As one of New Orleans' renowned attractions, the marsh wetlands are predominantly distributed in the surrounding areas.
Visitors can join tour companies offering specialised vessels to explore the marshes, encountering diverse natural landscapes and wildlife such as alligators, seabirds, water snakes, turtles, and eagles.
Of course, self-guided tours are also an option.
Not wishing to be swept along with the crowds, Ruboo and his companions opted for the latter.
However, they seemed to have overestimated their capabilities.
"Does anyone know where we are?" Ruboo, who was driving, glanced at the dense forest lining the road and asked his companions.
"That really shouldn't be coming from the driver who's supposed to be leading the way," Madison quipped.
She opened her phone, saw the screen showing no signal bars whatsoever, and pursed her lips. "No signal. Seriously, Ruboo, what wilderness have you led us into?"
"The middle of nowhere? Weren't we heading to Lafayette National Park?" Quini asked belatedly, still munching on snacks.
Ruboo explained, "I saw a shortcut on the satnav that promised a quicker route, so I took it. Turns out you really can't trust satnavs sometimes. Now it's lost its own way."
"Let me have a look at the map," Zoe said, pulling out the prepared paper map and scanning it.
Ruboo pulled over, leaning forward to examine the map and tracing his recent route with a finger.
Soon, Zoe frowned. "This road doesn't seem to be marked on the map."
"Quite normal," Quini remarked without surprise. "New maps are like that—they leave out many remote lanes. An old map from decades ago would be far more detailed. Back home, no one in their right mind would buy a new map."
"Learned something new. Old maps hide all sorts of powder-dealing spots," Madison nodded thoughtfully.
Quinn, who instantly grasped Madison's meaning, darkened in the face—though she was already as dark as could be: "Bloody hell! Can't you just keep quiet for half an hour?"
Madison's lips curved into a bright smile. "I've been perfectly quiet. It's just that your revelation sparked a thought."
Watching this unfold, Zoe, seated in the front row, sighed and tapped her forehead. She shoved the map into Ruboo's hands, stepped out of the vehicle, and approached Madison. Opening the door, she said:
"Let's switch seats."
She had no desire to endure their verbal sparring for the rest of the journey.
"No problem."
Madison immediately flashed an 'OK' sign. Her two long, straight legs emerged from beneath her denim shorts as she stepped over, swiftly settling into Zoe's former seat within moments.
Glancing at Ruboo beside her, she gave a wink, snatched the map back, and stuffed it into his hands. "Keep driving, Ruboo. Look, there's no overgrown weeds on this road—clearly vehicles pass through regularly. We'll come across people eventually."
"You've finally offered a decent suggestion."
Ruboo nodded to Madison, then glanced back to see Zoe settled in her seat before resuming the drive.
A quarter of an hour later.
A rusted road sign came into view beside the track.
"Collinsburg? What's this place? Anyone recognise it?" Ruboo asked the others, studying the sign.
Zoe, having arrived only days ago like himself, naturally had no idea.
Quinny shook her head, indicating such geographical queries weren't her forte.
Madison, however, chimed in: "I do know someone with the surname Collins. Suzanne Collins, author of The Hunger Games novels. I even auditioned for the lead role in the film adaptation of her books. Perhaps she has some connection to this place?"
At the end of her sentence, Madison flashed a mischievous grin.
It was pointless to say anything.
Sure enough, Ruboo rolled his eyes, pressed the accelerator, and sped off.
Regardless of Collinsburg's appearance, if the road sign was here, signs of human activity wouldn't be far off.
Zoe, however, was intrigued by Madison's earlier remark.
Like any ordinary girl, she was fascinated by Hollywood and inquired, "A film heroine audition? What's that like?"
Madison shrugged. "What else? You put on fancy clothes, parade your looks in front of a bunch of old men, and they call it testing your acting skills."
Zoe asked innocently, "But isn't acting ability crucial?"
Madison laughed. "Darling, you could stumble into any acting workshop in Los Angeles and find a handful of people whose skills wouldn't be outdone by an Oscar winner. Casting based on acting ability? That's Hollywood's biggest joke."
"So that's why your acting's rubbish," Quini interjected unexpectedly.
Madison turned back, deliberately appraising Queenie with a perfectly standard smile. "In Hollywood, a pretty face really is more important than acting talent."
"But you still weren't chosen, and now you're past your prime." Queenie spat out the truth.
Madison, long accustomed to such remarks about being "past it," simply shrugged. "What can you do? I refuse to cater to those old codgers' flaccid whims."
My agent's more impatient than I am, constantly doing my homework for me, practically itching to join me in a mixed-gender brawl with the old codgers.
Madison didn't shy away from matters of the heart, but only when she felt physically and mentally ready.
"So your agent's death..." Zoe said, looking utterly disillusioned.
Madison gave her a knowing look.
"Right, ladies, enough about Hollywood. We're at the petrol station."
Ruboo interrupted the girls' conversation.
Parking the car on the empty lot beside the petrol station, the four of them got out. Madison, who had just put on her sun hat and sunglasses, frowned as she looked at the old shop, which resembled a dilapidated building.
"This place is a proper dump. I suspect cobwebs everywhere and rats scurrying about. You go on, I'll wait here," she said, halting her steps.
Ruboo waved her off, leading Zoe and Queenie past the wooden sign reading "No Petrol" before pushing open the door and stepping inside.
"Welcome. No petrol, fridge's out of order, not cooling," greeted the bald proprietor, who appeared to be in his fifties and had a rather amiable appearance.
"Hello, do you sell maps here? We're lost. We were actually heading to..." Ruboo approached and began speaking with the owner.
The latter was very enthusiastic, not only producing a map but also pointing out the location: "You've gone quite far off course. The roads around here are very rough. If you turn back, it'll probably take a long drive."
While the two chatted, Quini browsed the shelves for provisions.
Zoe, meanwhile, wandered aimlessly around the shop.
Until she spotted a colossal humanoid crocodile statue wielding a scythe.