Legend of the Lizard Man (2023) Movie Script
Stanley, just leave it be.
No.
He spends one semester with that boy
and his head's all wrong.
Darnel, you a Gamecock.
Don't let me hear you talking about
no Crimson Tigers like that again.
Your grand pops would've
turned in his grave.
God bless his soul.
Well Chris's dad says it's
one of the best schools.
I don't give a damn
what Chris's dad says.
Stanley!
Don't Stanley me.
What kind of guy from Bishopville
sends his son to Clemson University?
It's one of the best schools to go to.
And
You really gonna do that to your mama?
There is nothing wrong with
South Carolina University.
I'll hear no more of it.
Engine again?
Honestly!
This vehicle now just burning money!
Leave it be.
I'll fix it.
Goddammit!
Just for once work!
So?
It's just overheating.
Nothing I can't handle.
Can't go five
minutes down the road
without this thing "overheating".
I'm handling it, am I not?
Sorted?
My man.
Just need a little TLC.
Don't we all.
Last season.
Fourth quarter,
Brad Edwards helped us to a
20 to seven victory over them.
When they roll into town in November,
you will have your Gamecock jersey on.
You hear me, boy?
You're a Gamecock.
Not a Tiger.
Now what are you?
Leave the boy alone.
We can discuss this another time.
This between me and Darnel.
Darnel, respond when I address you!
You a Gamecock or a Tiger?
Boy, I will slam these damn brakes
Gamecock!
Okay?
There, I said it.
Now that wasn't so
Nancy, Darnel, you both okay?
I'll live.
What in God's name just happened?
Did something run out?
Is it the engine again?
I have no idea.
It happened so fast.
Felt like I run over something.
Whatever it was, it must
have been a big animal.
Lost control of the wheel
the second I hit it.
Darnel, you sure you're okay baby?
Yes mama.
What in the devil did that?
Anyone there?
Yeah, but this is really too much now.
Look, we're stuck in
the middle of nowhere.
It's not that bad.
It is that bad.
Now I'm fed up with it.
I'm gonna have a very good talk to him
and he's gonna buy a
proper new car next time.
We'll see.
Yeah yeah - well yeah, exactly.
About to get hold of his bank
account and get some money.
Stanley!
Stanley!
Where are you?
Mom.
What's going on?
I don't know.
Lock the door, Darnel.
Mama?
Shh.
Shh.
Dad!
Darnel!
Run!
A tooth?
Reports are coming in
of the Lee County Lizard Man.
I don't
know what they're smoking
over the pond, but get this.
- A lizard man.
- The lizard man is here.
Proof?
What kind of proof?
I don't know what you want.
It is the coverup of the century.
They want us to think
it's a fable or a myth.
Ha!
Remember when they told us in the '60s
not to take notice of Roswell?
You remember that?
Now we got these little tiny devices
we can fit our entire lives onto.
Just one month ago today
the Torrence family tragedy occurred.
Okay, so today's date
is July 14th, 2003.
Yes, I am aware that
another milestone is hit.
Three decades of a facade I'm afraid.
Nope, Mr. Sheriff, I do not believe you.
Darnel Torrence is a victim
of the system of 30 years now.
I mean we've been covering
this for 15 years now.
You have been fooled for 30 years.
There are some people
that want to see Disneyland.
Well we want to see the Lizard Man.
Ha! A lizard man?
Next thing you're gonna tell
me is that ET didn't go home.
Yeah, it was big.
I mean I don't know if it was an animal.
It was...
A lizard man.
Red glowing eyes.
Seven foot tall.
All the words of one Darnel Torrence.
Yeah.
Red glowing eyes.
The thing you're describing
is either a myth or extinct.
You see, there's ain't no such thing
as a something foot tall
red glowing-eyed lizard.
Well unless you've been drinking.
The word extinction?
It's the biggest myth I have ever heard.
Facts!
The only truth is that Stanley
Torrence killed his wife.
And ran off.
There's no evidence of this creature,
there's no sign of foul play
outside of human involvement.
Yeah, we'd fight sometimes.
Stanley Torrence was drunk.
The car was swabbed for DNA
and all that found was traces of liquor.
Yeah, there was like
loose drinks and stuff.
Stanley Torrence was a man on the edge.
Bills piling up, but no way out.
He was a hit first, ask
questions later kind of guy.
I don't know what to say.
It was...
Let's see the facts here.
Scientists have found no evidence
of any reptilian creature.
They have no trace of this tooth.
And the caves!
What about the non-existing caves?
Geographical report
after geographical report
prove Lee County has an
extensive tunnel system.
Now why can't we open them up
to the public, Ranger Gein?
Caves? Come on!
I've been pedaling around
here since I was yea high.
You can't cover up what don't exist.
Sighting after sighting,
people know your dirty little secret.
South Carolina is hiding something.
Problem is people are all too woke now.
You will not hold us down any longer!
Research, people!
There are no caves under Lee County.
No coverup.
No conspiracy.
Missing people year in, year
out, common denominator.
Last known whereabouts.
Lee frickin' County.
People go missing all the time.
I ain't seen any evidence of
it happening exclusively here.
Fake news!
Clickbait gone mad!
Missing people go missing all the time!
It wasn't Bigfoot.
I don't know what it was.
It was just, it was something.
The truth is out there
and it has always been!
#JusticeForDarnel!
You are glorifying a murderer!
Open and closed case!
I...
I don't know where she is.
I left.
Nobody cares about the real story.
All they want is a plush
toy or Lizard Man merch.
Every dollar you spend is blood money.
And I got my Lizard Man merch.
Lizard Man Festival 15, yeah!
A million dollars.
This joke has gone on long enough.
For years that reward has been up
in Lee County for the
capture of the beast.
Stay out of Lee County or
there will be consequences.
It's Roswell all over again.
The question I have for you today.
Is Darnel Torrence a victim or a suspect?
People running into this town
looking for a giant lizard.
- Lizard Man!
- Lizard Man!
I will have my words heard.
Read my lips, I know what
is happening in Lee County.
Darnel, where is your mom?
Where is Nancy Torrence?
Darnel.
Remind me again why
we're taking a detour
through the redneck counties
rather than just, you know,
heading down south to Miami
where all the chicks are?
Because some of us actually
came on this trip to do research.
Oh right, yeah.
I forgot you dig those
froggy lizard type things.
I don't "dig" froggy lizard type things.
I plan on majoring in herpetology.
What's so funny?
See, here young Fred heard the word herp
and instantly his brain thinks STD.
I mean come on, who studies that shit?
You really do have the brain of a child.
Whoa!
That's a big compliment for you, Fred man.
And that's coming from your brother.
Okay, you know what?
Fuck you and fuck your Lizard Man shop.
At least I suggested something fun.
Cool it.
We'll make our way down
south tomorrow, dude.
Do you realize that
the study of reptiles
and amphibians actually benefits humanity?
You really know how to
introduce yourself don't you?
Day two of sharing a cabin
and you are already giving me a lecture.
Nice one for inviting Ms.
Personality along, Ripley.
The more we learn about them,
the more we understand changes
in our own global ecology.
They're extremely sensitive
to the environment.
And what's that supposed to mean?
It means they offer a visible warning
of significant changes taking place.
Boring.
Won't affect me.
I will be long gone before
those icebergs start to melt.
Sidney, doesn't that also cover
things like anticoagulants?
Yeah.
So?
Well in the very likely event you have
a heart attack one day,
gluts, you're gonna thank
people like Sidney here
for helping keep you alive.
You know what's boring?
This conversation.
You know what?
We've got a long journey
ahead of us, guys,
so let's hit the road.
Pardon me. Sorry.
Careful with the beers, everybody.
Oh Chase, Chase.
Chase.
I gotta ask.
Are you finally gonna make
a move before we head back?
I don't know, man.
I mean I just don't see
what she'd see in me.
We're completely different people.
What? Come on.
Opposites attract, bro.
Besides, Ripley said she seemed
real keen to come along with us.
So?
So?
Sid doesn't ever want to do anything.
Look, those two, they've
been sharing a dorm for ages.
Sid doesn't go to any parties.
Nothing.
And then Ripley tells her about this trip
and suddenly she's all
up for it instantly.
Now is that a coincidence?
I don't think so.
Look, just keep making sure you act like
you're into all the things she likes.
If Sid is excited about a lizard thing,
you'd just be super into it all.
It works like a charm every time.
Look, girls, they like a guy who listens.
Sometimes all you gotta
do, repeat the last thing
they said in a sentence and it seems like
you've been listening the whole time.
And you're the expert on
females all of a sudden?
Since when have I not been?
Look, if the time is
right and I find a moment.
Maybe.
Maybe I'll make a move.
Maybe.
Maybe.
Such a dick.
Hey guys, I know
you've been talking about
this whole camping outside thing.
That's great, but.
I kind of got a phobia of
bears, so I was wondering
if maybe we could get a hotel instead.
That sound better?
Yeah.
You used to love camping as a kid.
Okay, one, that was against my will
as most things in my life have been.
And two, that was in a hard log cabin
surrounded by counselors in tight shirts.
So, you know, wait up.
Well you never know.
Maybe there's some hotties camping nearby.
Okay.
Maybe I will give it a try.
Don't think you're bringing
anyone back to my tent.
I second that!
Can't have any fun around here.
Hey, hey, can we pull up here?
I need to leak.
I don't believe this.
Not again.
Could you not
do that further away?
Yo, shit, do we have
bears around these parts?
Yeah. Loads.
Dumbass.
Fuckin' A.
I could be drinking a brewski
on the beach with a senorita, but no.
I'm surrounded by fucking
freaks and motherfucking bears.
You done yet, Fred man?
I am done.
I am so done with this whole sideshow.
You know there are bears?
I could have died taking a piss.
You are so dramatic.
Get your butt back here then
before the boogeyman gets you.
You're actually scared of
your own shadow aren't you?
Well you're not the one stumbling about
next to a bear's three course meal, so.
Here we are.
Oh wow.
Totally not what I expected.
It's so amazing.
Not the redneck rundown back county
affair we all knew it would be.
Hey, leave off, Freddy.
Give it a chance.
Looks fun to me.
Yeah, worst case you might
actually learn something.
Yay, learning.
Just what I want to do when I'm
out of college in my own time.
There you go, Fred man.
Some friends for you.
Let's just get this over with.
All right.
Hey y'all.
Hey girl.
Howdy!
Y'all here for the Lizard Man?
I'll be your raconteur.
Cleetus be my name.
Oh, Cleetus.
My dude.
I like the makeup.
Anyway, that right there is Sidney.
She is a reptile herpes studier.
I know, weird, right?
But anyhow, she says it's not infectious,
so you're all good.
Well.
A herp around these parts.
What be so funny?
Fred here, he's a simple beast.
He hears the word herp,
it makes him laugh.
Well, Fred.
Herp is Greek for creeping animal.
Now you find yourself to be informed.
Oh, so herp describes
Fred to a T then, right?
I'm off for a smoke.
You guys enjoy.
Right, so let us start
on that fateful night.
July, 1988.
Now it was said that they was
driving home from a party.
Now this would be the last time
that they'd be together as a family.
The sole survivor, Darnel
Torrence, was found floating.
On the swamp, up the stream,
miles away from the car.
His parents mysteriously
vanished without a trace.
So Darnel killed them then?
Well now it was suspected.
You see, Darnel and his pa,
they never really saw
eye to eye on anything.
But ultimately there was a lack
of evidence to pin it on him.
Let me guess, nothing on Darnel
but a shit ton on a very real Lizard Man.
Stop being a jerk for
five minutes, would you?
Sorry about those guys.
Well now everyone jokes about
the Lizard Man until it's too late.
But now you want evidence?
Now we got that aplenty.
Wait.
He's got the tooth from the creature?
Well now nobody ain't ever done seen it.
You see, he is paranoid
that the government
is gonna come in and seize it.
I mean come on, he ain't even
on the government's radar.
But you know how it is
with some country folk.
I mean if I could
just run some DNA tests.
Even a carbon dating, I could
There she goes talking about
dating and reptile herpes again.
I mean you've got a point there, Sid.
This Darnel guy still around?
Well now I wouldn't be going
and messing around with Darnel.
Time hasn't been kind to Darnel.
He has dedicated his life to
trying to find the creature.
Now I ain't seen Darnel since he was
knee high to a grasshopper.
Well now that's just a
bit of an exaggeration,
but I ain't seen him in many moons.
But my best advice is you don't go
messing with Darnel Torrence.
Hey there, missy.
What be y'all reason for coming
round these parts then, huh?
Oh, you know, the country air.
Country air huh?
Does little birdie have
a name or a number?
Little birdie says F you.
Now leave me alone.
Don't get your panties in a bunch.
You ain't got no home training?
No, see, I went to school.
Women can do that now, you know.
Man, you're nuttier
than a squirrel turd.
Hey!
We got a problem here, hick?
Who you calling hick, pretty boy?
You ain't got the sense God gave an ant
to be starting something
you can't back up.
Not looking for any trouble, dude.
Just making sure there's no problems.
Oh hey, there's no problem.
She sure is pretty though huh?
Mmmhm.
She make a hound dog cry.
But she stuck up higher
than a light pole, huh?
I mean who dressed her, huh?
I can see straight to her promised land.
You won't be laughing so hard
when I run my fist down your throat.
You're gonna be eating your meals
through a straw for a month.
All right, man.
Hey hey hey, we're just all
having a little bit fun here.
Don't try to lose your heads, boys, okay?
All right?
Now apologize for being a pig.
You serious?
All right, all right.
Sorry, ma'am.
Sorry, ma'am.
Now get your broke ass out of here.
Yeah, whatever, man.
Hey Ripley, you okay?
Nothing I can't handle on my own.
Appreciate it though.
Yeah, that's right!
You better run!
Holy Power ball jackpot,
are you seeing this shit?
That?
It's from years ago, Fred.
I think if no one found a Lizard Man
in that time there's a reason why.
Yeah, well you ain't had no one
like me on the hunt before.
And I learned all about
herpes today too, so.
I think you learned
about that a long time ago.
You just wait.
I will find this thing on my own, yeah?
Now this was taken the day after
the Torrence family tragedy.
That's huge.
It is seven inches wide
by 14 inches at length.
I can relate to those measurements.
Now you be talking with your
tongue out of your shoe, no?
You just learn to live with it.
Well let's put it this way.
If his brains were made of leather,
there wouldn't be enough
to saddle up a June bug.
Thanks.
And this.
What's the deal here?
Well, now that.
Let me tell you about that.
That comes from a local millionaire
who was funding the cause.
You see, he had seen the
buzz that the Lizard Man
had caused in the '80s and the '90s.
Why we was on the tourist
map there for a while.
But when the well runs dry,
people stop coming to drink.
So he put up this reward and he put it up
on the local radio station and whatnot
and the next thing you know,
why the town was busy again.
Why that first year, we were busier
than a one-legged cat in the sandbox.
Now nobody did done find the creature.
But it caused a boom.
But crucially, that
reward is still valid
if I, say, found the thing?
Now don't you be going and putting
no cart before no horse.
And what I mean by that, Fred,
is I mean don't be going
and making no plans
to go to no swamp before you
know what's gonna happen.
You see, thinking isn't
Freddy's strong point.
Well look, our plan
was to camp out tonight.
So if you could give us an idea
where that swamp is, that would be great.
Well if you insist.
Here, you take this.
Oh no, honestly, it's fine.
Just tell us.
I can SET-Nav it.
You obviously ain't been
out to Scape Ore Swamp before.
I mean you might as well
be in the Bermuda Triangle.
Now you're gonna take this
map and you're gonna thank me
when you have it when you don't have
any reception on that
mobile thingy of yours.
Thanks.
Much appreciated.
How far is it?
Well now it is two
miles as the crow flies.
Well unfortunately
we're all out of crows,
so how about the mileage on a
big metal thing with wheels?
Right.
Well we are right about here, yeah?
So what you're gonna do is
you're gonna follow this road
around right here and you're
gonna go around this bend.
You're gonna come to a big oak tree
and a big opening right here.
And you're just gonna go
right on down through there.
And then I reckon you'll be
pitching your tent before dusk.
Truest words he's said all day.
Such a pig.
Thank you, Cleetus.
Hey, don't be sweating
small stuff, sweetie.
Just a couple of words of warning.
You don't go near that shore at night.
You keep your campfire lit.
And you don't be parking
too close to the shore.
I can't even tell you the number of times
that the Ranger's been out to pull
the out-of-towners out the next morning.
Now you may run into the ranger.
He does happen to be my brother.
Twins?
Yeah, but I be the pretty one.
Hey, thank you, kiddo.
But.
Y'all go looking for dirt,
you may just get dirty.
Come on guys, hurry up!
Christ, it's like dealing
with kids back at school.
You guys are so slow.
Come on. Out!
Guys, we made it!
If you just throw me that
one, I can carry that one.
Whoa!
Oh my God.
Ripley, you all right?
I'm fine.
I think if we just keep following
the path over that way it should be fine.
Ever heard the phrase
eat where the locals eat?
According to the map,
if we just keep going
that way we should...
Yeah, I'm pretty sure
that applies to where
they don't hang out, so
maybe neither should we.
So what?
Now you're not planning on going in there?
Is that what I said? No.
I just mean
See?
Isn't this better than
you thought it would be?
I doubt there'll be many
girls camping about, so.
That's a good thing.
Last thing you need is to get
rejected by some country bumpkin.
Okay, well
time for a hike I guess.
Before you get rejected by
all the girls on Miami Beach.
You actually know
where you're going right?
Take the night off.
I mean if you need
to you can give me the map.
Honestly, Mike, I don't see the appeal.
Come on, Freddy.
You've got the bladder of a baby.
And don't lose that map!
Don't look at me.
I heard the out-of-towners
roughed him up.
Hey!
Having fun are we?
Y'all just left me like that?
I got ambushed.
Y'all sitting here flapping your gums?
One thing I know for sure,
y'all wouldn't know whether
to check your watch or
scratch your ass without me.
Sitting here flapping like this.
I know y'all are lying.
Cleetus!
Now I'm gonna ask you something.
And if I don't get the
response that I want,
me and you, man, we're gonna mix.
Well who licked the red off your candy?
Those out-of-towners.
Now where'd they head off to?
Look Bram, they ain't
causing you no harm.
Leave them be.
Cleetus I will smack you
so hard you will fall asleep.
Then I'll pick you up and
I'll smack you for sleeping!
Come on, man.
Don't make me make that weird face
of yours any more ugly, right?
Shit, you know you already hit
every branch on the way down, right boys?
Well Bram, I think you'll find
that they're deep in the forest by now.
You mean by the Scape?
Yep.
You best not be lying to me. Cleetus.
Tucker, Kane, let's get out of here.
You better be following
that the right way, Fred.
You know some of us in band camp
actually had to do activities?
We weren't lucky enough to be
preoccupied with a counselor
or playing truth or dare in a cabin.
So Sidney,
given you're the expert,
what's your feeling on this Lizard Man?
Surely just a Bigfoot type folklore, no?
I don't know.
I mean we find new species every day.
So it's not implausible.
We're talking about a six
foot plus humanoid reptile man.
I don't think you'd come across
one of those just flipping a tree trunk.
I've been thinking.
You know what I'm gonna
do with my million?
Get myself a new group of friends.
Because you guys have been
boring me all to hell.
Motherfucker!
You okay, Fred?
Do I look like I'm okay?
There's a fucking bear trap on me!
There you go.
Look what it's done to my boot.
You're gonna need that
million now more than ever.
Right Fred?
Is anyone gonna help me?
Guess they didn't warn you about
these traps in band camp, no?
Bears in band camp?
Why would anyone go anywhere
where there's bears?
But giant lizards, they're cool.
I'm so telling mom you're being a jerk.
What do we got here?
Hey piggy piggy piggy piggy piggy!
Hey piggy piggy piggy!
Know what I smell?
I smell fear and bacon.
Hey, let me in, piggy piggy piggy.
All right, we're good.
Let's get some juice.
Come on, hose up.
Hold that.
All right.
Tucker.
Get on your knees and pull, man.
Come on, hurry up.
Goddamn, hurry up, man.
That's it.
All right, come on, let's get out of here.
Shit.
Okay guys, I think the
camp site is that away.
We know!
What's up, man? You coming?
Mike, I gotta find this Lizard Man.
This could be the easiest
million dollars we've ever made.
A Lizard Man and a million dollars?
You're hunting phantoms
and a cash prize, huh?
Why can't you just agree
with me for once, man?
Why don't you go and just
drink with your pissy friends,
have a good time, and I'll
do all the work, yeah?
Exactly.
Friends, good times and drinks.
That's where the grownups are going.
Have fun, Bear Grylls.
You know, fuck you, man!
I can do this shit on my own.
The thing is, this time of year
most bears are hibernating until spring.
So you think someone
just left their trap?
Maybe.
Or they reckon something
big is still out there.
Hmm, the Lizard Man plot thickens.
Where's Freddy?
Freddy.
Yeah, he went looking for the Lizard Man.
Now don't worry.
He'll come panting back
after a scary noise.
Whoa. Howdy neighbor.
Yeah, man of few words.
Have you boys seen Wolf's Creek?
Well if it's anything like the guy
we just met I'm glad I haven't.
Let's just say the Lizard Man
will be the least of your problems.
Yeah, it's not advisable to give
the looney in the woods any encouragement.
Cabin fever does strange things to people.
You guys think it was him
that put those traps out there?
Look, I don't know, but I don't really
want to hang around to find out.
Yeah.
I tell you what, that piece of shit
think he can fucking threaten me?
Boys, let's go have some fun all right?
Did you guys hear that?
It's just the forest.
Better get used to hearing weird noises.
So that's why our tents
aren't next to each other.
Oh that's Mike.
He's a bit of a crier after he's finished.
Hey, it's a beautiful moment.
Huh?
Where's Freddy?
He's not gonna find anything now.
Actually, if he wanted to
stumble across a reptile,
the nighttime is the perfect time.
Yeah.
Can't believe I'm gonna
say this, but he's right.
Still, for a guy
scared of his own shadow,
he's been gone for a really long time.
Don't worry, he'll be fine.
Grab a beer and chill out.
Freddy!
Come back!
Look, relax.
He's fine.
Just let him get it out of his system.
Seriously, I grew up with the guy.
He'll be back in no time.
Until then, I need another beer.
Shaking?
What does that even mean?
You just need to feel it.
She's feeling it.
So there's been something
I've been kind of meaning to...
This is not happening.
So let's stay here.
And feel safe.
I've never met anyone in love.
Mike!
Watch them come crawling back to me
when I have a boat in Miami.
Won't be laughing then will they?
Won't be able to party
without rich old Fred.
Sorry.
I didn't mean to scare you.
Oh, sorry.
I didn't realize there
was someone creeping up
on people in the dark woods shooting!
Yeah, sorry about that.
Let me introduce myself.
My name's Ed Gein.
Most people, they call me
ranger round these parts.
Cleetus's brother.
That's right.
And I reckon he'd be the one
that sent you up this way.
He will never learn.
So you're the ranger?
That's right.
It's rare I come by this
part of the forest at night.
But I saw what I assume is
your van parked up over there.
I mean you're the guy
saying you're the ranger,
but I've seen too many back county
horror films fall for that one.
Well you butter my butt
and you call me biscuit.
You got me there, boy.
Listen, I don't blame you.
It's good to be suspicious.
Now I will be skedaddling.
Like I said, I was just piddling around.
Came across your van.
And then I saw you fetching bunch.
Thought I'd check in and
make sure all was all right.
That cabin not too far from here.
Who's that guy?
Oh that'd be Darnel.
Torrence.
Hmm, you are up to speed
on your Lee County celebrities.
So the guy in the cabin is the one
from the stories in Lizard Place?
You got it in one.
I'm assuming you're up
to speed on the story.
30 odd years ago now.
Well after that night, Darnel,
he was never really the same again.
He became what you would
call the truth seeker.
You know, someone who seeks
out aliens and whatnot.
Set up in the forest
about 15 years ago now
and he is hell bent on
finding that damn lizard.
And your thoughts on that thing?
Well God knows the town has prospered.
My brother's prospered.
But me?
I ain't wet behind the ears.
A Lizard Man.
But Darnel, he's his own man.
If he wants to dedicate
his life to trying to find
some fabricated reptilian
creature then so be it.
I reckon it's got something to do
with some long term PTSD.
Could we have done more
in the town to help him?
Yeah.
And that does play on my
mind from time to time.
So let me get this straight.
This Darnel chap did lose
his parents that night?
There wasn't any wonder
what happened to them?
It was a well known fact that Stanley,
Darnel's pop, was a fan
of the amber nectar.
Now they was driving home from a party
and it doesn't take a rocket scientist
to work out the easiest
common denominator there.
The car was found abandoned
in the middle of the road.
So you think Stanley's to blame.
If not Stanley, who?
Darnel?
No.
A lizard man?
No.
It was an open and closed case.
Stanley Chuck Nancy into the swamp
and he scuppered on out of here.
Poor Darnel.
He must have got lost when
he went looking for his mom.
And they found him floating up the swamp.
I still remember seeing it
on the news like it was yesterday.
Sorry, my "brief" introduction
has gone on longer than
a Sunday afternoon.
I will leave you be.
Watch where you step around these parts.
He's laid traps.
He says it's for hunting season,
but we all know he ain't hunting no game.
Until we meet again, kiddos.
Goodnight.
Don't let the lizard bite.
Well that was a buzz kill.
I've had enough of creepy men
wandering around this place.
One night out here is enough for me.
Tomorrow morning I think I'm gonna
knock on Darnel's cabin.
What on Earth would make you do that?
I need to see if he really
does have that specimen.
I could help him prove if the creature
really is some new species.
Yeah.
No more beer for Sid.
Come on you piece of shit.
Don't die on me.
Mike?
If that's you, I swear I will
kick the living crap out of you.
There's only so far you can push a guy.
Mike?
If that's you, I'm telling mom.
It's fine.
It's gonna be fine.
Oh shit!
My ankle.
What was that?
What?
I don't know.
It sounded like a scream.
Or something in the distance.
Have you never been camping before?
Coming from the guy that crapped
his pants like five minutes ago.
Okay, in my defense,
who here was expecting
a creepy looking dude to
come out of the shadows, hmm?
At least I crapped my pants
for something here that can be seen.
Unlike you guys shaking in your boots
every time a raccoon does a turd.
Classy.
She's right, Mike.
Freddy could have fallen again
or got himself caught
in another bear trap.
Oh you're kidding.
Do you want me to wander into the forest
looking for my bozo brother?
Fine.
If it'll shut you up.
No, don't offer to help at all.
If you want me to come I will.
I think I would prefer if
at least one of you stayed.
I mean two girls being
left alone while there's
a creepy man and a potential
loony wielding a knife.
Then I think we should
put who goes to a vote.
I vote Mike goes.
I second that.
Hey, majority rules, bud.
The camp's become a democracy.
Yep.
Screw you all.
Hey Fred!
Get your ass back here!
You do realize you're
gonna have to put up
with a moaning Mike when he gets back.
Oh he'll forget all
about it five seconds
he sees what I'm wearing under this.
Fair enough.
Tell me you guys heard that.
Yeah, yeah I did.
It sounded like Mike.
Mike?
Mike, you okay?
Mike!
We gotta go check on him.
I don't like this.
Yeah we should.
Okay, grab a torch and stay behind me.
Wait, you're both going?
You're welcome to stay if you want.
Bullshit I will.
Mike?
You there?
Mike!
What's that?
That's Mike's boot.
Okay.
Stay calm.
Wait here.
I'll go check it out.
What can you see?
Nothing.
Just the boot.
It's the Lizard Man!
He's coming to get you!
Mike you jackass!
We were scared half to death!
Not cool, bro.
What?
Ripley, come on.
It's a joke.
Lighten up.
You know, you can sleep
outside by the fire tonight.
Aw Ripley, come on!
You okay?
Yeah.
Let's just go back.
I've had enough wandering
around in this darkness.
Dude, my boot.
Gently, hombre.
Ripley, come on!
I said I was sorry!
That boy.
Like two peas
in a pod, him and Fred.
Ripley, come on!
Great.
Fat chance of getting that going again.
Well you better get to it then.
I mean it was all Jason's idea.
Hey!
Ripley.
Ripley, come on!
No, come on, it won't happen again.
I'm sorry.
You have my word.
It was all Jason's idea really.
Hey!
Don't get me involved in this.
Okay, just take the flack.
I'll make it up to you, okay?
How exactly?
Okay, I will carry your
bag for the rest of the trip.
And?
You seem to carry rocks
in that thing, you realize.
Nope.
Doesn't sound like you
really need my help.
Okay, okay, okay.
Just name it and it's done.
Okay.
Carry my bags, take
over the driving duties,
and pay for the gas all the way home.
Deal.
Ripley.
Mike was right.
It was all my plan.
Sorry.
You're both assholes.
Okay, don't worry.
I have leverage now.
My advice is to turn up that
stereo at some point real soon
because you're both too innocent
to be hearing any strange noises.
You know.
That thing might come
in handy after all.
Hey there, boo.
I'm sorry.
Look, it was all Jason's idea.
And if Jason asked you to
jump off a cliff you would?
Well if it was funny maybe.
Oh come on, I'm sorry.
It won't happen again.
It better not.
Cross my heart.
Hope to die.
Hey, hope to die.
You actually think you're getting lucky?
After all that?
Well you did just have
a traumatic experience.
This would be cathartic
if you think about it.
Great way to release some
of that negative energy.
The only way to release negative energy
will be kicking you out of here.
Stop.
Mike, you can't do that.
I'm angry at you, Mike.
You're evil.
You know I can't resist.
Stop!
I know you like this.
Come on.
Wait, something just went past the tent.
Probably just the shadow of the moon.
Mike, I'm serious.
For fuck's sake, what? Hmm?
I don't know. Go check.
Whatever it is, I'm sure it's long gone.
What if it's that creepy
guy the ranger told us about?
Then I would rather
hide in here with you.
Such a hero.
I never claimed to be one.
Get your ass out there and go check.
Or you can kiss goodbye
to any plans to use
the rubber johnnies for
the rest of the trip.
Fine.
Okay.
Guess I have no choice.
Johnnies.
I knew I forgot to get something.
I can always ask Jason for some.
He's hardly gonna need them.
Now why is it always me?
Yeah, this is what I
get for being too nice.
Babe, there's nothing out here.
You didn't look.
Go and check.
Fine.
Give me a minute.
I'll be back.
Already sounds like
they're up to something.
If you hear anything
just turn the stereo up.
At least that won't haunt my dreams.
I still don't feel right
leaving Freddy out there.
Honestly, he's fine.
I've known him for years,
and like Mike said,
he's the kind of person that would
resent you more for not trusting him.
That still doesn't
make me feel any better.
Even if Mike is his brother saying that.
How much do you want to bet that he's
at one with nature right now?
I'll find him in the
morning with a banana leaf
around his pants and talking to his map
like it's Wilson from
that Tom Hanks movie.
Yeah, probably.
Well it's dawn in little over an hour.
At first light I'll go
out and look for him.
You have my word.
Thanks.
I mean that.
Fred?
Fred!
Fred if that's you I will
box your ears, you dumb-ass!
Fred?
Fred?
Oh shit.
If you're trying to scare me.
It's working.
Where's the fucking
ranger when you need him?
Hold up, hold up, hold up.
Quiet now. Quiet.
That's them motherfuckers.
Mike, if that's you fucking around
you can sleep outside by the fire tonight!
Mike, I'm serious!
Knock it off!
No! Please don't!
Leave me alone!
What was that?
It sounded like Ripley screaming.
Probably.
That's why they gave us the stereo.
Can you hear that?
No.
Exactly.
Silence.
Then his work must be done.
Just seems weird, that's all.
You want me to go
outside and check it out?
No.
You're probably right.
I'm just overthinking it.
Jason, look.
Mike? Ripley?
You okay?
Fred, that you, bud?
Get your ass out here!
Nice and slow.
Don't you try nothing.
Lookie what we got here, boys.
I ain't got no problem with you.
Look, it was a misunderstanding.
I shouldn't have threatened.
You are so full of
shit your eyes are brown.
Now I'd apologize for making a ruckus.
But that was my intent.
Now where'd them other
highfalutin guys get off to?
I don't know.
Wandered off in the woods earlier.
Which way?
Now if you're lying to me, I'll hurt you
so hard you won't see tomorrow.
Boys, what you waiting for?
Get off into that yonder
and fetch me a piggy.
Don't move.
Look, you've made your point, okay?
Just leave us be.
You know there's a ranger who patrols the
Shut up!
You're not in a position
to be making threats.
I reckon it's just dawned on
you how much shit you're in.
What are them boys up to?
What's going on?
I'll shoot you in the
head before I cut your tail.
You boys best bring that fat piece
of lard back in one piece!
They know I like to be
the one to tan that hide.
What in tarnation?
Yo, behind you.
What?
I don't know.
The bears?
Man, there ain't no
bears this time of year.
Now quit your yapping.
Well whatever it is.
It's looking directly at us.
All right, but don't
you move a goddamn muscle.
Let me handle this.
That doesn't seem like a good idea.
Shut your goddamn mouth!
Whatever, whoever you are!
You got about five seconds
before I come in there
and put a whomping on your ass!
Come on.
No time to talk.
We gotta leave now!
Boy!
If I catch you I will
break this bat over your...
Goddamn it.
What is that thing?
Ripley!
Come on, Sid. We gotta go.
It's not safe here.
Where?
That cabin.
He'll have a way to call the ranger.
Oh fuck.
Wait, no no.
This way. Come on.
This is it.
Hey!
Help!
Open up!
Come on, I can see the light on.
Jason.
What?
Now would be a good time
to get that door open.
Come on!
Darnel, open up!
Who the hell are you?
Get the hell off my porch!
Please!
Something is out here!
It's right behind us!
I'm just gonna kick this door in
if you don't open it right now!
Open it, Darnel!
Get in!
Sit down!
Sit!
Y'all better start talking.
How do you know my name?
That thing is just outside.
We need to call the ranger.
I ain't never heard something
so crazy in all my years.
You're in the safest place here.
See those eggshells out
there and the hanging garlic?
A deterrent.
Ding ding bingo.
Got it in one.
But how does that deterrent?
I don't know why.
The pungent smell just keeps it away.
So that thing out there,
it really is a reptile?
Well damn.
The first person in many
years to see some sense.
Yes.
It's the famous Lizard Man.
Now he's got your scent,
it'll drive him wild.
Sir, you're having us
believe that that thing
that's out there is a
200 pound Lizard Man?
Hell no.
You wish.
200 pounds, that's
komodo dragon territory.
You could only dream it was
a komodo dragon on your tail.
Then what is it?
Short answer?
No idea.
I mean I have a good guess.
My theory is it's probably some evolved
hybrid prehistoric reptilian.
Lying somewhere between an ankylosaur.
And a megalania prisca.
Which are...
Haven't they both been
extinct for millions of years?
Things are only extinct
if you can't find them.
Now what's to say this
hybrid evolved creature
wasn't laying dormant for millenniums.
Now something awoke that
beast around 30 years ago.
It's been illusive and ever present since.
It says the specimen was found
in Australia just dated back 50,000 years.
Yep, you're reading right.
And what does that mean?
It means that up until a few years back
these things were thought
to have been long gone.
Now, given the timeline of man
versus giant motherfucking lizard,
has been in our recent
history and this thing?
Is an apex mega predator.
A large animal
that eats other large animals.
You're damn right it does.
So if it were so wrong about that,
what's to say we don't
know shit about shit?
9,000 reptiles and this
one never been discovered.
How do you know so much about reptiles?
I'm studying herpetology.
They got a smart-ass word
for everything these days don't they?
So you a reptile expert then.
I'm more focused on functional problems
like ecology, physical
behavior and evolution.
Well you just hit the jackpot
tonight then didn't you?
So how long
have you been tracking it?
The whole time?
Not at first.
Was the crazy kid of the town.
Half of them assumed
that was some psycho kid
who killed and murdered his family.
The other half blamed my pops.
He was an asshole, but
he wasn't no killer.
He could barely squeeze us
so tight when he hugged us.
Bark was always worse than his bite.
The thing that gets me to this day
is the last conversation we ever had
was arguing over which
university I should go to.
Darnel, respond when I address you!
You a Gamecock or a Tiger?
Boy, I will slam these damn brakes
Gamecock!
Okay?
I mean I was just trying
to get a reaction, you know?
It was his way.
His way or the highway.
You don't want your last conversation
to be during a fallout.
Eats you up inside.
And then I saw him.
Crashed down on the trunk of our car.
Mama?
Shh.
Shh.
Darnel!
Run!
And I saw his claw reach
down and grab my mama.
You know what I did?
Nothing.
I ran.
Like a scared little child.
Left mama there defenseless.
I've had to live with that
for the last 30 years.
My tragedy became a circus.
TV stations.
National newspapers.
Everyone picked up on it.
Proof?
What kind of proof?
I don't know what you want.
This is Betty Rose reporting
live here in Lee County.
Lee County leaned on it hard.
Nobody ever really cared
about the real story.
Or helping the kid that
lost everything that night.
All anyone wanted to do was have a picture
with a cartoon cutout
and buy a Lizard Man top.
Was a Disney attraction
for the first few years.
Looks like that dried up pretty fast.
It had this time, you know.
But once you can't back
it up with any evidence
it starts to become a freak show.
Like some back county
laughingstock to come
and gloat at whilst
people passing through.
I assume that's why they
got that reward put up.
Yeah.
It worked for a short while.
Hoax sites hit national news.
Put Lee County on the map again.
Or so I hear.
How have you lived here for so long
and not either caught the
thing or become lizard food?
I've been close to capturing
that thing many times.
It was easier at first.
Like it was the king of the jungle.
It'd never been hunted before,
so it had no real reason for caution.
A bear trap could slow it down at first.
I assume that was yours.
Yeah, I figured one of
you dumb asses triggered one.
They don't do much anyways.
Seems to know how to
maneuver his way around them.
Or even chew through the damn thing.
You see, I started to track
and trace where I saw it.
At first around here.
Didn't venture too far
away from the swamp.
And then as the years went by.
Found it harder to track.
Expanded deeper into the forest.
At first I thought it hid
below the surface of the swamp.
Then I started finding extensive
tunnels and caves all around.
Didn't even know Lee County had them.
Run for miles all below the surface.
So why not just go
down there and kill it?
Most of them aren't accessible.
I mean some you can, but I ain't
never seen it around there.
Tip of the iceberg I am sure.
Though the last thing you want to do
is be caught down there
with no natural light.
You could use a torch, no?
It's not to do with seeing.
This thing don't respond
too well to daylight.
And if the lizard ever gets caught
out in the sun it screams in agony.
Only once in my life
have I ever come close
to seeing it get caught
out in the daylight.
It weakens it.
I feel if it gets exposed to UV rays
for too long it would die.
Surely these people must have family
come looking for them asking questions.
You'd think.
But these things always get brushed off.
You realize how many people
go missing every year.
If the police followed through
with every one that came in
they wouldn't have time
to do anything else.
Best thing they do for me is give me
a time for when that thing is around.
In what way?
Like it comes up for a
certain amount of time to feed.
Feed.
Assuming that's us.
We are a walking human
bucket meal for that thing.
Get around three months of
it, but times are changing.
You can never really tell when it's back.
First signs are disappearing cattle.
As when it wakes it must be ravenous.
And you're quite certain it hibernates?
Geez, the reptile
expert is questioning me.
Not at all.
I just mean you don't
know that for sure do you?
They could just go live underground
in caves for all you know.
Yeah, I don't doubt it.
Still, that thing hibernates
or hides away for a long while.
You can always tell when it's close.
That thing gets erratic.
Desperate to feed.
When it's ready it goes after
a group as big as yours.
Maybe when you're separated,
but not as a group.
Now if my calculations are right,
it's probably ready to
disappear again soon.
You say that like you were watching us.
Like a guinea pig test.
You compliment yourself too much.
I like to think of it as bait.
So you're telling me that
you just allowed us to walk
straight into danger and
you didn't even warn us?
It's a free country, kiddo.
Y'all went on your own accord.
You knew what was gonna happen.
All right.
Captain Hindsight over here now are you?
So what would you have
done if the creepy guy
in the cabin came out and said oh look,
Lizard Man is out and he's hungry tonight.
Y'all better head back.
Y'all would've laughed
at me and carried on.
So don't you damn well
sit on that ivory tower
of yours and give me some
damn lecture and shit.
Jason, he's got a point.
We'd hardly have listened.
You guys did nothing but mock
any idea of the Lizard Man earlier.
You should have still looked out for us.
Opened that God forsaken
door for you didn't I?
How long do you think you would've made it
if I wasn't so accommodating?
Is that what I think it is?
Found this a few years back
by one of the closed off caves.
It's shedding its skin.
Which means it's growing.
Once they outgrow their
current skin they shed it.
Just peels away.
All the damn time.
Must have up and doubled in size
since I've been on its case.
Now watch this.
You see why it's so hard to kill?
Thing's running around with a
bulletproof full bodysuit on.
Shoot it?
Like I said, the skin's bulletproof.
I've tried to shoot it with
a pistol, a rifle, a sniper.
Every time it just ricochets off.
Now watch this.
Iron sharpens iron as they say.
How did you even know?
Had this thing around my neck for years.
Then come close to five
years I was on his trail.
Then out of nowhere it took
me by surprise from the side.
I was certain I was on
his trail up front of me.
I got sloppy.
I was face to face with it.
About to be torn to pieces.
All I had in arm's distance
was this thing around my neck.
Out of desperation I yanked
it off and dug it in his neck.
It screamed out in pain.
That thing bled green,
thick blood all over me.
Darnel Torrence, come
out here with your hands up!
You got to be shitting me.
Y'all just be bringing
everyone here tonight.
One!
Two!
Okay! Just give me a sec!
If anything should happen to me out there,
this might be the only
thing that keeps you alive.
Run out the back door and
don't stop until the sun rises.
So for what do I owe the pleasure, Ed?
Don't give me no shit, Darnel.
You know exactly why I'm here.
I'd just been up to that campground
where those kids were camping.
And the place looks like
a horror show up there.
Now we both damn well know
I had nothing to do with that.
Well you can do your explaining
down at the county jail.
I ain't letting this slide, Darnel.
Now where are the others?
Are they inside?
I got two of them with me.
No clue where the rest are.
Now I advise you to come and join us.
It's safer for you in there.
What?
Are you threatening me?
Not at all.
But I know what's out
there and it ain't far.
Oh you and that goddamn lizard!
Even my brother's brainwashed.
Face it, Darnel.
Your pa was a drunk.
He caused that crash.
Now move on with your life!
You didn't know him!
You ain't got no right
talking about my dad like that!
You're lecturing me
on rights now, are you?
Please, please, make this easy on me.
Don't make me force you to come in!
What the hell was that?
No idea!
Must be a raccoon!
He's here.
The ranger?
Nah, he had to split.
But our lizard friend's around.
He's on your scent.
He doesn't hang around this long.
He must be desperate.
Now I have a plan.
And I think it might just work.
What we gotta do?
Well.
Seeing as you all passed the
audition as bait earlier.
Your scent will take it
where I need it to go.
Grab that.
Now both of y'all follow me now.
We ain't got much time
before its next meal.
This may be our only window
while it's distracted.
Oh, and take those jackets
off for a stronger scent.
You sure this is gonna work?
It's the one thing I've
never been able to do properly.
Tried a few times on my own.
I take it that didn't
go so well for you?
Thought as much.
Second time's a charm.
Never had a willing piece of bait before.
Considering the way
it's been hunting y'all.
I think this just might work.
Once it's fallen in, those spikes
will only hold for a few seconds.
We'll need to lay the netting over
and hammer in those spikes.
Got it.
And then finish it off with this.
Guys?
Now!
Pull it tight!
Believe me now?
Oh shit!
You okay?
Yeah.
I told you!
I told all y'all!
30 years!
30 fucking years!
Scream all you want.
Today I send you back to extinction.
I've been waiting a long time for this.
Wait!
Jason.
Jason.
Come on.
It's trapped.
Why kill it?
Give me back my spear, kid.
I can't let you kill it.
Not now we've caught it.
You don't understand
what you're dealing with.
Don't be foolish.
We're sitting on a million dollars.
Not to mention all the rest
we'll get from it for capturing it.
You won't be alive to claim the reward!
This thing's not gonna hold
it while you call it in!
Jason, listen to him.
Give it back to him!
Please!
A dead man can't spend his treasure.
Remember that.
Jason, give it back to him!
Jason!
Jason!
I'm too old for this shit.
You're dealing with the unknown here!
And this is personal.
Darnel!
Come on, Jason.
Now I've got you.
It's gaining on us.
We've gotta get out of here.
It's getting lighter.
Hope Darnel was right.
If we can just make it to the van
we can get to the nearest town.
Come on.
Quickly! Faster!
Here, take the keys.
Got them. Get in.
Okay, calm.
Sid, you're okay.
No no no!
Okay, slower.
It just needs a jolt.
This isn't the time to
need a battery change!
Sid, the battery is brand new.
Just try it again.
What the heck?
Okay, foot down and
push when I say push.
Okay Sid, push!
Push!
I am!
Somehow it's out of gas.
What do we do? Hide out here?
We won't last five minutes in this.
That thing will rip the doors right off.
What are you thinking?
Follow me.
Wait! I need a minute!
We've gotta make some distance.
Jason!
Jason!
You okay?
I'm fine.
How did it get ahead of
us without us seeing it?
What's that?
Look.
It's like Darnel said.
It can't survive in the sunlight.
It sacrificed its tooth
so that it doesn't die.
Come on then!
Come take me!
Come take me! Come on!
I can see you there!
Jason, leave it!
Come on, I know you want
to pounce at me right now.
I'm gonna finish this prehistoric
freak of nature once and for all!
Jason!
Jason!
Is the camcorder on?
Yeah, I mean look,
the little red light's on.
Oh.
It's time capsule day and we
just left the Lizard Man's shop.
Let me tell you,
Cleetus was an absolute dreamboat.
I mean the vast knowledge and history
he knew about the Lizard
Man was astounding.
Look, he even
said that he was gonna
start incorporate face
painting into his shop.
That's great.
Really?
Anyway.
Bound to happen some time.
Nonbeliever.
I mean we've been covering
this for 15 years now.
And Cleetus the shop owner,
he gave us a map and instructions.
All that good stuff.
And I know exactly where
we're gonna camp out tonight.
Ah.
Fresh lizard meat.
Now don't you be going nowhere.
So this was there?
This was designed - where the siding was
was a little building called
Elmo's Butter Bean Shed.
That's where people would take
their butter beans and have them shelled.
And they kept getting
what they were considered
vandalism and seeing a lot
of odd things going on.
And then a young man had a flat tire
right there at the butter
bean shed at night.
And that's when he was
approached by the Lizard Man.
Hello, my name is Eddie Grant.
I am the executive director
of the South Carolina Cotton Museum
in the little town of
Bishopville, South Carolina.
And this is where the sighting was
of the Lizard Man back in
1988 at Scape Ore Swamp
which is a swamp and water area
that goes through Bishopville.
The museum itself, the cotton museum,
has been here 19 years.
And this is an agricultural community,
so it is an agricultural museum.
To educate people on the importance
of cotton to the agriculture community.
And to all of South Carolina.
Hi, I'm Bebe Davis.
Bebe Davis, publisher of
1021 Magazine in Charlotte.
And known here in Lee County
and Bishopville, South Carolina.
Class of 1989, Benita Davis.
The Lizard Man story is
infamous all over the world,
but I'm one of many in the
class with Christopher Davis,
known as just Chris, who knew the accounts
before they hit the papers.
In Lee County.
Chris was coming home from McDonald's.
And he stopped on the side of the road.
In Lee County in the
community of Brown town.
Where there is a swamp.
He stopped to change the tires.
And this is the official story
that was not pumped up by the press.
He changed the tires and he said
immediately as he got into
the car he heard something
coming from the swamp area of the forest.
And as he pulled away,
it was brown with scales
with red eyes that jumped
on the top of the vehicle.
And he was going at about
20, he said, miles per hour.
Up to 20.
And it was still from
running beside the car
to jumping on the hood of the car.
He managed to get the beast, as he stated,
off of the car and when
he got home he laid
on the horn and his parents had to go get
the extra keys of the car
to get him out of the car.
And so it went sensationalized
from a brown scale to a green scale
by the time everyone got it.
Now descended upon
Bishopville was scientists
from the UK, California, everywhere,
to see if they could spot the Lizard Man.
Because of footprints that was left.
And also in that sighting along
with Chris was Ms. Shirley Way.
Which I will give more information on her
'cause she is one of the persons that have
the actual footprints in her yard.
Chris went on all type of
television shows for interviews.
And so by the time we got
back to school in September,
we all did a private sit down
as teenagers would with Chris.
And we was like Chris, tell us the story.
Now as teenagers, and Chris
was very very good looking.
No teenage guy is gonna say
that there were mistakes happen.
You know, when you get real shocked.
Maybe in your lower area.
You lose your cool as teenagers.
So we knew the story was real
and that he was frightened
'cause no kids, and
especially kids of color,
and no guys that are popular like that
is gonna ever admit to that.
His parents backed up his story
because my mom, who is a retired teacher,
his mother worked at the
cafeteria and she said
how they had to pry his
hands off the steering wheel.
So we do believe that the story was real
because no teenager in their
right mind in that summer,
we have other things to do other than
for him to say something like that.
So riding through that way to
go to friends' homes at night,
we all would be packed in cars
and driving probably about
50, 60 miles per hour
through that way because we were just
all so scared, but it
was quite the moment.
It was a lot of us who just lived it.
And so when we went off to college
and people asked us about it,
when we saw some of the
accounts on Animal Planet,
we were just like yeah, it
was true and we believed him.
He had nothing to lose.
We had nothing to lose.
I worked at KFC when it was
Kentucky Fried Chicken then.
It wasn't KFC.
And I remember some of the scientists
come in and ask what did I feel about
what Christopher's account was
and I was just like it was true.
Because after the summer,
after a football game,
we all just met at Hardee's,
which still is here today,
and he went through the accounts.
And again, it was believable because,
you know, teenagers and especially guys,
they don't lose their cool
with girls like that so.
You know, definitely I feel
like he was telling the truth.
He said that it stood,
from what he could tell,
running beside the car going from like
five miles up to 20 miles per hour.
Over six feet.
And had brown scales red eyes
and a tail and everything.
You know, we believed him and to this day
even riding through that area where I did,
you know, can ride or
just go through, you know,
you still just feel that feeling
you've had all these years.
And the class of '89, born in 1971,
we all just turned 50 this year, so.
I actually turned 50 last Saturday.
So yeah, we all believed him.
You won't find no one in that class
and no teenager who didn't
believe his accounts.
We definitely believed it was true.
He had nothing to lose.
He had nothing absolutely to lose.
No.
He spends one semester with that boy
and his head's all wrong.
Darnel, you a Gamecock.
Don't let me hear you talking about
no Crimson Tigers like that again.
Your grand pops would've
turned in his grave.
God bless his soul.
Well Chris's dad says it's
one of the best schools.
I don't give a damn
what Chris's dad says.
Stanley!
Don't Stanley me.
What kind of guy from Bishopville
sends his son to Clemson University?
It's one of the best schools to go to.
And
You really gonna do that to your mama?
There is nothing wrong with
South Carolina University.
I'll hear no more of it.
Engine again?
Honestly!
This vehicle now just burning money!
Leave it be.
I'll fix it.
Goddammit!
Just for once work!
So?
It's just overheating.
Nothing I can't handle.
Can't go five
minutes down the road
without this thing "overheating".
I'm handling it, am I not?
Sorted?
My man.
Just need a little TLC.
Don't we all.
Last season.
Fourth quarter,
Brad Edwards helped us to a
20 to seven victory over them.
When they roll into town in November,
you will have your Gamecock jersey on.
You hear me, boy?
You're a Gamecock.
Not a Tiger.
Now what are you?
Leave the boy alone.
We can discuss this another time.
This between me and Darnel.
Darnel, respond when I address you!
You a Gamecock or a Tiger?
Boy, I will slam these damn brakes
Gamecock!
Okay?
There, I said it.
Now that wasn't so
Nancy, Darnel, you both okay?
I'll live.
What in God's name just happened?
Did something run out?
Is it the engine again?
I have no idea.
It happened so fast.
Felt like I run over something.
Whatever it was, it must
have been a big animal.
Lost control of the wheel
the second I hit it.
Darnel, you sure you're okay baby?
Yes mama.
What in the devil did that?
Anyone there?
Yeah, but this is really too much now.
Look, we're stuck in
the middle of nowhere.
It's not that bad.
It is that bad.
Now I'm fed up with it.
I'm gonna have a very good talk to him
and he's gonna buy a
proper new car next time.
We'll see.
Yeah yeah - well yeah, exactly.
About to get hold of his bank
account and get some money.
Stanley!
Stanley!
Where are you?
Mom.
What's going on?
I don't know.
Lock the door, Darnel.
Mama?
Shh.
Shh.
Dad!
Darnel!
Run!
A tooth?
Reports are coming in
of the Lee County Lizard Man.
I don't
know what they're smoking
over the pond, but get this.
- A lizard man.
- The lizard man is here.
Proof?
What kind of proof?
I don't know what you want.
It is the coverup of the century.
They want us to think
it's a fable or a myth.
Ha!
Remember when they told us in the '60s
not to take notice of Roswell?
You remember that?
Now we got these little tiny devices
we can fit our entire lives onto.
Just one month ago today
the Torrence family tragedy occurred.
Okay, so today's date
is July 14th, 2003.
Yes, I am aware that
another milestone is hit.
Three decades of a facade I'm afraid.
Nope, Mr. Sheriff, I do not believe you.
Darnel Torrence is a victim
of the system of 30 years now.
I mean we've been covering
this for 15 years now.
You have been fooled for 30 years.
There are some people
that want to see Disneyland.
Well we want to see the Lizard Man.
Ha! A lizard man?
Next thing you're gonna tell
me is that ET didn't go home.
Yeah, it was big.
I mean I don't know if it was an animal.
It was...
A lizard man.
Red glowing eyes.
Seven foot tall.
All the words of one Darnel Torrence.
Yeah.
Red glowing eyes.
The thing you're describing
is either a myth or extinct.
You see, there's ain't no such thing
as a something foot tall
red glowing-eyed lizard.
Well unless you've been drinking.
The word extinction?
It's the biggest myth I have ever heard.
Facts!
The only truth is that Stanley
Torrence killed his wife.
And ran off.
There's no evidence of this creature,
there's no sign of foul play
outside of human involvement.
Yeah, we'd fight sometimes.
Stanley Torrence was drunk.
The car was swabbed for DNA
and all that found was traces of liquor.
Yeah, there was like
loose drinks and stuff.
Stanley Torrence was a man on the edge.
Bills piling up, but no way out.
He was a hit first, ask
questions later kind of guy.
I don't know what to say.
It was...
Let's see the facts here.
Scientists have found no evidence
of any reptilian creature.
They have no trace of this tooth.
And the caves!
What about the non-existing caves?
Geographical report
after geographical report
prove Lee County has an
extensive tunnel system.
Now why can't we open them up
to the public, Ranger Gein?
Caves? Come on!
I've been pedaling around
here since I was yea high.
You can't cover up what don't exist.
Sighting after sighting,
people know your dirty little secret.
South Carolina is hiding something.
Problem is people are all too woke now.
You will not hold us down any longer!
Research, people!
There are no caves under Lee County.
No coverup.
No conspiracy.
Missing people year in, year
out, common denominator.
Last known whereabouts.
Lee frickin' County.
People go missing all the time.
I ain't seen any evidence of
it happening exclusively here.
Fake news!
Clickbait gone mad!
Missing people go missing all the time!
It wasn't Bigfoot.
I don't know what it was.
It was just, it was something.
The truth is out there
and it has always been!
#JusticeForDarnel!
You are glorifying a murderer!
Open and closed case!
I...
I don't know where she is.
I left.
Nobody cares about the real story.
All they want is a plush
toy or Lizard Man merch.
Every dollar you spend is blood money.
And I got my Lizard Man merch.
Lizard Man Festival 15, yeah!
A million dollars.
This joke has gone on long enough.
For years that reward has been up
in Lee County for the
capture of the beast.
Stay out of Lee County or
there will be consequences.
It's Roswell all over again.
The question I have for you today.
Is Darnel Torrence a victim or a suspect?
People running into this town
looking for a giant lizard.
- Lizard Man!
- Lizard Man!
I will have my words heard.
Read my lips, I know what
is happening in Lee County.
Darnel, where is your mom?
Where is Nancy Torrence?
Darnel.
Remind me again why
we're taking a detour
through the redneck counties
rather than just, you know,
heading down south to Miami
where all the chicks are?
Because some of us actually
came on this trip to do research.
Oh right, yeah.
I forgot you dig those
froggy lizard type things.
I don't "dig" froggy lizard type things.
I plan on majoring in herpetology.
What's so funny?
See, here young Fred heard the word herp
and instantly his brain thinks STD.
I mean come on, who studies that shit?
You really do have the brain of a child.
Whoa!
That's a big compliment for you, Fred man.
And that's coming from your brother.
Okay, you know what?
Fuck you and fuck your Lizard Man shop.
At least I suggested something fun.
Cool it.
We'll make our way down
south tomorrow, dude.
Do you realize that
the study of reptiles
and amphibians actually benefits humanity?
You really know how to
introduce yourself don't you?
Day two of sharing a cabin
and you are already giving me a lecture.
Nice one for inviting Ms.
Personality along, Ripley.
The more we learn about them,
the more we understand changes
in our own global ecology.
They're extremely sensitive
to the environment.
And what's that supposed to mean?
It means they offer a visible warning
of significant changes taking place.
Boring.
Won't affect me.
I will be long gone before
those icebergs start to melt.
Sidney, doesn't that also cover
things like anticoagulants?
Yeah.
So?
Well in the very likely event you have
a heart attack one day,
gluts, you're gonna thank
people like Sidney here
for helping keep you alive.
You know what's boring?
This conversation.
You know what?
We've got a long journey
ahead of us, guys,
so let's hit the road.
Pardon me. Sorry.
Careful with the beers, everybody.
Oh Chase, Chase.
Chase.
I gotta ask.
Are you finally gonna make
a move before we head back?
I don't know, man.
I mean I just don't see
what she'd see in me.
We're completely different people.
What? Come on.
Opposites attract, bro.
Besides, Ripley said she seemed
real keen to come along with us.
So?
So?
Sid doesn't ever want to do anything.
Look, those two, they've
been sharing a dorm for ages.
Sid doesn't go to any parties.
Nothing.
And then Ripley tells her about this trip
and suddenly she's all
up for it instantly.
Now is that a coincidence?
I don't think so.
Look, just keep making sure you act like
you're into all the things she likes.
If Sid is excited about a lizard thing,
you'd just be super into it all.
It works like a charm every time.
Look, girls, they like a guy who listens.
Sometimes all you gotta
do, repeat the last thing
they said in a sentence and it seems like
you've been listening the whole time.
And you're the expert on
females all of a sudden?
Since when have I not been?
Look, if the time is
right and I find a moment.
Maybe.
Maybe I'll make a move.
Maybe.
Maybe.
Such a dick.
Hey guys, I know
you've been talking about
this whole camping outside thing.
That's great, but.
I kind of got a phobia of
bears, so I was wondering
if maybe we could get a hotel instead.
That sound better?
Yeah.
You used to love camping as a kid.
Okay, one, that was against my will
as most things in my life have been.
And two, that was in a hard log cabin
surrounded by counselors in tight shirts.
So, you know, wait up.
Well you never know.
Maybe there's some hotties camping nearby.
Okay.
Maybe I will give it a try.
Don't think you're bringing
anyone back to my tent.
I second that!
Can't have any fun around here.
Hey, hey, can we pull up here?
I need to leak.
I don't believe this.
Not again.
Could you not
do that further away?
Yo, shit, do we have
bears around these parts?
Yeah. Loads.
Dumbass.
Fuckin' A.
I could be drinking a brewski
on the beach with a senorita, but no.
I'm surrounded by fucking
freaks and motherfucking bears.
You done yet, Fred man?
I am done.
I am so done with this whole sideshow.
You know there are bears?
I could have died taking a piss.
You are so dramatic.
Get your butt back here then
before the boogeyman gets you.
You're actually scared of
your own shadow aren't you?
Well you're not the one stumbling about
next to a bear's three course meal, so.
Here we are.
Oh wow.
Totally not what I expected.
It's so amazing.
Not the redneck rundown back county
affair we all knew it would be.
Hey, leave off, Freddy.
Give it a chance.
Looks fun to me.
Yeah, worst case you might
actually learn something.
Yay, learning.
Just what I want to do when I'm
out of college in my own time.
There you go, Fred man.
Some friends for you.
Let's just get this over with.
All right.
Hey y'all.
Hey girl.
Howdy!
Y'all here for the Lizard Man?
I'll be your raconteur.
Cleetus be my name.
Oh, Cleetus.
My dude.
I like the makeup.
Anyway, that right there is Sidney.
She is a reptile herpes studier.
I know, weird, right?
But anyhow, she says it's not infectious,
so you're all good.
Well.
A herp around these parts.
What be so funny?
Fred here, he's a simple beast.
He hears the word herp,
it makes him laugh.
Well, Fred.
Herp is Greek for creeping animal.
Now you find yourself to be informed.
Oh, so herp describes
Fred to a T then, right?
I'm off for a smoke.
You guys enjoy.
Right, so let us start
on that fateful night.
July, 1988.
Now it was said that they was
driving home from a party.
Now this would be the last time
that they'd be together as a family.
The sole survivor, Darnel
Torrence, was found floating.
On the swamp, up the stream,
miles away from the car.
His parents mysteriously
vanished without a trace.
So Darnel killed them then?
Well now it was suspected.
You see, Darnel and his pa,
they never really saw
eye to eye on anything.
But ultimately there was a lack
of evidence to pin it on him.
Let me guess, nothing on Darnel
but a shit ton on a very real Lizard Man.
Stop being a jerk for
five minutes, would you?
Sorry about those guys.
Well now everyone jokes about
the Lizard Man until it's too late.
But now you want evidence?
Now we got that aplenty.
Wait.
He's got the tooth from the creature?
Well now nobody ain't ever done seen it.
You see, he is paranoid
that the government
is gonna come in and seize it.
I mean come on, he ain't even
on the government's radar.
But you know how it is
with some country folk.
I mean if I could
just run some DNA tests.
Even a carbon dating, I could
There she goes talking about
dating and reptile herpes again.
I mean you've got a point there, Sid.
This Darnel guy still around?
Well now I wouldn't be going
and messing around with Darnel.
Time hasn't been kind to Darnel.
He has dedicated his life to
trying to find the creature.
Now I ain't seen Darnel since he was
knee high to a grasshopper.
Well now that's just a
bit of an exaggeration,
but I ain't seen him in many moons.
But my best advice is you don't go
messing with Darnel Torrence.
Hey there, missy.
What be y'all reason for coming
round these parts then, huh?
Oh, you know, the country air.
Country air huh?
Does little birdie have
a name or a number?
Little birdie says F you.
Now leave me alone.
Don't get your panties in a bunch.
You ain't got no home training?
No, see, I went to school.
Women can do that now, you know.
Man, you're nuttier
than a squirrel turd.
Hey!
We got a problem here, hick?
Who you calling hick, pretty boy?
You ain't got the sense God gave an ant
to be starting something
you can't back up.
Not looking for any trouble, dude.
Just making sure there's no problems.
Oh hey, there's no problem.
She sure is pretty though huh?
Mmmhm.
She make a hound dog cry.
But she stuck up higher
than a light pole, huh?
I mean who dressed her, huh?
I can see straight to her promised land.
You won't be laughing so hard
when I run my fist down your throat.
You're gonna be eating your meals
through a straw for a month.
All right, man.
Hey hey hey, we're just all
having a little bit fun here.
Don't try to lose your heads, boys, okay?
All right?
Now apologize for being a pig.
You serious?
All right, all right.
Sorry, ma'am.
Sorry, ma'am.
Now get your broke ass out of here.
Yeah, whatever, man.
Hey Ripley, you okay?
Nothing I can't handle on my own.
Appreciate it though.
Yeah, that's right!
You better run!
Holy Power ball jackpot,
are you seeing this shit?
That?
It's from years ago, Fred.
I think if no one found a Lizard Man
in that time there's a reason why.
Yeah, well you ain't had no one
like me on the hunt before.
And I learned all about
herpes today too, so.
I think you learned
about that a long time ago.
You just wait.
I will find this thing on my own, yeah?
Now this was taken the day after
the Torrence family tragedy.
That's huge.
It is seven inches wide
by 14 inches at length.
I can relate to those measurements.
Now you be talking with your
tongue out of your shoe, no?
You just learn to live with it.
Well let's put it this way.
If his brains were made of leather,
there wouldn't be enough
to saddle up a June bug.
Thanks.
And this.
What's the deal here?
Well, now that.
Let me tell you about that.
That comes from a local millionaire
who was funding the cause.
You see, he had seen the
buzz that the Lizard Man
had caused in the '80s and the '90s.
Why we was on the tourist
map there for a while.
But when the well runs dry,
people stop coming to drink.
So he put up this reward and he put it up
on the local radio station and whatnot
and the next thing you know,
why the town was busy again.
Why that first year, we were busier
than a one-legged cat in the sandbox.
Now nobody did done find the creature.
But it caused a boom.
But crucially, that
reward is still valid
if I, say, found the thing?
Now don't you be going and putting
no cart before no horse.
And what I mean by that, Fred,
is I mean don't be going
and making no plans
to go to no swamp before you
know what's gonna happen.
You see, thinking isn't
Freddy's strong point.
Well look, our plan
was to camp out tonight.
So if you could give us an idea
where that swamp is, that would be great.
Well if you insist.
Here, you take this.
Oh no, honestly, it's fine.
Just tell us.
I can SET-Nav it.
You obviously ain't been
out to Scape Ore Swamp before.
I mean you might as well
be in the Bermuda Triangle.
Now you're gonna take this
map and you're gonna thank me
when you have it when you don't have
any reception on that
mobile thingy of yours.
Thanks.
Much appreciated.
How far is it?
Well now it is two
miles as the crow flies.
Well unfortunately
we're all out of crows,
so how about the mileage on a
big metal thing with wheels?
Right.
Well we are right about here, yeah?
So what you're gonna do is
you're gonna follow this road
around right here and you're
gonna go around this bend.
You're gonna come to a big oak tree
and a big opening right here.
And you're just gonna go
right on down through there.
And then I reckon you'll be
pitching your tent before dusk.
Truest words he's said all day.
Such a pig.
Thank you, Cleetus.
Hey, don't be sweating
small stuff, sweetie.
Just a couple of words of warning.
You don't go near that shore at night.
You keep your campfire lit.
And you don't be parking
too close to the shore.
I can't even tell you the number of times
that the Ranger's been out to pull
the out-of-towners out the next morning.
Now you may run into the ranger.
He does happen to be my brother.
Twins?
Yeah, but I be the pretty one.
Hey, thank you, kiddo.
But.
Y'all go looking for dirt,
you may just get dirty.
Come on guys, hurry up!
Christ, it's like dealing
with kids back at school.
You guys are so slow.
Come on. Out!
Guys, we made it!
If you just throw me that
one, I can carry that one.
Whoa!
Oh my God.
Ripley, you all right?
I'm fine.
I think if we just keep following
the path over that way it should be fine.
Ever heard the phrase
eat where the locals eat?
According to the map,
if we just keep going
that way we should...
Yeah, I'm pretty sure
that applies to where
they don't hang out, so
maybe neither should we.
So what?
Now you're not planning on going in there?
Is that what I said? No.
I just mean
See?
Isn't this better than
you thought it would be?
I doubt there'll be many
girls camping about, so.
That's a good thing.
Last thing you need is to get
rejected by some country bumpkin.
Okay, well
time for a hike I guess.
Before you get rejected by
all the girls on Miami Beach.
You actually know
where you're going right?
Take the night off.
I mean if you need
to you can give me the map.
Honestly, Mike, I don't see the appeal.
Come on, Freddy.
You've got the bladder of a baby.
And don't lose that map!
Don't look at me.
I heard the out-of-towners
roughed him up.
Hey!
Having fun are we?
Y'all just left me like that?
I got ambushed.
Y'all sitting here flapping your gums?
One thing I know for sure,
y'all wouldn't know whether
to check your watch or
scratch your ass without me.
Sitting here flapping like this.
I know y'all are lying.
Cleetus!
Now I'm gonna ask you something.
And if I don't get the
response that I want,
me and you, man, we're gonna mix.
Well who licked the red off your candy?
Those out-of-towners.
Now where'd they head off to?
Look Bram, they ain't
causing you no harm.
Leave them be.
Cleetus I will smack you
so hard you will fall asleep.
Then I'll pick you up and
I'll smack you for sleeping!
Come on, man.
Don't make me make that weird face
of yours any more ugly, right?
Shit, you know you already hit
every branch on the way down, right boys?
Well Bram, I think you'll find
that they're deep in the forest by now.
You mean by the Scape?
Yep.
You best not be lying to me. Cleetus.
Tucker, Kane, let's get out of here.
You better be following
that the right way, Fred.
You know some of us in band camp
actually had to do activities?
We weren't lucky enough to be
preoccupied with a counselor
or playing truth or dare in a cabin.
So Sidney,
given you're the expert,
what's your feeling on this Lizard Man?
Surely just a Bigfoot type folklore, no?
I don't know.
I mean we find new species every day.
So it's not implausible.
We're talking about a six
foot plus humanoid reptile man.
I don't think you'd come across
one of those just flipping a tree trunk.
I've been thinking.
You know what I'm gonna
do with my million?
Get myself a new group of friends.
Because you guys have been
boring me all to hell.
Motherfucker!
You okay, Fred?
Do I look like I'm okay?
There's a fucking bear trap on me!
There you go.
Look what it's done to my boot.
You're gonna need that
million now more than ever.
Right Fred?
Is anyone gonna help me?
Guess they didn't warn you about
these traps in band camp, no?
Bears in band camp?
Why would anyone go anywhere
where there's bears?
But giant lizards, they're cool.
I'm so telling mom you're being a jerk.
What do we got here?
Hey piggy piggy piggy piggy piggy!
Hey piggy piggy piggy!
Know what I smell?
I smell fear and bacon.
Hey, let me in, piggy piggy piggy.
All right, we're good.
Let's get some juice.
Come on, hose up.
Hold that.
All right.
Tucker.
Get on your knees and pull, man.
Come on, hurry up.
Goddamn, hurry up, man.
That's it.
All right, come on, let's get out of here.
Shit.
Okay guys, I think the
camp site is that away.
We know!
What's up, man? You coming?
Mike, I gotta find this Lizard Man.
This could be the easiest
million dollars we've ever made.
A Lizard Man and a million dollars?
You're hunting phantoms
and a cash prize, huh?
Why can't you just agree
with me for once, man?
Why don't you go and just
drink with your pissy friends,
have a good time, and I'll
do all the work, yeah?
Exactly.
Friends, good times and drinks.
That's where the grownups are going.
Have fun, Bear Grylls.
You know, fuck you, man!
I can do this shit on my own.
The thing is, this time of year
most bears are hibernating until spring.
So you think someone
just left their trap?
Maybe.
Or they reckon something
big is still out there.
Hmm, the Lizard Man plot thickens.
Where's Freddy?
Freddy.
Yeah, he went looking for the Lizard Man.
Now don't worry.
He'll come panting back
after a scary noise.
Whoa. Howdy neighbor.
Yeah, man of few words.
Have you boys seen Wolf's Creek?
Well if it's anything like the guy
we just met I'm glad I haven't.
Let's just say the Lizard Man
will be the least of your problems.
Yeah, it's not advisable to give
the looney in the woods any encouragement.
Cabin fever does strange things to people.
You guys think it was him
that put those traps out there?
Look, I don't know, but I don't really
want to hang around to find out.
Yeah.
I tell you what, that piece of shit
think he can fucking threaten me?
Boys, let's go have some fun all right?
Did you guys hear that?
It's just the forest.
Better get used to hearing weird noises.
So that's why our tents
aren't next to each other.
Oh that's Mike.
He's a bit of a crier after he's finished.
Hey, it's a beautiful moment.
Huh?
Where's Freddy?
He's not gonna find anything now.
Actually, if he wanted to
stumble across a reptile,
the nighttime is the perfect time.
Yeah.
Can't believe I'm gonna
say this, but he's right.
Still, for a guy
scared of his own shadow,
he's been gone for a really long time.
Don't worry, he'll be fine.
Grab a beer and chill out.
Freddy!
Come back!
Look, relax.
He's fine.
Just let him get it out of his system.
Seriously, I grew up with the guy.
He'll be back in no time.
Until then, I need another beer.
Shaking?
What does that even mean?
You just need to feel it.
She's feeling it.
So there's been something
I've been kind of meaning to...
This is not happening.
So let's stay here.
And feel safe.
I've never met anyone in love.
Mike!
Watch them come crawling back to me
when I have a boat in Miami.
Won't be laughing then will they?
Won't be able to party
without rich old Fred.
Sorry.
I didn't mean to scare you.
Oh, sorry.
I didn't realize there
was someone creeping up
on people in the dark woods shooting!
Yeah, sorry about that.
Let me introduce myself.
My name's Ed Gein.
Most people, they call me
ranger round these parts.
Cleetus's brother.
That's right.
And I reckon he'd be the one
that sent you up this way.
He will never learn.
So you're the ranger?
That's right.
It's rare I come by this
part of the forest at night.
But I saw what I assume is
your van parked up over there.
I mean you're the guy
saying you're the ranger,
but I've seen too many back county
horror films fall for that one.
Well you butter my butt
and you call me biscuit.
You got me there, boy.
Listen, I don't blame you.
It's good to be suspicious.
Now I will be skedaddling.
Like I said, I was just piddling around.
Came across your van.
And then I saw you fetching bunch.
Thought I'd check in and
make sure all was all right.
That cabin not too far from here.
Who's that guy?
Oh that'd be Darnel.
Torrence.
Hmm, you are up to speed
on your Lee County celebrities.
So the guy in the cabin is the one
from the stories in Lizard Place?
You got it in one.
I'm assuming you're up
to speed on the story.
30 odd years ago now.
Well after that night, Darnel,
he was never really the same again.
He became what you would
call the truth seeker.
You know, someone who seeks
out aliens and whatnot.
Set up in the forest
about 15 years ago now
and he is hell bent on
finding that damn lizard.
And your thoughts on that thing?
Well God knows the town has prospered.
My brother's prospered.
But me?
I ain't wet behind the ears.
A Lizard Man.
But Darnel, he's his own man.
If he wants to dedicate
his life to trying to find
some fabricated reptilian
creature then so be it.
I reckon it's got something to do
with some long term PTSD.
Could we have done more
in the town to help him?
Yeah.
And that does play on my
mind from time to time.
So let me get this straight.
This Darnel chap did lose
his parents that night?
There wasn't any wonder
what happened to them?
It was a well known fact that Stanley,
Darnel's pop, was a fan
of the amber nectar.
Now they was driving home from a party
and it doesn't take a rocket scientist
to work out the easiest
common denominator there.
The car was found abandoned
in the middle of the road.
So you think Stanley's to blame.
If not Stanley, who?
Darnel?
No.
A lizard man?
No.
It was an open and closed case.
Stanley Chuck Nancy into the swamp
and he scuppered on out of here.
Poor Darnel.
He must have got lost when
he went looking for his mom.
And they found him floating up the swamp.
I still remember seeing it
on the news like it was yesterday.
Sorry, my "brief" introduction
has gone on longer than
a Sunday afternoon.
I will leave you be.
Watch where you step around these parts.
He's laid traps.
He says it's for hunting season,
but we all know he ain't hunting no game.
Until we meet again, kiddos.
Goodnight.
Don't let the lizard bite.
Well that was a buzz kill.
I've had enough of creepy men
wandering around this place.
One night out here is enough for me.
Tomorrow morning I think I'm gonna
knock on Darnel's cabin.
What on Earth would make you do that?
I need to see if he really
does have that specimen.
I could help him prove if the creature
really is some new species.
Yeah.
No more beer for Sid.
Come on you piece of shit.
Don't die on me.
Mike?
If that's you, I swear I will
kick the living crap out of you.
There's only so far you can push a guy.
Mike?
If that's you, I'm telling mom.
It's fine.
It's gonna be fine.
Oh shit!
My ankle.
What was that?
What?
I don't know.
It sounded like a scream.
Or something in the distance.
Have you never been camping before?
Coming from the guy that crapped
his pants like five minutes ago.
Okay, in my defense,
who here was expecting
a creepy looking dude to
come out of the shadows, hmm?
At least I crapped my pants
for something here that can be seen.
Unlike you guys shaking in your boots
every time a raccoon does a turd.
Classy.
She's right, Mike.
Freddy could have fallen again
or got himself caught
in another bear trap.
Oh you're kidding.
Do you want me to wander into the forest
looking for my bozo brother?
Fine.
If it'll shut you up.
No, don't offer to help at all.
If you want me to come I will.
I think I would prefer if
at least one of you stayed.
I mean two girls being
left alone while there's
a creepy man and a potential
loony wielding a knife.
Then I think we should
put who goes to a vote.
I vote Mike goes.
I second that.
Hey, majority rules, bud.
The camp's become a democracy.
Yep.
Screw you all.
Hey Fred!
Get your ass back here!
You do realize you're
gonna have to put up
with a moaning Mike when he gets back.
Oh he'll forget all
about it five seconds
he sees what I'm wearing under this.
Fair enough.
Tell me you guys heard that.
Yeah, yeah I did.
It sounded like Mike.
Mike?
Mike, you okay?
Mike!
We gotta go check on him.
I don't like this.
Yeah we should.
Okay, grab a torch and stay behind me.
Wait, you're both going?
You're welcome to stay if you want.
Bullshit I will.
Mike?
You there?
Mike!
What's that?
That's Mike's boot.
Okay.
Stay calm.
Wait here.
I'll go check it out.
What can you see?
Nothing.
Just the boot.
It's the Lizard Man!
He's coming to get you!
Mike you jackass!
We were scared half to death!
Not cool, bro.
What?
Ripley, come on.
It's a joke.
Lighten up.
You know, you can sleep
outside by the fire tonight.
Aw Ripley, come on!
You okay?
Yeah.
Let's just go back.
I've had enough wandering
around in this darkness.
Dude, my boot.
Gently, hombre.
Ripley, come on!
I said I was sorry!
That boy.
Like two peas
in a pod, him and Fred.
Ripley, come on!
Great.
Fat chance of getting that going again.
Well you better get to it then.
I mean it was all Jason's idea.
Hey!
Ripley.
Ripley, come on!
No, come on, it won't happen again.
I'm sorry.
You have my word.
It was all Jason's idea really.
Hey!
Don't get me involved in this.
Okay, just take the flack.
I'll make it up to you, okay?
How exactly?
Okay, I will carry your
bag for the rest of the trip.
And?
You seem to carry rocks
in that thing, you realize.
Nope.
Doesn't sound like you
really need my help.
Okay, okay, okay.
Just name it and it's done.
Okay.
Carry my bags, take
over the driving duties,
and pay for the gas all the way home.
Deal.
Ripley.
Mike was right.
It was all my plan.
Sorry.
You're both assholes.
Okay, don't worry.
I have leverage now.
My advice is to turn up that
stereo at some point real soon
because you're both too innocent
to be hearing any strange noises.
You know.
That thing might come
in handy after all.
Hey there, boo.
I'm sorry.
Look, it was all Jason's idea.
And if Jason asked you to
jump off a cliff you would?
Well if it was funny maybe.
Oh come on, I'm sorry.
It won't happen again.
It better not.
Cross my heart.
Hope to die.
Hey, hope to die.
You actually think you're getting lucky?
After all that?
Well you did just have
a traumatic experience.
This would be cathartic
if you think about it.
Great way to release some
of that negative energy.
The only way to release negative energy
will be kicking you out of here.
Stop.
Mike, you can't do that.
I'm angry at you, Mike.
You're evil.
You know I can't resist.
Stop!
I know you like this.
Come on.
Wait, something just went past the tent.
Probably just the shadow of the moon.
Mike, I'm serious.
For fuck's sake, what? Hmm?
I don't know. Go check.
Whatever it is, I'm sure it's long gone.
What if it's that creepy
guy the ranger told us about?
Then I would rather
hide in here with you.
Such a hero.
I never claimed to be one.
Get your ass out there and go check.
Or you can kiss goodbye
to any plans to use
the rubber johnnies for
the rest of the trip.
Fine.
Okay.
Guess I have no choice.
Johnnies.
I knew I forgot to get something.
I can always ask Jason for some.
He's hardly gonna need them.
Now why is it always me?
Yeah, this is what I
get for being too nice.
Babe, there's nothing out here.
You didn't look.
Go and check.
Fine.
Give me a minute.
I'll be back.
Already sounds like
they're up to something.
If you hear anything
just turn the stereo up.
At least that won't haunt my dreams.
I still don't feel right
leaving Freddy out there.
Honestly, he's fine.
I've known him for years,
and like Mike said,
he's the kind of person that would
resent you more for not trusting him.
That still doesn't
make me feel any better.
Even if Mike is his brother saying that.
How much do you want to bet that he's
at one with nature right now?
I'll find him in the
morning with a banana leaf
around his pants and talking to his map
like it's Wilson from
that Tom Hanks movie.
Yeah, probably.
Well it's dawn in little over an hour.
At first light I'll go
out and look for him.
You have my word.
Thanks.
I mean that.
Fred?
Fred!
Fred if that's you I will
box your ears, you dumb-ass!
Fred?
Fred?
Oh shit.
If you're trying to scare me.
It's working.
Where's the fucking
ranger when you need him?
Hold up, hold up, hold up.
Quiet now. Quiet.
That's them motherfuckers.
Mike, if that's you fucking around
you can sleep outside by the fire tonight!
Mike, I'm serious!
Knock it off!
No! Please don't!
Leave me alone!
What was that?
It sounded like Ripley screaming.
Probably.
That's why they gave us the stereo.
Can you hear that?
No.
Exactly.
Silence.
Then his work must be done.
Just seems weird, that's all.
You want me to go
outside and check it out?
No.
You're probably right.
I'm just overthinking it.
Jason, look.
Mike? Ripley?
You okay?
Fred, that you, bud?
Get your ass out here!
Nice and slow.
Don't you try nothing.
Lookie what we got here, boys.
I ain't got no problem with you.
Look, it was a misunderstanding.
I shouldn't have threatened.
You are so full of
shit your eyes are brown.
Now I'd apologize for making a ruckus.
But that was my intent.
Now where'd them other
highfalutin guys get off to?
I don't know.
Wandered off in the woods earlier.
Which way?
Now if you're lying to me, I'll hurt you
so hard you won't see tomorrow.
Boys, what you waiting for?
Get off into that yonder
and fetch me a piggy.
Don't move.
Look, you've made your point, okay?
Just leave us be.
You know there's a ranger who patrols the
Shut up!
You're not in a position
to be making threats.
I reckon it's just dawned on
you how much shit you're in.
What are them boys up to?
What's going on?
I'll shoot you in the
head before I cut your tail.
You boys best bring that fat piece
of lard back in one piece!
They know I like to be
the one to tan that hide.
What in tarnation?
Yo, behind you.
What?
I don't know.
The bears?
Man, there ain't no
bears this time of year.
Now quit your yapping.
Well whatever it is.
It's looking directly at us.
All right, but don't
you move a goddamn muscle.
Let me handle this.
That doesn't seem like a good idea.
Shut your goddamn mouth!
Whatever, whoever you are!
You got about five seconds
before I come in there
and put a whomping on your ass!
Come on.
No time to talk.
We gotta leave now!
Boy!
If I catch you I will
break this bat over your...
Goddamn it.
What is that thing?
Ripley!
Come on, Sid. We gotta go.
It's not safe here.
Where?
That cabin.
He'll have a way to call the ranger.
Oh fuck.
Wait, no no.
This way. Come on.
This is it.
Hey!
Help!
Open up!
Come on, I can see the light on.
Jason.
What?
Now would be a good time
to get that door open.
Come on!
Darnel, open up!
Who the hell are you?
Get the hell off my porch!
Please!
Something is out here!
It's right behind us!
I'm just gonna kick this door in
if you don't open it right now!
Open it, Darnel!
Get in!
Sit down!
Sit!
Y'all better start talking.
How do you know my name?
That thing is just outside.
We need to call the ranger.
I ain't never heard something
so crazy in all my years.
You're in the safest place here.
See those eggshells out
there and the hanging garlic?
A deterrent.
Ding ding bingo.
Got it in one.
But how does that deterrent?
I don't know why.
The pungent smell just keeps it away.
So that thing out there,
it really is a reptile?
Well damn.
The first person in many
years to see some sense.
Yes.
It's the famous Lizard Man.
Now he's got your scent,
it'll drive him wild.
Sir, you're having us
believe that that thing
that's out there is a
200 pound Lizard Man?
Hell no.
You wish.
200 pounds, that's
komodo dragon territory.
You could only dream it was
a komodo dragon on your tail.
Then what is it?
Short answer?
No idea.
I mean I have a good guess.
My theory is it's probably some evolved
hybrid prehistoric reptilian.
Lying somewhere between an ankylosaur.
And a megalania prisca.
Which are...
Haven't they both been
extinct for millions of years?
Things are only extinct
if you can't find them.
Now what's to say this
hybrid evolved creature
wasn't laying dormant for millenniums.
Now something awoke that
beast around 30 years ago.
It's been illusive and ever present since.
It says the specimen was found
in Australia just dated back 50,000 years.
Yep, you're reading right.
And what does that mean?
It means that up until a few years back
these things were thought
to have been long gone.
Now, given the timeline of man
versus giant motherfucking lizard,
has been in our recent
history and this thing?
Is an apex mega predator.
A large animal
that eats other large animals.
You're damn right it does.
So if it were so wrong about that,
what's to say we don't
know shit about shit?
9,000 reptiles and this
one never been discovered.
How do you know so much about reptiles?
I'm studying herpetology.
They got a smart-ass word
for everything these days don't they?
So you a reptile expert then.
I'm more focused on functional problems
like ecology, physical
behavior and evolution.
Well you just hit the jackpot
tonight then didn't you?
So how long
have you been tracking it?
The whole time?
Not at first.
Was the crazy kid of the town.
Half of them assumed
that was some psycho kid
who killed and murdered his family.
The other half blamed my pops.
He was an asshole, but
he wasn't no killer.
He could barely squeeze us
so tight when he hugged us.
Bark was always worse than his bite.
The thing that gets me to this day
is the last conversation we ever had
was arguing over which
university I should go to.
Darnel, respond when I address you!
You a Gamecock or a Tiger?
Boy, I will slam these damn brakes
Gamecock!
Okay?
I mean I was just trying
to get a reaction, you know?
It was his way.
His way or the highway.
You don't want your last conversation
to be during a fallout.
Eats you up inside.
And then I saw him.
Crashed down on the trunk of our car.
Mama?
Shh.
Shh.
Darnel!
Run!
And I saw his claw reach
down and grab my mama.
You know what I did?
Nothing.
I ran.
Like a scared little child.
Left mama there defenseless.
I've had to live with that
for the last 30 years.
My tragedy became a circus.
TV stations.
National newspapers.
Everyone picked up on it.
Proof?
What kind of proof?
I don't know what you want.
This is Betty Rose reporting
live here in Lee County.
Lee County leaned on it hard.
Nobody ever really cared
about the real story.
Or helping the kid that
lost everything that night.
All anyone wanted to do was have a picture
with a cartoon cutout
and buy a Lizard Man top.
Was a Disney attraction
for the first few years.
Looks like that dried up pretty fast.
It had this time, you know.
But once you can't back
it up with any evidence
it starts to become a freak show.
Like some back county
laughingstock to come
and gloat at whilst
people passing through.
I assume that's why they
got that reward put up.
Yeah.
It worked for a short while.
Hoax sites hit national news.
Put Lee County on the map again.
Or so I hear.
How have you lived here for so long
and not either caught the
thing or become lizard food?
I've been close to capturing
that thing many times.
It was easier at first.
Like it was the king of the jungle.
It'd never been hunted before,
so it had no real reason for caution.
A bear trap could slow it down at first.
I assume that was yours.
Yeah, I figured one of
you dumb asses triggered one.
They don't do much anyways.
Seems to know how to
maneuver his way around them.
Or even chew through the damn thing.
You see, I started to track
and trace where I saw it.
At first around here.
Didn't venture too far
away from the swamp.
And then as the years went by.
Found it harder to track.
Expanded deeper into the forest.
At first I thought it hid
below the surface of the swamp.
Then I started finding extensive
tunnels and caves all around.
Didn't even know Lee County had them.
Run for miles all below the surface.
So why not just go
down there and kill it?
Most of them aren't accessible.
I mean some you can, but I ain't
never seen it around there.
Tip of the iceberg I am sure.
Though the last thing you want to do
is be caught down there
with no natural light.
You could use a torch, no?
It's not to do with seeing.
This thing don't respond
too well to daylight.
And if the lizard ever gets caught
out in the sun it screams in agony.
Only once in my life
have I ever come close
to seeing it get caught
out in the daylight.
It weakens it.
I feel if it gets exposed to UV rays
for too long it would die.
Surely these people must have family
come looking for them asking questions.
You'd think.
But these things always get brushed off.
You realize how many people
go missing every year.
If the police followed through
with every one that came in
they wouldn't have time
to do anything else.
Best thing they do for me is give me
a time for when that thing is around.
In what way?
Like it comes up for a
certain amount of time to feed.
Feed.
Assuming that's us.
We are a walking human
bucket meal for that thing.
Get around three months of
it, but times are changing.
You can never really tell when it's back.
First signs are disappearing cattle.
As when it wakes it must be ravenous.
And you're quite certain it hibernates?
Geez, the reptile
expert is questioning me.
Not at all.
I just mean you don't
know that for sure do you?
They could just go live underground
in caves for all you know.
Yeah, I don't doubt it.
Still, that thing hibernates
or hides away for a long while.
You can always tell when it's close.
That thing gets erratic.
Desperate to feed.
When it's ready it goes after
a group as big as yours.
Maybe when you're separated,
but not as a group.
Now if my calculations are right,
it's probably ready to
disappear again soon.
You say that like you were watching us.
Like a guinea pig test.
You compliment yourself too much.
I like to think of it as bait.
So you're telling me that
you just allowed us to walk
straight into danger and
you didn't even warn us?
It's a free country, kiddo.
Y'all went on your own accord.
You knew what was gonna happen.
All right.
Captain Hindsight over here now are you?
So what would you have
done if the creepy guy
in the cabin came out and said oh look,
Lizard Man is out and he's hungry tonight.
Y'all better head back.
Y'all would've laughed
at me and carried on.
So don't you damn well
sit on that ivory tower
of yours and give me some
damn lecture and shit.
Jason, he's got a point.
We'd hardly have listened.
You guys did nothing but mock
any idea of the Lizard Man earlier.
You should have still looked out for us.
Opened that God forsaken
door for you didn't I?
How long do you think you would've made it
if I wasn't so accommodating?
Is that what I think it is?
Found this a few years back
by one of the closed off caves.
It's shedding its skin.
Which means it's growing.
Once they outgrow their
current skin they shed it.
Just peels away.
All the damn time.
Must have up and doubled in size
since I've been on its case.
Now watch this.
You see why it's so hard to kill?
Thing's running around with a
bulletproof full bodysuit on.
Shoot it?
Like I said, the skin's bulletproof.
I've tried to shoot it with
a pistol, a rifle, a sniper.
Every time it just ricochets off.
Now watch this.
Iron sharpens iron as they say.
How did you even know?
Had this thing around my neck for years.
Then come close to five
years I was on his trail.
Then out of nowhere it took
me by surprise from the side.
I was certain I was on
his trail up front of me.
I got sloppy.
I was face to face with it.
About to be torn to pieces.
All I had in arm's distance
was this thing around my neck.
Out of desperation I yanked
it off and dug it in his neck.
It screamed out in pain.
That thing bled green,
thick blood all over me.
Darnel Torrence, come
out here with your hands up!
You got to be shitting me.
Y'all just be bringing
everyone here tonight.
One!
Two!
Okay! Just give me a sec!
If anything should happen to me out there,
this might be the only
thing that keeps you alive.
Run out the back door and
don't stop until the sun rises.
So for what do I owe the pleasure, Ed?
Don't give me no shit, Darnel.
You know exactly why I'm here.
I'd just been up to that campground
where those kids were camping.
And the place looks like
a horror show up there.
Now we both damn well know
I had nothing to do with that.
Well you can do your explaining
down at the county jail.
I ain't letting this slide, Darnel.
Now where are the others?
Are they inside?
I got two of them with me.
No clue where the rest are.
Now I advise you to come and join us.
It's safer for you in there.
What?
Are you threatening me?
Not at all.
But I know what's out
there and it ain't far.
Oh you and that goddamn lizard!
Even my brother's brainwashed.
Face it, Darnel.
Your pa was a drunk.
He caused that crash.
Now move on with your life!
You didn't know him!
You ain't got no right
talking about my dad like that!
You're lecturing me
on rights now, are you?
Please, please, make this easy on me.
Don't make me force you to come in!
What the hell was that?
No idea!
Must be a raccoon!
He's here.
The ranger?
Nah, he had to split.
But our lizard friend's around.
He's on your scent.
He doesn't hang around this long.
He must be desperate.
Now I have a plan.
And I think it might just work.
What we gotta do?
Well.
Seeing as you all passed the
audition as bait earlier.
Your scent will take it
where I need it to go.
Grab that.
Now both of y'all follow me now.
We ain't got much time
before its next meal.
This may be our only window
while it's distracted.
Oh, and take those jackets
off for a stronger scent.
You sure this is gonna work?
It's the one thing I've
never been able to do properly.
Tried a few times on my own.
I take it that didn't
go so well for you?
Thought as much.
Second time's a charm.
Never had a willing piece of bait before.
Considering the way
it's been hunting y'all.
I think this just might work.
Once it's fallen in, those spikes
will only hold for a few seconds.
We'll need to lay the netting over
and hammer in those spikes.
Got it.
And then finish it off with this.
Guys?
Now!
Pull it tight!
Believe me now?
Oh shit!
You okay?
Yeah.
I told you!
I told all y'all!
30 years!
30 fucking years!
Scream all you want.
Today I send you back to extinction.
I've been waiting a long time for this.
Wait!
Jason.
Jason.
Come on.
It's trapped.
Why kill it?
Give me back my spear, kid.
I can't let you kill it.
Not now we've caught it.
You don't understand
what you're dealing with.
Don't be foolish.
We're sitting on a million dollars.
Not to mention all the rest
we'll get from it for capturing it.
You won't be alive to claim the reward!
This thing's not gonna hold
it while you call it in!
Jason, listen to him.
Give it back to him!
Please!
A dead man can't spend his treasure.
Remember that.
Jason, give it back to him!
Jason!
Jason!
I'm too old for this shit.
You're dealing with the unknown here!
And this is personal.
Darnel!
Come on, Jason.
Now I've got you.
It's gaining on us.
We've gotta get out of here.
It's getting lighter.
Hope Darnel was right.
If we can just make it to the van
we can get to the nearest town.
Come on.
Quickly! Faster!
Here, take the keys.
Got them. Get in.
Okay, calm.
Sid, you're okay.
No no no!
Okay, slower.
It just needs a jolt.
This isn't the time to
need a battery change!
Sid, the battery is brand new.
Just try it again.
What the heck?
Okay, foot down and
push when I say push.
Okay Sid, push!
Push!
I am!
Somehow it's out of gas.
What do we do? Hide out here?
We won't last five minutes in this.
That thing will rip the doors right off.
What are you thinking?
Follow me.
Wait! I need a minute!
We've gotta make some distance.
Jason!
Jason!
You okay?
I'm fine.
How did it get ahead of
us without us seeing it?
What's that?
Look.
It's like Darnel said.
It can't survive in the sunlight.
It sacrificed its tooth
so that it doesn't die.
Come on then!
Come take me!
Come take me! Come on!
I can see you there!
Jason, leave it!
Come on, I know you want
to pounce at me right now.
I'm gonna finish this prehistoric
freak of nature once and for all!
Jason!
Jason!
Is the camcorder on?
Yeah, I mean look,
the little red light's on.
Oh.
It's time capsule day and we
just left the Lizard Man's shop.
Let me tell you,
Cleetus was an absolute dreamboat.
I mean the vast knowledge and history
he knew about the Lizard
Man was astounding.
Look, he even
said that he was gonna
start incorporate face
painting into his shop.
That's great.
Really?
Anyway.
Bound to happen some time.
Nonbeliever.
I mean we've been covering
this for 15 years now.
And Cleetus the shop owner,
he gave us a map and instructions.
All that good stuff.
And I know exactly where
we're gonna camp out tonight.
Ah.
Fresh lizard meat.
Now don't you be going nowhere.
So this was there?
This was designed - where the siding was
was a little building called
Elmo's Butter Bean Shed.
That's where people would take
their butter beans and have them shelled.
And they kept getting
what they were considered
vandalism and seeing a lot
of odd things going on.
And then a young man had a flat tire
right there at the butter
bean shed at night.
And that's when he was
approached by the Lizard Man.
Hello, my name is Eddie Grant.
I am the executive director
of the South Carolina Cotton Museum
in the little town of
Bishopville, South Carolina.
And this is where the sighting was
of the Lizard Man back in
1988 at Scape Ore Swamp
which is a swamp and water area
that goes through Bishopville.
The museum itself, the cotton museum,
has been here 19 years.
And this is an agricultural community,
so it is an agricultural museum.
To educate people on the importance
of cotton to the agriculture community.
And to all of South Carolina.
Hi, I'm Bebe Davis.
Bebe Davis, publisher of
1021 Magazine in Charlotte.
And known here in Lee County
and Bishopville, South Carolina.
Class of 1989, Benita Davis.
The Lizard Man story is
infamous all over the world,
but I'm one of many in the
class with Christopher Davis,
known as just Chris, who knew the accounts
before they hit the papers.
In Lee County.
Chris was coming home from McDonald's.
And he stopped on the side of the road.
In Lee County in the
community of Brown town.
Where there is a swamp.
He stopped to change the tires.
And this is the official story
that was not pumped up by the press.
He changed the tires and he said
immediately as he got into
the car he heard something
coming from the swamp area of the forest.
And as he pulled away,
it was brown with scales
with red eyes that jumped
on the top of the vehicle.
And he was going at about
20, he said, miles per hour.
Up to 20.
And it was still from
running beside the car
to jumping on the hood of the car.
He managed to get the beast, as he stated,
off of the car and when
he got home he laid
on the horn and his parents had to go get
the extra keys of the car
to get him out of the car.
And so it went sensationalized
from a brown scale to a green scale
by the time everyone got it.
Now descended upon
Bishopville was scientists
from the UK, California, everywhere,
to see if they could spot the Lizard Man.
Because of footprints that was left.
And also in that sighting along
with Chris was Ms. Shirley Way.
Which I will give more information on her
'cause she is one of the persons that have
the actual footprints in her yard.
Chris went on all type of
television shows for interviews.
And so by the time we got
back to school in September,
we all did a private sit down
as teenagers would with Chris.
And we was like Chris, tell us the story.
Now as teenagers, and Chris
was very very good looking.
No teenage guy is gonna say
that there were mistakes happen.
You know, when you get real shocked.
Maybe in your lower area.
You lose your cool as teenagers.
So we knew the story was real
and that he was frightened
'cause no kids, and
especially kids of color,
and no guys that are popular like that
is gonna ever admit to that.
His parents backed up his story
because my mom, who is a retired teacher,
his mother worked at the
cafeteria and she said
how they had to pry his
hands off the steering wheel.
So we do believe that the story was real
because no teenager in their
right mind in that summer,
we have other things to do other than
for him to say something like that.
So riding through that way to
go to friends' homes at night,
we all would be packed in cars
and driving probably about
50, 60 miles per hour
through that way because we were just
all so scared, but it
was quite the moment.
It was a lot of us who just lived it.
And so when we went off to college
and people asked us about it,
when we saw some of the
accounts on Animal Planet,
we were just like yeah, it
was true and we believed him.
He had nothing to lose.
We had nothing to lose.
I worked at KFC when it was
Kentucky Fried Chicken then.
It wasn't KFC.
And I remember some of the scientists
come in and ask what did I feel about
what Christopher's account was
and I was just like it was true.
Because after the summer,
after a football game,
we all just met at Hardee's,
which still is here today,
and he went through the accounts.
And again, it was believable because,
you know, teenagers and especially guys,
they don't lose their cool
with girls like that so.
You know, definitely I feel
like he was telling the truth.
He said that it stood,
from what he could tell,
running beside the car going from like
five miles up to 20 miles per hour.
Over six feet.
And had brown scales red eyes
and a tail and everything.
You know, we believed him and to this day
even riding through that area where I did,
you know, can ride or
just go through, you know,
you still just feel that feeling
you've had all these years.
And the class of '89, born in 1971,
we all just turned 50 this year, so.
I actually turned 50 last Saturday.
So yeah, we all believed him.
You won't find no one in that class
and no teenager who didn't
believe his accounts.
We definitely believed it was true.
He had nothing to lose.
He had nothing absolutely to lose.