Mystery's Persona and Ambitions

Key Economic Insight

Mystery, despite his reputation, lived with his parents, two nieces, sister, and her husband in Toronto. He found himself bored and stagnating at home due to a sick father, overburdened mother, and sister's marital separation, leading him to plan more workshops. His long-term girlfriend, Patricia, whom he had met four years prior and tried to mold into his ideal (including getting a 'boob job,' performing 'blow jobs,' and taking a job as a 'stripper'), was upset with him because she drew the line at bisexuality, which was a 'dealbreaker' for his specific goal. He stated his ultimate desire was 'to be loved by two women,' specifically 'a blonde 10 and an Asian 10, who will love each other as much as they love me,' and Patricia's heterosexuality was affecting his sex life.

His personal development goals were ambitious, focusing on achieving fame and envy. He aimed to raise money for a touring illusion show, live in 'posh hotels,' have a limo to and from shows, secure TV specials with grand illusions, and even levitate over Niagara Falls. His travel aspirations included England and Australia, and he desired material possessions like jewelry, games, a model airplane, a personal assistant, and a stylist. The pinnacle of his artistic ambition was to 'act in Jesus Christ Superstar—as Jesus,' demonstrating a profound drive for recognition and an all-encompassing pursuit of a 'superstar' identity.

Ultimately, Mystery sought for people 'to be envious of me, for women to want me and men to want to be me,' a desire he attributed to a lack of love as a child. He revealed a traumatic past involving an alcoholic and abusive German immigrant father who 'punch[ed] people' and 'blew its [dog's] head off' in front of him, a gay brother fourteen years older, and an emotionally distant mother who blamed herself for smothering his brother. These early experiences, coupled with being a virgin at age 21, led him to develop his method as a means to pursue the affection and validation he felt deprived of during his upbringing.