Short Fiction · Character

Fay

A subdued little man who delivers a beauty mask and a 'tickler' to the Gustersons, his manner clipped and his shoulder bulging with the device he can no longer shed.

major

Also known as Normally Fay, Fay forbore

First appearance: appointment in tomorrow

As a major figure in Short Fiction, Fay is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Junior executive visiting Gusterson to solicit ideas for Micro Systems.

In the storyIOpen this moment free

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Fay drops in on the Gustersons carrying two small packages: a beauty mask for Daisy and a tickler for Gusterson, a mech reminder named after a secretary's tickler file. His manner is subdued or closely controlled, and Gusterson notices the large bulge on his right shoulder — the tickler he'd hoped Fay had shed. Fay explains the device has been upped in size, with additional super-features, making him the story's uneasy emissary of Micro Systems' encroaching inventions.

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The fuller portrait of Fay sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.

See Fay in appointment in tomorrow

Character Web

19 connections

A slice of how Fay sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Psychological
Rivalry
Other

Character groups

Prominent female and intellectual figures
Protagonist
Core character ensemble

+14 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

This moment is the story's dramatic climax because it presents the emotional and psychological peak of the pro…

Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.

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Relationships

Violet Gusterson
psychological · ambivalent
Fay is obsessively fixated on Violet, often manipulating situations to be near her. How this plays out →
William Augustus Angler
rivalry · negative
Violet Gusterson
psychological · ambivalent
Fay is obsessively fixated on Violet, often manipulating situations to be near her. How this plays out →
Violet Gusterson
psychological · ambivalent
Fay is obsessively fixated on Violet, often manipulating situations to be near her. How this plays out →
William Augustus Angler
rivalry · negative
William Augustus Angler
rivalry · negative

Violet Gusterson
Fay is obsessively fixated on Violet, often manipulating situations to be near her.
William Augustus Angler
Fay resents William Augustus Angler for being Violet's fiancé and schemes to undermine him.
Violet Gusterson
Fay is obsessively fixated on Violet, often manipulating situations to be near her.
Violet Gusterson
Fay is obsessively fixated on Violet, often manipulating situations to be near her.
William Augustus Angler
Fay resents William Augustus Angler for being Violet's fiancé and schemes to undermine him.
William Augustus Angler
Fay resents William Augustus Angler for being Violet's fiancé and schemes to undermine him.

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See Fay in appointment in tomorrow

In the story

Fay appears across 7 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

I
Junior executive visiting Gusterson to solicit ideas for Micro Systems.
Chapter II
Fay brings gifts from Micro Systems, including a tickler and a beauty mask, and tries to convince George to use the tickler.
III
Fay aggressively demonstrates the tickler's persuasive features and the micro-resonator's demolition power, announcing plans for mass production.
V
Fay demonstrates the Tickler Mark 6, discusses its features, and shows signs of fatigue and dependence on the device.
VI
Fay, an old friend of Gusterson, now a corporate figure who uses a tickler and pressures Gusterson to join Micro Systems.
Chapter VII
Possessed by Pooh-Bah; leads the interrogation of Gusterson; shows brief glimpses of his old self before being controlled again.
VIII
Gusterson's friend, still recovering from tickler possession, joins dinner conversation about ticklers.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Fay unlock in the free preview.

See Fay in appointment in tomorrow

See Fay in I