| Neville | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Vital statistics | |
| Title | Officer |
| Gender | Male |
| Status | Alive |
| Ships | Unnamed Royal Navy ship |
| Relationships | Coker (superior)
Jack Rackham (friend) |
| Appearances | Rackham's Razor (only) |
| Portrayed by | N/A |
Mr. Neville is an officer of the Royal Navy who briefly served on the same ship as Jack Rackham, with whom he became friends.
Biography[]
Background[]
In 1705, Jack Rackham was transferred to Neville's ship after a series of transfers and demotions. The two became acquaintances during this time, however Jack was transferred yet again to Her Majesty's Ship, the Carcass.
Rackham's Razor[]
After arriving in London, Neville and Jack go to James Bonny's Inn on the banks of the Thames. There, Neville goes through Jack's history of various postings and demotions that led him to Neville's ship, where Jack managed to make a fool out of the meanest officer aboard, Mr. Coker. While Neville talks, Jack asks the owner of the tavern for another round of drinks, and the owner orders a young girl to fetch the drinks for the customers, threatening her with physical violence. Neville then asks him about his unique sideburns, Jack glibly replies that he hopes his captain aboard his new ship, the Carcass, will find them "jaunty." Neville replies that his new captain whips men to death for blasphemy, but Jack is unconcerned. Neville then tells Jack that he'll miss him, but not at cards or dice. The girl, Anne, then brings the men their drinks, and Rackham tips her.
Mr. Coker, the aforementioned officer that Jack had antagonized in his time aboard the ship, arrives. He calls Jack a coward, telling him that he needs to address him as “sir” and salute his superiors. With Coker is an officer of the British Army. Coker orders Jack to pull his sword out of his scabbard, and when he refuses, Coker takes it and calls it the blade of a coward who has never killed. Coker proceeds to snap the blade over his knee, and draws his own sword and taunts Jack by sticking the point in front of his face. Neville watches the entire scene uncomfortably from his seat.
Rackham then asks Coker if he wants to win back his losses. Coker accuses Rackham of being a cheat, which Rackham denies. Coker and Pursy sit down with Rackham and Neville, and Pursy introduces himself and is far more friendly than his colleague. Neville attempts to leave, citing his long day ahead as an excuse to turn in, but Coker orders him to stay put. Coker demands that they use his cards, to prevent Jack from cheating. They begin playing the game “Find the Jack” which Jack finds amusing. Jack tries to engage Pursy in conversation, asking him what the news in town is, jokingly asking who they’re at war with. Coker orders Jack to be quiet, which Jack retorts that it is a boring game if they can’t cheat. Coker says that one can discern a cheat because no one is truly good at dice. Jack counters that there are many things someone can shave that aren’t dice. Pursy then tells an unsavory story about a prostitute that he knew that could spit dice from several “places” that could land on numbers on request, the veracity of which Coker doubts before Pursy and Neville fold. Coker then asks Jack what he has and Jack folds. Jack then leaves to urinate into the river.
When Jack returns, he poses a question to the table. He says they all know Queen Anne’s government has more spies than taxes. He says it is likely that said spy could be found at the docks to meet a returning naval ship. Said spy could usually be found hanging around the brighter officers in alehouses. Coker tells him to shut up and even Neville tells Jack to move the game along. Jack then says it is a mystery how spies get away with looking like spies, and asks if they are so great in number they have stopped trying to be clandestine. Jack then notices that Pursy’s cup is empty and tries to poor him another drink but Coker slaps the cup out of his hands. Jack continues to speak, saying that when a spy spends more time abroad, throwing out the example of Amsterdam, under the employ of the British government, does there come a day when he when there is no possibility that he is even slightly aligned with the British Empire. Pursy then departs with a curt “good evening.” Jack then goes all in, followed by Neville, who asks Jack if he's happy now that Neville is broke. Jack then folds, allowing Coker to win the game. Neville then departs.
Quotes[]
"I'll miss you, Jack. Though not at cards or dice." - Neville to Jack Rackham in Rackham's Razor.