Your Life Is Mine

[cryptix23]

Or; The Shadow's Interpersonal Intelligence

"Your life," said the stranger's voice slowly, "is no longer your own. It belongs to me now."
 

I've now read the recruitment of Harry Vincent, Clyde Burke, Cliff Marsland, Rutledge Mann, Moe Shrevnitz, and Jericho Druke, which comprises most of the major agent network. Something I've noticed is that, while certain adaptations seem to like the domineering 'your life now belongs to me' approach to recruitment, it's only been used once in canon.

Of course, that one time is pretty iconic -- after all, it's the opening chapter of The Living Shadow, the first time we ever meet the Master of Darkness. It makes sense that it would make an impression. The problem being that it's usually the wrong impression.

Looking at the line out of context, yeah, The Shadow comes off as pretty tyrannical. Claiming ownership over someone else's life is a pretty tall order.

But if he’s so domineering -- why doesn't he ever do that with other agents? Almost all of them owe him in some way. He saves Moe and Jericho from murder, Clyde and Rutledge from poverty. Cliff -- well, Cliff is a special case.

To Clyde, he offers adventure. To Cliff, honorable work. To Rutledge, money and friendship. To Moe and Jericho, the chance to repay him. From Harry, Clyde, Cliff, and Rutledge he obtains the promise of obedience. Only once does he claim ownership.

Let's look at that line again, in-context.

Who is he saying it to? Harry Vincent.

Harry Vincent, who just jumped off a bridge. Not contemplated jumping, not tried to jump. He jumped off a bridge. If it wasn't for The Shadow's reflexes and strength, Harry would be dead.

So here’s The Shadow, talking to this kid who literally threw his life away. He listens to Harry's story, and he asks questions, and he evaluates Harry's character.

It's important to stress here that Harry's attempt at suicide is not the primary motivation for The Shadow's decision. Ten books later, he'll literally pluck the revolver out of Rutledge Mann's hand, and hear out a very similar story of hopelessness. And yet the way he treats with Mann is noticeably different from the tactic he takes with Harry -- or the way he handles Cliff -- or Clyde. (Or, for that matter, Lamont.)

So he evaluates Harry's character -- the same way he'll later evaluate so many others. He sees a young man whose life is in a tailspin and can’t see any way to pull out of it.

Right now, Harry desperately needs someone else to take the controls.

So The Shadow does.

"Your life is no longer your own. It belongs to me now."

The Shadow never says that to another agent -- no matter what they might owe him -- because that's not what any of the others needs to hear.


Post originally made November 22nd, 2015. The version posted here has been revised for clarity and sensitivity. Thanks to Seere for bringing it up.

The books referenced are #1: The Living Shadow, #6: The Death Tower, #9: Mobsmen on the Spot, #11: Double Z, and #65: The Chinese Disks.