Episode 76: Slideshow
Laslo: "Storm clouds gather over Desmond Hall and once again
thunder rolls through the corridors of the Great House. Flashes of lightening
illuminate its walls as if the elements of nature were raging against the evil
on the earth. For in one room of the Great House a man has disappeared. Driven
into the night by a curse, a curse that compels him to kill. And near the Great
House there are those who would call to the powers of darkness and an innocent
young girl will be their instrument of death."
In Irene's cottage the members of the coven sit at the table
waiting for their missing member. Irene stands and walks to the fireplace. "What time is it?" Waldo asks. "Close to midnight." Irene says glancing
at the clock on the fireplace mantel.
"We can't wait much longer." says Mr. Pruett. "I know." Irene looks back at them. The
door opens and Laslo walks in. "Oh Laslo where have
you been?" Irene asks. "I had to
wait till Ada fell asleep." Laslo says taking off his coat. "Is everything
ready?" "Yes." "The girl, is she properly
prepared?" "She has submitted to my
will completely. She will follow all of my instructions." Irene tells him. "Good." Laslo says looking at
Holly. "It isn't right." Mr. Pruett
says. "She should have come to us willingly. You should have taken the time to
prepare her." "There wasn't
time. We must complete the coven tonight." Irene says. "I still don't believe it's right."
"We don't have time to argue. Let's begin." Laslo says. Irene and Laslo
take their seats. Irene stands and picks up the chalice. She places it in front
of Laslo. Laslo adds his blood to it.
Irene picks it up then holds it up in front of her then places it in
front of Holly. "We will begin the ritual with you Waldo." Waldo stands and lights one of the black
candles then sets it in back on the table. The other members pick up an unlit
candle. They light them from Waldo's candle. Placing them back they take their
seats. Irene picks up the last unlit candle. "Take this." she tells Holly. Holly holds it in her hands. "Light it." Holly stands and lights it. "Place it with the others." Holly does
as she is told. "Return to your place. Holly sits down. "I will build the
house." Irene says gathering the cards. She starts building a house of cards in
the golden bowl. "This house, this house of fire we pledge to dwell in it
forever." "Forever." the coven
repeats. "All of us." Irene says as
she picks up the matches and sets the cards on fire. Irene walks to her seat and
sits down. "Let us join hands."
They join hands with Waldo grasping Holly's hand. "Spirits of the night
hear us." Irene says. "Those that
dwell in the darkness hear us calling to you." Laslo says . "Hear us." they repeat. "Let us know you hear us. Give us a
sign." Irene says. The window blows open.
"The wind , the cold." says Mrs. Pruett. The fireplace ignites a log in flames.
"You have heard us. You are with us in this room." Irene
says.
Back at Desmond Hall Raxl is looking out the window in the Drawing
Room. Ada rushes in. "Raxl." "Mrs.
Thaxton." Raxl walks over to her. "I thought you were asleep?" "I was but the storm woke me. Have you
seen my husband?" "No." "Well did you see him earlier? Did he
say anything about going out?" Ada asks as she walks a few steps away from Raxl
then turns back. "I haven't seen
him at all this evening." "Is Jean
Paul asleep?" "Yes." "Perhaps I better wake him." Ada steps
forward. "Why?" Raxl asks grabbing
Ada's arm. "Well when the storm
started I went to close my windows and I saw a man crossing the grounds." "A man?" Raxl asks. "I couldn't see who it was but I saw a
figure and he was running towards the woods." "Well it must have been your
imagination. The storm and the lightening play tricks on ones eyes." Raxl says
with a smile. "No it was real. I
saw something. I'd feel much better if Jean Paul searched the grounds. Ada says
walking away from Raxl. "I'll tell
Quito to do it. Mrs. Thaxton I wish you wouldn't disturb Mr. Desmond. He has
great difficulty in sleeping and I've just given him something to make him
sleep. So if you disturb him he may not sleep the rest of the night." "Perhaps it was foolish of me, but well
he was running away rather than towards the house. Just the same I..." Outside
the dogs start howling and barking. "Listen." "I hear." Raxl says. "Why are the dogs howling?" "Perhaps the storm has frightened
them." "I have a strange feeling. A
feeling that something terrible is about to happen!" Ada says putting her hand
on Raxl's shoulder as she stands behind Raxl in fear. Thunder
crashes.
Back in Irene's cottage. "Those who are with us remain with us and
witness our final rite." Irene says.
The group stands still holding hands. They raise their arms above their
heads then lower them. Releasing hands they sit back down. Irene walks to Holly. "Holly step
forward." Holly stands and steps
next to the table. Irene picks up a candle. "Look into the flame. Do not take
your eyes from it. Do you understand?"
"I understand." says Holly.
"Repeat what I say. Repeat every word. I will join with the powers of
darkness." "I will join with the
powers of darkness." "I will close
and complete the circle of fire."
Again Holly repeats the words.
"I will be a bride of darkness ."
"I will be a bride of darkness." Holly repeats. "Accept me and claim me throughout
eternity." Irene says. "Accept me
and claim me throughout eternity." Holly repeats. Irene sets the candle down and picks up
the chalice. "Drink from the chalice."
Holly takes it in her hands and drinks from it. "Drain it." Irene tells her. Holly
finishes it and Irene takes the chalice from her. She holds the chalice out from
herself. "Spirits who attend us our blood is now mingled with the blood of this
child. Let us know you accept her. Spirits of the damned cry out to us. Let us
hear your voices." Moans and
screams fill the room. Irene sets
the chalice down. "We have heard you, signify now that the ceremony is over.
That the circle is completed. Give us a sign." Thunder rumbles as the candles blow
out. "It is done. She is one of us
now." Irene says.
In the town of Desmondton a girl waits next to one of the closed
stores for the storm to let up as Jean Paul walks up. "Oh hello. I didn't hear you come up."
she says to him. "Hello." Jean Paul
says staring at her. "The storm has
let up for a minute. I was just about to go home." "Were you?" Jean Paul asks. "You're new in town aren't you? You must
be. I mean I would have remembered you if I had seen you before. My name is
Crystal." "Crystal." Jean Paul says
staring at her as the heartbeat gets louder. "At least that's what people call me."
She glances up at the sky. "We better get inside before it starts raining." she
says as thunder and lightening crash. "I live near here. Would you like to come
up to my place?" she asks walking closer to Jean Paul. "No, no go away!" Jean Paul says looking
away from her. "What?" "I said go away!" Jean Paul says turning
his back to her. "Who do you think
you are talking to me that way?" she says angrily. "Answer me!" Jean Paul slowly turns towards her. "Who do you think you are?" she again
says to him. Jean Paul stares at
her. "Why don't you say something?
Why are you staring at me like that ? What's the matter with you?" Jean Paul raises his hands and looks at
them. He walks towards her. "What
are you doing? Stay away from me!" she says backing away. Jean Paul comes closer to her. "I said stay away from me!" He reaches for her throat as she
screams. Irene and Laslo stand next
to Holly. "Instruct the girl. Tell her what she must do." Laslo says to
Irene. "Holly, look at me." Holly turns her head towards Irene. "You will hear my words and you will
remember everything that I say. Not in your conscious mind but beyond that. Deep
in your unconscious mind you will remember." "I will remember." Holly repeats. "Someone must die." "Someone must die." Holly repeats. "And you will be the instrument of his
death." "The instrument of death."
Holly says. "You will leave this
house in the morning and return to Desmond Hall. There is something you must do
there." "I will do what must be
done." "I will give you these
flowers." Irene picks up a vase of roses. "You will take them with you to
Desmond Hall. There you will give a flower to the one who is doomed to die. You
will give him a single red rose."
"A single red rose." Holly says.
"You will not know who you are seeking but you will find him. My hand
will guide you." Irene says putting the vase of flowers back on the mantel of
the fireplace. "Tell me that you understand." "I understand." "Good, it will be done." Irene says to
Laslo. "Splendid." Laslo says
quietly. "Laslo you had better
leave. When Holly awakens she mustn't find out you were in the house
tonight." "Al right." replies
Laslo. "Should the rest of us go?"
Mrs. Pruett asks. "No the rest of
you must stay here. When Holly awakens everything must seem as it was before she
went into the trance. You must make her feel that only a moment has passed, all
of you. I'll see you to the door Laslo" Irene says walking with Laslo to the
door. Laslo picks up his coat. "So
the coven exists once again." "And
a spell has been cast." Irene tells him.
"And Jean Paul Desmond will join his beloved brother in death." Laslo
says putting his coat on.
In Desmond Hall Raxl stands looking out the window in Jean Paul's
bedroom. Hearing someone at the door she walks across the room. Jean Paul
enters. "It has happened again?"
Raxl asks. "Yes." Jean Paul says
looking away from her. "A girl, she's dead." He lowers his head. "Where did it happen?" "On the docks." "Is the body still there?" Jean Paul shakes his head no. "No, in
the river. After I strangled her she fell backwards into the water." "Are you quite certain she's dead?" Jean Paul nods. "Yes." He walks across
the room and sits on his bed. "Who
was she? Did you know her?" Jean
Paul shakes his head no. "I can't, I can't remember her name even though she
told me her name. I can't remember much of what happened. It all seemed to have
happened in a dream. A terrible nightmare. And I'm only just waking up from it
now. But it was real." He looks at Raxl. "Why are you protecting me?" "Because you are Jean Paul
Desmond." "I am a murderer!" "It is not you who kills. It's the evil
force that controls you." "I can
not help myself! And I must be destroyed! Before I can destroy others
again!" "We will find a way to end
the curse." "There is no way." Raxl kneels in front of him taking
his hand in hers. "Oh there must be and we will find it." Jean Paul lowers his head in
misery.
In the cottage Irene and the others straighten the room. "Is
everything as it was?" Irene asks.
"I believe so." Waldo says.
"Turn on the light. William the music. Now one final touch." Irene says
turning back the clock one hour. "Holly come to me." Holly stands and walks to
Irene. "Look into the fire. Deep into the fire." The others in the room sit down as Irene
calls Holly's name again. "Irene?"
Holly says looking at her. "My you
were lost in thought." "Was
I?" "You seemed to be a million
miles away." Holly turns around.
"When did the storm start?" "A
moment ago. Didn't you hear it?"
"No." Holly says. "Are you
enjoying yourself?" "Yes thank you
very much." Holly says as she and Irene walk back to the others in the
room.
In his room Jean Paul sits with his head lowered. "Can you speak now?" Raxl asks
quietly. Jean Paul raises his head.
"Yes." "Did anyone see you with the
girl?" "No." Jean Paul says shaking
his head. "You're certain?" "Yes, the street was deserted." Raxl stands. "I must find a way to help
you." "There is no way to help
me." "We will protect you, Quito
and I." Jean Paul looks at Raxl.
"You tried to protect me tonight, you failed." "But we will not fail again. There is
one way we cannot fail. There is a room, a secret room in the basement of this
house where the ancient Desmond archives are sealed. When the evil star is in
its ascendancy again we will take you there. We will lock you in the room and
Quito will guard you. You cannot escape from us again." "In the mean time I will live with what
I have done." "Yes you will live
and I will live to try to break this curse." "I have a feeling it will never be
broken." Jean Paul stands. "I have a feeling that I will live with this curse
for the rest of my life." Jean Paul says then he slowly walks to the
window. The next morning Ada is in
the Drawing Room pouring a cup of coffee when Jean Paul walks in. He walks
across the room without seeing Ada.
"Oh Jean Paul good morning."
"Good morning." Jean Paul says as he turns around. "Are you feeling better?" "Why shouldn't I be?" Ada stares at him. "Of course." Jean Paul says with a smile
as he walks over to Ada. "Ah my many moods. Please don't pay any attention to
me." "Jean Paul I want you to know
how very pleased I am to have you here."
"Thank you Ada. I do appreciate it." "Will you have some coffee?" "Oh yes." Jean Paul glances down at the
newspaper on the table. The headline reads Girl Brutally Murdered. A picture of
Crystal is under it. "What are you
looking at?" Ada asks. She looks down. "Oh that. It's terrible isn't it." She
passes Jean Paul a cup of coffee.
"Yes." Jean Paul says holding the cup. "Who could have done such a thing?" Laslo walks in. "Good morning Jean Paul.
Ada my dear." "Good morning." Ada
answers. She looks at Jean Paul. "Jean Paul aren't you going to drink your
coffee?" "What?" Jean Paul looks at
her then away. "No, no I don't believe I want it. I think I'll go to my room."
He sets the cup down on the table.
"Is anything wrong?" Ada asks touching his hand. "No, I just have a slight headache
that's all. Excuse me." Jean Paul says then walks from the room. "Every time I come into a room your
cousin seems to leave it." Laslo says as he fixes a cup of coffee. "You heard him. He has a headache." "What a shame." "Laslo where were you last night?" Ada
asks turning towards him. "Last
night?" "Yes I woke up during the
night and you were gone. Where were you?"
"I was restless. I couldn't sleep so I took a drive. I wanted a long
drive and I went." "Are you telling
me the truth?" "Ada I will not be
cross examined!" Laslo says angrily as he sets his coffee cup down . "If I want
to leave this house I will leave this house!" He walks over to her. "I will not
be made to account for every minute of my time. I thought that was our
understanding." "I understand
Laslo. I understand perfectly." Irene says as she turns away from Laslo. Laslo walks over to the table he picks
up the newspaper and looks at the front page.
In his room Jean Paul covers his face with his hands standing at
the window. Turning he lowers his hands and stares at them. He angrily clenches
his hands into fists and slams them against his legs. There is a knock at the door and the
door opens. "Good morning." Holly says carrying in a vase of roses. "Holly!" Jean Paul walks over to her.
"What are you doing here? I thought you were staying with Irene Hatter for a few
days?" Holly smiles as she puts the
vase down. "I was but I decides to cut my visit short." "For any particular reason?" "I wanted to be with you." "I thought you were angry with me?" Jean
Paul says to her. "I was. But I
decided that was foolishness."
"What made you decide that?"
"I don't know. I just did."
"I'm glad you did." "Look I
brought you some roses to brighten up your room." Holly says turning to the
vase. "It was very thoughtful of
you." "This one is reserved for
your lapel." She turns and shows him the rose.. "You know something Jean
Paul?" "What's that?" "Somehow I feel close to you now. Closer
than I ever did before." Jean Paul
smiles at Holly.
In her cottage Irene calls to Holly. "Holly there is one you must
seek out. You will seek him out and find him. You will give him the red rose and
from this day foreword he will be marked for death." Holly puts the rose in his lapel.
"There."
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Summaries written by Debby
Graham . The slide
presentation is the work of Ron Janick.
~Ron/Bella~
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