Bartholomew, you must listen to me!
You would stand in the way of science Jeremiah?
I would stand in your way if you truly wish to bring that creature here. To allow that thing within a hundred miles of civilisation? You must see reason! It is a vicious monster that-
-Will open up our understanding of biology, evolution, folklore and our own history! We finally have the basis, the catalyst, of a thousand myths and legends!
Then study it in Romania! Keep it there, in the countryside where it can’t bring woe to anyone!
We both know that it simply isn’t possible Jeremiah. It has to come here. This is where I can study it and later dissect it. I have made preparations. All of my equipment is here. The wine cellar has been converted and the cage I’ve had installed could hold in a lion.
That thing is not a lion, Bartholomew. I’ve hunted lions. That thing is not some simple beast. I saw its intelligence. Even once it was sedated it was still fighting. Did you not see what happened to our guide?
That was unfortunate… but he is not the first to be lost in the pursuit of great things…
…And surely won’t be the last!
At least lions EAT what they kill… Ripped into pieces. It was playing with him… You can’t bring that thing to London!
AS I SAID it will be contained. There is no risk and it has to be done! The things we can learn! Only God knows how long they have lived in those hidden caves in the mountains. It’s obvious from their large eyes and pale skin they have lived down there for millions of years. Perfectly adapted to the dark. The one you captured is a simply beautiful specimen.
It’s an un-godly abomination!
Well its appearance perhaps aided it’s descent into legend. Would we have that great horror novel Dracula by Stoker if these beasts had looked like kittens? Most probably not. It’s easy to see how the uneducated peasants would view it as a demon rather than a fascinating scientific opportunity when they wandered from their mountain homes.
“Wandered from their homes” yes, and then they wandered into the homes of those villagers. You don’t have to be uneducated Bartholomew to see that that creature is from the depths of Hell! I spoke to the locals and they told me tales to chill your bones. Livestock torn up such that they were spread over three fields. People taken in the night. Children, Bartholomew! They told me it PREFERS children…
Ridiculous nonsense! Myths and legends! Yes it does possess very powerful forelimbs and so can… tear flesh with ease but from what I have learnt it has such powerful limbs so that it can climb around its subterranean home. Its diet consists of bats, rats and insects that it hunts in its caves. It may also catch the albino fish that live in the underground lakes. I must try to construct some form of tank to test its fishing abilities…
You’re mad Bartholomew. Totally mad. Test it? It’s far too clever for that. One slip up and it will paint the walls with your guts.
I’m growing tired of your opposition Jeremiah! It is coming here and it will reside in the wine cellar! It is decided and you can’t stop me!
---------------------------
You don’t have to be here Jeremiah and the gun is totally unnecessary.
I can’t, in all good conscience, allow you to interact with that… thing and not take steps to protect the people of this city. One wrong move from that monster and I’m going to fill its brain with lead.
Fine. You sit there. Now don’t interrupt me. If you don’t mind, I shall now take my notes describing its general appearance. Facial features not unlike those of Pteropus vampyrus though perhaps with a shorter snout. Larger eyes than Pteropus vampyrus most probably due to cave dwelling. Large, pointed ears. Pale skin. Very little colouration. Little body hair. Male. Approximately seven feet tall though walks and stands with a bent gait at approximately five feet tall. Uses front forelimbs for locomotion not unlike the gorilla. As observed in its natural habitat, very adept at climbing…
Hung upside down on the cave ceiling tearing strips out of that poor man…
Quiet please! Arms thin but muscular, five feet long ending in five fingered hands. Fingers around six inches long with long claws…
I’ve seen what those claws can do…
Jeremiah be quiet! Shorter legs with five toes… also long claws.
Look at it… It’s watching us. Smelling us. It’s waiting for us to let our guard down.
I will not ask again. Quiet! Now we shall offer it some different foods and see what interests it. We have vegetables, fruit, fish, an assortment of different insects and then some raw beef. If my hypothesis is correct it should be most interested in the fish, the fish being the most common protein source in its cave environment. Ok and in through the slot… ah… well… that is unexpected. I suppose it is an opportunistic hunter and the greatest source of protein here is the beef…
It’s a blood thirsty killer. We already knew that.
Yes, it did attack us, but as you said yourself Jeremiah it didn’t actually EAT the guide. I still believe it was merely frightened and acted in self-defence.
What it did to him was not self-defence Bartholomew. Self-defence doesn’t last half an hour while your attacker screams the entire time. The screams echoing around in that cave… Look! It’s watching us. It’s listening.
Jeremiah, enough! It is an animal. It is not some malevolent hell spawn it’s a new undiscovered species.
It’s a demon!
Demon…
Oh my God…
Bartholomew… It can talk…
This is incredible! It can talk! I wonder… Is this just unintelligent mimicry or is it actually capable of speech? Does it have its own language? What sort of social interactions is it capable of? If only we had captured two we would have been able to see its interactions first hand…
Dear God Bartholomew! This monstrous creature shows it’s capable of speech, of some intelligence, and you wish you had another one! This thing is unholy! It is blasphemous and has even recognised itself as a demon from the pit! I beg of you, we must destroy it and leave them well enough alone. Leave them to rot in their caves!
Caves... Home...
…Our Father, who art in Heaven, hallowed be thy name…
Shut up Jeremiah! Pathetic! I am a man of science! I see a whole new vista of knowledge opening up before us, of untapped knowledge, and you are content to run and hide behind your Lord?! Fool! My name will echo through the ages. My work will be exulted. I will bring this creature from the darkness of ignorance and… and… What is it doing? What are you doing?
It’s trying to break out! Oh Christ!
Home….
It can’t get out.
It’s trying to get out! I have to kill it!
No! Don’t! That cage is steel! It can’t possibly get out!
Kill…
It’s too strong! It’s going to get out! It’s going to kill us all! *Bang*
You buffoon Jeremiah! You’ve shot out the lights! It’s pitch black now! It can’t possibly escape anyway. Like I said, the cage is steel! I have some matches and candles somewhere in here. Hold on I’ll find them.
I’m sorry, Bartholomew. I must of panicked and the gun fired.
Look. It’s ok. I understand. It is rather monstrous to behold it’s true but, you know, nature is red in tooth and claw. I imagine that when man first saw the tiger it was much the same. You’ve filled your mind with the stories and legends attached to this thing. Vampires, demons, monsters… It’s all simple folk tales to explain what they couldn’t explain. Now we can study it for what it is. Where are those blasted candles?
Yes… Vampires, demons, monsters… I prefer this dark. The light is always so bright. It hurts my eyes.
Really? I was under the impression that the experience in the caves had somewhat… affected you. I have no business prying but I have noticed that you always return home from the club before the sun has set… I’m… I’m sorry about what happened. It was horrible to witness. I’m not as cold as you think I am. I am a man of science. I do not put stock in emotional outbursts but… I am also human. I… I was also affected. I have had nightmares. I see it over again. The dark… Those caves… Where are those candles!?
The caves… yes. Home…
I’m sorry...? What did you say?
I said… Home….
Oh… Oh no… Jeremiah…?
Kill…
