STRANGE PARADISE- Episode 116

Episode116: Slideshow

Irene: "Desmond Hall by moonlight. A moon as cold and unfeeling as the terror which grips the house of the Desmonds. For across the dark expanse of time has come the evil spirit of Erica Desmond. Reaching out to entangle the man that has sent her back into the hell where she belongs. Determined to reach the master of Desmond Hall the murderess Erica has chosen to possess his new found love Helena."

Helena walks down the staircase. "I'm not afraid of you Erica. And I will not be afraid." She starts to walk across the foyer. "When you come to me again I will close my soul with doors of steel. You were a strong woman Erica but so am I."

Raxl stands in the doorway of the drawing Room. "Miss Raleigh?" Helena turns. "Yes." "Are you quite all right?" "Quite." Helena says as she walks towards Raxl.

"There was an accident in the Drawing Room this afternoon. Someone broke a wine glass." "I did." "It was a choice family possession. One of a set of the rarest crystal." "Raxl I will tell Jean Paul it was my fault. You may take away the broken glass now." Helena says as she walks past Raxl into the Drawing Room closing the doors behind her. She leans against the door in misery. "Come now, a strong woman like you crying over a little spilled wine." Erica tells her. “Not in front of you. I won't cry in front of you. And before you taunt me I will shatter every glass at Desmond Hall. And before you conquer me I will tear down this house stone by stone." Helena says as she looks around the room. "Charming my dear, charming." Erica says then starts to laugh. "Then you better start now."

Helena stands breathing heavily in anger and fear. She walks to the table and fixes herself a drink. Her hands tremble as she starts to drink it. Jean Paul walks into the Drawing Room smiling. "Darling." Helena lowers the glass. "Jean Paul? I was just going to have a glass of wine. She bumps the glass. "Clumsy."

"Darling what's the matter?" He asks as he walks over to her. "Nothing I'm fine."

Jean Paul holds her hands. "You’re nervous, you're shaking." "You would be too if Raxl had laid down the law. It seems that I broke a wine glass." "Oh accidents can happen. Don't worry about that. Here let me pour it for you." Jean Paul says to her as he releases her hands and picks up the wine decanter. Helena walks over to the fireplace. "It was a valuable crystal." "It's all right. We can get another one as an engagement present." He hands her the glass of wine. "We are engaged are we not?" "Are we?" "Well I felt sure that we were. So sure in fact that instead of taking a walk his afternoon with Philip, he and I drove to Chesterton for a purpose." Jean Paul tells her as he walks across the room.

"All the way to Chesterton?" Helena says with a smile. Jean Paul smiles. "For a very special purpose. Sit down." Helena sets her glass on the mantel and sits on the couch; Jean Paul presents her with a ring box. "Open it." She opens it and inside is a very large diamond engagement ring. "Do you like it?" "Oh Jean Paul." Helena says as she looks down at it. "I don't know if it's too large. I don't want it to be vulgar." "It's lovely. It is very large but it is lovely." Helena looks away from Jean Paul. "Oh Jean Paul." She says sadly. Jean Paul sits next to her. "Darling what is it?" "You shouldn't have. I can't. I...""Oh Helena the diamond itself does not matter. There is Desmond money enough to buy a diamond as big as a turnip. Now put it on." Helena looks at the ring. "Jean Paul I cannot accept this." "What? An actress that will not accept diamonds. There is no such actress in all creation." Helena looks at him. "It isn't the ring. It's the idea of the engagement. It's very serious." "Why don't you pretend that I'm a stage door Johnny?" He says as he kisses her cheek. "Making a pass at you." Helena stands. "Oh Jean Paul I'm afraid." She walks across the room. Jean Paul stands and walks up behind her. He grabs her arms and turns her towards him. "Here let me look at you. Now what happened to the young lady who came to Desmond Hall confessing that she loved luxury and wealth? What happened?" Helena looks away.”Helena what's up?" Helena steps away from him. "Nothing. I just didn't expect this much wealth. A few pearls and modest diamonds but this." Jean Paul laughs and steps around her. "Yes this." He takes the ring from the box, then taking her hand he slips it on her finger. "There." He bends and kisses her hand. "Now it wasn't as hard as all that was it?" "Oh Jean Paul I'm not afraid. I won't let myself be afraid anymore." Helena says smiling as she looks up at him as he takes her into his arms. "I love you and that's protection enough." Jean Paul kisses her. "It is protection enough isn't it?" Helena asks him. "Yes, yes darling." Jean Paul says then kisses her again. Philip walks into the Drawing Room. "Sorry. I should have knocked.” "No that's quite all right. We took the risk and we didn't mind at all." Jean Paul says as he releases Helena and holds her hand.

"We're engaged Philip." Helena tells him. Philip steps towards them. "Congratulations. Helena." He takes her hand. "And along with my engagement I made a vow to be nicer to you." Philip smiles at her. "Well do you see what a little diamond will do?" Jean Paul tells Philip. "You're a very lucky man Jean Paul." Philip turns away. "Your branch of the Desmond family will never die."

"Well neither will yours." Jean Paul says to him. "I think it will." he says with his back towards them. "Oh don't say that. You're a young man." Jean Paul says as he walks up behind Philip. "That doesn't matter I don't think. My branch of the Desmond family tree will come to an end anyway." Helena walks up to him. "Why must it Philip?" "Because it's cursed."

Irene talks to her cat as she holds him. "That Emily is a lazy girl. Not like you my pet. She's gone to bed with the evening service not said. But you will help me won't you my dear. First we will draw the curtains." Irene closes the curtain as she carries her cat in one arm. "There make sure no curious little people can peek in. Hateful aren't they, always looking for wickedness and never seeing their own." She walks to the altar. "Now the candles. I shall light them and you shall sit right there." She sits the cat in a chair. "Stop twitching your tail we're taking a prayerful solemn position. Of course you're a very devout creature aren't you? Because you've seen the evil one haven't you?" Irene lights the candles. "Face to face often. You purred for him and arched your back and snarled the way a demon cat should. We haven't shown our claws either of us have we yet? Well then that's done. Now are you ready servant cat? Good." She picks up the cat. "Now we will bow our heads solemnly and begin." Irene bows over the candles starring at them. "But wait. Look, look a face appears. What is it, a warning? Who is it? Helena, Helena Raleigh is it you? What do you want? Spirit can you speak? Are you warning me? Can you show me what your apparition means?" The face of Helena Raleigh appears in the candle flames as blood start to run from her mouth. She screams, then disappears. "Don't be afraid kitty. Don't be alarmed. Helena Raleigh is being possessed by a specter from hell."

Irene changes her clothes then calls Desmond Hall. "Jean Paul it's Irene Hatter. I wondered if you would think me pushy if I invited myself to stop at Desmond Hall tonight for a cocktail?" "Tonight? Well actually that would be ideal. I should have extended the invitation myself." "Well you can extend it now." "Done." "And taken. I hate to be a pest but I was invited to a dreary play at the Palace of Music. I got all dressed then found that the performance had been cancelled. So I said to myself why weep over it when Jean Paul has a real live actress at Desmond Hall. How is dear Helena?" "Helena is radiant." "Is she not splendid? I can't wait to see her. I'll be over soon." Irene says smiling. "Goodbye Irene. We will see you in a little while." "See you soon." she says. Jean Paul hangs up the phone.

In the Drawing Room Helena holds Philip's hand. "Yes but I wish you hadn't mentioned that business about family curses. Not tonight. It depresses Jean Paul." Jean Paul enters the Drawing Room. "What do you mean it depresses me? I couldn't be merrier in my life. I was just talking to Irene over the phone. She's coming for a drink. Helena turns away looking upset. "Mrs. Hatter?"

"I thought we would wait and announce the engagement with a real party." Jean Paul looks at Helena. "Darling what's the matter?" "Oh nothing. It's just that Mrs. Hatter depresses me that's all." Oh nonsense she's a gossip. She's inclined to behave a little peculiar some times. Have you met her Philip?" "No as a matter of fact I haven't." "Well she has x-ray eyes and when ever she leaves you always feel that she's gone home to write your biography. It's all an act. She likes to bewilder people like she bewilders me sometimes." Jean Paul walks across the room then back to Helena and takes her hand. "Now darling remember the vow that came with this ring." He kisses her hand. "You must give people a fresh chance to share in our happiness." "Well I wouldn't overdo it." Philip tells them smiling. "No, no it's a vow." Helena says to him. "Besides over the years Irene Hatter has been the best friend Desmond Hall has ever had." Jean Paul says still holding Helena's hand.

Helena looks away.

Irene puts her cape on and looks at her cat. "Now you must guard Emily and make sure she sleeps." The cat winds himself around Irene's legs. "And keep out from under my feet." The cat trips Irene as she walks towards her door. "Blasted cat! Stay out of my way or I'll wring your furry little neck!" Irene shouts.

Raxl enters Holly's room. She lays on her side with her eyes open. She looks towards the door. "Raxl." "Holly?" "You don't have to whisper I'm awake."

Raxl sits on the edge of Holly's bed. "The Master told me not to disturb you. If you were awake he wondered if you'll come downstairs and join the others."

"Who's there?" "Mr. and Mrs. Thaxton have gone to the village and the Master is in the Drawing Room with Miss Raleigh and Mr. Philip Desmond." Holly turns away. "No thank you I don't think I want to join them." "He said it was a very special occasion." "What special occasion?" Holly asks. As she looks at Raxl.

"I can't say Miss Holly." "Raxl?" "Yes Miss Holly?" "You know about things of the spirit. Tell me if someone wanted to reach the other side could they?"

"Spirits can be spoken to. With a ritual and an incantation. But that shouldn't involve you. It's dangerous." "Raxl I don't mean contacting the other side I meant go there." Raxl stands and turns away from Holly. "You don't know what you're saying child." Holly climbs over the bed. "Raxl tell me can they?" "I will tell you that the only way a living soul can pass to the other side is, is death." Raxl looks at Holly. Holly looks away. "Only death." Raxl puts her hands on Holly's shoulders. "You mustn't think such thoughts. To speak of death tempts the Gods." "Gods don't seem to care very much do they?" Holly says as she sits back on the bed. "The world of the spirits is difficult to fathom. And treacherous for those who fail to honor the Gods." Raxl says as she grips Holly's shoulders.

"The Gods of good or the Gods of evil?" Holly asks. "The Gods of good must be honored. The Gods of evil must be dealt with. Miss Holly tell me what is tormenting you?" Holly stands. "Nothing is tormenting me." Holly steps away from Raxl. "You must tell me. You are a child that is susceptible to the spirits. Oh in the past your soul has been threatened by these powers that want to control you." Holly smiles and sits down in a chair. "Raxl no one can control me. For the first time in my life I feel I have control over my own future." "But your spirit is troubled." Raxl says as she touches Holly's shoulders. "My only trouble Raxl can be very easily solved. My trouble is that I'm alive."

Irene knocks on the front door of Desmond Hall. Jean Paul walks out of the Drawing Room closing the doors behind him; he sets his glass on a table and answers the door. "Oh Irene come in." He says with a smile as he steps aside so Irene can walk in. "Oh Jean Paul." Irene replies with a smile. "Let me take your cape and see how quickly we can warm you up with a drink." He hangs up her cape. "The moon tonight is strange." She says as she checks her reflection in the mirror. "It's not gold at all it's more the color of blood." she says turning towards him. "Oh you're in a jolly mood." "Jean Paul before the evening ends I must speak to Helena alone." Jean Paul laughs. "I won't let you speak to her if you're going to talk about blood on the moon." "Jean Paul be serious." "I am, I am deadly serious for an enjoyable evening and I won't let any witch interfere with it." He says as he kisses her on the cheek. Turning he walks towards the Drawing Room followed by Irene. "Dear boy what did you call me?" Jean Paul stops and turns towards her. "A witch for want of a better word." Irene laughs. "You couldn't have chosen better." "There you see you're laughing again. Now should we forget about the moon and join the others." Holly is walking down the staircase. Jean Paul turns and sees her. "Oh Holly you decided to join us. The evening is complete." "Good evening Jean Paul, Mrs. Hatter." "We will have none of that. There was a time when you called me Irene." she says as she walks over to Holly and touches her face. "Oh you're not looking well my dear, not at all. And to think of the days and nights I spent trying to doctor this girl." Irene says as she looks at Jean Paul. "I don't remember that." Holly says looking at Irene. "Well it's just as well as you don't. She tried to apply you with noxious herbs and concoctions. Do you feel better now Holly?" Jean Paul asks. "Yes I feel fine." "Noxious herbs indeed." Irene says with a laugh." Jean Paul laughs with her.

Philip is talking to Helena as he pours two glasses of wine. "So you actually appeared on the stage." "You see your research wasn't successful in my case." Helena says as she accepts the glass Philip holds out to her. "I've toured Canada often. And I loved it.' They lift their glasses to each other as the Drawing Room door open. "Ah ladies and gentlemen the ladies." Jean Paul says as they walk into the Drawing Room. "Miss Raleigh my dear." Irene greets her. "Mrs. Hatter." says Helena. "And no one needs to tell me who you are. You're a Desmond." Irene says as she walks over to Philip. "But people with less sharp eyes than mine are probably continuing to confuse you with Philip." "Well my name is Philip." he says with a smile. "What a joke. What a delicious joke. But then of course poor Philip is missing or so they say. Yet I can't really believe that can you Jean Paul?" Jean Paul stands at the table pouring more wine. He looks up at her then back to the task he is working on. Holly stands by herself with her arms crossed gazing at the floor. Helena walks over to her. "Holly come sit with me." She puts her arm around Holly's shoulders and leads her to the couch. "Jean Paul tells me you haven't been feeling very well lately." "Yes I feel much better now. You see I made up my mind about a lot of things." Jean Paul walks over to her and hands her a glass of wine. "Ah ha and one of them is to be much more socialable for which I am grateful." "Yes and I'm grateful too." Philip says as he walks over to them. "Well I think it's time to propose a toast. Shall I offer it?" Jean Paul asks as he walks over to Irene. "No let me. To the happy couple who announced their engagement to be married. Helen and Jean Paul." Philip says raising his glass. Holly sets her glass down and hugs Helena. "Helena!" Holly says excitedly. "Such wonderful news, unexpected news. Let me kiss you Jean Paul." Irene walks up and kisses him. "And tell you what an exceptional wife you've chosen. Miss Raleigh." Irene rushes to Helena's side. Helena holds out her hand. "Thank you Mrs. Hatter." Irene touches her hand. "I hope you will be very happy." Helena turns. "And Philip no kiss from you?" Holly rushes to Jean Paul. "Oh Jean Paul I'm so happy for you." She sits hugging him. "Thank you Holly." Philip walks over to Helena. "Because you like Canada." He kisses her on the cheek. "Well if I've been kissed for a stranger reason I can't remember it."

Jean Paul walks over to Helena. "Well I challenge you all. I challenge anybody, someone to tell me if I am not the luckiest man in the world." He kisses Helena on the forehead. "Darling I think I'll go and find Raxl." Helena says as she walks away from Jean Paul. "And see if dinner is ready." She walks through the Drawing Room Doors and starts to close them. "I'll come with you my dear." Irene says as she walks up to Helena. "No I'll be playing at practicing being hostess." Helena closes the door and leans against it as she stands in the foyer.

Raxl walks through the foyer standing near Helena. "Is there anything I can do for you Mademoiselle?" "No thank you Raxl. Could you see if diner is ready?" She says. "Yes Miss Raleigh." Raxl says. She bows before turning away. Helena turns towards the staircase. "I should have spoken up shouldn't have I. When he claimed he was the luckiest man in the world." Erica's voice says to Helena.

"Go away. Leave me alone! Go away!" Helena shouts. "Not likely dear Helena."

Helena starts to climb the stairs. The Drawing Room door open and Irene walks into the foyer. She calls to Helena. Helena stops on the staircase and glances at Irene. "Oh Miss Raleigh I thought you were seeing to dinner. Oh why are you crying? Of course small wonder, an engagement party does upset the average girl. But then you’re not the average girl at all are you." "I don't know what you mean." "In fact you've become a rather special sort of person haven't you? Does it upset you? Does it cause you tears?" Helena walks back down the staircase and stands next to Irene. "I don't know what you are talking about." "But you do my dear you do. You see I'm a rather special sort of person myself. And so I know your little secret about Erica." "Erica?" "You'll grow to like her much more as you come to know her. Just as you'll grow fonder of me. In fact we will become very close you and I. Because we have so much in common."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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

~Ron/Bella~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~