STRANGE PARADISE- Episode 105

Episode 105a: Slideshow

Episode 105b: Slideshow

Laslo: "Death looms once more at Desmond Hall. And the curse upon Jean Paul Desmond demands another victim. In the night sky the star of Satan pulsates. Its insistent beat commanding the Master of the ancient mansion to kill. To kill the woman he was learning to love. The sensitive scholar Miss Emily Blair who has explored the secrets of a haunted room and explored so deeply she has found in the end servitude to evil, and perhaps death."

Jean Paul covers Emily's mouth as she screams. "Hush, quiet. You'll get all you desired. You'll be united with your God and be with him forever. Now help me Emily. Help me. Now aren't I the answer to all your prayers!" Jean Paul says under the influence of the star. Emily struggles against Jean Paul's grip. "Jean Paul please let me go." "I'm sorry Emily." "I didn't mean to hurt you, I swear."

"You didn't hurt me my dear. Believe me I will fulfill all your desires. Your escape from everything." "Please you're choking me. Help! Serpent, help me!" "I fear no Serpent!" Jean Paul shouts. "Say your last prayer Emily, Your last prayer!" "Master!" Raxl shouts from outside the door. "Don't say a word. Not a word." He releases Emily and rushes towards the door. Raxl opens the door. "Master?" She is carrying candelabra. "You must leave here Raxl. There is danger."

"Other dangers Master." Raxl says to him. "The Serpent God!" "The star, Master." "I am trying to save Miss Blair to help her." "Listen to me. You are in as much danger as she." "Raxl please help me. Help me." Emily rushes to Raxl. "I had nothing to do with this! He hates me! He tried to..." "Emily!" Jean Paul shouts at her. "You must leave here at once. All of us." Raxl tells Emily. "No I want to stay. You take Jean Paul and let me stay." "I know what you are Miss Blair. I know what possess you. You will do as I say. Go!" Emily rushes from the room as Jean Paul closes the door then turning he leans with his back against it. He looks at Raxl with a grin. "You're not afraid of me are you Raxl? Come, come here." Raxl steps closer to him.

Laslo is walking through the foyer as Emily rushes down the staircase. "Miss Blair what is it?" "He hates me! He tried to kill me!" Emily says hysterically.

Laslo puts his arm around her shoulder. "Now, now calm down and come with me." Laslo leads her towards the Drawing Room. Emily rushes in as Laslo closes the doors.

Raxl stands in front of Jean Paul. 'You could hot harm me Master even if you wanted to." "I don't want to harm you Raxl. I... I only want..." He says as he gains control of himself. "Master, listen to me. I have seen the evil star in the sky. I know what you are going through. This time, this time we will defeat the curse. You shall not kill." "But Emily. Before you came in, I almost..." "Master stay with me. Tonight I will stand watch and wait." "Oh no, no!" Jean Paul cries out. "I don't want another night like that!" Jean Paul steps forward. "I can't I can't stand it!" Raxl walks up to him. "You have asked me to destroy the Serpent God. I have already risked Quito’s life to accomplish this. If you must destroy then together let us destroy this evil creature." "Yes, yes!"

Laslo talks to Emily. "I cannot believe Jean Paul Desmond can be that vicious. Why should he pretend to harm someone as devoted as you?" Laslo asks as he sits next to Emily on the couch. Emily touches her neck. "He wasn't pretending. He had his hands around my throat. He tried to kill me!" "Emily please you don't know how much it hurts me to hear such talk about someone I'm devoted to as a friend and a relative." "I never realized the extent of your devotion." "Oh yes my dear. My life at Desmond Hall is spent trying to bring serenity to the Desmonds. Poor souls, poor souls haunted by the past." "Laslo I want your cooperation."

"Oh I'm very flattered. You never called me Laslo before and never sought my friendship. I thought you mistrusted me." "Perhaps I misjudged you." "Yes well that can happen. Everybody seems to fail to see that underneath this business like exterior is a man with a heart. Too much heart." "Yes I can see that now. I can't understand why I never saw it before." Emily says looking at Laslo. Laslo sits forward. "Well now that we know and understand each other what is this cooperation that you seek?" "Well it's very simple really. I want you to assist me in the destruction of Jean Paul Desmond."

Holly slowly walks down the staircase. She stops at the bottom. "Philip? I've searched for you everywhere, but you've left me forever. So I'm alone am I? Well don't be surprised what I can do without you. I’m not a child. Perhaps you were right; perhaps your ghostly love wouldn't have been enough. I can love you though, as well as any other woman. And there are men, men younger than you who love me." Holly walks across the foyer. "Philip you hurt me and I can hurt you in return!" Holly flings open the doors of the Drawing Room. Laslo looks at Holly. "I beg your pardon, what did you say?" "Nothing. I didn't know anyone was in here." Holly says walking into the Drawing Room. "Talking to yourself?" Emily asks Holly. "Perhaps." Holly answers. "Who do you want to hurt Holly?" Emily asks. "No one." "Good. I would hate to see such a pure young girl wishing evil on anyone." Holly turns to look at Emily. "Emily, are you all right?" "Why do you ask that?" "You're speaking so strangely." Laslo stands. "Indeed. Well my dear Holly any girl that goes walking about the house like a ghost and speaking speeches into thin air well I think you're the one speaking strangely." Laslo says as he walks up to Holly. "I just wanted someone to talk to but everyone seems to be sleeping. Where's Agatha?" "Agatha?" "Yes where's Agatha?" Laslo walks away from Holly. "Didn't you know? Agatha Pruett is dead." Laslo says as he looks at Holly. "Dead?" "Yes they found her last night in the river." Holly sits down. "I can't believe that." "You mean no one told you?" Laslo asks stepping closer to Holly. "No. She came to my room last night. She was speaking very strangely." "She was a strange girl." "She wanted to tell me something. She spoke about witches." "Witches." Emily says with a smile. "Yes she said that witches wanted to kill her and Jean Paul." "Oh I can't imagine anyone wanting to kill Mr. Desmond." Emily says. "Dear Emily the girl was deranged." Laslo says.

"Was she?" Emily asks. "Did she name the witches?" Laslo asks. "No she frightened me and I called out. Remember you came and took her out." "And no one told you she died shortly after? Everyone in the house knew." Laslo says.

"She said I'd regret not listening to her. She said no one listens. And she wanted me to help her." Laslo touches Holly's hair. "That's right my dear mourn. As the rest of us have mourned. Emily, stay with the saddened girl. I have work to do." Laslo says then leaves the room. Emily stands and walks towards Holly. "Agatha loved Jean Paul did you know that?" "I know that she admired him." "No she loved him. Which leaves me to wonder the fate of anyone who loves Jean Paul Desmond."

Laslo pick up the phone in the foyer and calls Irene. "Irene is that you? Did I wake you? I would like you to come over to Desmond Hall right away. I have a young lady that seeks the destruction of your friend Jean Paul."

Raxl calls upon the Serpent with her arms raised. "Most evil Lord of Serpents. I stand here a Conjure Woman rich in the lore of my ancestors. My forces are stronger than yours. And so you must release your hold on the people who dwell in her. I have tried by force to remove you but it is with a spirit that I shall conquer. For here is a man who lives under power more deadly than yours." Raxl walks over to Jean Paul lowering her arms. "A man destined to kill. Gaze upon him Oh Serpent and fear him." Raxl glances at Jean Paul. "Now do as I told you."

Jean Paul extends his hand. "With this mark the Mark of Death I bid you die! With all the strength of Satan I condemn you to dust!" "Serpent of slime. Serpent of filth. Inhabitant of the Netherworld. Glutton who feeds upon the dark and hidden secrets of man. Obey!" Raxl commands. Jean Paul stares at the Serpent. "His eyes! His eyes they're glowing like burning coal! His fangs dripping with venom! He's overwhelming us! Raxl! He's supreme!" Jean Paul shouts. "Master! Master!" Raxl cries out as she looks at the Serpent.

Laslo holds a bottle of champagne. "Champagne a perfect drink for this time of the night don't you think?" Laslo passes out glasses to Holly and Emily. 'With all of Desmond Hall fast asleep." "Desmond Hall is not sleeping. There are strange things happening here." Emily says to them. Holly stands and looks at Emily. "Emily why are you talking like that?" She sets her glass on the mantel. "I don't think I should have any champagne, I don't think I should be here." "Why not Holly?" Laslo asks. "I don't know. Emily you've changed." "In what way Holly have I changed? "You frighten me." Holly says to Emily. "Nonsense, she's just come into her own that's all. Or would you prefer the little bookworm who always lived in the past?" Laslo asks as he walks towards Holly. Emily stands. "The past? The past doesn't exist. Everything that happened then happens now. Nothing changes." Emily walks to the table and sets her glass down. Turning she walks to the bookcase. "No goodness or wickedness." She takes a book from the shelf and opens it. "When I started reading these books and found out about all the monsters that haunt the Desmond Family I thought I was living in an unreal world. But now I know these things are true." Emily closes the book. She walks towards Holly ad Laslo. "And does that mean I've changed because I've faced reality." Emily holds the book out. "Read. Discover there are forces more powerful than anything you know in your world. And all you people leading little organized lives are controlled by these powers. Take the book Holly." Holly glances at it. "No." "Look at me Holly!" "No!" Holly moves away from Emily.

"Ladies, ladies I find this very unsociable. I'll take the book since Miss Holly doesn't want it." Laslo places the book on the mantel of the fireplace. Emily turns to Holly. "Well Miss Holly is a fool." "Emily!" Holly says as she looks at Emily.

"You are. I can see it. Maljardin in flames. Death moving among the inhabitants. And you a trusting girl standing by doing nothing while others die. While your own mother dies." "No I tried to fight. I didn't want anyone to die!" "No you dreamed! You thought that life was lovely dresses and pearls. And you trusted Erica!" "I hated Erica!" "And Helena? Do you hate her? Do you know enough to hate her?"

"I'm leaving. I'm going to my room." Holly tells Emily. "Still dreaming aren't you Holly? You still keep hoping that life will bring you friends and good fortune and roses." Holly stops and looks at Emily. "Emily you don't know me at all. I'm not a child. I've given up dreaming, I'm a woman." Emily claps her hands. "Bravo."

Laslo raises his glass to Holly. "Good night Holly, sleep well." "Goodnight." Holly says then leaves the room. Laslo walk to the wine decanters and pours Emily and himself a drink. "You know Laslo I enjoyed that talk. It reminded me that Helena Raleigh must die too." Emily and Laslo touch glasses.

Jean Paul sits with his eyes closed. Raxl stands next to him. "Master, speak to me. I shouldn't have threatened the Serpent God but you asked me to do it Master. You have asked for the impossible. My powers are gone." Jean Paul starts stirring. He looks up. "Raxl? What happened?" "We must leave. We must leave this room!" "The Serpent God he stared at me. And in his eyes such brightness. I could see the whole world. The future, my own future, my own death. Raxl there is peace in death." Jean Paul says looking up at her. "Not for us Master. We have seen to many things and explored to many mysteries. Oh not for us is there peace. You mustn't think of death." Jean Paul looks at her tiredly. "I do. I think of it all the time. And how much better it would be than to go on living. It couldn't be any worse. The torments of death. The tortures of death compared to living day by day in this agony." He pulls his hand away from Raxl and looks at it. "The mark, the Mark of Death is gone." "For now, Master. Your evil star was blinded by the moon. When the clouds cover the moon tonight it will return. Now come with me." She puts her hand on his shoulder. "No. The Serpent I have to see it once more." Jean Paul tells her. "No! You mustn't. The visions it projects to you are not true. He speaks for the devil." Jean Paul laughs. "Then I am the right man he should speak to." Raxl looks away.

In the foyer there is a knock on the door. Laslo answers it. Irene enters. "It took you long enough." Irene tells him. "A thousand pardons my dear Irene. But your knock was so faint. Could it be you're losing your powers?" "I didn't travel this far at this time of the night for your sarcasm." Irene says as she hands her coat to Laslo. "Who is here?" "Just the girl, Emily." "Emily Blair. I thought as much."

"She's ready Irene. Filled with hatred and prepared to join us." "As Agatha was. As Holly was." Irene says to Laslo. "You endanger yourself Irene." "And you mislead yourself Laslo. But come, a witch is needed and I shall try. Your protégé, your Emily." Emily says with a smile. "Not mine Irene our Masters." Laslo says as he takes Irene's arm and leads her to the Drawing Room. Emily turns away from the fireplace. In her hand is a glass of brandy. "Where have you been?" She asks Laslo. "Answering the door my dear." Laslo tells her. "I want to make our plans. "Yes and I would like you to meet a friend of mine that will help you with your plans Mrs. Irene Hatter." Irene smiles at Emily "Emily my dear how are you?" She walks across the room and holds out her hand. "I'm concerned about you. She holds Emily's hand. "We all are. We want desperately for you to achieve your goals." "Do you?" "Of course. The only problem that remains is how do we help you and how do you help us?" Irene says as she releases Emily's hand and she sits on the couch. "We?" asks Emily. "Irene and I have known each other for a very long time." Laslo says. "We have ways Emily for you to accomplish your desires." Irene tells her. Emily moves closer. "What do I do?" "Want what we want, the elimination of Jean Paul Desmond." Emily smiles. "Such charming people. And how nice to know that you're my friends."

Irene looks at Laslo smiling. Emily sits down next to Irene. "How do we begin?"

"You must come to my house. We have other friends who can be trusted. Who as a group has powers." "I have powers of my own Mrs. Hatter." "Irene, from now on my child call me Irene." Irene touches Emily's hand. Jean Paul and Raxl enter the Drawing Room. "Jean Paul how pleasant." Irene says to him with a smile. "I was afraid you would miss our little champagne party." Laslo says stepping over to the table with the bottles and glasses. Jean Paul looks at Emily. "No thank you. Emily don't you think it's time you were asleep." "Is that what you want? My sleep, my eternal sleep." Emily says angrily. "Really, my dear Emily." Laslo says. "Master it is time you were in your room." Raxl grabs his arm.

Jean Paul pulls away from Raxl. "Not until the household is resting." He walks over to the fireplace staring into the flames. "My Master is very tired. He's had a very trying evening." Raxl tell them. "As has us all," says Emily. "Emily you mustn't speak to your host in that tone of voice." Irene says to Emily. "Jean Paul, Emily is disturbed. We've been trying to calm her." Jean Paul turns and steps close to Emily. "Are you disturbed Emily?" Emily pulls back from Jean Paul. "Don't you come near me!" "You see I think a few days away from Desmond Hall, a visit to my house away from whatever elements disturb her." Irene says.

"Yes whatever elements disturb her." Jean Paul says staring at Emily. Raxl walks to the window and looks out. "Master?" Jean Paul rushes over to the window and glances at the sky. "It's settled then. A visit to my little cottage."

"A fine idea." Laslo says. Jean Paul and Raxl stare at the sky. Jean Paul hears the heartbeat as the star starts to pulsate. Raxl turns and looks at Jean Paul.

Jean Paul smiles. "Yes it's a fine idea. Emily it's just what you need." Jean Paul says as he walks over to Emily. "A time away from us. There are influences here that you know nothing about." "Is that what you think?" "I do. Goodnight." Jean Paul rushes from the room. Raxl goes to follow when Irene calls out to her. "Raxl would you prepare Miss Blair's things. What do you want to take with you my dear?"

Jean Paul leans against the Drawing Room doors as the heartbeat gets louder. He looks down at his hand; the Mark of death has appeared. Holly is coming down the staircase with her head down. Jean Paul looks at her. "Holly we haven't talked for so long. You know I'm sympathetic with all of your suffering." He walks up to her. "We must be alone Holly. Just you and I."

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Summaries written by Debby Graham . The slide presentation is the work of Ron Janick.

~Ron/Bella~
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