STRANGE PARADISE- Episode 114

Episode 114a: Slideshow

Episode 114b: Slideshow

Emily: "A long night has given away to morning at Desmond Hall. The mist has retreated from the old mansion as if in fear of the terror which dwells within. The Master of Desmond Hall returns from a night of searching. For the arrival of day has not revealed the whereabouts of the missing man who calls himself Philip Desmond."

Jean Paul wearily walks to the front door of the mansion. As he reaches for the door it opens, Helena stands inside the doorway. "Jean Paul I've been waiting for you." Jean Paul walks by her and enters the foyer. "Let me take your coat." She says as she walks up to him. Jean Paul turns and looks at her. "Oh Jean Paul I've been thinking and I've been thinking and there is only one conclusion. I love you." Jean Paul grabs her into his arms. "Oh Helena, Helena." he says then kisses her. "It doesn't matter if you say you have a curse and you may kill me. I want to be with you. To help you." She pulls back to look at him. Jean Paul pulls her closer. "Shhh don't say anymore just let me hold you." After another hug Helena looks up at Jean Paul. "Come now and I'll make you breakfast." Jean Paul takes his coat and Helena hangs it up. "No one is awake." She reaches out and takes his hand and they start to walk towards the Drawing Room. She stops, releases his hand as the smile leaves her face. "Where have you been you naughty boy? Did you kill somebody?" Jean Paul stares at her. "What did you say?" Helena looks at him. "What? Well I said where have you been. I've been worried about you." "Oh." Jean Paul raises his hand to his head. "I must be tired." "Did you?" "What?" He looks at her as he drops his hand. "Kill anyone?"

Jean Paul stares at her. "Well you have this compulsion you told me about. I have a right to know. I'm going to keep a little book. I'm going to make a list of the names each time. The records must be kept straight Jean Paul. A wife must be at all times tidy." Jean Paul stares at her in shock. "Jean Paul what is it? What's the matter? Did I say something wrong?" "You spoke of a book, a list of names."

Well that was to cheer you up. To make light of this curse you take so seriously. You're tired, you must rest for a while and I'll get you something to eat." Helena takes his arm and they walk into the Drawing Room. "Now do as I say. Over here." She leads him to the armchair. Jean Paul sits down tiredly. Helena kneels in front of him. "Oh Jean Paul I'm so happy to be with you. I spent that time alone thinking, wondering if I can step back into your world and bring some comfort to you. I'm not afraid for myself. I wandered if you would have me. If you would share your sorrow with me. You must you know, you must share this because I'll never leave you now." Jean Paul reaches out and holds Helena's hand. Now shut your eyes and rest for a while." Helena stands. "And I'll come back and show you what kind of cook I am. Actually I'm not a very good cook." Helena says as she starts to walk across the floor, she stops and looks back at him. "Helena my cousin the young man is missing. I spent the night searching for him. Not a trace." "Oh perhaps he's gone back to his home." "No he said he was going for a walk but his belongings are still here." "Well he might have stayed in town for the night." "Yes but why didn't he telephone?" "Well we had better telephone the police." Helena says as she turns away. Jean Paul jumps and walks to Helena. "No if we notify the police and he is found dead... I searched everywhere for him, anyplace that was dangerous. The cliffs anyplace he could have fallen. But he isn't on the grounds of Desmond Hall." Helena touches his jacket. "Now that's enough. It's enough for now. You did all you could, oh Jean Paul I'm concerned about you. That young man he probably wandered off as mysteriously as he arrived. Try to believe that because nothing else matters now but you and I." Jean Paul kisses her then holding her hand he sits on the couch smiling up at her. "Now rest, rest." Helena tells him as she walks from the room and closes the door behind her. She leans against it. "People for the most part are hateful. They deserve to die." "Good morning Helena." Cort calls to her. Helena shakes her head seeming to come out of a trance. "Yes?" She looks over at Cort. She walks over to him. "Good morning. Jean Paul has come back." "And so have you it seems. You've been locked up in your room. I haven't seen you since our friendly little evening." Cort says stepping down the steps and stands next to Helena. "You and Jean Paul, Holly and I." He says crossing his arms and smiling at her. "Romantic is the word isn't it. And that is an atmosphere I am determined to cling to. Aren't you?" "Yes."

"How is Holly?" Cort throws his hands up. "Ask Holly." He turns and walks away.

"Where are you going so early in the morning?" Cort turns and looks at her. "Well I guess you could say I was going courting." He smiles as he leaves the mansion. Helena's smile disappears. "Yes, Cort is courting."

Jean Paul sits on the couch speaking out loud. "She spoke of entering into my world. She mustn't, no one must enter my world. No not Helena. No you demons of evil you will not touch her."

In the cottage Irene and Emily stand in front of the altar. Irene has a black cloth covering her head and Emily wears a gray one. "And death to Jean Paul Desmond." Emily glances at Irene. "And to Helena." "And Helena. The victims we offer you oh King of Darkness." They both form the sign of the witch with their hands. Irene takes off her head covering. "There isn't that a pleasant way to begin the day? A busy woman is a fulfilled woman." Irene tells Emily as she blows out the candles. "Now I think we might have some tea and muffins."

Emily looks away then fans the smoke from her face. "Emily what is the matter? The morning offer should bring joy and a sense of accomplishment." "You forgot to mention Helena." Emly says as she looks at Irene. "But you remembered."

"Yes I remembered." "But the name was included. Now come along now. It has all been attended to." Irene tells her as she puts her arm around Emily's shoulder.

"You really don't want Helena to die do you?" Irene drops her arm. "It really doesn't matter to me my dear, but if you want her to die then that's all that matters. We all have our own desires Emily dear. After all conformity would be such an awful bore. Now come and I'll teach you to whip up some delicious blueberry muffins." Irene tells her with a smile. Emily pulls off her head covering and starts walking to the kitchen following Irene when there is a knock at the door. Irene turns. "Ah company, how nice." she walks to the door." "I suggest my dear that you be on your very best behavior." She opens the door. "Cort."

Cort steps inside the doorway. "I'm here as I agreed." "Welcome." Irene raises her arms and makes the sign of the witch in front of Cort's face. Lowering her hands she steps back. "Come in, come in." She closes the door as Cort walks into the room. "You know Emily Blair. Emily is one of us." "Emily is?" "Don't be so surprised Cort. I'm not surprised at you." Emily says to him. "There you see perfect fellowship. Nothing to be alarmed about." "Emily I don't like to see you here." Cort says to her. "You mustn't be selfish Cort. It has no place in the coven." Irene says to him. "But I have my reasons for being here." Cort says.

"Emily has her reasons too." "What reasons?" Cort asks. "I want..." Emily starts to say. "It's none of your business at the moment Cort. Come along, we will have muffins and tea." Irene tells him as she takes a hold of his arm. "I didn't come for muffins and tea." Irene lowers her hand and looks at Emily. "There see what I said about behavior. Cort you must learn chivalry. We're not savages and wild things. Just a circle of friends united." "And when do I meet this circle of friends?" "When you are ready but in the mean time muffins. Now you and Emily chat a bit. The weather, what interesting books you've read. Oh we have an author in the coven by the way. Which reminds me we are lacking a member. The Pruetts left Desmondton as you know after the death of their little Agatha. That's why I am so pleased to have you with us Cort. You are familiar with so many ladies in town. Yes that will be your first assignment. You must find me another witch." Irene says to him with a smile.

Jean Paul is lying on the couch. He has fallen asleep holding a book. Quito walks into the room and picks up Jean Paul's hand and shakes it. Jean Paul opens his eyes. "Yes?" He sees Quito and quickly sits up. "Quito have you found Philip yet?" Quito shakes his head no. "Well have you seen any sign of him?" Quito again shakes his head no. "Well what is it? What do you want to tell me?"

Quito shows the sign of witchcraft. "Witches? A witch?" Quito pulls him up from the couch. "You want to show me a witch Quito? I already have enough demons of my own. But you mustn't be afraid. This witch I promise you will not harm you."

Helena walks into the Drawing Room. "Quito the Master is tired, let him be." Quito glances away. "Quito it's alright. You may go." Jean Paul tells him. Quito bows then leaves the room. Jean Paul steps forward and watches him go.

"Poor thing. What's the matter?" Helena asks. "He's upset about..." "About what?" "Oh it's nothing, nothing." He looks at the tray Helena carried in. "Then eat your breakfast. Here you are." She hands the tray to him. "Thank you." Jean Paul says with a smile. He carries it to the couch and sits down setting it on his lap. Helena sits next to him. "The toast is burnt." Jean Paul laughs. "I see that. Oh I need you Helena." he says looking into her eyes." "Because of my toast?"

"No because you give me joy." "That's all I want to do." Helena says with a smile. "Well it's all I can let you do." "No it's all been decided now eat, no matter how bad it tastes." Jean Paul glances up at her. "Mmm, as a matter of fact it's very good." "Its eggs poached in champagne." Jean Paul looks at her "In Champagne?" "Yes I didn't know what else to use." Jean Paul starts eating again. "Perhaps it's too hot. Perhaps I should have chilled it." "Oh no as a matter of fact it's the most bubbly egg I think I've ever had." Jean Paul looks at her smiling. Helena laughs. "You are a difficult woman to say no to." "I hope so." "But I must." Jean Paul sets the tray on the couch and stands up and walks over to the fireplace. "Helena you've got to leave Desmond Hall. You've got to leave me." He steps away from the fireplace. "If you live your life with me your body and soul will be in danger." Helena picks at the food on the tray. "Next time I think I will have them chilled, or I'll set them in jelly you know the way they do." She says as she tastes the eggs. Jean Paul turns towards her and leans over the couch. "Helena I'm serious, now if you love me you will listen to me."

"I do love you and I won't listen to you.” She looks up at him "Oh Jean Paul when I was in my room trying to decide if you and I had a future together a strange thing happened. Something, someone spoke to me. A crystal voice said I must not leave you. That no matter what you said I should stay with you." Jean Paul looks down with a disturbed look on his face. "And then I was sure, so sure that someway I'd have the strength to see us through anything. I'm not the flighty actress anymore no matter how haphazard is my cuisine. I'm a woman who is suddenly strong and I won't leave you. Say what you will, I won’t leave you."

Emily sits on the couch as Cort stands with his back towards her. "Or I could talk about books I have read at Desmond Hall. But some of those were about witchcraft so I guess that wouldn't be very polite would it." Emily says to Cort.

Cort turns and looks at her. "Emily did you come here of your own will?" "Did you?" "Yes." Cort says. "Well so did I. At least I think I did." "But I don't underastand why. Why would you want to join them?" Cort asks as he sits next to Emily. "I have my reasons so don't bother me. Don't go making me ask myself questions or I'll tell Irene." "I think you should ask yourself questions." Cort says to her. "I think you're very rude." Emily says as she turns away from Cort.

"Emily I'll tell you what I want. Will you tell me your secret? Now I want Holly to love me. Now what is it you want?" Cort asks putting his hand on her shoulder.

Emily looks at him. "I want..." "Well here we are." Irene says carrying the tea tray into the room. "Did you have a nice chat you two? How handsome you look. How fortunate for me for having two young guests. Gather around for tea." Irene says as she sets the tray down. "Irene there are certain things I've got to know." Cort says as he stands and walks over to her. "Such as?" Irene asks as she pours the tea. "Will anybody be hurt? I don't want anyone to be hurt.' "How can there be harm if you get your hearts desire Cort? Can anyone be harmed by love?"

Jean Paul stands in front of the fireplace deep in thought. "There you see I've done the dishes and cleaned up neatly." Helena says as she walks into the Drawing Room. Jean Paul turns and looks at her. "Just one small example Mr. Desmond." Helena bows. "Of what a wife I'll be to you." Jean Paul stares straight ahead. Helena walks up to him. "Jean Paul, what is it? You mustn't worry anymore; my mind is made up if my decision is wrong then let me suffer for it. But it isn't wrong I know it." She says as she puts her hands against Jean Paul's jacket. "I want to believe you, you know that." "Then do it. It's solved. It's like a play." Helena says as she walks away from him stopping next to the table and picks up a book. "We choose our own lives and what ever we decide will happen will happen. If we choose hearts and flowers and rose buds it will be. If I choose to murder you or you are forced to kill me then so be it. Does it matter Jean Paul. Does it really matter?" She walks towards him. "As long as we act together."

"Can you mean what you’re saying?" Jean Paul asks staring at her. "Yes because I love you. Would I murder you? No more than you would me." She says with a laugh. “Can you consider death a joke?" "Yes. If it threatens us I laugh at it. I dare it to come. Laughter is our shield Jean Paul. Laugh with me." Jean Paul stares at her. Helena opens the book. "Oh look at this. Time is playing funny tricks. It's an ancient book and yet look." Jean Paul glances at the picture. "Cort!"

"Oh it can't be Cort. It's a gathering of witches from over a hundred years ago. It's just a young man that looks like Cort." "Let me see." Jean Paul takes the book from her and takes a closer look. "Depiction of a witches Sabbath 1831 in which Cortland Des Mondes was initiated into the coven." Helena looks up at Jean Paul and smiles nervously. "It's just a coincidence Jean Paul. Laugh with me Jean Paul." Jean Paul stares at her as he closes the book. "Smile for me. Smile for me!" She throws herself into his arms and they kiss.

Cort, Irene and Emily stand in front of the altar. "Preliminaries, not difficult but interesting. Now the altar is prepared. The candles lighted, then the prayer." says Irene. "I don't pray. I never pray." Cort tells her. "Then how do you expect anything? We pray don't we Emily." "We pray." says Emily. "Irene I..."Cort walks up to Irene.”Silence. Emily shall we begin. Oh yea powers and lead us. Those who walk upon the earth and lie beneath we have a nonbeliever among us. A youth who will seek your aid and yet will not bow his subservience." Irene says as she passes her hands over the candles. "The offering." Emily lifts a small box. "With these crushed flowers born of the earth, grown from the bodies of the dead and plucked from the graves of the departed." She sprinkles them over the candles. Flashes of light come from the flames. "Make us your servants. Live forever in your servitude." She sets the box down. “The cup." Irene says. Emily hands the chalice to Irene. "The knife. “Emily unsheathes it then hands it to Irene.

"The sacrifice must be yours. No harm to anyone except yourself. Lift your hand." Cort holds out his hand. "A scratch, the knife drawn sharply across the palm. The pain is slight. "Cort looks at his hand then at Irene.”No!" Irene stares straight ahead. "Oh yea powers of darkness show him that you exist. Show him that his sacrifice will be rewarded." Thunder and lightening crash as the room darkens. Cort looks around the room. "There are no clouds in the sky. Outside the sun shines for everyone but you. To you the powerful one has given a sign. Sacrifice." Irene says as Cort takes the knife. "One slash of your skin the blood flowing into the cup and you have begun your priesthood. Do it and say one word." Cort raises the knife and holds out his left hand. "What word?" "Holly." Irene tells him. "Holly!" He shouts as he shoves the knife into his hand.

Helena screams clutching her hand. "Jean Paul we must beware they are closing in on us." "Erica are you all right?" "You called me Erica. Don't ever do that again. Don't ever call me Erica again or I swear with this hand I will kill you!" Helena faints. "Helena, Helena." Jean Paul calls to her as he holds her.

Cort grimaces in pain. "He stabbed the knife right through his hand!" Emily cries out wanting to help Cort but not sure what to do as she stands over him. "The blood is flowing. Isn't that what you wanted?" Cort asks his voice full of pain.

"No! You have much to learn!" Irene says angrily. "Emily go to the kitchen and get herbs and a bandage." Emily runs to the kitchen. "Much to learn. Self mutilation is not what we desire. It offends the powers we serve. Give me your hand and listen to my words. If you are to join us if you are to be one of us you will do what I tell you to do. You are young and melodrama is natural to you but witchcraft is an art. A serious art. Do you want your Holly?" Irene asks as she applies pressure to Cort's hand. "Yes." "Hear me; by the ritual by obedience will you get her." Emily rushes in with a bowl and bandages. "By obedience." Cort repeats. Emily takes his hands and packs it. "There will be no pain for you and only one sacrifice. The sacrifice of the spirit." Irene tells him. Emily looks at Cort. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry you hurt your hand." "It's all right. It's much better." Emily starts bandaging it. "Sentimentality nonsense. You lack discipline both of you. Cort you have let me down. There is only one way that you can make amends. You will go into town and you will find a young woman who wants to attain something that is necessary to her as the breath of life. You will charm her. You will warm her to your heart. And you will bring her back to me! And then the coven will be complete. We will call a gathering of the witches and you will know such pleasure as you have never known. You will taste blood and feel fire in your veins. And then and only then will you have Holly." Cort stares at her. "Yes Cort for me. Do it for me because then I'll have what I want too." Emily says smiling at him.

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

~Ron/Bella~
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