| This article is about Crispin Cordwainer, the first incarnation of the shoemaker of "The Elves and the Shoemaker" fame. You may be looking for the cobbler, the second incarnation, who works for the Shadow Players. |
| “ | This isn't just any shoe store. This is Fabletown's shoe store. We shouldn't just be selling mundane shoes to mundys, but magic shoes to Fables! | „ |
| ~ Crispin Cordwainer to the elves, Cinderella: From Fabletown with Love #2 — "Part Two: An Arabian Knight" |
Crispin Cordwainer is a Fable who lives in Fabletown in New York City, and debuts in Cinderella: From Fabletown with Love #1 — "Part One: Stopping Traffic." He works as a sales clerk at Cinderella's shoe store, The Glass Slipper Shoes, and runs the store when his boss is away.
History
Background
In the Homelands, Crispin Cordwainer made a living as a shoemaker. During his time in this position, he started doing business with the elves: In exchange for clothing, they would make shoes for him. Although the elves no longer work for clothes, their partnership has persisted to this day.[2]
Crispin immigrated to Fabletown and signed their compact at least one and a half centuries ago, according to Sheriff Beast.[4] There, he is employed as a clerk at The Glass Slipper Shoes, a shoe boutique located on Bullfinch Street that belongs to Cinderella. In Crispin's eyes, his boss does not spend nearly enough time in the shop, as she is frequently traveling around the globe. Little does he know, Cindy's frequent absences are due to her being a secret spy for Fabletown's sheriff. Crispin falsely assumes that Cinderella and Beast are having a secret affair, simply because Beast frequently visits Cindy in the shoe store.[1] He maintains a productive partnership with the elves, who craft footwear for both him and Cinderella.[2]
The magic shoes
At the store, Crispin busily helps two former harem girls from the Homelands' Baghdad as they try on different pairs of shoes. Once they abruptly depart, he mutters to himself and reflects on their different circumstances. He points out that, although the harem girls may have been slaves in their home country, at least they didn't have to deal with a boss who constantly comes and goes whenever it suits them, seemingly indifferent to the well-being of the business; meanwhile, he's had to work tirelessly to keep the establishment running smoothly. He firmly believes that if he were the one in charge of running the store, things would be very different. However, much to his chagrin, Cinderella unexpectedly returns from her trip to London and overhears his passionate tirade. He is relieved to find out that she is not upset about his previous comments and forgives him. However, when he brings up the need for more staff, Cindy argues that Crispin constantly complained when Hakim was hired. He brings up the fact that Hakim attempted to murder their customers, but she argues that Hakim used to be an assassin and no one was actually harmed. Crispin inquires if she has considered his latest product designs, but their conversation is interrupted by Beast's arrival to see Cindy. She suggests that Crispin take a break at the nearby pub while she attends to her visitor. Afterward, he expresses his shock when Cindy reveals that she is embarking on another journey overseas. She asks him to lock up the store, and keep an eye on the place while she's gone.[1]
As Crispin finishes locking up the store for the night, a group of elves appears with a shipment of sequin clogs ordered by Cinderella. Crispin is convinced that Cindy's designs aren't daring enough, and presents his own shoe designs for them to produce for him. His vision for the shop is not to just cater to mundy customers with mundane shoes, but also to provide magical footwear for Fables. Despite the warnings from the elves, Crispin is determined to obtain magical footwear and boldly declares that he will pay whatever the cost may be.[2]
Under Crispin's management, the mundy customers flock to the store. One of Crispin's fellow Fables, Rapunzel, hears about the new enchanted shoes and subtly signals her desire to purchase a pair while surrounded by mundy women in the store. Crispin leads her to the back room, where he proudly presents a new pair of shoes that just came in. These particular shoes have been flying off the shelves and are in high demand among Fable customers; in fact, there is only one pair left in stock. These are revolutionary jogging shoes designed to do the jogging for you. She slips them on, and they feel amazing, so she decides to purchase them. Once the store has closed for the day, a reporter from The New York Times arrives to interview him, because in virtually no time, The Glass Slippers Shoes has become one of the hottest places to shop in Manhattan. Suddenly, Rapunzel stops by the shop. She can't seem to get her shoes to stop moving, and it's wearing her out.[3]
Before long, a multitude of Fable women come to the store with the same issue: their shoes won't stop moving, and it's exhausting them. Some are dancing shoes that won't stop dancing, others are jogging shoes that won't stop jogging, and there are even hiking shoes that are always ready to climb whenever there is something to climb. Crispin gives them the option to return the shoes and receive a full refund, but none of them are able to remove the shoes from their feet.[5]
Crispin barricades himself within the shop as the furious women take to the streets in protest. The enraged Sheriff Beast breaks into Crispin's shop, scolding him for selling magic shoes in a store accessible to the public. He reminds Crispin that this action goes against Fabletown laws and puts their true nature at risk of being exposed. Meanwhile, the growing crowd of unhappy customers outside is only adding fuel to the fire. He offers Crispin the chance to make things right before deciding what to do with him, and threatens to turn him over to the mob if he doesn't get the situation straightened out immediately.[4]
Upon Cinderella's return, she successfully convinces the elves to take back the shoes. However, they refuse to provide a refund, so she plans to deduct the cost from Crispin's earnings. In addition, she makes him provide lengthy foot massages to all the women in order to relieve their tired feet.[6]
Hospitalized
One day, Crispin is occupied in the store, chatting with someone he affectionately calls "hon" on the phone. He gripes about his boss, who has once more taken off without warning or explanation, gallivanting around the world. He wraps up the conversation, thinking there might be a customer, but is taken aback when he sees that it's just Beast. He reassures the Sheriff that the shop has stopped selling shoes made by elves and now only offers designs produced in mundy sweatshops. Crispin questions why Beast is so interested in Cindy's whereabouts, and wonders if his wife knows about his interest in another woman. When Beast becomes enraged and his appearance transforms, Crispin attempts to dismiss his words as a joke. Out of nowhere, an unknown person draped in explosives storms into the shop. Crying out, "Cinderella must die!" they detonate themselves. Beast jumps in front of Crispin, trying to shield him from the explosion. However, Crispin still ends up in the hospital with serious injuries and is left in a coma. The huntsman visits Crispin in the hospital and stays with him by his bedside for days.[7]
After some time, Crispin is discharged from the hospital. However, he is still unable to walk and must use a wheelchair. The huntsman pushes him in his wheelchair back to The Glass Slipper Shoes, where Cindy has organized a surprise party to celebrate Crispin's return. Tears well up in his eyes before he lets out a happy smile as she plants a friendly kiss on his forehead. She teasingly jokes that she couldn't handle listening to him complain if they didn't throw this party for him.[8]
Appearances
Cinderella: From Fabletown with Love |
Cinderella: Fables Are Forever
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Fairest |
Original source
Crispin Cordwainer is based on the unnamed shoemaker from the Brothers Grimm fairy tale "The Elves," commonly known as "The Elves and the Shoemaker."[9] The tale follows a hardworking but impoverished shoemaker who has barely enough leather to make just one pair of shoes. One evening, as he leaves his unfinished work behind and prepares for bed, he offers a prayer to God. The next morning, he wakes up and begins his day with prayers. When he goes to check on the shoes he was working on, he finds that they are completed and expertly crafted on his workbench. Shortly after, a customer walks into the store and is immediately drawn to the shoes. He likes them so much that he offers more than the listed price to make sure he gets them. The shoemaker invests his earnings into purchasing more leather, which he then cuts and prepares for the next day's work. By morning, the materials have transformed into exquisite shoes once more. This cycle continues, slowly improving his situation until he is once again living in comfort.[10]
OOne evening, shortly before Christmas, the shoemaker proposes to his wife that they stay awake and discover who is lending them this kind assistance. She readily agrees. Crouched in the corner of the room, they catch sight of two tiny, nude men diligently toiling on the shoes before scurrying away as soon as their task is complete. The following day, his spouse announces that the small creatures have brought them great wealth, and they must express their gratitude, as they are running around with nothing on, freezing. She suggests creating clothing, and the shoemaker readily agrees to craft a pair of shoes for each person. They persist until they have completed the task, then hide again. The next evening, the couple witnesses the tiny men's joy as they try on the exquisite garments and shoes; they dance their way out of the house and never come back. Yet, the shoemaker prospers, finding success in all his endeavors.[10]
Etymology
His name is derived from St. Crispin, the patron saint of shoemakers;[9] and "cordwainer,"[9] an archaic word for "shoemaker."[11]