The Meaning of Rock-Paper-Scissors in Butcher & Blackbird

What Is Rock-Paper-Scissors in the Novel?

In Butcher & Blackbird, rock-paper-scissors is not merely a childhood game of chance. It becomes a recurring decision-making device between the rival serial killers Sloane Sutherland (the Blackbird) and Rowan Kane (the Butcher of Boston). The game appears in three distinct contexts across the story: as a formal tiebreaker in their annual competition, as a playful method for settling trivial disagreements, and as a surprising tool for emotional communication.

Where the Motif Appears

The symbol first appears in the Prologue. After seven days of their August face-off, the rivals end in a tie. They agree to break the deadlock with a best-of-five rock-paper-scissors match, with the winner claiming the mysterious prize known as the Forest Phantom. The outcome is deliberately withheld, allowing the motif to carry weight forward.

The second occurrence takes place in Chapter 3 (outline chapter 10). When Sloane and Rowan text about their hunt, Rowan proposes that if neither finds the target in seven days, they will have to “play rock-paper-scissors, you bitch.” The joke reinforces their antagonistic yet flirtatious dynamic. Sloane’s heartbeat spikes at the message, revealing her excitement.

In Chapter 5 (outline chapter 12), Rowan tries to trick Sloane out of her Kindle so he can read about a “two-dicked dragon man.” When she refuses, he immediately challenges her to rock-paper-scissors. She declines at first, but he persists with “Come on, Blackbird. I need some dragonman DP.” This moment shows how the game has become a shared inside joke.

The most poignant use comes in Chapter 18 (outline chapter 25). After an intense sexual scene, Sloane cannot sleep. Rowan uses rock-paper-scissors to ask why she did not leave after he killed Francis. Sloane’s answer — that she stayed because he needed her — transforms the game from a trivial tiebreaker into a vessel for vulnerability and confession.

How the Meaning Shifts

Throughout the story, the rock-paper-scissors motif evolves across three emotional registers:

In the prologue, the game is a literal tiebreaker between two skilled hunters — a neutral, almost sport-like resolution. By the time Rowan and Sloane meet in person, the game becomes a flirtatious ritual, a way to negotiate small favours while maintaining their competitive edge. The final occurrence strips away all pretense: Rowan uses the familiar structure to ask a question he cannot phrase directly, and Sloane answers with raw honesty. The simple hand game becomes the bridge over which two guarded killers allow themselves to be seen.

Connections to Themes and Characters

The Blending of Violence and Intimacy

Rock-paper-scissors is a non-violent game, yet it is employed by characters who regularly commit extreme violence. Its presence highlights how Sloane and Rowan weave tenderness into their bloody world. The game becomes a safe space where they can make decisions without bloodshed, paradoxically strengthening their bond. This theme is explored further on our page about the blending of violence and intimacy.

Rivalry and Partnership

The motif directly embodies the rivalry-and-partnership theme. From the prologue’s tie-breaking contest to the later playful bets, each round of rock-paper-scissors acknowledges their mutual respect as equal competitors. The game levels the playing field — neither has an inherent advantage, reinforcing that their relationship is built on symmetry.

Vulnerability and Trust

The most emotionally charged use of the game occurs when Rowan asks why Sloane stayed. By choosing rock-paper-scissors rather than a direct verbal question, Rowan reveals his own hesitation and fear of rejection. Sloane’s willingness to answer honestly, and his blush when she does, demonstrates mutual vulnerability and trust. The game becomes a mask that lets them speak without losing their hard-won defenses.

For deeper insight into the characters who wield this symbol, see the profiles of Sloane Sutherland (Blackbird) and Rowan Kane (Butcher of Boston).

Why Rock-Paper-Scissors Works for These Characters

Traditional communication would be too direct for two people accustomed to deception and violence. The ritual of the game provides structure. It is quick, binary, and implies a shared language. For Rowan and Sloane, who hunt killers and maintain constant vigilance, the simplicity of rock-paper-scissors offers a moment of childlike clarity. It is the one arena where neither can cheat or manipulate — the outcome is truly random, forcing them to accept whatever result emerges.

In a story that repeatedly asks whether killers can love, rock-paper-scissors serves as a tiny proof that they can. They can play. They can lose. They can ask hard questions without weapons drawn. The motif ultimately reinforces the novel’s central message: even amid gore and trauma, genuine connection is possible through small, willing acts of surrender.

Study Questions and Answers

1. How does the meaning of rock-paper-scissors change from the prologue to chapter 18?

In the prologue, the game is a neutral tiebreaker used to settle the annual competition. By chapter 18, it transforms into a vehicle for emotional confession — Rowan asks Sloane why she stayed after the Francis kill, and she reveals she needed him. The shift moves the symbol from external rivalry to internal vulnerability.

2. Why does Rowan choose rock-paper-scissors instead of directly asking Sloane why she stayed?

Rowan is a man who uses control and violence to keep distance. A direct question would expose his own need and fear of rejection. Rock-paper-scissors allows him to frame the question as a game, lowering the stakes and giving both of them an out. The randomness of the result also matches his uncertainty about her feelings.

3. What does Sloane’s response to the game in chapter 18 reveal about her character?

Sloane’s answer — that she stayed because Rowan needed her — shows that her identity as a solitary killer has shifted. She acknowledges that her decision was based on emotional connection rather than strategic gain. This moment marks her willingness to be vulnerable, which is a departure from her earlier caution.

4. How does the motif of rock-paper-scissors relate to the theme of “found family among killers”?

The game creates a private language between Sloane and Rowan, a ritual only they share. By playing together — whether to break a tie, win a trivial bet, or confess feelings — they build the foundation of a partnership that functions like a family. The simplicity of the hand game contrasts with their brutal profession, yet it becomes one of the most intimate ways they connect. For more on this theme, see our page about found family among killers.