Housekeeper (ハウスキーパー, Hausukīpāis) is a character from the Death Note Nintendo DS game L the ProLogue to Death Note: Spiraling Trap.
Appearance[]
Housekeeper is a Caucasian man with medium-length ash blond hair, dark arched brows, and light blue eyes. He dresses casually, wearing a dark blue collared shirt with a deep V-neck. He wears black pants and black formal shoes, and he wears a circular silver pendant secured on a brown cord around his neck.
History[]
Though raised in England, Housekeeper’s grandfather, whom he had a good relationship with, was an American man. His grandfather had a love of baseball and introduced his young grandson to the sport. He would show him decades old footage of games as well as old newspaper and magazine clippings. Housekeeper developed a love of the game, playing the sport himself as well as watching the games. He has a deep admiration for Babe Ruth, even referring to him as the Bambino, a nickname given to him by his Italian-American fans later into his career. Playing and pitching in a similar manner to Ruth, Housekeeper went as far as to become an ambidextrous in an attempt to become more like the late Major Leaguer.
Housekeeper began creating bombs at a young age. He is a prodigy in his work, and his first known crime was on the British military during the Falklands War when he was only thirteen years old.
Referred to as a seasoned criminal with a 100% success rate, Housekeeper is a mysterious figure who has been wanted for years. His Falklands War bombing being only the first, Housekeeper has a track record of operating in conflict zones. In addition to his skill, Housekeeper is known to have several markers for his work, namely that they are made of whatever happens to be laying around, such as household items—hence his pseudonym—and that the creation of each bomb is completely random. Wire colors, construction, even which of his hands he builds them with, his bombs are diverse and follow no rules. Housekeeper prides himself in being able to read people’s moves and adjusts his skills accordingly. Rather than any actual contempt, Housekeeper seems to view his work as almost something of an art form. His motive appears to be testing his traps but also challenging his targets, viewing his crimes as a game.
When the FBI found themselves unable to stop the terrorist organization Criella Moon by themselves, they managed to gain the assistance of the mysterious, world renowned detective, L. L was able to solve the case and help defeat Criella Moon. After learning of L’s involvement in taking down the organization, Housekeeper developed an interest in the detective.
Plot[]
(The conclusion of the plot is based on the True Ending of the game. Player decisions may vary the outcome.)
Housekeeper is approached by Alois Bateson about a job requiring his skills. He is told that he would be making bombs to be used against the FBI. However, Bateson requested that, instead of his normal MO, Housekeeper use expensive, high-quality materials to make the bombs. Housekeeper agrees but is displeased with straying from his preferred methods.
Housekeeper eventually learns that L is a target in the crime and grows enthusiastic about the job. Having made his traps unusually and in a rush, Housekeeper assures L that, had he known, he would have made traps that would stump him. Throughout the game, Housekeeper starts showing that he is hoping that L and his partner, a rookie FBI agent, will ignore his traps and escape as soon as possible. It becomes apparent that his job—which should have ended the moment he finished making his bombs—is more about challenging L to see if he can disarm his bombs, with him even getting mad when L steps out for a moment and is temporarily replaced with Watari.
Choosing to stay aboard the Granada to continue challenging L, Housekeeper shows exceptional skill by being able to quickly make traps using materials found on the ship in order to keep himself protected.
With the help of Jeffrey Miller—one of the criminals involves whom L managed to turn—L and his partner manage to stop Bateson and Housekeeper, both of whom are apprehended. Housekeeper’s testimony helps to nail Bateson; whether or not Housekeeper made any sort of deal is unclear.
Trivia[]
- The Falklands War occurred in early 1982 and lasted ten weeks. Given that Housekeeper was 13 during the war, he would be somewhere in his early to mid-thirties during the events of the game. His section of the game’s character descriptions specifically describes him as being in his early thirties.
Gallery[]
