Collyer Brothers
Homer Collyer (ホーマー・コリヤー, Hōmā Koriyā) and Langley Collyer (ラングレー・コリヤー, Rangurē Koriyā) are the main protagonists of The Brothers Nobody Knew: Collyer Brothers, the third chapter of The Lives of Eccentrics series.
Following their parents' divorce, these two brothers isolate themselves within their house in Harlem, interacting with the outside world only to collect goods and supplies. As their strange way of life marks them as prime targets in the crime-ridden neighborhood, the two set up countless traps within the house to prevent burglars from reaching them.
Appearance
The Collyer brothers are commonly depicted in formal attire with matching white shirts underneath. Homer wears a light, orange suit with a black tie tucked into a white waistcoat, while Langley wears a dark, red suit with a white cravat and a pocket square in his left chest pocket. The two also wear top hats, with Homer's being white with a black stripe and Langley's being black with a white stripe. Though their faces are not clearly shown, Langley's facial hair is styled in a Balbo beard, and stubble is visible on Homer's face.
Homer's emaciated corpse is discovered with long light-colored hair and a clean-shaven face, wearing a light-colored suit with dark lapels and cuffs with no shirt underneath. What little remains of Langley's corpse can be seen wearing light trousers with black Venetian-style shoes.
Personality
The two burglars act as foils to each other: while the acolyte is gullible and easily overcome by emotion, the leader is more cautious, observant, and determined. As a result, the leader is easily able to convince his partner to act against his better judgement on several occasions. The two burglars seem to share a close relationship, only occasionally and briefly becoming frustrated with each other; the acolyte even refers to his partner as his older brother. However, after his acolyte's death, the leader shows no remorse regarding the incident, focused on his objective above all else.
History
Background
Homer Collyer is born to a pair of unnamed parents in 1881, and receives a brother named Langley four years later. The two brothers and their parents lived in a mansion on Fifth Avenue in the Harlem district of New York City, which was a high-class residential district at the time. However, at the turn of the 20th century, an influx of African-American tenants caused many rich white residents to move away, eventually causing the neighborhood to become overrun with crime and poverty.
Despite the state of their hometown, the Collyer brothers attempted to lead more-or-less normal lives. Homer is known to have taken up a position as a lawyer specializing in maritime law.
In 1909, the Collyer brothers' mother catches their father, a gynecologist, engaging in improper behavior with one of his female patients. This soon causes the father to abandon the family, mentally scarring the Collyer brothers, who begin to withdraw from society. When their mother later passes away, the Collyers become completely isolated from the world.
The Brothers Nobody Knew: Collyer Brothers
In preparation for their burglary of the Collyer brothers, who are rumored to be hiding a large fortune within their house, the leader among the two burglars conducts a series of interviews to learn more about their targets. Concluding that the two brothers very rarely leave their house, the leader convinces his acolyte to break into the house in the early hours of the morning. After breaking the front door open, the burglars find the entryway barred by a massive array of furniture, which the leader interprets as a barricade against intruders. With all the windows barred and the back door blocked, the burglars decide to try finding a way through the furniture.
The acolyte finds a tunnel behind a drawer, but it is revealed to be a trap covered in cacti. When they finally cross the first barrier, the acolyte finds a dollar bill on the floor. When he tries to pick it up, however, his finger is bitten by a rat that was formerly trapped under the bill. Angered, the acolyte decides to go first through a tight passage, just so that he can reach the Collyer brothers first and get revenge for himself. However, he steps on a piano key, triggering yet another trap - causing an ice pick to pierce his leg, and subsequently releasing a bundle of firecrackers which fall into and explode inside of his mouth. As the acolyte gesticulates, he triggers another trap, and is covered in calcium phosphide, a liquid that combusts when it comes into contact with water.
After surviving the subsequent explosion, the leader manages to reach the Collyer brothers' room. However, when he opens the door, he discovers the corpse of Homer, in the process triggering a final trap that launches a car at him. When the police later investigate the house, the bodies of the two burglars are left out of their report.
Quotes
Quotes- “I'm certain of it... These guys are hiding something alright! Being the hermits they are, they wouldn't dare deposit any money at the bank! The Collyer house is a treasure trove! (確信したぜ。絶対に こいつら財産を隠し持ってるッ！ 銀行にも預けないで仙人暮らしをしてな！ コリヤー邸は宝の山だッ！)”—Leader Burglar, The Lives of Eccentrics Episode 3: The Brothers Nobody Knew: Collyer Brothers
- “Hey... Would the two of us be burglars? Or are we thieves? (なあ おれたちゃドロボーなのか？ それとも強盗なのかよ？)”—Acolyte Burglar“We know they haven't left the house... As long as they're asleep, we get to go home as mere burglars. But if they wake up, this could turn into a robbery. (確実なのは留守じゃあないってことだ……寝てりゃあドロボーってことで帰るが。起きてりゃあ強盗になることもありうるな)”—Leader Burglar, The Lives of Eccentrics Episode 3: The Brothers Nobody Knew: Collyer Brothers
- “The pain... Th- The younger one must've done this! Damn it all... That damn younger brother! I'm gonna kill him! He's not gonna get away with this! (痛でえッ！ お…弟の方だなッ！ ちくしょおおおお 弟の野郎だなッ！ ぶっ殺してやるッ！ 許さねえーーーーッ)”—Acolyte Burglar“Don't be so reckless! Put that knife away! At least wait to off them until we find the money! (おい あわてるなッ！ ナイフはしまえッ！ 金をみつけるまでは殺すんじゃあねーぞッ！)”—Leader Burglar, The Lives of Eccentrics Episode 3: The Brothers Nobody Knew: Collyer Brothers
- “Big broooooo! I want out! I want out! (兄貴イイイイイイ 出だい！ 出だい)”—Acolyte Burglar's last words, The Lives of Eccentrics Episode 3: The Brothers Nobody Knew: Collyer Brothers
- “I'll kill you! But first, I'll have you tell me where the money is! (ぶっ殺してやるッ！ 金のありかを吐かせたあとになああああ)”—Leader Burglar's last words, The Lives of Eccentrics Episode 3: The Brothers Nobody Knew: Collyer Brothers
Gallery
The burglars inspect the house
The acolyte loses his temper
The acolyte burglar's final moments
The leader burglar meets his end
Trivia
- The appearances and mannerisms of the two burglars bear a striking resemblance to Prosciutto and Pesci from Vento Aureo.
