The Cheery Man

From The Fifth City Wiki

"I wanted a reunion. I'll have one, one way or the other. That's something. One day, perhaps."[2]

The Cheery Man is the owner of the Medusa's Head, a tavern in Watchmaker's Hill, and the leader of one of London's criminal syndicates. Though he is ruthless even by the Fifth City's standards, he commands great loyalty among his thieves and cutthroats.[3] He oversees a lucrative sunlight smuggling operation[4] and trades with tomb-colonists, providing materials for the construction of their Grand Sanatorium.[5] His dealings extend to the Fingerkings,[5] and he uses the services of one of their agents (implied to be Monsieur Pleat) for assassinations.[6]

History[edit]

"The Cheery Man smiles fondly, gazing down at his wife's tomb. 'She would have it 'er own way. The apple of my eye, and the very terror of old Spite. The days we saw! And together, we raised a fine girl. This was before the business with the venom, mind you.'"[7]

Years ago, the Cheery Man was poisoned with a minuscule dose of Cantigaster venom,[8] leaving him unable to walk[8] without assistance[9] and depriving him of certain other faculties.[10] A lifetime of crime has taken its toll, leaving him scarred both physically and emotionally, and he longs to retire and live a normal life.[11] He is often seen in expensive suits, though he visibly dislikes wearing them,[12][13] and one of his teeth has a gold crown.[14]

The Cheery Man was once married, and he and his wife Agatha ruled as crime lords of Spite.[15] However, in the establishment of their empire, they made as many enemies as one might expect;[16] eventually, Agatha was killed in a surprise attack at Beatrice's.[17] Her last wish, which he fulfilled, was to be buried in a coffin filled with sunlight to ensure she did not end up in any state of undeath.[18]

The Last Constable

The Cheery Man and Agatha had a daughter, who grew up to oppose her parents' line of work. Now called the Last Constable, she considers herself the only honest Special Constable in London. The Cheery Man retains some affection for his daughter, but he knows she aims to destroy him.[19]

References[edit]

  1. ↑ Ask the Cheery Man about his wife, Fallen London "And we could see the ambush from the window, my daughter and me. Agatha had already brought down a number inside, but I had to get our girl away. Had to."
  2. ↑ Drinks With The Cheery Man, Sunless Sea
  3. ↑ "The Cheery Man.", Fallen London "If the thieves of Spite and the Hill had a pope, it would be him."
  4. ↑ His operations on the Docks, Fallen London "I've found a way to bring in sunlight. The trick's in the boxes. Paid off Mr Fires. But it's a long way down and sunlight doesn't last... so I thought, why not cut it with moonlight? Hard to tell the difference, down here. Has some funny effects, a'course, but I'm lookin' into that. Could be useful in its own right."
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 His contacts with the tomb-colonies, Fallen London "They're buildin' somethin' out there. Or, somethings. Amount of steel and marble, alongside the outgoing coffins. Anyhow, we put a few live ones in the coffins, every trip. Haha! They might be troublesome when they goes in, but they're quiet as mice by the time they comes out. And that's how the kings like it. The kings behind the scenes, if you know what I mean. And if you don't, well, enough said, eh? Enough said."
  6. ↑ His operations around the Hill, Fallen London "I've found a pet conjurer. Funny little chap. French name, if I'm not mistaken. He's got friends behind the silver, […], little nip..." - he mimes a bite - "and you're dead as a dog in the dark. And not right in the head when you wake up. […]"
  7. ↑ Ask the Cheery Man about his wife, Fallen London
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 Blind Bruiser, Sunless Sea "My employer is a gentleman of considerable vitality and also humour. However, and as much as it pains me to say, he is not the man he was. Years ago, an ingrate of no current importance poisoned him with Cantigaster venom, and he hasn't been right since. Can't walk, most days. I have made what may yet transpire to be a rash promise to restore him, and I am hereby solicitin' your assistance."
  9. ↑ A Gentleman of Undisclosed Business, Fallen London "The other walking-canes in the coffee-house are oiled mahogany and polished silver. His is oak, solid and scuffed; a stick made for leaning on, not twirling."
  10. ↑ Hint that you might want to stay the night, Fallen London "You're out of luck, my friend," he slurs. "Time was... but it's Cantigaster venom, y'see. Not even a drop. Half a drop. But I can't hardly stir from this chair. And I can't hardly stir, if you take my meaning. So off home with you. Sleep well."
  11. ↑ A Gentleman of Undisclosed Business, Fallen London "You ask how business has been. "Costly," he says. His smile falls away. "Look, after everything that's happened, I just need a piece of me that's not the job. A piece that drinks coffee and reads the Gazette and every once in a while goes to see a ____ing play like a normal ___ing person." He stands, leaning heavily on his cane, and extends an arm. "That any use to you?""
  12. ↑ A Gentleman of Undisclosed Business, Fallen London "His suit is a Dauncey, but he tugs at the collar as if it were an orphanage hand-me-down."
  13. ↑ A Gentleman of Undisclosed Business, Fallen London "He tugs at his collar. Odd. His tailcoat is one of Dauncey's finest, and an impeccable fit. He avoids names. 'Just a man of business,' he says, a sharp Spite accent cutting through his careful vowels."
  14. ↑ His operations on the Docks, Fallen London "A gold tooth winks as he smiles [...]"
  15. ↑ Ask the Cheery Man about his wife, Fallen London "'She would have it 'er own way. The apple of my eye, and the very terror of old Spite. The days we saw! And together, we raised a fine girl. [...] we could see the ambush from the window, my daughter and me. Agatha had already brought down a number inside, but I had to get our girl away. Had to."
  16. ↑ Ask the Last Constable about her mother, Fallen London "Spite and beyond used to be part of the family empire. They ruled it together, and you don't do that without making enemies."
  17. ↑ Ask the Cheery man about his wife, Fallen London "I should've stopped. Should've known it was a set up, that day we were to have a nice blinkin' tea at Beatrice's. I was late. I was never late. And we could see the ambush from the window, my daughter and me. Agatha had already brought down a number inside, but I had to get our girl away. Had to."
  18. ↑ Inquire after the tomb (Cheery Man), Fallen London "She hated the Neath, poor soul. Couldn't bear the thought of her body falling to pieces, oozing away and such. So she made me agree to a b___y stupid will. A coffin full of sunlight. That's why the tomb's sealed tighter than Newgate. You're done for if that light touches you. Dead and gone, permanent like. Well, anything for a happy marriage."
  19. ↑ The Last Constable 1, Fallen London "She signed up with the Special Constables, back when they were, eh, different. More interfering with private enterprise. Less patrolling nightmares. For my money, they do a better job now. [...] But she wasn't impressed. Not what you'd call flexible, that one."
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