It’s late at night and dark. Jim is fully dressed and sneaking from his bedroom, making sure he’s not heard. He’s carrying a torch and a large red rucksack. He creeps surreptitiously along the hallway, down the stairs and finally, carefully opens the outside door and exits onto the porch, where he switches on his torch.
OK, Alec, so tonight
in the swamp there's a beautiful
naked woman. So
what's my motivation NOT to go?
Later, in the swamp, mist is gathering
thickly. Jim is pushing his way through some tall grass,
looking around for something. The atmosphere is eerily
mystical thick with latent power. Suddenly, Alec steps out in
front of him, making Jim start. “What are you trying to
do? Scare me!?” Jim shouts at him. “If that’s
what it takes for you to go home.” Is Alec’s
ominous reply. Jim fakes bravado; “I wasn’t really
scared....just surprised.” He says casually.
“You’ll be more than surprised if you stay.
It’s going to get dangerous out here tonight.” He
warns. “Then you believe it too?” Jim says
rhetorically, expecting this. “The Legend of the Swamp
Maiden!” he continues. “It doesn’t matter
whether I believe it or not.” Alec replies; “You DO
believe in her!” Jim says excitedly; Alec’s reply
having had the opposite effect, confirming Jim’s
suspicions rather than putting him off, and making the boy
more determined. He bends down and picks up his rucksack from
the floor. “I may never get another chance like this
again; and I’m not going to blow it.” He says
emphatically; “Gotta meet Oboe in ten minutes.” He
says, leaving, despite Alec’s putting out a hand to warn
him to stop, and shaking his head. Alec, for now, contents
himself with watching the boy go.
Out on the waters of the swamp, a boat is being rowed. At
it’s prow, a lantern is hung to light the way through
the thick, luminous green mist. Everything is deceptively
peaceful. It’s Oboe rowing the boat, and he makes for
the far shore, where Jim is waiting for him. “Hey,
buddy! You made it! To tell you the truth, I thought you
would chicken out on me.” Oboe calls to him. “Not
in a million years!” Jim replies. Oboe stands up in the
boat, and helps Jim into it. “I may be only 11, but
I’ve got vision.....and the Swamp Maiden’s one
vision I’m not going to miss!” Jim continues,
sitting down in the boat. “Think you can handle
it?” Oboe teases; “I mean we’re talking total
babe here;” He says, retrieving the oars; “Stark
naked!” He adds the icing on the cake. “I can
handle it.” Jim states in casual, blasé fashion.
Oboe begins to row, but adds a warning; “But remember;
whatever you do.....DON’T kiss her.” “I
don’t want to kiss her!” Jim states flatly, then
pauses a moment; “But assuming I did, what would
happen?” He asks with more than a hint of interest in
his tone of voice. “Man, one kiss and you’re a
goner.” Oboe tells him; “Legend has it, one kiss
and you turn into a monster.” “A monster?” Jim
queries. “Yeah, a big ugly one!.....Hey, you’re not
scared are you?” Jim seems calm enough, and practical;
“No. I just won’t kiss her, that’s all.
“It’s safe to look.....but just don’t
touch.” Oboe adds; then they set off. “Stark naked,
huh? Jim repeats Oboe’s earlier statement. “Yeah,
it’s going to be awesome! A real education for you,
buddy!” He smiles, as they row off to whatever
rendezvous awaits with the Maiden.
After 67 verses of
'Row row row your boat' and at least
11 horor stories, Jim was wondering if this was such a good
idea
Later, Jim and Oboe have made camp, and are
sitting round a blazing fire. Oboe takes a drink from a metal
thermos cup. They are both sitting silently. “I should
have known you wouldn’t make it.” Oboe says,
regarding Jim who’s falling asleep. They’ve
obviously been there quite a while.
From out in the still waters, Alec’s head breaks surface
as he watches them carefully.
Swamp tip #3: When
bushes aren't available, always lurk
and spy from
whatever camouflage is readily available
Oboe puts down his drink and reaches for another cup, and pours some more out from the flask as he regards Jim. He hands him the cup. “Here! Try some of this.” He says, obviously feeling that a caffeine boost from some coffee will help. Jim stirs and opens his eyes. He takes it, thanking Oboe and taking a slow sip. He promptly screws his face up in disgust. “I guess you’re too young to appreciate it.” Oboe says warmly. “It’s just a little strong, that’s all.” Jim explains. Oboe smiles and gets out a small white packet, breaking it open. Meanwhile, out in the water, Alec is standing up and is now rising to waist height, getting a better view of the pair. “Try it with some sugar.” Oboe says helpfully, pouring the contents into the coffee and giving Jim a spoon. The boy stirs it, hands the spoon back, and cupping the drink in both hands, takes another sip. He smiles. “Better, pal?” He asks Jim. “Much.” Jim replies.
"Try the sugar,
Jim. If that doesn't work, I'll
break out the Crack and the Ecstasy!"
By now, Alec is on land, and scrutinising
them. He appears to be formulating a plan. He suddenly
thrusts his hand deep into the earth, and a rumbling is
heard.
Behind them, Jim and Oboe hear the sound and give a start,
turning to see what it is. “Think it’s her?”
Jim asks the obvious question. “I don’t think
so.” Oboe looks surprised; “She’s supposed to
rise out of the water.” They look at each other as a
loud rumbling builds up. They start to back off, as the
ground where the camp fire is begins to subside, dragging the
fire, Jim’s rucksack and some other stuff into it. The
get up quickly, scared. “Go home!” Alec says firmly
to himself, watching them, and willing the pair to take the
hint.
They return to see a huge smoking hole where their campfire
was. Oboe is still carrying his own rucksack, and is holding
a lantern. “You really picked one hell of a spot for our
camp!” He blames Jim. “I didn’t pick it!”
Jim argues back. “Well, the next place we settle into;
let’s make sure it’s solid ground.” Oboe
states, taking a dismal look at it with the lantern held up.
Tempers are fraying. “You don’t think we ought to
call it a night?” Jim suggests. “NO WAY!
You’re not going to let a lousy sink hole spook you up,
are you?” Oboe says angrily. Jim thinks for a moment.
“Guess not.” Jim says gloomily. “Hey, come on!
I want to hear a little more conviction in your voice.”
Oboe tries to gee some enthusiasm out of him; “Could be
one of the biggest nights of your life!” He continues
his pep talk. “That wouldn’t be hard considering my
age!” Jim quips. They pause. “Then let’s go
find the Swamp Maiden!” Oboe announces, and they set
off.
“Are you sure we’re going the right way?” Jim
asks, as they continue on through the undergrowth into a
clearing. “You got any better ideas?” Oboe replies.
Suddenly, just where Oboe’s standing, a large net
springs up, hoisting him upwards within it. A man steps out
from some nearby bushes, hoisting the net further into the
air, with Oboe flailing helplessly inside it.
Revealed: The real
methods they use
to recruit actors for this series
“What are you doing in my trap?”
The man asks with surprise. “What’s your trap doing
to me!?” Oboe shouts back furiously, still struggling.
“Could you get him down?” Jim asks the man.
“What’s with the net?” Oboe shouts, as
he’s gently lowered back down again to the ground.
“Like most traps; it’s set to catch
something.” The man says replies with the obvious.
“The Swamp Maiden?” Jim enquires. “That’s
tabloid stuff;” the man says disdainfully; “Total
sensationalism.” “How do you know?” Oboe
approaches him angrily; “Because I write it.” Is
the man’s direct answer; “Probably read some of my
work: I’m the one who broke the story on the
President’s encounter with Aliens.” He says. Oboe
doesn’t look particularly impressed. “You’re a
writer?” Jim asks him. “A Journalist.” The man
corrects him; “The name’s Greg Dunbar.” What
are you doing out here?” Oboe asks suspiciously;
“and what’s that thing for?” He points to the
net. Dunbar smiles. “Trap me some headlines;” he
gloats. Jim asks him what he means. “There’s more
than one legend out here besides the Swamp Maiden;”
Dunbar turns to Oboe; “Rumour has it that there’s
also a swamp creature; and I’m gonna trap him one
way.....or the other.” He says with determination. Jim
looks concerned. Dunbar questions them on what they know of
this swamp creature. “Nothing! There’s no such
creature. It’s just a dumb legend!” Jim says, ultra
defensively. “No it’s not!” Oboe shouts a
speedy interjection, then turns back to Dunbar;
“There’s been a rumour around for years about some
kind of half man, half plant thing living out here.” He
tells the journalist, who looks eager and excited. “Like
you really believe that stuff.” Jim tries again to
dismiss it. “Anybody ever seen it?” Dunbar asks.
“Not that I know of;” Oboe smiles; “The only
legend I’m interested in is the 36-22-34 kind....but I
guess anything’s possible.” Dunbar smiles and seems
to consider something. Jim looks worried. “Listen,
guys;” Dunbar finally speaks; “Now I can’t be
in two places at the same time, but if that Swamp Maiden does
show up.....how’d you like to earn and extra 25
bucks?” “Doing what?” Oboe asks cautiously.
“All you have to do....” He says, taking a camera
from around his neck and proffering it to Oboe; “....is
take a few pictures of her. What do you say?” “50
bucks and it’s a deal!” Jim grins, seizing the
opportunity. Oboe takes the camera and smiles at Jim.
Everyone seems happy.
However, Alec, who’s standing watching them from the
shore, doesn’t! Suddenly, he hears a splashing from the
water and turns to see a hazy figure. It begins to rise,
partially obscured from view by the foliage; but a
woman’s naked legs can clearly be seen. She gets out
onto land. Alec follows the sound and approaches. As he looks
down, he sees a set of prints in the sandy dirt leading away.
All around there is an eerie green glow to the whole swamp.
After a moment’s contemplation, he sets off.
“I think I hear something.” Oboe whispers as he and
Jim press forward through the thick foliage, armed with
lanterns. They continue on. Looking out through some bushes,
they see a woman swimming. Oboe looks at Jim. “It’s
her.” He gasps; “It’s really her.” The
woman is bathing, seemingly oblivious to them. With her back
to them, she rises out of the water to her waist, her long
blond hair falling down her back sensually. “It’s
not a legend!” Jim exclaims. “Not with a bod like
that!” Oboe concurs. The Maiden begins swimming again.
“Where are you going?” Jim asks Oboe, who’s
shuffling forward. “I’ve got to get a closer
look.” He explains. Jim’s not happy, reminding Oboe
of his own previous warning to him. “It’s OK,
I’m cool!” he says casually, moving nearer. Jim
stays where he is. As the Maiden swims, Oboe approaches the
shore, lantern in hand. The Maiden turns, now swimming
towards him. She dives under briefly, before surfacing, and
reaching the shore.
"Don't you want
to touch my lips, my hair. My eyes are beautiful, aren't
they?"
"Er....I'll let you know when I get that far up"
Oboe approaches her, seemingly transfixed.
He’s only a few feet from her now, and staring into her
face. “You’ve been watching me.” She says
softly. “I can’t help it.” He replies;
“you’re just so.....beautiful.” He gets
closer....close enough to almost touch. “Do you think
so?” She whispers, running her fingers through her hair
for him. He just stares at her, muted. “Would you like
to touch me?” She purrs seductively; he says nothing;
“...run your hands across my body?” He’s
fixated totally. Jim is seeing all this, and is worried.
“Get away from her! Oboe!! RUN!!” Shouts the voice
of wisdom....to no avail. He doesn’t even hear Jim.
“Would you like to.....kiss me?” Comes the
Maiden’s enticing voice. In his trance, he draws closer
to her, lips moving to hers. From his bushes, Jim takes out a
Polaroid camera and readies it as Oboe and the Maiden kiss.
The click of a camera going off can be heard, and a figure
turns to stare in it’s direction: A bloated, misshapen
monstrosity; toadlike and hideous.....it’s Oboe, or
rather it was Oboe. It moves from the Maiden’s lips,
giving a guttural grunt; and sets off in hot pursuit of Jim;
who legs it rather sensibly.
Jim is running panic stricken through the swamp, with the
Oboe creature in close pursuit. Jim is screaming for help as
he’s running. By now, the creature’s almost caught
up and is only a couple of metres behind, and gaining.
Nearby, Dunbar hears something, and sees what’s
happening. The chase continues. “Over here!!”
Dunbar shouts, beckoning; “This way!!” He gets his
camera ready. Jim runs into the clearing, and the creature
follows. At just the right moment, Dunbar steps out of the
way, and the net trap springs up, catching the Oboe creature,
which screeches and flails in frustration. Dunbar starts to
take photos, but his face takes on a worried look as he sees
the creature starting to break through the net and force it
back down to the ground. “Let’s get out of here! I
don’t want to end up that thing’s dinner.” He
says nervously to Jim; and they make a bolt for it, just as
the creature gets free. It stumbles a little, flailing
it’s fury, and pursues.
Elsewhere in the swamp, by the water’s edge, Alec is
watching the Maiden swimming; and she’s watching him.
She smiles, teasing him. “What evil have you unleashed
tonight!?” He intones solemnly. She swims around, almost
revealing her breasts above the water, but not quite.
“If I’m only to come out once every third season,
when the moon aligns with Neptune; I want the night to be
mine.” She purrs, swimming round, teasing, tantalising
with her body, almost revealing but not quite. “One
night of yours can cause years of devastation. I will NOT
allow it!” He insists. She just laughs at his arrogance.
“YOU....will not allow it?” She gives another
little laugh. He watches her in stony silence. “I’m
tired of your interference;” she says softly; “You
may have the soul of The Swamp, but tonight.....I will put an
end to your domination.” She promises calmly, teasing
again. “The only thing that there will be an end to
tonight....is YOU!” He threatens. She continues to
smile, splashing around in the water, carefree and happy,
advancing and retreating; “Well, you’ll have to
fight not only me, but that young man I turned into a
creature of destruction.” She gloats. “What young
man!?” Alec asks with angry concern. “Some young
fool who could not resist my allure and beauty.” She
whispers, almost rising out of the water. “You must
break the spell you have on him!” He insists. Ignoring
him, she turns away, tantalising. “Never!” She says
slowly, softly, as she swims away from shore.
Meanwhile, Jim and Dunbar have managed to run to
Dunbar’s trailer, where they get in hurriedly. The Oboe
creature is in close pursuit. Dunbar helps Jim in and manages
to close the door just in time. Furiously, the creature
pummels the trailer, rocking it violently from side to side.
Inside, Dunbar retrieves a handgun. “Don’t shoot
it, please!” Jim screams at him. “Are you kidding!?
It’s either us or that thing out there!” He
screams, as he tries to keep his footing as the trailer is
being rocked. He scrambles to a drawer, where he gets out
some ammunition for the gun. “But it isn’t really a
monster! It’s my friend, Oboe. The Swamp Maiden turned
him into that!!” Jim pleads; but Dunbar loads the gun
anyway. “Do you expect me to believe that, Kid?” He
says, filling the chamber with bullets. “NO! Honest, I
swear!” Jim screams.
Listen mate, if you
think tonight's bad,
wait till you see what they do for Halloween!
Outside, Alec finally arrives and grabs the
Oboe creature from behind. It turns, and they face each
other. Inside, the rocking has stopped, and Dunbar edges
towards a window to peer outside. “It’s too damned
quiet all of a sudden.” Dunbar says warily. Back
outside, the fight continues. Oboe flails wildly at Alec,
missing him by a mile; than Alec shoves Oboe into the side of
the trailer. The creature recovers and flails again at Alec;
and again missing him. By this time, Dunbar has opened the
trailer door and stepped out, ready to take some photos. The
Oboe creature hears him and turns, rushing him. As he’s
attacked, Dunbar screams, the camera still clicking away.
Oboe grabs him and throws him roughly to the floor, then goes
for the kill. However, before it can get it’s blow in,
it’s grabbed from behind by Alec, who throws it aside,
where it hits it’s head on a tree stump and is knocked
unconscious.
Dunbar is now recovering from the shock. He’s still on
the floor, kneeling, and clutching his cameras to see that
they’re all right. He suddenly becomes aware of being
watched; and slowly lifts his head to see, his eyes widening
in shock as he does so. Towering above him is Alec. Dunbar
remains on his knees, staring. “What ARE you?” he
gasps. “Whatever you think I am.” Is Alec’s
evasive reply. Dunbar looks shocked and amazed at hearing
Alec speaking, and he’s clutching his cameras around him
defensively. “Why did you save my life?” He says in
a terrified voice. “Don’t question it. Just make it
worth being saved.” Alec tells him. Dunbar nods, closing
his eyes. “No one must ever find out about me, or I warn
you, I will make you a part of this swamp for eternity!”
Alec tells the man sternly. Dunbar gasps and drops his
cameras, opening his hands in a gesture of supplication.
“Just don’t hurt me....p..please!” He begs.
“Make sure the boy gets home safely.” Alec tells
Dunbar in a slightly gentler voice.
"Hey, relax!
They'd never believe it anyway:
I work for the National Enquirer!"
At this point, Jim exits the trailer looking
concerned; “What about Oboe!?” He cries to Alec.
“I’ll see to him.” Alec reassures him as
Dunbar gets to his feet.
Later, back at the Langford house, Dunbar’s trailer
arrives outside. Jim gets out and walks to the porch. He
pauses, and as an afterthought, turns back to Dunbar.
“Hey! You’re not going to write about him, are
you?” He says. Dunbar looks pensive; “‘Cos if
you do, he’ll turn you into something much creepier than
the monster that was after us.” Jim warns, twisting the
knife a little. Dunbar sighs. “Boy, I admit I’ve
written some pretty wild stories....but nobody would ever buy
this one.” He shakes his head; “Don’t worry,
Kid. My lips are sealed.” He starts the engine and
reverses off. Jim goes inside the house.
Why does every
mystical creature in this swamp
make it their life's work to lurk in bushes??
Back in the swamp, The Oboe creature is lying unconscious. Alec is beside him in the mist, stroking his head. The Swamp Maiden appears behind him, in the bushes, watching him. Alec turns and stands, seeing her. “Break the spell!” He commands; “Turn him back!” “You break the spell;” she counters; “....if you’re so powerful.” Her voice is mocking and soft. “The boy has done nothing to you;” He reasons; “....but I will!” It turns into a threat. She just laughs. “You can’t; because you’re still half mortal....and I believe that even you could not resist my beauty.” She purrs. “You underestimate what I am.” He states. She doesn’t seem phased; “You still have the heart and soul of a man.” She tells him, getting a little closer, smiling. There is a pause as they face each other. “Don’t you want to kiss me?” she invites. “I would prefer to destroy you!” Comes the blunt reply. “You’ll have to catch me first!” she laughs impishly, turning and running a little way.
Darn it! Only one
night out every three years;
and she forgets her make-up!
As she steps behind a tree, a transformation takes place, and the woman that steps out from behind the tree is no longer human. Her laugh becomes colder, more animalistic; her face is feral, her hair darker and ragged; and she’s clawed, with weed draped from her body. She continues to laugh, running, stopping, turning....all the while leading him round in circles.
"Woo Hoo! *I*
get to pose enigmatically this episode!"
With light illuminating him from behind, he
follows her slowly, advancing with menace, and she laughs in
relish. She seems to be looking forward to this, and they
eventually face each other off. She attempts to claw at him,
but misses, then leaps, grabbing him. Together they roll to
the floor and struggle. Behind them, sitting dazed, is the
Oboe creature. The struggle continues, and they eventually
get up; Alec holding her by the neck in a vice like grip.
“Change him back!” he commands her. She looks at
Oboe and concentrates; and the young man becomes human again.
He’s sitting up, looking very confused, and putting his
head in his hands.
“Go back from where you came.” Alec orders the
Maiden, as she walks back to the water’s edge, weed
trailing from her naked form. She turns back to him; now
transformed back into a beautiful woman again; and dives
seductively into the water, lazily swimming away, her
playtime over for another three years.
Meanwhile, Oboe recovers and looks around. He’s still
disoriented, but eventually gets up and leaves.
The next day, Jim and Oboe are at the water’s edge in
the swamp. Both are searching hard for something; in the
bushes, on the ground. Oboe is prodding the area with a stick
he’s carrying. “It’s gotta be here
somewhere.” Jim says. “Yeah, right! There is no
camera!” Oboe insists; “and you did not see the
Swamp Maiden!” They continue to walk and search.
“Oh yeah?” Jim gloats, seeing the Polaroid camera
lying on the ground ahead. He picks it up and shows Oboe the
picture protruding from it. Oboe’s face drops;
“What I can’t believe is that I slept through
it!” He says, dismayed. “Why didn’t you wake
me up!?” he wants to know. “I told you! I tried a
million times, but you wouldn’t get up. You were too
tired.” Jim insists, lying to Oboe. “I still
can’t believe after all that coffee I fell asleep.”
Oboe moans; “I’d have given anything to get a
glimpse of the Swamp Maiden!” he sighs. “Believe
me, you didn’t miss much.” Jim reassures him;
“She was only so-so.” “What do you know about
babes!?” Oboe sneers; “You’re just a
kid!” Jim looks hurt at this, but Oboe puts his arm
round him and they begin the walk back home. “Guess
I’ll just have to try again in 3 years.” Oboe says.
“Without me....I can tell you that!” Jim says
emphatically. Oboe finds this amusing; “Trust me! 3
years from now, you’ll have a whole different
appreciation of women. You’ll be begging me to bring you
back here again.” He tells the boy. “I
wouldn’t count on it!” Jim says, with a degree of
certainty.
Houma's answer to
'Where's Waldo'
As they walk past the trees and bushes at the
water’s edge, they are oblivious to Alec standing there
watching them go. Unnoticed amidst the camouflaging foliage
as usual, Alec smiles as they pass by.