A Drinking Problem

Nicholas Adam Dagel

Dearest Mother,

It is I, your loving son Anselmo. I’m writing to inform you that your youngest son is a success. As you know, it’s been nearly a fortnight since my landing in Bavaria. In the time since my arrival in this ominous and beautiful country, I have been appointed as the dutiful servant of the mintmaker, the issuer of currency and a wealthy landowner, the right and honorable Count Orlok. The Count has recently taken to sickness. And in his illness, he has required the services of an able-bodied man to help him in the upkeep of his estate.

He also requires assistance in the performance of his duties as mintmaker. I had been staying in an inn after I arrived in this foreign land. I went to the innkeeper and inquired where I might find employment. The innkeeper informed me of the open position here at Count Orlok’s estate, and upon the beginning of my employment here, Count Orlok graciously provided me with lodging in a small cabin on his land.

It’s funny, dear Mother. When some locals heard of my acceptance of this position, the Vicar himself came to me to warn me of the Count’s strange activities. However, I’ve found that despite the odd hours he keeps, the Count is a truly generous and kind-hearted man. I’ve found the denizens of Bavaria to be a superstitious and cowardly lot. Count Orlok is a lovely man. He’s even offered me some inheritance if I continue in my faithful service!

Regards, Anselmo.

Dear Ronaldo, my loving brother,

I require some assistance. You see, I recently accepted a job in the employ of Count Orlok. Things have not gone to plan. Upon my arrival in Bavaria, I found myself quite low on money after my long trek from Holland. I inquired about some employment opportunities and was informed of one such opportunity to work for the Count. Some of the locals informed me that Count Orlok is a strange and dangerous man. I paid them no heed and took them for superstition. But upon commencement of my employment, I learned the truth of Count Orlok’s supposed affliction.

When I met him, he had a deathly pallor about him and the strangest yellow eyes I’d ever seen on a living man. Months later, I learned the reason for his disquieting appearance. Count Orlok is a vampyr, dear brother. Worse than that, there have been some murders. Shortly after my arrival at this estate, the town drunkard, a boisterous man named Beauregard, came to live here. The Count informed me that my new primary job was to bring Beauregard casks of wine from the village whenever he required them. I was confused at first until I learned the purpose of this errand.

You see, in all my time in his employ, I never witnessed Count Orlok eat or drink anything to speak of. I learned this was due to his condition of vampyrism. Unfortunately, it seems that Count Orlok had developed a taste for alcohol. Except that because of his affliction, he couldn’t consume any liquid other than human blood. As a result of this, the only way Count Orlok could satiate his desire for a drink was to consume it from the blood of a drunk man. This is the reason for his agreement with the drunkard, Beauregard.

However, I refused to assist in this activity if I wasn’t going to receive the benefits of vampyrism myself. When I informed Count Orlok of my position, he became quite violent, and I feared for my life. I tore down the curtain covering the window, at which point the Count violently burst into flame. Then, in my rage, I stabbed the drunk Beauregard. In any event, I now desperately seek rescue from Bavaria. I implore you to come and rescue me, Brother.

Regards, Anselmo.