Gary and His Demons

Gary and His Demons was a dark comedy about an aging demon hunter named Gary who hated his job and wanted nothing more than to retire. The Demon Ministry had recruited him straight out of high school as the new Chosen One: a position assigned to its premiere agent for a period of fifteen years, which Gary had already held twice. Ministry Director Leslie wouldn’t allow him to step down until she could find a replacement — a task made difficult when the job qualification required special skills, like the ability to summon a magic sword, or to remotely view demons in psychic visions when they presented a danger.

In retrospect, Gary viewed his life with regret. From earliest childhood his parents had favored his ostentatious, older brother Steve. Even in their golden years they approved of Steve’s career choice as an up-and-coming corporate accountant to that of Gary’s profession as a shield for humanity against the forces of evil. Fortune further frowned upon Gary soon after he embarked upon his new career path, when the demon Fleshler killed his fiancée Janine. To top things off, when Gary’s mental state teetered on the edge due to his retirement being denied for the second time, Director Leslie thought to bolster Gary’s outlook by partnering him with agent Hanley, an upbeat rookie as yet untainted by the hazards of the profession. Good intentions aside, this was a partnership that Gary attempted to sabotage, as he preferred to work alone, sans the responsibilities of protecting someone new.

Despite his growing unconcern for the affairs of humanity, Gary pushed through each day as the world’s most effective, and frustrated, demon hunter. He may not have gotten satisfaction from his work, but then, no one ever decreed that the life of a savior should be easy… or fulfilling… or rewarding…