Episode 68: Slideshow
Laslo: "A bright autumn sun gleams through the high windows of
Desmond Hall. But as the light will deepen at the end of the day into darkness
so too will the days events deepen with mystery as another guest arrives.
Seeking to probe into the secrets of the haunted Desmond family and ancient
curses under which they live."
Raxl walks around Jean Paul's bedroom closing the drapes. She
lights a candle then clasps her hand in prayer. "Gods of the Great Serpent,
ghosts of my ancestors hear me. Though I am far away from Maljardin my Master is
in mortal danger. I feel it, I know it. Here is where his body will sleep and
his soul will rest in darkness. I pray release him from the curse that binds
him! May we all return to our home in Maljardin!" Raxl glances around the room.
"there is wickedness all around me. The powers of darkness threatens. I offer
this symbol, the accursed ring of Jacques Eloi Des Mondes. Receive it. Destroy
it!" Raxl shouts. "And with it all the evil forces of Satan! Destroy it!" Raxl
drops the ring. Jacques starts to laugh. "Destroy it!" Raxl shouts. Jacques laughs as the ring fades away.
Raxl screams covering her ears. Then she lowers her
hands.
As Jean Paul walks into the mansion from outdoors he clutches his
chest. "Quito!" he shouts. Quito
rushes in grabbing Jean Paul as he stumbles into the entryway. "I feel it. It's
like another heart pressing against my chest. Pressing the breath out of me."
The heartbeat is echoing through the hallway. Jean Paul glances up. "Quito do
you hear it? The Mark, the Mark of death." Jean Paul says pulling his glove off
looking at his hand. "Thank God, thank God." he says when there is no mark on
his hand. Quito helps him to the drawing room. Jean Paul sits down as Raxl
enters the room. "This morning I
went walking alone along the cliffs above the river. I felt that everything had
been fresh and clean. The town below, the woods and fields stretching out to the
horizon. But when I came in the door this pounding, a sound of this monstrous
heart beating in my brain. The very same terrible throbbing I felt at Maljardin.
Raxl I am no longer under the powers of the devil. The bargain was not kept. My
wife was never returned to me, but some devil woman disguised as Erica. The
bargain wasn't kept. I'm free from the devil's powers. Raxl tell me!" Jean Paul
says getting upset. Raxl is just
standing looking at him, then she turns away. "I can not say Master what I do
not know." Quito stands watching Jean Paul and Raxl nervously. "Look there is no Mark of Death on my
hand." Jean Paul says standing and shows her his hand. "I am free. No curse
Raxl!" Raxl looks at him. "I have
prayed Mater. I have petitioned the spirits that guard the Desmond family. But I
don't know. My powers grow weaker away from Maljardin. I can no longer give you
protection." "Raxl listen to me.
Maljardin is in the past." Jean Paul says walking away from Raxl and Quito. "And
everything it represents all the horror and evil is finished." he says putting
his hands against the fireplace mantel. "Why can't I live again like a free man?
Free!" "Is one ever free from the
threat of evil?" Raxl asks walking to Jean Paul. Jean Paul turns towards Raxl. "I must be
free." "We must return to
Maljardin." Raxl says to him.
"No." Raxl turns towards
Quito. "Quito go and make certain Miss Holly is in her room." Quito nods and leaves the room. Jean Paul unbuttons his coat. "Master we came here that you might
rest. But there is no rest for us or Miss Holly." After taking off his coat Jean Paul
holds it in his hand. He turns towards Raxl. "What are you saying?" "There are powers here that I do not
understand. I have tried to destroy them, remove the chains of our past but I
can not." "And Holly?" "Is in danger as are you." There is a knock at the door. "Answer
the door Raxl." Raxl nods and
leaves the room. Jean Paul reaches into his pocket and pulls out the black
pendant. Holding it in front of him he looks at it then glances
away.
Raxl answers the door. "Good morning. Sinclair, Sinclair is my
name to see Mr. Philip." "He is not
here." Raxl says then starts to close the door. Sinclair grabs the door. "It's very
important. I've got to talk to him."
"Mr. Philip is not at home." Raxl tells him. "Just tell him it's Sinclair from the
mill." Jean Paul is listening to
the conversation going on in the next room. "Sinclair is that you?" Jean Paul
calls out as he sets the pendant down on the desk.. He walks into the foyer.
"Come in, come in." "Mr. Desmond
why it is you. Why..." Sinclair says walking through the entrance. "It's been to long." Jean Paul says
shaking Sinclair's hand. "It's all right Raxl. Oh come in and sit down." Jean
Paul says to him. "Oh no I..." "Oh come everyone is welcome at Desmond
Hall." Jean Paul says to him. "Oh
not lately." "What do you
mean?" "We haven't seen hide nor
hare of Mr. Philip for many weeks. And yet his orders come down to us
regularly" "Mr. Philip has been
away." "Then why this sir?" he asks
showing Jean Paul some papers. "Orders for firing certain men. Demands for
increased production. Orders to cut lumber from areas that should never be
touched." Jean Paul walks away from
Sinclair looking over the papers.
"They are all signed by Mr. Philip." Sinclair tells him. "These are not my brothers
signatures.' "I'll take those."
Laslo says from the staircase. "Good morning Sinclair." Laslo says walking down
the staircase. "Mr. Desmond came here to rest. He shouldn't be bothered by these
matters." Laslo says taking the papers from Jean Paul. "These papers?" Jean Paul asks. "Were signed by me in your brothers
absence. All perfectly in order wouldn't you say Sinclair?" "I wouldn't know sir. The men have
been complaining that..." "We can
talk business at the mill at the proper time." Laslo says. "But these production figures." "I said at the proper time." Laslo tells
Sinclair. "Sinclair?" Jean Paul
calls to him. "Sir." "I will be down to see you as soon as I
can." Jean Paul tells him as he walks over to Laslo and Sinclair. "Thank you sir and welcome home." Jean Paul turns and walks into the
Drawing Room. Laslo turns to
Sinclair after Jean Paul has left. "How dare you come to the house. You're a
foolish old man and if you do it again..."
"Laslo." Jean Paul call to him from the next room. "Out." Laslo tells Sinclair. Sinclair leaves as Laslo walks
into the Drawing Room. Jean Paul is standing at the window with his arms crossed
looking outside. "Poor old
Sinclair, not as good as he was unfortunately.' Laslo says to Jean Paul. Jean Paul turns to Laslo. "Perhaps he is
used to being treated decently."
"Pampered. That's why he whines and complains when he is asked to do a
bit of work." "He spoke of the
other men. The town itself. My family has a responsibility to this town and the
well being of each and every person in it." Jean Paul says walking away from
Laslo. "A bit feudal isn't it? This
is not a castle Mr. Desmond. The town people are workmen not serfs." Laslo says
walking to the desk. Jean Paul
walks over to him. "Then it's about time you stopped treating them as if they
were. And also it's about time that you stopped handling the personal family
business affairs. Since I am here I shall be in charge." "If you say so Mr. Desmond so long as
you are here." "Jean Paul Desmond,
senior member of the family and responsible for everything under the Desmond
name. Do you understand?" Jean Paul says to him then starts to walk out of the
room. "And my stepson is the
youngest member of the family and heir to all it fortune. I must understand my
duty to that." Laslo says putting the papers in his hand into the desk. Jean Paul stops and turns towards Laslo.
"My brother and I intend to lead very long lives." Laslo looks at him. "Let us pray that
you will." Jean Paul walks out of
the room. "And I might say Jean
Paul Desmond you'll need every prayer you can get." Laslo says picking up the
black pendant from the desk.
In the foyer the phone rings. Cort is sitting on the stairs
working with a sheet of paper. Angrily he tears it up and stalks past the
ringing phone. Raxl walks to the phone and picks it up. "Desmond Hall." A young woman speaks to Raxl from the
other end. "Good afternoon my name is Emily Blair. I'd like to speak to Philip
Desmond please." "Mr. Desmond is
not here." "Well could you give him
this message. Tell him I'll be in Desmondton and that I'm looking forward to our
appointment this evening."
"Appointment?" Raxl asks.
"In his letter he told me to come today." "You have a letter from Mr.
Desmond?" "Yes giving me permission
to do some research on the Desmond Family history." Laslo has walked into the foyer and
stops and listens. "Permission to
come here?" Raxl asks. "Tell who
ever is calling Mr. Desmond is not in. And you'll let them know when he
returns." Laslo says to Raxl. Jean
Paul is walking down the staircase and overhears Raxl and Laslo. "Wait a minute.
What is it Raxl." Jean Paul asks as he buttons his coat. "Nothing." Laslo says to him. "The lady says she has a letter from Mr.
Philip Desmond to do research here." Raxl says to Jean Paul. "Research? Well if she has permission in
a letter..." "You do not know that
he gave permission.'' Laslo tells Jean Paul. "She has a letter." Raxl
says. "Well tell her that she can
come. If that is what Philip wishes. Now if you'll excuse me I'm going into town
to look around and talk to some people." Jean Paul says putting on his gloves.
"If you can tell the lady she could be here around 7:30 that Mr. Desmond, Mr.
Jean Paul Desmond would like to meet her." Jean Paul says as he walks out the
door. Laslo stands and stares at
the closed door as Raxl talks to Emily Blair. "Miss Blair." Raxl says. Laslo takes the telephone out of Raxl's
hand. "You may go. I'll give the lady the message." Raxl stands and stares at
him. "Do as your told!" "Always."
Raxl says then bows before stepping away.
Laslo raises the phone to his ear. "Hello Miss Blair, this is Mr.
Desmond's manager. Can you come over right away?" "Oh no. I'm afraid I couldn't do that. I
still have quite a drive to Desmondton."
"Well make it as soon as possible. Bring the letter with you." "Yes I will. Thank you." "Thank you Miss Blair." Laslo hangs up
the phone and looks away deep in thought.
Cort is outdoors working on a kite when Jean Paul walks up the
path stopping near Cort. "Cort I saw your kite all the way from the village.
It's very colorful." "Is it?" "Yes did you make it yourself?" "Yes." Cort answers. "It's very good. Well why don't we go
inside." Jean Paul opens the door and waits for Cort. "Come." Jean Paul walks in
the foyer taking off his gloves. "I think we should have a talk you and I. Get
to know each other better." Cort
closes the door. "Should we?" "Well
of course. We're cousins and of all the Desmonds your mother was always one of
my favorite relatives." Cort stands
behind Jean Paul." "Strange I understand she was what the family called a poor
relation." "No never, she was like
a sister." Jean Paul says taking his coat off. "Is that why she had to run away from
home without a penny when she married my father?" Jean Paul turns and looks at Cort. "That
was her choice and your fathers."
"Of course, that's what everybody longs for isn't? Poverty." "Cort."
"Well my fathers wishes have been fulfilled. We lived quite
frugally cousin, my mother, father and I. I can't understand why he left us, can
you?" Cort says turning and starting to walk away to the staircase. "Cort I never knew your father." Jean
Paul says walking over to Cort.
"Neither did I. But I know what if is like to be without Desmond money
cousin. And I also know it's going to be mine someday. All of it, so don't be
concerned about me. "I'm content, I wait. I have my plans. Philip fooled me once
with his false kindness. So I won't be depend on yours. I have only one
expectation concerning you. The fact that someday you'll die." Cort says then
rushes up the staircase.
Laslo is in the Drawing Room pacing back and forth. He glances at
his watch then continues pacing. A
car pulls up in front of the mansion. Laslo walks into the foyer and walks to
the front doors as Emily Blair steps up to the front door. Laslo opens the door.
"Good evening Miss Blair. Please come in."
"I'm sorry I'm so late. I came as quickly as I could." Emily walks in
looking around. "You came in good
time." Laslo tells her. "I
hope I'm not intruding. I mean I'm awfully sorry Mr. Desmond isn't here." "This way Miss Blair." Laslo shows her
into the Drawing Room. "From his
letter. I really did want to talk to him. The Desmond family has played a very
important part in the area since pre-colonial times and that's my project. The
history of this area." "You
mentioned something about a letter from Mr. Desmond? May I see it." "Oh yes of course." Emily tells Laslo
opening a leather case. She hands it to him then looks around. "Oh the books.
Excuse the greedy look in my eye but you can't imagine how long I've looked
forward to this." Emily says walking over to the bookcase. "The Desmond family
is noted for it's journals and diaries."
Laslo looks over the letter then turns to Emily. "Mr. Desmond did not
write this letter." Emily turns and
looks at him. "What?" "This letter
Miss Blair is a forgery." Emily
walks back to Laslo and glances at the letter. "I don't understand." "It's not his handwriting and it's dated
weeks after he left for his trip."
"But why would anyone do a thing like that?" Emily asks. "I live miles
away The letter was delivered by hand, here look at the envelope." she says
pulling the envelope out of the leather case. "There's no stamp, no postage
mark. It's very cruel." "Very
cruel." Laslo tells her. "Well then
does this mean I can't go ahead with my work here?" Emily asks looking
around. "I’m sorry Miss
Blair." Emily closes her leather
case. "Who would do a thing like that? And why?" "There are many strange people in the
world." "Yes apparently. I don't
suppose there is anything I can do to persuade you to change your mind?" "I'm sorry." Laslo turns to show Emily
out. Emily walks out of the Drawing
Room as Jean Paul walks down the staircase. "Well good evening. Ah the lady on
the telephone I believe." Jean Paul says stopping next to her pointing at
her. "Miss Blair, Miss Emily
Blair." she says. "How do you do
Miss Blair. I'm Mr. Desmond." "Oh
but I thought Mr. Desmond was..." Emily looks at Laslo. "Away, he is." Laslo says. "Oh yes that's my brother. Philip
Desmond I'm Jean Paul." "Pardon my
confusion but I've had a rather confusing visit." "Well I'm very sorry I wasn't here to
greet you but I wasn't expecting you till much later." Jean Paul says to Emily
as he crosses his arms. "Oh but
this gentleman..." she says looking at Laslo. "It appears that the letter Miss Blair
received was not written by Philip." Laslo says walking next to Jean Paul. "Not by Philip?" Jean Paul asks
him. "No it's not his handwriting
and it was dated long after he left for Maljardin." Emily takes a few steps towards the
door. "Excuse me." "Oh please
you're not leaving." Jean Paul says to her. "Well I don't see how I can go ahead
without Mr. Desmond's permission."
"But aren't you forgetting I am Mr. Desmond." Jean Paul says pointing to
himself. "Please." he says with a smile as he holds his arm out towards the
Drawing Room. Emily walks in front
of him. At the doorway Jean Paul turns towards Laslo. "May I have the
letter." Laslo walks towards him.
"Might as well burn it in the fire."
"May I have it!" Jean Paul demands. Laslo holds it out to him. Jean Paul takes it and closes the doors
in Laslo's face. Glancing at the letter he angrily turns towards the door. He
again looks back at the letter. "This is my brother's handwriting. But the date
is wrong. But it is definitely a letter from my brother." "I don't understand any of this but I
know one thing. I'd be very grateful if you let me use your library. You see I
have a research grant from the National Archives Society and this area is
steeped in history." Jean Paul puts
the letter inside his suit pocket then he looks at Emily. "Why I understand your house was
originally built as a fortress during the French American war. And even for a
time it was used as a monastery before your family had it. And the books, the
journals it's an enormous resource."
"Well I'm impressed that anyone is interested." says Jean Paul. "Oh I am. Do they go way back in
time?" "Oh yes indeed. Way, way
back." Jean Paul says. Emily walks
over to the bookcase. "May I? Use them, research them? I promise I won't be in
the way." Jean Paul follows Emily
to the bookcase. he nods. "You may. And you won't be." Emily touches some of the books. "Oh
look at them. All dated and bound."
Jean Paul nods. "You know I don't think anyone has ever looked at
them." Emily glances at Jean Paul.
"Well I intend to find out what's in them." She turns and faces Jean Paul.
"Thank you Mr. Desmond." Jean Paul
walks up to her crossing his arms. "My pleasure. I hope you don't mind the
dust." Emily laughs and looks back
at the bookcase. "Oh no I won't mind." she says as she bumps against a table.
She knock books to the floor.. "Oh I'm so sorry." She bends down. Jean Paul stoops down to help. "That's
all right. No problem." They pick the books together. "There we are. I'll just
put them over here." says Jean Paul. As he sets the books down a book from the
bookcase pulls itself forward by itself. "These reports, I think you'll find in
the library there will be a number of records." The book from the bookcase tumbles to
the floor. Emily turns and picks it up.
"I wonder where that came from?" Jean Paul asks taking the book from
Emily. "How very peculiar." Jean
Paul glances through the book as Emily stands up. Oh look someone scribbled on
this page." Emily bends down. "Let
me see. What does it say?" Jean
Paul hands her the book. Emily kneels with it. "It's a poem." says Emily. "Well you're the researcher why don't
you read it." says Jean Paul. "It's
signed by Philip Desmond." "Oh?
What does it say?" "It says if ever
my voice should be closed in stone and my two lips sealed in sand I will find
ways to call to you with the near and distant hand." "Well he must have scribbled that in
there some time ago." says Jean Paul.
"Oh no, I think the writing is very fresh."
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Summaries written by Debby
Graham . The slide
presentation is the work of Ron Janick.
~Ron/Bella~
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