James (ジェームズ, Jēmuzu) is a primary ally featured in The Mysterious Manor the Widow Kept Expanding: Winchester Mystery House, the fifth episode of The Lives of Eccentrics.
He is a loyal butler of Sarah Winchester who tries to protect her against the vengeful spirits of the soldiers killed by the rifles manufactured by her family's company.[1]
Appearance
James has long, light combed back hair. During Sarah’s first meeting with the fortune teller, he wears a long jacket with a fedora. During the construction of the wine cellar, James wears a shirt with a puff tie and a long vest with a belt over it.
When disguised as Sarah Winchester, James is nearly indistinguishable from his mistress, as he is able to fool the vengeful spirits following her. James wears a wig, a netted veil with a brimless hat with spiky edges, a night gown decorated with small puff balls, as well as knee-high socks.
Personality
James is loyal to his mistress, Sarah Winchester, following all of her orders without question. He also seems to be quite protective of her, often reacting aggressively whenever he thinks that his mistress is being disrespected. Such devotion stems from his deep love for Sarah. Ever since he began working for her, he was hoping that she would reciprocate.
He seems to act cold towards others, which can be assumed from his aggressive attitude towards the construction workers as well as his apprehensiveness towards the fortune teller.
History
Background
James was hired by Sarah Winchester as a butler after the passing of her husband. Since then, he was deeply in love with her, hoping that one day she may reciprocate. James was present when Sarah first met the fortune teller, who told her about the vengeful spirits following her. He asked if the fortune teller said anything rude. Sarah reassured James and told him to return to the carriage.
Winchester Mystery House
In 1906, during the construction of the Winchester Mystery House, he notices a dark, foul-smelling handprint in the wine cellar. He, as per his mistress’s request, demands the construction workers explain its origin, get rid of it and, after yet another request, destroy the whole cellar. James then immediately tells them that they're all fired, as he thought that they’ve looked at her face underneath the veil, which is prohibited even in their contracts. When one of the workers goes to investigate the handprint, his face gets impaled by nails.
After the completion of the house, James and Sarah begin to switch places at night in order to confuse the spirits; at the same time, James is disguised as his mistress. On one such occasion, James is found by the spirits, convinced that he is Sarah. After washing his face, he notices a peculiar smell seeping from the outside. He opens the window to investigate and sees a produce bag with a dark handprint. The handprint grabs James's hair and begins pulling it inside the bag. James shuts the window in panic. With his hair stuck in the window, James notices a drawer out of his reach. Using his veil to catch the handle, he opens the drawer and grabs a razor, with which he cuts off his hair. The bag squeezes through the window and launches at James. He attempts to defend himself with the razor, but the hand extending from the bag takes it from him and cuts the side of his face.
James manages to escape into another room, where he immediately calls the fortune teller, begging for help. While being strangled by the spirit’s right hand, she tells him to run, as the house is about to be destroyed by an earthquake. The building begins to collapse; the left hand extends from a piece of rubble and grabs James’s face. Suddenly, Sarah Winchester appears from a hatch on the floor, takes his arm, and pulls him to safety. As James falls down, he loses his disguise. Sarah thanks him for his efforts. The butler confesses his love for Sarah, but she rebukes him, unwilling to lose someone she loves again.
Quotes
Quotes- “This isn't about the handprint. You saw the mistress as she spoke. Well? Didn't you see her? Her face was covered by a veil, but your eyes were still on her, correct? You've been laid off because the mistress forbids anyone from seeing her face. That was the condition you were all hired under, so get out! (手形がどーこーではない 今 おまえ奥様の方を見てしゃべったな ン？見ただろ？ 見たよな？ベールでお顔は隠されてるが視線は奥様だったよな？ クビの理由は… 奥様を真っ直ぐ見る事は誰も許されない…… その契約で君らは雇われた だからすぐに出て行け！)”
- “It's nothing, madam. For your sake, I would gladly offer up my life, time and time again... As I've said, madam, I love you. Ever since this mansion began construction, I have always adored you... Would you ever reciprocate these feelings of mine...? (とんでもございません 奥様のためなら…… この命いくつでもさし出せます……… お慕い申しております…奥様 この館を建て始める………ずっと前から…… ずっと慕っております…………いつになったらこの気持ちが受け入れられるのでしょう……)”
Gallery
Pages 2–3, full color
Page 4, full color
James yelling at construction workers
Defending himself from a vengeful spirit with a razor
Cut by the razor
Begging the fortune teller for help
Caught by the spirit
Sarah coming out of the floor and grabbing James's arm
Losing his disguise
Sarah and James, returned to safety
