A Broverse Thanksgiving extra
Over the past year I have received many letters from my brother. He asks for money, legal advice, the usual. At first it was only for himself, but quickly and consistently it has gone from just 'I' to 'Dan and I.
-from The First Step is Admitting It
Letter 1
Sister,
Have arrived in Arkham and had my first day at Miskatonic University. Despite some questionable staffing decisions, I look forward to furthering my studies here.
Since you have requested that I lessen my expenses, I am sharing rent with a fellow medical student. Expect latest credit card bill to contain purchases from a lab supply company.
Herbert West
Letter 2
How dare you, without my permission, give out my address, especially to undesirables!
After a tedious day of classes and work, it was anything but a pleasant surprise to find HIM waiting on the doorstep like a lost, helpless, pathetic animal.
Nor do I appreciate that when I indicated my intent of transferring to Miskatonic University, you failed to inform me that HE was already attending. If he attempts to make contact with me again I may not be as cordial. Same goes for cousin Andrew who I've been told is also skulking about the campus.
Herbert West
P.S. No matter what he may tell you, what happened to the cat was not my fault.
Letter 3
Sister,
There has been another incident. There will be a police investigation. I can assure you that I am very much a victim in this case, and even took steps to stop the perpetrator. All the same, the local law officials are idiots and I will likely be in the need of a lawyer.
Once everything is cleared, I am thinking of leaving the country and will need money to do so. I believe a change of scenery will also benefit my roommate who was also involved in the aforementioned incident. If I can convince him to come with me, I will of course need additional funds to accommodate him.
Will contact you with details later.
Herbert West
Letter 4
Sister,
Now that the investigation is over and we have avoided charges, Dan and I have decided to take a volunteer medical tour in South America. We will require plane tickets to Lima, money for supplies, and cash to exchange for local currency.
This of course means we will be working in war-ravaged areas. Do not imagine some sort of new-found bravery, nor sudden interest in humanitarian aid. I would not wish to cause any sort of delusions that "my character has improved," to paraphrase something you said to me the last time we had the misfortune to be in each others presence.
I do not know how long we will remain in South America, or even if I will survive.
Not that you care.
Herbert West
Letter 5
Jeanine,
Thanks to my ingenuity, Dan and I have made it as far as Mexico from Peru. Our funds, though, are running low. We will be in need of transportation and a way back into the country with as few questions asked as possible. Don't even pretend you cannot accommodate that. I do know that I did not get into Misk U after the scandal in Switzerland based on my sterling grades alone.
Speaking of: Once back in America, Dan and I have agreed that we prefer to return to Massachusetts. The climate there is agreeable to us.
The quicker you can send aid, the better. Dan's wound has been aggravated and possibly infected. May not have enough antibiotics.
Herbert West
Letter 6
Sister,
I cannot believe that even with your money and connections that you are able to arrange for Dan and I to find employment back in Arkham. The idea is preposterous. Memories maybe short, and we were never formally charged, but as Dan said, "I wouldn't hire us, even for being slightly connected to the events eight months ago."
It'll be better to try our luck in Boston or Bolton.
Will contact you later when we decide on a place to live.
Herbert West
Letter 7
Sister,
You take delight in proving me wrong. How else could our résumés so "magically" end up at the Miskatonic hospital for them to contact us for interviews?
But, since we had no success in Boston nor Bolton, I suppose we have little choice. Or as Dan put it, "Don't look a gift horse in the mouth," and "Beggars can't be choosers, Herbert." I sometimes wish I associated with someone less dependent on clichés
As for housing, I am wondering if the old mortician's house next to the cemetery is still on the market. If I had the funds while I was still a student, I would have happily taken residence there at the time.
Will contact you with details later.
Herbert West
Letter 8
"Dream House" still for sale. Details enclosed.
Letter 9
Damn you!
What have I said about giving out my address? Not to mention that you once again purposefully kept from me that HE was still in Arkham. No wonder you were so insistent to get me back here. It's all a sick game to you, isn't it?
Now Dan knows of his existence, and I'll never be allowed to forget about him. Dan is already insisting that we should spend more time together.
I hate you, and I hate HIM!
Herbert West
-from The First Step is Admitting It
Letter 1
Sister,
Have arrived in Arkham and had my first day at Miskatonic University. Despite some questionable staffing decisions, I look forward to furthering my studies here.
Since you have requested that I lessen my expenses, I am sharing rent with a fellow medical student. Expect latest credit card bill to contain purchases from a lab supply company.
Herbert West
Letter 2
How dare you, without my permission, give out my address, especially to undesirables!
After a tedious day of classes and work, it was anything but a pleasant surprise to find HIM waiting on the doorstep like a lost, helpless, pathetic animal.
Nor do I appreciate that when I indicated my intent of transferring to Miskatonic University, you failed to inform me that HE was already attending. If he attempts to make contact with me again I may not be as cordial. Same goes for cousin Andrew who I've been told is also skulking about the campus.
Herbert West
P.S. No matter what he may tell you, what happened to the cat was not my fault.
Letter 3
Sister,
There has been another incident. There will be a police investigation. I can assure you that I am very much a victim in this case, and even took steps to stop the perpetrator. All the same, the local law officials are idiots and I will likely be in the need of a lawyer.
Once everything is cleared, I am thinking of leaving the country and will need money to do so. I believe a change of scenery will also benefit my roommate who was also involved in the aforementioned incident. If I can convince him to come with me, I will of course need additional funds to accommodate him.
Will contact you with details later.
Herbert West
Letter 4
Sister,
Now that the investigation is over and we have avoided charges, Dan and I have decided to take a volunteer medical tour in South America. We will require plane tickets to Lima, money for supplies, and cash to exchange for local currency.
This of course means we will be working in war-ravaged areas. Do not imagine some sort of new-found bravery, nor sudden interest in humanitarian aid. I would not wish to cause any sort of delusions that "my character has improved," to paraphrase something you said to me the last time we had the misfortune to be in each others presence.
I do not know how long we will remain in South America, or even if I will survive.
Not that you care.
Herbert West
Letter 5
Jeanine,
Thanks to my ingenuity, Dan and I have made it as far as Mexico from Peru. Our funds, though, are running low. We will be in need of transportation and a way back into the country with as few questions asked as possible. Don't even pretend you cannot accommodate that. I do know that I did not get into Misk U after the scandal in Switzerland based on my sterling grades alone.
Speaking of: Once back in America, Dan and I have agreed that we prefer to return to Massachusetts. The climate there is agreeable to us.
The quicker you can send aid, the better. Dan's wound has been aggravated and possibly infected. May not have enough antibiotics.
Herbert West
Letter 6
Sister,
I cannot believe that even with your money and connections that you are able to arrange for Dan and I to find employment back in Arkham. The idea is preposterous. Memories maybe short, and we were never formally charged, but as Dan said, "I wouldn't hire us, even for being slightly connected to the events eight months ago."
It'll be better to try our luck in Boston or Bolton.
Will contact you later when we decide on a place to live.
Herbert West
Letter 7
Sister,
You take delight in proving me wrong. How else could our résumés so "magically" end up at the Miskatonic hospital for them to contact us for interviews?
But, since we had no success in Boston nor Bolton, I suppose we have little choice. Or as Dan put it, "Don't look a gift horse in the mouth," and "Beggars can't be choosers, Herbert." I sometimes wish I associated with someone less dependent on clichés
As for housing, I am wondering if the old mortician's house next to the cemetery is still on the market. If I had the funds while I was still a student, I would have happily taken residence there at the time.
Will contact you with details later.
Herbert West
Letter 8
"Dream House" still for sale. Details enclosed.
Letter 9
Damn you!
What have I said about giving out my address? Not to mention that you once again purposefully kept from me that HE was still in Arkham. No wonder you were so insistent to get me back here. It's all a sick game to you, isn't it?
Now Dan knows of his existence, and I'll never be allowed to forget about him. Dan is already insisting that we should spend more time together.
I hate you, and I hate HIM!
Herbert West