Zombie Holocaust (La regina dei Cannibali)

Today's lesson will focus on the stomach.

Huh... As I was saying, today we'll focus on the stomach.

The stomach is the dilated, sac-like part of the alimentary canal.

It's positioned between the oesophagus and duodenum.

It's shaped like a curved sac,

with a right-facing concavity called the lesser curvature.

It also has a curvature facing the left.

- I bet you stole that hand. - Cut it out, come on.

An eager beaver like you probably took it home to practice.

You need quite a sense of humour to laugh in an anatomy lab.

Maybe none at all, actually, which I believe applies to your case.

Today's lesson is over, you can go.

- We're sorry. - Good day, Professor.

Blast it, you and your stupid jokes...

A most disturbing occurrence, Professor.

And it's already the second time this has happened.

A maniac on the loose in this very hospital, perhaps.

- You should report it to the police. - No, I know what they'd do.

If we get them involved they won't even leave us alone in the operating theatre.

I don't know what to make of this, to be honest.

I mean, it's something that would make sense in a savage environment.

In the Middle Ages, even, but it's out of place in today's New York.

Do you really believe humanity has become so different than it was then, Professor?

Maybe not.

This is the anthropological research you tasked me with, Professor Stafford.

I apologise that it took me a while, it's far from perfect...

... but I haven't been in the best of moods lately.

- Not feeling well, Lori? - No, it's not that, Professor.

Don't worry, Lori. I'm sure your research is fine.

As usual, of course.

So, what did you want to tell me?

- Go ahead. - Odd things have been happening recently.

A number of pieces from the cadavers we use for anatomical practice have disappeared.

It was probably a student who does a lot of individual studying.

- It could be. - It's nothing to get worried about.

You can drop me at the next corner, Professor.

I'm going to have lunch at a restaurant, thanks so much for the ride.

At your service, Lori.

- Here? - Yes.

But... That's a vegetarian restaurant.

I had no idea you became one.

I don't come here often, but you know how it is after an anatomy lesson.

Goodbye, Professor. Don't hesitate to call if you need me.

You know anthropology is my greatest passion.

- Goodbye, Lori. - Bye!

He had just died.

I went to call the doctor on duty, and then, not even ten minutes later...

They've removed his heart.

We're dealing with a very dangerous lunatic.

- Don't mention this incident to anyone. - Yes, Professor.

- Hello. - What are you doing here? Who are you?

Susan Kelly, New York Express. May I come in?

- Sorry, but I'm on my way out. - I'll only bother you for a minute.

Why don't you get straight to the point, Miss?

I'm just looking for some clarifications,

a few details on the mysterious occurrences at your hospital.

- Cases of cannibalism, I heard. - Who told you such nonsense?

Let's say I have a good nose for stories, rather than good ears.

Your nose has let you down, there's no mystery to solve.

- But you don't want to talk about it. - Listen, I'm in a hurry.

- I'm on duty at the hospital. - At this hour?

- You find it strange? - Yes, you're never on duty at this hour.

- I've done my research. - I'm covering for a sick colleague.

Why do you own so much exotic stuff?

I have a degree in anthropology, aside from the medical one.

- What's that? - A sacrificial weapon, satisfied?

And now, if you'll excuse me...

Stop!

Turan!

Quick, get him!

It can't be...

Turan.

- Who would have thought... - Let's call the police.

What happened?!

Turan!

Turan! Why?

Turan... Turan...

Kito ordered it.

He only uttered those few words.

"Kito ordered it."

Nothing more, Mr. Chandler.

It doesn't help us much to shed light on what happened.

"Kito" doesn't mean anything to me.

But it does to me.

It was an ancient word commonly used among some Southeast Asian populations.

What does it mean?

"Divine Island" or something like that.

Wasn't this "Kito" word also used in the Moluccan archipelago?

Correct.

We've managed to ascertain that the orderly originated from there.

Therefore, one of the Moluccan Islands may have something to do with this.

It could be.

I imagine you know a great deal more about these people.

Enough.

I'm afraid I'll have to temporarily borrow your assistant, Professor Drydock.

Not a chance, Mr. Chandler.

Allow me to show you something.

I have a question for you, Miss Ridgeway.

Did they practice cannibalism in the Moluccan Islands?

All primitive populations practiced it, with no exceptions.

It's very possible that the orderly was an anthropophagus. A cannibal.

Similar cases have also been reported in other cities.

That's why we at the Department of Health have to handle this.

- Play the slides, George. - Right away.

Until now we've been able to keep these events secret.

This is the documentation we have on some recent episodes of cannibalism.

Not a pleasant sight, indeed.

- This is the latest one. - Stop!

Can you enlarge it?

That's the only anthropophagus we've been able to capture.

Somebody caught him eating the heart of a woman who'd died in a car accident.

It's unbelievable...

We didn't have the chance to question him, unfortunately.

His reaction was so violent that the police were forced to kill him.

- His features look Asian as well. - Yes, that's right.

And now I'm convinced he also came from the Moluccan Islands.

There's a link between the hospital orderly and this other man.

Did you see the tattoo on their chest? It's the same.

It's the symbol of a sect in the Moluccan Islands, as far as I know.

Professor Stafford might know more.

- Can you get us an appointment tomorrow? - Certainly.

Yes, Dr. Ridgeway interpreted the word "Kito" correctly.

But there's one detail I'd like to stress.

It's also the name of the island where their god, Kito, supposedly lived.

- Wait a second. - You're right.

Look at this. It's the symbol of the Kito sect.

- Did they offer sacrifices to this god? - Yes, unfortunately. Human sacrifices.

Thank you, Professor.

- See you soon, goodbye. - My pleasure.

- You've been very kind, Professor. - It's nothing.

The professor was quite exhaustive.

Of course, Professor Stafford is the leading anthropologist in the States.

And now that he's stated his opinion,

the rest is up to you guys.

- You're abandoning us, it seems. - I never considered the opposite.

- Lori, what's wrong? - There's someone here, I heard them.

Nothing. If there was anyone here, they've already left.

Anything missing?

Yes, the dagger with the symbol of Kito that was hanging on the wall.

- Do you want to tell the police? - No, it would be useless.

I came to pick you up, we're having a meeting in my office.

A very important one at that, I'd like you to join us.

All right.

Feeling better?

It's a bit of a traumatising experience, I know,

but finding a burglar in your home is becoming more and more common nowadays.

I don't think it was a burglar. I'm afraid it's something else, unfortunately.

Something I can't figure out but that frightens me greatly, Peter.

I've got just the thing for you.

You must leave New York for a while,

and in a few minutes I'll introduce you to our travel companions.

Our travel companions? What travel?

Thanks to the information you helped us gather,

we're organising an expedition to the Moluccan Islands.

We've found out that the natives call one of the islands Kito.

We'll be helped by Doctor O'Brien, who has been living on a nearby island for years.

Naturally, we'll keep him in the dark about the true nature of the expedition.

It would be quite useful if you could join us.

As an anthropologist, I mean.

I've already asked Professor Drydock and he agreed to my request.

It's not about that, I'm familiar with the Moluccan Islands.

I lived there for a few years as a child,

and it was the best time of my life.

I'm afraid seeing how they've become would upset me.

Yes, I understand, but you can't spend your life preserving past memories.

- Hello, Peter. - Hi.

- There's George and Susan. - What's that girl doing here?

She's George's girlfriend.

- Would you like a drink? - Gladly.

She's a rather enterprising young thing.

I bet she is telling you what a rude and nosy girl I am.

Perhaps.

In that case, feel free to add that I'm an ambitious upstart.

I'd sell my soul to the devil for a scoop.

Who knows, this might be a good chance for you.

Let's hope so.

How long has Doctor O'Brien been living on this island?

I don't know exactly. Five or six years.

We're here at last, the heat and the journey have worn me out.

You see what a journalist has to put up with?

Cut it out, everyone knows the best travel articles...

... are all written at home, next to a fireplace.

Only when you're rich and famous.

And I have every intention of becoming rich and famous, as a matter of fact.

I'll succeed, mark my words.

- I really hope you will. - Thanks.

We should be near O'Brien's house by now.

How come a famous surgeon like him moved to this archipelago?

To treat the natives. He's a disciple of Doctor Schweitzer.

- Hello, Dr. O'Brien. - Hello.

Great to see you again, Dr. Chandler.

The last time we met was at a congress in Los Angeles, if I'm not mistaken.

Correct. Allow me to introduce my travelling companions.

- This is Lori Ridgeway, our anthropologist. - Pleased to meet you.

Susan Kelly, she'll be keeping a diary of the expedition.

- And this is my assistant, George Happer. - Pleased.

Very well. Come inside, please.

- All right. - With pleasure.

We thought of you in order to have some on-site support.

- I hope we're not intruding. - Not at all, Dr. Chandler.