To:Father Jorge Vuillermoz

[Monique Adelina De'Ath]

Mon cher Fr. Vuillermoz,

Rumour has it that you have finally arrived in Paris? I did seek to contact you before but there was no answer to my cordial message.....

I find myself in need of a confessor, following my dismissal by my previous priest, Fr Chatten (outrageous, what with him being considered a friend and everything!) and since that time I have had to find spiritual comfort in the guise of  Fr. Anon who, I have to say, hardly inspires confidence in me as he seems more interested in my donations to the church plate than guiding me along the path of righteousness.

As you may be aware I am a man of some considerable standing within Parisian society, being both the City's premier Physician as well as ROYAL EXECUTIONER, the latter a most onerous post that plays heavy upon one's conscious even though I've yet to actually have any actual work! So, if you are agreeable, and I expect a response, I can become your foremost parishioner and just think of the status that will bring to a priest of your currently modest standing! 

As an aside to the above may I enquire as to whether you have arranged any medical cover for yourself? If you were to accept me into your flock I can arrange a most beneficial package for you to ensure your future medical need are taken care of for the measly fee of a mere 25 livres! Think Father for this small amount you'll be covered for life!! Almost a blessing from the Almighty, if you don't mind me saying and only a heathen would reject it!

Respectfully yours,

Docteur Bastian Anton De'Ath

[carlc]

My Dear Dr. De'Ath

I am smothered with embarrassment for my lapse in concentration and in not responding to any missive you have previously vouchsafed to me. Unfortunately, the life of a priest new to Paris (oh Paris what a city) is to be a spiritual mendicant looking for a place to lay a weary head. The cost these urchins wish for carrying a small trunk and some scholarly tomes is simply outrageous to a simple country priest as I am. I'm afraid your previous missive appears to have been delivered to the wrong address and has only just caught up with me at my new lodgings.

I would be delighted to accept you as confessor though I must confess [sic] that I thought the role of Royal Executioner was a secret one to avoid certain, shall we say, repercussions? And does not the opposing roles of doctor and executioner not create a certain mental tension? I am pleased to hear you have not undertaken any 'engagements' to date, though the need for the secular arm to enforce the laws of man is important it is equally essential that you maintain your spiritual health as you maintain the physical health of others.

My physical health is currently as good as my spiritual health but I will keep your offer in mind as unfortunately, I find myself a little, shall we say, embarrassed financially at present? I shall look forward to our meeting at a mutually convenient time so we may begin your spiritual journey.

Yours in God

Fr Jorge Vuillermoz

[Monique Adelina De'Ath]

Mon cher Fr.Vuillermoz,

Hurrah, you live!! I perfectly understand the delay in your receiving my first letter, probably down to my error as I think, upon reflection, I may have addressed it to Fr. Chattan's parish, suffering mental anguish as I was at that time upon learning he had 'cast me aside'....'abandoned me to spiritual darkness'......'slammed the church door in my face'...etc etc...as you can imagine it is a cruel blow indeed to take when someone you consider as a good friend chooses to administer to only the nobility and forgets those loyal members of his flock perceived of a lesser standing within society. I went through 3 bottles of brandy and the entire contents of my medical bag in trying to blot that hurt out! As you may well be aware Fr.Chattan is presently in deepest Africa and one can only hope he does not do the same to the natives as he did to myself and others as they may not be so forgiving and the good Father could find himself on the lunch menu!

Anyway, enough of him, let us focus upon our future spiritual journey together and exactly how we can serve the Almighty to best effect, on this very subject I have already come up with a wonderful idea that will be of benefit to us both....interested...I bet you are!!! You see I have this lady friend, Agnes, who is most keen on strengthening her faith, indeed she never goes on about anything else, and I wonder if you are also looking for nuns as well as new parishioners? If you are then I would like to sign her up and I can have her delivered to your church next month, naturally we wouldn't wish for any attention or fuss so it would be best for me to arrange this during the night and you to keep her in a crypt or somewhere very secluded where she can get on with her bible studies uninterrupted. I can assure you Father if this is 'sorted out' then your current financial position will receive a welcome boost in the sum of a personal 100 livres 'donation' with an ongoing payment of 25 livres a month to keep her there (to cover her food costs etc). Once Agnes is well established in her religious studies I feel it will leave me more time to devote to my various duties as well as attending to the needs of a certain Mme Acelina Bissonette for whose welfare I have particular concern what with her being all single and alone in such a big city as Paris.

On a final note do not worry about any conflict between my professional and government roles, I have found that regular doses of a wonderful medicinal tonic called laudanum relieve me of any stress, whether it be physical or spiritual. I can let you have a little to try if you like, no charge, give it a go and if you decide it's your thing then I'm sure we can come to a regular arrangement, at generous prices, to keep you well stocked.

Yours in Christ and wellbeing,

Docteur Bastian Anton De'Ath
Physician to the people of Paris
ROYAL EXECUTIONER

OOC - BAD appoints Fr Vuillermoz as his confessor (plus is happy to give up Agnes to him as a nun....!)