Hammer Into Anvil
Profiles
NUMBER 2
Male
Height…. 6 feet {approx}
Weight… 170 lbs [approx}
Hair……. Grey and thinning
Age……. 40 {approx}
Nationality… English
Chief Administrator
Chairman of the village
He appears to have an ear for music.
Village attire single breasted black blazer, grey polo neck jersey, light grey trousers and deck shoes.
Carries a shooting stick, concealed inside is the blade of a sword.
He wears a signet ring on the little finger of his left hand.
He knows his Goethe
He has an annoyance at being disturbed in his office, except when it concerns Number 6, then his attention is immediate.
He shows annoyance when things to not go right, as when the computer is not programmed for a new code!!!!!
This man is a professional, and sees all who have gone before him as mere amateurs!
This is a man is ruthlessness personified, a sadist, coward and a bully, yet at the same time he so easily allows himself to become paranoid of those around him. He comes to see that there is no one he can trust, not even his loyal assistant number 14 and sees the whole of the village personnel as being involved in a conspiracy against him, even to be working with Number 6!
The order of special surveillance on Number 6 and to report any unusual activity to him personally, was the beginning of the end for this particular Number 2, and at the same time made it far easier for Number 6 than it should have been.
But this Number 2 also has a character flaw, he is afraid of his masters, a weak link in the chain of command waiting to be broken.
Had he the strength of character to trust in his assistant Number 14 and of those about him, then he would have prevailed and would have crushed Number 6 under foot.
The sadistic nature of this Number 2 is first demonstrated during the interrogation of Number 73, he takes great pleasure of showing this woman a photograph of her husband with the woman Marya. In fact he drives number 73 to her death and feels no regret, no remorse being a man of no compassion he has no feelings for his victim what so ever.
Uninterested in seeing that Number 6 has a future with the village, indifferent to the fact that number 6 must be won over, unlike his two predecessors, Number 2 sees Number 6 as the “Anvil” and himself the “Hammer”. Number 2 is going to hammer Number 6, in fact he seems hell bent on breaking number 6!
However hammers have the tendency to wear out faster than Anvils!
Number 2 refuses the offer of help from Number 1, saying that everything is under control, that there are no problems and that he can manage. Which of course up to that moment was perfectly true, but later it becomes transparently clear that he cannot!
The Tally Ho
“Increase Vigilance Call From
New No. 2
Security of the Community
That is the headline of the Tally Ho newspaper. And that goes especially for number 6, any unusual activity is to be reported personally to Number 2.
And the accompanying article surely that on its own brings into doubt the mental health of this new Number 2. The article reads as follows;
“The new number 2 has issued a call for increased
vigilance at all times. The security of the community
must be protected.
“We must constantly be on our guard against enemies
in our midst” he declared, giving a stern warning
against possible subversion.
“The keynote of the hour is vigilance” said number 2.
“We do not necessarily know where our enemies
are, or who they might be. Therefore it is the duty
of all of us to be on constant look out against
traitors who behind our backs, seek to undermine
and destroy us.
No. 2 warned that no mercy would be shown to
Those who, against the interests of the community,
sabotage “our great achievements”.
“Let those who think they can strike when our
guard is down take heed,” said No. 2. “We are
never asleep. We will never relax our guard. We
know there are those who believe they can get away
with their plots and conspiracies. They will learn
a sharp lesson.
“Not only the conspirators, but those who look
the other way and do not report their suspicions
would be treated as traitors,” said No. 2.
“It is the duty of each one of us to fight this
menace and those who know more than they tell
are high on the list of guilty ones. No mercy will
be shown to anyone who shirks his duty to report
his neighbour’s secrets. Vigilance is not only
requested, it is ordered. Be vigilant day and night.
Let us root out the conspirators. Security is the
Keyword of the moment. Security is the respons -
ibility of us all. Security is our duty. Be vigilant
or the consequences will be severe. No other
warning will be given”.
So Number 2 was already paranoid regarding the security of the village and he could already see enemies ‘within’ the Village, well before Number 6 began to put his subversive plan, only number 2 doesn’t necessarily know who these enemies are but warns citizens to be constantly on their guard against possible subversion.
Having read this in the Tally Ho, it would have been like a red rag to a bull as far as Number 6 would be concerned.
If Number 2 has any strengths, then it lies in his decision making, Number 2 is not afraid to make decisions, even though they are to others, the wrong decisions.
For example, the removal of the supervisor and later his assistant Number 14, not to mention myself, his ever faithful Butler.
But yet he could command, he had authority and no one spoke out against him, no one dared to, as in the case of the supervisor.
When there is any sign of his authority being called into question, he flies into a blind rage ‘would you like to sit in this chair?’ ‘Don’t tell me what to do!’
We have observed one weakness in this Number 2, but it was not his only weakness. His other weakness was not to confide in his assistant Number 14 who was always there at his master’s beck and call, only too willing to be of service to his superior. And yet Number 2 dismissed him at every turn, telling Number 14 just to obey orders and only when it was too late did he listen to his assistant’s good advice.
It is clear that this Number 2 is uncomfortable when it comes to discussing peoples mental health, especially that of his own. He probably sees that there is a social disgrace or shame attached to the thought of a persons mental health.
As Number 2’s paranoia grew, so too did his mistrust of everyone in the Village, so positive that something was going on behind his back, that in time he became more and more deranged.
In his paranoia Number 2 at one point becomes almost tyrannical, telling the new supervisor to steer clear of Number 6 or he’ll lose more than his job and swearing to break this conspiracy against him!
But at least in time he saw that Number 6 must not be harmed, seeing that he’s a plant and if he was harmed, their masters would know who was responsible.
And that was his problem, Number 6 laid the traps for him and Number 2 fell headlong into them and all too easily in fact.
Fooled as he was, into thinking that one of the Bizet records was different from the others, that Number 6 was listening for something, other than music.
He was fooled into believing that number 6 is a plant, sent here by their masters to check on village security, to check on him.
In believing that there was something written on those so innocent blank sheets of paper left in the stone boat.
That Number 6 was conspiring with others in the village against him.
Are we to believe that this Number 2 had not read Number 6’s file? Was he not made aware of the importance of this man Number 6 to the village? Of his resignation secret?...... Obviously not!
The plain fact is that anyone with a clear head would have seen through the schemes of Number 6. Perhaps Number 2 saw that which he wanted to see, but through his own weakness, inadequacy and deep mistrust of others, he was powerless to do anything but turn on his own people. All of whom were loyal to the last, both to the village and Number 2, however insane they thought he was becoming.
He is totally convinced that the message ‘pat a cake, pat a cake….’ is a coded message. It never once dawns upon him that it could be anything less.
And because it isn’t, he blames the cipher clerk. The computer not being programmed for this new code!
His ranting and raving leads only to his humiliation before his personnel, his interrogations of those innocent of any conspiracy against him, are all bemused by his ranting and accusations. He even vents his anger upon the little man of the community!
Number 2 far from being the hammer, soon becomes the anvil, hammered by number 6!
There comes to mind the question of recruitment to the village, pacifically where are all these varied Number 2’s recruited from?
Perhaps here we can shed some light upon this so far unanswered question. Have we not met with this particular number 2 once before, but in another guise and under the name of...... Thorpe and was he not Number 2 to the Colonel at the time?
Thorpe was as we have seen in ‘Many Happy Returns,’ is something of a sceptical man, even cynical.
He found it difficult to believe the story of his ex-colleague, about his abduction and consequent imprisonment in the village.
Thorpe said he wouldn’t mind a fortnight’s leave there!
A cold hearted man Thorpe, which would make him a perfect candidate for the position of Number 2. After all he was made aware of the village by Number 6 himself, if Thorpe did not know of its existence before hand of course.
One can see in Thorpe’s face how much he would love to put his ex-colleague under some real interrogation, recruited for the position of Number 2 would give him that chance, he was either recruited by the village authorities or he actually went looking for ‘them and if I were to have to choose which one, it would have to be the latter.
So {fictionally}we know this Number 2’s name….. Thorpe.
His previous position was with British intelligence, and to which he may return after his term of office as number 2.
And that would make him an ex-colleague of Number 6’s.
But then you may ask yourself the question as to why either man did not acknowledge one another?
Well it was that they did! After all, what you see is not all that happened you know, a new Number 2 doesn’t just arrive in the village and instantly take over from the moment his/her predecessor leaves as might be suggested.
Any amount of time can expire between each number 2 and therefore using that as guide, it can be reasonable to say that both Number’s 2 and 6 got there preliminary meeting over with in the time before the suicide of Number 73.
And no doubt that first meeting between Number’s 2 and 6 would make watching the surveillance recordings, well worth watching.
That he didn’t get on well with his ex-colleague is obvious, so think how Number 2 reacted to Number 6 on that first eventful meeting in the village.
Number 2 blames Number 6 for interfering in the death of Number 73, but Number 6 did not interfere, he arrived as the suicide took place.
He knows his ‘Goethe’.
He has an ear for music, judging the tempo of the Bizet records.
That he has the whole technical ability of the village at his disposal.
With many of his predecessors duels with Number 6 and dealing with the prisoner’s machinations against themselves and the village. There has not been forgotten some of the social graces, rapports have been cultivated. There has been a sense of humour, from both sides at times, even a touch of elegance. But not with this current Number 2, he cares little for the niceties of life, nor for anyone else’s life for that matter.
In the end number 2 the persecutor, becomes consumed with his own persecution, which has lead to his utter humiliation, having to report his own breakdown in control.
Number 2 is a victim of the authority which he has been given, and to which he must ultimately answer.
So afraid of his masters was this particular Number 2, that he dare not take action against number 6 because he was thought by number 2 to be a plant, sent here by our masters to spy on us and that if he did take action against Number 6, that his masters would then know who was responsible, so fearful of the consequences as he was.
But somehow I feel that leniency maybe shown toward this broken man. Some Number 2’s have been in the past, permitted to leave the village. However I feel that this option does not apply to this particular Number 2, as I am sure he will find himself on a psychiatric ward of the hospital.
Number 14
Male
Height…. 6 feet 5 inches {approx}
Weight…. 196 lbs {approx}
Hair…….. fair
Age…….. late thirties {approx}
Nationality… English speaking
Village attire, grey with blue piping blazer, olive green polo neck jersey, light grey trousers, deck shoes.
Kosho…. red Cossak garb, black crash helmet, one red and one white boxing mit and baseball boots.
Number 14’s only crime is that he wants to serve.
He is loyal both to the Village and Number 2.
Honest and trustworthy.
He obeys without question and to the letter, only too glad to be of worth. And at the same time, does his best to share in his superiors responsibilities, when allowed to.
More often than not he is put down by Number 2, telling him just to obey orders.
At times he is treated like a ‘lap dog’ by Number 2 and often behaves as such.
Number 14 always wants to give a good impression of himself at all times, for example. At one point when Number 2 rush’s out of his office with no warning, Number 14 is slouched in an armchair. The moment he hears the pair of steel doors open he leaps to his feet and stands to attention. This gives the false impression that Number 14 had been standing to attention in the foyer ever since he got there.
Was he really such a fool as to think Number 2 would think that he had been standing there all that time? Surely not!
Number 14 has ambitions, possibly he sees himself {in time} being promoted to the position of Number 2 Chairman of the village, and then he would try for a free hand in dealing with Number 6.
But for the moment he is happy to serve, even though his position is a difficult one, with his superior being so difficult to reason with and who keeps him in his place and at arms length.
Number 14 is a bully perhaps even a thug, but not an unintelligent man, he can use logic and reasoning well, but prefers physical powers instead, he tells Number 6 what he would really like to do is ‘dust him down’ he’d really enjoy that. And like Number 6 he is skilled in the sport of Kosho but in this bout it is only the quiet non intervention of two other Kosho players that saves him from a sound dunking!
He is a man to hold a grudge, the expression on his face after that Kosho bout is a picture of anger and pure hatred, it says that he will have his revenge!
Whoever he can see Number 6’s game and does his best to warn his superior, he sees that number 6 is out to poison the whole village. When Number 2 does not believe him, he volunteers to take care of Number 6, he’ll arrange an accident and no one will link it to his superior.
Number 14 is possibly the only citizen who could have jeopardised Number 6’s plan and save his superiors position and reputation. But instead he, like so many before him, he himself unwittingly fell foul of number 6’s plan
When the loyal and most trustworthy Number 14 is turned upon by his superior, he is accused working with Number 6, of being a traitor. He pleads his innocence saying that he can be trusted, that he is loyal. But his words fall on the deaf ears of a paranoid Number 2 and is finished losing his position in the Village, and he knows exactly who is to blame for his downfall, who to vent all his anger and outrage upon, and he hurries round to ‘6 Private’ to sort number 6 out once and for all.
But even fisticuffs and brute force are not enough and Number 14 is ignominiously ejected out of ‘6 Private’ through the French window and over the balcony!
Number 6
Kosho….. red Cossak style garb, white crash helmet and one red and one white boxing mit and baseball boots.
His eyes light blue.
He is fearless.
He has a peculiar mannerism of pulling the white envelope from beneath the sheet of his bed, in a just so manner, one quite deliberate and precise.
His powers of ingenuity are once again demonstrated several times over, no greater than when he sets a simple trap for the pigeon.
He observes without himself being observed, or at least it is not reported. Certainly it is not acted upon.
His mind is full of disgust for the sadistic Number 2.
That Number 6 ‘reacts’ at the point of a sword to his forehead, well I ask you, who would not?
Number 6 is seen as the Anvil, but soon becomes the Hammer.
Number 6 is also a most skilful opponent in the art or sport of “Kosho”.
He enjoys classical music.
He is adept at the making and use of ciphers and codes, including Morse code.
He knows both his Goethe and Cravantes – Don Quixote.
Here Number 6 can see a cold calculating sadist, equal to that of himself, his cold calculating tactics, suggest the intense nature of his quest for revenge. In this respect he has much in common with number 2, having no feeling for his victim!
Number 6 has come to the aid of damsels in distress before, but now he is an avenging angel, having been too late to save the woman Number 73, from her death.
He is accused by Number 2 of interfering, yet Number 6 didn’t interfere. He was too late to do anything, and it is Number 2 who will pay, having witnessed the injustice done to yet another of Number 2’s victims.
Was it Number 6 who placed the Daffodils upon 73’s grave, well who else could it have been?
Number 6 sees that Number 2 has a weakness, that he is afraid of his masters. And so number 6 sets about his plan of disinformation, laying a series of traps for number 2 to fall into. Working on Number 2’s own paranoia, carefully and subtly turning him against the entire village, planting the seed of doubt and betrayal in mind of Number 2 and working upon his paranoia and mistrust of anyone, “putting the poison in” in a deadly game of deception.
But did Number 2 statement in the Tally Ho, help bring the idea of undermining number 2’s authority to Number 6’s mind? Yes, I think that it most probably did!
Even to the point of telling Number 2 that someone in the village is impersonating him, having allegedly receiving a telephone call from someone calling himself number 2. It was even number 2’s voice!
Number 6 is a ‘Jammer,’ as Jamming as explained by Number 118 in ‘It’s Your Funeral.’ The giving out false messages, lading Number 2 and 14 on a wild Goose chase and not to mention the manipulation and use of other citizens and using them against number 2 without there realising it.
He has the voice of authority over the telephone. Even the simple act of asking the Band Leader to play a request and then to simply walk away, adds much to number 2’s suspicions.
So cleaver he was in making Number 2 think that he was a plant, D.6 incorporating the use of his own number, another acceptance of his number or an act without thinking and there by accepting without thinking. That there really was a difference in one of those Bizet records. And that he was sending a visual signal and that there was someone watching for that signal somewhere, which of course there was! Not to forget how simple it was to make number 2 think that there actually was a bomb inside that cuckoo clock.
Here Number 6 is not motivated by a plan or idea of escape, only by revenge, the fight for injustice and the removal of a brutal, sadistic dictator. And he is determined, ruthless and inventive in the execution of his plan.
There is no generous rapport or generosity of conduct shared with this Number 2 as there has been with many of his predecessors.
A skilful player of chess, a man who knows how to play the game, a man who likes to keep himself fit and healthy, ready for anything, a man who can take care of himself in a fair fight. He has the skill to and opportunity to despatch number 14 in a challenge at Kosho, which Number 6 all too readily suggests.
Then later in his cottage there is a brutal fight between himself and number 14. Of course Number 6 is far the better man and easily despatches Number 14 out of his cottage, through the French window!
Really Number 6 once again had it reasonably easy in the village, and of course with number 2 wanting all reports of any unusual activity made personally to him, this aided number 6 greatly in hammering number 2 and handing the downfall of number 2 too him on a plate.
At the end Number 6 pays a final call on number 2. He does not report him, he leaves Number 2 to do that for himself.
Nor does number 6 take the opportunity to speak with the superior Number 1. If he had, whose voice would he have heard?
Hammer Into Anvil continued next time
Be seeing you
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