STRANGE PARADISE- Episode 154

Episode 154: Slideshow

Emily walks around Susan so she faces her. “Are you all right? Oh please tell me.” Emily touches Susan’s shoulder. Jean Paul walks into the Drawing Room. “What’s the matter?” “Susan and I were in here, I was sitting alone and she was staring at the portrait and suddenly she became very upset.” Jean Paul glances at the portrait then looks at Emily. “Well naturally she’s upset; she’s been cooped up inside too much.” He says with a smile. He walks over to Susan and touches her arm. “Now listen, on a glorious day like this no one should be indoors. Why don’t we have a picnic?” “That’s a marvelous idea.” Emily says. “And Philip can come along as well and we can sit on the cliffs overlooking the river. That aught to do you some good. Cheer you up.” He says to Susan. Susan shakes her head. “No I’m too tired really.” “Come on it will do you good.” Emily says to Susan. “Now listen you're pale and listless, not at all like the vivacious young lady who came here.” Jean Paul says to her. “I wouldn’t be very good company I’m afraid.” “Well then we will entertain you.” Jean Paul says to her. “I can’t I tell you!” Susan says then rushes from the room. Emily walks up to Jean Paul... “She’s been very depressed. She was talking about her mother’s death earlier.”

Jean Paul turns towards Emily. “Really, she’s never mentioned her family before.” “Well she behaves in such a grownup way we forget she is really little more than a child.” Emily says. “Sometimes she seems so much older than her years.” “I’m going to go up and make sure she’s all right.” Emily says as she walks across the Drawing Room. “Emily I was hoping that perhaps you and I could go sit by the river under that clear blue shy.” Emily smiles. “I’d like that.”

“You know we haven’t had much time alone since you came back.” “I’ll go and try to persuade Susan to come along. It really would do her good.” Emily says to him. Jean Paul steps closer. “It would do you good too.” “Well it would be a pleasant change.” “You seemed upset last night.” “Oh I was just tired after a long train ride. I’m sorry if I worried you.” “Emily when you were away I realized how much I missed you.” “Oh Jean Paul.” Emily says as she looks at him. “I want you happy and safe. You mean much more to me than anyone else is my life.” He takes her in his arms and hugs her. He releases her after kissing her forehead. “Go and tell Susan to come, try to persuade her to come with us. She can be company for Philip.” Emily smiles. “Why Jean Paul you’re becoming a matchmaker.” she says with a laugh. “When a man is in love he wants his friends to be happy to.” Jean Paul says with a smile. “I’ll go and talk to Susan.” Emily pulls away from him and walks up the staircase.

Someone knocks frantically on Irene Hatter’s cottage door. Irene walks across the room and opens the door. Raxl rushes into the room. “What’s the matter?” Irene asks. “You don’t seem pleased to see me.” Raxl says to her. “Why have you come?” “We have something urgent to take care of.” “Perhaps you’ve been seen coming here.” Irene says to her. “Don’t cross me. No one saw me coming here.” “Philip Desmond has driven by this house several times this morning.”

“Don’t worry today we will put an end to their interference.” Raxl says showing Irene the totem. She walks across the room. Irene follows her and looks at the totem. “What is that?” “It’s an Indian totem. Philip brought it to Desmond Hall. It’s their protection against evil.” “How did you get it?" Irene asks. “I took it from Emily Blair’s luggage. I must render it useless. Destroy its power.” “No I want nothing to do with it. The totem can only defeat us.” I feel it.” Irene says to Raxl.

“We made a bargain Mrs. Hatter.” “You’re taking advantage of it.” Irene says to her. Raxl shakes her head. “You can’t get what you want if you won’t help me.”

“I won’t help you if you won’t tell me what you’re doing.” “Don’t ask so many questions. I am the instrument through which your powers came back to you. You will do as I say.” “I refuse.” “You can’t refuse.” “My powers cannot be used for the purpose of other spirits.” “We are partners Mrs. Hatter. You do my bidding and I will do your’s.” “I didn’t intend to become involved with you.” “Well it’s too late. You know what I’m capable of. Do you want me to expose you to your friends at Desmond Hall?” Irene looks at her in anger. “I have no choice.”

“Good then let’s begin.”

Emily enters Susan’s room and sits next to her on the bed. “Are you feeling better now?” “I just want to sleep, to try to forget those voices I hear and that laughter that comes from nowhere.” Jean Paul is right. The air will do you good.”

Susan smiles. “It’s you he wants to be with.” “Well Philip will be there too.”

“Philip loves you.” “You’re very fond of Philip aren’t you?” Emily says to her.

“With you there he won’t even look at me.” “But I want to be with Jean Paul. He seems so happy for the first time in...” Susan sits up. “Emily don’t trust happiness. It can lead to sorrow and pain.” “Well I’ll face that when the time comes.” Susan stares ahead. “You may have to face it sooner than you think.”

“What do you mean?” Susan climbs off the bed. “You’re in danger.” She stares ahead. “Really Susan I think you’re just trying to upset us all.” Emily says as she stands. “The voices I hear aren’t warning me about myself.” “Do they warn you about me?” Emily asks as she steps closer to Susan. “You’ve been with me when I heard the laughter.” Susan says as she looks at Emily. “Yes.” “And you’ve lost the charm that was to bring you good luck.” “How do you know that?” Emily asks. Susan looks at her. “It’s true isn’t it?” “Yes it’s true.” “And Philip isn’t here to protect you. Cort’s gone out and Raxl isn’t here.” “What does that have to do with me?” Susan looks at her. “The danger to you are all outside. But you’re safe in the house. Don’t leave with Jean Paul not today. Love is not enough to protect you.”

Jean Paul stands and stares at Jacques’ portrait. Emily enters the room. “Why are you staring at the portrait?” Emily asks. Jean Paul turns and looks at her. “There was a time I was terrified by the portrait. When it dominated my entire life, but now I can look at it and wonder why I was so afraid.” Jean Paul says as he turns and glances at the portrait. “You sound like Susan sometimes.” “What do you mean?” Jean Paul asks. “Well when you came in here earlier she was almost hysterical.” “Because of the portrait?” “She said she heard it laughing.” Emily says to him. “Laughing? Did you hear it?” “I didn’t hear anything.” Jean Paul smiles. “Well it was her imagination.” “She said she hears things like that often. Voices, laughter ever since her mother died.” “We shouldn’t leave her alone.” “She refuses to come with us. I’m going to stay here with her.” Emily says touching Jean Paul's arm. “All right, look you cheer her up and I’ll see what I can do about Philip. He seems terribly preoccupied as if he’s trying to remember something. Do you know what’s troubling him?” “I do but I promised not to say anything. He doesn’t want to worry you.” Jean Paul laughs. “I’m more worried this way.” Emily turns away. “All right.” She looks at him. “Philip gave me a totem when I went away to Boston and now it’s gone.” “Gone?” Jean Paul asks as he walks closer to Emily. “It’s been stolen. Someone in this house went through my bags and took it. Philip thinks maybe it was Raxl.” “Oh I don’t believe it.” Jean Paul says to her. “Well you have more faith in her than I do.” “Well I know she’s been jealous of my paying attention to other people but that’s only because she has been in my service for so long.” “Jean Paul she tries to keep everyone away from you. She always has.” “Emily I just can’t believe she would try to harm us.” He says as he holds her by the shoulders.

In the cottage Raxl looks at Irene. “Light the candles.” She tells Irene as she holds the totem. Irene lights the candles. “Take my hand.” Irene reaches out and grasps Raxl’s hand “Spirits of the Darkness, Spirits of the Past hear us.”

“Hear us.” says Irene. “Give us a sign that you are there. Give us a sign that we are heard.” “Hear us, speak.” Irene says. Thunder rumbles as the candles flame moves like there is a breeze in the room. “From this Tribal charm release its power. Give its influence to us.” Raxl says. The candles flash with a sparkling flame. “Thank you Spirit of the Dark.” Raxl says. “Thank you Spirits of the Past.” Irene adds. Raxl raises the totem and touches it to her forehead. “Tell us Spirit of the Dark. Reveal the Spirit of the Past. Who is shielded by this totem? Who is guarded by this charm?” “Tell us who.” Irene says. Raxl lowers the totem to the candles. “Is it Ada Thaxton?” Raxl asks. One candle blows out. “Master Cort?” Again another candle goes out. “Is it the girl Susan?” Again another candle blows out. “Is it Mr. Philip?” Another candle blows out. “Is it Jean Paul Desmond?” Another candle goes out. “Is it Emily Blair?” The candle stays lit. “Is it Emily Blair?” Raxl shouts. Again the candle stays lit. “Thank you Spirit of the Dark.” Raxl says as she takes the totem and places it next to the candle. “Keep this totem within your fire. Guard it with your flames. Change its purpose to ours. Make it part of our power. Speak Spirit of the Past.” Thunder rumbles.

Jean Paul turns towards Emily. “Emily I think you’ll find that Raxl was only...”

Emily clutches her throat. Jean Paul rushes to her. “What is it? What’s the matter? Darling sit down.” Emily gasps for air. Jean Paul leads her to the couch. “Emily?” Emily shakes her head and jumps up and rushes from the Drawing Room. Jean Paul stands and watches as Emily rushes up the staircase.

Susan is leaning against the headboard of her bed when there is a knock on her door. She sits up. “Come in.” The door opens and Jean Paul enters. He smiles at her as he closes the door. “Are you all right now?” “I’m much better thank you.” “Did you sleep?” “No I don’t like to sleep. I have awful dreams.” Susan says as she stands and walks across the room. “Susan I’m beginning to worry about you.” Jean Paul says as he steps closer to her. “I’m sorry I couldn’t go on your picnic.” “Oh that’s all right. We didn’t go after all. Emily changed her mind, she’s in her room.” “I thought she might.” Susan says with a smile. Jean Paul turns and sits on the edge of Susan’s bed. “Did she talk to you?” “Well yes earlier when she tried to persuade me to go with you.” Jean Paul shakes his head. ”I don’t understand her. She won’t open her door and she’s frightened of something.” “I’m afraid I did that.” “By telling her about the laughter you heard?” Jean Paul asks. Susan turns and looks at him. “Did she tell you that?” “Yes she mentioned it.” “I know she’s in danger but that she will be safe in her room.”

“Susan I’m wondering if it is this house that is making you unhappy.” “Are you asking me to leave?” “No, no I’m just trying to find out what’s troubling you.”

Susan walks over to the bed and sits next to Jean Paul. “It’s just that I get in moods sometimes. I’m sorry.” “We seem to know very little about you but you know a great deal about us.” Jean Paul says to her. “There isn’t much to tell.”

“Emily tells me that your mother died.” “Yes and my father died when I was little.”

“I’m sorry to hear that.” “No I’m becoming used to it now.” Susan says to him.

“So you’re all alone in the world.” “No one is all alone in this world.” Jean Paul leans back with a smile. “Now that seems more like the Susan I knew.” “You’re treating me like a child.” “I’m sorry I didn’t mean to.” he says with a smile. “No that wasn’t a criticism that was just a comment.” Susan says with a smile. “See you are in a livelier mood now.” Jean Paul says with a laugh. “I’m sorry I upset Emily. I told her not to go on a picnic with you.” “Now that wasn’t very nice. I wanted to be with her alone.” “Is that why you asked me along?” “Well I didn’t ask you as company. I thought you might like to go with Philip.” Susan stands and walks away from Jean Paul. “What’s the matter? Don’t you like Philip?”

“Well yes but Philip likes Emily and Emily likes you.” She tells him with her back towards him. Jean Paul smiles. “Is that what’s depressing you?” “I don’t want to talk about myself anymore.” Jean Paul stands. “Okay I’ll leave you.” He touches her arm then walks towards the door. Susan rushes after him. “Oh look please don’t be angry with me.” Jean Paul looks at her. “I’m not angry, I'm just baffled.”

“You know you trust people too much. You see the good in them but you never see the evil.” “Are you evil Susan?” “Well there’s evil in everyone.” “That’s not an answer.” Jean Paul says to her. “I wasn't speaking of myself.” “Then who were you speaking of?” Jean Paul asks as someone knocks at the door. Jean Paul walks to the door and opens it. Raxl enters. “Oh I’m sorry. I thought Miss Blair was in here.” “No she’s in her room.” Jean Paul says to her. “Her room is empty. I just passed by, the door was open.” Jean Paul rushes past Raxl. “Just a minute Raxl.” Susan says closing the door before Raxl can follow Jean Paul.

“I have no time for this. My Master is upset. I must help find Miss Blair.” “Jean Paul will take care of it.” Susan says as she leans against the door. “Let me out.”

“Not until I say what I have to say.”

Emily is in the Drawing Room sitting at the desk with books next to her. She starts stacking books. Jean Paul rushes down the staircase. “Emily?” “I thought it might relax me if I settled down and did some work.” Jean Paul walks up to her. “Why wouldn’t you open the door and talk to me? What frightened you in the Drawing Room?” Emily stands. “Oh I was just being foolish. I suddenly had this sensation of being suffocated.” She steps closer to him. “I can’t quite explain it.”

Jean Paul takes her in his arms and hugs her. “You’re safe. You’re safe with me don’t worry.” “But I do worry. About that and about everything.” She pulls back and looks up at him. Jean Paul frames her face with his hands then kisses her. Then he holds her. “You let me do the worrying from now on.”

Raxl turns away from Susan. ”I do not want to hear anything you have to say to me.” “Leave Emily alone.” Raxl turns and looks at Susan. “Miss Blair is no concern of mine.” Susan walks towards Raxl. “She loves your Master.” “Many women have loved my Master.” “He loves her.” “He has loved before.” Raxl says as she looks away from Susan. “This time you will not come between them.” Raxl looks at Susan. “What do you mean?” “Jean Paul will begin his life with the woman he loves and be free of you.” “Who ever you are Miss and wherever you come from do not try to match yourself against me.” “I will fight until one of us is defeated.” “The only defeat is death.” Raxl says to her. “I’ve looked at death before.” “You young fool. I have looked at death for centuries.” Raxl says as she steps towards the door. Susan stands in front of her. “For how many centuries? Since which century?” Raxl glances away. “It is only a matter of speaking.” “Give up Raxl you have lost.” “I never lose.” “You’re facing someone who can destroy you.” Raxl looks at Susan and laughs. “Destroy me?” “Yes even you can be destroyed.” “You foolish young thing. You’re mad. You hear voices and laughter. It’s all in your mind. In your head.” Susan smiles “How do you know what I can hear?” “Because I can read your mind.” Raxl says to her.

“You can read it, ha. I’m beginning to read your mind Madame.” Raxl steps back from Susan. “Why are you shying away from me?” “Let me out.” Raxl says as she rushes to the door. Susan steps in front of her again. “Your name isn’t Raxl.”

“And your name isn’t Susan.” “What is it then? You said it once before. Now say it again. Maybe then I'll remember what your name is.” “When you remember it you die.” Raxl says to her. “Do I or do you die? Finally.”

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

~Ron/Bella~
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