# Parizianski — Short Fiction character guide

> Parizianski in Short Fiction by Cordwainer Smith.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Scanner Parizianski, Parizianski Scanner

**First appearance:** 0001-scanners-live-in-vain

## Snapshot

A burly, good-natured Pole whose deadened Scanner's face can no longer obey a smile, he waves his arms in inquiry and accidentally slaps an old man across the room.

## Who they are

Parizianski belongs to the silent brotherhood of Scanners, men whose brains are cut from sense and speech and who must talk with their fingers or shout like a broken phone. He is warmth trapped in a face he cannot govern, and when Vomact summons them all to a Top Emergency, he is the one who keeps asking why — why call cranched men, why drag them from the Up-and-Out. His blunt, arm-waving bewilderment gives the gathering its first human crack, making the reader feel the cost of what these men have traded away.

## Relationships

### [Martel III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_11_se/characters/martel_iii)

_professional_

Martel III and Parizianski have a frequent working relationship, likely as co-conspirators or officers.

### [Adam Stone](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_11_se/characters/adam_stone)

_rivalry_

Adam Stone and Parizianski are opponents, possibly on opposite sides of a conflict.

### [Vomact](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_11_se/characters/vomact)

_professional_

Parizianski and Vomact work together, likely as partners in a military or bureaucratic structure.

### [Chang](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_11_se/characters/chang)

_professional_

Chang and Parizianski have a working relationship, likely as part of the same organization.

### [Martel III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_11_se/characters/martel_iii)

_professional_

Martel III and Parizianski have a frequent working relationship, likely as co-conspirators or officers.

### [Vomact](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_11_se/characters/vomact)

_professional_

Parizianski and Vomact work together, likely as partners in a military or bureaucratic structure.

### [Adam Stone](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_11_se/characters/adam_stone)

_rivalry_

Adam Stone and Parizianski are opponents, possibly on opposite sides of a conflict.

## In the story

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_11_se/chapters/ii)

A burly Scanner who questions Martel about being cranched and shows concern over the emergency.

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_11_se/chapters/iii)

Argues against killing Adam Stone, suggesting that if Stone has succeeded, it would mean the end of the Great Pain and a better future for all.

### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_11_se/chapters/iv)

Designated by Vomact to kill Adam Stone; Martel hopes to reach Stone before him.

### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_11_se/chapters/v)

Appears in Stone's room in High Speed mode, intent on killing Stone; Martel intercepts him and they engage in a confrontation.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_11_se/characters/parizianski
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_11_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_11_se/characters