Came over on a Tuesday. Meant to stay a fortnight.
That was eleven Christmases ago.
Dessie keeps a flat on the fifth floor — no lift, mind, but the walk keeps him honest. He's got the upright piano against the good wall, a New York sticker slapped on it the week he decided he was staying, and a green jumper knit before anyone knew he wasn't coming back. He'll tell you he prefers it here. The space, the noise, the way nobody asks where he's from twice.
But the spuds and carrot are in the bowl where he can see them. There's a jar of the proper seasoning, the digestives he has with his tea, a pint poured for the look of the thing more than the drinking. The shamrocks didn't make the journey by accident. And there's a wee envelope on the side, addressed in a hand he'd know anywhere, that he hasn't quite got round to opening.
He's grand, is Dessie. He's doing great, actually. Tell them all he's doing great.
A one-of-a-kind, hand-altered character curiosity box — Dessie stands about 6 inches tall, lightly poseable on a wire armature. Open it and meet the fella who left and won't quite say he misses it.
Inside the box: upright piano and bench, pint, bread, carrot, potatoes in a bowl, roast potato seasoning jar, resin potato charm, mug and spoon, tea biscuits, Ritchie's candy bag (with wrappers), shamrock decals, embroidered Ireland clothing tag, a vial of green "luck," green glass gem, wood shamrock, mini liquor bottle, and one unopened letter from home.
Each character ships with a signed Element Ah! specimen card. Handle with intention.