Memento Mori: 200 Years of Regret is an autobiographical novel written by (from the perspective of) Dr. Cheshire.
| Memento Mori
The cover for the story. |
| Date started |
April 10th, 2016
July 3rd, 2017 (second re-write) |
| Date first released |
April 10th, 2016 |
| Last updated |
July 7th, 2017 (Chapter 7) |
| Date completed |
n/a |
| Rating |
Mature |
| Chapters |
42+ |
| Word Count |
147170+ |
| EPUB/PDF Download |
Unavailable |
| Facebook page |
| Previous in Timeline |
Candlelit Silence (1665) |
| Next in Timeline |
Tomorrow's Fatal Flaw (1939) |
In canon, the novel is written by Dr. Cheshire during the years of 2043 and 2044.
Description
A Victorian scientist performs an experiment that grants him immortality. When he discovers two-hundred years later that his immortality is only temporary, he begins documenting his entire life. His only hope is that the memoir will give someone he loves an understanding of his actions.
Characters (in order of appearance)
Dr. Cheshire (First Appearance: Chapter 1)
Oliver Roarke (First Appearance: Chapter 1)
Camille Cheshire (First Appearance: Chapter 1)
Dr. Mikkelsen (First Appearance: Chapter 4)
Collin Locklear (First Appearance: Chapter 7)
Lizabeth Jasper (First Appearance: Chapter 7)
Kurtis Abel (First Appearance: Chapter 7)
Roger Jasper (First Appearance: Chapter 7)
Apryl Knowlton (First Appearance: Chapter 9)
Mr. Ragsdale (First Appearance: Chapter 9)
Agent Russell Southwell (First Appearance: Chapter 10)
Officer Feliz Florence (First Appearance: Chapter 10)
Detective Elliot Mortensen (First Appearance: Chapter 11)
Julie Carmine (First Appearance: Chapter 12)
Dustin Patefield (First Appearance: Chapter 13)
Yinyue Patefield (First Appearance: Chapter 13)
Inspector General Simon Callahan (First Appearance: Chapter 13)
Inspector General Frank Callahan (First Appearance: Chapter 13)
Jack Kingson (First Appearance: Chapter 15)
Sherrie Lowe (cameo in Chapter 15)
Ruler Eternal (First Appearance: Chapter 15)
Malachy (First Appearance: Chapter 16)
Peter Groves (cameo in Chapter 21)
Dr. Dallas Calhoon (First Appearance: Chapter 22)
Calvin Mortensen (referenced in Chapter 24)
D.A.R.K. (cameo in Chapter 25)
Prof. Benedikt Wolff (cameo in Chapter 26)
Research Scientist Sam Emmerson (referenced in Chapter 26)
Dr. Jeremy Faucheux (cameo in Chapter 26)
Terrence Lyndon (First Appearance: Chapter 26)
Dr. Linda Kyles (cameo in Chapter 26)
Carmine (referenced in Chapter 26)
Hualan Shan (First Appearance: Chapter 27)
Mike "Attention" McAtten (cameo in Chapter 27)
Jack A. "Psychopathic Mentalcase" Coman (cameo in Chapter 27)
Private David Henseler (cameo in Chapter 29)
Felix Day (cameo in Chapter 29)
Chance Patill (First Appearance: Chapter 29)
Octavius Tremble (First Appearance: Chapter 29)
Lenore Locklear (First Appearance: Chapter 30)
Cochryn Alexander (First Appearance: Chapter 38)
Prof. Daniel Bennett (First Appearance: Chapter 39)
The Gray Man (First Appearance: Chapter 39)
Aten Idris (First Appearance: Chapter 39)
Videl Caro (First Appearance: Chapter 39)
One-Eyed Oliver (First Appearance: Chapter 39)
Two-Feet Tim (First Appearance: Chapter 39)
Cat-Paw Cate (First Appearance: Chapter 39)
Bad-Eye Bob (First Appearance: Chapter 39)
Darnell Price (First Appearance: Chapter 39)
Mali Cirquette (First Appearance: Chapter 39)
Annie Cuestro (First Appearance: Chapter 39)
Paul Cuestro (First Appearance: Chapter 39)
Andy Cirquette (First Appearance: Chapter 39)
Flynn D'Amore (First Appearance: Chapter 39)
Andrew Price (First Appearance: Chapter 39)
Summary
Chapter 1
Cheshire talks about how his mother died when he was nine and his father commit suicide. He mentions that he went into an orphanage, where he met Mr. Roarke. He explains that Mr. Roarke is in love with him, but he cannot return the feeling.
Cheshire and Roarke meet Ms. Ibbott.
Cheshire is invited into Ibbott's home. Ibbott kisses him before he leaves. Cheshire goes to Roarke and tells of her kissing. Roarke strokes Cheshire's cheek and tells him not to return to Ibbott. Cheshire leaves.
Chapter 2
Cheshire meets Ms. Ibbott after her church service and returns to her house, feeling a need to experiment. Ibbott strips and attempts to have sex with Cheshire, but stops when she realizes he's flaccid. Cheshire goes to Roarke's home to find it in disarray. He finds Roarke on the floor upstairs in the midst of a breakdown. Cheshire holds Roarke close to sooth him. Roarke says that he won't take his medication in order to allow things like this to happen so he can have Cheshire close. Roarke asks Cheshire why he won't call him by his given name, and Cheshire answers that he doesn't want that level of intimacy with him.
Chapter 3
Cheshire meets Ms. Ibbott again at a restaurant. He doesn't like her very much. Ibbott drops something, and Cheshire blindly picks it up; unfortunately, it is a wedding ring box. Ibbott excitedly agrees to marry, and everyone in the restaurant applauds, so Cheshire plays along to avoid conflict.
Roarke visits Cheshire at his home. Cheshire announces that he is marrying Ibbott, to which Roarke acknowledges that while he won't call her by her given name, he will call him by his, and that he deserves someone better. Cheshire argues that he has to marry either way, so it may as well be with Ibbott. Roarke demands to hear Cheshire say he doesn't love Ibbott, and Cheshire complies, but still insists upon marrying her.
At the wedding ceremony, Ibbott tells Cheshire she wants his children. Roarke doesn't dance with anyone.
Chapter 4
Cheshire gets a letter from the mayor of Catshill requesting that he offer his science services to Eclipse Laboratories to help create a serum of eternal life (Eclipse Potion). Cheshire, having nothing better to do, agrees. Camille is annoyed by Cheshire not consulting her first, but he doesn't care, since she is a woman. Cheshire melts petals of Belsease and manages to resurrect a dead rat, but said rat promptly dies once more.
Cheshire decides to use himself as a test subject. Belsease appears to only have brief negative effects on him. Camille argues that Cheshire is intentionally avoiding her, which he doesn't deny. She demands to know if Cheshire even loves her, and he says that whatever he feels is certainly not love. Camille grumbles that he'll love her eventually. Cheshire doesn't understand.
Chapter 5
Cheshire meets Mr. Roarke outside of a restaurant. Cheshire has been very ill, and Mr. Roarke is concerned, so Roarke takes his hand and takes him back to his place. He removes a glove and feels Cheshire's forehead, finding that the man has a bad fever. They are very close to each other, and Roarke attempts to go in for a kiss to break the tension, but Cheshire rejects him, believing that it is forbidden for him to be with Mr. Roarke, though he now realizes how deeply in love with him he is.
July 1st of 1846, Cheshire finds presents Eclipse Potion. He injects the civilians of Catshill, starting with his wife, Camille. Camille begins to scream in pain, and soon she and everyone else injected with the Potion die. Mr. Roarke appears, and holds Cheshire. He tells Cheshire he loves him, and then kisses him. Cheshire pushes him away and runs for his mansion, where he locks himself in and sits down, waiting for the mob to kill him in someway. He whispers that he loves Mr. Roarke.
Chapter 6
Cheshire states that he has been boarded up, trapped into his house. Over time, he runs out of food and water, and realizes he may be immortal. He dreams of Oliver Roarke. He begins talking to himself, and practically destroys his house. Eventually, the members of Autumnwolf Film Productions break into his mansion, and he meets Collin and Lizabeth. They tell him they wanted to use his mansion as a set, and don't believe him when he tells them about the Eclipse Potion. Lizabeth and Collin convince Kurtis and Roger that he's telling the truth, and reveal to Cheshire that the year is 2014. Cheshire panics, screaming for Oliver, but Collin smacks him. Cheshire comments on how strangely they are all dressed, and Collin laughs, telling him to wait until he goes outside to make a comment like that.
Chapter 7
Cheshire is escorted around Catshill by Autumnwolf Film Productions. He accepts Oliver Roarke's death. Cheshire agrees to act for Autumnwolf's newest film. Collin takes Cheshire clothes shopping, and Cheshire is ashamed by the sight of himself in the mirror.
Cheshire thanks Collin, who says it's no problem. Cheshire asks Roger and Lizabeth Jasper about the internet, and in return, Roger asks Cheshire his first name. Cheshire refuses to answer, not wanting to share that level of intimacy.
Chapter 8
Autumnwolf Film Productions take Cheshire to a local hotel, where he eats and drinks for the first time in over 100 years. He shares a room with Collin, but he leaves in the middle of the night in search of Oliver, only to decide it would be best to check the cemetery in the morning.
Collin proposes using his friendship with Agent Russell Southwell to let Cheshire come to America with them. Cheshire agrees, but insists that first he must check the graveyard. Cheshire discovers the graves of Camille and Oliver. He places his hand on Oliver's, lowers his head, and apologizes.
Chapter 9
Autumnwolf Film Productions takes Cheshire to America. In May, they go to Stevenson High School to pick a new actor/actress for their next film. Apryl Knowlton wins, and Collin meets an old childhood friend, Mr. Ragsdale. Leaving without Knowlton, Cheshire asks why they aren't bringing her along. Collin replies that they don't have legal permission to take her until Monday, to which Cheshire announces that he understands.
Chapter 10
Autumnwolf Film Productions and Cheshire pick up Apryl from Stevenson High on May 14th. They begin a ten and a half hour journey from Livonia, Michigan to Shafer, Minnesota. Twenty minutes away, Cheshire hears someone screaming behind the van. Collin hears it too, and stops the van. Lizabeth bitches, but Collin shushes her and leaves. He returns shortly to say that it was Russell Southwell. Russell refused a ride and refused to say why he was there, but told Collin not to go to the hotel. They decide to go anyway. Collin drives through the gate, breaking it open. Roger complains, but Collin reassures him that everything's fine. The door to the hotel is boarded up, so Collin asks for a crowbar, which he gets from Kurtis, who helps him get the door open. Roger asks Apryl if she's ever watched any of Autumnwolf's films, and she says she's seen them all, but her favorite was The Humble Guest.
Once inside the hotel, Cheshire starts to develop a headache. Plumbing in the abandoned hotel works, so Lizabeth goes to take a bath, and Roger and Kurtis head upstairs to claim their own rooms. Cheshire asks Collin why he chose this hotel, and Collin answers that he chose it because it was supposedly used as the laboratory of an illegal, immoral experiment gone wrong, led by a bipolar man with severe perception issues. Cheshire begins feeling worse, so he takes Collin's recommendation of going upstairs to rest. He feels worse, and then begins bleeding Eclipse Potion from his eyes, nose, and mouth. He stops thinking, finds a knife, and goes to the bathroom that Lizabeth is in. He enters, for she has her eyes covered and thinks he is Roger. He kneels beside the bathtub and she looks at him, only to be paralyzed in horror. He shushes her, tightly covers her mouth, and then stabs her in the stomach. He performs an amateur c-section on her, ripping her child out of her stomach. He announces that it is dead before strangling her to death with its umbilical cord. Roger soon arrives, having become concerned since she had not joined him. Cheshire watches him grieve, and when he sees him, Roger begins screaming at him and tries to strike him. Cheshire, antagonized, fights back and beats his head against the bathtub until his "skull cracks in [his] hands". Kurtis, having heard the screaming, finds the bodies, only to be gut like a fish by Cheshire. Cheshire then hides. Collin finds the bodies and accuses Apryl of the crime. Cheshire hears a commotion downstairs, but does not snap out of it until he hears gunshots. He changes his clothes and washes his face, hiding his bloody clothes where no one would think to look. He then sneaks downstairs to find Russell on the floor, shot. He tends to Russell's wound best that he can when Feliz Florence enters with Apryl, carrying an injured Collin. Feliz asks Cheshire what happened, and Cheshire replies that he doesn't know.
Chapter 11
Cheshire is a key witness in the court case for the Autumnwolf Incident. He eventually proves Collin's innocence, and is then hailed by the media as some sort of clairvoyant. Amateur and freelance detectives come to his new place of residence, Southfield, seeking his help, which he reluctantly gives. He begins to grow a tad arrogant from all of the ego stroking. In January of 2016, he is stopped in the street by Detective Elliot Mortensen. They argue briefly, with Cheshire toying with him a little bit, but Cheshire ultimately agrees to help him track down Mr. Ragsdale, who had apparently killed not just his girlfriend, but Elliot's partner as well. Cheshire tells Elliot that Ragsdale is likely at home in Livonia, to which Elliot is skeptical. Cheshire insists, so Elliot grudgingly agrees to take him there.
Chapter 12
Cheshire is sitting in the passenger seat of Elliot's car. He checks Elliot out, finding him to be rather handsome but also realizing that he appeared to be done opening up to people. He is confused that Elliot's eyes say "kindest man in the world" but his body language says "stay away from me or I will beat the shit out of you". A thick tension has filled the air, and Elliot eventually asks if Cheshire minds whether he turns on the radio. Cheshire says he doesn't mind.
Once in Livonia, Elliot curses himself for making a wrong turn, but Cheshire assures him that it's fine, which Elliot silently appreciates. Soon after, he hits Cheshire's arm and points out a fire that seems to be coming from Ragsdale's house. He drives the wrong way up a one-way street and stops in front of Ragsdale's house. Julie is there. Ragsdale reveals, indirectly, that he has kidnapped his former students and has placed them in his house, which is now ablaze. Cheshire asks him to consider the consequences, being their deaths, and Ragsdale is guilty for a moment. He then prepares to attack, but Elliot threatens to shoot him. Julie screams, and Ragsdale bolts for his house. Elliot prepares to shoot him, aiming to kill, but Cheshire takes a defensive position, blocking his aim. Elliot complains, but Cheshire tells him he was going to kill him. Elliot frowns culpably. Ragsdale then screams, so Cheshire carelessly runs into his house. He finds Ragsdale, touching him to help him, but the former teacher is so startled that he trips backwards and catches fire. Cheshire follows him as he runs outside, and then slips on the stairs and falls into the snow beside them. Julie extinguishes Ragsdale, and Elliot rushes to Cheshire's side, asking if he is okay. Cheshire says that he is, then Elliot offers his hand to help him stand. Cheshire thinks of Oliver and denies the gesture of kindness. Elliot asks if Ragsdale, who Julie is crying over, is dead. Cheshire tells him that he will be soon. Elliot then asks about the students in the house, and Cheshire solemnly states that they were too late to help. Cheshire then realizes he wants to stop helping detectives, since he's not ready to see this grim side of the world, and says that he will be leaving. Elliot understands, though he appears saddened.
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Quotes
Cheshire: I am unsure as to what to do. I was not expecting [Camille] to kiss me.
Oliver: Don’t go back to her. Leave her be. Women are nothing but trouble, Mr. Cheshire.
Cheshire: Mr. Roarke, you simply want me all to yourself.
Oliver: Can you blame me?
Cheshire: Ssh, Mr. Roarke. It’s me. Everything’s going to be just fine.
Oliver: M-Mr. Cheshire…?
Cheshire: Yes.
Oliver: Oh, thank goodness you’re here…
Cheshire: You stopped taking your medication, didn’t you?
Oliver: You know you’re the only reason I take that crap anymore, Mr. Cheshire…
Cheshire: It’s not crap. It keeps you from falling this low.
Oliver: But when I don’t take it, I get to spend more time with you…
Oliver: Hold me for a little while longer, would you, Mordecai…?
Cheshire: I told you not to call me by my given name, Mr. Roarke.
Oliver: Why don’t you ever call me Oliver…?
Cheshire: Because being on a first name basis implies a level of intimacy that I’m not ready to share with you yet, Mr. Roarke.
Camille: Hello, Mr. Cheshire. Or should I call you Dr. Cheshire?
Cheshire: Doctor.
Camille: It’s been a while, hasn’t it?
Cheshire: Indeed it has, Ms. Ibbott.
Camille: I didn’t forget you.
Cheshire: I’m aware.
Oliver: Hello, good doctor.
Cheshire: Please, do not do me such honours.
Oliver: Why? It’s an honour to be in your presence, especially in your abode. So I feel like I should do you such honours.
Cheshire: I do not deserve your admiration, Mr. Roarke.
Cheshire: I’m to be married, Oliver. To… To Ms. Ibbott.
Oliver: You can’t even bring yourself to call her by her first name, yet you can call me by mine. How could you marry a woman like her? You deserve better than her, Mordecai.
Cheshire: I don’t have a choice, Mr. Roarke. I need to marry someone. It may as well be her. At least I know that she is physically attracted to me.
Oliver: She tried to force herself on you, the goddamned whore!
Cheshire: Mr. Roarke, relax. Shouting won’t change anything. I’m marrying her. It’s set in stone.
Oliver: No, it isn’t. You know that.
Camille: Do you even love me anymore, Mordecai?
Cheshire: Mrs. Cheshire, I’m not even sure I know how to describe what I feel for you, but I certainly would never have thought to call it love.
Oliver: Give me your hand. Let’s go back to my place.
Cheshire: That’s fine.
Oliver: You can lean against me if you like.
Cheshire: We are both men.
Oliver: So?
Cheshire: That would look improper. Even our hands touching may be improper.
Oliver: Just give me your hand.
Cheshire: I can’t, I’m sorry.
Oliver: Why not?
Cheshire: This is not right.
Oliver: Who cares about what’s right?
Cheshire: Most people. Myself included…
Oliver: But… Just a kiss.
Cheshire: Am I going mad?
Cheshire: It would appear so.
Cheshire: That is a shame.
Cheshire: Is it not?
Cheshire: What will I do?
Cheshire: Keep talking.
Cheshire: Oh, that’s right. I don’t have a choice, do I?
Cheshire: Not particularly.
Lizabeth: Okay, no, seriously, who are you?
Cheshire: Dr. Cheshire. I… I worked on the Eclipse Potion. I’ve been trapped in here since July of 1846.
Lizabeth: Really, Collin? You’re checking your texts?
Collin: No, just making sure it’s still 2014.
Cheshire: How very weirdly you are all dressed…
Collin: Dude, just wait until you get outside.
Cheshire: Why are you being so friendly towards me? We don’t even know each other, really…
Collin: I know that you’re someone who could use a little bit of help fitting in. That’s all I need to know in order to want to help you.
Cheshire: Do you even know the things I’ve done?
Collin: I don’t care. The past is in the past. I bet you’re a changed man by now, anyway.
Cheshire: You all refer to each other with your given names, I’ve noticed. How very intimate. I do not yet feel comfortable with giving you my given name.
Roger: Intimate? How is that intimate? It’s very common.
Cheshire: Common? Intimacy is common now? Oh, boy. I really would prefer if you just referred to me as Cheshire. I would like to keep my given name to myself.
Lizabeth: I’ll sleep with Roger.
Cheshire: Should you not sleep beside your brother as opposed to a friend?
Lizabeth: No, I’m fine sleeping with my husband.
Cheshire: Wait, he is your husband? So… The child…
Lizabeth: You noticed? I’m proud to be Mrs. Jasper.
Collin: Inside this envelope is the name of our winner! Do you want me to open it? I don’t know… Cheshire, you think I should open it?
Cheshire: Don’t keep them waiting, or they may stampede.
Roger: Fuck, man! This is a fuckin’ rental van! Don’t damage it!
Collin: It’s fine, Roger! A little gate-breaking won’t hurt shit!
Roger: Yeah, except for the hood.
Roger: So, Apryl, have you seen any of our films before?
Apryl: Yeah, I’ve seen them all. I’m a really big fan. My favourite was probably The Humble Guest.
Lizabeth: Really? I had a lot of fun filming for that one. What about you, Cheshire?
Cheshire: Yes, I quite enjoyed that one. Locklear makes a very convincing killer.
Lizabeth: Doesn’t he? God, I loved the power struggle between his two identities. I know he had a shitload of fun with it, too. That was probably his favourite character to play so far.
Cheshire: So… Why here?
Collin: Why not here? It’s really old fashioned and I think it’d make a nice set.
Cheshire: I know you by now, Locklear. You know something about this place. Something piqued your interest. Now, what is it?
Collin: It’s silly. Just an old rumour, y’know.
Cheshire: I don’t. I’m still not very caught up with the times.
Collin: Apparently this place was used as some sort of lab, or some shit. For illegal experiments: on humans. Some crazy son of a bitch was playing god with chemicals. Err, I mean… Wow, this is awkward. Sorry.
Cheshire: No, it’s fine.
Collin: I just meant that this guy was seriously fucked in the head, apparently. Perception issues and bipolar disorder up the wazoo.
Feliz: Who are you?
Cheshire: Dr. Cheshire.
Feliz: Do you know what happened here?
Cheshire: I don’t know… I-I was upstairs, resting. My God, I… It’s terrible up there… Just terrible.
Elliot: ’Scuse me, are you Dr. Cheshire?
Cheshire: Yes.
Elliot: Dr. Cheshire, I’m Detective Elliot Mortensen, and I have an—
Cheshire: Don’t call it an offer. You’ve come to ask me to help you track someone down, haven’t you? There’s nothing in it for me, so it is not an offer.
Cheshire: Would you prefer if I cover my face?
Elliot: What are you talking about?
Cheshire: You seem to be distracted. Do I resemble or remind you of someone dear to you?
Elliot: N—… No. No, that's—that's not it.
Cheshire: Denial isn't healthy, sir. Your heart clearly skipped a beat when our eyes met. Hmm, that wedding band… Do I have your wife's eyes, sir?
Elliot: Don’t bring up my wife.
Elliot: Stop being ridiculous. Will you help me or not?
Cheshire: Humour me. Take me to his house. You've clearly got time enough to spare. If he's there, you won't need my help from that point on.
Elliot: Fine. But when you're wrong, I'm going to be very displeased with you.
Cheshire: You're about to learn, Mr. Mortensen, that I – Dr. Cheshire – am never wrong.
Cheshire: Is this legal?
Elliot: What are they gonna do? Arrest me?
Elliot: Don’t fucking move.
Noël: They’re mine… They’re mine!
Elliot: If you move, I will shoot you. In fact, I should shoot you right here. I could.
Noël: You can’t stop me now.
