Kenneth Jesperson

Kenneth “Mr. Smiley” Jesperson is a character role-played by mrwest16
*FOR THOSE LOOKING TO AVOID META, VIEW AT YOUR OWN RISK*
== Personality ==
Upon his arrival in Los Santos, Kenneth Jesperson was a figure of chaos, his actions unpredictable and often driven by a deep-seated rage, especially against those who dared to call his face a mask or use his birth name. His psyche was a battleground, marked by the traits of a psychopath compounded with social anxiety disorder, making every interaction a potential trigger for his explosive temper.
Yet, in an ironic twist, therapy and the process of adapting to life in Los Santos seemingly tempered his volatile nature, at least superficially. Kenneth now projects the image of a 'Productive Member of Society,' a stark contrast to his previous demeanor. However, this perceived transformation masks a darker truth: therapy did not rehabilitate him but honed his psychopathic tendencies, making him more calculating, composed, and dangerous than ever before.
Despite the darkness that lurks within, Kenneth possesses a disarmingly friendly exterior. His engaging manner and seemingly genuine warmth obscure the reality of his intentions, leading many in Los Santos to mistakenly believe he is a commendable friend and ally. This dichotomy between his sociable facade and his true nature allows him to navigate society with ease, unsuspected by those charmed by his persona.
Kenneth's fierce loyalty to the Smileys underscores a complex sense of brotherhood and devotion. He stands ready to defend his gang with lethal force, showcasing a brutal determination to protect those he aligns with. This loyalty extends to a surprising capacity for affection towards his friends and even those he claims ownership over, revealing a multifaceted character capable of both profound connection and chilling detachment.
This juxtaposition of friendliness and loyalty against a backdrop of calculated psychopathy makes Kenneth Jesperson a paradoxical figure within Los Santos—a man who can extend a hand in friendship one moment and wield a knife with deadly precision the next, all while maintaining the facade of a man reformed.
==Background Information==
Once a child of affluence in London, he saw his world crumble when his family's fortunes vanished. In a desperate bid to reclaim their wealth, his parents made a fateful decision, trading their son's freedom for financial recovery. Kenneth was handed over to Lionel Starkweather, a man who would reshape him into a harbinger of death.
Kenneth's upbringing in Carcer City, a place as forsaken as the infernal pits, was marked by violence and neglect. Abandoned by his parents to the chaos of the streets, his childhood was a brief interlude before he found himself behind the walls of Darkwoods Penitentiary at just thirteen. This institution, notorious for housing the deranged and murderous, became his crucible. Within its confines, Kenneth aligned with the Smileys, a gang whose members reveled in depravity, embracing murder, torture, and worse as part of their daily existence.
Adopting the mask of the Smileys, Kenneth surrendered his identity, becoming 'Mr. Smiley,' a moniker that signified his complete transformation. Under the direction of Lionel Starkweather, now known as 'The Director,' he led the Smileys in their gruesome role within Starkweather's macabre enterprise: hunting death row inmates for sport and filming their deaths for a dark market hungry for snuff films. Claiming over two hundred lives, Mr. Smiley's legacy of violence extended beyond the prison's walls, marking him as one of the deadliest figures to emerge from the chaos of Carcer City.
Upon earning his freedom, Mr. Smiley's future actions remain a chilling unknown. Yet, his past as 'The Scarecrow' offers insight into the psyche of this twisted soul. This earlier persona, characterized by silent, indiscriminate killing and a grotesque sack mask, predated his rise to infamy. As The Scarecrow, he sowed terror within Darkwoods, a precursor to the fear he would later wield as Mr. Smiley. In Los Santos, the Scarecrow identity was revived not just as a means of terror, but as a strategic ploy to mislead law enforcement and manipulate victims, ensuring Mr. Smiley's reign of terror would persist unchallenged, a testament to the depth of his transformation and the darkness of his heart.
== Currently ==
He was on a mental evaluation hold at Parsons Rehabilitation Center, but was released on February 26, 2020.
== #CarcerWorld (3.0) ==
After his release from Maximum Security prison under mysterious circumstances, Smiley was already hard at work plotting and planning his next scheme. 
Carcer World is a movement. Before, the killers who joined The Smileys were mostly independent but would come together under one roof to do 'jobs' as well as assist clients, but with the 'Carcer World project' the intent is to TAKE POWER over the serial killer element within the city of Los Santos.
But this is not subjected to simply serial killers. But assassins, mercenaries, and other 'underbelly' figures who do work outside the traditions of typical criminality. 
Named after his home city of Carcer, Kenneth believes that bringing a slice of home to Los Santos would do it some good, as the nature of Carcer City is just that... a hellhole where blood, death, and anarchy run rampant. 
In order to spread the message of Carcer World, Kenneth would order his Smileys to drop a calling card, make victims tweet out #CarcerWorld, or carve into victims to spread awareness and the message of the movement. Although Kenneth would prefer targeted attacks against 'serials' or other significant individuals within the city, but in order to make an omelet, you gotta crack a few eggs. :)
== 'Make Me Smile' Project (3.0) ==
An expansion of Kenneth's work at the end of 2.0, he implemented brainwashing techniques that would essentially enable him to 'create' new Smileys who would listen to his every command. The Process would involve months long 'education' in order to implement. Removing essential elements from a person's life before slowly reintroducing it invoking a certain level of "Stockholm" as well as implementing physical and mental tactics of an indescribable nature.
Topping it off with a dash of hypnotic suggestion. So far, the only one to receive the treatment has been Brett Maxwell at the hands of Rick Locke.
Later, Kieran Felix White, Harleen Quinzel, and May Flowers would be added to the family through the tactic.
Rick Locke himself would later be placed into the 'Project' and reconfigured into Kai Locke, as perpetrated by his child May Flowers (Fauna Locke).
Smiley always wanted to create a family, and now he can TRULY make the family he always wanted in the image he sees them in.
== 'The Fear Initiative' (3.0) ==
Coming Soon. :)
== Roles ==
Kenneth Jesperson, upon his imprisonment, was coerced into participating in numerous snuff films, honing his craft as a "Performer." Through intense method acting, he developed several alter egos, not as dissociated identities but as meticulously crafted personas he adopted with unwavering dedication, never breaking character whether on or off camera.
Mr. Smiley: This persona embodies the culmination of Kenneth's various identities, marking him as the de facto leader of 'The Smileys.' Initially, Mr. Smiley appeared sporadically in films, sometimes as a victim, at other times as the orchestrator behind the scenes, directing the chaotic ballet of violence. In Los Santos, Mr. Smiley emerges as his dominant guise, a complex figure tormented by past violence yet capable of seamlessly adopting or shedding this identity at will, reflecting his truest self amidst ongoing debates about his core identity.
Scarecrow: Originating during his early days in Darkwoods, where he was rendered nearly mute, Kenneth was named 'Scarecrow' for his haunting appearance and ruthless efficiency. This name was born from his penchant for wearing a sack over his head and dressing in a manner that evoked the titular figure, instilling fear in allies and foes alike. In Los Santos, Scarecrow represents Kenneth's most unyielding and remorseless side, a stark contrast to Mr. Smiley's occasional compassion, characterized by his chilling monotone that preludes his violent acts.
Kenneth Jesperson: The man before the masks, Kenneth Jesperson, stands in stark contrast to his other personas. Calm, collected, and unnervingly composed, Kenneth is the antithesis of Mr. Smiley and Scarecrow, offering glimpses into the man he once was. Initially adopting a contrived voice to blend into society, he eventually found his true voice, a reminder of his identity before his transformation into a Smiley.
Tramp: The Tramp is Kenneth's artistic masterpiece, a role that allowed him the creative freedom to explore a character with depth and complexity. Star of 'The Tramp Who Knew Too Much,' this persona diverged from the typical snuff film archetype, focusing on narrative over gore, which unfortunately led to its commercial failure. In Los Santos, Kenneth resurrects the Tramp, seeking to restore the character's reputation and cement his legacy as a formidable figure, far removed from his humble, albeit fictional, beginnings as a downtrodden drunkard.
Through these roles, Kenneth Jesperson navigates the blurred lines between identity and performance, each persona revealing facets of his psyche while masking the true depths of his character.
*Before coming to the city, he claims to have killed 200 people in Carcer City making his kill/attack count at 270*
=== List of Kills ===
#Lunar Tranquillitatis (Stabbed)
# Skinny Pete (Stabbed)
# William Williamson (Stabbed)
#Jake Frasteafrom (Stabbed)
#Flop Dugong (Hammered)
# Larry Dickerson (Stabbed)
#Regina Bunny (Hammerd)
#Sydney Bearmont (Hatched)
# Takashi Morrimoto (Stabbed)
#Dougie Howzer (Hatched)
# Random Victim on a Jasper Cassette Tape (Hammered)
# Random Victim on Smiley's OWN Cassette Tape (Drilled)
#Thomas Dwayne (Stabbed)
# Arthur Ale (Hatched)
# Darlene Pickens (Stabbed)
(As The Tramp)
#Reginald Jones
#Steven Rich 
# Elizabeth Duncan
#Damien Sharp (Alive)
# Mitchel Saltzman
# Leslie Poehler
#Tina Lemon
# Jacob Bennett | December 16, 2020
# Richard Bennett | December 16, 2020
# Mary Bennett | December 16, 2020
#Hayley Bennett (Alive) | December 16, 2020
# Sutter Kane (As part of the Legion Square "Demonstration")
#Carrie Black (As part of the Legion Square "Demonstration")
# Michael Strode (As part of the Legion Square "Demonstration")
# Nancy Krueger (As part of the Legion Square "Demonstration")
#Ryann Devereaux (Alive, As part of the final Manhunt) | January 19, 2020
#Jeffrey Bradley (Alive, As part of the final Manhunt) | January 19, 2020
#Bonnie Venture (As part of the final Manhunt) | January 19, 2020
(3.0 Kills)
#Betty Jax (Gun Shot)
#Daryl 'Bonez' Blood (Stabbed)
#Alexandra Yang (Stabbed w/Jocelyn Wade)
#Alberl Jonie AKA The Tower (Stabbed)
#Emma Levine (Stabbed multiple times, left for dead)
#Steven Hayes (Stabbed)
#Shirley Lemons (Stabbed)
#Posy Florian (Stabbed, throat slit)
#Cassandra Silverton (Hatcheted)
#Hanna Baker (Tortured, Carved into, and hit with an axe) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=35sEzyzL5aA
#Cara Lynn (Gun Shot)
#Keith Wanderlust (Stabbed)
#Kiki Pendragon (Stabbed, Sliced Stomach)
#James Sarkoff (Intended to be brainwashed into believing he was Joshua Wade)
#David Sear (Intended to be brainwashed into believing he was Kenneth)
=== List of Participated Kills ===
# Denis Menis
#Pogg Dann
#Arthur Yelton
#Frank Beans
#Ryan Hernandez
#Dakota Black
# Jeremy Rivet
#Boe Jangles
# Jerry Slime
# Stanley Stepper
#Savanna Skinner
#Mervin Potts
#Tessa Lamb
(3.0 Participated Kills)
# Father Dinke
#Delmon Homme (Directed from Phone)
#Josh(John) Levine (Watched him being drained of Blood from afar, by Honey Quickk)
#April Levine (Watched her being drained of Blood from afar, by Honey Quickk)
#Doctor Destructo
#Kai Leo
#Francis Angel Luis
#Cora Katz (Wasn't there when they were killed but provided them for Bree McNab and Percy Perkins.)
#Richard Kuklinski (Wasn't there when he was killed, but provided him to The Damaged.)
== Relationships (Most of these relationships are 2.0 Centric) ==
=== August Vakarian ===
A very close friend to "Mr. Smiley" of whom he met while they were both in Parsons Rehabilitation Center, they instantly clicked and have remained close ever since. Although they seem to have different ideas on how to approach "criminal" activity and will sometimes even criticize each other for recklessness or a lack-thereof. They have a pseudo-sexual-abusive, but consensual, relationship where often times when she asks him to hit her, he will, due to her masochistic nature. And sometimes even allowing her to hit HIM in order to help treat her schizophrenic tendencies to see things that aren't there. Smiley was one of the first people to say that he LOVED August when she brought up the 'L' word to him, although he does not have the capacity for love in the romantic sense, he still loves her as a friend and would never harm her, unless she asked for it.
=== Tobi Argent ===
After Jaden's death, Tobi Argent essentially became the new "information guy" in regards to collecting and dispersing critical information to Smiley and friends. But as time would go on, Tobi would become one of Smiley's oldest and best friends in the city, being one of the only people, other then Smiley himself, to still be alive and REMAIN on good terms with him throughout. Together they weathered the storm of The Coven, Alexandra Moroz, the fracturing sanity of Chasity Dawes, and the consequences of Imperium. Although they have certainly had a rocky relationship at times, Tobi and Smiley remain good friends to this day, despite slightly divergent paths.
==== Tessa Lamb ====
One of the first few people that Smiley met when he was released from Parsons who treated him like a normal person, despite his clearly lunatic demeanor. Part of it he believed was to due to the fact that he assumed she was just pretending to accept him so he wouldn't become angry with her and perhaps hurt her. But a few conversations after he NAILED his driving test and gave her a Smiley face pin, he quickly understood that her capacity for acceptance was far greater than most as he even confided in her the fact that he killed over 200 people prior to entering Los Santos. And she simply told him "that number doesn't define you either. I just wanted you to know that.". This relationship has even gone as far as Smiley ACTUALLY admitting that he is wearing a mask to her. Something he would NEVER do, traditionally. They have remained friendly ever since, and Smiley tries to look out and "protect" her as much as he can. Whenever he can.
Recently, she had begun to learn that Smiley was dangerous to be around, so he called her out to the fishing dock up north and they had a discussion in which he would reveal a ton of information about the 'Underground below the Underground', and this conversation led to Tessa revealing herself as 'Mary Wolf' to Smiley. This would make Smiley the third or fourth person in the entire city to be aware of 'Mary Wolf' who WASN'T one of her victims, opening an entirely new chapter in the Smiley/Lamb dynamic.
=== Johnathan Wright ===
The relationship between Johnathan and Smiley has been a complicated one. Although Wright seems to believe he has figured Smiley out, the tables have certainly turned into more grey directions. What started as a semi-antagonistic relationship, became a "friendly" relationship on the basis of him being one of the only therapists that seemingly understood Smiley and accepted him for what and who he is. Smiley made Johnathan a smiley, however, his lies the night that Smiley was detained and placed into Parsons forever put a mark on that relationship that Smiley has been waiting ever so patiently to repay. Though he has no personal issue with Wright and even will go as far as to say that he very much LIKES the man, and will protect the man when the need arises, his punishment has alluded him and their chess match of who will upset the other first has continued on-and-off ever since. But the question is, who will get that checkmate first?
==== Victoria "Vivi" Veine ====
Although they have not known each other long, Vivi and Smiley hit things off rather quickly. Being one of the few people to instantly correct herself once she mistakenly referred to Smiley's face as a mask. Up until the night that Smiley had a meeting with 'The Coven', a group of medically diseased vampires, they had more of a passing relationship. But after Smiley asked her for a favor to sit-in on this meeting and act as a sort-of henchmen to keep the vampires from attacking him, he would later learn that there was more to this woman than met the eye as she would later introduce him to a man wearing a mask, dressed in black. A man as mysterious as Smiley himself. Vivi and Smiley wish to keep in contact to see where this rabbit hole takes him as time trudges forward.
=== Jaden Sparks ===
Jaden was one of Smiley's first friends in the city after being released from Parsons. When they first met, he would be intentionally vague toward Smiley, and would call him randomly on the phone/watch him from a distance without revealing how he received his number. Although Smiley would quickly, and correctly, guess that it was August who gave it to him he still kept him guessing for a while. Both men seemed to have a lot in common and Jaden would help gather information for Smiley in an attempt to help build-up his "growing family". Although Smiley never truly understood why Jaden wanted to help him, and one of the final conversations they had before his untimely death went something like this: "Why are you helping me?" and Jaden responded with "Because I like your cause." Even though Jaden didn't seem to fully understand the cause, he wanted to help build it and see to it's goal. And, after his death, that cause has grown larger than Jaden could have possibly imagined.
==== Hemet Nesingwary ====
The first "true" serial killer to be recruited into the Smileys as a pesudo-member who shows up usually only when Smiley needs him to, or vice versa. Smiley saw an ad in the Yellow Pages about a "Hunter" offering his services while in Parsons. Smiley would instantly ask him if his hunting involved 'human' hunts, and Nesingwary almost, without hesitation, admitted to everything. Although seemingly, they have different ideas about their plights of murder, thus far, there has been a fairly good business rapport between the two enabling one to help the other if need be. Although, this relationship may be doomed as some of the people on Hemet's list are people that Smiley protects... so what will happen as this relationship continues?
=== Gemma "Emerald" Knight ===
Generally, a fairly new relationship in Smiley's pocket, initially, Smiley saw Ms. Knight as an enemy. That antagonism led to Smiley sending her an email with a video entitled ["I seeeee youuuuu" ] after having one of his Smileys, Nicholas Reyes, get bitten and drained of blood by her. Smiley wanted to destroy the ENTIRE Vampire Coven but after some convincing from Jaden, Smiley would settle down on this mentality and open up talks with the vampires instead, which led to Gemma offering to join the Smileys in exchange for August joining The Coven. It's a fresh relationship, but so far, a friendly one after a month of a sort-of-cold war.
=== Flop Dugong ===
What started as an innocent induction into the Smileys, like any other person brought into the group would later become a game of cat and mouse, and no one would ever have expected Flop, everybody's "fellow Dugong" to become one of Mr. Smiley's greatest nemesis'. But before that, the relationship was very positive, Flop would show Smiley around town and they would hit it off rather well with very friendly banter. For a time, Flop may have even once been considered one of Smiley's favorites similarly to Tessa Lamb, however fate would be against this as once Flop began investigating the 'Scarecrow' stalkings of Sydney Bearmont, Smiley took action and left Flop for dead out at the docks.
Ever since then, Flop has been uneasy around Smiley, and Smiley has been uneasy around Flop. And they have continued the game of 'cat and mouse' ever since, both wanting the other dead.
===Sydney Bearmont===
A very close friend of Johnathan Wright, based on the plans of August Vakarian, Smiley was able to investigate who was close to Johnathan in order to facilitate the 'Scarecrow' project in which he was meant to bring both her and another individual to a specific location in order to make Johnathan "choose" who would live and who would die to challenge his philosophy on life of "everyone being equal" through his eyes.
Smiley would befriend Sydney, learn more about her, and even eventually initiate her into the Smileys. And once the plan started to take shape, Smiley would begin placing threatening phone calls to her to invoke fear into her and mentally manipulate her in order to easily pick her up for the final act against Johnathan. However, things have gone quiet on the western front, and Smiley and Sydney have not spoken since suspicion of him reached a fever pitch. However, that may soon change.
=== Andi Jones ===
While in Parsons, Smiley called Andi on the Yellow Pages, who was offering pep talks because he felt sort of down on his luck due to the unending and lonely nature of Parsons. She introduced him to the concept of the Chicken Man and they have remained fairly close ever since. As with many people, she KNOWS who and what Smiley is, but instead of casting him aside she always actively attempts to change him and make him a better person, even if the end result is always the same. However, despite this, Smiley genuinely cares for her.
=== Regina Bunny ===
Smiley and Regina first met during his first stay in Parsons. She was emotionally down and out so August invited her out to the facility to meet with him and her. Living up to his name, he managed to put a Smile on her face and he would give her a pin. Fast forward a couple of months, that relationship would essentially end after Smiley found out she supposedly gave out information she wasn't supposed to give so he proceeded to give her the hammer treatment. However, recently, they have started to get close again as she is one of the few people that Smiley regrets hurting, and their relationship has even gotten to a point to where she MIGHT even adopt him as a son. A night and day thing brought on by the fact that Smiley was there for her the day that three of her fingers were chopped off by Denzel Williams and Carlos Sanchez. Much like Andi, she too wants Smiley to be a better person despite the obvious illusions against it.
==Trivia==
*He is known for wearing a smiley face mask, which he believes is his face.
*That red stuff on his mask is definitely not bean juice.
*He was previously an inmate at the Darkwoods Penitentiary, in Carcer City.
*Mr. Smiley is based on "The Smileys" gang from the videogame Manhunt.
*Often makes people sing 'Smile', a song by Nat King Cole/Jimmy Durante/Charlie Chaplin.
*Does NOT like being compared to 'The Joker' or in this case, Jack Knaves.
*His real name is inspired by real-life Serial Killer, Keith Jesperson, known as the "Happy Face Killer"
*Is a huge fan of the Dragon Ball Franchise.
*He quotes 'The Wondrous Boat Ride' from the film 'Willy Wonka And The Chocolate Factory' before a lot of his kills.
*People often mistake him for Jasper Saxon and vice versa.
*Inspired by Cut Content Character 'Kenneth Jesperson' from the aforementioned video game: Scarecrow... Scarecrow... Scarecrow....
== Quotes ==
* "I just got out of parsons!"
* "I'm a productive member of society now!"
*"....Good." (In response to Sydney's fear of him)
*"This is me underneath." (He reveals a horribly scarred, worn face)
*"I felt responsible, I had to show it to you. I had to... to see the truth. Every time I take off my face, there's nothing but unrelenting pain. Unrelenting pain and misery... But I'm willing to endure the pain so you can see the truth. Because you deserve the truth, and nothing but the truth." (Upon first meeting Mary Wolf)
*"There's so many people in The Smileys who are willing to complete visions. That's what I do, I try to 'complete visions'. I don't use the term serial killer because it's such a childlike term. I don't even consider myself one."
*"I take it that... I'm not speaking to Tessa Lamb right now." (After noticing the change in Tessa)
*"She will be immortalized. But she will not be immortalized… by you." (He says of Chasity, before stabbing Thomas Dwyane)
*"Sydney Bearmont. The Day of reckoning is nigh. The Day of the Scarecrow is coming. Prepare yourself for Armageddon."
*"I love you too, August..." (He says to her in Parsons)
*"Poor guy, Apples!"
*"We sound nothing alike!" (When people think he's Jasper Saxon because of similar vocal cadences)
*"The Scarecrow is coming!"
*"Smile every second, smile every minute, smile every hour..."
*"Always Smile!"
*"...Welcome to Creep Club." 
Category:Male
Category:Serial Killer