People tended to see what they wanted to see, or what served their own individual purpose to see, or what their prejudices, narrow minds, bigotry, upbringing, or inadequacies, steered them in the direction of.
Underestimation can be a very dangerous thing.
When most people looked at George Least, one glance was enough to tell them everything that he was capable of, or incapable of to be more precise, in that one glance they could read everything about him, he was, and always would be, a failure at everything he ever did, he would never succeed at business, he would never win the fair lady, he would never win a two-fisted fight, he was a weedy, cowardly, brainless, four-eyed no-hoper, this is what people saw, even his name belied what George really was inside.
Appearances can be deceptive.
George was Five feet three inches tall, weighed a scant ninety eight pounds, wore glasses, and bore more than a passing resemblance to Steve Buscemi, all this combined to cause people to constantly dismiss him, belittle him, and underestimate him, and this burned him deeply.
George was originally from New York, but had moved to Chicago soon after graduating three years ago, he had a degree in mathematics, made an absolute fortune on the internet, had bedded dozens of beautiful women (paid for, but beautiful women nonetheless), hidden beneath his clothes, his body was hard toned muscle from working out for two hours each day, he was also a third Dan shotokan karate expert.
In the last three years, one hundred and eighteen men and women had been brutally slain in Chicago, the M.O. Was always the same, they were found where they had died, eyes gouged out, smashed ribs, broken teeth, broken neck, a multitude of other internal injuries, a large 'M' carved into the forehead, and as a final violation, posthumously raped.
The police experts profiled a man aged twenty five to forty, black hair, approximately one hundred and ninety to two hundred and ten pounds, powerful build, approximately six feet two tall, blood type O, taking a size eleven shoe.
George laced up his size seven brogues, ran a comb through his blond hair, he took a final glance around his expensively furnished apartment, then stepped outside. His rather weak looking expression hid a smug and superior attitude.... And something else.
By the morning the body count would be one hundred and nineteen, there would be further clues to support the profile, and the police would be no nearer to catching the monster.
Misdirection was George's middle name.
©2011 Stephen. J. Green.
That's pretty prolific by serial killer standards. If he put that much effort into his appearance, he might have that many notches above his bed post.
ReplyDeleteHi John, as usual I just had to go over the top, your second sentence gave me a giggle too, thanks.
ReplyDeleteThere's a lot going on here, Steve, it rewards repeated readings. Reminded me a little of Patrick Bateman in American Psycho, but smarter and less satirical. I could read more about this character. (Am I disturbed?)
ReplyDeleteGeorge Misdirection Least, as in least likely suspect! Who doesn't like an over achieving serial killer with an axe to grind? Nice Steve!
ReplyDeleteThanks Rol, I think many people find serial killers strangely compelling characters, hence the success of The Hannibal books + films etc.
ReplyDeleteThanks Harry, the name's a bit like Austin 'Danger' Powers, eh? I think George's middle name is probably Michael, but I couldn't help but add the final line to the story.
Dangerous guy. Last line made me smile. This reads like something larger. Hopefully so. It would be interesting to see what you do with this character.
ReplyDeleteThanks Rachel, Rol also said he could read more about him, the idea I had was about how appearances can be deceptive, maybe I will add to it at some point in the future.
ReplyDeleteMr Misdirection eh? Could be a very dangerous guy. A few stories in this character. Maybe you'll do more Steve.
ReplyDeleteHi Denise, yes a very dangerous guy, I think if he actually existed Chicago would be under a state of emergency until he was caught.
ReplyDeleteSome people are natural born killers. After so many kills, it's not enough to smell the blood, hear the pleas for mercy; now it becomes a game of cat and mouse. And I love the M carved into foreheads. M for Misdirection, maybe? Good stuff.
ReplyDeleteHi Stephen, George is definitely smart, but he is also smug, and his ego would be riding high on the back of so many successes, he would probably be caught purely by chance in the end.
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, the M was initially there purely for George's game of misdirection, but as I said to Harry he could have middle name beginning with M.
Guess if you're going to go the serial killer route, you gotta be smart about it. Unless he's extra-careless, looks like the city is in big trouble. Good story!
ReplyDeleteThanks Eric, I find characters like Hannibal Lecter etc very scary, it isn't just the fact that they murder people in gruesome fashion, it is more the cold calculating intelligence behind it that scares me.
ReplyDeleteThe 'M' reminded me of the German Expressionist movie, M (always a good association)
ReplyDeleteFully self-aware murderers are so much more interesting than people who kill in blind fury.
Hi Icy, I agree, I think most humans are capable of killing in anger, or self defense, but the highly motivated ones are a breed apart.
ReplyDeleteI thought this was a brilliant story- like Harry potter gone bad. Everyone excepts the nerd to be the good guy. I loved the little details about his character you worked into this too. Enjoyed it!
ReplyDeleteThanks Gen, appearances definitely are deceptive, there are probably many guys out there who are classed as nerds, who have far more inside them than people would ever credit them for.
ReplyDeleteDeliciously evil. Maybe I've been watching too much Dexter, but quite enjoyed that. Nice work.
ReplyDeleteThanks Craig, TV and film producers do like serial killers don't they? I don't think I've ever heard of one quite as prolific as George though. :-D
ReplyDeleteSpace should always be made for dark, dangerous stories. Your character here is so well drawn, i can see him flexing his biceps in front of his mirror on return from one of his forays into evil. I agree, keep him in mind for another day.
ReplyDeleteThanks flyingscribbler, even though he's no Adonis, I think george would be very conscious of his physical assets, the tools of his trade so to speak.
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