STRANGE PARADISE- Episode 108

Episode 108: Slideshow

Irene: "Morning sunlight on Desmond Hall bringing a promise of warmth and love for last night romance reigned. And under the chandeliers beauty swayed but love does not conquer all. For this day one will learn that hatred has its own powers. And the candles of evil are glowing brighter than the light of hope."

Helena enters the mansion carrying a basket of flowers. She takes off her scarf as she walks through the foyer. Laslo stands near the staircase. "Miss Raleigh." Laslo greets her. "Oh Laslo good morning." "Where have you been?" "Is something wrong?" "An actress up at the break of dawn. I thought someone in your profession slept till noon." Laslo says as he walks across the room and stops next to Helena. "I have a new profession. Gathering flowers at daybreak." Helena tells him. "Very admirable." "Not at all. It's no sacrifice on my part. You see dawn is invigorating for a woman who is loved." Helena says as she hands Laslo a white flower. "How fortunate you are to be loved by an audience of thousands." "You flatter me Laslo." "Not at all. I'm sure your fans miss you. You owe a duty to them and I think you should return to the stage as soon as possible." "You want me to leave Desmond Hall?" "Oh perish the thought. You have been a shining beacon here to us." "I hope so because Jean Paul Desmond loves me." Glancing at Helena Laslo turns and walks away from her. He enters the Drawing Room walking to a table going over papers and signing forms. Helena walks in carrying a vase of flowers. "Excuse me; I didn't want to disturb your work." "No you're not disturbing me. Not at all Miss Raleigh. I've just been going over the Desmond accounts. Something that would be very interesting to you." "Oh?" Laslo turns towards her. "Yes. I imagine you would want a full account of the Desmond interests." "I'm not interested." Helena says.

"That's why you're at Desmond Hall." "That's not true." "I think it is. I think that what explains the infatuation you have for my cousin Jean Paul." Laslo says as he looks away from Helena. "I would hardly call it an infatuation. I love him. How do you account for that in your books?" "On a strictly commercial basis as you do." "Yes. Perhaps when I first came here. This is a comfortable life and I wanted comfort." Laslo turns back to the table. "It was obvious." "But now I love him." Helena says as she walks towards Laslo. "And the rest doesn't matter. Money, family objections." Laslo turns and looks at her. "I haven't stated any objections. I merely want honesty between us. You'll tell me your dreams Miss Raleigh and I'll tell you mine."

Emily sits on the floor in Irene's cottage playing with the cat. "Do you like cats?" Irene asks her. "He is my friend." "Yes. Does he kill things?" Emily asks. "No he is the most harmless of creatures." Irene says as she kneels next to Emily and the cat. "Far more harmless than you or I." Irene says as she pets the cat. "Aren't you my friend? And secretive too. Never says a word and never tells a secret."

"Irene am I doing everything you expect of me?" "Everything. But of course it does take time." "Are you afraid of me?" Emily asks. "Afraid? No, why should I be afraid of you?" "I might fail you. And use my own powers." "To what end? After all we both want the same thing. The destruction of Jean Paul Desmond."

"And Helena." Emily says with a smile. Irene stands. "And Helena, if you wish. But we must walk before we learn to run." Irene walks to her altar and lights the candles. "One step at a time dear Emily. One step at a time."

Helena sits in a chair with Laslo leaning over her. "No that's not true. Nothing you say is true!" "Oh of course you're the innocent. A beautiful woman without a touch of greed?" Laslo says to her. "Not where Jean Paul is concerned." Helena tells him. "What do you know about Erica Desmond?" "Only what I've heard." "You lie. You knew you resembled Jean Paul's dead wife before you came here." Laslo stands up straight and moves away from Helena. "Not until he told me!" "You are in fact part of a plot against the Desmond family." Helena jumps up. "No!" She walks away from Laslo. "Who sent you?" "No one." Helena says with her back turned towards him. "Look at me. I said look at me!" Laslo shouts.

Helena turns around and Laslo walks towards her. "Is the ghost of Erica Desmond in you?" Helena looks away from him. "I don't want to hear anymore."

"Or are you Erica Desmond?"

Irene stands at her altar. "We call upon all who have died in your service. All those who have gone to you in everlasting bondage. We call upon those who have worshipped you under the full moon." Irene walks around Emily who stands with her eyes closed. "Those who have danced in orgy before your image. We ask you to except the offering of a new servant. One who has not yet joined the circle of fire. The offering." Irene tells Emily. "The blood offering." Emily picks up a jeweled dagger with a sharp blade on one side. "I can't." "You must. The blade, the blade must be drawn across the palm." Emily cuts herself as she closes her eyes. Irene holds the chalice. "The blood must be collected in the chalice." Emily holds her hand over the chalice as her blood runs into the cup.

Irene smiles. "Well done, well done."

Helena has tears in her eyes. "There, there Miss Raleigh I had no desire to make you cry." Laslo tells her. "I am not crying." "Really. Oh I see another sparkling performance from our resident actress." Laslo says as he walks around Helena. "Really dear woman theatrics might move Jean Paul but they do not move me." "You are a cruel and vicious man and I won't let you frighten me. Why do you want to hurt me? I've never done anything to you." "I'm not so sure of that." Helena looks at him. "You have to hurt people don't you? Why? When I woke up this morning I was completely happy for the first time in my life because somebody loved me. And I love him. But you couldn't let that happen could you?" Helena looks away then walks across the room. "The people at Desmond Hall know about evil and doom and the supernatural. But the unhappiness you've caused me this morning that is evil. Hurting other people for no other reason but to see them suffer." Helena stands in front of the fireplace, behind her Laslo stands with his back towards her. "That is evil, that is what evil is Mr. Thaxton." Helena walks up behind him. "But I won't let you do that to me. I'm going to do as I planned. I am going to bring some love and peace into Desmond hall and you won't stop me. No one will." Helena tells him as she walks to the doorway. Stopping she looks back at Laslo. "Is that from a play Miss Raleigh?" "No it's a vow I composed myself and I intend to begin by apologizing to people I might have hurt unintentionally. Beginning Mr. Thaxton with Emily Blair." "Emily is spending the day with Mrs. Hatter." Laslo says as he walks up to her. "I know where Emily is." "Then don't intrude." "I intend to apologize. I do not call that an intrusion." "Leave the girl alone. I warn you, leave the girl alone or you will live to regret it." Helena stares at Laslo.

Irene sits as she bandages Emily's hand. Irene glances up and stands. "I feel. I feel a warning." She closes her eyes. "We are to have a visitor. A visitor who’s hopes are doomed, who is about to be possessed." Emily stands behind Irene and smiles.

Helena stands in the foyer looking at her reflection fighting back tears. Quito enters the foyer. "Quito is Mr. Desmond awake yet?" Quito shakes his head no. "Oh good let him rest." Helena picks up her scarf and Quito takes it from her. "Quito I'm going to the village that's all." Quito shakes his head. "There's no need to guard me. I'm going to Mrs. Hatters to see Miss Blair." Again Quito shakes his head no. Helena takes her scarf back from Quito. "You mustn't be frightened."

Quito starts getting upset. "What is it Quito? There's nothing to be frightened about. It's a lovely morning for a walk and I know my way." Helena says covering her hair with the scarf. "Now you take care of Mr. Desmond will you?" Quito nods to Helena. Helena turns and leaves the house. Laslo stands in the foyer. "The lady has a mind of her own Quito. And she is responsible to what happens to her. Oh Mrs. Hatter and I didn't mean to threaten you. You mustn't fear her. And nothing will happen to Miss Raleigh as long as she doesn't pry." Quito turns and leaves the mansion.

The phone rings in Irene's cottage. Irene answers it. "Hello. How are you Mr. Thaxton? How nice of you to call me. Oh she is? I had a warning." "I have a suggestion. Keep Emily hidden while Helena is there." Laslo tells her. "How can I explain it?" "She's very ill. Now do as I say." "Yes, yes I'll do as you say. Although Emily is quite presentable. What ever you say." Irene tells Laslo as Emily walks into the room. "Thank you for calling. Goodbye." Irene hangs up and turns towards Emily. "The boy from the bakery. He's being delayed in his deliveries. I'm afraid we may have no fresh bread for tea." Emily sits on the couch. "It doesn't matter." Emily says quietly. "Oh come, come. Why so dispirited? Perhaps you're not feeling to well. You will have some tea and you will take it to your room. Drink it and lie down." Irene walks across the room to hand Emily a cup of tea. "Here just as you like it." "But I thought you said we were having a visitor?" "Just a premonition my dear that's all. Come along you must sleep." Irene says as she helps Emily up. "You've been studying very hard."

Emily turns towards Irene. "But it will be worth it. In the end it will be worth it." She smiles as she walks from the room. Irene walks to the tea tray. "Well Miss Raleigh I'm waiting for you." Irene says as she pours a cup of tea. "One. Two. Three. Lifting the latch at the gate." Irene walk across the room and sits on the couch. "Four. Five. Six. Seven. Walking up the path to the door. "Eight. Nine. Miss Raleigh I'm waiting for you." There is a knock at the door. "Very prompt." Irene says as she stands and sets her tea cup on the fireplace mantel. She walks to the door and opens it. "Oh Miss Raleigh how nice of you to call on me." "I came to see Emily if I may." Helena says. "Oh I'm afraid she's resting in bed."

"May I see her?" "I don't think that would be very wise. Would you like some tea?" "I think not." Helena takes off her scarf. "Is Emily ill?" "She's not herself. But then of course you know that's why she came to visit me. To rest, to forget Desmond Hall." "Has she spoken of me?" "Often Miss Raleigh. Quite often with great affection." "Well that's odd. I treated her rather badly." "I can't believe that of you Miss Raleigh." "I could." Emily says as she walks into the room. "Emily. Emily I want to talk to you." Helena says as she walks over to Emily. "Emily I really think that you should be in bed." Irene tells her. "And I want to talk to you Miss Raleigh. And don't say that I'm not well. I feel quite well and strong. Strong enough to destroy you if I choose." Emily says as she walks across the room.

"Emily you really mustn't talk like that." Irene tells her. Helena walks towards Emily. "Emily I'm sorry. That’s what I came to tell you. I didn't mean to be cruel to you." "You brushed me aside. You ridiculed me in front of Jean Paul." Emily says as she walks away from Helena. "But I didn't intend to. And as far as Jean Paul he and I..." "I am not concerned for Jean Paul. Not anymore." "Emily! Enough chattering." Irene tells her. Emily turns towards the window. "The window, look! It's one of their spies." Emily says as Quito stands outside looking in the window at them. Irene walks to the window. "Quito. Poor thing is he lost again?" "For some reason he feels he has to guard me." Helena tells them.

Emily looks at Helena. "He can't protect you from what will happen." "What will happen?" Helena asks. "I don't understand." "Emily I insist you go upstairs. This is no way to behave in front of a guest. Come along now." Irene takes Emily's elbow. Emily pulls away. "Keep your hands off me." She steps away. "I still have my own powers." "You see." Irene says to Helena. "Emily please do what Mrs. Hatter asks you to do. I'll come back another time." "You don't have too much time left. Irene thinks I say too much but I think you deserve to know. If I were you I wouldn't waste my time with apologies. Instead I'd be preparing to die." Emily says. "She's mad. Completely insane." Helena says as she sits down after Emily leaves the room with Irene. Irene comes back into the room and pours a cup of hot tea. "Drink this Miss Raleigh. It will relax you." Irene hands the cup to Helena then sits next to her. "Emily will get better. She fell into a sound sleep the moment I left her in her room." "Can you tell me why she hates me? I was rude, perhaps a little mischievous but I never really harmed her." "She doesn't hate you my dear. You realize that Emily has been through great emotional suffering. The story about the Snake God what ever that may be. Her strange behavior, I am doing my best to bring her back to normality." "Poor Jean Paul... He feels like he's to blame for this." "Blame my dear? Nonsense, Emily will recover believe me." Emily says as she stands. "When she finally leaves this cottage she will be as I am now. That is her future. You have a very interesting future too Miss Raleigh. Shall we look into it?" Irene asks as she picks up her crystal ball.

In the Drawing Room at Desmond Hall Laslo stands facing the fireplace. He has his arms leaning on the mantel. Hearing the outside door open Laslo turns. "Miss Raleigh is that you?" He walks into the foyer as Quit walks toward the staircase. "Quito your Master is asleep. Do not wake him." Quito continues towards the stairs. "Quito! You heard what I said." Quito steps over to Laslo. "What's the matter? Is Miss Raleigh all right?" Quito shakes his head and grips his hands together. "Is she still at Mrs. Hatter's cottage?" Quito nods. "Then there's no need to wake Jean Paul. What could happen to Miss Raleigh in that quaint little cottage?"

Irene closes the drapes after setting her ball in the center of the coffee table. "The atmosphere must be suitable. You will find it interesting I assure you. One doesn't have to believe in the crystal but I find it amusing." Irene sits next to Helena on the couch. "And sometime informative. Now first a brief blessing and a petition to the magnifying and refracting powers of the crystal in which we can view life with more perception than our eye." Irene circles her hand over the top of the ball. "Now crystal show me what lies in the future of Helena Raleigh." The reflection of Desmond Hall appears in the ball. "Desmond Hall dark and almost deserted. I see it. And a wreath of mourning on the door." "Jean Paul is he all right?" Helena asks. "Jean Paul is in mourning for one of his most devoted friends who is lost forever. And more. A woman he loves is dead. She has taken her own life." "Oh that's horrible. I don't want to hear anymore." "It's a game Miss Raleigh." "Where am I in your crystal ball?" "You are not here. You are no longer at Desmond Hall." Helena stands. "I do not like your fortunes Mrs. Hatter." "I also saw before you are no longer with us you are possessed Miss Raleigh. You become an instrument of evil." Irene looks back at the crystal. "Clouds Miss Raleigh dark stifling clouds cover your love." Helena turns away. "I don't want to hear anymore." "It's nonsense of course but fun don't you think?" Irene asks as there is a knock at the door. Irene answers it. "Ah Mr. Thaxton."

"Women's games I see. The darkened room, the crystal ball. Hello Miss Raleigh. I do not understand why women involve themselves in these dramatics. It only frightens them." Laslo says as he closes the door. "I am not frightened." Helena tells him. "I'm afraid the crystal had some rather unhappy things to say to Miss Raleigh." says Irene. "Laslo would you drive me home." "Yes of course. Irene is very provincial. She takes great pleasure in frightening her visitors." "I'm sorry Miss Raleigh if I've disturbed you." "No it was my fault for listening to you. Please give Emily my regards." "Yes do and see that she makes progress day by day." Laslo tells Irene. "Yes, yes of course." "I'm sure you will. Come along." he says to Helena as he follows her from the cottage. "Goodbye. Do drop in again." Irene says as the door closes. After they leave Irene walks back to her crystal ball. "I knew it. Your visions were true. I felt it in my heart. Death and despair at Desmond Hall." Emily walks into the room. "Which is just as I planned." Irene looks at Emily. "Emily your plans have no chance to be executed if you continue to talk the way you do. Threatening Miss Raleigh, that is not the way a witch behaves. So obviously a witch is gentle, careful and conscientious. Quiet and seemingly kind. Try to remember that." Irene says angrily. "I couldn't help it with that woman." Emily walks away from Irene. "She took Jean Paul from me and I want her to suffer." "She will suffer." "I want to see her suffer." Emily says as she faces Irene. "You will believe me. Helena Raleigh who feels that she has finally become a loving and honest woman will soon find herself behaving more wicked than she ever thought she could." Irene says as she walks to Emily's side. "She's evil." "If you believe that now I'd advise you to wait. For she will be possessed and soon, soon." "It can't be soon enough. What must we do to achieve this? Tell me what I must do?" "Nothing my dear, nothing. The possession will not be of our making." "But who? Who will possess her?" "A spirit from hell. Erica Desmond."

Tim's unfinished portrait of Erica from Maljardin appears.

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

~Ron/Bella~
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