History Main / ConsummateProfessional

May be a member of a WeirdTradeUnion. {{Foil}} of TheSlacker and especially the ProfessionalSlacker.

May be a member of a WeirdTradeUnion. {{Foil}} of TheSlacker.

The Consummate Professional is also recognized for their [[TheGift uncanny talent]] at the chosen profession. Their no-nonsense attitude has allowed them to hone their skill to an almost supernatural degree, to the point their name (if actually known) becomes synonymous with excellence in their line of work. Be it playing the stock market, performing a military mission or killing a mark, they baffle others with their complete control and superlative skills. If they're on the shadier side of the law, [[BerserkButton don't ever compare 'em to common thugs]]; that's a wonderful way to end up in traction or worse. They're first and foremost a professional, and by definition above such scum because of their code. And for pete's sake, [[TemptingFate don't invoke a]] ContractOnTheHitman. As for a professional in a legitimate profession, they might be ruthless, but [[EvenEvilHasStandards they're never corrupt]]. They do not need to cheat or commit fraudulent actions; their skill places them beyond such petty strategies.

* The main character from the ''Film/TheTransporter'' movies usually tries to be this, but he always faces circumstances that force him to act against his code. He always regrets it, though, since he knows not adhering to his code always comes back to bite him.

* [[SubvertedTrope Subverted]] with Agent Smith in the ''Film/TheMatrix'' films: he acts that way because he's ''programmed'' to be that way. When he goes rogue, he becomes egomaniacal and emotional.

* The various assassins in the ''Film/TheBourneSeries''. The one that comes to mind is The Professor, the guy with the trenchcoat and glasses who gets gunned down in the wheat field in ''Identity''.

** This is the NinjaMaid Shiori's main archetype, with her being the [[RedOniBlueOni the blue oni to her sister Kanae's red oni]], as well as the Superego part of the two's FreudianTrio with Reina. Shiori's EvilCounterpart, the BattleButler Lattice, is also defined by this archetype as a NobleDemon.

* In ''VideoGame/StarWarsTheOldRepublic'', this is a possible way to play the Bounty Hunter, as a professional mercenary who prioritizes killing for money over [[ProudWarriorRaceGuys Mandalorian]] values and makes a point of fulfilling all contracts to the word while also trying not to judge their clients (which consists primarily of incompetent military officers and psychotic space wizards). Mako in particular tends to favor this approach, coupled with a bit of HitmanWithAHeart.

* Megaera from ''VideoGame/{{Hades}}'' takes her job of keeping [[AmicableExes her ex-boyfriend Zagreus]] from escaping from the Underworld very seriously. Even reigniting her romance with him won't keep her from repeatedly trying to kill him at full strength whenever he faces her (though to be fair, [[ResurrectiveImmortality it's not like actually killing him would have any permanent consequences]]).

This attitude is most of the time justified: their line of work makes any personal connection or moral compunction a liability. This doesn't mean they're a [[StrawVulcan complete cold fish]], it just means they prefer ethics to morals. Morals are broad and prone to emotional interpretation, ethics are specific and more efficient. While they might be willing to have a softer disposition towards friends or family, any client is treated impersonally and no better than the job demands. They may look down on the BunnyEarsLawyer who, while also competent, acts less professionally than they do. If there are [[CharacterAlignment alignments]] in play, they stick most to Lawful and Neutral alignments, rarely to Good ones (since an altruistic attitude doesn't lend itself to their ruthless dedication to their job) and NEVER to Chaotic. LawfulNeutral or LawfulEvil are the most common alignments associated with this trope.

* ComicBook/{{Deathstroke}} the Terminator. However, DependingOnTheWriter, Slade can be shown being very petty, sadistic and vindictive. Indeed, his first story arc has him going after the Titans for very unprofessional reasons.

* ComicBook/LexLuthor's [[WesternAnimation/SupermanTheAnimatedSeries bodyguard, Mercy Graves]], is usually this, though she betrays herself sometimes with a smirk or a mischievous smile.
* Despite being a self-employed vigilante, Frank Castle aka ComicBook/ThePunisher exemplifies this trope. He fights vampires and ninjas with the same stoic frown he has when fighting petty thugs.
* ''ComicBook/Robin1993'': Scarab is a serious [[ProfessionalKiller professional assassin]] who has only been seen smiling, rather briefly smirking, once in her many years in the comics and that was when she managed to thoroughly outmaneuver Red Robin while she wasn't working and didn't have any of her gear.
* This trope is the reason why ComicBook/SpiderMan villain the Shocker never tries to go any higher than c-list; rampant destruction doesn't pay and he knows better than to try anything bigger than theft since it draws more attention from the heroes.
* ''ComicBook/SuicideSquad'''s ComicBook/{{Deadshot}}, when he's not in one of his DeathSeeker moods. His handler, Amanda Waller, is one too.
* Of the MarvelUniverse mercs, ComicBook/{{Taskmaster}} is the one that most fits. Pretty much all the other mercs are nowhere near as professional or emotionally detached.
* ComicBook/{{Wolverine}} has served countless times in the military and has picked up a great many habits and skills with the years. Interestingly enough, he's always shown to be VERY serious and professional in that role, contrary to his usual authority-sticking personality. In fact, unless explicitly screwed by the hierarchy, he shows the utmost respect for the chain of command. ComicBook/CaptainAmerica is one soldier in particular he respects immensely. There's a strong case to be made that Wolverine's anti-authoritarian behavior with other superheroes stems from the fact that they don't measure up to his military standards of professionalism.

* In ''Series/{{Healer}}'', the titular [[HiredGun Healer]] is this: he does jobs for people, asks no questions, requires no information beyond an objective or paycheck, and forgets whatever he does find out.

* In ''VideoGame/{{Hitman}}'', Agent 47 is this canonically, and the player is encouraged to play the game as such (only killing the assigned target via the most covert manner possible, leaving no witnesses or evidence) in order to get the best rating on missions. However, the player can just say "screw it" and massacre the entire level with a machine-gun while dressed as a clown if they want.

* [[VideoGame/MetalGear Solid Snake]] started as this, but eventually softened up with time. In contrast, his daddy, Big Boss, who started out as a goofy, gullible, naive soldier and hardens into becoming this trope by the end of his tenure.

* In ''WebAnimation/{{Lackadaisy}},'' as Marigold Gang's triggerman, Mordecai Heller's reputation as a serious, straight-laced ProfessionalKiller precedes him. If only he weren't stuck as TheStraightMan and CommanderContrarian to "profoundly unprofessional" {{Blood Knight}}s Nico and Serafine, a pair of {{Overzealous Underling}}s who sidetrack him into an unnecessary CarChaseShootout in the name of "fun."

* Mordecai Heller of ''Webcomic/{{Lackadaisy}}'' is a sociopathic professional killer.
-->"It was nothing so indulgent as a ''grand time''. It was merely work ethic."

* ''WesternAnimation/BatmanBeyond'': The stand-in for the League Of Assassins.

* ''WesternAnimation/GravityFalls'': News reporter Shandra Jimenez, not only does she work for a local news channel that seems much more professional than "The Gravity Falls Gossiper", but when the apocalypse hits Gravity Falls in the ''Weirdmaggedon'' three-parter series finale, Shandra keeps right on going, surviving a few days into the end of the world, still reporting the news, and very bravely breaks into Bill's lair to show the citizens of Gravity Falls what's going on. And when she gets turned to stone, she takes it with dignity. A real reporter indeed.

* ''WesternAnimation/YoungJustice'': Deathstroke. Most notably when he's poised to kill the defeated Lagoon Boy and instead chooses to knock him out for no reason other than the young hero isn't ''currently'' on his employer's kill list.

* Bunk Moreland and Kima Greggs from ''Series/TheWire'', especially in comparison to Jimmy [=McNulty=], a CowboyCop who's initially Bunk's partner in Homicide and later works alongside Kima in the Major Crimes Unit.

* [[AntiHero Kyril Sutherland]] from ''Fanfic/TheNightUnfurls'' is a [[TheStoic serious]], [[CombatPragmatist pragmatic]], and [[NoNonsenseNemesis no-nonsense]] person concerned with getting the job done rather than being buddy-buddy with others, be it hunting down his prey as a HunterOfMonsters, or wiping out traitors as a BlackKnight. [[WorldsStrongestMan Uncannily effective]], and [[ConditionedToAcceptHorror unfazed]] to the bloodshed he causes in his wake. To him, this trope is what keeps himself from [[HeWhoFightsMonsters becoming]] as chaotic and bloodthirsty as the beasts he slew.

* Sousuke in ''LightNovel/FullMetalPanic''. He also applies this level of professionalism to his cover identity as a high school student, with hilarious results.

* ''LightNovel/RebuildWorld'':
** This is a good part of Akira’s character, as far as following his personal moral code is concerned: IGaveMyWord and IOweYouMyLife are extremely important to him; even if he doesn't like it, if he made a promise or a contract, he'll follow through with it. He’s often cold, but lets his guard down and laughs with his friends more and more over time as part of his TookALevelInKindness and TookALevelInCheerfulness CharacterDevelopment.
** This is the NinjaMaid Shiori’s main archetype, with her being the [[RedOniBlueOni the blue oni to her sister Kanae’s red oni]], as well as the Superego part of the two’s FreudianTrio with Reina. Shiori’s EvilCounterpart, the BattleButler Lattice, is also defined by this archetype as a NobleDemon.
** The CyberNinja Nelia, who comes across as a deranged lunatic, has the HiddenDepths of being this as far as her belief system is concerned. She tells Akira that she wants him to be her lover for the seconds it will take to kill him; what this actually means is that IGaveMyWord to complete the mission, which requires his death, and that she’s not going to compromise on that based on feelings. She also seems to start acting like a StalkerWithACrush on a battlefield, but it turns out she was simply following her orders as part of a CorporateConspiracy plot.

* In a mostly non-violent example, Pepper Potts from the ''Franchise/MarvelCinematicUniverse'' is '''the''' GirlFriday. She's utterly MarriedToTheJob, and that job is whatever [[RichIdiotWithNoDayJob Tony Stark]] [[CloudcuckoolandersMinder needs her to be]]. From breaking into a supervillain's office to steal files to running a multi-billion dollar company so he can focus on his gadgets, Pepper can do it all. Despite clearly being Tony's love interest, she has a history of refusing to date him if his immaturity interferes with her job (and, by extension, his own). The only thing that she's missing is the stoic demeanor, though [[WorldOfSnark that's hardly her fault]].

The Consummate Professional is also recognized for their [[TheGift uncanny talent]] at the chosen profession. Their no-nonsense attitude has allowed them to hone their skill to an almost supernatural degree, to the point their name (if actually known) becomes synonymous with excellence in their line of work. Be it playing the stock market, performing a military mission or killing a mark, they baffle others with their complete control and superlative skills. If they're on the shadier side of the law, [[BerserkButton don't ever call 'em a criminal or compare 'em to common thugs]]; that's a wonderful way to end up in traction or worse. They're first and foremost a professional, and by definition above such scum because of their code. And for pete's sake, [[TemptingFate don't invoke a]] ContractOnTheHitman. As for a professional in a legitimate profession, they might be ruthless, but [[EvenEvilHasStandards they're never corrupt]]. They do not need to cheat or commit fraudulent actions; their skill places them beyond such petty strategies.

* Deathstroke from ''WesternAnimation/YoungJustice'', oh so very much. Most notably when he's poised to kill the defeated Lagoon Boy and instead chooses to knock him out for no reason other than the young hero isn't ''currently'' on his employer's kill list.

* [[AntiHero Kyril Sutherland]] from ''Fanfic/TheNightUnfurls'' is a [[TheStoic serious]], [[CombatPragmatist pragmatic]], and [[NoNonsenseNemesis no-nonsense]] HunterOfMonsters. [[WorldsStrongestMan Uncannily]] [[LightningBruiser effective]], and [[ConditionedToAcceptHorror unfazed]] to the bloodshed he causes in his wake. To him, this trope is what keeps himself from [[HeWhoFightsMonsters becoming]] as chaotic and bloodthirsty as the beasts he slew.

* Paralictor Regill Derenge from ''VideoGame/PathfinderWrathOfTheRighteous'' is a [[TheBlackKnight Hellknight]] sent by the Order of the Rack to aid in closing [[{{Hellgate}} the Worldwound]], and embodies all the virtues of the Order to the point that being a Hellknight is practically his profession, life and entire personality. [[BeingPersonalIsntProfessional He reveals practically no personal information about himself or his past]], even when asked, as he considers it irrelevant to your shared goal of closing the Worldwound, rarely questions the Knight-Commander, regardless of alignment or ascension path, as long as you remain goal-oriented on said closing of the Worldwound, and even his 'personal quests' revolve entirely on strengthening your ties to the Hellknights so they can better aid you in closing the Worldwound. Oh, and [[SquareRaceRoundClass he's a Gnome]], and would rather [[SenseLossSadness die of the Bleaching]] [[OurGnomesAreWeirder than engage in any gnomish shenanigans that would distract him from focusing entirely on closing the Worldwound]].

-->-- '''Locus,''' ''Machinima/RedVsBlue''

* Locus in Seasons 11 and 12 of ''Machinima/RedVsBlue''. He's a cold-blooded killer, [[spoiler:willing to wipe out a planet]], but follows orders and doesn't care for evil gloating. As far as he's concerned, kill them and get it done with. [[spoiler:His partner, Felix, on the other hand... [[EvilGloating not]] [[VillainBall so]] [[BondVillainStupidity much]].]] Season 13 reveals, however, [[spoiler:that deep down Locus is also a [[BrokenBird heavily traumatized soldier]] from his experiences fighting the Covenant in the Great War and acting the role of the professional is just as much a [[BecomingTheMask way to cope]] as it is a lifestyle, something that [[ManipulativeBastard Felix]] exploits to keep him around]].

[[folder:Film]]

* ''Anime/LegendOfGalacticHeroes'': Many of the characters are like this, but Paul von Oberstein is the most notable: he can calculate and order mass slaughter executed and suggest ''his own death'' without batting an eyelid.

* ''Film/ReservoirDogs'' gives us [[TheSpock Mr. Pink]], who not only personifies this trope, but is ''obsessed'' with it. His primary argument throughout the film is that no one (except himself) is acting like a professional criminal. Some fans suspect that his obsessive attempts to act "professional" might actually be a cover for him being the least experienced out of the criminals and that he's going by the book (or the criminals' variation of it) because he's totally out of his depth.

Quite self-explanatory: a character who is characterized by their intense professionalism and intolerance of the lack thereof in others.

* Duke Togo, AKA Manga/Golgo13. You contact him, you meet him, you pay him, he takes his target out. No questions, no strings attached, no target is off-bounds. If you choose to attach strings, he'll deny you his services or kill you for the trouble. Once a hit is on, he will go ahead with it, even if the client dies or attempts to call off the hit. Once he has accepted a contract, the only conclusion is with the target's death. Any attempt at betrayal is met with death.
** In one instance his target [[spoiler:was falling from a skyscraper, certain to die on impact. Duke shot him in the head just before impact and completed the contract]].

* ''ComicBook/RobinSeries'' and ComicBook/RedRobin villain Scarab is a serious [[ProfessionalKiller professional assassin]] who has only been seen smiling, rather briefly smirking, once in her many years in the comics and that was when she managed to thoroughly outmaneuver Red Robin while she wasn't working and didn't have any of her gear.

[[folder:Fanfiction]]