Marchande/Background

A Pious Man

xxxxx Marchande, originally named Justin le Marchande, is originally from New York where he lived as a Catholic priest serving one of the smaller parishes in one of the five buroughs. His family, located New Jersey, was very proud of him for committing himself to god and to serving the people. He was, for all purposes, part of the tight-knit, community of Catholic families on Chicago's south side. He was part of the fabric of the community, a fine and up-standing cop that coached soccer on the weekends, nursed the sick and cared for the poor.

xxxxx It was all so perfect. His parents never knew of his sexuality. He had hoped that by suppressing it and taking vows as a priest that he could deny his unhealthy urges and bring himself closer to god. But everyone, -everyone- eventually gave in to temptation.

xxxxxEventually one of his temptations talked and the parish was up in arms to have something done about it. Rather than put himself through the pain of an investigation and counseling - he admitted to himself what and who he was and left the priesthood, New York and his family and traveled to Chicago.

xxxxx Then, about three years later, he was on his way home from a job he secured at a local college teaching theology. The 'Sleven' looked fairly empty when he went in but not deserted. It was just another night and he was just another guy grabbing something on the way home.

xxxxx Slevens are always getting robbed. Most store owners will ensure that the cashier will do hourly drops of money into the safe just to make sure they don't loose any big bills. It's not a matter of 'if' it will be robbed - more a matter of 'when'. Security cameras are a nice touch - if they work and if the images actually show their faces - and if anyone will actually testify against them. Usually such things happen without anyone getting hurt or maybe some stuff thrown off the shelves but everyone walks away. But not that night. That was the night the Sabbat came to the 7-11.

Is Anyone Thirsty?

xxxxx Marchande walked up to the register with the milk in one hand, chocolate ho-hos and a pack of condoms in the other. He was hopeful that he wouldn't be alone that night.The cashier just looked at him blankly and was obviously slow about looking at him or even taking the items to scan for prices. When he asked the guy 'how much' he just shrugged a little and said 'no charge' and told him to get out. It didn't take Marchande long to figure out what was going on and spied one of the robbers behind the register with the cashier holding a knife against his leg. Marchande turned towards the guy and began the process of talking him out and leaving the cashier alone when the doors to the Sleven swung open and a loud, booming voice called out "Is Anyone Thirsty?"

xxxxx Marchande wheeled to face the crowd coming in - not sure if they were accomplices of the robber or just rowdy kids. The guy behind the cashier jumped to his feet and grabbed what cash he could from the drawer and tried to make it around the edge of the counter and towards the door while Marchande was distracted. The crowd that entered didn't seem to pay him much notice as he moved. Rather than let him pass or congratulate him on his score, one of them just grabbed him and held him in place; two feet off the ground.

xxxxx Marchande ordered them to put him down and back away from the door. He yelled at the Cashier to call for the police and tell them that he needed back up but he didn't get a response. Turning for a moment to check on him he saw that he was unable to move - one of the people who was just at the door was standing behind him and holding his face flat against the counter. Again, Marchande ordered them to let go of their prey but they just laughed.

xxxxx So Marchande tried to pull out his cellphone to call for help while moving to a more defensive position to keep the group and the woman holding the cashier in place in direct sight. Backing up he heard the call connect to the dispatcher and then a black form materialized behind him and struck him on the back of the head. The floor of the Sleven reached up and smacked him without so much as a warning and the world went fuzzy and dark.