Neil Hargrove

Disclaimer: This portrayal of Neil Hargrove deviates from the original canon to accommodate our roleplay.

## Biographical information

### Family

Unnamed first wife (ex-wife)
 Susan Hargrove (ex-wife)
 William 'Billy' Hargrove (son)
 Max Mayfield (ex step-daughter)

## History

### Background

Neil Hargrove lived in California, married a woman, and had a son named Billy. Though Billy and his mother had an extremely close relationship, Neil emotionally and physically abused his son and wife. He deemed his son a "pussy" when too afraid to try things such as baseball and his love for surfing. It's hinted that Billy's mother was unfaithful and saw another man, as during one argument during dinner, Mr. Hargrove accused her of seeing "him". Mrs. Hargrove vehemently denied this, resulting in a physical altercation Billy witnessed. When he tried to intervene, Neil shoved him out of the way, causing Mrs. Hargrove to call him a bastard. Enraged, Neil punched her in the face. Finally having enough of his abuse, Mrs. Hargrove divorced Neil and abandoned Billy, leaving him to become bitter and more violent.

2 years after she left, Neil got into a bad fight with Billy. The kid was only 12 years old when Neil hurt him that bad it caused a brain injury. Ever since Billy's agressive behaviour became worse. Neil never provided Billy with the propper aftercare which is why till this day his son still has trouble controlling and regulating his emotions. The trauma still affects his brain long after it's been healed. Neil ,however, never saw this to be an issue and told Billy to 'man up' about it.

Working as a security guard at a bank, Neil came to know the teller Susan Mayfield, who he would grow to be attracted to. At some point he finally proposed to her, which led him and his son Billy to move in with Susan and her daughter Max. Neil's changes brought out a lot of resistance and anger in his stepdaughter, especially when he insisted upon calling her 'Maxine'. Neil and Susan's decision to move to Hawkins, Indiana finally pushed Max to make a run for it. Eventually however the police caught Max as she was trying to leave on a bus, and the family of four eventually moved to Hawkins as planned.

#### 1984

After relocating to Hawkins, Neil's abusive behavior escalated. He would frequently attack Billy, even for minor infractions or simply because he didn't like the response he received. The physical altercations would often escalate to the point of causing both of them to bleed, but Neil would always land the final blow. He relished in the power he felt from publicly shaming and belittling Billy in front of Max, Susan, and others, knowing that no one would intervene or challenge his actions. This sense of control brought him a twisted sense of joy.

for example: On November 4, 1984, upon returning home, Neil and Susan found out that Max was not home as her bedroom window was left open. Confronting Billy, Neil was shocked and angry that Billy had no idea where Max was. Neil reminded Billy was suppose to watch Max and Billy apologized as he prepared to go out on a date. When Neil called Billy a "faggot" for ogling at himself at the mirror, Billy lost his temper and says Max is not his sister. Neil then slams Billy into the wall and reminds him they've talked about respect and responsibility. Neil forced Billy to apologize to Susan which he does. Susan tried to assure Neil that it was okay, but Neil disagreed, saying Billy's behavior was not okay and that he'll make up for it. Neil ordered Billy to cancel his date and go find Max while demanding Billy to reply "yes, sir." Once Billy said that, Neil again ordered him to find Max and left the room with Susan, leaving Billy in tears.

#### 1985

Sometime after Billy's **'death'**, Neil started getting into arguments with Susan and eventually divorced her before leaving Hawkins. According to Max, Neil could not get over his son's death and eventually decided to leave her and her mother. As a result of his divorce to Susan, she and Max were forced to move out of their house and take residence at the Forest Hills Trailer Park, with Susan working two jobs so she and Max could live in their trailer.

## Personality

Neil is show to be extremely domineering and controlling towards both his first and second family. He constantly put Billy down due to his love for surfing and sensitivity, calling him a "pussy" and a "faggot". He was also extremely physically abusive towards his son and first wife, which caused his wife to leave them and made Billy grow more violent like his father, though even as an athletic young adult, Billy was terrified of his father.

Neil is shown to have violent tendencies and is abusive towards his son, Billy. When he found out that Billy has been ignorant of Max sneaking out of the house, he attacks and threatens him, ruining his plans. He is bigoted and homophobic, calling his own son a "faggot" simply for admiring himself in the mirror(unaware his son actually struggles with his sexuality). Both Billy and Max know Neil is racist stating he had a low opinion of anyone who wasn't white-skinned. He also called Max a “stupid little girl” for standing up for Billy when Neil abused him.

He also is noticed to misidentify women as helpless and dependent, such as speaking for his wife Susan after Billy isn't nice to her, and laughs at his son for a little girl (Max) speaking up to him when Billy is being abused. He has also been offending to women, calling them slurs like "whore" and "bitch" when not happy.

## Gallery

 Neil Hargrove fighting his wife for cheating, Mrs. HargroveNeil verbally absuing young BillyBilly protecting his mom against NeilMrs. Hargrove, Billy's MomNeil intimidating Billy