Official Edgar Rice Burroughs Tribute and Weekly Webzine Site Since 1996 ~ Over 15,000 Webpages in Archive Volume 7697  |
ERB 100-Word Drabbles
JUNE V Edition :: Days 1-15
by Robert Allen Lupton
See Days 16 - 30 at ERBzine 7696a
With Collations, Web Page Layout and ERBzine Illustrations and References by Bill Hillman
SURVIVAL
June 1: On this day in 1919, Red Book Magazine published the fourth installment, titled “When Blood Told,” of “Tarzan the Untamed.” There was no cover blurb for ERB or for the novel, but the six installments featured twenty-five interior black and white illustrations by Charles Livingston Bull. ERB’s working title for the book was “Tarzan and the Huns.”
Bull was primarily a taxidermist and is best known for his wildlife illustrations. He also designed recruiting posters for World War 1. One of his ‘Adventure” covers is included with this article. He illustrated posters for Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Combined Shows. Tarzan the Untamed: https://www.erbzine.com/mag4/0493.html
The drabble for today is, “Survival.” And it was inspired by the work and career of Charles Livingston Bull.Charles Livingston Bull’s wife stood over his shoulder. “That fox is beautiful. Is the painting sold?” SURVIVAL
“Sweetheart, I never paint anything anymore that isn’t sold. It’s for a book cover. The depression is hard enough without me wasting time on speculative work.”
“That’s nice. Who bought the painting of the animals in the open train car?”
“It’s for Barnum and Bailey, the circus people.”
“Are you still doing animal paintings for the pulp magazines?”
“Not as much. In the twenties, life was a circus and I sold jungle paintings. Now, it’s a jungle out there and I sell circus paintings.”
TAKE ONE FOR THE TEAM
June 2: Oon this day, Ron Ely was born in Hereford, Texas. Ely played Doc Savage in “The Man of Bronze,” and Tarzan in the 1966/1967 NBC television series of the same name.
Ronald Pierce Ely performed almost all of his own stunts and suffered over two dozen major injuries while filming “Tarzan,” He broke two shoulders and suffered several lion bites.
He appeared in five episodes of “Fantasy Island” and two episodes of “Wonder Woman.” He starred on television's “The Aquanauts” and a brief revival of “Sea Hunt.”
He played a retired Superman on “Superboy,” and made appearances in “Sheena” and “Renegade.” Following a long standing tradition of former Tarzans appearing in in new Tarzan productions, he appeared as Gordon Shaw in the 1992 episode “Tarzan the Hunted” of the Wolf Larson syndicated Tarzan series. On a side note, he played Dobie Gillis’s older brother on the pilot episode.
Ely also authored two mystery novels, “Night Shadows” and “East Beach.”
The 100 word drabble for today is, “Take One For the Team,” and it was inspired by Ron Ely’s adventures and injuries playing Tarzan.The director said, “We’ll write your injuries into the script. That way we can keep filming. Are you ready to go back to work?” TAKE ONE FOR THE TEAM
Ron Ely replied, “Stiches seem good, but I hurt like hell.”
“You played high school football. Remember what your coach said. ‘Suck it up. Walk it off. Rub some dirt on it.”Ron rubbed the sweat from his forehead and took three painkillers. “Walk it off? Have you lost your mind? Coach was a tough SOB, but we didn’t get a lot of lions in Hereford, Texas. I’m pretty sure he’d never been mauled by one.”
DON'T JUDGE A MAN BY HIS CLOTHING
June 3: On this day in 1925, Bernard Herschel Schwartz was borne in the Bronx. Bernard took the stage name Tony Curtis. IMBD lists 136 acting credits for Tony Curtis, including his first, “Criss Cross,” in 1949. Along the way he appeared in the classics, Houdini, Trapeze, Spartacus, The Great Race, Some Like It Hot, and of course, “Tarzan in Manhattan,” in which he played Archimedes Porter, a private detective and father to policewoman, Jane Porter.
Details about the film, “Tarzan in Manhattan,” are located at: https://www.erbzine.com/mag21/2151.html and the film can be streamed on several providers, but for free at: https://tubitv.com/movies/519031/tarzan-in-manhattan...
Today’s drabble, “Don’t Judge a Man by his Clothing,” was inspired by Bernard’s, aka Tony’s career and his role in “Tarzan in Manhattan. A couple of lines from Tony’s other films many have found their way into this drabble.“Jane,” said Archimedes Porter. “Give this long-hair the bum’s rush. He doesn’t have shoes or a shirt. No pants either.” DON'T JUDGE A MAN BY HIS CLOTHING
“Dad, his name’s Tarzan and he’s from Africa.”
“Tarzan, huh? Well, I’m Spartacus. Tell Tarzan boy to go to Central Park. There’s a bench with his name on it. I don’t want my girl hanging out with a man who doesn’t wear clothes.”“He’s an English Lord, a rich English Lord. He has estates on two continents and he speaks several languages. He is considered a champion of human and animal rights.”
“A rich Englishman, you say. Well, nobody’s perfect!”
THE MOD SQUAD
June 4: On this day in 2021, actor Clarence Williams III died in Los Angeles, California. Williams was best known for portraying Linc Hayes on The Mod Squad, but he also appeared in Purple Rain and Star Trek Deep Space Nine. IMBD lists exactly 100 acting credits for Williams.
He played “Sorda” in the episode, “The Professional” of the Ron Ely Tarzan television series, broadcast on January 5, 1968 and voiced Kobe on Disney’s “The Legend of Tarzan” in episode # 10, “Tarzan and the Fountain.” The episode also featured Sheena Easton.
Details about the Ron Ely television series may be found at: https://www.erbzine.com/mag74/7420.html
Details about The Legend of Tarzan” animated series are at: https://www.erbzine.com/mag0/0014.html#disney
Today’s 100 word drabble was inspired by the career of Clarence Williams III, including his role on The Mod Squad and his single appearance on the Tarzan television series. A few of the lines and one of the messages from “The Mod Squad” may have found their way into the drabble.Tarzan entered a village and was surrounded by a dozen native children carrying guns. The native chief, Sorba, played by Clarence Williams III, said, “Walk easy, big man.” THE MOD SQUAD
Tarzan said, “How on earth did these children get guns.”
“The same way they get pith helmets and bubble gum. They either trade for them or steal them from the safaris.”
“Why arm your children?”
‘The world is hard. I want them to be prepared. Someday they’ll have to learn what war does to a person.”
Tarzan crossed his arms. “Better yet, maybe someday they won’t have to!”
“Solid, Tarzan. Rock Solid.”
SELF-DEFENSE
June 5: On this day in 2018, the first of these daily Edgar Rice Burroughs posts and drabbles appeared. All of the posts are archived at: https://www.erbzine.com/lupton/
But to today’s business, 85 years ago on this day in 1938, the Burne Hogarth illustrated and Don Garden scripted Tarzan Sunday page story arc, “Tarzan and the Chinese” first appeared. The story arc ran for twenty-five consecutive Sundays. The episode was titled “The Mysterious Skeleton.”
The story has been reprinted twice, one in Titan Books’ “Volume 1: Tarzan and the City of Gold” and in NBM’s “Tarzan in Color Volumes 7 and 8.” It’s also available at:
https://www.erbzine.com/mag72/7200a.html
The 100 word drabble for today is “Self-Defense” and was inspired by the story arc “Tarzan and the Chinese.”Tarzan encountered a lost Chinese tribe and sentenced to death, but the emperor’s beautiful daughter, enamored by the apeman, said, “Father, it isn’t just to condemn a man who cannot speak in his own defense? SELF-DEFENSE
“He’s reprieved until he learns our language.”
Tarzan learned quickly, but concealed his progress.
When invaded the Chinese refused to fight. “Civilized men don’t resort to violence.”
Tarzan replied, “But free men do! Self-defense isn’t violence, it is intelligence.” Tarzan defended the Chinese twice, killing several invaders.
‘Violent problems require violent solutions. Speaking peace to the violent is like speaking Chinese to the great apes.”
INVESTMENT ADVICE
June 6: On this day in 1916, Edgar Rice Burroughs signed a contract with comedian Smiling Bill Parsons, granting the film rights to “Tarzan of The Apes.” Parsons paid ERB $5000.00 in advance of royalties and $50,000.00 in common stock in the company he formed to raise production money. The company became “National Film Corporation of America.”
The National Film Corporation produced three Tarzan Films, “Tarzan of the Apes,” “The Romance of Tarzan,” and “The Son of Tarzan.” All three films were rebranded by the distribution company, First National Pictures.
The National Film Corporation of is an instructive case study in the shady side of the industry. In Tampa, a thriving port community in south-central Florida, local hopes of becoming a "movie mecca" seemed a reality with the January 1916 announcement that the National Film Corporation of America had selected the city as its headquarters for a new modern studio. Promoting firm were its president, William "Smiling Bill" Parsons, and stage and screen star Paul Gilmore. The two promised to build a huge studio and convinced local businessmen to invest in $1000.00 stock offerings and middle class citizens to buy over 200,000 shares at $5.00 each. After raising the funds, Gilmore left the company and Parsons sold most of his shares. The proposed studio went into receivership. Investors lost thousands of dollars. Parsons died of apparent suicide in 1919. Gilmore lived until 1962.
The 100 word drabble for today is “Investment Advice,” and it was inspired by the experience of the citizens of Tampa Bay. I guess we never learn. Albuquerque, where I live, suffered the same type of "investment opportunity" with an aviation company in 1998, which eventually failed and went into bankruptcy.“Mr. Henderson,” said the Tampa Bay mayor. “I need you to invest $5,000.00 in National Film Corporation. They’ll build a movie studio here. We’ll be the new Hollywood.” INVESTMENT ADVICE
“I know cigars. All I know about movies is that investors loses their money.”
“Not this time. It’s good for the city.”
“Mayor, do you even listen to yourself? With $5,000.00 I’ll hire more people. Cigars made me rich. That’s good for the city. I’ll keep dancing with the girl I came with. Only a fool invests in what he doesn’t understand. There’s one born every minute, go find one of those.”
THE PERSISTENCE OF STUBBORNNESS
June 7: On this day in 1944, it was the day after D-Day. Edgar Rice Burroughs was in Hawaii and because of the time difference, he was playing bridge when the invasion began. On the morning of June 7th, ERB began compiling notes for “Tarzan and 'the Foreign Legion'.”
The novel was never published in a magazine and has only been printed three times. The first edition, by ERB Inc., was published on August 22, 1947 with a print run of 25,700. An unknown quantity of those were destroyed in the fire, and so the number of extant copies isn’t really known. Ballantine published the book with a Robert Abbett cover in 1964. In 1997, Ballantine released a new edition with a cover by Boris Vallejo. According to Jim Goodwin’s Edgar Rice Burroughs The Descriptive Bibliography of the Ace and Ballantine/Del Rey Paperback Books, a total of 14 variants exist with one of the two covers mentioned.
The novel takes place on the island of Sumatra, a new location for a Tarzan novel. Previously and other than in Africa, the ape man had visited America, England, and France.
The publishing history of the novel, several cover photos, and the entire text of the novel are at:
https://www.erbzine.com/mag7/0732.html
Burroughs dedicated the novel to Brigadier General Truman H. Landon. On December 7, 1941, while in route to the Philippine Islands in command of the 38th Squadron, General Landon arrived at Hickam Field, Hawaii, during the Japanese attack. For his actions that day he received the Silver Star.
The first paragraph of the 100 drabble for today, “The Persistence of Stubbornness,” is excerpted from the opening paragraph of the novel and it was written by Edgar Rice Burroughs.Not all Dutchmen are stubborn, notwithstanding that stubbornness is accounted one of their national characteristics along with many virtues. But if some Dutchmen lacked stubbornness, the general average of that intangible was maintained by Hendrik van der Meer. As practiced by him, stubbornness became a fine art. It became his chief avocation. His vocation was that of a successful rubber planter in Sumatra; but it was of his stubbornness that his friends boasted. THE PERSISTENCE OF STUBBORNNESS
Tarzan observed there was a fine line between persistence and obstinacy and that the less a man knows about something, the more stubborn he is about it.
LATE IS THE NEW EARLY
June 8: On this day in 1903, General Charles King, the commander of the Michigan Military Academy at Orchard Lake when ERB attended school there and a lifelong friend of Burroughs, submitted the manuscript of “An Apache Princess, a Tale of the Indian Frontier” to the Hobart Company, who published the book later that year. King authored over 70 books.
Burroughs wrote, “Charles King, writer of the best army stories ever were written; a man who has been an inspiration to me all my life because of his outstanding qualities as a soldier, a cavalry man and a friend."
King's fortunes had a sudden turnaround in 1893. His substantial royalties came to a sudden end when the Authors' Guild collapsed and the bank in which he had deposited most of his money also failed. His wife was confined to bed as a result of a serious leg fracture. Most of his books and valuable papers were destroyed in a warehouse fire. He returned to Milwaukee to spend more time writing and to try to recoup his fortunes. He also resumed his series of military reappointments and retirements until he was re-commissioned as Brigadier General of Volunteers during the Spanish American War in 1898. King is credited with more than seventy years of active service in the US Military. Think about that. He is the only man known to have served during five wars, the Civil War, the Indian Wars, Spanish-American War, Philippine Insurrection, and World War I.
Articles about General Charles King are located at: https://www.erbzine.com/king/
The drabble for today, “Late is the New Early,” was inspired by General King’s efforts to find work after his savings and sources of income were lost in 1893. Thanks to my friend Brian C, for telling me the story that led to today’s drabble.The manager called the new employee into his office. “Charlie, customers love you. You help your coworkers. Your attitude is wonderful. You don’t mind staying late and you always are willing to pitch in. There’s a problem. You’re fifteen minutes late every day.” LATE IS THE NEW EARLY
“Yes, I am.”
“That has to stop. It sets a bad example for your co-workers. You weren’t fifteen late at your last job, were you?”The employee shrugged his shoulders. “Yes, I was fifteen minutes late every single day.”
“What’d they say about that?”
“They said the same thing every day. “Good Morning, General. Here’s your coffee.”
NEW IN TOWN
June 9: On this day in 1928, Argosy All-Story Weekly Roger B. Morrison drew a black and white interior illustration for each installment. The issues cover illustration for “When Killers Meet” by Frederick C. Davis was by Howard V. Brown. “Apache Devil” didn’t get a cover mention, but Edgar Rice Burroughs did. The final installment of “The Hard-Boiled Tenderfoot” by J. U. Giesy (Palos of the Dog Star Pack and several more) also appeared in this issue. The cover illustration for “Hard-Boiled Tenderfoot” is included with this article.
ERB and Giesy both wrote interstellar romances, adventure novels, and westerns. Giesy was the co-author of over thirty novels in the Semi-Duel series with Junius B. Smith. I suppose those novels would be considered adventure/detective stories.
Publishing details, several illustrations, and a wealth of information about Apache Devil are located at: https://www.erbzine.com/mag7/0775.html
The 100 word drabble for today is “New in Town,’ and it was inspired by the overlap in genre writing by J. U. Giesy and Edgar Rice Burroughs. You might find a reference or two to ERB titles in the drabble. Sirius, the Dog Star, isn’t the farthest star, and a tenderfoot is a terrible thing to have.“Dad,” said John Coleman Burroughs. “That Giesy guy’s western novel, ‘The Hard-Boiled Tenderfoot,’ is in the same issues of Argosy as ‘Apache Devil.’ He’s ripping you off.” NEW IN TOWN
‘He’s not. If he helps sell the magazine, they can pay me more money.”
“But, Dad, he wrote those Dog Star books. They’re similar to John Carter. Now he’s writing westerns.”“John, I don’t need a semi-duel with another writer. There’s room for us all. I’ve moved beyond the Dog Star, however far that is. As for the Hard-Boiled Tenderfoot, I learned in the army that being a tenderfoot is terrible, not hard-boiled.”
GRAMMAR OR HAMMER
June 10: On this day in 2021, actress Joyce MacKenzie died in Los Angeles California. Born in Redwood City, California in 1925 as Joyce Elaine MacKenzie, she worked as a Rosie the Riveter, actually as a Rosie the Carpenter, during WW2 in the San Francisco Shipyards for Western Pipe and Steel. We thank her for her service.
Her eight-ear film career included roles in “Twelve O’Clock High,” “Broken Arrow,” “The Racket,” an uncredited role along with Marilyn Monroe in “A Ticket to Tomahawk,’ and opposite Humphrey Bogart in “Deadline USA.” She was the eleventh ‘Jane,’ and starred with Lex Barker in “Tarzan and the She-Devil.”
After her career, she became a high school English teacher in Laguna Niguel, California for several years.
The 100 word drabble for today is ‘Grammar or Hammer,” and it was inspired by Joyce MacKenzie.The principle at Laguna Niguel High School reviewed Joyce’s resume. “Miss MacKenzie, this will be your first teaching job. While I admired your acting skills, I’m not sure how that will play out in an English classroom.” GRAMMAR OR HAMMER
“You’ll notice I worked as a carpenter during the war. I helped build ships. I’m quite sure that I’m qualified to hammer some sense into a bunch of students. I’ll be tough, but fair, and I’ll nail them for acting out.”
“You played Jane, what Tarzan was that with?”
“Lex Barker and don’t end a sentence with a preposition.”
‘Yes, ma’am. You’re hired!”
BLOW BAYOU
June 11: On this day in 1977, “Tarzan Weekly,” the British comic magazine published by Byblos Productions, debuted. The magazine sold for 12 pence and only 20 total issues were printed. The issues were 32 pages; 8-by-11 inches; made of newsprint; had no separate, slick back cover; had black-and-white interiors; and lasted until Oct. 22, 1977 when it was replaced by the short-lived Tarzan monthly. There was speculation that the 12 pence cost was excessive, almost 50 cents in today’s dollars. US comics were priced in 30 cents in those days.
During this short run, several American artists and writers were featured including. Mark Evanier, Dan Spiegle, Russ Manning, Don Glut, Dave Stevens, Will Meugniot, Mike Plog, Alex Nino and Doug Wildey.
A summary of the contents and all of the covers are available at: https://www.erbzine.com/mag64/6413.html
The drabble for today, “Blow Bayou,” was inspired by the publisher of the short-lived Tarzan Weekly. It features my old friends, John and Pat from New Orleans.John said, “Pat, have you seen the first issue of Tarzan Weekly. It’s from Great Britain.” BLOW BAYOU
“I have, John. Thirty-two pages. It’s larger than a standard American comic. Nice.”
“Bybloss Publishing. Who are they?”
“Don’t know, but it doesn’t rhyme with gloss. It’s Byblos, like By-Blows.”
“What’s a by-blow?”
“Old English. It means an unintended consequences or an illegitimate child. Out of wedlock children of English kings were called by-blows.”“That can’t be right. The town in New Mexico is ‘Truth or Consequences,” not Unintended Consequences. “
“John, I don’t think that unintended consequences means what you think it means.”
FIRST TO BARSOOM
June 12: On this day in 2010, artist Alfonso Williamson died in upstate New York. Al was an award winning illustrator who specialized in adventure, western, science fiction, fantasy, and horror. He was a frequent contributor to Eerie and Creepy magazines, illustrated the Star Wars comics, and inked numerous Marvel Comics.
Williamson said that Hogarth offered him work on the Tarzan Sunday pages, but “I just couldn’t get it in to my little brain that he wanted me do it exactly the way he did it.” Williamson suggested Hogarth hire John Celardo, and he did. A few years later, while Al was attending Hogarths’s school, he was given a second chance on the Tarzan strip and this time he stayed with it.
He illustrated so many comics and won so many awards that I can’t list them all in this article. I recommend to resources, https://www.erbzine.com/mag31/3154.html and https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al_Williamson
Several pieces of his artwork appeared in issues of ERB-dom. The drabble for today, “First to Barsoom” is excerpted from an interview with Williamson that appeared in ERB-dom # 11 and was reproduced at https://www.erbzine.com/mag29/2992.htmlI can't remember when I didn't know about Tarzan. As a child in Bogota, Colombia, I followed Tarzan's adventures in the newspaper comics and saw the early Tarzan movies. I was first introduced to John Carter in 1941 with the John Carter of Mars big little book. I was fascinated by John Carter and he is my favorite Burroughs' character. FIRST TO BARSOOM
I enjoyed reading the Tarzan and Venus stories but in my opinion, the John Carter of Mars books were the best. It became a form of relaxation to dash off a few figures on whatever paper I had before me.
TARZAN FINDS A SON
June 13: On this day in 1900, actor Ian Hunter, not to be confused with the rock and roll star of Mott the Hoople fame, was born in what was then Cape Town in British Cape Colony, Africa. After military service, Hunter studied at the Central School of Speech and Drama in London and began working in silent films in 1924, with a small part in “Not for Sale’ in 1924. After coming to America, he appeared in early films by Alfred Hitchcock including “The Ring.” Hunter is perhaps best known for his role as the cheerful King Richard in Errol Flynn’s “The Adventures of Robin Hood.” He also appeared in seven episodes of television’s “Adventures of Robin Hood” in the 1950s. IMBD lists 102 acting credits for Ian including Shirley Temple’s “The Little Princess’ and “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” with Spencer Tracy.
He appeared with Johnny Weissmuller, Maureen O’Sullivan, and Johnny Sheffield in “Tarzan Finds a Son,’ where he played Austin Lancing, who led the expedition to find “Boy.’ More about Tarzan Finds a Son! in ERBzine at: https://www.erbzine.com/mag6/0620.html
The 100 word drabble for today was inspired by Ian’s role in “Tarzan Finds a Son.”Ian talked to director, Richard Thorpe. “I understand I’m leading an expedition to rescue a boy who’s been captured by an apeman. So I’m the good guy.” TARZAN FINDS A SON
“Not exactly. His parents are dead. Tarzan found the child and is raising him.”
“Is the child unhappy or being mistreated?”
“No, but he’s heir to a fortune. His relatives want him back.”
“No, his relatives want the money. That makes me the bad guy.”
“They swear it’s not about the money. They just want to help the child.”
“No, whenever people swear it’s not about the money, it’s always about the money!”
BEST JOB
June 14: On this day in 2001, my old friends from New Orleans, John Guidry and Pat Adkins, published “Forgotten Tales of Love and Murder,” a hardcover collection of 21 short stories written by Edgar Rice Burroughs. The cover and several interior illustrations are by Danny Frolich, a New Orleans artist and designer of Mardi Gras floats.
There were 1,045 copies of the book printed. There is no paperback version. The last time I talked to John about availability of copies, he said that there were over 300 still unsold. Pat had passed away and his wife, Dixie, who’d remarried, had the remaining copies. I don’t know how to find her, but somewhere out there, near the swamps and bayous of Louisiana…
The book contains “The Avenger,” “For the Fool’s Mother,” “The Little Door,” “Uncle Bill,” and nine Inspector Muldoon murder mystery puzzles, among others.
More information about the book is at: https://www.erbzine.com/mag7/0734.html
Here’s a photo of Pat. I couldn’t find one of John this morning. I’d love it if someone would post one. . . https://www.erbzine.com/cards/writers5/johnguidryphotosall.jpg
The drabble for today, “Best Job,” features my old friends from New Orleans, Pat and John.“Well, John, the books arrived. Danny Frolich’s art is outstanding.” BEST JOB
“I hope this helps him. The poor man has to make a living designing Mardi Gras floats.”
“John, that’s crazy. He’s got the best job in the world. He designs and builds Mardi Gras floats. He’s a grown man living in a candy store.”“I would have thought he’d rather be an artist.”
“Tales of starving artists are legion. In New Orleans, the float designer is king, or Rex if you will. Only Burroughs had a better job. Write the story once and get paid again and again and again.”
I DECLINE THE HONOR
June 15: On this day in 1946, actor Roy Trevor Holder was born in Birmingham, United Kingdom. Roy appeared in several films and television shows. On film, he had roles in “Loot,” “War Horse,” “Pride and Prejudice,” and “The Land That Time Forgot.” He had numerous television appearances including “Steptoe and Son,” “Badger’s Bend,” “Spearhead,” “Doctor Who,” “The Invisible Man,” “Sorry,” and “Coronation Street.” IMBD lists over one hundred acting credits. He had one of those faces that was constantly familiar to British audiences for years.
In “The Land That Time Forgot, Roy was crewman Plesser and his primary responsibility was to be eaten by a plesiosaur or something like very much like one.
Details about the film: https://www.erbzine.com/mag21/2117.html
I included the unicorn / dinosaur illustration with this article because I liked it.
The drabble for today is, “I Decline the Honor,” and it was inspired by Roy Holder’s role in “The Land That Time Forgot.”Bowen Tyler, played by Doug McClure, fought to keep from being washed overboard in the storm. Lys LaRue, played by Susan Penhaligon, wrapped her arms around the periscope. I DECLINE THE HONOR
A giant reptile rose from the sea, snatched crewman Plesser from the deck, and vanished.
Lys screamed. “My God. It ate him.”
Tyler said, “What an honor. That was a plesiosaur. He’s probably the only man alive to be eaten by a plesiosaur.”“Given a choice, I expect Mr. Plessor would decline. I’m not sure that being plesiosaur poop is an honor. It’s like being the first witch burned at the stake.”
