Li Qiang “James” Tsang

I’m pleased to report that Qadira Al-Mahi has completed her re-write of “James”. On her guidance, we’ve chosen a Chinese background for this character. I think this better helps represent the melting pot of New York City and brings a number of different perspectives from each of the characters in terms of motivations and experiences.

Here’s the backstory for Tsang “James” Li Qiang as it stands now. I’m referring to him here with his family name listed first, which is the tradition in China. The writing

Tsang “James” Li Qiang was born in Guangdong Province, China, immigrating to Long Island, N.Y. with his family at age 3. He grew up cultivating traditional crops such as cabbages, mustard greens, and bitter melon for sale to Chinatown restaurants. Being the eldest son, filial piety demanded that he take over the family business when he came of age. However, his interest in gentleman’s fashion and the allure of the city’s high life eventually led him to leave home. Disowned for disobedience, the day he left was the last time he ever spoke to his family.

Relocating to Lower Manhattan, James found work as a launderer on Mott Street. The vibrant blend of people, cultures, and classes teeming in NYC completely opened his world. He often imagined the occasions the clothes had been to as he worked. A pinstriped jacket for Literary Group? Coattails for the Opera? Each time a piece left his rack, he couldn’t help but think of how much better they’d look on him.

Thoughts eventually becoming action, James is one day caught wearing a suit belonging to the Laundromat’s most important client, Mr. Seabrooke. Seizing the advantage, Seabrooke cut James a deal: become butler of Cragpoint Manor or be ruined. For James, the choice was simple. Impressive tailoring aside, experience from his farm days managing inventory, writing correspondence, planting, and tending hearths, helped him prove to be worth his salt and more.

Despite being closer to the finer things in life more than ever, increased responsibility for less than desirable pay made him bitter. The only bright spot in the Manor was James’ coworker, Millie Fishcomb. At first, the vivacious scullery maid was only someone to complain with, but the two were quickly smitten when they discovered their shared desire to seize what they felt was rightfully theirs. He eventually co-schemed the plan to claim the house for their own. No more playing pretend. His chance to finally be the man in the suits he’d laundered day in and day out had come, and he's not about to let the Seabrooke family stand in the way of that.

One of the pieces of research Qadira found was this pamphlet for kids on Yung Wing, the first Chinese person to graduate from a college outside of China (From the Museum of Chinese in America).

From my end, I have made some small progress on the prototype for printing, but of course it is still not done. Artwork for the characters is in progress and should now be in full swing, since we have an identity for James.