Stanley “Sheemie” Ruiz is a fictional character in author Stephen King’s
The Dark Tower series. Slow-witted but good-hearted, Sheemie plays a pivotal role in Roland’s early and later life.
Sheemie is the son of Delores Sheemer, a prostitute at the Traveller’s Rest. His father is likely Stanley Ruiz, the Rest’s bartender. After his mother’s death, Sheemie turns to Stanley for help, and, taking pity on the boy, Stanley keeps an eye on him.
Characterized by his inky black hair and his tendency to wear a pink
sombrera, Sheemie works around the Rest. His job consists of cleaning up after the previous night’s revelry and making deliveries for Coral Thorin, owner of the Rest. Sheemie’s companion for these deliveries is his mule Caprichoso, whom he calls Cappi for short. Coral likes having Sheemie around because the boy does his work and doesn’t cause any trouble.
Sheemie makes a lifelong friend in Cuthbert Allgood, who saves him from the wrath of Roy Depape when the boy accidentally spills a drink on Depape’s boots.
Later in the series, Sheemie turns up as one of the Breakers at Algul Siento. Befriended by Ted Brautigan and Dinky Earnshaw, it is discovered he has the ability to teleport himself and others. Roland had often wondered how Sheemie followed him and his ka-tet from Hambry, and believes Sheemie must have teleported himself over the Xay River after the boys had destroyed the bridge there. This ability takes a toll on his health, but in the end it is a cut on his foot that kills him.
Original artwork by Jae Lee and Richard Isanove
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References
Flamini, Anthony. The Dark Tower: Gunslinger's Guidebook. Marvel Publishing, Inc., 2007.
Furth, Robin. Stephen King’s The Dark Tower: The Complete Concordance. Scribner, 2006. ISBN 0743297342