Merv Hatchett
Description
The smallest of the Hatchett cousins. Pale blond hair and fair complexion — the Hatchett family's recognisable physical traits. Has no family of his own; feeds a cat sometimes. Harmless and easily led compared to the rest of the gang — he would have preferred to drink and have a good time than be part of a gunfight.
His great-grandpappy was Hole's doctor — a possible connection to Doctor Curt Hatchett's family line.
As of Session 6 he is missing a toe, courtesy of Ms March and Sunday Morning.
Notes
- Arrived at the Randy Saloon early with Retta as advance ringers
- Successfully distracted by Cuthbert's drinking session — briefly relaxed and engaged
- Lured upstairs by Belinda, Ellie Mae, and Fine Fairweather; punched by Retta before he went; went anyway
- Ms March entered Belinda's room, threw his gun out the door, locked herself in, and interrogated him
- Doesn't remember August March — could not help with what he does not know
- Ms March shot off his toe with Sunday Morning to encourage cooperation
- Recounted the mine meeting with August March (see Session 6 — What Happened in the Mine)
- Something strange happens to his eyes when he recounts the mine events — a weird glare, which he shakes off
- Cuthbert's attempt to dispel the memory block failed — Merv is not under a spell or curse, but something else is wrong; possibly a chunk of memory is simply missing
- Side effect of Cuthbert's magic: Merv is now sympathetic to the party — he will help the quartet if left alone in the room
- In Session 7, warned Ms March and Cuthbert to run when the three newcomers arrived — then went suddenly calm and slack
- Reacted strangely when shots fired downstairs — went stumbly; exchanged looks with Max
- Looked to Cuthbert pleadingly just before Max shot him in the head
- Max shot Merv in the head. Merv is dead.
- Ms March later shot off one of Retta's big toes posthumously — so Retta and Merv match
Something is wrong with Merv's memory around the mine — his eyes do something strange, and a portion of his recollection appears to be simply absent. Not a spell, not a curse. What is it?
What Merv Saw in the Mine
- Jed told the gang they could get guns and money from August March — "he is not Ms March"
- The gang met August in the mine. August asked for Ms March's cut. Jed said they did not have it.
- Guns were pulled. August ran deeper into the mine.
- The Hatchetts followed. They began to hear a pulsating hum.
- The Hatchetts found themselves outside the mine. August was not there.
- Merv did not do anything to August. He did not see anything in the mine — but he wanted to go towards the noise.
Session Appearances
| Session | What Happened |
|---|---|
| Session 6 | Arrived early with Retta; briefly distracted; lured upstairs by working girls; interrogated by Ms March; lost a toe; revealed the mine story; made sympathetic by Cuthbert's magic |
| Session 7 | Warned Ms March and Cuthbert to run; went calm and slack; reacted strangely (stumbly) when shots fired downstairs; exchanged looks with Max; looked pleadingly at Cuthbert — Max shot him in the head. Dead. |
Quotes
"This ain't fun. Fuck this."
— Session 6, before Belinda's approach
"I don't fancy much getting killed today but I do fancy more whiskey and some private time for ole Merv."
— Session 6
"I keep getting hit today. I'm just trying to have a good time…"
— Session 6
"My toe is gone! My toe is gone!"
— Session 6
"Sorry, I was thinking how I used to have a toe."
— Session 6
"I've got a cat I feed sometimes."
— Session 6