Monster, Friend

Game Over

The Johnsons from Iowa are a typical farm family. Richard and Marcy have two girls and five boys. Four of the boys excel in sports, while the middle child, David, struggles. He is desperate to show he can keep up with his brothers in high school football.

The Outsider

However, as hard as David tries, he doesn’t have the natural talent of his brothers — he is the runt of the boys. A sympathetic coach offers David a position as team manager, but he insists on playing. David is relentlessly teased by the better players and especially by the star quarterback, Luc. David’s brothers offer some support, but side with the jocks, as they want to be part of the ‘Cool Kids’. The brothers also want to be picked up by a professional scout and are aware of the optics. Sports scouts are looking at high school athletics for college sports, where millions can be made.

During a semi-final tournament, David was put into the game, but ended up dropping the football. It was snatched up by the opponents, and a game-winning goal was scored. The audience booed. David put on a brave face but was ashamed and constantly tormented by Luc and the other players.

Two of David’s brothers are picked up by professional teams, which further adds to his pain. An event to mark the milestone will be held in the Cornfield Clearing — the party place where all team celebrations happen.

The Friend

After dinner chores that night, David takes a walk in the cornfield and fumes about his alienation and humiliation. He screams out his frustrations and collapses into quiet sobs. The breeze stills suddenly. David looks up to see a glowing eye looking at him in the near distance — he isn’t scared. Something moves, the corn leaves rustle and stalks break. A grotesque creature approaches David.

A creature made of corn leaves, cobs, and stalks stands in front of him; it has smut, a corn disease typified by numerous grayish growths. Its humongous mouth is made up of a large top and bottom corn cob with numerous sharp teeth of varying lengths. The thing stares at him — their eyes lock. David’s mind takes a dark turn. He has found a Friend. David vows retribution and revenge for all those who have treated him so badly.

Let the harvest begin.