DICOMY Bureaucracy
The four top managers who occupy the entire fifth floor and chose Linus for his high-stakes assignment.
Who is Extremely Upper Management?
This six-year-old child, whose nickname is short for Lucifer, has a penchant for dramatic threats and a love for old records.
Who is Lucy?
Arthur’s true magical identity, which he reveals as a powerful being capable of immense destruction.
What is a Phoenix?
The name of the street in the city where Linus lives a quiet, gray life at number 86.
What is Hermes Way?
In the novel's epilogue, this character, who is the mayor and hardware store owner of the village, transitions from a wary bystander to a fierce advocate for the children.
Who is Helen?
Linus’s specific job title, which requires him to remain detached and strictly follow the Rules and Regulations handbook.
What is a Caseworker?
He is a translucent green blob with eye stalks who dreams of one day becoming a professional bellhop.
Who is Chauncey?
Arthur is known for his distinct style, particularly his habit of wearing trousers that are consistently too short and paired with these colorful items.
What are brightly-colored socks?
This animal, named Calliope, is Linus's only companion in the city and briefly goes missing when they first arrive on the island.
What is a cat?
The specific name of the government agency Linus works for, often shortened to its four-letter acronym.
What is the Department in Charge of Magical Youth (DICOMY)?
This centuries-old garden gnome is fiercely territorial about her flower beds and frequently threatens to bury interlopers with her shovel.
Who is Talia?
This is the specific location where Lucy sleeps to help manage his intense night terrors.
What is Arthur's renovated closet?
These objects symbolize Lucy’s childlike side and serve as a rare common ground between him and Linus.
What are records (music)?
One of the department's chilling slogans that promotes conformity, such as "A quiet child is a...".
What is "...healthy mind"?
A shy 14-year-old shapeshifter who turns into a five-pound Pomeranian when he feels threatened or anxious.
Who is Sal?
Arthur's tragic backstory involves being a former ward of this same orphanage, where he suffered abuse from its previous master.
What is the cellar?
This curmudgeonly ferryman is the primary way the island inhabitants travel to and from the mainland village.
Who is Merle?
The name of the member of Extremely Upper Management who oversees Linus's assignment and later reveals a personal connection to Arthur.
Who is Charles Werner?
This juvenile wyvern communicates in chirps and clicks and maintains a hoard of buttons under the living room sofa.
Who is Theodore?
Arthur begs Linus to stay on the island on the night after this specific celebratory event.
What was Linus's goodbye party?
This token is what Linus gives Theodore as an "offering" to his hoard when they first meet.
What is a brass button?