Zombies – they’re bloody, ugly, and slow as hell, but we love ’em.
Perhaps that’s why Boston Zombie Apocalypse in Abington attracts thousands of fright-loving fans to a dark warehouse where they use airsoft guns to shoot the living dead.
Zombie Mark Troy, 52, has performed at haunted houses for decades, and has really sunk his teeth into the role.
“It’s the look, the stare,” said Troy. “Some people are forward-thrusting zombies, but I personally like to bounce back on my heels and walk as though I have a string coming out of my chest.”
His technique apparently works. Troy recalled one instance in which a man literally wet his pants.
“His hands were shaking, and I noticed his crotch area went dark,” said Troy. “A full grown man stepped out of reality and into this fantasy world we’ve created and his bladder failed him.”
Zombie Kenny Francis, 23, prefers a more aggressive approach to instilling fear.
“I will stay in character unless they have a solid mental breakdown. Otherwise I will just keep going, and get right in your face,” said Francis.
But for zombie Fallon O’Hare, who does her own makeup, screeching skills are a must.
“You’ve got to be able to get really loud,” she said, sporting a scabby face and white contact lenses. “You cannot be afraid of people jumping or screaming at you. You have to just roll with it.”
Apocalypse owner Randy Fink credits the popularity of the event, now in its second year, to pop-culture’s infatuation with zombies and a relentless commitment to instilling terror.
“We have literally scared the crap out of people. We’ve had people completely lose their faculties on site, which isn’t pretty,” said Fink.
That’s why the course, which includes surround sound of helicopters flying overhead and military tanks, isn’t designed for children, but rather for adults who may very well be interested in training for the real deal.
“We’re surrounded by horrible things like the Ebola virus. Literally our pentagon has done preparations for a zombie apocalypse. It makes you stop and think about what could actually happen,” said Fink.
“Plus people have a huge frustration, a level of anger and aggression that they need to get out, and this is a great way to get that aggression out. But they get to take their aggression out on a zombie, and not feel that guilty about it.”
The Apocalypse began in September, and unfolds several nights a week through October. Specific dates and times, as well as pricing information, available at BostonZombies.com.
Follow Morgan Rousseau on Twitter: @MetroMorgan
Follow Metro Boston on Twitter: @MetroBOS
