Atropos's Defeat and Continued Existence

The rogue agent of Random is thwarted but not destroyed, remaining a threat for the future.

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The First Encounter

A Nasty Surprise The Jump-Rope Thief Ralph sees a small, dirty bald man in a vacant lot, wearing Bill McGovern's Panama hat and jumping rope. The man is Atropos, the rogue agent of Random. He has taken the hat as a souvenir. The Attack on Rosalie Atropos tries to lure Rosalie the stray dog across the street to cut her balloon-string. Ralph intervenes, and Lois shoots Atropos with a bolt of energy. Atropos flees, but he has marked them as enemies. A Glimpse of Evil Atropos is everything Clotho and Lachesis are not: dirty, cruel, and insane. He takes pleasure in causing death and collecting souvenirs. He is the joker in the deck.

The Showdown in the Den

The Battle Under the Oak Ambush After Ralph retrieves Ed's wedding ring from the deathbag, Atropos ambushes them, holding a scalpel to Lois's balloon-string. He demands the ring back. Subduing Atropos Ralph uses Lois's slip to blind Atropos, then subdues him with his own scalpel. He cuts Atropos's ear and forces him to promise to stay away from them and Ed until the rally is over. Atropos agrees, but his hatred is undimmed. The Crimson King As Ralph tries to escape, he is confronted by the Crimson King, who takes the form of his mother and then a giant catfish. Ralph stabs the creature with Lois's earring, and a green light from his scar banishes it. Atropos escapes, but he is defeated for now.

The Final Attempt

Revenge Attempt The Green Ford Five years later, Atropos attempts to kill Natalie Deepneau as revenge against Ralph. He arranges for a car to hit her on Harris Avenue. He wears Natalie's Red Sox cap as a new souvenir. Thwarted Again Ralph sacrifices himself to save Natalie, foiling Atropos's plan. Atropos is left screaming in rage on the sidewalk. He has failed again. A Continuing Threat Atropos is not destroyed. He remains a rogue agent of Random, still collecting souvenirs and cutting cords. He is a reminder that the battle between Purpose and Random never ends.

Tuesday, October 5, 1993

Late afternoon, October 6, 1993

August 1998