By MIKE MENNELLA

It was 11 o'clock at night. I was on my way home from working late. It would be another hour until I would be home. The roads were very dark and empty. Once in a while you would see the headlights of a car pass by or the full moon peeping in and out of the clouds. Otherwise, it was the blackest night I've ever seen.

I began to feel drowsy, so I turned the radio on. It was a rock 'n' roll station, so it kept me awake. I was about halfway home, when I saw a detour sign. I stopped and tried to figure out which way I should go. I was puzzled. I finally decided to make a left. That was my biggest mistake.

The road I was on ran next to a forest. It seemed like I was the only one on the road. Suddenly my car began to make a funny noise and started to slow down.

Then it stopped dead. I looked at the gas gauge. It read empty. I couldn't believe it. The last gas station I saw was about 10 miles away. My only choice was to walk it. I locked my car and began walking down the dark and gloomy road.

Halfway down the road, I began hearing footsteps. I turned around but saw nothing. I was now becoming frightened. The footsteps were getting louder and louder, but I saw nothing. My knees and hands were trembling wildly. For the last time I looked behind me.

There was a man running at me with a gun. I ran into the forest screaming for help, but it was useless. I tripped over a branch, and then he caught me. I was completely helpless. He slowly aimed his gun at my head and fired. At the sound of the gun, I walked out of the theater. I had won an academy award for that performance. I thought it was a pretty good movie.