The Merkin Chronicles trace the early life of Francis Urquhart Merkin: Francis to her friends, FU to her business associates and Fanny to her intimates. She is a member of the Guild, an ancient, secretive, far-reaching global trading and economic network. She represents a new breed of woman for the Guild. The result of a carefully managed genetic program, she has inherited the Assassin strain which allows her to kill without conscience and the Venus strain which endows her with extraordinary sexual powers.
Her mother, Elizabeth, was a concert cellist. As a result, Frances had been exposed to the entire cello repertoire before she was born. When she died just after Francis was born, Elizabeth bequeathed to Francis not only her Stradivarius cello, the Castlebarco, but also her musical talents.
The Guild ensured that her early education developed her inherited capabilities. It also used its early childhood conditioning techniques to establish brain patterns that could be activated as required through a small microchip implanted in her brain.
Capable of commanding great loyalty, she is also capable of being completely ruthless, except in the case of Madeline Brown.
Returning to Melbourne from Mexico, where she has completed her education working with a group of Guild mercenaries, Francis has been given the responsibility of infiltrating and substituting the Guild’s synthetic product, Pseudocaine , into Australia’s cocaine networks.
One key to this is Professor Richard Manne, an expert in Colombian antiquities and the major importer of heroin into Australia. Posing as an honours student on the make and trading sexual favours for good grades, Francis must use the vast financial and technological resources of the Guild, to gain control of the flow of cocaine into Australia.
The other key is Patrick Murphy, old-time crime lord, who controls much of the distribution of cocaine within Australia. A fortuitous meeting has Francis and songbird Miss Pepper singing at Murphy’s birthday party. This proved to be a golden opportunity for Francis. It is at this party that Miss Pepper seduces Patrick’s nephew and heir, the psychopathic Sean O’Reilly.
When Francis joins her CIA friends in assisting the defection of a Russian general, she finds the Russian cocaine market opening up for her.
Ultimately, the Guild’s plan is vast in scale and an elegant in simplicity. It involves collaboration with international governments to eliminate the sale of illegal cocaine and substitute Pseudocaine within a legal pharmaceutical framework. It will reap untold profits for the Guild.
Francis is the key to the success of this plan.
Targeted Age Group:: Adult
What Inspired You to Write Your Book?
During my academic career, I wrote over 50 refereed, published articles in my area of nonlinear dynamics and action research. I was commissioned to write The History of Greyhound Racing in Victoria. These two bodies of work require specific writing skills and I was keen to try writing a novel inspired, in part, by Dolly Parton's quote, "It costs a lot of money to look this cheap!“
I had read Naked Came the Stranger in the ‘70s. The idea underlying the book intrigued me. It was a literary hoax poking fun at the American literary culture of its time. It is a book that was both deliberately terrible and contained a lot of descriptions of sex to illustrate the point that popular American literary culture had become mindlessly vulgar. It was a runaway bestseller.
I was also inspired by the idea of the Bene Gesserit in Frank Herbert's Dune series. The Sisterhood provided the basis for the Guild in The Merkin Chronicles.
I have over 1200 posts on my blog. Many of the posts focus on current affairs. There is also commentary on Shakespearean plays, films and books, an extensive series on the work of American artist Edward Hopper, the portrayal of women in Renaissance art and Climate Change. My blog has averaged about 1500 hits per week over the last ten years.
These are essential short pieces, so I was interested in writing a more sustained work requiring attention to consistent character and plot development. The Merkin Chronicles was begun in 2013 and published in 2021, so it's been a long road.
I have decided to use the pseudonym Pygmael Eon after the character from Ovid’s Metamorphoses which describes my relationship with the main character, Francis Merkin.
It also allows me to keep my own name for a children's book I am writing.
I have established a webpage for The Friends of the Merkin Chronicles. Since publication two weeks ago, 45 people have joined.
I have also established FB pages for Francis and two other characters, the Dodgie Twins, Gemma and Jamie. This is an experiment to see whether book characters can appear credible enough to attract friends on Facebook. Francis has 630 friends and The Twins 522. My idea is that if a persona from the book can talk about their life on Facebook and engage an audience, I'm probably keeping it real.
How Did You Come up With Your Characters?
Four of the female characters were originally based on friends of my now-adults son friends. They have enjoyed watching the characters develop over the years on Facebook. Two male characters, Manu and Lennie, were based on a photograph I took of two Maori boys I taught in the 1960s. The photograph is beautifully poised shot of one of them throwing a tennis ball during a game called Paying Ball. Two of the characters The Dodgie Twins come from the wrong side of the tracks, in contrast to Francis who was born into exceptional wealth and privilege. There is a useful dramatic tension between the anarchic energy of the twins and the cool and sophisticated Francis. Several of the criminal figures in the book are based loosely on underworld figures in Melbourne and, in particular, one serious crime.
I think the character of Persephone crystallised the way I work. In conceptualising her character and introducing her halfway through book, the process became how someone with her particular characteristics would interact with Francis. It worked well for me and the relationship between the two of them is central to the second half of the book.
Gil Stern and Beau Krantz began life as characters in Hamlet and later joined the CIA.
Professor Robert Mann is Francis’ Honours supervisor. Narcissistic and self-centred, he completely misjudged Francis' reasons for having sex with him. He is a composite of colleagues from my academic career.
Francis' father, Thomas, does not have a major role in the first book. He will become increasingly important in the next. It was therefore essential to establish him in the first of the series.
Anna, Francis’ ex-KGB mentor, is based on the Helen Mirren character, Victoria, in Red.
Other characters serve primarily as plot devices. Theatrical agent Barry Delany unwittingly provides the link between Francis and the criminal underworld.
The police officers in book service and enabling device for a backdrop relationship between the Guild and Victorian police force.
Book Sample
The big night arrived and the taxi dropped Francis and Ms Pepper at the door of the Murphy mansion.
"You know the old saying," said Francis, "Money can't buy you class. God look at those concrete lions."
They were greeted by a nervous Barry Delaney.
"Thank goodness you're here, girls. Come in and I'll show you around and introduce you."
He took them through to a large open area already filled with people. "Come over here. There's Patrick Murphy. Mr. Murphy, I'd like to introduce my two colleagues who will be entertaining you tonight. This is Ms. Pepper." Pepper gave a little curtsy to Mr. Murphy, just
enough to reveal some extra cleavage. He smiled at her.
"Glad to meet you, Ms. Pepper. My, what a nice dress."
"And this is her accompanist, Ms. Francis Merkin." Francis gave a small bow. Patrick Murphy ignored her. He was fixated on Pepper’s cleavage.
"You must join us later in the night for drink, Ms. Pepper."
"Thank you, Mr. Murphy, that would be a pleasure." As Murphy turned away, Francis caught Delaney's arm.
"Introduce us to Sean O'Reilly."
"Why?"
"Just curious. Pepper wants to meet him too."
"Okay, he's over here. Come on." He led them across the room. "Sean, Sean. Brian Delaney, friend of Mr. Murphy. How do you do. I'd like you to meet the two ladies who are entertaining us tonight. I've just introduced them to Mr. Murphy. This is Ms. Pepper, she'll
be singing."
Pepper sidled up beside the scowling O'Reilly.
"Hi handsome." She reached down to take his hand and shake it. As she did so, she brushed the back of his hand against the front of her dress. "I’ve heard so much about you. They say you're very dangerous. I find dangerous men very attractive."
Sean stared at her, slightly lost for words. "Yeah, well, they reckon I am pretty dangerous," he stammered. Paper released his hand, running her fingernails across his palm. Francis watched in amazement.
"Hope you enjoy the singing."
As they walked away Francis said, "My, you're off to a quick start."
"Just earning my money. Do you think he likes me?"
"Oh, I think he’s going to like you quite a lot." They both laughed. "You know, you're actually a shameless hussy at heart."
"Yes, and I can sing and dance as well."
And Francis had to admit she did sing well. Her "Happy birthday Mr. Murphy" created a storm of applause and wolf whistles leaving the birthday boy beaming ridiculously. But when Pepper began the first of her Irish ballads, "The Soldiers' Song", there were calls for quiet and a hush fell over the room. Sitting at the piano, Francis had to admit that Pepper knew how to work the crowd.
When she finished the first song, Pepper gave a small bow to the crowd. "And now, I'd like to sing something a little bit more modern." She turned to Francis. "Thank-you Francis."
And Francis led her into "Fairy-tale of New York." After final song, "The Rose of Tralee", she held her arms in the air calling for silence. "Boys and girls, ladies and gentlemen, thank you, thank you. But now some of us need to do some serious drinking." She turned and took Francis bythe hand and they both bowed to the crowd.
As they left the stand, Delaney rushed up to them. "Marvellous. Marvellous. You were marvellous. Mr. Murphy wants to talk to you. Come on." He led them over to Patrick Murphy. "Mr. Murphy, Mr. Murphy here’s Ms. Pepper and Ms. Francis as you asked."
Murphy turned to them and smiled. "Ladies, Ms. Pepper you made an old man very happy and a little sad. But that was the most beautiful singing I've ever heard outside Ireland"
"Oh, thank you," said Pepper simpering, "but we didn't mean to make you sad."
"It was your last song ""The Rose of Tralee". I don't know if you know its history." Pepper shook her head. "It's an Irish Festival. And sort of beauty contest. I met my wife, Mary when she won the title in 1959 just before we came to Australia. Your song made me think of
that."
Pepper looked around her. "And is she here tonight?"
"No, my Mary's been dead these 20 years."
"I'm sorry to hear that."
"Enough of this sad talk." Murphy took both of her hands. "Tonight, you're my guest. And perhaps you will sing us another song before you go."
"I'd love to," said Pepper. "Wouldn't we Francis?"
Murphy looked around, "Sean, Sean O'Reilly. Look after these two ladies. Make sure they have everything they want."
Pepper looked at Murphy and then at O'Reilly.
"Thank you, Mr. Murphy. I couldn't have asked for a nicer minder." O'Reilly smiled with pleased embarrassment. Poor O'Reilly, thought Francis, he really doesn't have a chance, the poor bastard.
"Come on, Sean," said Pepper linking her arm into his, "The ladies need a drink." She guided O'Reilly towards the bar leaving Francis standing with Murphy.
"What would you like to drink?" O”Reilly asked.
"All things considered, I'll have Irish whiskey."
"Two large Irish whiskeys on the rocks." As the bartender mixed the drinks, a number of the crowd congratulating Pepper on her singing and admiring the cleavage.
"You're pretty good you know. I've never seen Patrick Murphy like that before. Positively misty eyed. And not the misty eyed type, our Patrick," said one. There was a small chorus ofagreement. The drinks arrived. Pepper picked up her glass and looked over it at O'Reilly.
"Cheers."
"Cheers." Another silence.
"So, Pepper, you full-time singer?" asked one of O'Reilly's friends
"No," replied Pepper. "I'm a mind reader."
"A what?"
"A mind reader."
"You read minds for a living?" asked O'Reilly.
"Yes, I read minds for living."
"Gosh. Could you read my mind?" He looked around at his mates. " What am I thinking
now."
Pepper looked at him directly and held his eyes. "You're thinking I've got nice tits." She held his gaze. There will hoots of laughter from his friends. He looked away embarrassed.
"See, I can read your mind."
"Okay." O'Reilly screwed up his brow. "What am I thinking now?"
"Hold on, Sean. I do this for a living." She looked around the group in mock appeal. "I'm a working girl, Sean. People normally pay for this. If you want me to read your mind again, it'll be $1000."
O'Reilly stated her in disbelief and when Pepper returned his gaze, he dropped his eyes to her cleavage.
"So, Sean. Now you're thinking that for thousand dollars, all you'd want a root as well."
There's more laughter and calls of "Yeah, Sean. Where's the thousand bucks." Standing on the edge of the group, Francis watched the virtuoso performance in fascinated amazement. There were further calls of "Come on Sean, pay up."
"Well Sean, are you up for it?" Sean O'Reilly did not know what to do. He looked around his friends.
"Come on Sean, you mean bastard. Pay her the $1000."
O'Reilly reached for his wallet, "Okay, okay." He counted out $1000 in hundred dollar bills bills and handed them to Pepper. "Here's your grand." He handed her the money. Pepper took it with a smile and turned to the group.
"And now. As a special encore, I'm going to do a group mind reading. I'm going to read all of your minds at once."
There were shouts and hoots of laughter.
"You are all thinking," Pepper paused dramatically, "whether I'm going to keep the rest of the bargain." She looked around the group. "I'm right, aren't I?”
There were murmurs of agreement from around the group and some calls of "Yeah, earn your money."
She looked at Sean O'Reilly. "Your call, Sean. You up for it?"
Poor Sean, thought Francis, he really doesn't know what to do, but he knows he can't back out now, his mates would never forget it. Paid $1000 and turned down a root, the stuff of legend, thought Francis.
O'Reilly was clearly lost for words but Pepper proved more than equal to the occasion. She leaned over and whispered something in O'Reilly's ear.
"Ms. Pepper has said she wants some fresh air and quiet tour of the garden," he announced.
There were renewed hoots of laughter from the assembled crowd as Pepper and O'Reilly sauntered out into the garden. Once outside, Pepper noticed a gazebo on the far side of the swimming pool.
"That looks cosy," she said, nodding in the direction of the gazebo. Once inside, she locked the door and turned to O'Reilly.
"Now Sean baby, you going to do it to me?"
"Yeah, sure," he said with a touch of bravado in his voice. Pepper sensed that he was uncertain what to do next.
"You want me to start the ball rolling baby?"
"Yeah, sure." Pepper slipped her dress over her head and turned her back to O'Reilly. "Undo me baby," she murmured. O'Reilly fumbled unsuccessfully with the catch on her bra. "It's okay I'll get it."
She stood in front of O'Reilly, who still seemed to be at a loss for what he should do next. "It's okay Sean, you're allowed to touch them." He cupped his hands over her breasts and began squeezing them. "You like that, all Sean?"
"Yeah, yeah."
"Well, let's see what else you like."
Pepper undid O'Reilly's belt and unzipped his trousers and slid them to the floor. She knelt down in front of him. God, she thought, not much to work with. Beryl’s briefing had been accurate, O'Reilly had a very small dick. She began caressing it between your forefinger and thumb. At least it's inflatable, she thought to herself.
After a minute or so, she stood up, cradling O'Reilly's precious erection in the palm of her hand and thinking of $5000 that Francis had given her and the other $1000 she had from O'Reilly. With her spare hand she slid her g-string down and let it fall to the ground.
On Francis’ advice, she applied a generous amount of lubricant before coming up to the gazebo.
"He'll want to think he has turned you on," had been her advice to her. She looked around the gazebo for the best place. There was a bed in the corner of the room. Too far away, she thought to herself, he'll probably have forgotten what we're here for by the time we get to it, best to do it standing up. She leant back against the wall behind her and drew O'Reilly between her legs. Almost without warning, O'Reilly leapt into action, thrusting feverishly.
Pepper remembered Francis' advice: "Remember, you have to make him think he's the best root ever. All the evidence suggests that he's been a complete failure with women. You are going to change all that." Then Pepper noticed that O'Reilly had doubled his efforts and was beginning to breathe quickly.
"Oh God, Sean. Yes. Yes." Shit, she thought to herself, I nearly missed the finish.
As O'Reilly gave a couple of low grunts, Pepper sang out, "Oh yes, babeee." It's not over till the fat lady sings, she thought to herself, eat your heart out Meg Ryan. O'Reilly stood back and Pepper
looked at his small shrinking penis. Seen bigger wangs on hamsters she thought to herself.
Aloud she said, "Oh, Sean, that was soooo good. Was it good for you, baby?"
"Yeah, great." He looked absurdly pleased with himself.
“Gotcha,” thought Pepper.
"Get dressed, baby. We need to get back inside. And I could do with a drink."
When they were dressed, Pepper turned to O'Reilly and said, "Now, Sean, you want to do this again sometime?"
"Yeah, if you do."
"You gunna be my man and look after me?"
"Yeah, sure."
Pepper kissed him lightly on the cheek and said, "Then you can start by taking me inside andgetting me a drink."
When the two of them arrived back inside arm in arm, they were given a raucous welcome. Francis noticed that Pepper smiled demurely and affected slight embarrassment but that O'Reilly revelled in the attention.
One of them called out, "Hey, Pepper, how much to read my mind?"
Pepper looked at him and said, "$10,000."
"Will What, Sean gets it for $1000 and it cost me $10,000. Why the difference?"
"The extra is for the time I have to spend finding your dick," said Pepper with a smile. There were shouts of laughter from everyone but they were interrupted when O'Reilly who launched himself across the room swinging punches. People move to intervene quickly.
"Steady, Sean."
"Only a joke, Sean."
The disturbance brought Patrick Murphy to the scene.
"What's the trouble, Sean?"
"He needs to show some respect."
Murphy glared at that the offender who had blood streaming down his face. "I didn't mean any offense, Mr. Murphy. Honest."
"Get him out of here." Murphy turned to Pepper, "I'm sorry that this happened. Please accept my apologies. Sean, why don't you bring Ms. Pepper and Ms. Francis come over to my table and have a drink?
"That will be lovely, Mr. Murphy," said Francis who had been watching proceedings with considerable pleasure. "Why don't I do the honours? What will everyone have?"
With the orders duly placed, Francis trotted off to the bar. When the barman had placed the drinks on the bar, Francis checked that no one was watching, opened her handbag and took out a small plastic squeeze bottle. She emptied the contents into Murphy's drink. Good night, Mr. Murphy, she thought. She returned to the table and handed the drinks around. She handed Pepper her drink with a nod. They both raised their glasses together, "Cheers." They both
drained their glasses.
Pepper looked at Murphy and O'Reilly, "Well boys, you're not going to let the girls get ahead in the drinking, are you?" Murphy and O'Reilly looked at each other, lifted their glasses and drained them. Well done Ms. Pepper, thought Francis.
"Now," said Pepper, "We really must be getting home. Francis needs her beauty sleep and I've had enough excitement for one night." She gave a demur smile.
Patrick Murphy smiled, "I'm sorry you cannot stay longer. It's been very nice to meet you. Sean, look after the ladies."
On the way out, Pepper drew O'Reilly aside. "Here's my phone number, Sean. Ring me. I'm going to want some more of your big hard cock soon." O'Reilly was lost for words she took
Pepper’s card, no one had ever spoken to him like that in all his life.
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