A man who moves like Van Tricasse's shadow, every bit as sluggish, indecisive, and silent as him. A prominent official of the town who would deliberate for ten years to vet every decision with the Mayor. Throughout the process that began with the city's illumination project and reached the point of social madness, the provocative, quarrelsome figure suppressed within him for years begins to emerge. In the end, he comes completely unhinged to the point of engaging in a hair-pulling brawl with the Mayor in the tower.
Having witnessed many years of the town of Quiquendone, he has served as an inseparable part of the Mayor's office as a counselor. He has a son named Frantz.
Round-bodied, possessing a serene physique likely due to his calm nature; a character who, when walking in the rain, snow, or darkness, raises his frock coat collar, wears oversized gloves made of sheepskin, and carries a giant umbrella with a hooked handle.
Van Tricasse
His boss and friend, whom he harmoniously followed his entire life. The conflict between them creates the most absurd comedic moments in the text.
Frantz Niklausse
His son; he views him as an heir to his own calm order while pridefully (?) watching his son get dragged into war.