DESTROYER SHORT STORY, TERMINAL PHILOSOPHY

CHARACTERS

Don Flagrante Delicato-Capo killed by flying change.

Frank (Miami Vice) Rigatoni-Enforcer killed in same unusual way.

Fred Foster-Shoe salesman accidentally killed.

Tony Protozoa-Last victim.

Eldorus Broome-Inventor of the Broome Numismatic Delivery System.

QUOTES

The ability to improvise is the sign of the superior mind.

I am the perfect assassination machine.

PLOT

People are being mysteriously killed by coins falling from the sky. The murders are happening so quickly and the police have no clues so Smitty sends the Sinanju Masters to add their two cents worth.

THOUGHTS

This story was also used in one of the Destroyer comic books. It is not a bad story, very fast read. It would make a good quick introduction to the Destroyer for new fans.

DESTROYER #1, CREATED, THE DESTROYER

CHARACTERS

Matthew Wesley Johnson-warden of prison where Remo was electrocuted

Miss Scanlon-Warden's secretary.

Harold Haines-executioner of Remo

Dr. Marlowe Phillips-prison doctor who performed autopsies on executed men but was told not to do one on Remo.

Maxwell-thought to be a hit man but was actually a machine used to crush cars which contained victims

Norman Felton-the man behind Maxwell, thought to be the middleman to Maxwell

Cynthia Felton-daughter of Norman, Remo uses her to get to Maxwell

James (Jimmy) Roberts-Butler and bodyguard to Felton.

Timothy O'Hara-Another bodyguard.

Grover and Reed-Homicide detectives.

Bill Dalton-Mayor.

Marvin Moesher and Angelo Scottichio-Associates of Felton.

Alphonso Degenerato and Carmine Viaselli-Mob bosses.

Tony Bonnelli-One of Viaselli's men.

Vito Morroco-Rackets man.

ODD FACTS

Chapter 2 does not start His name was Remo.

Chiun has brown eyes.

Chiun has large hands with bulging veins.

Chiun has trained someone from the CIA before. He only lived two weeks.

Remo has brown eyes at the beginning of the book, but grey eyes later, he lost three teeth playing football, prison doctor reported a high tolerance for pain and exceptionally fast reflexes.

Smith does not know if the President has authorized CURE. He has a contact that no one else can know. He has a white dotted phone to call a special unit but does not use it.

More than once in the book it is mentioned that Chiun is carrying two boards for Remo's training but it is never explained what for.

MacCleary had some Sinanju training but not from Chiun. Chiun said that the training was done by a worthy acquaintance. Who?

MacCleary uses his fingernails to deliver a blow to Remo.

Smitty signs message to Remo with Rx for CURE.

Remo smokes but is careful not to inhale in his Sinanju breathing patterns.

Remo was raise in St. Mart's Orphanage in Newark.

Remo likes to whistle as he works.

Remo refers to himself as the destroyer.

Remo does understand simple mechanics.

Uses the names Remo Cabell and Donald McCann.

MacCleary uses the alias Frank Jackson.

Remo told Mac that he planned to go back to the ploice force after he left the army so we know Remo was on the force before he went to Vietnam.

CURE's original charter was for five years.

Smitty says he has seven grey suits.

Smitty is already eating his prune whip yogurt and he is called division chief Smith.

Chiun teaches Remo eight killing points, both temples, both kidneys, base of the skull, adam's apple, solar plexus, and the seventh vertebrae.

Chiun also teaches that power comes from the abdomen's nerve center.

WISDOM

When the feelings of your childhood return, beware. page 66

Man can love. Women live. page 94

It is a pity that there is not more central intelligence in your Central Intelligence Agency.

Guns spoil the art

There is no such thing as a poor position to a man who can think for both sides.

PLOT

Remo Williams is chosen to be the killer arm for a top secret government organization. His boss is Dr. Harold Smith. He is trained by Chiun, a special Karate instructor. His first mission is to investigate and kill Maxwell, a very successful hit man who has already disposed of several government agents without a trace.

THOUGHTS

Compared to the later books, this volume is not very enjoyable. I remember reading it for the first time back in the early 70's and I loved it back then. It was exciting and different from most of the other books I was reading at the time. Remo was very serious back then and Chiun was barely there. I am very thankful that Sapir and Murphy rethought this first adventure and, with some help from Will Murray, turned this series into The Destroyer that we all know and love today.

#3 CHINESE PUZZLE

CHARACTERS

General Liu-Chinese general who Remo is sent to find and rescue from kidnappers.

Mei Soon-Wife of the general, sent to help Remo.

Ricardo de Estruma y Montaldo y Ruiz Guerrer-hit man who got some early training from some villagers in Sinanju while the master was not there. Is paid 70,000 to kill Remo.

Bernoy "Sweet Shiv" Jackson-numbers runner who unknowingly works for CURE and is sent to kill Remo.

Jean Boffer-lawyer who is sent to get Remo out of jail. Has worked for CURE for 7 years waiting for a call.

Mabel Katz-Witness at the disappearance of the general.

Mr. Pang-Neighborhood laundry owner.

Mrs. Solomon-Jewish mother and friend of Chiun's.

Brian Anthony-Singer.

Bad Boulder Jones-Pro football player sidelined by Chiun.

Coach Harrah-Former coach of Bad Boulder.

Maria Deloubier-Former girlfriend of Guerrer who hires him to kill Remo.

Oswald-Guerrer butler.

Wo Fat-Restaurant owner who charges Remo with assault.

Johnson-Detective on Remo's case.

Mr. Pelfred-Store floor manager who helps to wait on Remo.

Miss P. Walsh-Store sales clerk.

Derellio-Former boss of Sweet Shiv.

Mr. Kyoto-Red belt karate instructor.

Piggy-Attacker of Remo.

Chen-Chinese man who knows legends of Sinanju.

Bryce Barlow, Delores Baines, Davis Marshall, Vance Masterson, James Gregory, Lucille Grey, Peter Fenwick Grey-Soap characters.

ODD FACTS

Smith calls President on a phone with a white dot.

Remo is said to be 6 feet tall with only a hint of muscle thickness around his neck, wrists, and ankles.

Has been in training 7 years. Chiun started training at the age of 18 months.

There are 25 steps to send a woman to ecstasy.

Chiun's dramas are actual shows, The Edge of Night and As the World Turns.

Remo eats poisoned beef but his body rejects the poison.

Remo wears a skin tight black uniform to climb a building.

Code to put Remo on alert is a message from Firmafex Company telling him a shipment of durable goods would arrive in two days.

Chiun is described as having hair dotting his head.

Chiun complains that Remo is not Ninja.

Smitty wears large eyeglasses.

Smitty sits in on a meeting with the president and his advisors.

Smitty got the job as head of CURE by refusing an order from the president.

A year has passed since volume 2.

Remo can outrun Chiun on a straightaway.

Remo gets orders through a notice in the paper to go to Kennedy Airport to meet a man in the restroom to get a wallet for his identity. If the wallet has been opened, he is to kill the messenger.

Remo calls Smitty, Dr. Smith.

Chiun says he started training Remo 26 years too late. This would put Remo as about 35 in 1972. Remo tells someone that he is 35.

Chiun is said to be 80.

Chiun's alias is Mr. Park.

Smitty has a small safe on the side of his desk.

Smith's secretary thinks she is working for the FBI. His wife thinks he is with the CIA.

A Folcroft employee cracked the computer program but was deleted by Remo in the elevator shaft.

Remo is described as 6 feet tall with a medium build.

Smitty thinks about his death plan, the poison pill, the casket in the basement that is to be sent to Maher Funeral Home in Parsippany, NJ, and the plan for Chiun to dispose of Remo. Chiun would be returned to Sinanju by the CIA.

The code for Chiun to take Remo out is to tell Chiun the return to Folcroft immediately, the code not to kill Remo is "the blue butterflies have arrived".

Smitty's code number is 744.

Smitty hopes to break 90 in golf. He has well thought out plans for cheating.

Chiun speaks of the House of Sinanju.

Remo kills a karate attacker by shoving his face in a box of beans used to toughen the hands.

HISTORY

Legend that in the year 400 a blinded man from Japan was banished and came to Sinanju. He made prophesies of greatness for Sinanju.

A Master worked for the Chinese emperor Chu Ti in 1421. He removed workers who knew of secret passages in the throne room. The Master was not paid and was instead poisoned. He survived but was weakened and lost the Sword of Sinanju. The sword is seven feet long, flaring on the end to be as wide as a face and the handle is encrusted with jewels.

In early days, Sinanju would send half their girl babies home to the sea and in times of famine, all girls and boys went home to return when times were better.

Sinanju legend tells of a white man who will learn Sinanju and is a kin to Shiva the Destroyer.

TRAINING

Going down the outside of a building by swinging his body out from the wall and coming back into it. Running along wet toilet paper without tearing it.

WISDOM

Animals need not practice, but then they do not eat mashed potatoes. p18

When a man loses instinct, he must regain it by practice. p18

A man who cannot apologize is no man at all. p32

Treachery is the basic nature of women. p165

One always retains the last few follishnesses of childhood. To retain all of them is sickness. To understand them is wisdom. To abandon them is death.

It is always easier to die. Living takes courage.

Children are most vicious.

Fear is alright for you. But, never induce it in your victim. Be like the strange wind that never blows.

That's the biz, sweetheart.

Only feel proud when you defeat a worthy opponent.

Everything seems clear to you because you do not know what you aare doing.

You shall fear death because it is the death brought by the Master of Sinanju.

You should have died, it would have taught you a most lasting lesson.

You eat like a white man.

Eat like a pig. Die like a dog.

PLOT

China and the U.S. are on the verge of peaceful relations. Many in China don't want this to happen. A Chinese general is kidnapped while visiting the U.S. to discredit the U.S. Remo is sent to rescue the general. Remo and Chiun seem to be failing and are seen by many people. Smith decides it is time to shut down CURE and gives the order for Chiun to kill Remo. The signal doesn't work and Remo finds the general.

MY THOUGHTS

This book really starts to feel like a Destroyer. The humor starts coming through in the characters with Chiun going after cars with peace emblems. Sinanju stories become part of the adventure. The story of the Sword of Sinanju is told.

#4 MAFIA FIX

CHARACTERS

Harry Magruder-U.S. Government employee who figures out who and what Remo is. He tries to blackmail CURE but Remo takes care of him.

Dominic Verillio-Mafia leader who seems to be the leader in a new way to manufacture and sell heroin.

Bill Skorich-former acquaintance of Remo's who recognizes Remo and has to be killed.

Cynthia Hansen-actual leader of heroin deal, Remo's love interest for a while.

Vincent Fabia-Treasury agent chasing after the heroin.

O'Donnell, McElaney, Hester, Baker, Werner, Needham, Viggiano-Undercover agents.

Aunt Harriet-One of the people who Magruder sent CURE info to.

Harry Hopkin-Magruder's real name.

Joan-Verillio's secretary.

Willie the Plumber Palumbo-Mafioso.

Vincent Alphonso "Vinnie the Rock" Palumbo-Willie's brother.

Pietro Scubisci-Capo Mafioso of New York.

Angela-His daughter who prophesies the coming of Shiva.

Francisco Salvatore, Filemeno Palmucci, Guglielmo Marconne, Fat O'Brien, Apples Donnelly, Vittorio Pallellio, Steve Lillisio-Mafiosi.

Brian Dugan-Chief of Police.

Gaetano Gasso-Very large and very hairy enforcer who is supposed to kill Remo but gets his arms pulled off aand every bone broken for his trouble.

Edith Rosenberg-His landlady.

Johnny the Duck, Vinnie O'Boyle, Pops Smith-Hired killers.

Craig Hansen-Mayor.

James Horgan-Newspaper editor.

Monsignor Joseph Antoni-Presides at Verillio funeral.

Father F H Maguire-Local priest.

Rad Pulmetter-Ag agent.

Myron Horowitz-Cynthia's helper.

Claire Wentworth, Bruce Barton, Vance Masterson, Singbar Ramkwat, Bart Henderson-Soap characters.

ODD FACTS

President uses red phone with a white dot to call Smith.

Remo is described as husky.

Remo's assumed name is Remo Barry.

Shiva is pronounced like sleeve.

Two times CURE tries to get men as standbys in case something happens to Remo, but both men die from the drug that simulates death

Remo eats salami and cheese and smokes a cigarette.

Chiun cooks lobster.

Remo dislocates his shoulder when he misses a floater stroke because the target collapses to the floor.

Smiths daughter is mentioned as being a recovering drug addict.

Remo Barry of Intelligentsia Annual.

Smitty insults the president about helping football coaches.

Remo is trying to teach himself philosophy.

Remo Pellham, Green, and Willis. He also uses Mr. Gonzales, Aronovitz, and Botticelli when shipping bodies.

Remo knows 78 different strokes.

Many mentions of Remo being Shiva.

Cannot drink at peak or coming off peak.

Remo controls his erection with breathing.

Remo remembers a code by using his birthday and year which he doesn't know in later books.

Using a scrambler box to talk on phone to Smitty,

Chiun can tell how many times that Remo has had sex by alterations in his movement. He advises against sex while at peak.

Remo chews gum to hide cigarette smell from Chiun.

Chiun sticks out his tongue at Remo.

Remo disposes of bodies that Chiun has left by putting them in wet suits, then shipping them in duffle bags to San Juan, Anchorage, and Chicago.

Smitty calls Remo, The Destroyer.

Another mention of someone wetting his pants by saying a splotch forms on front of pants. I think the writers have used this in every book so far.

Crime fighters from other countries come to help. I think they are supposed to be James Bond, he mentions M and Her Majesty's Service. Another is called Hercule from France. The other is Japanese with thick glasses, maybe Charlie Chan or Mr Moto.

TRAINING

Practices floater stroke by spearing paper that Chiun drops from a chest of drawers. Remo runs along the deck rails of a ship.

QUOTE

Mankind is the only species that dies from lack of conditioning.

I've always been a tit man.

I am created, Shiva the destroyer;death, the shatterer of worlds. He says this as he pulls off some arms.

PLOT

Remo is sent to find out about an incredibly large shipment of heroin. The Mafia is planning on new forms of the drug to sell at very low cost.

MY THOUGHTS

Book is more serious than most. There is some humor but very little. A lot of killing goes on by Remo and Chiun.