The Leech Woman Page #3

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I'll give your people whatever they want,

money, cattle,

guns, anything.

Why in such a hurry

to depart?

Didn't I tell you that there was

even a greater secret?

Don't you want to see me

made young again?

Of course I do,

but I never dreamed it could be possible.

I came here

to die, Dr. Talbot,

but before the old women of Nandos die,

they receive the final gift of youth again,

a few days of happiness and love

before they wither to dust.

You're a scientist.

The greatest gift that I could give you

would be to let you witness this.

Yes. If I could see it,

I would believe it.

Tonight, you,

your wife and guide

will share the Nando secret.

Then you will sell me the orchid

and let us go.

For you, white men,

and you, white woman,

you are about to witness

that which none other than the Nandos

has ever seen before.

For a man, old age has rewards.

If he is wise, his gray hairs bring dignity

and he's treated with honor and respect.

But for the aged woman, there is nothing.

At best, she's pitied.

More often, her lot

is of contempt and neglect.

What woman lives

who has passed the prime of life

that would not give her remaining years

to reclaim even a few moments

of joy and happiness,

and know the worship of men?

For the end of life

should be its moment of triumph.

So it is with the aged women of Nandos,

a last flowering of love and beauty

before death.

He's drugged.

He's lanced the pineal gland

deep in the cerebellum.

He's adding the pineal hormone

to the Nipe.

It's a trick.

It's another woman.

No, no, it's Malla.

It's impossible.

It can't be the same woman.

I believe it is.

They took a man's life

to do it.

Now you have seen the secret

of the Nandos as I promised.

How do we know you're Malla?

Do you remember the mark

of the Arab slaver

that I showed you

in your office?

I knew I was right.

Malla, you've got to help me

take your secret back to the States.

It is the one secret

that will never leave my people.

When I die,

you, too, shall die.

Enjoy the night

while you can.

Until morning, I grant anything

you may wish, save freedom.

Malla, could you make my wife

young again?

Yes, but she must choose the man

for the sacrifice.

I could never do that.

Think well before you refuse

an opportunity as rare as this.

I will be outside.

When you have made

your decisin, call me.

June, you've got to do this for me.

If you can divert their attention,

we may get a chance to escape.

We could get help

and come back for you.

You mean

you'd actually leave me here?

But, darling, Garvay and l

can be back tomorrow,

now that he knows

the exact location.

I see what you mean.

Malla?

I'm ready.

Come, choose a man for the sacrifice.

You have your choice.

Any man I wish?

Any man.

Then I choose

him.

June.

You have made

an excellent choice.

You will have beauty and revenge

at the same time.

Mrs. Talbot, now that Malla has given you

the precious gift of youth,

I think it only fitting

you show your appreciation

and give her

your beautiful gold necklace.

Don't you remember?

The expensive gold necklace

you asked me to keep safely for you?

Oh, yes, I remember.

Malla, would you accept this gift from me?

Since vanity has no regard for time,

I will wear your necklace.

Garvay knows exactly where it is.

May he bring it here?

Malla.

Malla?

Mmm-hmm.

Malla.

Is it true?

Here. Look.

I'm young.

I'm young again.

Yes, and you're going

to stay young.

We're getting out of here.

Come with me.

Get out there.

Your youth will not last long.

Do not waste it.

This night is yours.

The coming day brings you death.

Enjoy it well, both of you.

June.

Come on. Quiet.

Come sit down.

We're safe as long as we stay away

from the river's edge.

Do you know where we're going? Mmm-hmm.

Yes, I do.

The river runs north

all the way to Lake Victoria.

That's where the railroad is.

It will take us quite a while

to get there.

Look at them.

And Malla said

it wouldn't last.

You know, David,

sometimes I can't sleep at night,

thinking of the way I was.

I'd rather die

than go back to that.

There won't be any going back.

I took care of that.

Young lady,

you're in the company of a man

who's going to be very rich

once we get back.

I have here the elixir

of sudden wealth and beauty.

You got away with them.

Wasn't that the whole purpose

of the expedition?

David?

David! You've got to help me.

June!

June, no!

I need help.

June, take your hands off me.

Help me!

June, don't touch me.

Give me the Nipe.

Don't touch me.

I want the Nipe!

June, get...

Give me the Nipe!

Get away from me!

David! Don't leave me!

David!

David, please don't leave me!

David!

David, don't leave me!

I can't get out!

Help me out!

I'm sinking, June!

Give me the leather pouch.

Help me out first!

I'll give you the leather pouch!

You give me

the leather pouch first.

June!

Help me! June,

come on, quick.

I can't get out! Hurry up!

What're you waiting for?

June, what's

the matter? June!

All right!

All right, here. Grab on.

Pull, June!

Pull more!

Little more! Little more!

That must be June's plane now.

What an awful thing

to go through.

She was crazy about the doctor

and he treated her just terribly.

Maybe he had the right idea.

It sure worked for him.

Well, don't you try anything like that

if you wanna stay in one piece.

Do you see her?

No.

That's funny.

Her wire said flight 16.

Maybe she missed the plane.

Are you Neil Foster?

Yes.

I beg your pardon,

but have we met?

No.

How do you know

my name?

Mrs. Talbot

described you in detail.

I'm her niece,

Terry Hart.

Well, how do you do?

Your aunt never mentioned you.

Is she with you?

No, June came down

with the flu.

But she...

She asked me to come ahead

and open up the house

and get things ready.

Oh, you'll...

You'll be staying with her?

Yes, now that she's alone.

Oh,

would you mind

getting my luggage for me?

Then we can go.

Of course. Glad to.

I'm Sally Howard.

I used to work for your uncle.

Yes, I know.

Then your aunt

described me to you, too.

Yes, she did.

Then she told you

that Neil and I are engaged.

No, she didn't mention it.

Why should she?

Oh, I don't know.

Just thought I'd mention it.

That's everything.

Oh!

Thank you.

I hope you'll be

comfortable.

Thank you.

If you need anything,

why, just call me at the office.

All right.

Goodbye, Miss Hart.

Goodbye.

Neil?

Yes?

Do you know where my aunt

keeps the liquor?

The liquor?

Mmm-hmm.

Yes.

She keeps it

under the bar.

What'll you have?

Well, you're the bartender.

How about a little

vodka over ice?

That's fine.

Only there isn't any ice.

Next time you come,

there will be.

To your new home.

Cheers.

I better go.

Thanks.

Just one more thing.

Yes?

Would you mind

taking my bags upstairs?

No, glad to.

Which room?

Put them in my aunt's room for now. I...

I don't know what room I'll be using.

All right.

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