There Goes Another One
Plot:  Sky Rigdon
Execution:  M A Davis / Miko


        Life was not easy for the Jusenkyo springs guide.  Although 
the area he was responsible for, the Bayankala range in the 
Qinghai province, was about as remote a place in China as you 
could get, people still seemed to stumble across it nearly every 
day.  Rarely did they realize the danger of the valley of cursed 
springs, and even when they did, they often ignored that danger.

        Once, he'd tried to prevent tragedies.  Now, he merely tried 
to warn them, and stayed the heck out of the way.

        The guide pulled back the brush and stepped into the 
clearing.  Just as he'd thought -- a young man was camped at the 
far end of the valley, within sight of several cursed springs.  He 
shook his head as he stepped forward.  Would they ever learn?

        "Welcome, sir, to the valley of cursed springs, Jusenkyo.  In 
this valley are more than one hundred spring, each with it's own 
tragic legend."

        The man, busy building a fire, glanced up.  "Excuse me?" he 
said.  "Are you the local park ranger or something?  I was just 
hiking through the area, and thought I'd stop here for the night... 
it's so darned cold.  Is there anything wrong with starting a fire?"

        "Is no problem sir," the guide said.  "But is very bad you fall 
in spring...."

        The man returned to his fire, but the flames slowly died 
down.

        "Darn it!" the man growled, standing up.  "This damp wood 
is never going to catch fire!  I know just the thing!"  He 
disappeared into his tent, then reappeared with a can of gasoline.

        The Jusenkyo guide took several steps back.  "Oh, sir, you is 
strange one, yes?  Is very dangerous you pour gasoline on fire...."

        The man ignored him, of course.  They always ignored the 
guide.

        WHOOOOSH!!!  The flames leapt up, engulfing the less-
than-intelligent traveler.  He screamed, and ran straight for one of 
the pools....

        "Oh sir!" the guide called out, but he was too late.  The man 
had leapt into the nearest pool.  The guide paused, trying to 
remember what curse was associated with that particular pool....        


**FIVE YEARS LATER**

        The guide watched as another unfortunate tourist struggled 
to the surface of a pool to confront his new curse.

        "Oh, terrible sir!" the Jusenkyo guide exclaimed.  "Very 
tragic story of man who, five year ago, catch on fire, jump in 
pool, and drown.  Now, whoever fall in pool take form of burning 
man."  He watched the traveler as he ran about, screaming, his 
clothing on fire.  "Spring of Spontaneous Human Combustion.  Is 
possibly most tragic spring of all."


FINI

Not Fuzzy, maybe, but very Warm, yes?

(PS:  The title is a reference to a line in a song by The Bobs, 
called Spontaneous Human Combustion.)

Miko!