Episode 12:
Slideshow
Raxl is still in the crypt talking to Erica. "Rest little Mistress
and help me please to rest the evil that is poisoning this house." Quito enters the crypt. Seeing him Raxl
says. "Quito, the devil's strength is gaining, we can not fight alone. The
temple of the Serpent, we must call the Conjure Man." Quito becomes scared, covering his head
with his hands. "He will not harm
you, not again, I promise." Quito
lowers his hands. "We must go to
the temple. It's for the Master Quito and all the people on this cursed
Island." Quito nods, then pushes
the door open to the temple. Raxl picks up a torch. Before entering Raxl calls
upon her Gods. "I Raxl and faithful Quito about to enter the Temple of the
Serpent." They both bow. After entering Raxl stands in front of a staff that has
two snakes entwined on it. Raxl passes her torch from one hand to the other, she
then tells Quito to beat the drum. She then holds her arms out to her side. "I Raxl who springs from the
priestess of the Temple of the Serpent seek the Conjure Man. The devil is loose!
The devil is loose!" On the
Mainland Vangie sits in front of her mirror when she hears Raxl's voice. "The
devil is loose!" "Who calls the
Conjure Man?" Vangie asks.
"Raxl." "Why do you call?"
Vangie sees Raxl in her mirror. "In
the name of the Serpent we turn to thee to seek help from the beyond. Our powers
are great, but his are greater. We have great need for his help because the
devil is loose again." "Witchcraft
alone cannot stop the devil. Only God can do that." Vangie says. Reverend Dawson is sitting at a table in
the cafe looking down at his bible. Vangie lays a tarot card on top of the
bible. . "Your calling card Miss
Abbott?" the Reverend asks. "Our old friend the mystery man, the fool. Who is
he?" "No mystery once the cards are
in place. So we can guess his role Reverend Dawson." Vangie takes a seat across
from the Reverend. "Are you going
to read the future?" "I was hoping
you can help shape it." "I have
enough problems of my own, I wouldn't want to impose them on others." "That's strange talk from a
Minister." "Have you ever suffered
from divided loyalty?" he asks Vangie.
"The story of my life."
"You, that's difficult to believe."
"I'm a psychic, you are a divine. To understand the human soul or to
guide it you relate to God. I am buried waist deep in superstition, magic and
witchcraft and yet our common objective is still the preservation of the
soul." "Miss Abbott, I wouldn't
presume to question your beliefs only perhaps my own. If I am the fool.
Why?" "Because the fool is the
balance that tips the scale. Only, you do the work for the Savior." "As does any minister, yet we are still
human. We can not always live up to our aim,” says the Reverend. "Your aim right now is as a man. Not a
man of God." "You still don't know
where Holly ran to?" asks the Reverend.
"No." "But you are still
trying to find out?" "I have an
idea where she might be." Vangie answers.
"Where?" "It's only an
instinct, a second sight if you will. My father is really the man who could help
you." Vangie says standing up.
"Will you at least tell me your thoughts?” the Reverend says also
standing. "Even if I'm right it's
no help to you." In the Temple of
the Serpent, Quito is still beating the drum. "That will do Quito." Raxl tells
him. "The message has been sent. The Conjure Man has heard. He will help us
fight the devil." Raxl leads Quito from the temple. Quito closes the door that
leads to the crypt. "It's time to
take the Master over to the Mainland. Here is a list of our needs." Quito leaves
the crypt while Raxl walks over to Erica's capsule. "Little Mistress, perhaps you are better
off dead if Jacques Eloi Des Mondes wins his struggle to control your husband.
Then surely the devil will be on earth."
The Great Hall is empty. Jacques speaks aloud. "Much better I make
these trips to the Mainland. Just one mistake and upon my soul, Jean Paul may
just be the death of me or should I say us." Jacques says with a laugh. The
portrait goes blank. Jean Paul is
walking around the Great Hall sipping a drink. Quito comes up from the crypt,
Jacques sees him. "There you are Quito. Where is Raxl?" Quito points down. "Oh dear, it's beyond me how that woman
spends that much time in the dark morbidity of that crypt. I prefer sunlight and
warmth, food and vintage wine." Jacques takes a sip of his drink. "What's this?"
he sees the note Quito is holding. He takes it and reads it. "Oh the list of
supplies, splendid. There are a few little goodies I will add of my own. Times
awasting Quito and I don't have much to spare." Quito watches him walk
away.
Elizabeth Marshal arrives at the French Leaf Cafe. Seeing the
Reverend she walks up to his table. Reverend Dawson is reading his bible.
Looking up he sees her. "Mrs.
Marshal." he says, as he stands up.
Elizabeth takes a seat. "The bible I see. I'm not surprised you find the
need for a refresher course." "We
all share that need Mrs. Marshal." he sits down. "How did you find me?" "No trouble, I told you it wouldn't be.
But more important, have you found Holly?"
"Yes.” "Good, where is
she?" "I don't know,” the Reverend
tells her. "You mean you wont tell
me?" The Reverend says with a
smile. "We seem to have had this conversation before." "And you are still as stubborn. So this
too may sound repetitious but may I remind you again that I am Holly's mother
and she is still a minor." "With
feelings and emotions." the Reverend says.
"And a very pretty face. That's the real reason you came down here, isn't
it?" "Some day Mrs. Marshal you
will learn the difference from helping and hurting. You seem devoted to the
later." With an angry look
Elizabeth walks away. She passes Vangie.
Vangie glances back at Elizabeth, then walks to the Reverend's table. "No
wonder Holly’s running." "You met
the lady?" the Reverend asks. "Mrs.
Marshal?" Vangie asks then nods her head.
"Now you can understand why I must find Holly before she does." "I'll see that you do, somehow." Jean Paul walk into the cafe, they stand
behind Vangie. "Now Quito, I want you to get these supplies and get them back to
the boat." A girl catches Jacques eye and he watches her walk by. He smiles as
he starts twisting his ring.
Back on Maljardin Holly is standing in front of Jacques portrait
staring at it. "May I be of some
service?" Raxl asks coming into the room.
Holly turns. "Oh no thank you. I was just looking at the portrait. I
never thought about art before, at least portraits any way. But Tim said I might
be some use to him if I sat for the portrait of Mrs. Desmond." She looks at
Jacques portrait. "You know, portraits really do make people come alive." Raxl gives an angry look. "I mean like him." Holly
says.
"Jacques is standing in the French Leaf Cafe with his arms crossed
then he smiles.
"I know he's three hundred-years old but maybe because he looks so
much like Mr. Desmond. Or maybe it's the other way around." Holly tells
Raxl. "It's best that you don't."
Raxl tells her. Holly turns and
looks at Raxl.
Jacques sits at the bar. "A tonic water please, very cold. I don't
know what it is but after all this time I still can't stand the heat." He takes
out Alison's letter and again reads it. "To dear old Dan Forrest from sweet
Alison Carr." he laughs quietly. He crumbles up the letter, takes out his
lighter and sets the edge on fire. He then picks up his drink. Vangie is watching him; she rushes by
him knocking his drink over the letter. "Oh Mr. Desmond, forgive me. How clumsy
of me." Jean Paul is wiping at his
cloths to get the wetness off.
"Please give Mr. Desmond another of the same and have it brought to a
table." she tells the bartender. Looking at Jean Paul. "I'll get your suit dry
cleaned." Jacques walks towards a
table with Vangie following. She has a smile on her face. "No damage, I'm charmed by your
concern." he tells her. "It goes
back a long way." Vangie tells him as they both sit down. "Purely out of curiosity, how
long?" "To your childhood." Vangie
replies. "That's quite a few years
ago,” he says with a smile. "Depending on what you refer to by how long." "It would be ungentlemanly to add up the
years, as a woman I would be a loser."
"I wouldn't call a woman, any woman a loser." Jacques says. "Answer a question?" Vangie asks. "Ask me." "There was a girl named Holly Marshal
who was going to work for me here. She started yesterday, then left suddenly. Is
she on your Island?" "Yes, she
stowed away on my boat. Now she's a guest." "Do you intend to keep her there?" "She asked to remain." Jacques says with
a smile. "Her mother is here
looking for her." Vangie says standing up.
Elizabeth Marshal comes up to the table. Jacques also stands. "Forgive me for troubling you Miss
Abbott. Excuse me for intruding, but I'm a little distressed. By all accounts my
daughter checked in here and apparently you were the last one to see her." "Vangie, who is this charming lady?"
Jacques asks. "Excuse me, Mrs.
Marshal this is Jean Paul Desmond."
Jacques takes Elizabeth's hand and kisses it. "The Jean Paul Desmond?" asks
Elizabeth. "Not exactly." he tells
her. "I'm afraid you can't put me
off. We do have mutual acquaintances."
"Do we indeed?" Jacques says.
She tells him some of the names.
"Forgive me for my first remark, I was just indulging in a little private
joke with Miss Abbott." Jacques says looking at Vangie. Then he turns to
Elizabeth. "Would you join me for drink. Perhaps we can discuss our antisocial
acquaintances that we both seem to share." He steps around to Vangie's chair and
holds it out for Elizabeth. Vangie walks off. "I understand that since you are married
that you have become somewhat of a recluse. But it seems you are quite the
opposite." With a smile Jacques
tells her. "Quite recently I broke out of my... shell so to speak." Vangie walks up behind Jacques. "Besides I have a confession to
make. I’m harboring a fugitive on my Island. A very charming one, your
daughter." Jacques tells her. Elizabeth looks away stunned. "Oh was there anything you wanted
Vangie?" he asks. "It's too late
now." she replies as she leaves.
"That's such a generous invitation Mr. Desmond, but I'm afraid..." "Of me?" "No of course not." "Oh what a pity, I thought for a moment
I was being flattered,” he says as he takes a drink. "Couldn't you bring Holly back
here?" "I knew you would ask
that, which prompted me to invite you over." "I wouldn't want to take our family
squabble into your home. I'm afraid your wife wouldn't welcome it." "I assure you she won't hear a
word." Jacques says with a smile. "Erica has always been very discreet. Besides
my modest little castle is an ideal place for you and your daughter to settle
your differences once and for all. Now why don't I consider my invitation
excepted." "Perhaps for a day or
two." she says raising her glass.
"Or perhaps you may reconsider to stay a little longer." he says. "Don't tempt me, I do need a
change." "Mrs. Marshal you have my
word, I'll see to it personally that you get it." They touch glasses, then take
a sip of their drinks. "Well Quito
should have the supplies back to the boat by now." He stands and pulls out
Elizabeth's chair. "Let me show you the way." Jacques leads Elizabeth towards
the door. "Leaving so soon Mr.
Desmond?" Vangie stops them as she asks.
"Yes and Mrs. Marshal is joining me." he says with a smile. "On Maljardin?" "Come on Vangie, its not all that
bad." "Are you bringing your
daughter back with you Mrs. Marshal?" Vangie asks. "I hope to bring her back in a few
days." Elizabeth answers. "Oh yes
and perhaps you can stay a little longer. After all that Islands magic blows
trouble away like the wind." Jacques says to Elizabeth. "Don't make it to enticing. I may want
to stay forever." "Be my guest."
Jacques tells her. "Isn't he
delightful." Elizabeth tells Vangie.
"Mrs. Marshal, what about Reverend Dawson? Any message you want to
leave?" Vangie asks. "Say good-by
to him for me after you told him I located my daughter." "He was very anxious to see Holly. He
came all this way. Mr. Desmond couldn't you ask..." "Oh no Vangie, after all this is
my house party and really we can't have a cleric hanging around. It would be a
sort of specter at the feast,” he laughs.
"Tell Reverend Dawson to go home, he isn't wanted." Elizabeth tells
Vangie. "And certainly not by me.
Shall we?" Jacques says. "How's
Mrs. Desmond?" again Vangie stops them.
"As can be expected."
"And her sister?" Vangie asks.
"Doctor Carr, Oh her visit couldn't be better arranged." "Does she plan to stay then?" "Oh yes, you know how it is when sisters
get together." "Yes but Mr. Forrest
was very concerned when he left without seeing her. There were some documents or
some..." "Oh everything has been
taken care of. Mrs. Marshal do you need any time to get anything?" he asks
walking away from Vangie. "Yes my
bags, I haven't even unpacked yet." She says as she follows him. After watching them leave Vangie goes to
the bar and picks up the letter from Alison. She uncrumples it and reads it.
"Dan, Jean Paul needs help." Vangie reaches for the phone. She makes a call to
Daniel Forrest.
Back on Maljardin Holly is sitting in a chair reading a book.
Closing the book she heads up the staircase. Standing on the stairs she sees the
front doors open. In walk Jean Paul, Mrs. Marshal and Quito carrying luggage.
Holly quickly runs up the stairs.
"Quito would you take Mrs. Marshal's bags to the Crown room." Jacques
tells him. "The Crown room?
It makes me feel like royalty."
"Rumor has it that Maxamillion and Carlotta spent some time there. In
fact the room was actually named after them." Holly is watching them from the top of
the landing. "Hello darling."
Elizabeth says as she sees her daughter.
Holly runs across the landing out of sight. "Exactly what I told you on the boat."
"Well there is a little devil in
all of us." Jacques says.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Summaries written by Debby
Graham . The slide
presentation is the work of Ron Janick.
~Ron/Bella~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
