(Click here if you want a hint about the significance of the title.)
(Click here if you want a hint about the significance of the title.)
The story that you are about to read is true. If there were any innocents in this story, their names would have been changed to protect them, but, unhappily, there ARE no innocents in this story.
Orlando, Florida. Home to some of the world's largest theme parks, and visited by millions of tourists each year. But beneath that facade of harmless fun, a dark underside lurks.
My name is Lee Zimmerman. I don't carry a badge. I thought I was on a relaxing vacation, until I was pulled into this veritable web of deceit.
3:00 p.m.
It was then that I saw it. The Swan. Gazing malevolently down at us from atop the hotel across the canal. I am immediately conscious of the disquieting sense that all is not what it seems. My wife seems undisturbed.
7:00 p.m.
We have dinner at Artist Point, with stuffed quail as an appetizer.
I can't help but wonder whether swan tastes like chicken.
10:15 p.m.
We arrive back at our room. Lit up against the blackness of the
sky, the Swan appears even more foreboding. I make sure the door
is locked and close the curtains.
8:30 a.m.
En route to Animal Kingdom, I see the Swan on the *other* side of
the hotel, twin, or perhaps mate, to the one watching our room,
monitoring our progression towards the park.
12:00 p.m.
I am aware that we are being watched. The Swan seems to have
enlisted spies from among its fellow birds.
3:00 p.m.
I thought that we would be safe *inside*, but even in the Mexico
Pavilion the Swan has its allies. I try to pretend nonchalance.
10:00 p.m.
Sitting in the Mask Room at the Adventurer's Club, I notice several
bird-like masks on the wall. Are some of them actually talking??? No,
no, it must just be my nerves.
12:00 a.m.
The Swan is lit upon our arrival, but by the time we go to bed at
12:30 it is dark, the better to hide its clandestine activities.
I doublecheck the doors.
9:15 a.m.
12:40 p.m.
A bird flying overhead lets go. It just misses me.
7:30 p.m.
We ride "The Great Movie Ride". I'm grateful that there are no scenes
from "The Birds" in it.
8:45 p.m.
While watching all the villains in Fantasmic, I begin to realize
that the Swan is a mere pawn, and that there are masterminds at work here.
10:00 p.m.
Back in our room, I can see the Swan is still maintaining its
surveillance of
us. I watch it, wondering what report it might be taking to
"Swan Central" tonight. I am more and more convinced that there is
something bigger going on. My wife tells me to go to bed.
7:45 a.m.
8:10 a.m.
The Swan's twin again watches us as we drive towards Animal Kingdom.
9:20 a.m.
We're having breakfast at Tusker House, and I take notice of another
one of the Swan's spies. They seem to be getting more brazen,
and no longer care that I am aware of them. I must be on to something.
11:45 a.m.
My wife drags me to the "Flights of Wonder" show. The tent is
full of people who have absolutely no protection from the birds
swooping over their heads. Can't they see the
danger??? The birds must be waiting for something, because nothing
untoward happens. The only suspicious incident occurs when a crow
steals a dollar bill, but later returns it. Ha, ha, only a joke,
right? Oh, these clever, clever birds...so easily bending humans to
their will! I must find the genius behind this.
7:15 p.m.
I got a tip from one of Mary Poppins' topiary penguins that there's
a flamingo over in Mexico that's willing to talk. I will check it out.
9:45 p.m.
We're back in our room, with the dark outline of the Swan visible
in the night sky. But I'm onto you birds...we'll see who has the
last cackle!
9:00 a.m.
11:45 a.m.
I find my flamingo informant in Mexico. The plot goes deeper than
I ever dreamed. It is imperative that I watch my step from now on - there
are avians about who may decide I know too much.
2:10 p.m.
Near disaster! I'm obviously getting too close. Donald Duck attempted
to birdnap my wife! She pulled away from him, and found the
whole situation amusing. I'm not laughing, though.
6:40 p.m.
My Animal Kingdom contact didn't show up. I have a bad feeling
about this.
11:00 p.m.
We arrive back at our room - the Swan is already dark. That is
very unusual. I do not sleep well - my dreams are haunted by
recurring visions of a giant
concrete swan beak breaking through the bedroom window.
10:30 a.m.
I've found it! The headquarters of the entire Bird Ring! Here in
this innocuous grass hut. There is so much more here than appears from
the outside.
I've got to go in and see who is masterminding this operation. I step in the room and sit down, surrounded by people who have absolutely no idea of what is going on. The music starts...aaaaaaah! We're all being brainwashed! Someone help me...in the tiki-tiki-tiki-tiki-tiki room...
Hmm...now where was I? Oh yes. My wife and I enjoyed the show - it's better than the old one. We had a great time on our trip, but why do I have this feeling that Walt Disney World is going to the birds?
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Copyright © 1999, by Laura Gilbreath and Lee Zimmerman. Feel free to link to this document, but you may not redistribute it in any form without the express written consent of the copyright holder.
Laura Gilbreath, lgil@cts.com