He works at the Knickerbocker teaching hospital in New York City, known for its experiential surgical procedures. Thackery is an enigmatic, short-tempered, highly particular man who is able to research, work, and experiment from dawn til dusk and dusk til dawn on soon-to-be-canonical surgery procedures. His ambition and its resulting, wildly impressive overachievement is thanks to the wonder-stimulant called cocaine. However, his demise becomes imminent when the drug begins to override his genius antics, and instead of aiding him in his work, it starts to become his master.