The sheriff, Ralph Slocum, taking over the switchboard from his startled dispatcher, asked for the caller’s name for the sole purpose of calming the alarmed youth down.
“My name is Paul Zangallio, sir and I’m awfully worried about all the people here.”
“Don’t worry son.” The sheriff soothingly replied. “I’ll get you some help out there right away and everything will work out fine. Just keep calm and stay on the line while I alert all the people I need to.”
The sheriff, picking up the radio transmitter, yelled loud enough to be heard throughout the county office building.
“Paul, where the hell are you? I need you out at the new resort right away. Pick up
anybody you see on the way and carry them out there to help you. We have us a real life disaster happening right here in our county. I am going to call the governor’s office and the hospital but I need you out there to straighten out whatever you can. Hurry up boy.”
“I got your message sheriff. It’s that robbery I predicted isn’t it. I was right wasn’t I?”
“Don’t get on your high horse Paul. It sounds like the whole place has caved in. Just get out there and help all you can. I’ll be out there as soon as I make my calls. Now hurry up.”
The small group that gathered in front of what used to be the lobby entrance was composed of the twins Mike and Mark Summers, the two teenage girls Beverly Forham and Sally Backlin, the lost Indian Connie Littlefield, and the new found couple Steve Sidel and Kathy Santos. The twins were tying the yellow nylon ropes around the closest Royal palms and had just started tying the third one when they heard someone shouting at them from back by the tennis courts.
“Hey guys. We don’t really know what’s going on but we’re coming over to help out.”
Kevin Backlin and Bill Forman were jogging across the green lawn toward the small crowd of people and Kevin was trying to comfort them as best as possible with his shout of the calvary of two were coming.
“Oh daddy you’re safe.” Blended out of the two girls’ mouths simultaneously.”
“We thought you were trapped underground with mommy.” Cried Sally Backlin.
“Yeah, we thought you were down there.” Echoed Beverly Forham. “I’m so glad you are all right. We just have to get mother out of that hole. I hope she’s not hurt. I’m so worried about Sally’s mom too. What can we do? We just have to help them.”
“It’s ok Beverly. We’ll get everyone out safe. Right Kevin.”
“Yeah girls. Don’t worry. Everyone will be just fine.” Assured Kevin Backlin.
“Listen men. I just got here but I have an idea.” Suggested Steve Sidel. “I think these boys have a fantastic idea of dropping the ropes down so we can pull the people up but, from the sounds I hear I think some people will be to weak or hurt to try to make it up the ropes. I think we should find some ladders and maybe some wood and make some kind of makeshift ramp to pull these people to safety. I don’t think we have much time before maybe we’ll have more collapsing of the ground and the deeper it goes the harder it will be to get the people out of there.”
“That’s a good idea mister but, I wonder where we can find any wood?” Questioned Bill Forham.
“There is a big pile of new lumber behind the maintenance shed that they were going to use for building a storage area for the new lawnmowers that are on order. There are also two extension ladders hanging on the back wall of the shed that we used to clean the gutters of the second floor wing.” Mark Summers enthusiastically suggested. “Mike and I could grab the ladders and the girls could carry the boards over one by one.”
“That’s a great idea. See if you can find some nails and a hammer while you’re over there and maybe we can build something stable enough to help those people out of this hole. If you two gentlemen can shimmy down these ropes with me maybe we can start helping some people out of the pit of hell they are in. Ok?”
“That sounds good and by the way my name is Kevin and this is my partner and best friend Bill. Our wives are trapped down there and we really want to climb down and see what is going on. Right Bill?”
“Yeah, you’re right Kevin but, I think we ought to send one of the girls to see if they can locate Jack and Billy, by they way, they are our sons and I think they are probably scared as hell by now.”
“Of course. You need to know where the rest of your family is and my name is Steve and my friend’s name is. Oh, I’m sorry. I don’t even know your name.”
“It’s Kathy and I think I will go with one of the girls to try to find their brothers. They might need whatever help I can offer. I’m sure they are really frightened and an adult may calm them down a little easier.”
“Well, we all have our jobs. We better get moving. There is no telling when the official rescue people will arrive but, I have a feeling time is running short.”
“Steve, I hate to alarm you but my partner Kevin and I did sound testing on this area and it is honeycombed with caves and I think this is only the beginning of our problems. The ground could cave in anywhere and fall a lot further in the areas it already has.”
“What idiot would have built a resort on a potentially dangerous piece of ground anyway?” These words from Steve Sidel were lost in the air as he grabbed one of the ropes and started sliding down toward the still exposed roof of the lobby.
Kevin Backlin and Bill Forham were right behind him each sliding down a rope of their own. When they reached the roof of the lobby one story down in the hole a new surge in the ground dropped all three men to their feet but, they all managed to hold on to their respective ropes and maintained their balance on top of the collapsed building. They could see a jagged hole in the barrel tiles of the roof and they all climbed precariously over to the opening and peered down into the darkness.
The twins in the meantime ran in the direction of the maintenance shed to grab the ladders and any nails and hammers they could find. Sally decided to look for the boys and Kathy ran toward the lake directly behind her praying silently that they would find them safe. Beverly in the meantime shook Connie Littlefield’s shoulder and asked her if she was able to help carry any boards back to the hole. Connie nodded her head in agreement and stood up and followed Beverly in the wake of the twins.
The high branches of the slash pines swayed rythmatically in the brisk summer breeze like pale green pom-poms applauding the latest touchdown of the local high school team. The parasitic Spanish moss hung tightly to the rough bark limbs not unlike baby opossums not wanting to lose their life support systems. The rustling of oak leaves and paper type clatter of the abundant palmetto bushes created a forest symphony but the muted screams of human agony spoiled the naturalistic melody for many hours to come.