#fictional correspondence

Notes to self

05:04 pm Look into contraception

05:06 pm Become less conventionally attractive to women.

MR. THOMAS SHELBY Proprietor. Businessman.

All formal inquiries, private correspondence, and matters of discretion may be directed here.

If you’ve taken the time to write, then I’ll assume it’s worth reading.

— T. Shelby current canon status ask prompts

Thomas, perhaps I am writing this in a less than forthcoming circumstance. Daphne has asked about you again, she wishes for you to come visit once more. I have told her that is not easy by any means due to how busy we both are.

I would like to come down to Birmingham again, if not to see you, merely to just be around people I once knew. I have found myself missing home after your visit, and our shared night together before her birthday has been on my mind far more than it should be.

I don’t want anything from you. I need to make this clear, this is a bed I’ve made and I will lie in it. But I do miss home. I’ve missed it since I first left, but I was always able to push it aside. Ever since your visit, I have missed it far more.

I have a lot to drink tonight, so excuse any errors in my writing or smudges. It is merely my brain being ditzy.

I hope by some chance, somebody in your family also remembers me. I miss your aunt Polly the most, she has never treated me unfairly and always made sure I was clean when my grandmother was unable to care for me. Please tell her I said hello, and that I am forever grateful for her kindness.

I’d also like to see Arthur and John again. We four made quite the group growing up, I remember fondly of Arthur taking the fall for us all one time when we stole from a market shop.

I apologize for the letter and its suddenness, I just cannot get that night from my head nor can I walk away again. Plymouth has been kind to me, but it is not my home. Should you see country homes for sale, do let me know.

With well regards,

Theodore W.

Theodore,

I'll keep this brief.

What you're describing–missing Birmingham, the past, what was–that's not something I can involve myself in.

Circumstances have changed.

Not in a way that concerns you directly, but enough that it dictates how I conduct things now.

The night you mentioned,

leave it where it was.

It doesn't alter anything going forward.

I don't want you to understand this as dismissal for the sake of it.

And it's not about you, or the girl.

Daphne is accounted for.

I've made arrangements.

Her name has been put down in a trust, alongside John's children and Ada's boy. It will be divided accordingly.

That stands regardless of your opinion.

As for Birmingham...

I would advise against it.

For you, and more importantly, for her.

It isn't a place suited to raising a child.

You've built something where you are.

Keep it that way.

Please pass Daphne my regards.

Tell her, I'm occupied, unfortunately.

– T. Shelby

Notes to self

11:30 am Sleep, at some point.

01:23 pm Whiskey 03:56 pm Remember to elaborate on notes.

11:02 pm Consider, briefly, the possibility of doing less.

11:10 pm Disregard immediately.

SHELBY COMPANY LIMITED

Sorry bout my last letter! I sent it in the heat of the momnt

I, personally, find you very attractive~

But I am here to ask what do you find attractive in a woman (or maybe a man we dont judge…)?

-💌

(sorr if my last ask was to much)

SHELBY COMPANY LIMITED Birmingham, England

Good evening 💌,

You’re forgiven for now.

I’ll entertain the question.

Not because it’s necessary, but because you asked it properly this time.

What I find attractive isn’t as simple as appearance. Appearance can fade and change, but it all becomes irrelevant the moment a person opens their mouth.

Intelligence.

That’s what holds.

It isn’t an attribute tied to a man or a woman.

It’s either there… or it isn’t.

As for the rest,

My experience has been with women.

And, for now, I see no reason to change that.

– T. Shelby SHELBY COMPANY LIMITED

CONFIDENTIAL DOSSIER SUBJECT: THOMAS MICHAEL SHELBY

Full Name: Thomas Michael Shelby Date of Birth: November 9, 1890 Age: 30 Place of Birth: Birmingham, England

Current and Past Occupations: Soldier (1914-1918) Bookmaker (1919-...) Additional activities remain undisclosed.

Place of Residence: Watery Lane, Small Heath, Birmingham

Marital Status: Unmarried

Known Family Members: Arthur Shelby Sr. Arthur Shelby John Shelby Ava Thorne (nee Shelby) Finn Shelby Polly Gray

Military Record: Allegiance: United Kingdom Service/Branch: British Army Years of service: 1914-1918 Rank: Sergeant Major Unit: Birmingham Rifles; 179th Tunnelling Company Wars: World War I Battles: Battle of Mons; Battle of the Somme; Battle of Verdun

Physical Description / Identifiers:

Height: Approx. 5'8"

Build: Lean

Notable scarring consistent with active service

Various tattoos

Observed Habits:

Regular tobacco use

Moderate alcohol consumption (predominantly whiskey)

Irregular sleeping patterns

Current Standing: Subject is in the process of consolidating and expanding influence within Birmingham, with indications of intended extension beyond local territories.

Advisory Note: All dealings with the above-named individual should be conducted with caution and precision.

Failure to do so may result in irreversible consequences.

SHELBY COMPANY LIMITED Birmingham, England

Good evening,

This is a place of business.

If you've mistaken it for something else, I suggest you take that sort of comment to your local establishment. You'll find no shortage of men there willing to entertain it.

If you have a matter worth writing about, I advise you at least put it down properly.

Otherwise, don't waste my time.

– T. Shelby SHELBY COMPANY LIMITED