATER IF HE DON' PULL HIS SOCKS UP. Funny old world, innit?""''</ref> She eventually found her way to London while following the dangerous and forbidden Seeking Road,<ref name=":52" /> and it was her departure from that path that led her to her current business venture.<ref name=":6" /> Plenty now runs the Carnival alongside Jervaise, who moonlights as its Bearded Lady.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/'Meet_me_at_the_contortionist's_tent_at_midnight.'|'Meet me at the contortionist's tent at midnight.'|Fallen London|}} ''"You turn – and see the Carnival's Bearded Lady. She wears a yellow and pink striped crinoline and carries a frilly parasol. Her beard is... actually, her beard is familiar. You look again. It's Jervaise."''</ref> She and Jervaise are habitual smokers<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Suggest_a_boat_ride Suggest a boat ride, ''Fallen London''] ''"Jervaise sits in the boat, drinking and smoking..."''</ref><ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Have_a_chat_in_the_shadow_of_the_wheel Have a chat in the shadow of the wheel, ''Fallen London''] ''"Catch Mrs Plenty when she nips around the side of the wheel for a smoke."''</ref> who share a fondness for bickering.<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Suggest_a_boat_ride Suggest a boat ride, ''Fallen London''] ''"Jervaise and the Hooded Woman sit side by side, one oar each. They bicker ceaselessly; the boat goes in circles […] When they return some hours later, they are both beaming. "Marvellous," the Hooded Woman says. "We should do it again," Jervaise concurs."''</ref> She adores moon-pearls enough to accept them as currency to buy carnival tickets, and wears copious quantities of them as jewelry and accessories.<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Buy_a_ticket_with_moon-pearls Buy a ticket with moon-pearls, ''Fallen London''] ''"Mrs. Plenty likes moon-pearls. She wears enough of them to keep a dozen clock-makers in business."''</ref> She regularly visits the Bone Market to procure attractions for the Carnival.<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Mrs_Plenty Mrs Plenty, ''Fallen London''] ''"She buys that which might terrify visitors to her Carnival."''</ref>

<blockquote>"''London needs an 'oliday. A jolly good 'oliday. And I'm the woman to make it happen."''<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Learn_more_about_Mrs_Plenty's_platform|Learn more about Mrs Plenty's platform|Fallen London|}}</ref></blockquote>Mrs Plenty ran for [[Mayor of London]] in 1897, under the slogan ''"A Moment's Peace."'' <ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Learn_more_about_Mrs_Plenty%27s_platform Learn more about Mrs Plenty's platform, ''Fallen London''] ''"She wants 'A Moment's Peace'. What does that mean?"''</ref> She and her campaign manager, [[His Amused Lordship]],<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Choose_Mrs_Plenty_as_your_candidate Choose Mrs Plenty as your candidate, ''Fallen London''] ''"Despite her slogan, Mrs Plenty's supporters are a noisy crowd. Bohemians. Carnival barkers, trapeze artists, tomb-colonists and a tiger or two process in her wake. His Amused Lordship is managing Mrs Plenty's campaign."''</ref> aimed to grant the city a year of respite from its recent turmoil<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Learn_more_about_Mrs_Plenty's_platform|Learn more about Mrs Plenty's platform|Fallen London|}} ''""The way I sees it, we've had [...] Too much b____y going on, if you'll pardon my English. We've had three mayors – of very varying success. Endless foreign ambassadors, an Elder Continent city invading our dreams, a royal weddin', a bloomin' tentacle cult and more crimes than you can shake a stick at. [...] London needs an 'oliday. A jolly good 'oliday. And I'm the woman to make it happen.""''</ref> by reinforcing the [[The Constables|constabulary]] and bribing [[London]]’s adversaries to "b____r off for a bit."<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Ask_Mrs_Plenty_about_her_plan_for_London Ask Mrs Plenty about her plan for London, ''Fallen London''] ''"[…] Honest constables to keep the peace […] a public 'oliday on Mutton Island, bribes to every ambassador […] to b____r off for a bit. What I means […] Is to keep the wolves from our door for another year."''</ref> Under the surface, however, Plenty was more interested in expanding her own business<ref name=":32">[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Choose_a_Target:_Mrs_Plenty%27s_Campaign Choose a Target: Mrs Plenty's Campaign, ''Fallen London''] ''"There are plans afoot. Expanded positions. Increased budget to bring in big attractions. New costumes. New venues. And best of all, none of this will come from their wages. Everyone at the carnival will prosper. Except for 'that woman'. She gets to keep renting her tent, but the rent will go up."''</ref> and bringing prosperity to [[Mutton Island]].<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Persuade_Mrs_Plenty_to_share_a_confidence Persuade Mrs Plenty to share a confidence, ''Fallen London''] ''"I'm not proposin' we build a bridge, mind. But might be we could bring a piece of Mutton Island to London. [...] Maybe a new attraction. Somethin' to give people a real taste of the old place. Not the mummer's show we put on for the kiddies."''</ref> Her employee [[Madame Shoshana]] ran against her, and while Plenty might have been proud of Shoshana,<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Ask_Mrs_Plenty_for_her_opinion_on_Madame_Shoshana Ask Mrs Plenty for her opinion on Madame Shoshana, ''Fallen London''] ''"In Mrs Plenty's esteemed opinion, 'that woman' is a liar, a charlatan, a no-good mountebank, an ingrate, biting the hand that feeds her, a mistress of chicanery and Judas reincarnated. Is Mrs Plenty actually proud of her?"''</ref> the competition between the two irked Plenty enough that she worked to disrupt Shoshana's campaign in a rather petty fashion.<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Ask_Mrs_Plenty_for_her_opinion_on_Virginia Ask Mrs Plenty for her opinion on Virginia, ''Fallen London''] ''"Oo?" Mrs Plenty asks, when you catch her daubing a thick layer of paint on a moustache she’s added to a poster of Madame Shoshana from up a rickety ladder. "Oh. Her."''</ref> Both were ultimately defeated by [[Virginia]].<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Election_1897:_The_Victor_is_Announced Election 1897: The Victor is Announced, ''Fallen London''] ''"London's first Lord Mayor shall be ... Virginia."''</ref>

{{Peckish spoiler small}}<blockquote>''"They says I 'asn't got an 'eart. They're wrong about that. I 'ate to see you chuckin' yer 'ole self away like this. But, more'n that, I got certain duties I can't get out of, even with wot [[The Masters of the Bazaar#Mr Wines|Jervaise and 'Imself]] did fer me. You can take the gel out of the Mutton, but you can't take the Mutton out of the gel. Not all the way. So what about you? Why're you chasin' yer doom so 'ard?"''<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/%22What_do_you_care%3F%22 "What do you care?", ''Fallen London'']</ref></blockquote>

Miriam Plenty was once a Seeker of [[Mr Eaten|Mr Eaten's]] Name, but was saved from the later stages of her ruinous quest<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/One_more_loss|One more loss|Fallen London|}} ''"So I never went all the way North. But I never what you might call formally resigned from bein' a Lady of the Well. So I get to play crossroads, 'ere. Listen. You fink you've given up so much? It's only begun. From 'ere on, it gets rough."''</ref> by [[His Amused Lordship]].<ref name=":12">[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Ask_His_Lordship_about_the_Marvellous Ask His Lordship about the Marvellous, ''Fallen London''] ''"Damn fool game. I only played to rescue a damn fool friend. Well, friend undersells it rather a lot. She wouldn't be pleased to hear me describe her so. [...] She was on a dark path, a seeker of that which shouldn't be sought. I played the game to win her back."''</ref> The two presumably met through His Lordship's wife, who was Miriam's partner in Seeking. When the path demanded betrayal, Her Ladyship sought her husband's help in betraying Miriam.<ref name=":7">[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/A_Confession_of_his_Amused_Lordship A Confession of his Amused Lordship, ''Fallen London'']: ''"His Amused Lordship is, possibly, a widower. His confession starts: 'I do not know what has happened to my wife.' His wife was obsessed with a terrible quest. Something involving wells and voices. She had a partner upon it, one 'Miriam', of whom his Lordship developed increasing affection. Eventually, the quest required that Miriam and her Ladyship turn upon each other. His wife turned to his Lordship for assistance, but he balked. He informed Miriam of his wife's plan. Shortly thereafter, his wife disappeared."''</ref> But His Lordship's affection for Miriam had grown too much, and instead he warned Miriam; Her Ladyship vanished soon afterward, likely into a well.<ref name=":7" /> By winning the [[Marvellous]], His Lordship was able to save Miriam with [[Jervaise]]'s help,<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/%22What_do_you_care%3F%22 "What do you care?", ''Fallen London''] ''"I got certain duties I can't get out of, even with wot Jervaise and 'Imself did fer me."''</ref> though this did not come without psychological scars.<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Sabotage_a_picnic Sabotage a picnic, ''Fallen London''] ''"All you need do is ensure that the contents of the basket are replaced with candles. The expression on the Hooded Woman's face, and the horror on Jervaise's as he registers it, is enough to put a lid on the whole afternoon."''</ref><ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Bring_the_pair_to_an_unfortunate_place Bring the pair to an unfortunate place, ''Fallen London''] ''"Jervaise takes his wife's hand and leads her from the well, but not without first shooting you a glance of mild loathing."''</ref>

In an incident that was likely the catalyst to saving Miriam, she and Jervaise became "entangled" with the [[Masters of the Bazaar]],<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Take_a_good_look_around Take a good look around, ''Fallen London''] ''"Miriam used to run this place a'fore me, with 'er 'usband. Both of 'em tangled up with them Masters up in London. Terrible business. Still, I hear she's played fair well with a bad hand. Even had a go at making Rubbery Lumps. In London!"''</ref> who hunt down and dissuade Seekers of the Name.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/TWO_OF_BATS|TWO OF BATS|Fallen London|}} ''"A courier in sombre livery approaches you in the street to hand you a note bearing the seal of Mr Iron. It reads: 'You are pursuing a name. End your pursuit now.' "''</ref> After His Lordship won the Marvellous,<ref name=":12" /> the Masters made an arrangement with him to promise Miriam riches and influence in London;<ref name=":42">[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/It_would_be_criminal_not_to It would be criminal not to, ''Fallen London''] ''<nowiki/>'..but not even these promises and threats from His Lordship will stop me.[…]'' ''<nowiki/>'No. It calls me. From the well, from dreams, from the North. I will bloody well go North and I will bloody well find the name. Lords and Masters be buggered! […]'''</ref> it may be extrapolated that they funded her Carnival to entice her away from Seeking. As the Masters are her benefactors, and her husband was most likely employed by [[Mr Wines]] as an additional consequence of these events,<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/The_smoothness_of_stones The smoothness of stones, ''Fallen London''] ''"Jervaise - Mr Wines' majordomo - […] is happy to gossip."''</ref> Plenty is reluctant to speak ill of them.<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/%22It_was_the_Docks._The_Battle.%22 "It was the Docks. The Battle.", ''Fallen London''] ''"You wouldn't expect to 'ear me speak ill of the Masters, would yer? And I ain't going to. But things changed that day, more than anyone expected. London won't always be this way. P'raps you should wait and see what's coming."''</ref> Miriam has been to [[Mr Fires]]' sinister [[Orphanage]]<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/%22After_I_left_the_Palace...%22_You_shrug. "After I left the Palace..." You shrug., ''Fallen London'']''"The Shuttered Palace! Tell yer what, I'd rather spend a week in the Orphanage than a month in that... that... over-furnished undertaker's. No music! I'm not surprised yer brain turned. But turned it 'as."''</ref><ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Discover_Virginia%27s_scheme Discover Virginia's scheme, ''Fallen London''] ''"For my research, I need something that remembers the Orphanage. I have heard that Mrs Plenty is familiar with the place and took a mask away with her. She didn't keep it long."''</ref> and implies that she was changed by the [[Iron Republic]],<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/%22Have_you_ever_been_to_the_Iron_Republic%3F%22 "Have you ever been to the Iron Republic?", ''Fallen London''] ''"Then a sound. Is she... is she weeping? "Yes," she says very quietly. "Just once.""''</ref> both of which may offer vague further clues as to her path away from Seeking.[[File:Lordship.png|thumb|[[His Amused Lordship]]]]Despite all that she experienced, Miriam never truly left the Seeking Road. She now guides others to a particular candle in a warped version of her [[Mrs Plenty's Carnival...|Carnival]],<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Why%3F|Why?|Fallen London|}} ''"The woman in the Mirror wants to know why you are so hell-bent on your own dissolution. She's waiting for an answer. And your mind is clearer than it's been in a while. Perhaps that's the cigar-smoke."''</ref><ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Gorge_yourself|Gorge yourself|Fallen London|}} ''"The more you eat, the more you need. Your belly gnaws at you as you gnaw at raw meat, fungus, tent-poles, fresh cats, childhood memories, your own limbs. Perhaps you should continue."''</ref> accessible only at midnight.<ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/St_Beau%27s_Candle_(storylet)|St Beau's Candle (storylet)|Fallen London|}} ''"St Beau's Candle is the crossroads-candle... you read that somewhere. You think. In this note? Where did this note come from? 'Carnival, midnight, mirror-tent.' It is signed only with the Number."''</ref> Unhappy with this duty, she works to discourage others from the path;<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/At_a_crossroads At a crossroads, ''Fallen London''] ''""You've come a long way," […] "Not as far as I came, back when I was Looking, but then I 'ad certain advantages. In me upbringing. And anyway, you might go further." She leans closer, and her ear-rings jingle. "Free advice for yer. Don't.""''</ref><ref>{{Citation|https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/One_more_loss|One more loss|Fallen London|}} ''"So I'm goin' to offer you one last way out. This might be yer last chance. And it's certainly yer best one. I'll even pay what I can scrape together from me savings. It'll cost me more than I can easily pay, even in a dream, but whoever you are, you don't deserve what's coming."''</ref> her yearly visit to Mutton Island to run the Cock and Magpie is also implied to attract fellow Seekers, in a largely futile effort to dissuade them.<ref name=":22" /> Miriam and His Lordship are still close friends, causing questions and gossip about the nature of their extramarital relationship.<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/Discommode_Mrs_Plenty Discommode Mrs Plenty, ''Fallen London''] ''"A crowd gathers, mouths agape. They are evidently in awe of your artistry – and your audacity. His Amused Lordship goes quite purple when his puppet makes an appearance in Mrs Plenty's boudoir. You are summarily ejected from the carnival, your puppets flung at your head one after the other – but the people are laughing. Oh, how they're laughing."''</ref> Miriam maintains that love is complicated,<ref>[https://fallenlondon.wiki/wiki/%22For_love.%22 "For love.", ''Fallen London''] ''"Is she fighting back tears, […]? Impossible to tell in this uncertain light. "I never sorted out to me own satisfaction," she says, rather quietly, "whether love was more trouble than it was worth. And it's even more complicated […]."''</ref> and His Lordship notes that she would not be pleased to be described as merely his friend.<ref name=":12" />