Nancy put in her notice in at Kadie’s Bar and told the owner of her plans to travel. She received well wishes from Shellie and the other girls, and within a few weeks she was on the road. Nancy had never been outside of Basin City before so she had no idea where she was going. She decided to just drive and see where fate took her. The destination wasn’t overly important because she felt confident that she would succeed wherever she ended up.
After a few days of driving, Nancy grew weary and desired to get out of her car for the night. She passed a sign indicating a Valley Lodge nearby and made a turn. Nancy chuckled to herself as she drove past a young couple pulled off to the side of the road making out in a red corvette. It was nearly sunset and the drive to the Valley Lodge was taking longer than expected. As she continued on, Nancy saw nothing but empty fields that eventually gave way to desert landscape.
After a long time, Nancy finally spotted a small white house to her right. She decided to pull over and ask for directions. A middle aged man in a white jacket stood at the door. Nancy stopped in front of him.
The man spoke in monotone. “Welcome, my name is Michael. I take care of the place while the Master is away."
“Hi Michael. I was wondering if you could point me in the direction of the Valley Lodge?” asked Nancy.
“There is nothing like that here,” replied Michael.
“What are you talking about? I saw a sign for it several miles down the road. If I took a wrong turn, just tell me how to get out of here.”
Michael’s face remained emotionless. “There is no way out of here.”
“What are you talking about? Are you on drugs?” Nancy stared at Michael. His eyes were empty. “Is there a phone in the house?”
“If you want to come into the house, the Master would be okay with that,” Michael answered.
Nancy rolled her eyes and exited her car. She figured she would call Shellie. Shellie has been out of Basin City before, she might be able to give Nancy an idea of just where the hell she was. It was now completely dark as she entered the house. The interior was mostly drab and unremarkable save for a large oil painting of a sinister looking dark haired man in a red and black cloak and a black dog with glowing eyes.
“What kind of dreadful art is this?” wondered Nancy.
“That is the Master,” said Michael.
“Whatever. Where is your phone?”
“There is no phone here. The Master detests such devices,” said Michael.
“Really? You couldn’t have told me that while I was still in may car? Thanks a lot for wasting my time, jerk!” Nancy exclaimed.
Nancy brushed by Michael and went back outside the house. She stepped into her car and attempted to turn on the engine. Nothing happened. She tried again with the same result. Nancy let out a loud sigh of frustration before returning to the house. Michael was gone.
“Michael! Michael!” she called. “Where did that caretaker go?”
Nancy looked around the house, but could not find him anywhere. Nancy went through a side exit of the house and continued her search outside. She saw a bonfire in the distance. As she got closer, she recognized Michael standing next to a stone bed where the man from the painting was sleeping. His dog was chained next to the bed. Surrounding them were women in translucent nightgowns standing motionless next to stone pillars.
“What is this place?” gasped Nancy.
An awkward hand grasped her hair. Nancy spun around and elbowed the man in his jaw and he fell to the ground. The man looked like a bearded hobo. He had large protruding knees and was missing his left hand.
“Who the hell are you?” Nancy demanded.
“I mean you no harm... my name... is Torgo. I used to watch the house for the Master.... before he sent me away...”
Nancy waited as Torgo took an extended period of time to return to his feet.
“He also... burned off my hand...” Torgo displayed the stump where his left hand once was. “Because I wanted... a wife for myself.”
“Those are his wives?” asked Nancy.
“Yes... and he wants to make you one as well,” said Torgo.
“I would never marry such a revolting sleazeball,” Nancy insisted.
“The Master can be... very persuasive,” countered Torgo.
Nancy surveyed the scene. “Is that a young girl?”
“Yes. The Master plans to wait until she is of age... to formally make her... one of his wives.”
“That is truly disgusting. I’ve dealt with demented perverts before. I’m getting her out of here.”
“I have tried... to seek my vengeance. But the Master still holds power...over me. I am afraid of him... even during the day... while he sleeps.”
“Well I’m not.”
“You... should be. Manos... the god of primal darkness... has granted the Master great power. Women become his wives.... against their will. There is no....conventional way.... to kill him.”
The two watched from a safe distance as the Master rose up.
The Master lifted his arms into the air, “Arise my wives.”
The women in nightgowns began to move and chatter with one another. The Master turned his attention to Michael.
“Michael, you have done well. She is quite beautiful. Lord Manos will be well pleased with her addition.” The Master looked to his wives. “Join him my wives and bring me that woman!”
“Now... would be a good time... to run,” said Torgo.
Does Nancy have the will and wiles to escape the Master’s grasp?
Can the slow moving Torgo be of any help at all?
