The scene opens in Houma town centre. Jim has
just left the local amusement arcade, and he goes to the edge
of the sidewalk to get his bike which has been left there.
Unknown to him, two men are watching him with interest from a
black van parked across the street from him. They look
positively sinister. Inside the van, one of the men asks if
it’s him, watching and nodding at Jim. “Uh
huh.” The second man (who is very probably an as yet
unnamed Graham since he’s played by Kevin Quigley)
confirms. The first man opens the van door and makes to
leave, but Graham reaches out and holds him back. “Not
here.” He mutters, feeling that the street has too many
witnesses. The first man shuts the door again and they both
go back to observing Jim with menace as the boy gets on his
bike and rides off.
Desolated after
failing the audition for "The Blues
Brothers", Graham turns to a life of crime !
Now well out of town, Jim is riding his bike
on a dirt track leading into the swamp. We see the same black
van appear behind him. It puts on a bit of speed and
overtakes him, before pulling over and stopping in front of
Jim, cutting him up. Jim stops and gets off his bike, furious
with them; “Hey! Why don’t you stupid guys watch
where you’re going!?” He shouts angrily. He goes
quiet as he sees Graham get out of the van hurriedly,
carrying a large sack, before running round the front of the
van towards him. Jim makes a run for it, but the other thug
gives chase as well, and Jim is soon captured. Jim screams
for help as both the men attempt to bundle him into the sack.
His cap comes off, and Graham retrieves it. They finally
succeed in getting him into the sack and they tie it; and the
first thug slings Jim over his shoulder and carries him to
the back of the van where he’s thrown in
unceremoniously. Graham then tosses the cap in with him and
shuts the door. He looks around warily to make sure they
haven’t been witnessed, then he gets in the van and they
drive off. On the dirt track, all that’s left is
Jim’s bike, it’s wheel still spinning.
It’s early evening in the swamp. The place has a quiet,
mysterious feel to it. Dr. Arcane arrives, carrying with him
a cat basket. He smiles and looks around, before crouching
down and placing the basket on the ground beside him as he
sees something ahead of him. “I hope you’re
ravenous, my pet.” He says affectionately; “In
fact, there’s a great big fat, juicy tortoise out here
for you to sink you’re teeth into.” He says softly
as he opens the mesh door of the basket; “In fact, the
entire swamp is yours to feast on;” He adds. Coming out
of the basket is a bizarre creature: A segmented, wormlike
thing about two feet long, with malevolent vivid red eyes and
a vast mouth full of huge sharp teeth. Both Arcane and the
creature are regarding a tortoise on the ground a few yards
in front of them. “Bon appetite!” Arcane quips, and
the creature lunges forward at a surprisingly fast pace and
descends on the tortoise. Sickening sounds of crunching and
feasting can be heard.
"Well frankly,
Arcane, I'm getting sick of being called 'Swamp Thing' !
It's offensive and derogatory! I prefer the term 'Genetically
challenged wetlands
botanic mutant!' Do I make myself clear!!"
All this has attracted Alec’s
attention; who arrives and looks down at the scene in
progress. Arcane grins broadly, as though he’s expected
this. Alec bends down and makes to grab the worm, but
it’s too quick for him and escapes, scuttling off into
the undergrowth. The creature no longer a current concern,
Alec turns his attention to Arcane; walking forward with a
determined and menacing stride.
As he sees Alec, Arcane gets to his feet and looks straight
at him, seemingly preparing himself for whatever showdown is
to come. He has a somewhat arrogant look on his face; not at
all fearful as might be expected. Alec grabs him by the
throat and lifts him clean off the ground.
“Arcane.” He intones; “You’ve just
performed your last foul act!” Still hoisted in mid air,
Arcane manages to turn his head around and down to look Alec
in the eyes. “I don’t think so.” He manages to
utter with total confidence, giving a smile suggesting he
still has a card left to play. Curious, Alec puts the man
back down on the ground. Arcane appears in minor discomfort
as Alec releases him. He gives a slight gasp and puts his
hand to his throat; but his smug expression remains
throughout. “What was that creature you set loose?”
Alec wants to know. Arcane’s still playing the scenario
as though in total control. “Well, since you’re so
interested; that was no creature. That was a little pet of
mine.” He strolls a couple of yards away from Alec,
turning his back to him so that we can see his face, but Alec
can’t. He gives a smile. “Granted, he’s not
your ordinary household pet;” he continues what appears
to be a rehearsed spiel as Alec scrutinises him; “but
then it’s not just any ordinary pet who has the urge to
devour every living thing that comes in it’s way.”
He turns back to face Alec. “Course, you’d probably
give him indigestion; but there’s plenty of other
animals for him to enjoy.” He says casually.
“You’re mad, Arcane. It’s time you were
stopped!” Alec sounds like he’s being pushed too
far. Arcane’s smile becomes bitter. He pauses a moment
before speaking. “I’m not mad....I’m a
genius!” He snarls; “and I don’t think you
REALLY want to stop me under the circumstances.....”
Alec now begins to move towards Arcane with a determined, and
decidedly unfriendly look; Arcane sees the immediate danger;
“TOUCH ME....” He shouts very hastily, pointing at
Alec for emphasis; “....and you’ll never see the
Kipp brat again!” This stops Alec dead in his tracks.
“What does Jim have to do with this?” He asks, now
standing very close to Arcane. “Nothing;” Arcane
has now resumed his calm and gloating manner again as he
turns his back to Alec again; “That’s what’s
so unfortunate for him.” He says, as he explains that he
had to have Jim kidnapped to prevent Alec from interfering
with his present project. He turns back to face Alec again
with a gloating smirk; “And I’m the only one who
knows where he’s hidden.” He’s finally played
his card. “What do you want?” Alec asks sternly.
“Not much.” Arcane says casually, sounding almost
benign and magnanimous; “Leave me alone and I’ll
free Jim.” He makes it sound so simple. Alec regards him
silently. Arcane continues, putting a little more
metaphorical icing on the cake; “If not, there’s
likely to be one more mutant in the world....” His tone
is casual, mocking and arrogant; “....say about so high,
with blond hair.” He puts his hand to a level about
Jim’s height, to put his point across further. He looks
at Alec, waiting for the reply he knows he’ll get. Alec
regards him icily. “I don’t have any choice.”
He finally intones. “Well, I have to look out for my
pets, you see.” Arcane pushes the situation further,
knowing he’s got control; “I’ve got five more
ready to go if this one’s a success;” He grins
malevolently; “which means when I unleash them all,
they’ll eat the entire swamp....including you.”
Alec watches him with a stony gaze. Arcane is milking the
situation for all it’s worth and feigns sympathy;
“Oh....you’ll get your little friend back by 4
am.” He patronises Alec; “That should give me
enough time to make sure my pet’s been properly
trained.” He walks back to Alec, standing close and
facing him; “And, incidentally, that’s about the
time when Jim’s Oxygen will run out.” He gives one
of his very best prolonged, broad, triumphant, oily, gloating
smiles to give his last statement more effect as Alec regards
him with building and brooding anger. Arcane simply looks at
his watch, making a real meal out of the whole situation;
“In fact, he has exactly 8 hours and 45 minutes.”
He gloats again and gives Alec a gentle little pat on the
chest; “Well, toodleoo!” He casually mocks Alec
with the superficially cheerful goodbye as he turns, picks up
the basket, and walks away into the bushes. “You’ll
regret you ever did this, Arcane.” Alec gives a
heartfelt, if somewhat impotent threat; “You’ll pay
for this someday!” he swears, as Arcane heads off
through the bushes and out of sight.
((That does it!! If
that little creep touches me just once
more like that, I'm filing for harassment!!))
Meanwhile, Jim appears to be trapped in a
small enclosure. He has a candle for light, and very little
else. As the scene pans out, we can see that he’s in a
muddy cave type area, most probably below ground. Using the
candle, he’s looking round to try and find out where he
is, and if there’s a way out; and it looks like
he’s out of luck.
Meanwhile, back at the Langford house, light is pouring in
through an open window. The sound a keyboard in use can be
heard, and we see Tressa working at a computer in her living
room. She breaks off from her typing and calls for Jim; then
begins typing anew. There’s no answer forthcoming and
she looks upwards. She begins typing yet again, but seems
preoccupied since it’s obvious that Jim should be home
by now. Finally she gets up and goes into the hall, to the
foot of the stairs. “Jim!” She shouts upstairs;
“Hey! Are you up there!?” There’s no answer. A
puzzled look crosses her face and she goes to the front door.
She opens it and calls to him again; “Jim! It’s
dinner time!” She shouts outside. Again, there’s no
answer. Eventually she shuts the door again and goes back
into the living room where she goes over to a phone on a
small table by the window. Picking up the receiver, she calls
someone. “Oboe. Hi! It’s Tressa Kipp. Er, is Jim
with you?” She asks. A male voice can just be heard on
the other end. “Oh. Oh well if you do, send him home,
OK?” She says. Obviously Jim isn’t there. She
doesn’t seem to think anything’s untoward just yet,
and thanks Oboe, bidding him goodbye and putting the phone
down.
Some time later, in the swamp, a high pitched whistling sound
can be heard. It’s Arcane, roaming around the swamp
looking for his pet. He’s carrying the basket and using
a high frequency dog whistle to attract it’s attention.
It looks like he’s been searching for some time and is
beginning to look very slightly frustrated, when he hears a
croaking growl coming from somewhere ahead. He turns and
follows the sound. After walking a short way, he looks up
into a tree and smiles broadly. “Aah....there you are,
my little pet.” He utters affectionately. The creature
is sitting in a branch of the tree looking down at him
standing just below and in front of it. It seems to shift a
little on seeing him. “Is your belly all full up?”
Arcane says softly to it. It gives a little growl.
“Good.” He says in a slow, satisfied voice. He
brings the basket up and again it just regards him.
“Well.” He says, as he opens the cage;
“It’s time to go home.” His voice is like that
of a loving and patient parent to his offspring, and he gives
it a warm smile as he moves closer, trying to gently coax it
into the cage. He shows it the basket. “Well....what are
you waiting for?” He asks softly, still full of infinite
loving patience for his pet and smiling gently. It continues
to regard him, not moving. “GET IN THE DAMNED
CAGE!!” He suddenly screams, his patience having worn
thin and snapped; angry at not having total control of the
situation and being obeyed. Again, it just continues to
regard him, moving in closer and now with a menacing look in
it’s red eyes. It’s mouth slowly opens to reveal
it’s vicious teeth and it appears to be regarding him
like a rather juicy tortoise. Suddenly, fast as lightning it
lunges forwards off the branch and straight for Arcane’s
exposed throat
Take a piece of
advice, Anton: NEVER build a pet with more teeth than
the Osmond family;
and stick to fluffy white Persian cats next time !
In the darkness, a long drawn out screaming can be heard.
As the scream eventually dies down, the scene is now in Houma
town centre. It’s dark now and neon lights are lit up on
the streets. A car is driving around slowly. It’s
Tressa, and she’s out looking for Jim. She continues to
drive a little further when she sees Oboe ahead of her.
He’s just walked up a flight of steps from a shop, and
out onto the street. In his hands are a bag of groceries. He
begins walking away from her. “Oboe!” She shouts,
and sounds the car’s horn. He hears and turns. When he
sees her he begins to walk towards her and she stops the car.
“Hi, Mrs. Kipp!” he greets her. “Jim’s
still not home.” She says in a voice filled with worry.
“Have you checked the arcade?” Oboe suggests, and
she nods. “Apparently he was there hours ago and...and
then he left.” She tells him, adding that she’s
tried all his usual hangouts. “I don’t know where
he could be.” Her voice is breaking in barely subdued
panic. “Well, how about I help you look?” Oboe
offers. She thanks him. “I know a few other places we
can check out.” He says reassuringly (implying that Jim
visits quite a few places with him that Tressa doesn’t
know about), then gets into the car. Above them, in a window,
a clock reads 9.09 pm.
Alec is walking through the swamp, also looking for Jim. As
he walks past, a shadowy figure on the ground is silently
watching him from the bushes. It’s Arcane’s
creature.
After surveying the
mess, Alec can't help wondering if Arcane's
really kidnapped Jim for use as a housekeeper at less than
minimum wage
Alec arrives at Arcane’s cave and
enters. Inside, the place is deserted and an utter mess.
There’s a light on in the alcove, but clearly no-one is
home. The place is overgrown with vines and papers are strewn
all over the floor. “Jim!” Alec calls, walking
further into the cave. There’s no reply. He turns and
walks to the other end of the cave, towards us.
“JIM!” he shouts, more forcefully this time;
“ARE YOU HERE?” Again, there’s no answer. In a
sudden moment of rage he lashes out and hits the cave wall
with a cry of frustration.
Later, on the dirt track leading into the swamp, we see the
headlights of Tressa’s car. She’s now looking
really worried as she and Oboe continue to glance around them
as they drive slowly along.
Jim’s still trapped in his prison. The candle is now
resting in a niche while he’s trying to claw his way
through the dirt. He looks weary and pauses, grimacing; then
continues in his task.
Oh, come one
guys!....You promised you'd let me
out to do the next season!!
Tressa and Oboe are still driving
along, looking around them. Ahead of them, something’s
lying in the road. As it comes in focus and is illuminated by
the headlights, they see that it’s Jim’s bike.
Tressa gasps and stops the car abruptly, slightly jolting
Oboe. “Oh no!” She utters in fear. They get out to
investigate.
Later, a full scale search is underway in the swamp. Tressa
is calling for Jim. There are lots of police officers
involved. Everyone is carrying torches and shining them
around, calling out to Jim. They continue to push on through
the thick foliage and mist. German Shepherd dogs are being
used to track. Sheriff Andrews is with the party, also
calling to Jim. The search presses on and the light beams are
shining out in all directions. Tressa decides to break away
from the main group and continues to scan the area calling
out for Jim. “Don’t worry, Mrs. Kipp. We’ll
find him.” Oboe’s joined her. “He’s
probably just out fishing and got lost.” He continues,
trying to reassure her. “I know what you’re doing,
and I appreciate it.” She says; “I only hope
you’re right.” Her voice is wracked with fear and
she doesn’t sound too convinced. They press on; and as
she walks past, we see a shadowy shape observing her from
overhead in a tree.....It’s the creature; and it slowly
retreats out of sight.
Things were getting
pretty dull in Houma, so
Anton decided to give up the day job and moonlight as
a stunt double for "Weekend at Bernie's"
Alec is still searching when he looks down in obvious surprise as he comes across an interesting find: Arcane: And he’s quite clearly dead. Blood is staining his white suit; his eyes are open but staring fixedly ahead and his mouth is still agape in a silent scream.
The occupational
hazard of listening
to one too many Spice Girls tracks
He’s lying like a broken doll on the
ground, legs splayed, and with his throat ripped out. Alec
kneels down beside his body and puts one hand on his torso,
and the other behind his head to support it. He lifts the
head up. “Where have you got Jim?” He asks. Not
surprisingly, there’s no answer (it’s not
established that he can do this until much later, but
he’s probably trying to commune with Arcane’s
spirit rather than expecting the corpse to speak.) He lets
Arcane’s head drop back to the ground, where it lands
with an audible thud. He looks wearily at his nemesis’
body. “I’m going to have to bring you back.”
He mutters aloud, placing a hand to Arcane’s throat. He
pauses, then abruptly withdraws it, shaking his head. He
silently mouths a denial of this and gets up, turning his
back on Arcane’s body. “I can’t. He
doesn’t deserve to live.” He says in torn anguish.
He slowly turns back to regard Arcane again, unhappy
realisation dawning on him; “I have to.” He says,
knowing he’s no choice if he wants to save Jim. He
kneels down again and puts his hand back to Arcane’s
throat. Suddenly, he hears some noise approaching, and turns
quickly. It’s the search party. He has no time to
resurrect Arcane, and gets up hurriedly and makes for the
bushes.
The party arrive; a young police officer with a dog on a
leash leading them. He gasps as his torch beam catches
something ahead of him. “It’s Dr. Arcane!” He
exclaims. Sheriff Andrews comes forward and bends down to
investigate. “Oh my God!” An unidentified voice in
the background can be heard saying. “Looks like an
animal got him.” Andrews comments.
Andrews, Tressa and
Oboe wonder briefly if it was an animal
that got Arcane....or just roaming pack of irate
hairdressers!
He gets up and greets Tressa who’s just
arrived on the scene and rushing forward.
“Ji....Oh!!” Tressa gasps as she sees Arcane’s
mutilated body. Andrews holds her back and tries to usher her
away from the scene. She puts her hand to her mouth and steps
back herself. Andrews then turns back to Arcane and removes
his jacket, using it to cover the body. “You think
there’s any link between this and Jim?” Tressa asks
the Sheriff. “No, I doubt it.” He says calmly.
Oboe’s also there, and is continuing to stare down at
Arcane’s body with his torch. He’s looking puzzled.
Something’s going through his mind. Tressa shakes her
head. “What could have done this to him?” She asks
Andrews. “I wonder what he was doing out here to begin
with?” Oboe mutters suspiciously to the police officer
with the dog. Behind them, Tressa and Andrews are walking
away. The officer looks back at Oboe. “We’ll never
know, will we?”
In his prison, Jim is still digging. He’s more frantic
now; not to mention dirty and perspiring heavily. As he digs
away, a large rock becomes dislodged and rolls down, hitting
him on the head. He slumps to the floor, unconscious.
Back in the swamp, the search has been called off. Two men
are sitting by a large estate car, with a flashing red light,
marked ‘coroner’; and Andrews and the Police
officer with the dog are rounding things up for the night.
Andrews tells everyone to get going and they’ll meet
back in town. Then he and the other officer leave. The two
seated men from the coroner’s office get up and lift a
black body bag containing Arcane, which they hoist into the
back of the car. They then shut the door behind him, get in
themselves, and drive off. It almost seems an ironic reminder
to when Jim was bundled into the sack and dumped in the van
earlier. As they go, Alec watches them carefully from the
bushes.
In Jim’s hole, the candle’s now nearly burned down,
showing that quite some time has passed. Jim slowly regains
consciousness. He gives a cough and feels his head. He gets
up slowly and resumes his digging.
Meanwhile, in town, Alec is skulking around trying to move
about without being seen. He edges his way along a brick
wall, periodically stepping back into the shadows and hiding.
He eventually ventures out briefly, edging further along the
wall. Around the corner from him, in an alley, a sign says
‘County Coroner’.
In the morgue, a man is writing some notes when an older man
walks in, looking very weary. He shuts the door and shuffles
over to a body covered by a green sheet; almost as if in a
sleep deprivation trance. He gets on with the job at hand and
removes the sheet from the body’s head.
"What do you
reckon killed him?"
"Who cares?? You get the mesquite, I'll get the
charcoal... and I won't tell anyone if you don't!"
“Dr. Arcane.” He mutters, as he
looks at the corpse and turns to the other man; “They
called me at one in the morning for HIM!” The other man
just give a helpless shrug. On the wall behind them, a clock
reads 1.19 am. The coroner walks away, leaving Arcane’s
head and torn throat uncovered, and heads for the door.
“Aren’t you going to take a look at him?” asks
the other man. “I couldn’t look at him when he was
alive!” Is the Coroner’s pissed off reply as he
opens the door. “But the Sheriff wants to know what
killed him!” the other man argues. “He can find out
tomorrow.” The Coroner says wearily, then leaves without
further ado. The other man gives another shrug before
switching off an overhead lamp and leaving too; with only
Arcane’s still and silent body remaining in the now
darkened room.
Outside, Alec is sneaking round the corner and looking at the
Coroner’s office. There’s nobody around and he
makes a dash for it before he’s seen.
At the Langford house, Tressa and Sheriff Andrews are
together at the entrance to the living room. “You
can’t just call off the search for the night!”
Tressa angrily confronts Andrews. “Tressa, it’s
useless to go back into the swamp now....It’s almost 2
o’clock in the morning;” Andrews tries to explain,
looking at his watch; “We have to wait for
daylight.” “Oh, you wouldn’t feel that way if
he were your son!” Tressa hastily interjects in an angry
tone of voice, stopping Andrews dialogue dead in it’s
tracks. She’s pacing around, agitated, turning her back
on the Sheriff. “You know I’m worried about Jim
too.” Andrews comments. She turns back to him,
approaching him again. She appears to think, and stutters her
initial words before coming out with the dreaded question;
“Do you think it’s possible that he’s been
kidnapped?” She suggests. Andrews is pretty silent and
gives a very brief, almost imperceptible downward look
(ambiguous at this point as to whether he’s in with
Arcane yet and does know, or whether it’s just an
acceptance of the possibility.) Before he can answer,
impeccable timing causes the phone to ring. Tressa darts for
it immediately and snatches the receiver up.
“Yes!!??” she says eagerly; expectantly. Her face
drops noticeably and she looks at Andrews, proffering the
receiver to him; “It’s for you.” She says in a
bitterly disappointed voice. Andrews takes the call.
“Andrews here......I’ll be right there.” He
says, also looking down (some other shady business; or merely
his disappointment that it isn’t about Jim??) Tressa
looks at him, both worried and excited. He turns to her.
“That was about something else.” He explains. She
starts to look distraught now, and he comforts her; “I
have to go now, Tressa, but the moment I hear anything,
I’ll call you.” He reassures, holding her.
“I’m really sorry.....believe me.” He says
gently. “I do.” She replies, giving a small, sad
smile. He leaves, and she’s alone in the house. With
no-one else around, she starts to look at her wits end, and
only now starts to break down; giving a terrified expression
and subdued, silent but wracking sobs.
There was no doubt
about it..... It was the
worst case of terminal adenoids Alec had ever seen!
Meanwhile, back in town, Alec is skulking round the morgue. We see his shadow appear behind the room where Arcane’s body is kept, and then he enters. He looks around and sees Arcane lying there. Slowly, he approaches and gets down to the matter at hand, putting his hand at Arcane’s throat. A glowing green light illuminates Arcane and the whole room. Alec stands over Arcane and watches. This continues for a few moments. Eventually, Arcane shifts very slightly and his lips move. Alec watches a bit longer, and the green light fades away into darkness again. Alec backs off and withdraws his hand. Lying in what appears to be a long metal sink, Arcane blinks a few times, clearly disoriented. Alec regards him inscrutably. Now conscious, Arcane is lying perfectly still, his mouth open and only his eyes moving rapidly around in surprise and more than a little fear as he takes in his bizarre surroundings. “Where am I?” He asks tentatively, in a small and nervous voice. There’s no answer. He looks to where Alec is and screws his eyes shut, blinking hard, before opening them again. He sees Alec’s form coming into focus slowly; staring down at him. “What am I doing HERE?” he asks softly, again noticing his surroundings. Again, there’s no answer from Alec. “Am I dead?” Is his obvious next question. Now he gets a response. “You were. And I brought you back....but it can easily be undone!” Alec adds with menace to keep Arcane into line. “It was that insidious creature of mine.” Arcane says evenly, finally beginning to remember what happened. “It turned on me!!” He utters in a now more amazed tone of voice; “IT....IT ACTUALLY KILLED ME!!” He cries, shocked and suddenly sitting bolt upright in the sink, still partially covered by the sheet.
"Bloody Hell,
Holland. What do you think you're doing with that
hand??"
"Damn! You came round too soon. erm... Just practising
a little ventriloquist act I was going to put on for
Jim"
He withdraws his hands from under it and regards Alec with a puzzled expression. “Why did you save me?” He asks, but before Alec can say anything, he remembers fully, and gives a broad smile, his arrogance having returned; “Oh yes....I have the boy.” He gives Alec a casual sneering smile whilst allowing himself a small stretch to ease any muscular tension; now seemingly fully back to his usual self. Alec regards him angrily. “Where is he?” He asks bluntly. Arcane seems in no hurry and is determined to regain control. “I can tell you....but not without a guarantee.” It looks like he is back in control as before. “Of what?” Alec asks warily. “No one will ever know what I’ve done. I must have anonymity as the kidnapper.....which is such an ugly term anyway;” He utters with casual disdain; “and your word that you won’t kill me once you’ve got Jim back.” He smiles at Alec, clearly having salvaged quite a bit out of the situation; possibly more so than intended. Alec has no choice, but still seems determined to at least let his feelings be known. “This isn’t over, Arcane; but you’ve got my word.” That’s good enough for Arcane.
"Jolly nice of
you to bring me back, Holland....er...I don't
suppose you'd mind taking a look at this rash I've been
getting lately, while you're at it!?"
“Good!!” he exclaims cheerfully, giving a satisfied sigh and removing the sheet, before swinging his legs round off the sink/table and hopping down from it to the floor. “I don’t much like being dead;” He says, regarding Alec as he goes to the door; before giving the morgue a last look;
"Well, Alec,
not exactly what I'd expect from the Houma Hilton.
So, d'you fancy a quick beer before you go rescue Jim?"
"Do you think I've got time?"
"Not really, but who cares??"
"Fair enough. Okay, meet you down in the bar..."
“and this place depresses me! Follow me, you pile of moss!” He mutters flippantly as he leaves the room. Alec pauses a while longer and regards the clock on the wall. It’s reading 3.18 am.
Jim is still digging to get free, and it looks like he’s almost made it. He reaches and grabs a last mound of earth and light shines through onto his face. He gasps for air and starts to move up into the hole. Suddenly, without warning, there’s a croaking roar and the worm creature lunges down through the hole towards him. It just misses him on the first attack though, and Jim backs off; back into the underground prison. It’s moved into the passageway now, and heading towards Jim; but a huge mossy hand reaches down and grabs it. Outside, Alec pulls the creature outside and holds it firmly in his grasp. It screeches in fury and squirms and struggles to be free. Jim can hear all this from the hole, and he looks out. The worm is still writhing in Alec’s grasp, trying vainly to snap and bite, as Alec tries hard to keep the thing from his face and throat. It may be small, but it’s apparently very strong. After a brief struggle, Alec throttles the think, killing it; and tosses the body away with a disgusted look. He then reaches down through the foliage covering the underground hole’s entrance, and pulls Jim up to safety, where he hugs him closely.
"Now remember,
Jim. If anyone asks, you've just been
playing harmlessly in the swamp.....and anything else
is a completely unconfirmed fabrication!!!"
As they’re walking home together, Alec
is explaining some things to Jim; “You can’t ever
tell anyone you were kidnapped.” He says. “Why
not?” Jim wants to know. “It was the agreement I
had to make to free you.” Alec replies. Jim doesn’t
look too happy. “Come on! Who am I going to tell?”
he says. Alec puts a hand on Jim’s shoulder and they
stop walking. He looks at Jim. “Don’t question it,
Jim.” He warns (clearly a warning for Jim’s safety
rather than implying that he’d do anything.) Jim pauses
and thinks, then looks up at Alec. “I wish I could tell
my mom all about you.” He says wistfully. “Some
day....not now.” Is Alec’s reply. “I
know.” Jim says resignedly, and walks off towards home.
“It’s the way it has to be.” Alec’s voice
utters sadly to himself. Jim turns back to look at him; but
he’s gone.
Back at the Langford house, a framed photo of Jim when he was
younger is sitting on a table in the living room. Next to it,
Tressa’s fallen asleep on the couch. Jim arrives home
and quietly opens the front door and enters, shutting it
behind him. He looks ahead, up the stairs, then to his left,
where he sees Tressa. He goes over to her. “Mom?”
he says gently. There’s no reply. “Mom?” He
says again, louder this time. She begins to stir, then turns
quickly in shock and delight. “Jim! Oh, are you all
right!?” She cries, getting up immediately and going
over to grab him in delight. “What happened to you?
Where have you been?” She sounds demented as the relief
overwhelms her. He’s bedraggled and covered in mud.
“I’m OK. I just sort of had an accident.” Jim
says calmly; “I fell down this dumb gully and I must
have bumped my head...” “Oh, it’s not
important;” She sobs, interrupting his explanation and
sitting him down on the sofa where she holds him lovingly;
“The important thing is you’re here now.” She
cries with relief, hugging and kissing him.
Damn it, Jim! How
many times do I have to tell
you not to go talking to strange 7' vegetables!?
Some time later, a man is strolling down the
streets of Houma. He’s carrying a jacket over his
shoulder, and a can of gasoline is in his other hand.
“Tressa! My poor dear. I heard that Jim was
missing.” It’s Arcane; and he’s just run into
Tressa who’s leaving a shop carrying a pile of wrapped
parcels. She’s smiling happily, but freezes somewhat on
seeing Arcane; a cold expression appearing on her face.
“What an awful ordeal for you to go through!” He
oozes feigned sympathy; “....and all alone.” She
feigns pleasantry; “Er...thankfully it’s all over.
Wha...What about what you went through?” She comments,
seeing his throat bandaged up. “It’s going to take
weeks for my throat to heal. Terrifying experience,
wouldn’t you say?” He sounds anything but
terrified. Tressa is beginning to look quite uncomfortable in
his presence, and she looks around the street for a way out
of this. Arcane continues; “What’s even more
terrifying is the gross incompetence of that Coroner....or
should I say Ex-Coroner; to not even realise I was
alive!” He raises his voice at the end to imply total
incredulity. Tressa just nods coldly. “That is rather
hard to miss, isn’t it?” She comments. His
proximity seems to make her almost shiver with cold, despite
the temperature clearly being warm. “May I tell you
something?” He utters softly, closing in on her and
bringing his face near to hers in somewhat sensual, predatory
movement; “Being so close to death was a truly
existential experience.” He purrs. “You’ll
have to tell me about it sometime.” She says icily,
abruptly dropping all pretence of pleasantry now and simply
leaving without so much as a goodbye. Arcane watches her go
with a broad grin, then walks off himself.
Back in his cave, he’s not so calm and collected. In
fact, he’s furiously pouring the gasoline into a large
vat. “You disgusting monstrosities!” He positively
shrieks, striking a match. “This’ll keep you from
ever turning on your master!!” He snarls with righteous
indignation as he tosses the match in. He watches with
excited satisfaction as flames erupt out of the vat and the
rest of the worm creatures burn; screeching and roaring in
pain as they die. It seems that Arcane’s finally learned
an important lesson.....Maybe?
He'd
scrimped....He'd saved....He'd fought through fire
and angry shoppers....but that last pickle jar was HIS!!
But then he bends down and picks up a large
glass jar with red fluid and another worm embryo. He lifts it
to face height and stares intently at it; eyeing it with
eager, loving anticipation; There’s madness in his tone
as he talks to it; “And as for you, my little pet....You
will be the beginning of a glorious new
attempt!!”.....Hmmm, maybe not!