Mike

Notice: Mike can either die in A Criminal Mastermind, or survive and die later during On A Crash Course. This article treats him as if he survived the first level.

"High noon, Sheriff. DRAW!"

―Mike the Cowboy

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Mike, known better as "The Cowboy", is a member of Vladimir Lem's Russian Mob. His exact rank in the Mob was unknown, but he possibly was Lem's bodyguard or lieutenant.

A Russian mobster with affection for stereotypical western films and themes, as well often mimicing them, Mike is rather cheerful and relaxed person like his boss, yet very expert firearms wielder, able to take down a small group of Mafia goon by only himself and his trusty Kalashnikov.

In 2003, Mike helps in the defence of Vlad's restaurant, Vodka, from Vincent Gognitti and the Punchinello crime family, being aided by the NYPD detective Max Payne. The two manage to kill the goons, save Vlad, and scare off Gognitti.

After his boss betrayed Payne, the latter attacks Vodka, only to find it to be guarded by Mike and many of Lem's men. Mike orders his men to kill their former ally, taunting the NYPD detective in the progress thourgh the the public address system.

Eventually, Max gets to Vlad's office, guarded by Mike and another mobster. Mike and Max engage in a short gun fight, and Mike gets killed.

Biography

Background

Mike's background is relatively unknown, his accent and affiliation implies that he is of Russian heritage. At some point prior to 2003, Mike joined to the Russian Mob led by his 'friend', Vladimir Lem.

He got his nickname, "the Cowboy," from his affection for stereotypical western films and symbols, such as "Billy the Kid". It is also known that he is a fan of "The Adventures of Captain BaseBallBat-Boy", commenting that it is a goo and funny show.

Shootout at Vodka

"Hey! You're Max Payne! [...] Max, I'm Mike, one of Valdimir's friends. You are the sheriff? well, how about making me your deputy?"

―Mike meeting Max Payne.

In 2003, the Underboss of the Punchinello crime family, Vincent Gognitti, attacks the restaurant of Vlad, Vodka. Gognitti's men kill many of Vlad's men, but survives.

Mike first meets Max Payne, after he solely killed a small group of Vinnie's men, introducing himself as Vlad's friend, and helps Max in the latter's fight to save Vlad. The two kill kill a group of mobsters who try to steal stash from the club, but are killed by Mike and Max, who take some of the ammo.

Mike helps Max to find Vlad, who's outgunned against Gognitti and his men. Gognitti sends his men to finish off Max and Mike, who are able to kill the men who were sent by the Underboss.

As he escapes due to the police's arrival, Vinnie shoots at Mike and Max, but misses. Mike and Max approache Vlad, who greets them as his hero(s). As Vald and Max go to talk, Mike possibly either checking the damage done for the club, or talking to the police officers.

Betrayal and death

"Everyone! Get ready. Get your gun. Get him!"

―Mike ordering his men to kill Max Payne.

After Max understands Vlad's betrayal at him, as well his true plans, Max arrives again to Vodka, in order to confront Lem, finds out that Mike is in charge of the club.

Max storms the club and kills the two guards who were protecting the entering. Mike identifies Max, and informs his comrades that he is the intruder. As Max fight across the club to find Vlad's office, Mike taunts him through the public address system, telling his men to kill the detective, and asking the 'score'.

Eventually, Max gets to Vlad's office, guarded by Mike and another mobster. Mike and Max engage in a short gun fight, in which Max kills Mike's partner, and finally Mike himself.

Personality and traits

Similar to his boss Vlad, Mike often has cheerful and relaxed persona; much of his fight at Vodka serves as a comical relief, and his conversations are often humorists. Even during dangerous times such as gunfights, Mike taounts his enemies, such as the Punchinellos and later Max Payne.

His personal habits seem to be his fondness of westren films and theme, often adding some westren pons in his quotes, and watching the The Adventures of Captain BaseBallBat-Boy, saying that it is a good show and "very funny baseball bat."

Despite his calm nature, Mike seems to be very experienced with firearms, managing to solely kill four Punchinello goons with using only his Kalashnikov.

Appearance

Mike is a man of average size, around the height of Max and Vladimir. He has a short combed blonde hair, and dark-brown eyes. He has a few light-colored bristles on his face.

Mike often wears a thick sleeveless light-yellow jacket on a brown long-sleeved sweater that has rhombus-like shapes on it. He wears an army-like pair of pants, and black boots.

Equipment

• Kalashnikov - a Russian-made assault rifel. Very popular weaopns among the Russian Mob. This is Mike's main and only weapon.

Behind the scenes

Death

Mike is an ally NPC in the A Criminal Mastermind chapter of Max Payne 2. He is expendable in it and whether he dies or not determines the end cutscene of the chapter and the final enemy in the On A Crash Course chapter:

• If Mike survives the first level, he appears together with Max Payne in the closing cutscene where Gognitti escapes from Vodka and Payne meets Vladimir Lem. Then, in the second level, he is the final mini-boss and speaks through the restaurant's speakers. Unlike his would-be replacement, he knows that it is in fact Max attacking Vlad's restuarant, and not Mona Sax.
• If Mike dies, he will no longer be seen in the game, and in the second chapter will be replaced by an unnamed Russian who mistakes Max for Mona and is slightly weaker than Mike.

It is unknown which Mike's death is canonical.

Fight strategy

Mike is slightly tougher than an average enemy, but weaker than the other bosses such as Vlad and Kaufman. When Max encounters him for the boss fight, Mike's back is turned. As such it is relatively easy for Max to kill him. Two shots to the head with a high caliber weapon or a direct hit with a Molotov cocktail should be enough to incapacitate Mike.

Appearances

• Max Payne 2:
  • A Criminal Mastermind
  • On A Crash Course _{(if survived the previous chapter)}

Quotes

"How do you like it now?"

―To Punchinellos.

"That's right."

―To Max Payne

"They asked for it. Just follow the trail."

―To Max Payne on the Mafia.

Max Payne 2 characters