Two of Dr. Arcane’s mutants are sneaking through the swamp. One of them is carrying a large, red metal ensnaring device. “He could be anywhere.” One of them mutters. They walk a bit further and pause, hearing something. One of them nods, and they run off to the left, where Alec is waiting. One of the mutants rushes him and leaps. Alec ducks, and the mutant goes flying over him. The other mutant attacks Alec from behind, placing the trap round him; but Alec breaks free with ease. Meanwhile, the other mutant recovers and gets up, joining the fight again. Behind Alec, the mutant attempts to punch him, but Alec grabs his hand with a vicious crunching sound, and sends the creature flying through the air again, where it lands on it’s back, dazed. The other mutant attempts to grab Alec, but is also sent flying with remarkable ease. Alec stands over the one that previously had the trap, pointing at it in anger; “You get out of here.....and stay out!” He says, in no uncertain terms.
Arcane decided that
if he was really going to
follow his vocation and become a mutant psychotherapist,
he needed to learn a lot more patience!
Later, back in Arcane’s cave, the mutant
that had the trap is sitting down, clutching his wounds.
Arcane wanders up to him, hands in pockets and looking
thoroughly pissed off. “I thought I created you powerful
enough for Swamp Thing.” He says despondently; “he
sends you running like rabbits!” Arcane pauses,
thinking; then swiftly reaches out and grabs the mutant by
the throat. “All my work!.....” He snarls
furiously; “Down....The....Drain!!” He lets go of
the mutant in disgust, and looks at his hand pensively,
rubbing his fingers together in contemplation. “What do
I need.....to destroy that creature?” He ponders to
himself. There’s a pause. “Magic?” The mutant
replies for him. It doesn’t sound like a particularly
serious suggestion, and Arcane turns to stare at him; but
then he seems to actually consider it, raising his eyebrows.
“Black magic!” He concurs with a nod, looking
satisfied, before walking away to formulate his plans.
A man is walking through the swamp, humming and chanting to
himself in a pleasant, carefree mumbling sound. As he
approaches, he’s a distinguished looking, middle aged
black man wearing blue African robes and walking with a
staff. As he continues his stroll, he hears a hissing sound
on the ground ahead of him. Looking down, it’s a
poisonous Coral Snake. He stops and calmly takes some dust
from a pouch, and sprinkles it on the snake, still mumbling
and chanting to himself. He then gives a darkly malevolent
laugh, and calmly continues on his way, walking past the
snake, which is now just a harmless and lifeless stick with
it’s old coloration. The man enters a small clearing and
looks around. He puts the staff down and picks up a piece of
earth, putting it into a small glass jar. “Something of
the creature himself.” He says to himself with
satisfaction. He then reaches over and takes a small piece of
foliage: Another somatic component for whatever magic
he’s going to create. Satisfied, he casually acquaints
himself with the area, then seats himself down, looking calm,
happy and relaxed.
Arcane’s cave is bathed in a dark, mysterious blue
light. The Doctor himself is working on an experiment.
Concentrating deeply, he lifts two test tubes and pours the
contents of one into the other. “Good afternoon, Dr.
Arcane!” The man from the previous scene is standing
directly behind him, smiling. Arcane gives a start, turning
in sudden surprise and dropping both test tubes to the floor.
“How d’you get in here?....This cave is
impenetrable.” Arcane says in muted incredulity.
“Not to me.” Is the man’s calm, smiling reply.
Arcane recovers his composure; “Well...it was a good
trick.” He grins; “I only hope you brought your
entire bag of tricks with you, Duchamp.” He says,
removing the surgical gloves he was wearing. Duchamp smiles
at him; “Voodoo* is not tricks.” He states;
“Voodoo is here!” He points to his forehead;
“....and HERE!” he continues proudly, putting his
hand to his heart. “Well, that’s why I summoned
you.” Arcane patronises him, clearly trying to recover
dominance of the situation; “whatever is in there;”
he points at Duchamp’s heart; “...is what it’s
going to take to capture Swamp Thing.”
"Are you the
electrician? Splendid! Got a problem with the
lighting in the cave. Just a tad too dim and blue...mutants
have been complaining about health and safety at work"
Arcane picks up a cloth and wipes his hands from the gloves. “He is a powerful Baka**, but not more powerful than I am!” Duchamp states with confidence. He pauses; “Before I begin, I’d like to see my payment.” Arcane leans closer to him, smiling broadly; “You don’t trust me, do you?” He says, rhetorically. “Why do you think I should?” Duchamp replies. “Well, because we’re on the same side. We should trust each other.” Arcane gives one of his winning trademark smiles; but Duchamp just laughs quietly. “I am on the side of Duchamp!” He points to himself; “Remember that!” He then points to Arcane, emphasising his words. Arcane gives him a long appraising look, then smiles again. “Come along!” He tells Duchamp, leading him to another part of the cave.
"Well, I
originally found it prospered best in a gro-bag with
the cabbages, but the effect lacked that certain Je ne sais
crois"
In a mysterious and bubbling, glowing pink pool situated in a small alcove, is a single black rose. Arcane approaches and crouches down beside it, his back against the cave wall. Duchamp arrives; and when he sees the Rose, gasps in awe; “Ooh....how beautiful!” he admires, walking over to it, where he sits down beside Arcane and the pool. “I will do anything to get the Black Rose!” He states in no uncertain terms, looking at it longingly. “I’m aware of that.” Arcane says smugly. Slowly, Duchamp reaches out his hand to touch the Rose; but a security device is in place, and a red laser bean is emitted as he draws close, striking Duchamp’s hand. With a gasp of pain, Duchamp withdraws his hand hurriedly. He looks at Arcane, who just give a casual shrug; “That’s so it doesn’t fall into the wrong hands.” He speaks softly to Duchamp, smiling broadly in faux friendly manner. Duchamp acknowledges, and smiles in return. “As long as it ends up in my hands” He gestures to Arcane, showing him his hands. Arcane glances at the Rose again, almost teasing Duchamp; “‘Tis exquisite, isn’t it?” He purrs, rhetorically. “And very rare.” Adds Duchamp. “It’s rarity is second only to it’s magic.” He continues. “It shall be yours, Duchamp;” Arcane states; “....after you deliver Swamp Thing to me.” He adds for good measure. Duchamp nods in return. “That is what we agreed on.” Duchamp tells him. Arcane pauses for a moment, contemplating, as though a new thought has struck him; “Perhaps, when your job is finished; you’ll....share a few of your Voodoo secrets with me?” he suggests. “It would be too dangerous....for someone who does not comprehend Voodoo.” Duchamp smiles darkly. “Teach me!” Arcane says more forcefully, not giving up; “I’ll pay you handsomely.” He offers. Duchamp merely smiles enigmatically. “Money....is of no importance to me. The Black Rose is all I want.” He looks at the Rose, then back at Arcane. “I will fulfil my promise.....You do the same.” “Course.” Arcane says softly, in his best ‘trust me’ voice; “Everyone who knows me, KNOWS I’m an honourable man.” Duchamp gives a smile at this, not looking entirely convinced. “I should like to know, Dr. Arcane, how you obtained the Black Rose.” He enquires. Arcane leans back, savouring the ensuing answer; “Oh, it would be too dangerous for you to know my methods;” He says in a patronising tone of voice, echoing Duchamp’s earlier put down to him. Duchamp laughs at the irony. “But I am curious as to what kind of magic the Rose has.” Arcane asks Duchamp. “The kind used only in the ritual of the White Darkness.” Duchamp replies. “Zombie stuff, is it?” Arcane asks. Duchamp looks at him sharply, then leans back and gives a little laugh. He gets up and walks away from Arcane. “You’re a very curious man, Dr. Arcane;” he turns back to the scientist; “You should be careful. You know what they say about curiosity?” he gives a veiled threat. “Oh, I never believe what they say.” Arcane counters confidently, still seated. He takes a last look at the Rose, then gets up and goes over to Duchamp, facing him and smiling smugly again.
"Mystical dust
to entrap his soul and bind his spirit....
Oh, but if that fails, it works great on embarassing
boils"
“Hadn’t you better get started earning your rose, Duchamp?” He says. “But I’ve already begun!” Duchamp states gleefully; holding up a small glass jar. Arcane looks at it. “Doesn’t look like much of a beginning to me.” He says in a somewhat condescending tone of voice. “That is because you know nothing of Voodoo.” Duchamp counters with an insult of his own. Arcane takes it, barely. “Well, I’m counting on the fact that YOU...DO!” He smiles broadly, patting Duchamp on the chest on each of his last two words for emphasis. His false cheerfulness disappears, and his visage becomes serious again as he turns and walks away. Smiling to himself, Duchamp leaves the cave.
Duchamp couldn't
help wondering if, as a tree,
this guy still got re-run fees for subsequent episodes
Out in the swamp, Duchamp is looking at the
‘tree’ (from ‘Emerald Heart’), and
admiring Alec’s handiwork; “Ah, Loa!....You’re
Voodoo is powerful!” he says with reverence. He turns
and puts some white pigment from a small glass jar onto his
finger, and daubs a spot on his forehead, and a vertical line
on his cheek (protective sigils, no doubt). He smiles to
himself. “I know you are somewhere here, Loa.” He
says, taking another jar; “I will find you.....and rid
the swamp of you!” He begins to chant and dance, turning
round and round; always on the lookout for signs of Alec. He
raises his hands as he dances, chanting to Danbhalah***.
“DAMN YOU! SHOW YOURSELF!” He shouts, suddenly
losing his patience. He turns to see Alec silently standing
behind him. “Since you know who I am, why don’t you
tell me who you are?” Alec asks calmly. “I am
Duchamp. I am a Houn’gan.....a Priest of black
magic.” Duchamp replies. “Why have you come here?
Alec asks; “Dr. Arcane?” He reasons. “His
methods are not strong enough against you. I will use my
powers to bring you down.” Duchamp states confidently,
holding up a glass jar. “Voodoo is very powerful!”
He tells Alec. “So is The Swamp!” Alec challenges.
Duchamp smiles enigmatically, then simply vanishes into thin
air. Alec looks around suspiciously, then leaves in a hurry.
Later, in the swamp, Duchamp has prepared a ritual. He looks
at a small white stone in his hand, and places it on the
ground to complete a ceremonial circle composed of like
stones. The circle is sectioned inside into quarters; and
there’s a fire beside it. Duchamp is kneeling down. Just
then, Arcane and the mutant arrive, pushing their way through
the foliage. The mutant is leading the way, but moves aside
for Arcane to pass. With a look of distaste at even having to
be in the swamp, Arcane dusts himself down and approaches
Duchamp. “Have you come here to watch Voodoo at
work?” Duchamp looks up at Arcane; “....or to try
to steal it’s secrets?” “I don’t
steal;” Arcane gives a forced smile; “I simply want
to see how you’re going to capture Swamp Thing.” He
says innocently. “All right. I let you stay....because I
want you to see just how strong my power is.....and how wrong
it would be EVER to turn on Duchamp!” The Priest takes
control of the situation. Arcane raises his eyebrows a little
at this, and is prepared for the verbal sparring; “I
imagine the consequences of that would be almost as horrible
as if anyone ever turned on ME!” He counters
sardonically, giving a smile. Duchamp looks up at him
curiously. Arcane broadens the smile considerably, and
Duchamp acknowledges with one of his own, before resuming the
ritual.
Arcane was beginning
to have serious doubts
about hiring a man whose methods of capturing
Alec involved the use of a large orange dildo!
“To begin;” he says, taking an
Asson**** (rattle). “I must enrage his spirit.”
Watched carefully by Arcane and the mutant, Duchamp shakes
the rattle and then places it in the centre of the circle. He
then begins a prayer to Danbhalah, calling upon the Great
Serpent and other spirits to hear his call. Arcane is looking
around cautiously for signs of anything happening.
Elsewhere in the swamp, Alec clutches his head in agony and
rage, roaring his anger.
Back at the ritual, Duchamp is opening a wooden box
gleefully. “What’s that for?” Arcane asks.
“It’s a living part of the swamp.” Duchamp
explains, removing a large frog (or toad?) that writhes and
kicks in his hand; “It is part of him.”
"Right, lads!
Who's for a spot of toad
licking while we're waiting?"
He puts the frog in the circle and waves his
hands over it; at which point the creature spontaneously
immolates. Arcane is watching all this with curiosity.
Suddenly, he hears the roar to his right causing him to turn.
He and the mutant go to investigate, while Duchamp watches
them with pleased satisfaction. A few yards away, Arcane and
the mutant are greeted by the sight of a furious Alec roaring
and charging them, with a murderous look in his eyes.
Arcane’s speedily ducks behind the mutant for cover.
Alec is now just standing, almost hyperventilating in fury,
glaring at Arcane. As the frog burns, Alec suddenly becomes
engulfed in flames too. At this point, Arcane plucks up
enough courage to venture out from behind the mutant to get a
better look. Duchamp has now stood up and has joined them;
and together they all watch the spectacle. “When I stop
the fire, Swamp Thing will be in a trance, and you can do
with him what you will.” Duchamp tells Arcane.
“I’m going to send him straight to Hell!”
Arcane gloats vindictively as they watch Alec burn.
Duchamp eventually raises his arms and the fire intensifies.
The trio’s view is partially obscured by smoke now. His
eyes widening in anticipation, Duchamp begins to lower his
hands, and the fire dies down. Arcane gives a long hard look,
and seems confused. “Well where is he!?” he asks.
Alec has vanished completely, and nothing remains. “Did
he burn up?” Arcane turns to Duchamp. “No. He has
power over the elements. How can fire destroy him.....when he
IS fire!?” he explains. Suddenly, the entire swamp
begins to shake as though in a rage, and the three men are
having trouble even keeping their feet. Now looking a little
insignificant in comparison, the trio make a strategic
withdrawal back to the cave.
They all wander back into the cave in pensive silence,
subdued by their failure. The mutant goes over to an alcove
and stands there. Arcane wanders over to a gurney in the
centre of the cave, where he stands, holding the rails on it
and tapping his hands in silent thought. Duchamp strolls into
the centre of the cave. “Ahh ...I do not know....what I
can do now to capture this creature.” He sighs,
completely at a loss for once. Arcane’s thought of
something though, and saunters up to Duchamp. “He still
has the emotions of a man;” he suggests with a smile;
“why don’t you take advantage of that?” He
says casually, with a part helpful, part superior,
condescending tone to his voice as he stands, hands behind
his back and looking very pleased with himself. “What do
you mean?” Duchamp asks him. Arcane leans close to
Duchamp; “‘Twas beauty that killed the beast.”
He says cryptically, with a gloating, satisfied expression.
Duchamp understands.
Duchamp had sworn
not to use his Voodoo
powers, but Arcane was having his doubts after
losing the snail racing contest for the 15th time
“Quite a nice picture of Tressa. I so hate to give it up.” Arcane says softly as a photograph of her is resting in the centre of another quartered circle (this one only drawn in chalk, not with stones) within the cave. Duchamp and Arcane are both crouched over it, staring at it intently. “I will trick him with his mind.” Duchamp announces; and Arcane gives a deeply satisfied look. Duchamp takes some dust and sprinkles it on the photo, concentrating hard and staring at it. He smiles.
It was hard, Tressa
thought, trying to be sultry and
enticing when there was a leech crawling up her left thigh.
Out in the swamp, Tressa is out walking. The whole scene is ethereal and unreal. She’s slowly meandering through the bushes, wearing only a flimsy red evening dress with a good bit of herself showing through it. She seems unaware of everything, and in a state of ecstasy. Everything is in soft focus. She’s made up and sensually beautiful. Each step she takes; every movement, is filled with latent sexual desire. “She will lure the Swamp Thing to us.” Duchamp’s voice is heard over the scene. Hidden in the bushes, Alec sees Tressa, and watches her intently. She’s carefree and enticing. She doesn’t seem to notice him obviously, but her entire body language is inviting and beckoning....seductive. “The woman is nothing but an hallucination. He only thinks he sees her.” Duchamp’s voice explains, as Alec stares at Tressa, transfixed and curious. ‘Tressa’ continues on her way, out of the bushes and turning into a narrow natural pathway through the swamp. Alec gets up to follow her. She walks on, with every step, the motion of her body teasing and calling to him. She turns right, and steps behind some bushes with a reddish glow to them.....Arcane’s cave! Without thinking, Alec follows her hurriedly (enticed, or to save her....it isn’t certain.) “And now....He is ours!” Duchamp’s voice exclaims triumphantly.
'A spacious room
with a view', the brochure said.
"Last bloody vacation I go on!" Alec muttered.
Later, in the cave, Alec is bound in an alcove. He’s chained and manacled, and a talisman is hanging from his neck. He appears weak, and is moaning silently. The mutant is still standing in the alcove immediately next to him. Duchamp is standing before Alec. “So. I have broken your magic, Loa! And the talisman around your neck will keep you weak.” He says. Alec struggles slightly. “Don’t fight it!” Duchamp advises. Alec finds his voice; “All this, for Arcane’s Black Rose?” he addresses Duchamp, who looks to his right, where the rose is, and pauses, before turning back to Alec with a broad smile. “You are thinking, that Arcane will try to trick me?” Duchamp asks rhetorically. “He has tricked others.” Alec replies. “He will NOT trick me!” Duchamp says with utmost confidence; “Only YOU have come close to doing that.” He continues, giving a courteous nod to Alec. As they speak, Arcane appears behind them from another part of the cave; “but not close enough!” Duchamp finishes triumphantly. Arcane joins them and turns to Duchamp with one of his trademark smiles. “Discussing me behind my back?” He says with almost mock accusation; “No.” Duchamp gives a reassuring laugh. “I am curious to see what you will do with the Loa.” He says to Arcane. The scientist turns to Alec, savouring this moment like it’s the culmination of his life’s work. The look on his face is sheer, gleeful malevolence. Reaching out, he grabs Alec’s face, cupping his chin in his hand firmly.
"Shall we try
and tell his age from the number
of rings?....Heh heh, just joking, Alec!"
“How d’you like my cave....LOA!” He says derisively, spitting the last word out venomously. Alec doesn’t deign to answer. Arcane shoves Alec’s face free, and walks away, beckoning with a hand gesture for Duchamp to follow. The Houn’gan gives Alec a last look, then goes with Arcane.
Now remember, little
swamp things....If Arcane
touches you in a way you don't like, just tell an adult.
When they are out of sight, Alec concentrates
and groans audibly, shuddering and struggling. He fights and
manages to barely free one arm, which he uses to try to reach
a tiny little leaf that he’s noticed growing out of the
cave wall in the alcove. He strains to reach it; but
it’s just too far away. He misses it by inches. He tries
harder, mustering all the power he can, but to no avail. He
fails, and is weakened. The talisman’s power is holding
firm.
Elsewhere, in an ante-chamber, Arcane is standing behind some
surgical tables, preparing a variety of instruments. There is
a beaker of fluorescent green liquid with them. He turns to
Duchamp, behind him. “You’re a very lucky fellow,
Duchamp.” He says with great pride and no modesty
whatsoever; “You’re about to witness my greatest
achievement to date!” he puts down some tools.
“I’m sure I will find it interesting. I know
nothing of science!” Duchamp tells him. “This is
bigger than science!” Arcane derides the comment;
“I will finally be able to dissect Swamp Thing; and
discover the biological secrets to his powers;” Arcane
is eager with anticipation; “The answer to the
Bio-Restorative process I’ve been searching for!”
Duchamp is regarding him coldly.
Meanwhile, Alec tries again to reach the leaf. Summoning all
his strength and straining, he just manages to touch the tip
of his finger to it. Immediately, the cave roof begins to
shudder ever so slightly, and there’s a crack
developing. Vines and leaves start to grow down, as Alec
begins to draw strength from The Green.
In the ante-chamber Arcane is still standing with his back to
the Priest, preparing for his experimentation. “Once you
find the secret of Baka’s powers....what will you do to
him?” Duchamp asks him curiously; “....since he can
not be killed.” “Turn him back into a man.”
Arcane says with a grin, looking at Duchamp, then returning
his gaze to his instruments again. Duchamp considers this.
“Is that not giving him something he wants?” He
enquires. Meanwhile, out in the main cave, more shoots and
leaves are growing. They are coming through the cave walls,
undermining it’s stability. Sap oozes through the
cracks, and the place starts to shudder a little bit more.
“Once I’ve transformed that creature into a
man;” back in the ante-chamber, Arcane explains, turning
back to Duchamp again; “then the fun will really
begin.” He fingers an evil looking instrument with
relish. “Fun?” Duchamp enquires.
“Torture!” Arcane smiles, turning back to the
Priest; “Long....slow....and painful beyond
belief!” He purrs, almost ecstatic with pleasure at the
thought of this. He turns away again, preparing a syringe
with the green fluid. “Ooh....your science is
vile.” Duchamp exclaims in disgust. “It’s what
it is;” Arcane’s face grows suddenly determined,
his voice harsh; “Like it or NOT!” He turns swiftly
on Duchamp with a predatory look on his face, hypodermic at
the ready. Duchamp’s ready for the betrayal, though; and
simply vanishes. Arcane looks perplexed to be greeted by thin
air. Behind him, the Houn’gan appears with a smile,
laughing loudly. “You are a fool, Dr. Arcane. You cannot
hurt Duchamp!” Arcane recovers his composure.
“I’m not interested in hurting you.....I’m
interested in controlling you.” He explains. “I
want your Voodoo secrets....” His voice grows hard and
determined, and he advances menacingly, brandishing the
syringe; “....and I’ll turn you into a mutant if I
have to get them!” He snarls viciously.
Meanwhile, plantlife is growing like wildfire through the
cave, destabilising the structure further, and Alec has drawn
great strength from The Swamp’s intrusion into this
place. He raises his hands, and with a roar, snaps the chains
holding him.
When danger reared
it's ugly head, Arcane
assumed his tried and trusted battle stance
“What’s happening!?” in the ante-chamber, Arcane gives a frightened, bewildered cry and covering his face, as the whole place is now shaking violently, and rocks are starting to be dislodged around him. Back in his alcove, Alec snaps the talisman from around his neck, and throws it to the floor with contempt. In the alcove next to him, the mutant is being throttled by vines twisting round it’s neck. He gives a little struggle, then slumps, and is still. Alec surveys the place. The greenery has taken over almost completely and everywhere is festooned with vines and flowers. He angrily kicks his way out of the alcove and leaves.
*Much better* Alec
thought, images of becoming
an interior designer flitting through his mind.
“It’s saved me the bother of
killing you, Arcane!” Duchamp shouts with scorn above
the noise of the destruction, leaving the ante-chamber. With
huge rocks now falling down around him, Arcane darts for
safety under the nearby instrument table, where he cowers in
shock and fear from the chaos and falling debris. All around
him, his cave is being wrecked.
Back out in the main cave, Duchamp looks around and sees the
Black Rose.....limp and destroyed. He gives a deep sigh, then
accepts it. He turns and examines the dead mutant; then goes
to the alcove where Alec was and retrieves something from the
ground: The talisman. “Not even my talisman could hold
him!” he says with awe and respect, clutching it firmly
in his hand. “Help! Get me out of here!!” Comes a
frightened and plaintive Arcane-like cry from the
ante-chamber, where he’s obviously trapped. Ignoring it,
Duchamp takes a last look, then leaves.
Outside, in the swamp, Duchamp walks a little from the cave
entrance, and sees Alec behind some bushes. They face each
other. “Your power is stronger than even I anticipated;
for you have destroyed the Black Rose.” Duchamp tells
him. “Why don’t you change your magic?” Alec
suggests, knowing that Duchamp has some honour; “and do
good with it?” Duchamp ignores this. “There is one
thing I must know.” The Priest smiles. “And what is
that?” Alec replies. “Would you have wanted to
become a man again?” Duchamp asks him. “If your
magic was true magic, you’d have known the answer to
that!” Alec answers cryptically. “I bow to you,
Loa!” Duchamp smiles, giving a respectful bow. Alec
regards him. “Why do you call me that?” he asks
Duchamp. “I call you what you are: Loa; of green
things.....The Spirit of The Swamp.” “Loa?”
Alec repeats. “Spirits!” explains Duchamp, with a
powerful vitality to his voice; “They live everywhere;
In trees; in the sky; in the water....and in YOU.” He
pauses, smiling. “Some day we will meet again,
Loa.....And I will be ready for you.” With an enigmatic
smile, Duchamp simply disappears again.
The final scene is simply a shot of the pool, with the black
rose growing in it. It is ambiguous as to whether it is just
an artistic shot, or whether the rose has grown back; or
whether it is a second rose.
OK. No fresh air, no
sunlight, no water.....and he grows
it in dry ice! No wonder the thing died!!
* 'Voodoo': A term often used to describe the religion of Vodoun or Vo-Du (literal meaning being 'Vo' ('introspection') and 'Du' ('into the unknown'). The term however is a bastardisation of the accepted forementioned names, and often considered hurtful and derogatory to members of the religion. I've continued to use the term 'Voodoo' for this summary since that's how it's described in the episode itself, and most commonly recognised, but I acknowledge in this footnote that it's incorrect, and no offense is intended to members of the religion by its use.
** Baka.
A higher spirit, superior soul or guardian angel; or part of
two cosmic aligned spirits/Priesthoods; or talismans.
*** Danbhalah We-Do. A major serpent mystere
(deity/spirit) of the Vodoun religion, representing Animals,
The Wood, beauty and perfection, gifts and ancestry.
Sometimes written as Damballah.
**** Asson: A calabash rattle that is
the symbol of office of an Houn'gan or Mam'bo. Inside the
Asson are stones and Snake vertebrae, which give it its
sound.