Bling, Bravado, and Blonde Hair
Sir George Alistair Pudding, a figure draped in ostentatious wealth and an equally flamboyant, childish bravado, is the singular heir to an industrial titan, owner of an automobile empire. He embodies extravagance and a certain naiveté. Clad in quilted, fur-trimmed coats and elaborate spectacles, an expensive watch dangling from his belt, and a walking stick clutched in hand, he seems to proclaim his fortune with every gesture. Yet, beneath this pretentious veneer, George is a man who tragically conflates his romanticized notions of “gangster life” with the stark reality of existence on the fringes. Though he fancies himself born for adventure, he possesses neither the requisite skills nor a genuine comprehension of peril.
George is an undeniable spectacle, not for his modesty, but for his sheer conspicuousness. His attire is the very definition of showmanship. Quilted patterns and fur trim in vivid whites and silvers, punctuated by bright red accents and that costly timepiece attached to his belt, all scream vanity and excess. His hair, fluffy and a pale blonde, lends him an almost angelic air, a stark contrast to his yearning for a “darker” existence. George knows no want. His days unfurl as a relentless pursuit of amusement, from the refined banquets of Rubral to the clandestine spectacles lurking in Edenlon’s shadowy corners. He likely glides through the city in his father’s opulent, perhaps custom-built, automobiles, further underscoring his elevated status. George earnestly believes he was destined for a life brimming with danger and adrenaline. This elaborate fantasy, however, is fueled by the pages of books, whispered tales, and safely observed spectacles, never by the crucible of true experience. He is utterly inept at combat, and any genuine confrontation would undoubtedly leave him traumatized.
The most captivating and perilous facet of George lies in his profound fascination with the underworld. He perceives in crime a certain romance, a thrilling allure conspicuously absent from his life of unblemished comfort. This is an idealized vision, spun from the threads of melodramas and urban legends, where gangsters are not brutal brigands but charismatic, honorable outcasts. He dreams of plunging into “grand scandals,” of becoming a “big player,” oblivious to the steep toll such a life exacts. In a manner perplexing to both the affluent and the criminal strata, George has forged an unlikely alliance with Kornelius Spots, the charismatic yet ruthless leader of the Docker Boys gang. Through Kornelius, George indulges in the “pleasures of the street”—illicit wagers, secret clubs, perhaps even dabbling in petty smuggling. From his privileged viewpoint, these are exhilarating “adventures,” yet in truth, they are but trivial diversions for a pampered scion. George interprets these forays as proof of his “toughness,” when in reality, he remains a naive bystander. His boundless wealth unlocks doors to realms where, for others, mere survival is a relentless struggle. This peculiar relationship serves as George’s portal to what he imagines as “real life,” while for Kornelius, it likely provides both amusement and potentially valuable intelligence or opportunities afforded by access to such a wealthy young master.
Sir George Alistair Pudding is a living tragicomedy. He craves a danger he cannot comprehend, yearning to live “on the edge” despite never having truly known fear. He is a privileged lordling frolicking in a perilous world, blissfully unaware that his “adventures” could turn against him at any given moment, and Kornelius Spots may be the sole individual capable, or willing, of forcing him to confront this stark reality.