- 2 days ago
A man lets himself into more trouble than bargained for when he rescues a woman from a swamp and she is apparently pursued by a swamp creature.
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00:00come in
00:18welcome
00:21I'm E.G. Marshall
00:23welcome to the world
00:26of terrifying imagination
00:28the fear
00:30you can hear
00:31just mention the word swamp
00:36and coal settled
00:38in the bones
00:39the dampness runs through the veins
00:42like slime
00:43and the thoughts of the
00:46brooding, cloying miasma
00:48lingers in the nostrils
00:49sented, decaying
00:52conjuring in the mind
00:54visions of things
00:56that slide and slip
00:58and slither in the night
01:00who's that?
01:04where are you?
01:07what is it?
01:08where are you?
01:10stay away
01:11stay away
01:13I'm sorry
01:15I'm out of the quicksand
01:17I'm out of the devil's cauldron
01:19whoever you are
01:21don't wiggle
01:21try not to move
01:23you'll sink faster
01:24stay away
01:24the swamp can't hurt me
01:26he'll get you too
01:28he's too late for me
01:31I'm your soul
01:33I'm your soul
01:34I'm your soul
01:34our mystery drama
01:45the creature from the swamp
01:48was written especially
01:49for the mystery theater
01:50by Ian Martin
01:51and stars
01:53Jack Grimes
01:54and Joan Loring
01:55a young game and fish
02:09warden named Larry Drake
02:10who for reasons of his own
02:12lived an isolated hermit's life
02:14in the heart of the great swamp
02:16was returning after dark
02:18in a wild thunderstorm
02:19to his lonely cabin
02:21just as he approached
02:23the cup-shaped body
02:25of quicksand
02:26and swamp water
02:26cold
02:27but
02:28since this is his story
02:30and he left a painfully careful
02:33and detailed record
02:34why not let him tell it
02:36for himself
02:36I'm typing this
02:39before I do
02:41what I have to do
02:42because I know the sheriff
02:45must be on his way
02:47for me by now
02:48this is the end
02:51of what began
02:52since a lifetime ago
02:54but I reckon
02:56it's only a few days
02:57the weather was foul
03:00and as I started to skirt
03:02the edge of the devil's cauldron
03:04I heard the sound
03:04of a woman crying
03:05I broke through the undergrowth
03:08and in a flash of lightning
03:09I saw her for the first time
03:10trapped waist deep
03:11in the slime
03:12and sinking fat
03:13stay still
03:15the more you flounder
03:16the more you sink
03:17leave me
03:18leave me
03:20save yourself
03:22I'm not in any danger
03:23now neither are you
03:24if you do as I say
03:25grab the end
03:27of this tree branch
03:28you'll feel yourself too
03:30let's not fuss over me
03:32concentrate on you
03:33grab the branch
03:34that's it
03:35now pull it towards you
03:36till you get the main step
03:38alright now listen
03:39I'm not worth your saving
03:41we'll talk about that later
03:42now go on
03:44grab it
03:45he'll pull me down
03:49who
03:49that's just old country talking
03:52have you got the branch
03:53okay
03:54now don't you move
03:56you hear me
03:57I'm gonna pull you in
03:58to me
03:59don't try to help
04:00you can't do anything
04:01without thinking deeper
04:02just trust me
04:04trust me
04:07oh no
04:19no hush up
04:19hush up
04:20you're alright
04:21who are you
04:24just the guy who pulled you out of the swamp
04:27my name's Larry Drake
04:29here I brought you some soup
04:33it's so dark in here
04:35it's the middle of the night
04:37don't you have any light
04:40just the gas lantern
04:41in the other room
04:42oh
04:43here I'll set this down
04:44the table by the bed
04:45can't you
04:46bring the lantern in here
04:48I'd rather not
04:50you have enough light to see
04:51I want to look at you
04:54why
04:55I want to see
04:58the man who had enough courage
05:00to risk his life for me
05:02I don't really think you would
05:05does it matter all that much
05:07no
05:09who are you
05:10I told you
05:12Larry Drake
05:13what were you doing
05:15by the devil's cauldron
05:16coming home
05:17you live here
05:20yep
05:20if you call it living
05:24why
05:24I mean what do you do
05:26I'm a fish and game warden
05:28you see right here
05:30smack in the middle of the great swamp
05:31is the last colony
05:32of great hooping spoonbills
05:34in the world
05:34it's my job to
05:36try to keep them living
05:37the blind
05:39leading the blind
05:40or
05:40the damned
05:41trying to preserve
05:42the damned
05:43I don't quite understand you
05:45I suppose not
05:47see the spoonbill and me
05:49we're just the same kind
05:50of species
05:51right out of Mr. Darwin
05:52what does that mean
05:53we don't seem to fit our environment
05:57oh
05:59that makes me sort of a thing
06:01well now I don't understand you
06:04it doesn't matter
06:06who
06:08who are you
06:08my name is
06:11Udine
06:11that's all just
06:14Udine
06:16I like the way
06:20you say it
06:21that's all
06:23okay
06:26I don't want to pry
06:28what were you doing
06:31way out here
06:31at the end of the world
06:32I was
06:32trying
06:33to escape
06:34run away
06:36if you want to call it that
06:37from home
06:38the
06:39swamp man
06:40the who
06:41he
06:43lives at the bottom
06:45of the devil's
06:46cold
06:46there are only holes
06:49where his eyes
06:50ought to be
06:50and his hair
06:52is made of
06:53Spanish moss
06:54his shoulders
06:56are knotted
06:56with muscles
06:57and his hands
06:58can span
06:59a wagon wheel
06:59he has no legs
07:01only a great
07:03long trunk
07:04with one huge
07:06foot
07:06like a giant
07:07clam
07:07that grips
07:08the rock
07:08at the bottom
07:09with a suction
07:10no one can break
07:11and he lives
07:12on those
07:13who are foolish
07:14enough
07:14to walk
07:14the swamp
07:15by night
07:16with his hands
07:18he draws them
07:19down
07:19down
07:20beneath the
07:21green slime
07:22and shifting
07:23black sand
07:24you've had a bad
07:26scare
07:27you need to rest
07:29you should have
07:30left me
07:30though you're
07:33lost too
07:34oh
07:39what a storm
07:40devil's out
07:42walking
07:42tonight
07:43even
07:44sheriff
07:44ain't had
07:45a spring
07:46like this
07:46in 53
07:47who's that
07:50there stretched
07:50out on the
07:51state of sight
07:51oh that
07:52bubber james
07:53and some
07:53riffraff
07:54friend of his
07:55and runs
07:55a still
07:56with him
07:56pass out
07:57cold
07:58but they're
08:00bringing
08:00some powerful
08:01tasty
08:01corn
08:02like it
08:02could you
08:03use a shot
08:04against the
08:04cold
08:05you wouldn't
08:05have to
08:06twist my
08:06arm
08:07jeff
08:07ira says
08:08you run
08:08the best
08:09store
08:09in
08:09carter
08:09it
08:10what a
08:10half
08:10the only
08:11one
08:12guess you
08:14ain't doing
08:15much business
08:15today jeff
08:16no no
08:17pop
08:18damn i meant
08:20tell you
08:21right off
08:21gear school
08:23blew in
08:23again just
08:24before
08:24dark
08:25who
08:26larry drake
08:27larry
08:28thought you
08:30said he
08:30come in
08:30yesterday
08:31to stock
08:32up for
08:32the month
08:32oh he
08:32did
08:33ain't come
08:34back again
08:34today all
08:35the way
08:35from the
08:35swamp
08:36he did
08:37well i
08:37come
08:38well he
08:38wanted
08:38some more
08:39supplies
08:39and a
08:41female
08:42dress
08:43other such
08:44thing
08:44what
08:45you think
08:47he's
08:48finally getting
08:49over
08:49barbara james
08:50figure it out
08:52for yourself
08:53why'd he
08:54look
08:54why that's
08:54how i'd
08:55say
08:55no different
08:57i guess
08:57than he
08:57ever will
08:58why didn't
08:59he stay
08:59in the
09:00hospital
09:00and have
09:00that face
09:01big
09:01i reckon
09:02after what
09:03happened
09:03he just
09:04plain didn't
09:04care
09:05looks like
09:07maybe he
09:08might
09:08you mean
09:09old
09:10turtle skin
09:11drake got
09:11himself
09:12sacked up
09:12with some
09:13woman
09:13my doggone
09:14brother i
09:15thought you
09:15was cold
09:16turkey
09:16you only
09:17gotta mention
09:18woman
09:18around old
09:19brother
09:20and he's
09:20away
09:20now you
09:21lay off
09:22larry drake
09:23he's had
09:25enough trouble
09:25for his
09:26lifetime
09:27without having
09:28to carry
09:28you on his
09:29back
09:29i'd just
09:30like to
09:30see what
09:30kind of
09:31woman
09:31old
09:31bacon
09:32face
09:32larry drake
09:33could get
09:34to look
09:34at him
09:34twice
09:35you reckon
09:41you can
09:42sleep now
09:42wouldn't
09:42i
09:43you're
09:43going to
09:43leave me
09:44larry
09:44bring the
09:45lantern
09:45why
09:46i want
09:48to look
09:48at you
09:49very well
09:51maybe it's
09:53that
09:53i'm
09:56shading
09:56this
09:56light
09:57i
09:57wouldn't
09:58want
09:58you
09:58to
09:59turn
09:59away
09:59from
09:59me
09:59uncover
10:00it
10:00let me
10:02see
10:03all
10:05right
10:05oh
10:07poor
10:09larry
10:10what
10:12happened
10:12i had
10:16the world
10:16in my
10:16pocket
10:17i was
10:19going to
10:19be
10:19married
10:19to
10:20barbara
10:20jane
10:20who
10:20everybody
10:21said
10:21would
10:21be
10:21next
10:22miss
10:22america
10:22we
10:24were
10:24golden
10:24boy
10:24and
10:25golden
10:25girl
10:25wasn't
10:28it
10:28byron
10:28who
10:28said
10:29whom
10:29the
10:29gods
10:29love
10:30die
10:30young
10:31i got
10:33myself
10:33all
10:34licked
10:34up
10:34at a
10:34party
10:34two nights
10:35before
10:35the
10:35wedding
10:35and
10:36insisted
10:36on
10:36driving
10:36home
10:37we
10:39went
10:39off
10:39the
10:39road
10:40and
10:40into
10:40a
10:40ditch
10:40i
10:41was
10:42thrown
10:42clear
10:42but
10:43she
10:43was
10:43trapped
10:44in
10:44the
10:44car
10:44i
10:46tried
10:47to
10:47get
10:47through
10:47the
10:47flames
10:48to
10:48her
10:48but
10:48she
10:49was
10:50burned
10:50to
10:50a
10:50crisp
10:51as
10:53you
10:54can
10:54see
10:54there
10:54wasn't
10:55much
10:55more
10:56left
10:56than
10:56me
10:56except
10:59i
10:59lived
10:59your
11:01poor
11:02poor
11:03face
11:04they
11:05wanted
11:06to
11:06fix
11:06it
11:06i
11:06suppose
11:07it
11:07could
11:07have
11:07been
11:07made
11:07better
11:08but
11:08i
11:09had
11:09no
11:09money
11:09and
11:09less
11:11interest
11:11i
11:12want
11:12you
11:12to
11:12go
11:13to
11:13the
11:13swamp
11:13and
11:14bring
11:15me
11:15water
11:15from
11:15the
11:15cauldron
11:16and
11:17mud
11:17from
11:17the
11:18edge
11:18what
11:18for
11:18i'll
11:19show
11:19you
11:19i
11:20don't
11:20want
11:20to
11:20leave
11:21you
11:21now
11:21i
11:22wouldn't
11:22let
11:22you
11:23leave
11:23me
11:23now
11:23you
11:25can
11:25only
11:25go
11:25by
11:25daylight
11:26he
11:26can
11:26only
11:27come
11:27out
11:27of
11:27the
11:27swamp
11:27by
11:28night
11:28the
11:29swamp
11:29man
11:29yes
11:30i'm
11:30not
11:31afraid
11:31of
11:31him
11:31i'll
11:31go
11:32now
11:32no
11:32no
11:32please
11:33larry
11:33don't
11:34stay
11:35with
11:35me
11:35stay
11:36with
11:36me
11:37come
11:37hold
11:39me
11:39in
11:40your
11:40arms
11:41what
11:42is it
11:43are you
11:43will
11:44i'm
11:45afraid
11:45larry
11:46i'm
11:47only
11:47afraid
11:48that
11:50he
11:50came
11:50for
11:51me
11:51once
11:51before
11:51on
11:52a
11:52night
11:52like
11:53this
11:53before
11:54i
11:54would
11:54you
11:56see
11:57he
11:59needs
12:00the
12:00dance
12:00and
12:02the
12:02wish
12:02because
12:04he
12:05can't
12:05walk
12:05he
12:07has
12:07to
12:07crawl
12:08like
12:08a
12:08snake
12:09please
12:11larry
12:13please
12:14hold
12:16me
12:16hold
12:17me
12:18who
12:20did
12:20they
12:20do
12:23you
12:25know
12:25what
12:26is
12:27to
12:28be
12:30warm
12:31like
12:31it
12:32don't
12:33don't
12:34feel
12:35you
12:35dry
12:37and
12:38smooth
12:39but
12:40hug
12:42don't
12:43hug
12:43me
12:44he's
12:47coming
12:48for me
12:49he's
12:49coming
12:50to take
12:51me back
12:51it's the
12:53swamp
12:54there
12:54what
13:01creatures
13:02of the
13:02night
13:03the
13:03mind
13:03can
13:04form
13:04what
13:05faceless
13:06horror
13:07that
13:07creeps
13:08and
13:08crawls
13:09drag
13:10themselves
13:10out of
13:11the
13:11imagination
13:12into
13:13the
13:13world
13:13we
13:13think
13:14safe
13:14is
13:16the
13:16sound
13:17larry
13:17and
13:17udine
13:18strain
13:18to
13:19hear
13:19some
13:20unimaginable
13:21creature
13:22born from
13:23the murky
13:23deeps
13:24of the
13:24rotting
13:24swamps
13:25or
13:26does he
13:27exist
13:27only in
13:28the
13:28forest
13:29of the
13:30mind
13:30i'll
13:32return
13:32shortly
13:32with
13:32act
13:33two
13:33an
13:45isolated
13:46cabin
13:46deep
13:47in a
13:48semi-tropical
13:49swampland
13:49a young
13:51man
13:51scarred
13:52physically
13:52and mentally
13:53by a
13:53tragic
13:54accident
13:54a
13:55strange
13:56girl
13:56called
13:57only
13:57udine
13:58rescued
13:59from
13:59being
13:59sucked
14:00to
14:00death
14:00in
14:00smothering
14:01quicksand
14:02and
14:03outside
14:04there's
14:05something
14:05that
14:06bumps
14:06and crawls
14:07in the
14:07rain-swept
14:08night
14:09listen
14:11let me
14:14go
14:14no
14:15if he's
14:15there
14:16i'll
14:16get rid
14:16of him
14:16you can't
14:17stand
14:17against
14:18this
14:18rock
14:18man
14:18larry
14:19i can
14:19try
14:19no
14:20no
14:20it's
14:20me
14:21he's
14:21come
14:21forth
14:21don't
14:22don't
14:23go
14:23up
14:23there
14:24wait
14:25what
14:25is
14:26it
14:27listen
14:27do you
14:30hear
14:30anything
14:30the rain
14:33has
14:33stopped
14:34he
14:36isn't
14:36moving
14:36anymore
14:37damn
14:38all
14:39let's
14:39settle
14:39this
14:39larry
14:40larry
14:41it's
14:43all right
14:43udine
14:44what
14:45somebody
14:46here
14:46the sun
14:48is coming
14:48up
14:48he's
14:50afraid
14:50of life
14:51he can't
14:52face
14:52the day
14:53what
14:56what
14:56is it
14:57udine
14:57i don't
14:58know
14:58i'm
14:59burning
15:00up
15:00hold
15:01me
15:02larry
15:02hold
15:04me
15:04you
15:06want
15:06to
15:06don't
15:07you
15:07yes
15:07i don't
15:09know
15:09why
15:09but
15:10yes
15:10oh
15:11yes
15:11yes
15:12is
15:14it
15:14because
15:14i look
15:16like
15:16her
15:16who
15:18barbara
15:19jane
15:20maybe
15:22no
15:24yes
15:26i don't
15:27know
15:27i need
15:29you
15:30so
15:30i need
15:31you
15:31so
15:32as i
15:33need
15:33you
15:33as i
15:36need
15:37you
15:37who
15:48is it
15:49it's larry
15:50it's all
15:51right
15:51i went out
15:51to get
15:52the mud
15:52in the
15:52swamp
15:52water
15:53i'll
15:57get
15:57some
15:57fresh
15:57no
15:58from
15:59the
15:59swamp
16:00i
16:01have
16:01a
16:01glass
16:02here
16:02but
16:03it's
16:03stagnant
16:04it'll
16:04poison
16:04you
16:05no
16:05no
16:06like
16:07red
16:08give
16:10me
16:11are
16:11you
16:12sure
16:13please
16:13okay
16:15here
16:16udine
16:16thank
16:18you
16:20that's
16:23better
16:24i
16:26feel
16:27much
16:27better
16:28i'm
16:30worried
16:30about
16:30that
16:30cough
16:31it's
16:31nothing
16:32i'm
16:32just
16:32very
16:34dry
16:35you
16:35look
16:36so
16:36flushed
16:36bring
16:37me
16:37the
16:37other
16:37pail
16:38you
16:38did
16:38bring
16:39mud
16:39looks
16:40more
16:40like
16:41slime
16:41to
16:41me
16:41you
16:42sure
16:42of
16:43course
16:43i'm
16:43sure
16:44it's
16:45marvelous
16:46larry
16:46you'll
16:46see
16:47it
16:48soothes
16:49the
16:49skin
16:49look
16:51i rub
16:53it
16:53into
16:53my
16:53skin
16:54and
16:55i can
16:55feel
16:56the
16:56muscles
16:56relax
16:57and
16:58then
16:59become
16:59renewed
16:59again
17:00it
17:01smooths
17:02away
17:02every
17:02wrinkle
17:03come
17:05here
17:05larry
17:06kneel
17:07beside
17:07me
17:08don't
17:09look
17:09at
17:09me
17:09in
17:09the
17:09light
17:09don't
17:10be
17:10afraid
17:11i
17:13see
17:13behind
17:13the
17:14mask
17:14and
17:16i'm
17:16going
17:16to
17:17gentle
17:17that
17:17poor
17:18charge
17:19skin
17:20feel
17:22how
17:22smooth
17:23and
17:23gentle
17:24shut
17:26your
17:26eyes
17:27and
17:28you
17:29are
17:29in
17:29a
17:29cave
17:29of
17:30water
17:30down
17:32in
17:32the
17:32cool
17:32green
17:33depth
17:34quiet
17:35and
17:35soulful
17:36like
17:38a
17:38cathedral
17:38at
17:39the
17:39silent
17:39bottom
17:39of
17:40a
17:40sunstruck
17:40lake
17:41i
17:43could
17:43have
17:43this
17:43moment
17:44last
17:44forever
17:44or
17:46choose
17:47it
17:47for
17:47the
17:47one
17:47to
17:47die
17:48does
17:49it
17:50feel
17:50good
17:50i
17:52don't
17:52know
17:53about
17:53this
17:53primeval
17:54slime
17:55it's
17:56all
17:56in
17:56the
17:56touch
17:56of
17:56your
17:57hands
17:57oh
17:58if
17:58only
17:59it
17:59were
17:59i
18:03i
18:05i
18:07should
18:08let
18:09you
18:09rest
18:09here
18:10let me
18:10get a
18:10cloth
18:11to
18:11wash
18:11your
18:11face
18:11no
18:12leave
18:12it
18:13up
18:13don't
18:14let me
18:16feel
18:16your brow
18:16you
18:18know
18:18you're
18:18running
18:18fever
18:19i'm
18:19going to
18:19get
18:19to
18:19a
18:19doctor
18:20i
18:20don't
18:21need
18:21a
18:21doctor
18:21don't
18:22leave
18:23me
18:23alone
18:23what
18:24is it
18:24you're
18:25afraid
18:25of
18:25i
18:25told
18:26you
18:26the
18:26swamp
18:27man
18:27yes
18:27but
18:28that's
18:28plain
18:28fantasy
18:29hallucination
18:30who are
18:32you
18:32where do
18:33you
18:33come
18:33from
18:33are
18:33you
18:34a
18:34husband
18:34a
18:35lover
18:36of
18:37a
18:37family
18:37no
18:38no
18:39family
18:39no
18:39husband
18:40nobody
18:41looking
18:42for me
18:43but
18:43him
18:43i
18:46i
18:48have
18:48a
18:48lover
18:48now
18:49larry
18:51i
18:54let
18:55me
18:56rest
18:57who
19:03who
19:03who
19:05who
19:06who
19:06who
19:06who
19:06who
19:06who
19:06who
19:07who
19:07who
19:08who
19:09who
19:09she
19:09must
19:09be
19:09running
19:09100
19:10to
19:103
19:10or
19:104
19:10i've
19:12got
19:12to get
19:12a
19:12doctor
19:13a
19:13doctor
19:43You think this antibiotic will bring your temperature down?
19:47Well, I can only hope.
19:48I don't dare prescribe anything else sight unseen.
19:52Of course, if I knew for a fact that it was the swamp fever, I...
19:56You need a blood test for that.
19:58Yeah.
19:58All right, Doc.
19:59I'll bring you back a blood sample myself.
20:02That's right.
20:03You were fixin' to be a veterinarian, I forgot.
20:07Yeah, a lot of things I was fixin' to be once, Doc.
20:14There you are, Larry, boy.
20:17That'll be 375 out of 10.
20:20Now, you take two every four hours.
20:23You want some water to start off here?
20:25Oh, they're not for me, Jeb.
20:26Yeah, well, now, I didn't somehow expect they was.
20:31You don't act like you was sick, none.
20:33Oh, I'm not.
20:35Jeb, I want to buy a gun.
20:36Oh, stuff me for a little.
20:38I thought you was plum set against any sort of power.
20:41I'm how I've changed.
20:42Uh, how much is that one, ma'am?
20:45This year, $45?
20:47Yeah.
20:48And a box of shells.
20:49Now, what do you want it for?
20:52Protection.
20:53Oh, well, I reckon,
20:54livin' as deep in the swamp as you do, you need it.
20:57All right, that'll be, let's see,
20:59$85 and $5.20 for the state.
21:02It's $90.20 altogether.
21:05Okay, here we're...
21:07Is that enough here?
21:08Oh, Larry, boy.
21:11Where'd you get money like that?
21:14Well, I've been savin' it since I went into the swamp, Jeb.
21:17Nothing much to spend it on there.
21:18Yeah.
21:20Up until the last few days, huh?
21:23What does that mean?
21:24Oh, come on, son.
21:27Now, here...
21:28Here's a change.
21:30I know from the other day that you, uh...
21:33You got yourself a woman out there.
21:35That's none of your business.
21:36Larry, you ain't got nothin' but friends around here.
21:40I ain't pokin' into your chicken coop.
21:42I just hope she's someone who'll treat you right.
21:45And I'm right sorry to hear she's poorly.
21:49Well, she got herself caught in the devil's cauldron.
21:51I had to pull her out.
21:53You don't say, now.
21:54A local girl?
21:56I don't know.
21:57Any missing hereabouts?
21:58Well, not as I'll have kale.
22:01Can I ask her name?
22:03What's she look like, Larry?
22:16She looks like the spitting image of Barbara Jane.
22:20And you found her in the devil's cauldron?
22:23Half buried in the quicksand.
22:26Larry.
22:27Larry, boy, you...
22:29You sure she's what she seems to be?
22:32Come on, Jeb.
22:36Can you have a ring?
22:38Hi there, Jeb.
22:40Got some smokes for me and my buddy?
22:43Well, here's an unexpected pleasure.
22:47Mr. Larry Drake, the happy hermit.
22:50I'll be leaving, Jeb.
22:51Good night.
22:52Didn't you hear me talkin' to you, old buddy?
22:56Hello, Bubba.
22:57Ain't you gonna say hello to old Jeff here?
23:00You remember Jess Gilford?
23:04Hi, Jess.
23:05Oh, there, L.A.
23:07Excuse me, I was...
23:08What's your hurry?
23:10Don't you want to visit for a while?
23:12There isn't much left to be said between you and me.
23:15That's damn right.
23:17Not since you killed my sister.
23:20It was an accident.
23:22Barbara Jane got killed.
23:24You escaped.
23:25Come on, Bubba.
23:26My baby.
23:27Stay out of this, Jess.
23:28What you wearing, Larry?
23:31Little black paint to hide that pretty face that fired you'd up?
23:36Let me pass, Bubba.
23:37Maybe you're smart to cover up now you got a new woman with you.
23:42You might turn his stomach.
23:43Get out of my way.
23:44Blindside him, Jeff.
23:45Get free.
23:46All three of you.
23:50Now, don't any of you move a whisker.
23:52Now, you shut up, Bubba, and you Jess just stay out of what's none of your care.
23:56And, Larry, you don't use your hands for nothing more than letting yourself out that door.
24:04Longer now.
24:05Well, it's going good.
24:06I'm going, Jeff.
24:08But why did you tell trash like Bubba about me and...
24:11I didn't mean to, Larry.
24:13He...
24:13He overheard by accident.
24:17Okay.
24:20Now, Bubba, you stay away from me.
24:22I've taken all from you.
24:23I'm going to.
24:32Hi, Shoudinae.
24:35Larry?
24:36Oh, I thought...
24:38No, no, nothing to worry about.
24:42How do you feel?
24:43Some water, please.
24:46Oh, it's right here.
24:48Thanks, Larry.
24:49That feels better.
24:55I feel like getting up for a while.
24:56I've made us some dinner.
24:58If you want me to.
25:01Oh, what happened to my dress?
25:03I threw it away.
25:04It was all stained and torn.
25:06Oh, well, then what about...
25:07I brought you a new one from the store.
25:09I...
25:09Oh.
25:10I hope it fits and, uh...
25:13Oh, you...
25:13I mean, you like it.
25:14You bought me a new gown.
25:17Well, you have to have something to wear.
25:19Oh.
25:20Open this dress.
25:20I haven't had a new gown.
25:24Oh, Larry.
25:26It's beautiful.
25:28Oh, it's beautiful.
25:31Give me a little time by myself to freshen up and put it on.
25:35Oh, you're beautiful.
25:37Uh-huh.
25:38You're so beautiful.
25:40Is it because I look like her?
25:44Yes.
25:47And no.
25:50Barbara Jane is dead.
25:52You're alive.
25:55What is it?
25:57Nothing.
25:58Larry, I...
26:01I'm tired again.
26:04I'm so tired.
26:06Oh, it kept you sitting here too long in front of the fire.
26:08You...
26:09No.
26:09Oh, you sure cast a spell over me.
26:11I didn't realize it had gone out.
26:13I'll get some fresh wood.
26:14No.
26:15Don't.
26:15I don't need a fire.
26:17I just...
26:18Lee.
26:20Is it still raining?
26:22Yeah, a cat's dark.
26:24Oh.
26:25It's so heavy you can't...
26:26It's dark out.
26:29Well, it's been a black day.
26:31The night came early.
26:32It's...
26:33So will he...
26:35This time he won't wait too late.
26:38Who did I listen to me, darling?
26:39You're here with me.
26:40You're safe.
26:41There's no such thing as a swamp man.
26:43He's coming.
26:45I feel it.
26:47He's coming.
26:48It's just superstition and fault.
26:50No, listen.
26:52You see, there's nothing.
26:53Listen.
26:54Listen.
26:54He's coming, mate.
27:00He won't leave without me.
27:02He won't leave with you as long as I'm here.
27:04No, Harry.
27:05Don't go after me.
27:07I've lost a protection.
27:09I've got to kill you.
27:11We'll find out soon enough.
27:13Swap man.
27:14If you come for her, you won't get it.
27:18I'm giving you one last warning.
27:20Stay back.
27:21Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha.
27:29An eldritch wail, an eerie cry out of the night, and a shot in self-defense.
27:37But what good is a gun against a ghoul or a hobgoblin?
27:41Creatures of the mind and dark night fantasies are not laid to rest by a bullet.
27:48I'll return shortly with Act Three.
27:51what a host of strange blood-chilling monsters the human imagination has dredged up from the
28:09depths the loch ness monster mermaids sea serpents the merciless lorelei the inexorable sirens
28:18the poet keats immortal la belle dame sans merci the lovely lady without mercy who lured kings and
28:27princes to a watery grave but in this story which is the true menace from the swamp the swamp man
28:36himself or his escaped captive udine let us return to larry drake's confession to find out
28:45i didn't mean to shoot but i couldn't help myself then i saw the shadowy figure stumbling towards me
28:55after the shot the crazy laughing stopped i moved up on it very carefully
29:02i could see that it was no swamp man since there were legs dressed in jeans and field boots
29:08oh who are you bubba bubba james oh go to mighty lady you you killed me what were you doing here
29:22oh just uh just a joke i wanted to see what what kind of woman would give you the time of day
29:31the joke's on me killed me just like you killed my resistance it was an accident bubba i told you
29:41oh you know what fun face you better take yourself out of circuit circulation you're from
29:49accident throne please where where's james
29:56nothing more i could do for bubba he was dead
30:03i got a tarp from the lean-to by the cabin and covered him up against the rain
30:08and then i went back to the cabin
30:11who didn't i
30:14what happened out there
30:17nothing forget about that all
30:20all that matters right now is to get you to a doctor
30:22no
30:23i'm too weak larry i
30:27i couldn't make it in this way
30:30then i'm going for the doctor no
30:32don't leave me alone
30:34oh okay okay with tonight
30:38with the river cresting and all the rain i probably couldn't get across anyway
30:43oh
30:44but tomorrow morning come hella high water
30:47let tomorrow wait for it's time
30:51tonight we're still together
30:55let time wait on us
31:00i never closed my eyes
31:04but all the time we were together
31:06oudine slept a troubled sleep
31:08her skin hot and dry
31:11her breathing shallow
31:12i took a pulse in the temperature
31:14and what they showed me
31:16sent me off at dawn for town
31:18well i don't know what the sam hill you're up to
31:26larry
31:27have you been drinking
31:28no doctor
31:29what do you mean
31:30well i don't know
31:31about the blood sample
31:33that'll have to be tested
31:34but those other vital signs you described
31:37that's why i'm here to drag you back to see her
31:39well it ain't possible
31:41a pulse of under 30
31:43a bb of 60
31:45over 40
31:46flushed and feverish and running a temperature of under 90
31:50well she should be cold and clammy
31:53that isn't enough to sustain life
31:55human life anyway
31:56you must have made a mistake
31:59no mistake
31:59i was as careful as i could be
32:01oudine is alive
32:02you can see for yourself when you come
32:03oh i shouldn't give in to you
32:07but you
32:07you got me intrigued
32:09can we get across the river
32:11if we leave right now
32:13okay
32:13hello
32:15when
32:17what can i be moved sheriff
32:19yeah yeah
32:22now look at you
32:23you have him lift him in a blanket
32:25and handle him like he was
32:27partridge eggs
32:28yeah
32:29right to the office
32:31i'll be waiting
32:32well larry
32:35i can't go with you now
32:37now wait a minute
32:37you said you were
32:38that was the sheriff
32:39down to the levee
32:41cody william got trapped under a sandbag slide
32:44he's in bad shape
32:45they're bringing in here for me to operate on
32:47how long is that going to take
32:48it could be well on to most half noon
32:50i'll come out of your place as soon as i'm finished
32:53you don't understand
32:54i understand son
32:55but
32:56but i gotta take first things first
32:58but you'll surely come
32:59yeah i promise
33:00how are you going to find your way into the swamp
33:03i'll pick up jeb scanland to guide me
33:06he knows this country like the back of his hands
33:09j case
33:18jacie
33:18jie
33:18what is you boy
33:19you look down and down
33:20huh
33:21now where's your sidekick bubber
33:22honey
33:23bubber
33:24he's dead jeb
33:26he's dead
33:27larry green blew a hole in him with a big old 45
33:31Lord Almighty.
33:32Does the sheriff know about this?
33:34No.
33:34No, I just got the town.
33:36I thought I might find him here.
33:37Oh, he's down the river.
33:39Tress goes by this afternoon around 4.
33:42Here, here's your drink.
33:43Oh, thank you.
33:44When did all this happen?
33:47Last night.
33:49Bubba and me.
33:51You know Bubba, he figured he was going to bother Larry something about the woman he was supposed to be shacked up with.
33:57But we come up on the cabin and the lights was on.
34:02And Bubba, he says, I will give old Frogface Larry and his fancy woman some big scare.
34:09He just watched me make like old Swamp Man.
34:12And then he started calling, kind of ghostly-like.
34:15And the next thing I do.
34:18Now, come on, boy.
34:20Pull yourself together.
34:23Larry, come out on the porch.
34:27He called out.
34:30Then he just let rip with that big old cannon.
34:33I heard that slug rip right through Bubba.
34:35And I took off of the trees like all the devils in hell was on my tail.
34:41Oh, you don't know if Bubba's dead.
34:44Oh, well, I heard him take it.
34:45I don't see how he could be anything else.
34:48You didn't say to find out?
34:49No, sir, not me.
34:50You just took out, yeah?
34:52Larry don't know you was with Bubba last night.
34:55You know, I wouldn't think it.
34:57You see, he'd come out thinking Bubba was the Swamp Man.
35:00And old Bubba, he's just trying to keep up the fun and all that.
35:04Yeah, that Bubba was a coward.
35:08He just picked himself the wrong poker game this time.
35:11It sure looks like Larry's got himself mixed up in something mighty strange.
35:29Who's your name?
35:32I'm sorry I was gone so long.
35:34Can I get you something?
35:36Water from the swamp?
35:38No, no more poison.
35:40The doctor's coming to see you.
35:42The doctor can't help me.
35:43Just give him the chance.
35:45I haven't got...
35:47Listen to me, Larry.
35:50He's one.
35:51I know that now.
35:53Who?
35:54The swamp man.
35:57I can't live in the air anymore.
36:01That's ridiculous.
36:04That's sheer nonsense.
36:05Don't forget me, Larry.
36:06I'm dying.
36:09I'm out of my element.
36:13Your element?
36:14It isn't air anymore.
36:18It's water.
36:20I have to go back or die.
36:24If only you could come with me, but he'd never let you.
36:38I'd fight him for you.
36:40Oh, I suppose you'd try.
36:45You love me that much.
36:51Larry?
36:52Yes?
36:53The one we had at dinner last night.
36:57Yes?
36:59Could you bring a glass and share it with me?
37:04Okay, I'll get it.
37:08This is no goodbye toast.
37:11I'd never let you go.
37:14I know.
37:16Okay, this is to drink to your staying here till Dr. Prince gets here and has a chance to prescribe for you and make your well.
37:23So that you and me can live forever afterwards.
37:27Drink deep, Larry.
37:31My love.
37:33To you.
37:42Sleep, my love, till I call for you again.
37:45I have to leave you now.
37:47The water is green and cool and it washes the skin like oinkment and the moss dampness makes you whole again.
37:59You will be so much for you.
38:00You will be so fair.
38:01Your skin renewed.
38:04Your youth returned.
38:06So much for so little.
38:10What is a soul worth, after all?
38:12Well, quite frankly, I think my patient is much more Larry than this mysterious woman.
38:28Uh, what's that mean?
38:30Well, from all the evidence, no one.
38:32Save Larry has seen her.
38:34Oh, you, you don't mean she, she don't exist.
38:37Well, physiologically, as a doctor, I don't see us can.
38:41And, in addition to the impossible figures on her vital signs, I got a report on her blood sample.
38:49And?
38:50I don't know where our veterinarian game warden got it, but that was no human blood.
38:56Oh, what kind, Ben?
38:59Hmm, not a biologist or a hemopathologist.
39:04Reptile, fish, not a warm-blooded animal, and certainly not a primate.
39:10You think this is some kind of a hoax?
39:13Yeah, I think a boy I loved very deeply because of what he once was.
39:20He's obviously broken, psychologically.
39:23I think we'd better get out to that swamp and see what tatters of them remain that might be pasted together.
39:31Yeah, it's just Tomlin's testimony is right.
39:35There ain't many tatters remaining.
39:44So this is the end of it.
39:47I don't know what Undie Day put in that wine, but I just woke up and she's gone.
39:54I intend to follow her now once I finish this.
39:58I don't know what I shall find in the devil's cauldron.
40:02A fight to the death with a swamp man?
40:05Reunion with Udine?
40:08Peace at last?
40:10Or eternal damnation?
40:11I only know that a moment ago I looked in the mirror and my face is no longer twisted or scarred.
40:22The skin is as young and unwrinkled as it was that night so long ago when Barbara Jane and I left the party two days before we were to be married.
40:31I will step into the sand and wait to sink while death smooths me over.
40:40Uh, maybe there's still time.
40:45We better head back for the swamp.
40:52Hold the light higher, Jeb.
40:53Ah, you ever see anything like that?
40:56The old devil's cauldron is falling like the fires of hell was under him.
41:01Lovely old Lorraine and the high service people.
41:04Trapped swamp gas bubbling to the surface.
41:07Yeah, or Larry and old one-toe lock in combat.
41:11Oh, there ought to be some way we could get in there and try to help a boy.
41:15He'll stay where you are.
41:17Well, this swamp has bought enough lives in its time.
41:21Come daylight, we'll see.
41:23My God, look.
41:25What's that?
41:26I can't see too good.
41:28Hold your lantern high.
41:29Oh.
41:31Well, that's the body surfacing.
41:33It ain't leather.
41:35How do you know in this half-life?
41:37Why ain't got no legs?
41:39That's a swamp man.
41:40Or a manatee or some other animal.
41:45Well, to that sea.
41:48By tomorrow, the currents will have sucked it away.
41:52Well, maybe if it is the swamp man, he's the lucky one.
41:57Who's to say the woman ain't the one who sucks them dry and spews them out?
42:03Ah, you spend too much time gossiping around the stove, Jeb.
42:08It could be.
42:10That's what the olden say.
42:12The swamp is a woman that drags men down, often her body, in exchange for their soul.
42:21The way the legend goes.
42:34But then, there are so many legends.
42:37The classic fabled water sprites called Houdiné, who could receive human souls by marrying a mortal,
42:45la belle dame sans merci, who stole men's souls in exchange for love.
42:50Their numbers must be legion.
42:53And for that matter, since no one but Larry ever saw her,
42:57perhaps Houdiné was only a figment of the imagination.
43:02I'll leave you to make your choice.
43:06I'll be back shortly.
43:07One footnote before we part.
43:23The word of this story having gotten around,
43:27the Okothanoki swamp is avoided by hunters these days, like the plague.
43:31And as a result, the wildlife, left in peace and quiet, breed happily and prolifically once again.
43:40So, like Larry and Houdiné, let's allow them all to rest in peace.
43:46Our cast included Jack Grimes, Joan Loring, Ian Martin, Robert Dryden, and Leon Gianni.
43:55The entire production was under the direction of Hyman Brown.
43:59This is E.G. Marshall inviting you to return to our mystery theater
44:02for another adventure in the macabre.
44:05Until next time, pleasant dreams.
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