# Underhill — Short Fiction character guide

> Underhill in Short Fiction by Cordwainer Smith.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** The Deal Underhill

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

## Snapshot

A blunt, half-chewed fighter of a man who cradles a small cat in his arms and calls her a sweet little thing sent out to hunt Rats.

## Who they are

Underhill is one of the four Partners aboard the Fighting Room, a low, brutish type whose telepathy never refined his character — only made him serviceable. His tenderness with the Lady May, sealed into her projectile with padded claws, sits oddly against his scarred ears and dull mind. Their wordless affection across species is the story's warmest thing, and the thing most likely to be spent.

## Relationships

### [Lady May](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_11_se/characters/lady_may)

_social_

Lady May and Underhill are acquainted, possibly through social circles or shared interests.

### [Woodley](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_11_se/characters/woodley)

_friendship_

Underhill and Woodley are companions, likely sharing adventures or mutual support.

### [Captain Wow](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_11_se/characters/captain_wow)

_friendship_

Captain Wow and Underhill are allies, possibly with a mentor-mentee or comrade dynamic.

### [Miss West](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_11_se/characters/miss_west)

_romantic_

Miss West and Underhill share romantic tension or a budding relationship.

### [Father Moontree](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_11_se/characters/father_moontree)

_social_

Father Moontree and Underhill are acquaintances, perhaps through community or spiritual events.

### [Lady May](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_11_se/characters/lady_may)

_social_

Lady May and Underhill are acquainted, possibly through social circles or shared interests.

### [Woodley](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_11_se/characters/woodley)

_friendship_

Underhill and Woodley are companions, likely sharing adventures or mutual support.

### [Miss West](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_11_se/characters/miss_west)

_romantic_

Miss West and Underhill share romantic tension or a budding relationship.

### [Woodley](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_11_se/characters/woodley)

_friendship_

Underhill and Woodley are companions, likely sharing adventures or mutual support.

## In the story

### [The Game of Rat and Dragon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_11_se/chapters/the-game-of-rat-and-dragon)

A new pinlighter who is paired with Lady May and learns the dangers of fighting dragons in space.

### [The Table](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_11_se/chapters/the-table)

A pinlighter who reflects on the horrors of his job, the loss of ships, and the psychological strain of working with Partners.

### [The Shuffle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_11_se/chapters/the-shuffle)

A pinlighter who draws the Lady May as his Partner; reflects on the nature of cat Partners and recalls past cheating incident.

### [The Deal](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_11_se/chapters/the-deal)

The Deal Underhill prepares Lady May for battle, communicates with her through the pin-set, and merges his consciousness with hers.

### [The Play](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_11_se/chapters/the-play)

The human pinlighter who pilots Lady May, experiencing the battle through her senses and struggling with the physical pain of combat.

### [The Score](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_11_se/chapters/the-score)

Hospitalized after being touched by a Dragon; insists on calling his Partner 'Lady May' and shows deep emotional connection to her.

## Links

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