STRANGE PARADISE- Episode 136

Episode 136: Slideshow

Cort: “Night at Desmond Hall and the Great House is enveloped in ominous darkness. There is only one star in an otherwise starless sky. It is an evil star for when it appears in the heavens Jean Paul Desmond the Master of Desmond Hall is the victim of a curse. A curse that compels him to kill. On this night he has locked himself in a tower room believing he is safe. But one cunning man has found him and with this discovery a new reign of terror will begin.”

Laying on the floor with Jean Paul on top of him with his hands around Philip’s throat Philip reaches out and grabs the totem. He places it against Jean Paul’s hands. Philip is able to throw Jean Paul off of him. Philip stands and rushes for the door. Jean Paul comes after him. Philip raises the totem in front of Jean Paul. “Orendo, Orendo please protect me from the evil that seeks to destroy me.”

Jean Paul opens his hand, looks at it and rushes to the table kneeling on the floor. “That mark?” Philip says standing across from Jean Paul. Jean Paul opens his hand and watches as the Mark of Death fades away. “It’s gone.” Philip says watching Jean Paul. Jean Paul stands and faces away from Philip. “I almost killed you.” “You sound as if you are talking about somebody else.” Philip says as puts his hand to his throat. “Do I?” “Why did you do it?” “Listen I shall try not to harm you again but just get out of this room.” “Not until you answered my question. Why did you do it?” “I didn’t know what I was doing.” “You call that an explanation?” “It is the only explanation I can give. Now go!” Jean Paul says as he looks at his hands. “I believed you were mad for a moment. The expression on your face was a look of pure insanity.” Jean Paul turns and looks at him. He shakes his head and walks away from Philip. “Perhaps I am insane.”

“Are you? Or are you under the influence of some evil that you can’t control?”

“Perhaps both.” “Is this part of the Desmond curse?” “How can you stand there talking to me? Aren’t you afraid?” Jean Paul shouts as he walks across the room.

“My totem protects me. Let me see your hand.” Jean Paul opens his hand and shows it to Philip. “There was something there. A mark of some kind but it has disappeared now.” Philip says then looks up at Jean Paul. “I’ve answered enough questions.” “It’s part of the curse isn’t it?” Jean Paul looks away from Philip. “All right Jean Paul you needn’t tell me anymore.” Philip says as he turns towards the door. “Where are you going?” “To call the police.” “Will you tell them that I am cursed?” Jean Paul asks sarcastically. “I’ll tell them you tried to kill me.” “Remember it’s your word against mine.” “Are you planning to lie?”

“I’m not planning anything. My fate is in your hands now.” Jean Paul says as he looks at Philip. Philip looks back at him.

Emily, Susan and Cort enter the mansion. Emily walks through the foyer as she takes off her gloves. Cort walks into the Drawing Room looks around and walks out stopping in front of Emily. “He’s not here.” Emily glances at the staircase. “Philip? Jean Paul, Philip!” She calls out. Raxl walks through the hallway stopping at the top of the staircase. “My Master is sleeping.” “And Philip?” “Isn’t he with you?” Raxl asks as she walks down the staircase. “No we went on without him. He never showed up in town.” “But I saw you leave the house together. I saw you go.” “Philip came back. He wanted to persuade Jean Paul to change his mind and come with us.” Susan walks up to Emily. “I told him not to but he wouldn’t listen to me.” “Haven’t you seen him?” Emily asks. “No.” “Well that’s odd. Where could he be?” “Oh he must be in the house somewhere. I’ll go and find him.” “So will I.” Cort says as he follows Raxl up the staircase. “I don’t understand Philip. This isn’t like him. Is it possible that anything could have happened to him?” Emily says to Susan. “Well anything is possible.” Susan tells her as she steps closer. To Emily. “But what could have happened? And why isn’t he here? Where could he possibly be?”

Philip looks at Jean Paul. “You refuse?” Jean Paul turns away from him. “I cannot tell you anymore.” Philip walks up to him. “All right perhaps Raxl can tell me.” “All right question Raxl. Call the police, do what you want. It doesn’t matter anymore.” “Don’t you care what happens to you?” “I gave up caring a long time ago.” “I’ll lock the door behind me.” Philip tells him as he walks to the door. “I’ll be back later. “With the police?” Jean Paul asks him. Philip glances back at him. “With the police.” “I’ll be ready.” Philip stands and looks at him. “What are you going to say to them?” “I’m sorry cousin but you will have to wait for the answer to that question.” He turns and looks at Philip. Philip walks out of the room locking the door behind him. Cort walks up to him as Philip turns away from the door. “So here you are.” Philip smiles. “I didn’t see you come up.” “I’ve been looking all over for you. What are you doing at the tower room? No one ever comes here.” “I was just looking for something. But what about you, I thought you had gone out for the evening.” “Well I met Emily and Susan in town. They were waiting for you, you were supposed to meet them.” “Where are they now?”

“Downstairs Emily has been very worried about you.” “Would you mind telling them I’m alright and I’ll be down in a minute?” “What’s happened? Where did you get the marks?” “A slight accident.” Philip says with a laugh. “What kind of accident?” “Oh nothing serious. Do you mind telling her I’ll be down in a minute?” “Alright!” Cort says then walks away. Philip turns and walks away in the opposite direction.

Raxl is in Jean Paul’s room looking for the key in the vase as Philip stands in the doorway. “Were you looking for this?” He shows the key to Raxl. Raxl steps back from Philip. “Where did you get that?” “From the vase.” Philip tells her as he walks into the room. “I saw you hide it there.” “Why are you spying on me?”

“I heard you and Jean Paul talking. I heard him ask you to take him to the tower. And I saw you go there.” Raxl walks up to him. “You did not go in there did you?”

“Yes I did.” “What did Jean Paul say to you?” “He tried to kill me.” “No!”

“Raxl I know the truth.” “What do you know?” “I know that Jean Paul is cursed. And that his curse forces him to kill.” “It is not my Master. It is the evil demons that possess him. My Master is an innocent man.” “How is he cursed?” “He did not tell you?” “I want you to tell me.” “It happened at Maljardin. He made a pact with the powers of darkness.” Raxl tells him as she walks away from him. “Why?” Raxl turns and looks at him. “Erica was dead. More than anything in this life my Master wanted her to return. So he made a pact, she returned but brought the powers of darkness with her.” “And what happened to Erica?” “She returned to the land of the dead when Maljardin burned.” “And the curse remains with Jean Paul?” Raxl walks up to him. “He tries to fight it! That is why he ordered me to lock him in the tower room.” She turns away. Philip grabs her shoulder and turns her around. “Raxl look at me and tell me the truth. Has Jean Paul killed before? Is he a murderer?” “What did he tell you?” Philip releases her. “I’m asking you.” Raxl glances at him. “He did not kill you. You managed to escape.”

“But there were others? And what about that girl that lived here before Agatha Pruett? Did he kill her?” “I do not know.” Raxl says as she glances away. “Are you telling me the truth?” “Yes, I do not know what happened to that girl. That is the truth.” “Is there a way to end the curse?” Raxl shakes her head. “Oh I’ve tried.” “But obviously failed.” “There must be a way!” Raxl says looking at Philip.

“But you haven’t found it yet.” Philip steps away from Raxl. “Raxl don’t you understand that everybody in this house is in danger as long as Jean Paul is free!” Raxl looks at him. “What are you going to do?” “The only thing I can do. Go to the police.” “What will you tell them? There is no proof that my Master is a murderer.” Philip looks back at her. “He tried to kill me!” Philip shouts as he walks across the room. “He should be judged insane and put away where he can’t do anybody any harm!” Raxl turns to him. “You can’t do that to him!” she cries out.

“I can’t endanger other people, innocent people because we want him to go free!”

“You can help him! He needs your help!” “How?” Philip asks as he walks away from Raxl. Raxl walks up behind him. “Help him how I help him. Guard him, protect him from the evil demons that control him.” “And risk the lives of everyone in this house.” “He has never harmed anyone in this house!” “Not yet but he might!” Raxl shakes her head as she looks at Philip. “You think by putting my Master in prison that that will end the curse? If you do you are wrong.” “What do you mean?” “My Master could die but the curse will continue.” “How?” “It passes from generation to generation. If my Master dies it will pass on to the next Desmond. The one with the closest blood ties to my Master.” “Cort.” Philip says looking away. “Yes and if he dies it will pass on to you.” Philip stares ahead then looks at Raxl. “How do you know this?” “I know.” “How do I know you are telling the truth?” “You don’t.” “Raxl I know you would say anything to save Jean Paul.” “That is true. But you must consider what I have just told you. You have no other choice.” Philip glances away then walks to the door. “Where are you going?” “Downstairs to think.” Raxl looks at him. “Yes think and decide what you must do.” Philip stares at Raxl and walks out of the room.

Cort is talking to Emily in the Drawing room. “He was coming from the tower.” Cort tells her as he walks behind the couch on which Emily is sitting. “The tower?” Emily asks. “It’s at the top of the house. We keep it locked. Nobody ever goes there. He really didn’t explain why he was coming from there.” He tells Emily as he stands at the end of the couch facing Emily. Philip stands in the doorway. “I thought I had. I was looking for a book.” “In the tower?” Cort asks.

“Well I searched all over the house but I didn’t find it. I’m sorry I kept you waiting.” He says to Emily as he sits down next to her. “That’s all right but what happened to you? Where did you get the marks?” Emily says as she looks at Philip. “I had a slight accident. I slipped and fell down the stairs.” Philip tells her with a smile.

“Were you badly hurt?” “No not at all. But that’s what delayed me.” “Did you call the doctor?” “No that’s not necessary I’m all right. But I am sorry I spoiled your evening. Have you eaten?” “No we were waiting for you.” “I do apologize you must eat. Surely there must be something in the kitchen.” “Susan’s in there now looking for something.” Philip looks at Cort. “Well Cort would you mind helping Susan. You know the kitchen better than she does.” Cort looks at him. “What book were you looking for?” “The River Caves of Desmondton.” Cort walks to the bookcases and pulls a book from the shelf. He glances at the cover. “Here it is.” He shows it to Philip. Philip laughs. “I didn’t see it. How foolish of me.” Cort walks towards him. “Let’s get this straight. You were up in the tower looking for a book and Emily and Susan were in town waiting for you.” Philip stands. “Well I didn’t think I would have to search so long for it. I thought I’d find it right away.” He says as he walks to the fireplace and glances at Cort. Cort brings him the book. “Why did you want to find it? What’s so important about a book?” Philip smiles as he takes the book. “So many questions. Can’t we talk later?” “So that you can think of some answers.” “Now why would I lie to you?” “I don’t know. Why would you?” “Cort go in the kitchen and help Susan. I’ll be in there in a minute.” Emily says. Cort looks at her. “Do I take orders from my houseguests in my house?” “I’m sorry I didn’t mean it that way. I would like to talk to Philip for a moment.” Cort looks at Philip. “Well go ahead.” He glances back at Emily. “Maybe you can get some truth out of him. Go ahead and good luck.” Cort says angrily as he walks out of the room. Philip sighs as Emily watches him. “I know there is something going on. I wish you would tell me about it.” Philip glances at her. “I told you all I can tell you.” “But...I’m afraid I have to agree with Cort. None of it makes any sense.” Philip walks over to the couch and sits next to Emily. “Emily do you trust me?” “Yes I do.” “Then don’t ask any questions right now. Because I can’t give you the answers.” Philip says as he looks away from her.

“Well when can you answer?” “When I make a decision.” “About what?” “I can’t tell you.” He looks back at her. “I just have to ask you to trust me and go along with me. And I’ll tell you everything as soon as the right time comes. Right now I just have to think.” Emily glances away then back at Philip. “All right Philip I guess I can’t argue with you. I’ll be in the kitchen if you need me.” She stands and walks out of the Drawing Room. Philip watches her then stands and walks into the foyer. He looks at the telephone.

Raxl and Jean Paul talk in the tower room. “You told him what?” Jean Paul asks her. “That the curse passes from generation to generation. It does not end with you.” “But that isn’t true.” “It might be, you do not know.” “What did he say?”

“He said he would think that is all.” “Do you think he has changed his mind about calling the police?” “I believe he will. I believe he will protect you until the curse is broken.” Jean Paul laughs. “The curse will never be broken.” “Don’t give up hope Master. If Philip decides to help you.” “How can I expect him to help me for the rest of his life? How can I expect you or anybody.” Jean Paul says as he walks away from Raxl. “But there may be a way to end the curse!” “You have said that a hundred times before!” He says to her. “Now have you found a way?”

“No but that doesn’t mean to say that I won’t.” “It’s hopeless going on hoping like this. Hoping for something that will never happen!” Jean Paul says as he starts pacing around the room. “Don’t say that Master.” “Raxl last night I survived and today I had some hope. Then tonight the star appeared again and the agony was worse than ever before. Now the star may appear again. Appear tomorrow night and the night after that and the night after that until I either go mad or I kill again!” Jean Paul shouts. “Now I would rather die or spend the rest of my life in prison than to face a future like that!” Raxl rushes up to him. “You don’t know what you are saying Master!” “I do know what I am saying!” He walks away from her. “This can not go on. If Philip doesn’t call the authorities I will.” Raxl touches Jean Paul’s arm and looks up at him.

Cort enters the foyer from the kitchen doorway followed by Susan. “How long are you going to stay here?” “I don’t have plans.” “Well why did you come here? What do you want? Or were you just looking for a place to live?” Susan looks at him. “No I just live wherever I am.” Cort shakes his head and walks away from her. He walks to the staircase and looks back at her. “You have a very maddening way of not answering questions.” Susan looks at him. “Well I’ll answer...She stares at him as the Mark of Death appears on his face. “Why are you looking at me like that/” Cort asks as the mark fades. “I just saw...no never mind. It doesn’t matter.” She walks past Cort towards the Drawing Room. Cort turns and walks up the staircase.

Philip stands in front of the fireplace as Susan enters. He turns and looks at her. “I thought you had gone to bed.” “Wow I just saw something really strange.” Susan says as she looks back at the doorway. Philip walks over to her. “What?”

“I was just talking to Cort and then all of a sudden I saw something on his face.” She looks back at Philip. “I don’t know, it was a sign of some kind.” “What sign?”

“I don’t know what it was but I saw it.” “Well what did it look like?” “Well here I’ll show you.” Susan walks over to the desk and opens a notebook. She draws a picture. “There.” Philip picks it up. “You saw this?’ “Yea, just for a minute. And then it just disappeared.” Philip’s hand is a drawing of the Mark of Death. “I don’t know what it means.”

Jean Paul walks down the staircase followed by Raxl. He walks over to the telephone. “No don’t do it.” Raxl pleads. “I beg you.” She grabs his arm. “Don’t.”

Jean Paul turns the phone towards him and dials the operator raising the receiver. “Give me the police.”

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

~Ron/Bella~
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