Hector's Tragic Flaw

This drawing was first conceived several years ago, when the Unauthorized Autobiography made it clear that Hector had been a member of VFD and almost certainly knew Jacques. This added a whole new psychological layer to the scene in the Town Hall of the Village of Fowl Devotees. Surely he would have recognized Jacques? They practically grew up together, if we are to believe the image of pre-schism VFD as some sort of intrepid mobile underground boarding school. His skittishness lands the Baudelaires in prison but he at least tries, in his ineffectual way, to help them after that, and we can kind of forgive him because his heart's in the right place; the fact that Hector doesn't do a thing to help an old friend and colleague, when he is in sole possession of knowledge that can attest to his innocence, 'gives him rather a darker edge,' as octaveleap succinctly phrased it.

So, here is a little sequence illustrating the scene with this character background in mind. Since it's written from the Baudelaires' point of view, all we know of Hector's reaction is that when they look back to him for support he 'continued to sit in his folding chair with his eyes cast downward.' Doesn't say anything about his expression or what might be going through his mind ...

( The following image is both large and depressing. I am not just saying that to be 'in character.' Not funny at all. You have been warned. )