Episode 14:
Slideshow
Jean Paul is standing in the crypt checking the gauges for Erica's
capsule. Taking out a small notebook he writes his findings in it. "Another day
has almost passed. Another day and another entry in the death diary. Oh Erica my
darling, still there is no way to come back to me." He closes the book and hides
it in a secret hiding place on the archway behind a movable panel on it. Footsteps are heard walking through the
crypt. "Alison." Jean Paul calls her name.
"I was worried about you Jean Paul." "I was just checking the gauges to see
if Erica is all right." "And is
she?" Alison asks. She shakes her head. "You can have a consistent pressure and
temperature maintained in this cryonics capsule for one-thousand years. But at
the end of one-thousand years Erica will still be dead." Jean Paul looks at her angrily. "But she
will live again." Again Alison
shakes her head. "Pulse zero, respiration zero, blood pressure zero, temperature
minus 320 degrees Fahrenheit. You don't need a doctor to tell you those are
hardly vital signs." "Look Alison
you can go on repeating over and over dead, dead, dead like a litany but I will
never accept it. There is only one woman in my life and I will find a way for
Erica and I to be together again!" Jean Paul says angrily. "I didn't say you would never be
together again, but you'll be together in death not in life." "Is that a subtle suggestion that I
should do away with myself?" Jean Paul asks turning away from Alison. Alison steps up to him. "You're slowly
driving yourself to it. What you're doing is wrong." "The Cryonics Society would not share
your opinion." "They don't share
yours either. Keeping Erica preserved which they are doing. But her cure and
return to life is in the hands of future scientists. They told you that. Oh Jean
Paul your too young to, to..." "To
what Alison?" Jean Paul asks looking at her. "To let Erica's loss of life completely
destroy yours." "Without her I have
no life."
Back on the Mainland Vangie is doing a reading of the future for a
young couple. When she is done she receives payment, then picking up her tarot
cards she walks away. "Do you have
a moment Vangie?" Reverend Dawson stops her. "Any time Reverend. It's about Holly
Marshal isn't it?" "It can only be
trouble with both Holly and her mother both on Jean Paul Desmond’s isolated
Island,” the Reverend tells her.
"There can only be trouble for everyone on Maljardin." Alison is in the Great Hall; she starts
up the staircase to her room. She stops, turns around and walks to Jacques
portrait. "Why am I drawn to you
Jacques Eloi Des Mondes? Or am I drawn to the man who resembles you so?" Jacques portrait goes blank. "My sister's husband!" Alison cries out.
"I don't have to be called a fool..."
"Ah my dear Alison, I can't believe you are a secret admirer of my late
ancestor." Jean Paul walks into the room. (Jacques is in control of him once
again) "He frightens me." "A portrait as lifeless as a piece
of stone. Oh come now a woman of your culture." "Three-hundred years to late to even
discuss it." Alison tells him. "Ah
yes what a pity. A man and woman with so much to share, divided by the
centuries." "Come now Jean Paul
just because I find the picture magnetizing it's not to say I would find the
man." "Perhaps he would have been
more captivating in the flesh." Jacques tells her. "With his reputation. Raxl says he was a
murderer." "History says he was a
lover." Alison looks away. "That's
a strange combination." "Strange
man. Attractive, reposed, add it up, it's almost like looking in a mirror."
Jacques says.
"When you look in a mirror you only see yourself." Alison
replies. "Well I shy away from
them." "Is that because there are
two faces to you? You’re one person, solemn and moody and the other person, like
you are now. Without a problem on your mind." "Well I would be a poor imitation of a
man if I dispensed gloom and sorrow all the time. We need a little bit of
happiness to pop into our lives." Jacques says as he pours a drink. "Yes, there is too little of it
unfortunately." "Well, we will
do something about that. A drink?" "No thanks." "Do you mind if I do?" Jacques
asks. "You impress everyone with
the fact that you are the sole Master. Suppose I say that I do mind?" Alison
puts her hand over his drink.
Jacques smiles and looks at her. "You won't." Alison takes her hand away, then walks
away from Jean Paul. She sits on the couch. Jacques walks over and sit next to her.
He raises his glass to her. "To a long stay on Maljardin." "It seems I have no choice about
that." "No Alison you are completely the Mistress. Of your own fate." "But you won't allow me to leave." "That's simply because you are a
physician and due to the unfortunate demise of Dr. Menkin, I need you. To advise
and assist for Erica's sake." "I've
already given you my advice. Forget the experiment." "Experiment? Erica is not the first to
be in cryonics suspension." "No but
has anyone ever come back from it?" Alison asks. "It's a new project. Erica will be the
first in that, with your help." Jacques says with a smile. Alison stands and
walks away from Jacques. "And your determination." Turning around she stands in
front of him. "I will help Erica but in one respect. To give her a Christian
burial. That's the only way I can help her now." "I can help her more and I shall." "Jean Paul your not God!" Alison cries
angrily. "No far from it, but I do
have power." he tells Alison coming to his feet. "And
money." "And delusions of grandeur.
What's happened to you? When I first met you when Erica introduced us, your life
was dedicated to spreading joy, now you seem dedicated to just the
opposite." Jacques looks at Alison
with a smile. "It's purely logical Alison. I have a secret that must remain a
secret, and the people who are here all could possibly reveal it." "So we're all prisoners Holly, Elizabeth
and Tim Stanton." "And who ever
else comes to this Island. Prisoner is such a harsh word, I prefer detained guest." Jacques says watching Alison who is
standing in front of the fireplace
"Will you accept my solemn oath in return for my freedom?" "I would but my conscious forbids it."
He says taking a drink. "I detest
what you did to Erica, but you have done it. What could I possibly accomplish if
I betray you now." "There's nothing
that I'm doing that is against the law. On the contrary it's very much within
the law." "Then why are you
keeping us all captive?" Alison asks.
"Merely as a precaution. To be certain Erica
may one day be free again. Come now Alison, surely you don't find my company
that repulsive?" "I find you and
everything you've done distasteful and revolting." Alison looks away from
him. "Me thinks the lady doth
detest too much. Alison you are not a woman scorned, certainly not by me. Have
you heard of this Doctor Sundverg? From Copenhagen."
"Yes he does organ transplants." Alison answers. "He is one of a dozen experts that I
have constant contact with all over the world. Transplants, rejection, surgery,
what ever I need to bring Erica back again to life. Now if any of my guests here
on Maljardin suddenly decide to depart and spread ugly rumors that might
frighten the honorable gentlemen away. Then where
would I be, where would poor Erica be. We can't have that can we?" "But I give you my word, if you let me
go, nobody will ever know what you have done here." Alison pleads. "I can't risk it. Not with you or any of
the others. When Erica is brought back then you can all go." "But your taking part of our
lives." "Well if you choose to put
it that way, the important thing is that Erica has her life back." Jacques tells
her. Alison looks off in the
distance. Back on the Mainland in
the cafe Vangie is bringing coffee to Reverend Dawson's table. "I can't vouch for the taste, the aroma
but the coffee is hot." Vangie sets the tray down on the table. "Thanks." Reverend Dawson tells her.
They both pick up a cup. Vangie is still standing. "I
can vouch for it," the Reverend says after taking a sip. "Bad?" Vangie asks. "Yea." Vangie takes a sip, then sits down. "I've taken a leave from the pulpit
Vangie. I'm not really a minister anymore. At least not a practicing one." "You can never take a leave from what
you honestly believe, think and feel."
The Reverend looks at her and with a smile tells her thanks. "Do you know there are three flights out
of here Reverend Dawson?" "Matt is
good enough, especially since I am out of uniform." "Somehow I can't quite picture you in a
stiff collar." Vangie says.
"Sometimes I wonder if I ever had the right to wear it." "No one has more of a right." replies
Vangie. "I'm not so sure, running
down here after Holly like that."
"You wanted to help her. That's the act of a true minister." "There's more to it than that." the
Reverend says. "You mean you're
attracted to her." Matt looks
down. "That's been obvious at least
to me." Vangie tells him with a small laugh. "Where in the bible does it
say a minister may not love? To thine own self be true or as
I said before three planes a day. The choice is yours." "Planes aren't flying where I have to
go." "Have to or want to?" Vangie
asks. "Both I guess." he says with
a smile. "Maljardin, it means The
Garden Of Evil." Vangie tells him.
"Isn't that's what a minister is sworn to fight? Evil in others and
himself." "That's quite an
undertaking,” says Vangie. "I've
got to try Vangie." "You can't even
get to her let alone help her. The only way to Maljardin is by boat and the only
one who can pilot you there is Quito. And Quito is obedient only to Jean Paul
Desmond." "I'll find a way,” the
Reverend tells her. "Yes the tarot
cards tell me that you will." Vangie touches her cards with an upset look. "And
you will learn of evil you never dreamed existed." The Reverend glances at her. "Then I
must get there and soon. But how?"
"You must believe in God's
will."
Back on Maljardin Alison and Jacques are still in a heated
discussion. They are both standing in the Great Hall facing each other. "You can't keep denying it!" Alison
tells Jacques. "On this Island,
where I am the law." Jacques walks away. He heads to Jean Paul's secret room.
Turning on the monitor he watches Alison. He then turns on the recorder. "Now hear this Jean Paul the next time
you record your little message for your sweet darling Erica, you will make sure
if you ever hope to see her again or that she ever hears this message again that
you do as I bid! That means with me in possession of your soul. You will see to
it that your guests follow my every request. And for you that is a command!" he
says angrily.
Back on the Mainland at the French Leaf Cafe. "His will is my command, yes. But it
seems he and I have had a slight break in communication.." the Reverend
says. "Because you want to find
Holly Marshal?" Vangie asks.
"Because I want Holly Marshal to find herself." "And happiness?" "We are all entitled to our share, even
Ministers. Hopefully even myself."
"There are ways of knowing the future." Vangie tells him. "I'm a man of the cloth. I was trained
to help people shape their future not control them." "Some of us can read further than
that." "If it is so ordained. But
don't wear out your crystal ball Vangie."
"Now your making fun of me. And you can't even read your present." "Seems I do everything wrong." the
Reverend says. With a smile Vangie
tells Matt. "Come on, I'll treat you to one of my special drinks." They both walk up to the bar with
Vangie going behind it. She prepares a drink for Matt. He looks sadly down at
the bar. "Oh you are feeling sorry
for yourself. Look Matt, you said if it was ordained well maybe you are here
because a minister of God is needed."
"Where?" "On Maljardin, you
will eventually be there." Pointing
his spoon at her. "You've been reading the future behind my back." "Don't laugh, not until you have talked
to my father." "Your father?" "The Conjure Man." Vangie
replies. "A witchdoctor?" "There are no witches in the Conjure
Faith." "Is that your belief?" the
Reverend asks. "A belief is a
belief as long as it's ingrained and honest. Do you want more?" "All you can tell me." the Reverend
replies. "Jean Paul’s housekeeper
Raxl and I share the same blood. The Island is not called Maljardin for nothing,
ancient evil is stirring again. They threaten everyone there." "Is that a fact or a guess?" "I'm not into guessing games
Reverend. This is for real. The Anti-Christ walks on that Island. And you must
be there with bell, book and candle." Vangie tells the Reverend. The Reverend lowers his eyes, looking up
he asks. "Do I just wait for an invitation from Jean Paul Desmond?" "You will never get one. And Quito can't
take you there or bring anyone here alive." "Quito, who's he?" the Reverend
asks. "He works for Msieu Desmond.
In fact he was here today. He came to see my father." Vangie and the Reverend
get up and leave the bar to take seats at a table. "I had to refuse him." "You had a reason of course?" the
Reverend asks. "Oh yes, my father
is very old, too old." "I'm not.
Why can't Quito take me?" "Only at
his masters bidding. I'll have to find a way. When you do get there, give these
tarot cards to Raxl. She knows how to use them." Vangie hands the cards to the
Reverend. "And tell her the third hour is best for me." "Witchcraft. I'm not sure I can take
part,” the Reverend tells her while looking at the cards in his hands. "For some it's not part of a religion so
you’re not blaspheming your calling."
"Can you not come to Maljardin with me?" the Reverend asks her. "When I die it will be on
Maljardin." "Then I cannot ask you
to risk it." "But you must go."
Vangie says standing up. The
Reverend also comes to his feet. "I
know what Holly Marshal means to you. And without your help she's
doomed."
Back in the Great Hall Alison is begging Jean Paul (Jacques). "I want Quito to take me please. No one
will ever know I've been here."
"From this place, oh Alison it will seem so suddenly empty without
you." "It seems my whole world has
come to an end,” she says sadly.
"Doomsday my dear Alison. That's a long way off, I think." Jacques says
behind her. "Alison sits on the
couch. Jean Paul (himself again) lights the fireplace. "There, that should cheer up the room a
little bit." he says with a smile.
"Jean Paul even in the best of circumstances I would hardly describe this
room as cheerful." Jean Paul gives
a small smile. "Yes but a fire does help. We are both in a need of a little
warmth." "You have changed again.
What is possessing you? If I believed in witchcraft I would believe Raxl." "That the devil is roaming here." Jean
Paul says. "She's convinced of
it." "Alison I owe you two
apologies. One from making you a prisoner here and the other for exposing you to
primitive superstitions that have upset you." "Except I know longer consider myself a
prisoner here." "Well I'm afraid if
you try to leave Maljardin you'll discover otherwise’" he tells her. "No, I mean that I don't intend to try
to leave. Not at the moment." Jean
Paul sits next to Alison. "Thank you for that Alison." "You knew I was going to stay, didn't
you?" "It means so much more if you
can remain, it being your own decision." What made you change your mind?" Standing she tells Jean Paul. "Because
suddenly I realize you need a doctor."
"Erica will be grateful." Jean Paul also stands. "Not for Erica." With a shocked look Jean Paul says.
"You're staying on for me?" "Yes
partly." "All can say is thank
you." "Don't misunderstand me Jean
Paul. I don't approve of what you have done to Erica and I cannot help her. But
I'm concerned about you, your actions change like night into day. I'm worried
about your welfare,” she tells him walking away. "I understand." Jean Paul tells her as
he walk around to face her. "Perhaps now things will be different. You know
since Erica's death I feel almost like a human being. I think I can also sleep
now." "Just because I said I would
stay here on Maljardin for a while?"
"No because of what it means." Jean Paul takes her hand. "That I will
have a companion again." Alison
pulls her hand away looking at Jean Paul. "Companion? " "Don't misunderstand me Alison, I didn't
mean it in that sense. Well I think I better go now." "More recordings of temperature and
pressure?" Alison asks. "Recordings
but of a different sort." Jean Paul says then walks away. Alison shakes her head watching Jean
Paul leave, and then she glances at Jacques portrait then heads up the
staircase.
In his secret room Jean Paul turns on the recorder. "Alison will
stay my darling. She said for a while but her stay will be extended again and
again as long as her presence lends the tiniest margin of safety for you. Well,
there are many other things too about Alison. The fact that she volunteered to
stay."
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Summaries written by Debby
Graham . The slide
presentation is the work of Ron Janick.
~Ron/Bella~
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