Definitely a stapelia. When the flower opens, post another photo. You may be able to ID it better by looking at flower size, color and odor (or lack therof).

Wait for the flower. It will only flower on new growth, the old growth should be discarded. Spray with dirty dish water to make sure there are no bugs hiding before adding to your collection, Makes a great basket plant if you have room to hang it up,

The weird black stuff looks very much like 'black spot' fungus to which some of my Gasteria are particularly vulnerable. If it is not only on the external surface, but also inside the plants vascular system, that stem is done, although it may take it's time dying.

Disclaimer: I don't grow stinky plants, so perhaps the black spots are part of the normal senescence of what Norma calls 'old growth'.

I thought fungal infection too. If it were mine, I would cut out all of the affected stems. Other than the spots, it looks to be a very nice plant.

Since the flower bud is so large, I would guess it is S. gigantea. The other common species in cultivation is S. asterias. As others said, open flowers will help with the ID.

Thank you so much for the help, guys! I'll definitely post a picture of the flower it opens.

It does look like Gigantea! The flower finally opened:

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Definitely Gigantea. Gorgeous! How is the smell?

being that its out side the smell shouldn't be to bad unless you stick your nose into it. I have S. gigantea but never bring it into the house until its stops blooming for the year, I have a S. hirsuta (red) that's in bloom right now on my front porch and the smell is worst than rotting fish, it still has about 5 buds growing and should bloom in the next few weeks then it will come in for the winter.

Bear

With this species only keep the new growth, the old growth toss out. Wait until the new growth developes some roots, you will see them, then you will know when to toss out the old. They will only flower on new growth so the old growth is not needed once you have the new. I sound like I am repeating my self. Sorry Norma

I didn't smell anything but I didn't stick my nose close to it. hehe. The flies do smell it though. Am I right in assuming that all the little white "flaky" stuff piled in and around are maggot eggs? That was my first thought when I saw them.

Am I right in assuming that all the little white "flaky" stuff piled in and around are maggot eggs?

Yes.

A friend didn't believe me so I took a macro picture... Yuck! They really do show up much better in pictures like this.

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This whole thing has been a unique learning experience. hehehe!

S. gigantea, at least the ones that I grew in the ground in San Diego, had a mildly musty odor - certainly not nearly in the same league as Carallumma socotrana.

Others and I have referred to this page many times - Gerry's photos are some of, if not, the best.

And these are great plants - they don't all smell like carrion.

Here is a link that might be useful: Can't get enough of that funky smell