The Green Phantasm

"Oh, really?" James asked eagerly. "Oh yes," answered XT, "you see, my facility is set three miles back from the highway. If you follow the gravel road, you will eventually come to a huge steel wall. That is not to mention a gravel parking lot with a white stretched limo out front." "Oh yeah, I'll find it," James declared with confidence while continuously nodding affirmatively. "And another thing," added XT, "we will be inside the west half of the big barrier. I'm talking about my manufacturing area. That's where I've got a big acid vat, of X-Termination Acid! Ha ha haaa! Other than that, there's a set of steps and a balcony leading to my control room and my office." "No problem," Clifton said confidently, "I'll find it all with no trouble. You can count on me." "Well good," replied Doctor XT, "but look here, tough guy, I got two last things to tell you." "Okay, what are they?" asked Clifton. "First of all," said Doctor XT, "you do just like I told you earlier." "What are you talking about?" asked James Clifton. "You don't remember?" asked Doctor XT, a little surprised, "It's like I said, you neon green fool--" "Who the hell do you think you're callin' a fool?!" asked an infuriated James Clifton, "Don't you make me come over there and kick your--" "Hey, hey, hey!" yelled Doctor XT, "You better calm down. Next time you get all crazy and rambunctious, I'm gonna dispose of her right on the spot. So, you better settle down, bub." "All right, all right," James said more calmly, "so anyway, Doctor? As you were saying?" "As I was sayin'," continued Doctor XT, "you better make sure you keep your mouth shut about this whole thing." "Well," replied Clifton, "I guess I don't have any other choice, do I?" "If you wanna keep your girlfriend alive as long as possible," Doctor XT answered, "then, no, you don't." "Well, you got it then, Doctor," James told him. "Excellent," replied Doctor XT. "So, what about the other thing?" asked James. "The other thing?" asked Doctor XT, "Oh yes, of course, that. Well, I just thought I'd let you know that you have until midnight. That's how long you have to settle this once and for all. Of course, if I don't see you or hear from you by then, poor Amanda's demise will take place. So, what do you say? See you by midnight?" "No problem," Clifton answered with confidence, "I'll be there way before then." "Sounds great," XT replied, "we'll all be waiting for you. I suggest you get yourself a move on. You only got till midnight, and keep this to yourself like I told you." "All right, no problem," Clifton said, "I'll see you when I get there, bye." At that, they both hung up. Next, Perone just gave the cell phone back to Amanda. Of course, she had been struggling all the while in the clutches of Zapper and Zinger. However, they were too strong for her to break free. But, they all allowed her just one moment to put away her cellular phone. After that, Doctor XT gave Zapper and Zinger an order concerning the captive Amanda. Headed out of his office through the control room, XT directed his two lieutenants, saying, "Come on, bring her this way." So, Zapper and Zinger just obeyed, following their master, and leading Amanda by her arms. Finally, big D.D.T. followed behind them all. Understandably, at the same time, Amanda kept struggling, saying, "What are y'all doing? Let me go!" Then at last, Doctor XT led everyone through the gas chamber, and stopped just outside of it. "All right, everybody," XT addressed his crew, "let's stop right here." So then, they stopped at his command. Then, Doctor XT addressed Amanda, saying, "Well, well, my dear, I'm sure you know by now that your hero is on his way." "Yes, I do," Amanda replied while nodding. "Well then," said XT, "I suppose you also know that you only have a short time left." "We'll see about that," Amanda told him. At that, D.D.T., Zapper, and Zinger all looked around at each other, all laughing and shaking their heads in disbelief. "Well anyway," continued Doctor XT, "I took that into consideration. So, considering that you only have until midnight, I thought I might place you where you could catch all the fun. I mean, who doesn't like to see a hero meet his doom, huh? Therefore, Miss Amanda, I hate to have you miss out on something great. With the small amount of time you got left, it's the least I can do." Next, XT addressed Zapper and Zinger while pointing to an upright pole just outside the gas chamber, "All right, handcuff her to that pole, with both hands behind it. Let her face out." "You got it, boss," replied Zinger. "Heh, heh, heh, heh," laughed Zapper. At once, Zapper and Zinger complied accordingly. "Oh, Doctor," Amanda addressed XT, "you're so depraved, so corrupt, so insane, and so...devilish." "Am I?" asked Doctor XT tauntingly, "Well, once I 'X-terminate' the Green Phantasm, I will have all of Philadelphia under my control." "You think so, huh?" asked Amanda, "You just wait and see." However, everyone else just laughed at her. But on the other hand, Amanda had not yet given up hope. After all, it was not over yet for either herself or her hero. Besides, she strongly believed in the Green Phantasm, for she knew that he could find a way to save her.