Episode 69:
Slideshow
Laslo: "Over the low hills that border Desmond Hall
thickening clouds and wind advance the dark night with the threat of storms. And
as the clouds move close to the town of the ancient house they seem to bring
with them a growing fear that should have vanished in the flames of
Maljardin."
In Holly's room Raxl closes the windows against the wind. She sees
a note, picks it up then reads it.
"Holly, Holly." Jean Paul calls opening the door to Holly's
room. "She has gone down to the
village." Raxl tells him. Jean Paul
enters and closes the door. "Did Quito go with her?" "No she went alone. She left this note."
Raxl says handing the note to Jean Paul.
He opens it and reads it. "Pay a call. Well on
whom? The only person she knows in Desmondton is Irene." "Then you approve?" Raxl asks. "Well Irene is a very old friend." "I hope so Master." Raxl turns and looks
out the window. "There is a storm rising. I don't like the sound of the wind.
Ugly clouds crossing the moon." Raxl turns to Jean Paul. "Have you noticed the
star?" "The star?" "The only one
visible. It burns alone in the sky. Red like fire and it seems to pulsate like a
living heart." Raxl says turning away from the window. "Oh I fear Master. It is
a sign of danger." "Danger to
whom?" "To everyone under this roof
tonight. Especially to you Master. It speaks of death." Jean Paul walks to the window and looks
out. He sees the star and stares at it. Thunder
starts crashing. "You must beware
tonight Master." Raxl says. "Mr.
Desmond.." Emily calls out. There is a pounding coming from downstairs. Jean Paul looks at Raxl. "What was
that?" "I do not know." Raxl tells
him. Jean Paul leaves the room as
Raxl once again looks out the
window.
Emily stands in the foyer, someone is knocking at the
door." Mr. Desmond." Emily again
calls out. "Somebody." Jean Paul
walks down the staircase. "Miss Blair?"
"There's knocking at the door. I didn't know if I should answer it or
not." "It's not a very pleasant
evening. "I'll answer it." Jean Paul walks to the door and opens it. "Well it's about time...Oh you must be
Jean Paul Desmond." A young woman stands in the doorway. "I didn't expect, you
know a personal meeting." "Come
in." Jean Paul says. She enters the foyer as Jean Paul closes the door. "It's so chilly and dark." she says to
Jean Paul. "I'm sorry you were kept
waiting." The woman steps forward.
"You're a gentleman like..." she stops when she sees Emily. Jean Paul steps forward. "Oh Miss Emily
Blair, Miss?" "Oh I'm Annie
Harrigan. Miss Annie Harrigan." She says walking to Emily "Hello." "Hello Miss Harrigan. Well if you'll
excuse me Mr. Desmond I'll go back to my work." Emily walk back to the Drawing
Room. Annie turns to Jean Paul.
"You are Mr. Jean Paul Desmond aren't you?" "I am." "Does she work for you that one?" "Oh no she's just studying here." Jean
Paul says with a smile. "Well
that's a relief. You see I came to see Laslo. He knows me where I work and I was
hoping I could get a job. You know work here. Because you're here you know with
all your friends and everything."
"Yes." Jean Paul says. "So
there must be a lot of work here." Annie says walking away a few steps. "And
Laslo knows the kind of work I do and so forth. I'm a waitress." Jean Paul smiles. "I doubt we have any
need for a waitress Miss Harrigan.
"Annie. Oh I do other things. Open the doors and even house work if the
house is nice enough." She says as Raxl walks down the staircase. Jean Paul sees Raxl. "Well my
housekeeper manages most of the work."
"Can I see Laslo." Annie asks quietly. "Raxl will you announce that Miss
Harrigan is here." Raxl bows and
walks away. Jean Paul and Annie watch her walk away. "Wow but I do want to work here. I
really admire Mr. Philip. He uses to come into the cafe and he always seemed
like such a gentleman. Like I'm sure you are. You're married though aren't you?"
Jean Paul stops smiling. "No I, my wife died." "I'm sorry. I mean we all have to have
somebody you know. Oh boy this is such a beautiful house and everything." Annie
says happily. "The stairs and the pictures. Oh I know there are some people who
say it's spooky but I always knew it would be beautiful." Laslo steps into the foyer. "Oh good
evening. I did not know we were expecting you Miss Harrigan." "I just decided to drive up here that's
all. Mr. Desmond has been very nice to me." Jean Paul walks over to them.. "Annie’s
been looking for employment. Perhaps Ada could use some help." "I'm almost certain she couldn't." Laslo
says. "Annie turns to Jean Paul.
"It's okay you don't have to stay around. I can handle this myself." "Well it's been a pleasure meeting you
Annie." Jean Paul says shaking her hand.
"Thanks. Thanks a lot." Jean
Paul walks away. Laslo grabs Annie
by the arm. "What are you doing here?"
"You said someday you would get me a job here." Annie says pulling away
from Laslo. "I don't recall
it." "I guess there are a lot of
things you don't want to recall."
"I want you to leave now."
"Who's Ada?"
"My wife." Laslo says to her.
"I guess we don't want to see her do we? Or maybe I should see her alone
sometime." "Get out. If you come
back here I will not be responsible for what happens to you." he says grabbing
her arm and forcing her to the door.
Annie again pulls away. "You promised." Laslo walks by her and holds the door
open. "Please go I will see you again I promise." "You better." she says walking to the
door, she turns to Laslo. "Oh say goodnight to my friend Mr. Desmond for me.
Tell him you'll be seeing me." She turns and walks away. Laslo closes the door, then walks to the
Drawing Room and puts his ear against the doors eavesdropping on Jean Paul and
Emily.
Jean Paul and Emily are looking through some of the books. Jean
Paul is standing and Emily is sitting at the desk. Thunder and lightening crash
outside. "I really must go before the storm breaks." Emily tells Jean Paul. "I
have to show you something first." she says turning the pages of a book. Jean
Paul glances at Emily. "That is if I can find it. It's a picture of you." "Of me Miss Blair?" Emily smiles at him. "Is it too soon to
ask you to call me Emily? Miss Blair sounds so much like a Head Mistress of a
forbidding girls school. Here it is." Emily picks up the book. "Did you know you
look exactly like one of your ancestors?"
Jean Paul looks at her then down at the book. The lights go out. "Oh dear
the electricity. Just a moment." Jean Paul says lighting a candle. "There that's
better." Emily moves the candle
closer to the book. "You see." Jean
Paul looks down at the picture then looks away. Jacques laughter echoes in the
room. The picture is of Jacques Eloi Des Mondes. Jean Paul stares straight
ahead. "What is it? What's the
matter?" Emily asks. Jean Paul lets
out a deep breath. "I'm aware to my resemblance to Jacques Eloi des
Mondes." "Did I do something
wrong?" "He is not one of my
favorite ancestors." "Oh." Emily
says looking down. "It's a personal
preference that's all. Well since the power is off it looks like you won't be
able to do much more work tonight." Jean Paul tells her closing the book with
Jacques picture in it. "As much as
I hate to, I must be leaving." Emily says standing up. Raxl walks in with a candelabra. "Is
everything all right Master? I brought you some candles." "Oh then you can help Miss Blair find
her things she's leaving." "There's
a power failure throughout the town. From the upper windows there is nothing but
darkness." Raxl says to him. Jean
Paul looks at Emily. "Then you must stay."
"Master." "Raxl
prepare the proper room." "You're
very kind but I can find my way out I'm sure." "No. Not on a night like tonight. It's
must too dangerous driving along those cliffs." He turns to Raxl. "Raxl will you
prepare a room for Miss Blair."
"Thank you Jean Paul." "For
you Mademoiselle." Raxl says handing Emily the candelabra. "I shall follow
it." "Goodnight." Emily says to
Jean Paul. "Sleep well." Raxl waits until Emily steps out of the
room before facing Jean Paul. "I have warned you Master of the evil that will
happen here tonight. The evil star it has appeared." Jean Paul walks to the window and looks
out. He turns. "Raxl." She has left the room. Turning back to the window Jean
Paul opens the window. The wind blows as he looks at the pulsating star. Thunder
and lightening crash outside as he hears the heartbeat. Jean Paul covers his
ears and turns from the window. "No! No! That's in the past, it's over, it's
done gone!" He shouts. "It's done." he says lowering his hands and turning to
the window to close it. "Do you
enjoy thunderstorms?" Laslo asks walking into the room. "I didn't see you. When did you come
in?" "Just now, did I frighten
you?" Laslo asks. "No." "I brought you a light. It will probably
be morning before the power is fixed in town. That's the trouble with these
village people, they don't know how to work. I sent the girl away, the Harrigan
girl." "She seemed eager enough to
work." "Well she's not the kind of
person you would want in Desmond Hall. She has a poor reputation in town if you
know what I mean. I wouldn't want that sort of woman near Ada, so I sent her on her
way. Which is what I wished you had done with the other young lady. I understand
she is staying the night. The Blair woman." Laslo says. Jean Paul is staring straight ahead.
Then he turns and looks at Laslo. "Yes, yes she's staying the night. In her
letter Philip invited her to stay as long as her research was necessary. I think
we should follow Philip's wishes." Jean Paul says walking away from Laslo. "I don't think that would be wise. Just
as it isn't wise to allow her to rummage through the Desmond Family
archives." "It's hardly rummaging
through . This is a serious research."
"Into your family secrets." Laslo says. "What do you mean family secrets?" Laslo walks around the room. "Every
family has secrets that should stay hidden." "I'm tired of secrets. Hiding and fear."
says Jean Paul walking towards Laslo.
Laslo has stopped at the desk and is looking through one of the books on
the desk. "You know there are secrets that should remain hidden." says
Laslo. "Nothing should remain
hidden unless you have something to hide Laslo." Laslo looks at Jean Paul. "Me? No I'm
not a Desmond." "What do you
mean?" "I mean that even so
distinguished a family have certain things in its past that should remain hidden
where they belong in these books."
"Books are meant to be read. And Emily has my permission to research here
as long as she wishes without anyone interfering. Is that understood?" "Of course if you've made up your mind."
Laslo says to Jean Paul. "I
have." "Anything you say Jean Paul.
Goodnight." Laslo says picking up the lamp. "Goodnight." Laslo turns. "You're not coming to
bed?" "No, I think I'll sit and
watch the fire." "Goodnight." Laslo
tells him and walks out of the room.
Jean Paul turns towards the desk. The book turns its pages to Jacques
picture. Jean Paul walks to the desk and looks at the picture. The Mark of Death
has appeared on it. Jean Paul glances up in torment. He shakes his head. "No!"
he screams and covers his ears with his hands. He turns and rushes to the window
and opens it looking at the star. "No!" Reaching out he closes the window and
locks it. He turns away. "No, no! I won't let it happen. I won't let it happen,
I won't let the mark soil my hand like it did the last time. I will not kill! I
will not kill again!" Jean Paul says fighting against the curses influence. He
looks at his hands, they have no mark, he turns and walks over to the fireplace
and leans against the mantel looking into the flames. "The fire, the fire on
Maljardin was to have destroyed it all. It was destroyed!" Jean Paul says.
"Jacques has no power over me, nor the devil who controls him and sealed me with
the mark! I reject him! I defy him! I am a free man! Free." Jean Paul lays his
head on the mantel in misery. He raises his head and walks towards the desk.
Reaching out he opens the book then slams it shut. Picking it up he holds it
over his head to hurl it into the fireplace. Raxl rushes over to Jean Paul. "No
Master." she says grabbing his arm. "It will do no good." Jean Paul lowers his arm and looks at
Raxl. "I will burn every trace of Jacques Eloi Des Mondes in the world. Every
picture, every letter, every memory he has left to me." "And still it will not destroy him nor
Satan who commands him. Master rest, I know the forces that are trying to reach
you and we will fight them together you and I." Jean Paul walks away from Raxl and sits
down tiredly in a chair and throws the book to the floor. "We will keep vigil through the night.
So long as this star of evil shines through the clouds. We will stand guard
together. I will stand guard with you."
Jean Paul shakes his head. "I don't want this. I'm not spending my life
fighting a curse I don't deserve. I don't deserve this!" Jean Paul says looking
up at Raxl. "What living man
deserves the curse that befalls him.
Master they are all asleep. No one knows about this but you and I. You
must go to your room and lock the door. I will send Quito to stand guard. We
will light up the room with candle light so that it would seem like day and blot
out the star. And I shall send forth curses against the beating heart of
Satan." Jean Paul is falling asleep
in the chair. Raxl looks at him. "Master listen to me." "It's hopeless. I'm tired." "You must fight." "Leave me alone Raxl. I must be
alone." Raxl kneels down next to
Jean Paul. "Master heed me, If you submit and the Mark of Death appears on your
hand you'll be controlled by the forces of hell. And the heart beat will grow
louder and louder and louder! Until you Kill!" "Alone, I must fight this thing alone!"
Jean Paul tells Raxl. "Now leave me
be Raxl. I said go!" Raxl stands.
"I obey Master. But may the Gods protect you." Raxl leaves the room. Jean Paul sits in the chair with his
eyes closed. Opening his eyes he reaches for the book and picks it up. "Die
Jacques Eloi Des Mondes and take all your devils with you!" He stands and throws
the book into the flames. It falls out. Again Jean Paul throws it into the fire.
Jacques laughter echoes around the room. Jean Paul raises his head. Over Jacques
laughter he hears someone knocking at the door. He picks up a candle and tiredly
leaves the room and walks to the front door and opens it.. "Mr. Desmond I'm so glad it's you."
Annie says walking in. Jean Paul closes the door. "I kept knocking but nobody
came. I was hoping it would be you that answered the door." "It's me Annie." "You see my car got stuck along the
cliff road near that old Gate House. I tried to fix it but I don't know anything
about cars. Could you help me? I... Come with me." She says taking his arm
leading him outside. "Maybe we can see it from here when the lightening
comes." Jean Paul stands and stares
at the star. He tries fighting it's influence. Jean Paul turns towards
Annie. "Mr. Desmond? I thought a
Desmond like you would help me and when the car is fixed maybe I could drive you
into town and we could have a drink or something. You and me." Jean Paul smiles. "I'll help you Annie.
Come." He leads Annie away. Back in
the Drawing Room Jacques laughter fills the air. The picture from the book lays
on the floor. It light on fire and burns..
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Summaries written by Debby
Graham . The slide
presentation is the work of Ron Janick.
~Ron/Bella~
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