After she left the police station Elle explored the rest of Springwood. She was impressed by the quiet beauty of the place, and yet disturbed by the unnatural serenity it offered. While driving down main street Elle noticed a woman and her small son, but when she smiled at the boy the mother drew him into her arms protectively. She was starting to regret taking this job, and was going to do everything in her power to make her boss pay for this later. These damn hicks had a more elitist attitude than anyone she had ever met in Soho and Elle was getting tired of it.
When her stomach started rumbling Elle pulled into the driveway of a small diner to get some food. She went in and sat at a booth in the corner, lit up her cigarette and waited for the waitress. About five minutes later the waitress, a trashy looking red headed woman, sauntered towards Elle's table from the bathroom and asked in a gravelly voice, "What'll it be?"
Elle was annoyed that the waitress had taken so long, and she didn't even have a menu. She decided not to cause a scene and ordered a cheeseburger and a Dr. Pepper instead. The waitress went to deliver her order to the chef when Elle saw something that made her want to die laughing. A heavyset man who looked flustered and sweaty exited the bathroom that the waitress had just been in. Elle knew now why the waitress had been so long taking her order, and why she didn't seem particularly concerned about getting a tip. Elle guessed that she had just earned her day's wages.
The fat man strolled past Elle and flashed an ugly yellow grin in a feeble attempt at charm. Elle shivered a little. Then he stopped and turned around.
"How you doing sweet heart?" he said.
"Fine, thanks." Elle said quickly, wanting this encounter to end.
"My name is Ralph, baby. What you doing here in ole' Springwood?"
The man was trying to be smooth. Elle asked one question.
"Oh, just visiting. You live here a while?" she asked with a southern accent.
"Whole life. I'm a truck driving man. Been all over this great country, but Springwood always be mah' home."
"Oh, it surely is fascinating." Elle said genuinely, "I sure do wish I knew more about it."
"Well, I can tell you anything you need to know, sweet heart. Ole' Ralph knows Springwood just about as good as anyone alive." Elle was listening closely and thought that he had faltered a little when he said "alive", but she couldn't be sure. She had to get this story, and this was her only lead.
"Why don't you sit down Ralph, get something to eat with me. I could use the company. Seeing as to how I am here alone and all. By the way, my name is Julie" she chirped sweetly.
Ralph looked like he had just won the lottery. He grinned that yellow grin and wedged his fat ass in the booth opposite Elle. She noted with disgust the way his belly was pressed by the faux marble table. She persisted, though, and kept smiling at him sweetly. This was going to be a long dinner.
The waitress glared at Ralph when she returned with Elle's dinner.
"What is it now Peggy? I'm just vistin' with the new folk here." cried Ralph in outrage. "Ain't no need to give me that look."
Elle heard Peggy whisper "fuck you" to Ralph as she turned on her heels and stormed towards the back. Elle played dumb.
"That your girlfriend?" she said, trying to sound dissappointed.
"Nah, she just a waitress here. Get's upset if any competition comes 'round town. She aint used to not being the prettiest girl in town" cooed Ralph.
Elle shuddered inside, but giggled on the outside. She had to keep this pigs interest. She ruffled in her purse and grabbed her cigarettes. She pulled one out of its package seductively and Ralph watched rapturously as she placed the long, slender cigarette in her mouth. Ralph pulled out a silver Zippo and offered her a light.
"Always the gentlemen, ay Ralphie?" Elle though.
"Please allow me," he said, apparently thrilled at his own quick wit.
"Thank you, sweetie!" Elle told him "That was just the nicest thing."
"Welcome." he said quickly, and blushed a little.
"So, Ralphie...What do you like about Springwood so much...I mean I think it is just prettier than anything, but I know that's gotta get old for someone 'lived here long as you."
"Well, you can always count on Springwood staying the same." he said. "Always know just whats waiting for you when you head back home. I like that."
"Ooh, that does sounds nice. But I bet nothing fun ever happens here does, nothing exciting, I bet." she prompted him.
"That ain't true." he lowered his voice, "We had us a real life serial killer here, one time."
"Oooh, that is scary. I love those kinds of stories." she said. "I went to this place called Haddonfield one time. They got this crazy man up there who wears a mask and butchers people on Halloween. Isn't that just crazy?" she continued, "Bet nothing like that ever happened here, did it."
"Haddonfield ain't shit, sweetheart. Only person ever killed more than ourSlasher was that freak up at Crystal Lake." Ralph boasted, and Elle was disturbed by the emphasis he put on our Slasher.
Ralph continued, "Yep, he was called the Springwood Slasher..." and then he paused. "Sorry, got kind of lost there for a minute, Stacy."
"Oh, your fine", and he stopped her. Ralphs eye's narrowed into two mean slits.
"Thought your name was Julie, there." he said with menace."Just what the fuck do you want lady?"
"Fine." she said, "Listen, my name is Elle Reynolds. I am doing a story for "Hard Evidence" on the Springwood Slasher, and I am trying to find out as much as I can about him. Now so far, Ralphie, you are the only person who gave me the time of day. I just want to know a little about what the hell went on here, then I'm on my way. Thats it."
"To hell with that, Lady. Ain't no reason for me to get involved in this shit." he said.
"What if we could pay you?" she offered.
"Shit, I don't need money. I got enough to make me happy", he eyed her body. "No, don't need money 'round here. But, I can help you out if you help me out" Ralph said suggestively.
"What the fuck do I look like to you? Like your little cocktease, waitress?" she said with anger.
"You ain't getting no fucking story then, sweetheart. Not from me, not from anyone in this town." Ralph stood up and was preparing to leave. As he walked away, Elle threw a twenty on the table and went after him. She grabbed his arm and he stopped.
"Okay." she whispered. "Where can we go?"
"Oh, I know just the place."
"Disgusting fucking pig" Elle thought. "Does he think I am gonna let him fuck me for some story?" Well, he had another thing coming. Elle looked in her purse and saw the rufenol and Sodium Pentathol she carried for cases like these. She may not be ethical but she always got her story.
Ralph Kimmons wasn't a very nice man. Even he knew that. This bitch was going to pay for tricking him, and he was going to take his time making her do it. He studied the Julie's car in his rear view mirror. Nice little car, Ralph would probably make a few thousand dollars from selling it. He pulled a revolver from his glove compartment.