In the original story pitch, Stephen Decatur would have been revealed to have been a 19th Century Ghostbuster and his famous battles with 'pirates' in Algiers were actually ghost hunting expeditions. Instead of a sword, Roland returned an antique lantern to Hanover in this version.
In the first draft, finished on April 14, 1997, there was an additional character in the story: Ben's granddaughter Sarah.
In the first draft, when Garrett is facing the Jersey Devil on his own and Eduardo says he hasn't got a chance, Garrett replies with "I heard that!"
This story takes place in the last week of March when Spring Break traditionally occurs for colleges.