# Jake Switz — Short Fiction character guide > Jake Switz in Short Fiction by Manly Wade Wellman. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Jake, Sigrid Holgar, Holgar, little Jake Switz, Switz **First appearance:** 0030-v-jake-s-story ## Snapshot Sigrid Holgar's loyal young attendant and something of a cook, who drives her to the remote Lake Jozgid theater and mails the narrator a ticket. ## Who they are Jake travels with Sigrid as her constant companion, helping Davidson buy the car that lets them slip out of New York ahead of her souvenir-demanding public. At the lodge he cooks the company's first meal, eating heartily while Varduk only picks at his food, and he later passes Varduk's remarks on to Judge Pursuivant and the narrator. His quiet observation of Sigrid's frigid silence after Varduk's arbitrary lantern command makes him the story's attentive witness to the tensions gathering around the production. ## Relationships ### [Varduk](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_37_se/characters/varduk) _rivalry_ Jake Switz and Varduk are enemies locked in a dangerous conflict, possibly involving supernatural or criminal elements. ### [Varduk](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_37_se/characters/varduk) _rivalry_ Jake Switz and Varduk are enemies locked in a dangerous conflict, possibly involving supernatural or criminal elements. ### [Varduk](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_37_se/characters/varduk) _rivalry_ Jake Switz and Varduk are enemies locked in a dangerous conflict, possibly involving supernatural or criminal elements. ## In the story ### [The Hairy Ones Shall Dance](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_37_se/chapters/the-hairy-ones-shall-dance) Jake Switz is involved in a fight with a glowing creature, hinting at transformation. ### [I: Drafted](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_37_se/chapters/i-drafted) Press agent for Sigrid Holgar, who persuades Gib to meet Varduk about a role. ### [III: Enter Judge Pursuivant](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_37_se/chapters/iii-enter-judge-pursuivant) First to leave the meeting, hurrying to telephone announcements to newspapers. ### [IV: Into the Country](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_37_se/chapters/iv-into-the-country) Meets the narrator at the junction, drives him to the theater, expresses unease about the location. ### [IV: Into the Country](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_37_se/chapters/iv-into-the-country) Referenced by Jake Switz as an accomplished actress rehearsing for 'Ruthven'. ### [Jake's Story](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_37_se/chapters/v-jake-s-story) Narrates the chapter; drives Sigrid to Lake Jozgid, cooks dinner, and bravely attacks the glowing creature to protect Sigrid. ### [VI: The Theater in the Forest](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_37_se/chapters/vi-the-theater-in-the-forest) Drives Connatt to the theater, is wary of Varduk, and refuses to discuss his previous night's adventure. ### [VII: Rehearsal](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_37_se/chapters/vii-rehearsal) Present at rehearsal; reacts with an oath when Connatt stabs Varduk. ### [Pursuivant Again](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_37_se/chapters/viii-pursuivant-again) Swims with Connatt; reacts to his dream with interest but avoids a romantic advance; has no last line in her script. ### [X: That Evening](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_37_se/chapters/x-that-evening) Accompanies the narrator after rehearsal and helps revive the unconscious Pursuivant. ### [XI: Battle and Retreat](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_37_se/chapters/xi-battle-and-retreat) Fights alongside the narrator, helps him retreat, and recalls a poltergeist case in Brooklyn. ### [XII: Return Engagement](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_37_se/chapters/xii-return-engagement) Publicist and friend; learns of Gib and Sigrid's engagement and helps with play promotion. ### [XIII: The Black Book](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_37_se/chapters/xiii-the-black-book) Working on scenery; comments on the bad luck of opening on a Friday. ### [XIII: The Black Book](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_37_se/chapters/xiii-the-black-book) Expresses excitement about the opening; is marked by Varduk's chalk circle. ### [Zero Hour](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_37_se/chapters/xiv-zero-hour) Grinning good wishes to Connatt as the play begins. ### [XV: “Whither? I Dread to Think—”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_37_se/chapters/xv-whither-i-dread-to-think) Works the curtain ropes and warns Connatt to get his sword; shows Connatt the strange lights outside. ### [Fearful Rock](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_37_se/chapters/fearful-rock) Engages in physical confrontation with a glowing creature. ### [V: The Rout of the Witches](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_37_se/chapters/v-the-rout-of-the-witches) Mentioned as 'Sigrid Holgar' in the context of the coven's membership; not directly present. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_37_se/characters/jake_switz - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_37_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_37_se/characters