my employee 432 was the narrator's first protagonist, and the reason why he seems like he knows what is going to happen when stanley enters this exact same room.
(better, bloodier version under the cut +artist notes)
artist notes:
In my bigger compositions I always add small details for the curious viewer. So if you'd like to seek them out on your own you can ignore this. But I wanted to talk about this piece, because I love love love it.
The main thing is that, obviously, the yellow/golden hands are supposed to represent the narrator. However, I made it so that each set of hands represent each fall that Stanley takes. The most faded ones on the shoulders are for the first and second fall. The second slightly faded ones on his chest are for the third fall. And the last ones holding Stanley's hand are for the final fall. (At least if I'm remembering correctly there's four).
You can see the hands getting progressively bloodier and weaker. There's not enough strength to try and hold Stanley back. The last and most gentle set, are just asking him not to do it. If you look close at the "please..." you can see a question mark after it. Because it's technically a question, but one the Narrator already knows the answer to.
Also the Narrator can't stop him, because he's not actually there. If you look at the small Stanley, you don't see any of the hands on him. Stanley reaching out to the side is him holding the rail, not holding the Narrator's hands. Big Stanley is to show what's happening metaphorically.
There's more, but I've talked enough. I hope you enjoy! I spent a loot of time on this one.