By Anna Kittrell
Robert The Doll
All of the books in the Tales of the Scrimshaw Doll series have two things in common— a cursed doll named Rosa (sometimes called by a nickname), and romance. In each story, only true love can break the dreaded scrimshaw curse.
This got me to thinking… (A dangerous habit, to be sure. Last time I pondered the Scrimshaw curse, I confused Rosa the doll by writing Skinbound, a story about identical twins. Rosa couldn’t figure out which one to curse.) I wonder what would happen if Rosa fell in love? Would the curse be forever broken? Would the poor soul she set her (painted) eyes on be eternally doomed? Would he love her back? I mean, what kind of bonehead could possibly fall for that old relic?
Well, I just might have found the perfect match for our naughty little dolly…
Meet Robert the Doll. He’s a strawhead, not a bonehead. Flexible, not rigid. Stuffed, not carved. But despite their differences, Rosa and this super-cute sailor would make an extraordinary couple. For they have one very important thing in common. They are both totally cursed.
According to Robert’s website and featured blogs, his story began in 1896 in the Key West home of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Otto.
A servant assigned to the Otto’s four-year-old son, Gene, had a reputation for dabbling in voodoo. To repay the Otto family for cruelty she’d suffered, the servant constructed a life-sized doll for the boy—and ruthlessly tucked an evil human soul inside.
The straw-stuffed doll became little Gene’s constant companion. He even gave his new best friend a name. Robert.
On many occasions, family members, servants, and visitors reportedly heard Gene upstairs talking to his doll. To the horror of listeners, the little boy answered himself, as Robert, in a much different voice.
Soon strange things began happening inside the Otto household. Neighbors saw Robert move around from window to window when the family was out. People caught glimpses of the doll running, and even claimed to hear him giggle.
Gene began to have bad dreams, and often screamed in the night. His parents would enter his room to find furniture overturned, and Robert the doll at the foot of the bed. “Robert did it…” was all the terrified little boy could utter. (Later, this would become a favorite catchphrase of Key West residents, earning Robert the title of Robert the blame doll.) Finally, Gene’s parents had enough and ushered the doll up to the attic, where it remained for many years.
After the death of his parents, Gene inherited the family home. On a trip to the attic, he was ecstatic to rediscover his old doll, and to learn the bond he and Robert shared was still strong as ever. Gene’s wife was less than delighted. Deeming the doll unsettling, she returned him to the attic.
Offended by his wife’s decision to isolate Robert, Gene decided the doll would not only come down from the attic, he would have an entire room of his very own. The turret room would become Robert’s new home, where he could sit… and gaze from the window.
Many people reported the doll watching from the turret room as they walked by—making faces at them as they passed. Children were afraid to walk past the home alone on their way to school.
Finally, Gene decided to put a stop to the doll’s antics. Angry and displeased with his home, Robert was brooding beside the window when Gene snatched him from the rocking chair and trudged up the attic steps.
After Robert’s exile, guests in the home reported hearing footsteps in the attic, and strange giggling. Visitations dwindled, and then stopped altogether.
Gene Otto died in 1972. The house was sold. Robert was found by a ten-year-old girl—the daughter of the new owners. Terrified, the girl claimed the doll tortured and tormented her. Thirty years later, she steadfastly maintained her story, stating the doll was alive and wanted to kill her. (That reminds me of another infamous doll. Rumor has it Robert just may have been the inspiration for the possessed, plastic, redhead named Chucky.)
Much about Robert’s life remains unclear, (like the fact the doll has an aura! Check out his website) but one thing is certain. When things go inexplicably awry, you can bet Robert the doll has something to do with it. And even if he doesn’t—you can blame him, anyway. People in Key West do it all the time…
Now, don’t you agree, Rosa and Robert (not the kind of R&R most of us crave) would make the perfect couple? Imagine the fun they would have together, hand-in-hand. Wreaking havoc on all of our unsuspecting souls.
Forever.
Happily. Ever. After.
***
Please comment! I’d love to hear any ghost stories, legends, or personal experiences you may have involving cursed toys or other objects.
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talesofthescrimshawdoll.wordpress.com 
Wow! Scary stuff! I loved this post and the links. I do not want our Rosa to fall for a doll like Robert. Need to research a nicer doll but that would be oh so boring. Ken comes to mind . . . You obviously did your research and it has definitely paid off. I’ll add the link to my FB pages and send it to some other yahoo groups.
Love you, sweet Anna. Well done!
Awww! Thanks, Nona! So glad you liked it. I’m afraid poor Ken couldn’t keep up with our Rosa…and I do feel sorry for Barbie if he ever decides to date our cursed-cougar :0
YES! Just my kind of post. The scarier and creepier, the better. I will definitely check out the website. GREAT job on the research and entertaining post. I think Robert and Rosa definitely belong together. Maybe they should have their own story. Hmmm….
I don’t really have a cursed toy story (ha! get it, ‘Toy Story’?) But my parents used to love to tell the story of my imaginary friend. (Have I ever mentioned I was a twisted kid?). I don’t remember this, I think I was 2 or 3, but they said that one day, Mom was backing out of the driveway and I was in the back seat. (NOT in a car seat, mind you, this was 1963…) Anyway, I screamed out, “Stop! You ran over Janie!” She slammed on the brakes and said, “What are you talking about?” I said, “I buried my friend, Janie Watson, in the driveway and you ran over her grave.” As it turns out, my dad’s great-grandmother, who was long dead before I was born, was named Janie Watson. Muwahahahaaha
Haha, cute, “toy story” I get it 😀 And, say WHAT??? Your imaginary friend channeled your deceased great-great-grandmother–and then your mother ran over her grave in the driveway? Alicia Dean, that may be the creepiest thing I’ve ever heard–especially since your “friend” had the same name, Janie Watson! You didn’t have a chance, macabre is in your blood. And I’m so glad I get to prosper from all that creepiness in your awesome book 😀
*BOOKS, not book! You have MANY awesome books–plural!
Oh my! I would love to stay in the house. LOL What a great idea, giving Rosa her very own cursed man to love…or not. Bwahahaha!
Hi, Calisa! I have good news for you. You can visit Robert at his home in the Fort East Martello Museum, AT NIGHT WHEN THE MUSEUM IS CLOSED! The museum hosts special tours. Here is the link 😉 http://www.robertthedoll.org/ghosttour.html it is called the “Ghosts and Gravestones” tour. According to Robert’s website, the staff of the Key West Art & Historical Society enjoys taking this tour, presented by Historic Tours of America® Inc.
Where do you find this stuff!!!!! Creepy. While I sit here at work, laughing my ass off. Robert is sure to make me fall from my chair. Ugh.
Haha, Kathy! Just don’t break your nose…
I found dear Robert while trying to fix Rosa up with someone. There isn’t exactly a “Hot Cursed Single Dolls” website out there–or maybe there is, and I just didn’t come across it 🙂
Impressive!
Thank you, Ann! This was a lot of fun.
Wow…creepy…but interesting! I think the LAST book should be Robert & Rosa’s story where the curses are eternally broken and everyone lives HEA — especially the lovely couple. (Oh yeah, I don’t write inspirational romance for nothing LOL!)
Love it! Great idea, Pamela 🙂 I also write inspirational–YA Christian suspense.
Fascinating story about Robert the doll. I agree with Pamela, Robert and Rosa together would make a great last book in the series. Who wants to write that one? 😉
I do believe objects can be cursed, even possessed. Remember the story in the Bible about Legion? Chased out of the poor victim and into a herd of pigs…
Besides, look how many people believe in good luck charms, why not bad luck charms?
Yes, I do remember that story. The pigs ran to the water and drown themselves! And bad luck charms–I never thought of it quite that way, but, yes. I suppose that’s what Rosa and Robert are too. Although, I don’t find either of them very charm-ing 😉 Thank you for visiting, Tamrie! And why don’t you get started on that final story–you have two amazing tales in the scrimshaw doll series already. Third time’s a charm.