Wes Olmstead remembers being on his grandfather's farm on the day that a gamecock took down a wild hound that was threatening its flock of hens. He thought his grandfather was exaggerating when he spoke of the prowess of gamecocks, but that afternoon left Wes with a newfound appreciation for the spirit living within the carefully bred birds. Later in life, Wes becomes a businessman. He has just closed a deal with John E., and the two are out celebrating and drinking. Wes discovers a new love for business, and is not content to wait till Monday morning to make more money. He and John go to Mama Mamie's, where there is coincidentally a cockfight happening. Although John is reluctant, Wes makes his way to the ring and catches sight of an Arkansas Traveller, also called a 'Blue,' which resembles the bird he saw on his grandfather's farm. Humbled once again by the bravery he witnessed on that day, Wes decides that he must bet on that Blue. A large, intimidating man bets him a hundred dollars that he does not really have, but Wes's confidence doesn't shake. The fight happens too quickly for them to really know what happened, and as Wes pieces it together, he sees that the Blue has won. The opponent, a 'Bronze,' lays paralysed and dying, but Wes is consumed with thoughts about how this breed of gamecocks does not fear death. The Bronze leaps toward the Blue with the last of its strength, knowing that it was a fatal move to make, and Wes is so humbled by the fighting spirit he sees in the birds that he loathes the idea of cheapening it with money. The stranger tries to make Wes take the money he won, but Wes loses his temper and starts a fight. Mamie, the proprietor of Mama Mamie's, comes to break up the fight. Wes is thrown out and warned never to return - from outside, he tries throwing a brick through the window, and is stopped by a policeman.