Introduction
CUPID VS. POLLUX. First published in the Yellow Jacket volume XIII number 20, Howard Payne College on February 10, 1927.
The story humorously explores themes of love’s distraction, the pride of athletes, and the fickleness of infatuation, all set against the backdrop of collegiate sportsmanship and boxing.
Summary
The story “Cupid vs. Pollux” is a humorous tale set around a college boxing tournament. The narrator, Steve, is frustrated to find his friend Spike, a massive and unromantic figure, suddenly smitten with love, neglecting his training for an important fight. Spike, typically nonchalant about boxing, decides to participate in the tournament only because the girl he admires will be watching, believing that women love physical strength combined with manly beauty.
Steve, who has been managing Spike and trying to get him in shape, is infuriated by Spike’s distraction but is relieved when Spike decides to fight. As the tournament progresses, the college’s fortunes are mixed until it’s time for the heavyweight event, which Spike is participating in.
Spike’s opponent is Monk Gallranan, a brute from Burke’s University, comparable in size and strength to Spike. The bout is anticipated due to Spike’s newfound motivation to impress his lady love. The fight is a display of raw power and little technique, and Spike nearly wins with his superior infighting, taught by Steve. However, in the last round, just as Spike is about to address his sweetheart after apparently securing victory, Monk gets up and knocks Spike out with a surprise punch.
After the loss, Spike dismissively declares that he is done with girls, indicating that he’s learned his lesson. Steve philosophically remarks that this revelation alone makes the knockout worthwhile.
Characters
- Steve Costigan – The narrator of the story and manager of the boxing entries from their college for the intercollegiate boxing tournament. He is also Spike’s friend and attempts to prepare him for the competition.
- Spike Moran – The main character, a large and usually unromantic boxer who becomes infatuated with a girl and decides to participate in the boxing tournament to impress her. He is ultimately knocked out due to his own overconfidence and distraction by love.
- Tarantula Soons – A fellow student at the fraternity house who directs Steve to Spike’s location.
- Monk Gallranan – Spike’s opponent from Burke’s University, equally as large and strong as Spike, who wins the boxing match with a surprise punch.
- Spike’s Girl – The unnamed girl who captures Spike’s affection and is the reason for his temporary shift in focus from boxing to romance. Her presence at the match is significant to Spike, although it leads to his downfall in the bout.
Published in:
- THE YELLOW JACKET Volume XIII Number 20, Howard Payne College, February 1927
- THE HOWARD COLLECTOR #7, Glenn Lord, Winter 1965
- THE HOWARD COLLECTOR, Ace, April 1979
- SHADOW HAWK (TEN’ JASTREBA), North-West, 1998 (Russian)
- THE COMPLETE YELLOW JACKET, Hermanthis, December 1999 (1st edition)
- THE COMPLETE YELLOW JACKET, Hermanthis, October 2001 (2nd edition)
- THE COMPLETE YELLOW JACKET, Hermanthis, 2002 (2nd printing, 2nd edition)
- WEST IS WEST & OTHERS, Roehm & Runions, February 2006
- WEST IS WEST & OTHERS, Roehm’s Room Press, April 2007
- THE COLLECTED BOXING STORIES OF ROBERT E. HOWARD, Halcyon Press, Ltd., December 2009
- SENTIMENT: AN OLIO OF RARER WORKS, REH Foundation Press, December 2009
- THE ROBERT E. HOWARD OMNIBUS: 99 COLLECTED STORIES, Halcyon Press, Ltd., May 2010
- HOMBRES DE HIERRO Y OTROS RELATOS DEL CUADRILÁTERO, La Biblioteca del Laberinto, May 2011 (Spanish)
- SCHOOL DAYS IN THE POST OAKS, REH Foundation Press, May 2011
- THE COLLECTED BOXING FICTION OF ROBERT E. HOWARD: FISTS OF IRON, REH Foundation Press, June 2013
- CAVALEIROS DO CREPÚSCULO E OUTRAS HISTÓRIAS, Red Dragon Publisher, July 2023 (Portuguese)