Authors Notes: This story is based on the Hanna-Barbera Productions/Warner Brothers animated movie Scooby Doo on Zombie Island. This story has similar dialogue and similar plot lines from that movie, however this story will feature the characters from the radio series Kincaid The Strange Seeker which is produced by a Seattle (Washington) area radio producer and former radio talk show host/disc jockey named Jim French.
For those of you who have never heard the show here's the basic plot of the series: the show is about a television reporter named Michael Kincaid who works for a Washington D.C. based cable television channel called The Investigative Channel or IC for short, his show is called Kincaid The Strange Seeker and for the most part he investigates strange or unusual stories for his show (ghosts, aliens, time travel, etc.). The other major characters in the show besides Michael are his cameraperson Shelly Mars, his boss at the IC Randall Bigelow (who by the way is voiced by Richard Sanders who played Les Nessman on the TV show WKRP in Cincinnati), the show's announcer Dean, and the show's producer Pat.
Kincaid The Strange Seeker and all related characters and trademarks are copyright 2010 Jim French Productions. Any and all characters (not including Scooby and friends for obvious reasons) from the movie are copyright 2010 Hanna-Barbera Productions/Warner Brothers/Cartoon Network.
Chapter 1
Our story begins in a large office building in the Washington D.C. area, this particular building is the home of the cable TV network known as the Investigative Channel or IC for short; the Investigative Channel for many years has been also the home to the fairly popular television program Kincaid The Strange Seeker hosted by one Michael Kincaid.
At the moment in the District of Columbia and in the office building it's a fairly normal October day, at least fairly normal in terms of what usually happened surrounding Michael and the Investigative Channel, namely the newsroom was fairly busy and full of reporters, producers and staff members of the channel's various shows working on various stories.
Meanwhile at the desk of Michael Kincaid, the host of Kincaid the Strange Seeker sits at a computer screen typing into a search engine and attempting to look up information about various peculiar, weird and strange stories around the country; for the most part it's a regular day at the cable television channel, filled with activity, which is what was happening when a loud voice boomed through the newsroom, sounding somewhat angry as usual.
"Kincaid!" shouted a vociferous, almost shrill sounding voice.
"Uh-Oh, I wonder what Mr. Bigelow wants you for Michael?" asked a female voice; in point of fact the voice belongs to one Shelly Mars, the cameraperson for Michael on his series Kincaid The Strange Seeker.
"Beats me Shelly but if I know Biggie its not good news" said a male voice; this second voice belongs in point of fact to Michael Kincaid the host and for all intensive purposes, star of Kincaid The Strange Seeker, or at least the star of the show in his own mind that is.
"Coming Biggie" Michael replied; the television personality then sighed and began walking over to where the loud voice is coming from, soon he began looking around to see where Biggie's voice was coming from, at first he couldn't locate where his boss was sitting or standing, however a few moments later he heard his boss's voice once again and listened intently to his fearless leader.
"I'm here in the conference room Kincaid" Mr. Bigelow remarked.
With that Michael Kincaid walked a few hundred feet over to one of the building's conference rooms and walked inside where he found his boss Randall Bigelow sitting in a swivel chair at the head of a long rectangular conference table; Michael watched his boss intently as he waited for the host of the television show and the cause of much of the stress in Mr. Bigelow's life to get further inside the room so the two of them could have a personal conversation.
"Close the door Kincaid I want to talk to you in private" Mr. Bigelow said.
Michael Kincaid then walked over to the large conference table and stood at the opposite end of it, wondering why Randall Bigelow had called for him for a meeting in the first place; although he could tell that Mr. Bigelow had a somewhat impatient look on his face while he tapped a pen on the table, naturally he realized that his boss was more than likely displeased with him about something that he had done, or a story that he did, so he waited for his boss to speak, which he did a few moments later.
"Sit down Kincaid" Mr. Bigelow explained with a stern look on his face, motioning for the television personality to pull up a chair at the end of the table and sit down, which he did.
"What's up boss?" Kincaid asked.
"Well I'll tell you what's up Kincaid, I want to let you know we're having a meeting in this conference room in about 30 minutes from now" Mr. Bigelow replied
"Um Biggie, if we're having a meeting why did you only bring me in here and not anyone else?" Michael inquired.
"I'm glad you asked Michael, because I want you, Shelly, Pat and Dean to be in the conference room to sit in on the meeting as well" Mr. Bigelow replied.
"OK, is that it?" Kincaid asked.
"Yes, for now, just remember Michael I want you, Shelly, Pat and Dean in the conference room in a half hour" Mr. Bigelow said.
With that Michael Kincaid got up from his chair, pushed it back in the table and walked out of the conference room; after exiting the conference room Shelly Mars noticed that he looked somewhat confused and walked over to him.
"So Michael, how'd it go?" Shelly asked.
"Well Shelly apparently Biggie wants to have a meeting in one of the conference rooms in about a half hour" Kincaid said.
"Why would he want to have a meeting?" Shelly asked.
"Beats the heck out of me Shelly, all Biggie said was he wants me, you, Dean and Pat in the conference room," Michael said.
"Hmm, I sure hope it's good news for once" Shelly said.
"I hope so too Shelly, I hope so too" Kincaid said.
About a half hour passed since Mr. Bigelow and Kincaid had their meeting in the conference room, and in that amount of time Michael Kincaid worked more on research for possible stories for his show, partly because he was a bit fearful of what Randall Bigelow was going to say to him or do to him during their meeting.
Hundreds of possible thoughts ran through Kincaid's head, all more unusual and terrifying then the last, including his firing or his death, although the latter was probably more exaggerated, soon Kincaid looked at his computer screen and saw that the monitor's clock displayed the time of the staff of the IC's meeting, so with that he walked back over to the conference room and prepared for the worst.
Eventually Michael Kincaid, Shelly Mars, Pat the show's producer and Dean the show's announcer sat down around a large rectangular table in one of the building's conference rooms; the members of the cable television channel were quite eager as to why they were all called into Mr. Bigelow's presence, and sat nervously as they watched Mr. Bigelow call the meeting to order.
"Well now that everyone is here let's get down to business; now does anyone know why I called this meeting?" Mr. Bigelow asked.
After a couple of minutes of deafening silence no one had answered Mr. Bigelow's question so he began speaking once again to his staff, although he seemed to be addressing most of the questions and conversation to Michael himself.
"Well I'll tell you, Kincaid your show has been on for what, 11 or 12 years now?" Mr. Bigelow asked.
"That sounds about right," Kincaid noted, albeit a little confused.
"Good, now because Kincaid The Strange Seeker has been on for so long, we or rather you have covered numerous stories Kincaid; however I've been noticing that we've run into a problem" Mr. Bigelow remarked.
"A problem?" Shelly inquired.
"Yes, the problem is Kincaid, while you do a good job looking for stories most of the time I have to ask you if you have any stories for the show and frankly it's getting a bit old; not only that but on many of the stories I send you on, they frankly are so unbelievable and so crazy, they seem to not be on par with what we present on your show" Mr. Bigelow said.
"Biggie, with all due respect I'm doing the best I can finding stories, can I help it if they're crazy as you put it; besides I thought my show was called Kincaid The Strange Seeker, which means I go in search of the strange, the unusual and the weird, so isn't what you're saying an oxymoron?" Michael asked.
"Kincaid, that's not what I'm saying, well it is kind of what I'm saying; anyway, the point is that not only are the stories I send you on so unbelievable and so crazy, but also when you come back you tend to not have any, let's see: oh yes, proof of your stories! Which means that you aren't able to bring back any useable footage for your show, which means there's no subject for the show, which means there is no show" Mr. Bigelow declared, almost yelling at Kincaid.
"Biggie, there's no need to yell at me; the reason why I don't have any proof of my stories is because either something happens to me or Shelly, or something happens to the camera, or someone tells us that we can't tape the story, or one of a million other reasons, which result in me not being able to tell you that we have stories for my show" Kincaid replied.
"Kincaid, in all my years of working in the television business I have never had an employee or personality that has been more infuriating to work with then you; why do you always say that? I know what you have to go through because you tell me the same thing over and over again when we have production meetings, and like I've said before not only do I not believe any of your excuses, I am going to do something about it!" Mr. Bigelow said, almost yelling at Kincaid once again.
"Mr. Bigelow, you don't have to yell at Kincaid, I know what he goes through too, since I usually tape the stories that you send us on, and believe me I've seen some of the most frightening things in the world and experienced some things that I wouldn't want to wish on my worst enemy, trust me Mr. Bigelow it's a touch job and a tough business" Shelly replied.
"I know that Shelly, but we have to figure out another way to get stories, I mean there has to be a way to go out into the world and find stories for Kincaid The Strange Seeker, we just have to figure out a way to do it" Mr. Bigelow commented.
"OK Biggie what do you suggest?" Kincaid asked.
"Well Kincaid, I'm glad you asked about that, you see in my great wisdom and intelligence, I have thought up an ingenious way to get stories for your show" Mr. Bigelow replied.
"Hmm…. I don't know if I'm going to like this, but go right ahead Biggie" Kincaid remarked.
"Very well, you see my idea is that we, or rather you are going to do what all the great journalists do" Mr. Bigelow replied.
"And that is?" Kincaid inquired.
"Simple Kincaid, you are going to go out and look for stories" Mr. Bigelow replied, with a broad smile on his face that looked like a Cheshire cat at the dentist's office.
"Look for stories?" Kincaid questioned.
"Yes that's what I said Kincaid, look for stories" Mr. Bigelow replied, echoing his host's question.
"OK, so how may I ask are we going to find stories for my show?" Kincaid asked.
"Very simple Kincaid, I've done research and came up with some places that are sure to have the exact type of stories that the show needs to continue to succeed" Mr. Bigelow explained.
"Like where?" Kincaid asked.
"I'm glad you asked Kincaid, I have a list here of the places that you will be going to in order to find good stories for the show" Mr. Bigelow replied as he pushed a white sheet of paper across the conference room table to Michael Kincaid.
"Alright, where's the first place I'm going?" Kincaid asked, looking over the sheet.
"Well Kincaid, your first destination, or at least the first one I've picked for you is going to be New Orleans" Mr. Bigelow replied.
"Far Out!" Shelly exclaimed.
"Hmm… New Orleans huh?" Kincaid asked.
"Yes New Orleans" Mr. Bigelow replied.
"Biggie, call me crazy but isn't New Orleans a bit cliché? I mean as far as looking for the supernatural goes" Kincaid remarked, sounding a bit unsure of his boss's idea.
"Kincaid, I can't believe I'm saying this but why would you be worried about clichés?" Mr. Bigelow asked.
"Well, I mean New Orleans has been picked clean by supernatural investigators over the years, heck it seems like every Halloween I see shows and movies on TV where the main character or characters go to New Orleans, it's kind of overdone, at least in my opinion" Kincaid replied.
"Kincaid, I don't mean to tell you how to do your job… oh wait, yes I do; you know there's a reason why New Orleans has been visited by hundreds and hundreds of paranormal and supernatural investigators over the years, and that's because it is has been proven that New Orleans is one of the most, if not the most haunted place in the United States" Mr. Bigelow commented.
"I'll buy that," Shelly added.
"You know Shelly, come to think of it you're right, I guess there would be worse places to investigate for supernatural stories; and you know it sounds like a terrific place to visit" Kincaid replied.
"Thanks you Kincaid, I'm glad you have some faith in me" Mr. Bigelow stated.
"We'll see about that, although I think I've come up with a good name for our New Orleans show" Kincaid replied.
"OK, Kincaid what name have you picked for the next show?" Mr. Bigelow asked.
"I was thinking Haunts of Louisiana" Kincaid clarified.
"Kincaid, for once I agree with you on something; I must be going crazy because that actually makes sense" Mr. Bigelow replied.
"Terrific, I guess Shelly and I better go pack and then we'll leave for New Orleans to start on our newest assignment" Kincaid stated as he stood up from his chair and prepared to walk towards the door.
"Hang on Kincaid, the reason I called you all here wasn't just to tell you about your new assignment" Mr. Bigelow replied.
"Um, OK what other reason did you call us all in here" Kincaid remarked.
"Simple Kincaid, as I told you before I'm getting tired of you not bringing back evidence to back up the stories that you report" Mr. Bigelow explained.
"OK" Kincaid replied, somewhat unsure of what to say to his boss.
"This time you won't be going on an assignment" Mr. Bigelow remarked, smiling in a somewhat devious manner.
However, before Mr. Bigelow could finish his statement Kincaid interrupted him.
"Biggie wait a minute just because I don't bring back proof to back up my stores doesn't mean that I can't still report on them" Kincaid replied, somewhat confused of what exactly his boss was talking about.
"I wasn't finished yet Kincaid, what I was going to say was this time you won't be going by yourself to your assignment" Mr. Bigelow said, somewhat impatiently.
"I'm not?" Kincaid asked, with a clearly confused look on his face.
"No, you see this time I'm going to go along with you and Shelly, oh, and Pat and Dean will be going along as well" Mr. Bigelow replied.
"That sounds good, I've never gotten to go on many of Kincaid's assignments before" Pat remarked.
"Me neither, plus I've always wanted to see Louisiana" Dean added.
"You know, with Pat and Dean along this is going to be a pretty interesting trip; although I'm wondering why in the world you would want Pat and Dean to come along on this trip in the first place" Kincaid replied.
"Good question Kincaid, although I don't think now is a good time to answer it" Mr. Bigelow remarked.
"Why Biggie?" Kincaid asked.
"Because we need to get going and get to Louisiana!" Mr. Bigelow replied in a fairly loud voice.
"Okay, okay, I guess I don't need to know right this moment" Kincaid said, somewhat nervous of what his boss was going to say next.
"You know I have to admit, I'm glad Pat, Dean and Mr. Bigelow are coming along; I guess now they get to experience what we've gone through so many times" Shelly stated.
"I'm glad you like the idea Shelly, now I would like to officially adjourn this meeting and I do believe it's time we leave here and get going" Mr. Bigelow replied.
"Sounds good Biggie, just let us go home and get some things and then we'll meet you at the airport" Kincaid remarked.
"By the way Mr. Bigelow are we flying commercial?" Shelly asked.
"No, not this time; Ted is letting us use his private plane, we're going to meet it at Reagan International and then head off for Louisiana" Mr. Bigelow replied.
"Ted, you mean the owner of the network, that Ted?" Kincaid asked.
"Yes Kincaid, I'm glad you remember" Mr. Bigelow replied.
"Why is Ted letting us use his plane?" Kincaid inquired.
"Is Ted joining us?" Shelly added.
"No, he hired a pilot; as for your question Kincaid, he was feeling generous at least that's what he told me when I talked to him" Mr. Bigelow explained.
"Sounds good to me, you know it's been a while since Ted let us use his plane, in fact it was before you got here Biggie" Kincaid replied.
"I know Kincaid, I know; now, let's get going, and if it's all right with you I would like to use my car to drive to the airport; now yours truly, Pat and Dean will take my car and we'll pick up some things from each of our houses while Kincaid, you and Shelly will take your car; once we're all packed we'll all drive to the airport and then before you know it we'll be in the Deep South" Mr. Bigelow remarked.
With that Michael Kincaid and Shelly Mars headed out of the conference room, followed closely behind by Mr. Bigelow, Pat and Dean; the five of them then took care of some last minute business around the office before heading down to the building parking garage and their respective automobiles.
A few moments later Kincaid and Shelly were in their car and took off for the pair's respective homes, while Mr. Bigelow, Pat and Dean soon after were in Mr. Bigelow's car and followed behind Kincaid and Shelly; later that night, after trips to each of the group's houses and after putting clothes, books, and other things each of them needed into each of their suitcases, the two cars took off for Ronald Reagan International Airport.
About twenty or so minutes later the pair of automobiles arrived at the airport and the team of intrepid reporters parked their vehicles in a parking garage, paid for the parking while the cars were at the garage and went on their way into the airport.
Considering Washington D.C. is one of the nation's top cities as far as population goes, specifically the nation's capital is in the top ten of most populated cities, you would think the airport would be no different and you would be right; for as Kincaid and the crew of his show and the Investigative Channel walked through the airport, it was as busy as you would expect an airport in a large metropolitan city would be.
Eventually the group of intrepid reporters, well one intrepid reporter, one camera person, one director, one announcer and one managing editor made their way through the large airport, past by the various restaurants, shops and newsstands that populated the large building; soon the group of five had found their way outside of the building and towards an area where a large Boeing 737 was waiting for the team of people from the Investigative Channel.
With their baggage, camera equipment and other items they needed for their trip to the Southern United States with them, the five of them boarded the large airliner, wondering just what would be in store for them and what kind of supernatural mystery or terror was waiting for them in the city of New Orleans, and beyond.
Author's Notes: This is my second non Scooby Doo fan fiction story, and while I know most people who read my stories probably haven't heard of or listened to an episode of Kincaid The Strange Seeker before, I did include a description of the series in the Author's Notes section at the beginning of the chapter and hopefully everyone will read that so you can have more information about Kincaid and the other characters in this particular series, also thank you to everyone for reading my works and for reviewing them as well.
