Character

The Fezziwigs had never eschewed efforts that joined commerce to capital and significant profit; they had, however (for a very long time), prized community and good will amongst their neighbors more (being as dedicated in their benefactions as they were in their collections). By the 1990s, however, the Fezziwig empire was operating internationally under grave suspicion of being a cartel (economic by day, drugs and guns by night); infiltration and raids had become commonplace. "And what would your great x 8 grandfather think of you now?" one of the Interpol agents hissed to Albert Hyde Jorkin Fezziwig, having taken the eastern kingpin into custody after a sting in Prague. "Oh, I don't know," he eventually replied, "perhaps he'd marvel that I went about my business wig-less, but had a keen knack for plying successful trades." They had arrested Albert many times (only to watch him beat the system [any lawful system] repeatedly); this time would be no exception (he knew it and they knew it). "The first of the Fezziwigs would also know better than anyone that a person's character and consequences were inexplicably linked, and every comeuppance (plus tax and fees) comes due," the lead agent added, rapping on the interrogation table with his knuckles. Albert had a moment, looking very quickly up into the man's eyes before he looked down again, feeling a chill in the air - the cold breath of Christmas spirits upon his neck.