Episode 56: Slideshow
Matt: "On the lonely Island of Maljardin an evil mist arises around the
mansion cursed for centuries. Another unwilling guest of Jean Paul Desmond’s has met with death. Drowned by mysterious
forces and the tides that surround the Island. To the servant Raxl this force is the lovely Erica returned from the
grave."
Quito and Raxl are standing in the doorway looking outside. "They
have buried him Quito beneath the cliffs and she has recited the burial prayers
along with the others." Raxl turns and walks into the Great Hall. "It is a
sacrilege to their God. She is evil! She has used the powers of the dead to
kill, and she will kill again. We must summon the forces of the Great Serpent.
That woman must be destroyed." Raxl tells Quito who is standing next to
her. Erica walks through the door
from outside, into the Great Hall.
"Madam I know what you have done. And with all my power you will not kill
again!" Raxl says to Erica. "I know the evil that you are Madam. And I will
destroy you!" Erica just stands and
looks at Raxl. "Erica?" Matt calls
from the staircase. He walks quickly down the stairs to Erica’s side. Erica puts her hand to her head. "What's the matter?" Matt asks. Erica collapses into a chair as Matt
grabs her and helps her sit. "Raxl, help your Mistress. Water." Raxl leaves the room as Matt kneels next
to Erica. "What is it? Can I help?"
"No, that woman is... I am hated. So hated." Erica tells him as she
faints. "Erica!" Matt calls to her
holding her hand. Jean Paul enters
the Great hall closing the outside door. He turns and sees Erica. "Erica?
Darling." He looks at Matt "What's happened to her?" "I don't know, she suddenly became
faint." "It's the burial. All the
excitement. Erica my love." Jean Paul talks to her. "Jean Paul?" Erica says stirring. "Yes I'm here darling." He says picking
up her hand. "The sorrow was to much for you. You'll be all right. It's all over
now." "No." Erica says
faintly. "Tell her Matt." Jean Paul
says glancing at the Reverend. "Dan
has had a proper burial. He's at rest."
"Yes, yes." Erica says to him.
"You see my darling." "I
have brought you some rose water." Raxl tells them carrying in Erica's gold
bowl. Erica looks at it. "No, no go
away." "I though if we bathed your
wrists." Raxl says to Erica. "Take
that back to my room. You are not to touch that again." Erica says as she turns
away from Raxl. "Do as your
Mistress says Raxl." Jean Paul says to Raxl. "I am trying to help Master." "Make her go." says Erica. "I'm sorry if I'm upsetting Madam." Raxl
says then she walks out of the room taking the bowl with her. "I do not want that woman around here."
Erica says as she tries to stand. Weakness has her collapsing back down. "Erica darling. Darling please." Jean
Paul says helping her back into her chair. "You're upset." "You should have heard the things she
accused me of. Didn't you hear her Reverend?" Erica looks at Matt. Matt takes a step away from her. "Yes."
he says then walks away. Jean Paul
watches Matt in puzzlement. "What did she say? What did she say to you?" he asks
Erica. "I can't repeat them. She
hates me so. I can't stand people who hate. Jean Paul let her go. You must send
her away." "I can't." "You must. She will destroy me." Erica
says to him crying out. "She will destroy me!" Jean Paul stands and stares at
Erica.
Raxl is in the Sacred Temple. She stands in front of the altar and
the Serpent's staff. Quito stands next to her. "Great Serpent, hear me. The
woman must die. Upon her witchcraft the devil's work. And hear my petition. Help
me God of my ancestors to defeat this woman and doom her to eternal
death."
Holly and Elizabeth come in from the outdoors. Holly sees Erica.
"Is she all right?" she asks walking over to Erica and Jean Paul. "She's been upset over Dan's burial.
She'll be all right." says Jean Paul.
"Oh Erica please." Holly says to her kneeling on the other side of
Erica's chair. "Oh Holly you're so
dear." Erica says weakly. "And kind. Hold my hand." Holly grasps Erica's hand
"You're not to worry darling. You're far to young and innocent to worry." "I don't like to see you cry." Holly
says to her. "Erica everyone loves
you." Jean Paul says to her. "It's
been a trying morning Holly for all of us. I think you should go to your room
and rest.' Elizabeth tells her.
"I'm not tired." Holly tells her mother. "Holly you heard me!" "Holly do as your mother says." Erica
tells her. "You can come to my room later and we will talk." "Are you sure you'll be all right?" "I'm fine darling. I have Jean
Paul." "Oh yes, I'm glad you have
him." She says standing. "Don't let her cry." Holly tells Jean Paul. "I won't." Jean Paul says looking up at
Holly. "Holly!" Elizabeth calls
her. "I didn't think I needed to
rest." Holy says to her mother as she walks up to her. "We need many things you and I."
Elizabeth says then walks away from Holly. Holly stares at her mother then
follows her.
Raxl and Quito are looking through Erica's dresser in Erica's
room. "Hurry Quito, look carefully. We must find her magic." Quito walks to the
bookcase. "When we are finished here we will look in Miss Holly's room. Miss
Holly is in danger Quito." Raxl says as she closes the drawer. She turns towards
Quito. "You like her don't you? " Quito nods his head. "Then you would want to
help her." Quito again nods his head. "The Mistress is trying to harm her Quito.
She wants to take her soul to hell!"
Holly is in her room sleeping. Elizabeth is standing next to her
bed when there is a knock at the door. Elizabeth walks across the room to the
door. "Who is it?" she asks quietly.
"Matt." the Reverend says to her.
Elizabeth opens the door to let him in. She shushes him and tells him
that Holly is sleeping. Elizabeth point across the room so they can talk without
disturbing Holly. "Thank you for coming. We haven't always shared the same idea
you and I." "Yes I know." Matt
tells her. "Now I want to join with
you. You've talked with Erica, you've studied her. And your a minister. Matt I'm
convinced that whatever Erica is, she's possessed of the devil." Matt looks at her then glances over at
Holly. "Before she corrupts my
daughter I want you to rid Erica of the devils. I want you to exorcise
her." Holly's eyes are open
listening to her mother and Matt.
Elizabeth walks over to check on her. Holly closes her eyes pretending to
be asleep. Elizabeth walks back to Matt. "Do you understand? I want you to use
your faith to fight evil." "And you
believe that evil is Erica Desmond?"
"What do you believe?" Elizabeth asks him. "I don't know. I haven't practiced my
ministry for a long time." "You did
this morning. You led the prayers for Dan." "Yes." Matt answers. "You must help me. You must help
Holly." "I have never performed the
rites of exorcism. I've never challenged the devil hand to hand." Matt tells
her. "Then you must now. Read!
There are books here on the demon. Study Reverend. If you can't help, no one
can." "Mother." Holly calls out to
Elizabeth. "For my daughter."
Elizabeth tells Matt as she walks to Holly’s side. "Sleep darling." Elizabeth
tells her brushing her hand over Holly's hair comforting
her.
Alison enters the mansion. Tim is with her. "Well did the walk
help?" Tim asks. Alison nods her
head. "I find it so hard to believe that Dan is dead. Yesterday he was trying to
leave the Island to get us some help and now." "Alison. Alison I wish I had gone
instead of him." "Tim, don't say
that. At least he's free of this place. Tim, I don't think we will ever be able
to leave this place." Alison cries out to him. Tim takes Alison by the arms. "Of course
we will. Erica's your sister. Just tell her, she'll listen." Tim says to
her. "I don't know." Alison says
pulling away. "She's not the sister I knew. Tim tell me how can a person return
from the dead?" Alison asks turning towards Tim. "I can't answer you. But everyone's
suspicious of Erica. You know that, in spite of her charm and winning ways. but
she is your sister, so just talk to her. Tell her what you feel." "Tim?" Jean Paul calls from the top of
the staircase. "Erica and I would like a word with you in our room about Erica's
portrait." "Be right up." Tim tells
him. He turns to Alison. "I'll talk to her, don't worry." Tim says holding
Alison's hand. Alison sits down
with thoughts of Dan. 'Dan, I know you're gone. And we thank you for what you
tried to do. But if you had to die I wish you were resting anyplace but
Maljardin.'
Matt is reading the books on demons and devils, taking notes. Raxl
is in the room with him. "These books are filled with evil." Raxl tells
him. "I know." Matt says as he
writes in a notebook. "I did not
know you men of God dealt in evil."
Matt stops writing. "Sometimes to conquer it we must understand it." "I do not agree. I would pray Reverend
to your God. To know evil is to let it touch you." "It is better to know your enemy than be
surprised. Raxl, a while ago you said you would help us get to the Mainland.
That Quito would take us in the boat. Can you help us now?" "I cannot. I cannot, I must obey my
Master as I've obeyed Masters in the past on Maljardin. He says you must
stay." "And Quito. Can he
help?" "He is obedient to me." Raxl
tells him. "Then I have no choice
Raxl. I must consort with demons." Matt says as he turns back to the books on
the table. "You will regret it
until the day you die." Raxl says to him.
Matt raises his head and stares straight
ahead.
Erica is sitting in a chair in her room. Jean Paul and Tim are
standing near her. "Tim, do you see how beautiful she is? Oh Darling you must
sit just like that, it's a perfect pose we must capture." say Jean Paul standing
next to Erica. "Oh Jean Paul I
don't want to pose." "Darling I
know your tired." Jean Paul looks at Tim, then walks towards him. "Tim, you have
plenty of time don't you?" "All the
time in the world. But if Erica doesn't want her portrait painted." "That's why you came to this Island, to
paint my wife." Jean Paul says to him.
"I originally came to Maljardin to paint the features of a dead woman."
Tim tells him. "Well now she is
alive, and lovelier than ever before." Jean Paul says with a smile. He turns to
Erica. "Oh darling to please me won't you agree to pose for the picture." he
asks holding the back edge of Erica's chair bending down to talk to her. "I don't want it at all. I'm tired Jean
Paul.' "Look it would only be short
sittings at your convenience." He looks at Tim. "Tim, when can you begin
sketching?" "When Erica agrees."
says Tim. "And I refuse. I really
must, after all everything everyone’s been through. A portrait, really my
darling. You must consider the feelings of your guests." "Yes, but no one needs to know my love.
We can have the sittings right here in this room. And then the portrait would be
unveiled. A Mona Lisa that would compete with all the beauties of history." Jean
Paul says smiling. Erica stands as
Jean Paul takes her hand. "I think he's far too trusting in the subject don't
you think Tim?" Erica says with a smile.
"I think you're very beautiful." Tim tells her. "Now not another word from either of
you. There will be no portrait."
"Darling I beg you. For me." Jean Paul pleads with her.' "No, you'll make me vain. You want to
enshrine me in canvas. My darling you don't need my portrait. You have me here
in your arms." she says putting her arms around Jean Paul. "Can I leave then?" Tim asks. "I mean
can I go? Can I leave the Island?"
Erica turns to Tim. "I might change my mind." Tim nods. "I see." "No he doesn't see does he
darling. He can't imagine what happiness is in store for us on the Island. I've
brought you sunshine and there are flowers growing all over the Island." Erica
says walking to the window. She turns towards Tim. "Oh Tim you can't imagine how
I love beautiful things. I will help you, inspire you to paint them. But not a
portrait of me. You see I shall grow old someday and I would be forced to look
at myself in a frozen canvas, seeing me as I was when I was young." Jean Paul walks up behind Erica and puts
his arms around her. "Darling you'll always be young." "No, sorry no. Now leave me both of you.
You've exhausted me with your begging."
"I consider myself the most fortunate of beggars." Jean Paul says as he
kisses Erica. "Tim." Erica says
holding out her hand to him. "You
are very beautiful." Tim says then kisses her hand. "Thank you. Now go. Jean Paul you must
talk to Raxl about the household and the menu. I refuse to speak to her
again." Tim looks at Erica. "You saw the dreadful woman Tim. The way
she brought down my golden bowl and waved that paper boat about. Accusing me of
goodness knows what dreadful things. You must never listen to her again Jean
Paul. Never again." "Until later my
darling." Jean Paul tells Erica clasping her hands between his own. "Until later." Erica says to him as Tim
and Jean Paul leave the room. Jean Paul turns back and kisses Erica. Erica walks across the room thinking
silently. 'Raxl it doesn't matter what you try to do to me. I shall win, you see
he loves me.' "He loves me." she says out loud.
Holly walks to Erica's bedroom door. Erica is sitting at her
dressing table brushing her hair. "Come in Holly." Holly opens the door and peers
around it. "How did you know I was here?"
"I heard your little footsteps. The same sound a child makes when he's
trying to play secret games." Erica says turning in her chair to look at Holly.
"Well come in. Shut the door."
Holly closes the door and walks towards Erica. "Erica I'm not a child.
And I'm not playing games. I know something that is very important to you." Erica stands and walks a couple of steps
towards Holly. "Then come and sit down and tell me." "No I can't sit down." "Darling there's nothing to be nervous
about. Are you afraid of me?" "No
I'm afraid for you." says Holly.
"Why should you be?" Erica asks.
"Because of something I've heard."
"Well what did you hear?"
"My mother and Matt." "Oh
the good Reverend Matt." says Erica.
"He and my mother were talking about you. And they said you were
wicked." "Wicked? You know darling
I think perhaps your mothers a little jealous because we are so fond of each
other. And we are aren't we? If I had a daughter I'd wish her to be just like
you. And if I were to live again I'd be just like you. Same silken hair, deep
eyes and youthful. Youthful just as you are." "Erica you've got to listen to me. They
said you were possessed by demons! The devil!" Holly say getting upset. "Oh how ugly. Do you believe that?" "No." "Well then I don't want to hear
anymore." Erica turns away from Holly.
"But you've got to listen! They want to perform a ritual to drive the
demons away. They want to perform an exorcism." Erica stares straight
ahead.
Jean Paul is speaking to Raxl in the Great Hall. "You are not to
speak to Mrs. Desmond. Do you understand? Never again Raxl!" Jean Paul says
angrily standing behind Raxl. "Any
order you give me I will obey but not this one." Raxl says to Jean Paul looking
back at him. "You are my
servant!" Raxl turns around to face
Jean Paul. "I have been a faithful servant to the Desmond’s for so many years
you cannot count. My loyalty is to your family and its survival. And if you do
not listen to me now you will not survive." "You are filled with foolish witchcraft
and incantations. Now you can stick to those Raxl but you must leave me
alone." "This woman came to this
Island to destroy you as she destroyed the Conjure Woman and your friend who now
lies beneath the cliffs in a grave!"
"I order you to be quiet!" Jean Paul shouts at her. "There are no grounds
for what you are saying." "I
watched her. I know the spell she used."
"Raxl!" "I saw her push your
friend under the waves!" "That is a
lie!" "I do not lie!" "I don't believe you!" Jean Paul says
angrily then walks away from Raxl. "Dan died trying to leave this Island. He
drowned in the whirlpool as many others have drowned before him." "He was murdered!" Raxl shouts at him
walking up to him. "I will not
listen to you! I love her, she has returned to me! Nothing, not even you will
take her away. Therefore I command you by the spirits of my ancestors that never
again are you to speak to anyone of this! Do you understand?" "I understand." Raxl answers him, then
bows before she starts to leave the room.
"Raxl." Jean Paul calls to her.
Raxl stops near the doorway and turns. Jean Paul walks up to her. "You will not
take action against my wife." Raxl
bows then leaves the room. Jean
Paul stands staring straight ahead. "Erica, my Erica." he
says.
Holly is asleep in her room when chimes sound in her room. Holly
grows restless. "Yes, yes I hear you. I will
obey."
Erica walks down the staircase to the Great Hall. She walks to
Jacques portrait. "Jacques speak to me. It is Erica and I need you. You've
helped me to come back to Maljardin. You whispered in my ear and told me what I
must do. But now I need you. Speak to me. Jacques the Reverend, the priest he is
going to try to free me of you and your powers and I don't want to be free of
you. I love you. But you must tell me what to do. You must speak." "Erica." Jacques voice calls out to her
in a loud whisper. "Yes, yes I hear
you." "The man of God must die. The
man of God must die." Jacques tells her.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Summaries written by Debby
Graham . The slide
presentation is the work of Ron Janick.
~Ron/Bella~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
