Continuing the weekly countdown to release for the spy thriller interactive novel There's Always a Madman: Fight or Flight (Steam page here) on March 22, 2024, here is a character profile for a key character in the game, the spymaster Mr. Samuel.

Agent name: Adam Samuel

Title: Director

Unofficial codename: The Cane Man (since he uses a cane)

Experience: 40 years, first as a field agent and now as the one calling the shots

Summary: Mr. Samuel is a seasoned operative who knows every trick in the book and is at least two steps ahead of everyone else at all times.  Having been a field agent himself once upon a time, he knows both the danger and the importance of this agency's objectives better than anyone.  Always plays his cards close to his chest, and when it comes time for him to reveal his hand, you'll think he's had an ace up his sleeve the whole time.

Expertise: Has an uncanny ability to not only play the angles but even see them all in the first place.  There isn't a better person at playing the long game and will not hesitate to sacrifice short-term gains for long-term advantages.  And despite his meticulous strategizing, he's not one to eschew developing a contingency plan - or even multiple contingency plans.  Whatever the other side throws at him, he's got something prepared to counter it.

Shortcomings: It's thought that since he relies on a cane to move around, he could be a liability in any physical situation.  However, others believe he's in fine health and the cane is just to get the upper hand by goading the uninitiated into thinking he's an easy target.  Either way, it's best not to find the head of the agency in trouble of any kind, so let's not put this to the test.  Also, he won't be able to run the agency forever, and his difficulty in trusting others may hinder his willingness to pass along his considerable knowledge to a potential successor.  However, he does have a good rapport with Franklin Benjamin, Virginia West, and Becca Hatcher, so there is hope of a smooth transition to one of them as the Director someday.

Final verdict: Not approved for field duty.  Although he brings a tremendous amount of value to the agency from behind a desk, his field days are long since past.

Other Dossiers

• The main character, secret agent Franklin Benjamin
• Secret agent Virginia West
• Gadgeteer Becca Hatcher
• The Threat Prevention Unit spy agency
• Madman Brutus
• Socialite Brandy
• Financier Vladimir

You can wishlist and play the free demo for There's Always a Madman: Fight or Flight right now right here: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2390500/Theres_Always_a_Madman_Fight_or_Flight

There's Always a Madman: Fight or Flight releases on Steam March 22, 2024!