The Dark Enforcer

by Barry Richert

  Library e-Book : 978-1-5384-7318-4

  Trade e-Book : 978-1-5384-7319-1

  This digital document has been produced by Nord Compo.

  CHARACTERS (in order of appearance)

  BEAUREGARD – twenties. Betrayed fiancé who calls on The Dark Enforcer for revenge.

  THE DARK ENFORCER – ageless demon spawned in the bowels of hell.

  RODRIGO – twenties. Remorseful victim of The Dark Enforcer.

  GWENDOLYN – twenties. Unfaithful fiancé of Beauregard.

  PHIL – twenties. Nerdy but passionate defender of Swamp Thing.

  DAVE CHERSKY – twenties. Quiet, nerdy comic book shop owner who becomes drunk with power when he finds a way to get back at anyone who ever bullied him.

  MARTY – twenties. Geeky but fervent supporter of The Incredible Hulk.

  DAN – twenties. New guy in town, Dark Enforcer fan.

  LEON KELLER – thirties. Malicious, bullying mob enforcer.

  DOUG ROCKEBRAND – twenties. Former high school tormentor of Dave’s.

  NICK MONAGHAN – fifties. No-nonsense police detective.

  SOUND:

  Signature opening.

  MUSIC:

  Fangoria theme.

  ANNOUNCER:

  You can run but you can’t hide. It’s far too late for that. Welcome to the dark side, where the night never ends – as Fangoria presents. . .Dreadtime Stories. With your host, Malcolm McDowell. Tonight’s Dreadtime Story: “The Dark Enforcer” by Barry Richert.

  SOUND:

  Pounding footsteps—so heavy the ground rumbles—accompanied by wet, slobbery, breathing. The footsteps stop. Behind a door, we hear the muffled moaning of a couple engaged in passionate lovemaking. The dialogue that follows is all delivered in a slightly hammy, blood and thunder fashion.

  BEAUREGARD:

  There, my satanic friend! Behind that door my fiancé, Gwendolyn, lies with that scoundrel Rodrigo! Let us pay them an unexpected visit! Break down the door!

  SOUND:

  There is an unearthly growl, and the door is kicked open with an explosion

  SOUND (cont’d):

  of splintering wood. The lovemaking stops and Gwendolyn screams.

  RODRIGO:

  Beauregard! What is this beast you bring into my house?

  BEAUREGARD:

  This beast is your fate, you blackguard!

  GWENDOLYN:

  No, Beauregard!

  BEAUREGARD:

  Yes, Gwendolyn. I promise you—this will be the last time your loins stir with the flesh of this treacherous rogue. Go, my demonic servant. . .kill him!

  SOUND:

  The beast’s thundering footsteps lumber toward the bed as Gwendolyn screams.

  RODRIGO:

  No! No! I admit, I have done wrong, Beauregard! I shall make it up to you!

  BEAUREGARD:

  Too late for reparations, Rodrigo. You thought me a spineless worm. But you were mistaken.

  RODRIGO:

  No!!

  SOUND:

  Rodrigo’s screams are accompanied by the beast’s ferocious growls. We hear Rodrigo’s flesh rip as he is torn apart limb by limb. His screams eventually

  SOUND (cont’d):

  deteriorate into a sort of guttural wail.

  BEAUREGARD:

  (insane with madness) Yes! That’s it! Tear him apart! Let him feel the justice of your wrath! And now. . .kill the woman!

  GWENDOLYN:

  No! Beauregard, I beg of you!

  BEAUREGARD:

  Beseech all you wish, harlot! Your end is at hand!

  SOUND:

  The beast growls fiercely, then we hear the tearing of flesh and snapping of bones.

  GWENDOLYN:

  (screaming) NO-O-O-o-o-o!

  SOUND:

  Gwendolyn’s protesting screams gradually diminish as we hear the beast shred her into pieces.

  BEAUREGARD:

  (completely mad now) That’s it! Slake my thirst for vengeance! Vindicate me, my pet!. . . my minion. . . my (a beat) Dark Enforcer!

  SOUND:

  The beast’s slobbering and snarling continues under.

  NARRATOR:

  Its name is The Dark Enforcer. It was spawned in the deepest fathoms of hell.

  NARRATOR (cont’d):

  Its evil desires match those of its master. And it exists in a place frequented by only the most adventurous souls. . .between the pages of a comic book.

  SOUND:

  The creature’s snarling dissolves into the lively conversation of a comic book shop, which continues under.

  NARRATOR:

  It debuted in 1964 in issue number seven of “Gruesome Tales,” an anthology comic book that had, as the cover proudly boasted, “More Scares Than You Can Stuff In A Coffin!” Not long after, The Dark Enforcer earned his own monthly comic book. Although the title ceased publication in the late 70’s, it remains a literary masterpiece that continues to generate much controversy.

  PHIL:

  (fades up from an ongoing conversation) I know this is your all-time favorite comic and all, Dave—but it’s a bit antiquated, isn’t it?

  DAVE:

  Not at all—in fact, The Dark Enforcer transcends its time. It’s as fresh now as when it was first written!

  PHIL:

  I don’t know, man. . .I’m just not into that whole gothic style of writing. I mean, check out this dialogue. . . (faint rustle of pages). . .“Slake my thirst for vengeance”? Seriously, dude—when’s the last time anybody slaked anything?

  DAVE:

  (gradually fading) But you have to consider the dialogue in context. . .see, it’s a gothic setting. . .

  NARRATOR:

  As this debate rages, the parties on both sides of the argument would agree that there is one good thing about the demonic behemoth that populates the pages of The Dark Enforcer: it does not exist in the real world. But perhaps, with just the right amount of motivation. . .that could change.

  ANNOUNCER:

  Fangoria’s Dreadtime Stories will continue in a moment.

  ANNOUNCER:

  Now back to Fangoria’s Dreadtime Stories and “The Dark Enforcer.”

  NARRATOR:

  It is a verifiable truth on the north side of Chicago that only the coolest of the comic book geeks hang out at Dave’s Dungeon of Comics. The proprietor, Dave Chersky, is a quiet fellow who rarely seeks any kind of attention. He comes out of his shell, however, when the subject of comic books is raised.

  SOUND:

  Fade up the sounds of conversation in the comic book store.

  NARRATOR:

  All the true comic book fans know that the new comics deliver on Wednesday. And so, that is the day when the experts, the authorities, and the connoisseurs assemble at “The Dungeon” to pick up the latest issues of their favorite titles and discuss the most pressing topics of the day.

  MARTY:

  Phil, think about what you’re saying. It just doesn’t make sense. . .there is no way that Swamp Thing could ever beat The Incredible Hulk!

  PHIL:

  But Marty, physical attacks can’t hurt Swamp Thing! He can grow back severed body parts! It makes him impervious to harm!

  MARTY:

  But The Hulk is propelled by anger! The madder he gets the more he could tear that puny weed-infested wimp apart!

  PHIL:

  (incredulous) Puny?!

  DAVE:

  The Dark Enforcer could take them both.

  MARTY:

  Oh, cripes, here we go again.

  DAVE:

  Seriously—if you’re looking for the ultimate power in the universe. . .

  PHIL:

  (interrupting) In the “Gruesome Tales” universe. He couldn’t touch anyone
in the Marvel or DC realms.

  DAN:

  I don’t know about that! He only follows his master’s wishes, so he’s not suppressed by morals or a sense of right and wrong.

  MARTY:

  I never met a creature from hell who was.

  SOUND:

  Everyone laughs.

  DAN:

  But he’s pure evil. He has only one goal: to kill.

  MARTY:

  Great—another Dark Enforcer extremist!

  DAN:

  And proud of it! I have some issues completely memorized!

  MARTY:

  Look Dan, since you’ve only been coming into the Dungeon for a couple weeks, we’re going to cut you some slack. But you’re just not going to convince us that The Dark Enforcer could take the Hulk.

  PHIL:

  . . .or Swamp Thing!

  DAN:

  Hey, I love Swamp Thing. . .but The Dark Enforcer is the champion of underdogs!

  DAVE:

  That’s right. He can only serve those who have been treated unfairly by others.

  MARTY:

  But he can also only serve one master at a time, right? So really, he’s the “champion of one underdog,” depending on when you catch him.

  DAN:

  True. . .but he has defended many underdogs over time, so the title is still valid.

  DAVE:

  Dan, you may be new around here, but your taste in comics is impeccable.

  SOUND:

  Everyone chuckles and ad-libs a bit of razzing.

  DAVE:

  Listen, guys, I hate to break up the party, but it’s already after seven.

  PHIL:

  Aw, you just want to stop the discussion while you think you’ve got the upper hand.

  MARTY:

  What’s with the seven o’clock closing time on Wednesdays, Dave? Most comic shops stay open late on delivery day.

  DAVE:

  (a bit hesitant) Well, you guys are all my regulars. . .and you’ve already bought your comics, right? So I’ve made my profit for the day.

  PHIL:

  Fine. Come on, Marty. . .let’s leave Scrooge McDuck to swim around in his money bin.

  DAVE:

  I wish. Some titles didn’t deliver this week. I may not even break even.

  MARTY:

  Looked to me like there was plenty of green passing over the counter tonight. I’m sure the bank isn’t after you.

  DAVE:

  (almost to himself) No. . .not the bank. . .

  MARTY:

  I’m outta here. Come on, Phil.

  PHIL:

  See you guys next week!

  SOUND:

  The door opens and closes, triggering a jingling bell as it does.

  DAN:

  (chuckling) Tough crowd.

  DAVE:

  They’re good guys. Just very. . . passionate about their comics.

  DAN:

  I could see that. Listen, I know it’s not The Dark Enforcer, but they’re showing that old “Swamp Thing” movie over at that revival theater on Milwaukee Avenue. I was thinking of seeing if Phil wants to go since he’s such a diehard fan. You interested?

  DAVE:

  (hesitant) Uh, no. . .I don’t think so. I gotta, uh. . .do some inventory. . .and stuff. You know how it is. . .delivery day and all.

  DAN:

  Yeah, sure—the big businessman. Well, don’t work too late, Mr. Trump.

  DAVE:

  (chuckles nervously) Yeah, see ya.

  SOUND:

  The door opens, jingles, and closes.

  NARRATOR:

  Running a business—even a small one—often means sacrificing activities like

  NARRATOR (cont’d):

  a night out. But Dave has something on his mind besides inventory. . .something he’s forced to deal with every Wednesday. Something he dreads.

  SOUND:

  The door opens, jingles, and closes. Footsteps walk up to Dave at the counter, under.

  NARRATOR:

  A visitor who comes to the shop each week. . .but not to buy comic books.

  KELLER:

  (a greeting) Chersky.

  DAVE:

  You cut it a little close this time, Keller.

  KELLER:

  Don’t worry—your little friends are gone.

  DAVE:

  I just don’t want them to know I’m paying protection money.

  KELLER:

  Why not? Almost every business on the block is doing it.

  SOUND:

  A match being struck and flaming up.

  DAVE:

  I don’t allow smoking in here.

  KELLER:

  (takes a drag, chuckles, then. . .) How come?

  DAVE:

  My inventory. It’s all paper. Some of it old, brittle, very valuable paper.

  DAVE (cont’d):

  One burning ember and the whole place could go up in smoke.

  KELLER:

  (unfazed) Yeah. That would suck, wouldn’t it? Then you and all your geeky little buddies wouldn’t be able to meet here once a week to talk about your favorite superheroes and have your little circle jerk. I don’t get it; why don’t you get out of this. . .dungeon and go live your life?

  DAVE:

  (quietly) There’s nothing wrong with my life. I own a business, I do something I enjoy. . .I should be able to live my life the way I want.

  KELLER:

  You know what I think? I think you were one of those guys who was always bullied in school. And you just took the abuse; never fought back. . .just put up with it and then went home and read the latest issue of Captain Dickwad—or whoever your favorite superhero was—and fantasized about beating up all the bullies.

  DAVE:

  You don’t know anything about me.

  KELLER:

  I think I do. And what’s more, I’ll gaze into my crystal ball for you: your life is always going to be the same. . .always getting bullied by guys like me, and always putting up with it until you can escape into the next comic book. Doesn’t sound like much of a life to me. (a beat) But, hey. . .I don’t have time to go all Dr. Phil on you. Why don’t you just give me what I came here for and I’ll get out of your hair?

  DAVE:

  (hesitant, scared) Umm. . .that might be a problem. I didn’t make enough money to give you anything this week. A lot of the titles I ordered didn’t deliver. But that means more titles than usual will deliver next week. . .so, I could give you enough for two weeks all at once. There’d only be a one week delay.

  KELLER:

  (like he’s explaining to a child) See now, in order for us to give you the kind of protection you’re paying us

  KELLER (cont’d):

  for, we have to get paid on a weekly basis, without fail. That’s our agreement. This is a dangerous neighborhood, Dave. (we hear his footsteps as he walks over to the door) Without that payment, there’s no telling what could happen to you.

  SOUND:

  The door being locked.

  DAVE:

  You don’t need to lock the door.

  KELLER:

  (walking back to Dave) But see, I do, Dave. Under these circumstances, there’s a protocol we have to follow. It starts with me doing something like this.

  SOUND:

  A horrendous crash of metal and the sound of paper flying everywhere.

  DAVE:

  That’s all my new inventory! Don’t!

  KELLER:

  Don’t what?. . .You mean this?

  SOUND:

  A table being upturned and boxes of back issues flying everywhere.

  DAVE:

  Please. . .stop! Those are valuable back issues!

  KELLER:

  You want me to stop? Okay, I’ll stop. But see, the problem with that is, then we gotta get to the ugly stuff.

  DAVE:

  (whimpering) No, please. Put the gun away. You don’t need to do that!

  KELLER:

  Don’t worry, I’m no
t gonna shoot you. I’m just gonna do this!

  SOUND:

  Keller grunts on the last word as he brings the butt of the gun down on Dave’s head. Dave screams and wails as Keller continues to grunt with each strike. We hear a lot of kicking and yelling and grunting as Keller beats Dave to within an inch of his life. All this is under the following narration.

  NARRATOR:

  Keller strikes Dave repeatedly with the butt of his gun. Curled up in a fetus-like position, Dave does what he can to protect himself, but Keller gets in several well-placed blows to the head. Finally, weary with the effort, Keller stops.

  SOUND:

  The beating stops. Dave half-whimpers/half-cries under the following.

  KELLER:

  (breathing heavily) You have one day. You hear me? (no response) YOU HEAR ME?!

  DAVE:

  (sobbing) Yes.

  KELLER:

  I don’t care how you get it. . .you can sell your own grandmother for all I care. Just have the money tomorrow or it’ll be worse for you. Understand?