The Doctor's Orders
The story so far...
Disclaimer: Mature and Dark themes. This story is NOT for kids. This story also deals with sensitive topics like abuse, mental health, and historical issues. Viewer discretion is advised. Some things are subject to change.
The setting of this fictional story is loosely based on the 1880's in Victorian Britain. It follows the twisted life of a young sociopathic, homicidal Plague Doctor named Dr. B. Jimothy Doktor who has obsessive tendencies and a vengeance streak.
Like Dexter or Sweeny Todd.
At the same time, I use humour as a coping mechanism. So this story, although incredibly dark, is also unapologetically silly. This story is in active development.
It was actually a friend of mine who collaborated with me to come up with character names and plot lines. I give them all the credit for the silly ideas that have now become a story, but also their privacy. It all started during the 2020 pandemic lockdowns and my little drawing of a plague doctor that I asked my friend what his name should be. Eventually, after much back and forth with ideas, we've come to this. Hell, even now, I'll ask my friend if something is a good idea or not. It's fun to share a story and collab. It wouldn't be the same without them and I thank them for their contributions all the time!
The main character storyline is about Jimothy, but also about the other people that start to come into his life. And who left it. Life and love, pain and healing, madness and revenge. That's the tone here.
Basically the setting is like an AU if the Black Plague was more prevalent and still a wide spread issue.
Miasma Theory isn't really used anymore with the discovery of bacteria, but herbal medicine is often used. Traditional Plague Doctor outfits are used as more for status than their original functional purpose, however, are still practical.
The RAAD; The Royal Association & Academy of Doctors was developed to be a central hub for teaching & regulating all doctors alike, but majority are plague doctors.
Because of the time period, racial bias is still an issue. Slavery was abolished in the 1830s in Britain, but didn't take full effect until the 1860s. However, my story is set during the 1880s. I only have this here for conflict purposes. I do not condone this in any way.
Although respected, Plague Doctors are often still feared and avoided because of the stigma behind them from medieval history. So, they have STRICT regulations. Deviations are met with consequences or loss of licence. (or incarceration is applicable)
Here's the list so far of characters and a general description:
Dr. B. Jimothy Doktor
nicknames: "Jimbo", "Jimmy", never "Jim". No one calls him by his first name except his birth parents who're both deceased.
French/German background. Born in Birmingham, England. Later moved to London, England.
Bilingual/Multilingual: can speak fluent French and some German.
Accent: Brummie mixed with Londoner
6'7", skinny, fair skinned, blue eyes, chestnut brown hair with a silly curlicue on top that changes shape based on his emotions. he can never seem to brush it down, it just pops back up again.
20-something years old
an orphan as a young child
eccentric
polite
sociopath
homicidal as a side hustle
ostracized by most because of his unorthodox personality and medical practises.
traumatized a silly lil' guy!
Jimothy NEVER takes of his gloves. Not because they're disfigured or anything. He has very nice hands. He is cautious of spreading germs and is sensitive about touch.
Jimothy is generally universally disliked amongst the RAAD and around their town. It may have to do with the rumors that sprung up around his birth parent's passing from the plague. Rumors like: he was responsible for their deaths, or even him being a necrophiliac. All of which are untrue. It's f'd up.
He was placed into a sort of foster care, as orphanages at the time were relatively new and adoption wasn't really a thing yet. It was more like wardship.
WARNING for this next part.
Jimothy was abused by his foster father (physical and SA) through childhood and teenage years. His foster father was also his first kill when he was about 18. This is when Jimothy began his... other hobby.
This is why Jimmy shys away from touch. And is why he's so eff'd in the head.
Psychopaths are born, sociopaths are made.
Jimothy's usual method is his pointed digging spade. He's named him "Mr. Peat". Or "Mr. Peater" if he's feeling fancy. He might draw a lopsided smiley face on it before ceremoniously using it as a bat... or an axe... or a javelin. It's quite versatile.
Don't worry, this will not get better.
He also collects body parts and organs in formaldehyde jars as specimens. He has a whole room of shelves dedicated to them, mainly for study, but has become an addiction.
Note: despite his past, I do not condone Jimothy's choices in life. And neither should you. This is why he's a Villain Protagonist. Will he get better? Or worse? Who's to say...
Nancy-Anne Augusta Philips "Gus"
A strange little tomboyish 12-year-old girl who met Jimothy by following him around one day when he was out collecting dead rats. She was his first friend that wasn't outright afraid of him. He would do anything to protect her as his own little sister.
nickname: "Gus"
Rambunctious
Adventurous
Excitable (ADHD coded, lol)
Born in East End, London, England
Accent: TBD
Loves following Jimothy around in spite of her parent's warnings and dislike of the strange doctor.
Red head with heterochromia; one blue, one brown.
Gus is generally known as "odd", since she hates wearing "girly" clothes.
Gus is immune to the Plague!
This is kept secret by Jimothy and Tobias so she doesn't become some kind of study by the higher-ups in the RAAD, who would most likely make her into a test subject.
Tobias J. Pearl
Jimothy's RAAD assigned custodian. All plague doctors (even irl) had to have someone to keep them in line with the rules and to enforce those rules if necessary. He is very tired but also 85% of Jimothy's impulse control. He's basically his surrogate dad. But the two are blind to their own dynamic cuz they're idiots.
50-something
5'6", round around the middle, greying dark brown hair, hazel eyes, and sideburns that morph into his mustache and scruffy chin.
Born in London, England
Accent: TBD
Hates being called "Toby". Except Gus, she calls him "Mr. Toby".
Often addresses Jimothy as "Jimbo", using his full name when he's pissed at him. This is, also, often.
Tobias used to be a dock worker at a shipyard before he needed more money and signed up for becoming a Custodian and being assigned to Jimothy.
Because he worked all the time, he was never around for his family. By the time all his own children had grown up and moved on with their own lives, he had no relationship with them at all. Then, his wife died from the plague. So, to make up for his shortcomings as a father, he acts like a sort of surrogate dad to Jimothy. (despite how much Jimbo drives him nuts, lol) Mainly, because he knows Jimothy lost his birth parents when he was just a young child, also from the plague. And that his fosters were... not great.
Wayne Norman - the cat
A stray black cat that follows Jimothy around. Jimothy fully believes the cat is a human in disguise and that his name is Wayne Norman. Like some kind of shapeshifter. He is not. He's... just a cat.
Dolly Comfort Seacole Smith
British-Jamaican (based on history during the 1880s, there was a large population, so I felt it was fitting)
Jimothy's obession love interest.
She's a baker and a big girl who's buff af. Fight me irl.
5'3", is fit, can and will deck you, black 4C hair, brown/amber eyes, small beauty mark below bottom lip on left side.
Born in Jamaica, later moved to London with her family.
Named after a famous woman of colour who helped spread herbal medicine practices; Mary Seacole. Look her up btw.
Owns her own bakery called: "Dolly's Comfort Food"
Has deep respect for doctors and users of herbal medicine practices.
Jimothy and Dolly first met by Jimmy popping up outta nowhere and startling her so bad she clocked him right in the face.
He's been smitten ever since.
Dolly has an affinity towards the Plague Doctors since they helped one of her family members. Especially those who use herbal medicine (Jimothy). Jimmy is also very polite and was not prejudice against her, like some people.
During the 1880s, interracial relationships were not illegal like they were in the US, but they were still generally frowned upon. However, there are photos of interracial couples and families during this time in history. It's fascinating! A lot of them were just like, "I love them, too bad!" Baller. There were also Elite black families in the 19th century as well! I've learned all of this as I developed these characters and their story. I will continue to learn more.
I don't want to minimize the issues POC suffered by NOT addressing the racial bias during this time in history by not including it in my story, but including everything else accurately.
Along with proper cultural representation, i also want to represent mental health as well. Jimothy is a sociopath with a vengeful homicidal streak and obsessive tendencies. He is also riddled with trauma. As is par for the course for sociopaths (ASPD).
I want to represent POC properly, too. So, if there is anyone who has more knowledge about Jamaican culture, or reliable recourses, I'd love to know! Maybe cultural specific beliefs, clothes, hair, dancing, food, y'know everyday life stuff? Of coarse I'll do more research myself, too!
I will be including Dolly's whole family in this as well, but I'm still just developing her parents right now. Her dad will also hate Jimothy.
The rich (extremely rare mirror identical) twins:
Both are/have:
5' tall, tan/olive skin, blond hair, blue-green eyes, mirrored beauty marks on their cheekbones below their eye, average body type.
30-something years old
Greek/Dutch decent
from a rich family with a prominent background in the medical field
Calliope Van Der Veen "Cally"
the nice twin, lol.
her beauty mark is on the right
a mystery novelist
Close friends with Jimothy. Especially since she's taken to asking for advise from the younger Plague Doctor on how to keep her crime novels believable and... realistic. She is totally oblivious to Jimothy and his "side hustle". She doesn't understand her brother's intense disdain for Jimmy, often defending him from her brother. She's a good friend.
Pericles Van Der Veen "Perry"
a self-righteous arsehole
his beauty mark is on the left
wears sweater vests
cares too much about his hair
also a Plague Doctor
Irritating, but no one is going to say anything cuz of how influential his family is.
Hates being called "Perry". Is called "Perry" a lot. You can guess who always calls him that.
He is very suspicious of Jimothy (for good reason)
Dislikes his sister's friendship with him.
Perry also attended the same training in the RAAD alongside Jimothy. Perry has a small posse of buddies who would follow him around. Dr. Jimothy would often be at the butt of their jokes, either behind his back or to his face.
Other characters I've named or have in mind, but not fully fleshed out yet are:
Dr. Billiam Heinrich Doktor - Jimothy's father (deceased)
Mme. Médée Irène-France (Curie) Doktor - Jimothy's mother (deceased)
Arther James Black - Jimothy's foster father (deceased)
Jasmine Bryony Beatrice Black - Jimothy's foster mother
Rory Arther Black - eldest son of Arther & Jasmine (deceased)
Lorelei Lillian Black - youngest daughter of Arther & Jasmine
The Head Council of the RAAD (The Royal Association & Academy of Doctors)
Jimothy's and Pericles's instructors in the RAAD - Dr. Pepper(?)
A detective in the local police force that's on Jimothy's trail, but is at odds with the Royal Plague Police force (special group of armoured soldiers/police, affiliated with the RAAD, that deal with plague victims to keep the regular force protected from spreading the disease, think of armoured Plague Doctors which sounds cool af) TBD
I also want to mention:
Although I am writing about characters who are British and Jamaican, I, myself, am not. I do my best to research as best I can about the topic and historical things during the Victorian era. I love it and find it entertaining as well as fascinating. I've always want to go to the UK. I try to be respectful of other peoples culture. I don't want to accidentally make stereotypes or represent something or someone incorrectly. If anything is incorrect, PLEASE let me know. But I am learning as I go. So, please be patient with my ADHD-ridden, Irish-based, whole Canadian ass.