Matt (video)

Matt is the origin story for the character Matt, also known as Bunman. It is the first video in The Malenkee Saga. For the character Matt or for the Matt Series, see Matt (disambiguation).

## Synopsis

In Glamorgan, Wales, in 1881, a man named Matthew is drinking in a public house. He has lost his job due to the closure of the local coal mine, and the pub will no longer serve alcohol on Sunday.

He returns home to his wife, whom he addresses in the video as Poppet. She provides him with a bowl of bread soup and he reassures her that he will find a way to look after the family. He says goodnight to his child, whom he refers to as Malenkee. He promises his child he will not go anywhere, and expresses his hope for the future. Matthew retires to bed.

As Matthew sleeps, he is addressed by an echoing off-screen voice. The voice claims to be the demon Astaroth. Astaroth offers to exchange Matthew's life and servitude for the wellbeing of Matthew's wife and child, though they will no longer recognize him. Seemingly asleep, Matthew accepts by consuming a small squid-like creature.

Matthew awakes and exits the frame. Off-screen, his wife asks who he is, indicating that she no longer recognizes him. There are sounds of a struggle: it is unclear if Matthew kills his wife and child.

## Development

Matt's origin story was developed to retroactively place the Matt series as part of the Malenkee Saga.

It is not marked as an ASMR video.

## In culture

Matt's clothing is anachronistic to the late nineteenth century.

Matt references the Sunday Closing Act of 1881. The act was formally repealed in 1911, but was retained in some districts as late as 1996.

The South Wales coalfield in Glamorgan began to be developed in the 1850s, and went into serious decline after the Second World War. It is unclear which coal mine is referenced by Matt. It may have been the Glynfach Colliery in Pontypridd, Glamorganshire, which closed in 1882. Matt says he will seek work in Maerdy, home of the Mardy Colliery which opened in 1881.

## Transcript

Below is a transcript of Astaroth's dialogue.
 *Matthew. Matthew. Matthew. Can you hear me, Matthew? Matthew.*
 *My name is Astaroth, and I come to you with a solution to your problems. You don't have to do anything in particular. Merely pledge allegiance to me, And I will ensure that your wife and your little child are taken care of forever. Never again will you have to worry about work or money, their health, their well-being. Forevermore they will live in the lap of luxury, all thanks to you.*

*Matthew. The exchange is simple. You will serve me for all of time, never to die, but never to truly live. Your life is forfeit for that of your family's. And whereupon they look upon your face, they will not recognise or know you, and likewise, you will not recognise or know them. It will be as if you never existed. Your pitiful existence exchanged for their well-being and fortitude. Matthew, this is an offer one only receives once in a lifetime. Consider it. All you have to do to accept my gift to you is open your mouth. Open your mouth wide while you slumber and it will be done. You will be free from your life and your family will prosper for eternity.*

*You will be my servant, a faceless, tireless man, indentured to me for all eternity. But I'm fair. You will gain powers. The power to give life where there once was none. The power to love beyond recognition. And the power to kill and be killed in return. Consider my offer, Matthew, while you slumber, for you will not receive such an offer again. Open your mouth. Let me in. And let the fun begin.*