Chapter 2: Michael James

Michael James, the son (and undoubtedly heir) of the James Saloon had taken a liking to his sister McGayle. He thought her to be quite attractive, funny and the apple of his eye. He once confided in companion, Tommy Watson, that he would one day marry his older sister. Little Tommy Watson, being a boy and inclined to have fun, soon spread this knowledge to every one in the little school house which doubled as their congregation hall (or church).

The Preacher, John McGill, was also the town's school teacher and when the word came around to him, he obviously felt the need to have a discussion with Michael James. McGill let all the children out for a recess, but asked Michael to stay in and talk with him. He tried, in vain, to persuade Michael that he should consider the fact that there are many other girls in the world and there might be one funner and prettier than his dear sister, McGayle. Michael was never convinced by McGill, not even for a moment, stating, "McGayle is the prettiest, funniest girl in the world... I will marry her."

John McGill was not satisfied with this being the conclusion of the matter and so made his way to the James Saloon later that week. He met with Jonathon in the kitchen and discussed the future of his family. He soon found that trying to convince someone who married into incest to not let his children follow in the same path is about as productive as trying to convince a tree to stay green all winter long; the leaves are gonna turn and that's the way life is. Jonathon assured McGill, "If the boy wants to marry McGayle, than the boy's gonna marry McGayle, that is, if she'll have him. It's not our matter, John, it's up to the kids." Unbeknownst to McGill and Jonathon, Michael chimed in on their little kitchen conversation just in time to hear his father's final words on the matter. He smiled and thought to himself, She will have me, I know she loves me.

Michael, being excited and reassured of himself, made haste into the bar where he found his mother and sister Mary entertaining Tommy Watson's father.

"Where's McGayle?" Michael inquired of his mother, Wilma.

"She's upstairs," she responded but was quickly distracted by her client's flirtations, she giggled and swigged her whiskey, "You are too much, Mr. Watson."

The upstairs of the James Saloon was the home side of the establishment. The sisters shared a room, the parents shared a room and Michael had a room all to his self. This was also where Mary, McGayle and Wilma would further entertain clients that felt the need to be and had the money to spare. Unfortunately, Michael was completely innocent of the entertaining his female family members indulged in. Though he maintained his innocence, he wasn't completely ignorant of the concept of sex between lovers, since McGill occasionally taught hellfire and brimstone from the pulpit in regard to the lusts of the flesh. At the top of the stairs, he made his way to the third bedroom door, for this was the room his sisters shared. Without hesitation, he grabbed the doorknob and walked right in, "McGayle", he shouted in glee as he entered, but boyish cheer quickly turned to shock and disgust as he witnessed his beloved sister engaging in intercourse with Tommy Watson's elder brother, Paul.

"Get out, Michael, I'm busy!" McGayle shouted with neither hesitation nor interruption.

Michael James slammed the door in anger, rushed to his room and began to cry. He had come to believe that McGayle really cared for him, that she really loved him. And she did, but not in the way the boy had hoped. She loved him, as a sister would her brother. He was confused and frightened. He was angry and hateful. In this moment of rash thinking, feeling of abandonment and pure hatred he made a wish. A wish, that under normal circumstances, would go against the grain of his existence. He wished that McGayle would die; that her life would be taken from here in a violent and spiteful manner. He wished it not once, but continually with tears in his eyes and running over his cheeks. Michael James, for the moment, truly and sincerely hated his sister, McGayle, and cursed her name without remorse. And with this, he awoke The Monster from its slumber. It heard his request, packed its things, saddled up and galloped towards Canyon City.