Episode 77: Slideshow
Raxl: "Desmond Hall the ancient mansion which autumn sunlight can
not warm. For beneath its towers of stone a chilling evil spreads, an evil which
has forced Jean Paul Desmond to kill yet another innocent victim. While he
himself has been marked for death by a coven of witches in the service of the
prince of evil Satan. Desmond Hall where dark danger lurks even in the most
beautiful of flowers, the rose."
In the Drawing Room Emily picks up a vase of roses and smells
them. Picking out one she holds it to her face, Jean Paul walks in. "What are
you doing?" he asks with a smile.
"I'm appreciating the roses. They have such a sweet smell it's
almost like a velvet cloud that covers the whole room. I didn't mean to disturb
them." Emily says with a smile as she puts the rose back in the vase. "Well why don't you take one. Holly
brought them home and gave me a boutonniere." "Oh it's lovely. May I really?"
Emily asks. "Of
course. Listen I'll do the honors." He reaches for the vase. "They look so freshly picked. Where did
they come from this time of the year?"
"Oh Irene Hatter has a green house where she grows the most amazing
things." Jean Paul says snapping a flower from the vase. "Here we are." "Would you? No wait the smell will make
me absolutely dizzy. I want to wear it in my hair." Jean Paul smiles at her. "I'm being foolish." Emily says with a
grin. "No." Jean Paul laughs.
"You've been so serious since the day you arrived it's about time you did
something giddy." Jean Paul reaches up to Emily's hair with the
rose. Emily stops him. "Jean Paul?" "You're a very lovely girl." "Your hand is covered with blood." Jean Paul drops the rose and looks at
his hand. "No it can't be. There was no blood." He looks up. "There was no
blood." "Give me your hand." says
Emily. Jean Paul looks at her. "Let me see. Give me your hand." Jean Paul lets her take his hand in
hers. "You were scratched by a thorn from the roses." Emily says wiping his hand
with a tissue. "That's all. There's nothing to be upset about." Emily looks up
at him with a smile. "That's it. A
thorn." Jean Paul looks at her.
"You have very fine hands. They are the hands of a ..." Jean Paul
pulls his hand away. "Of a what?"
"I was going to say a very sensitive person. Jean Paul what is it? I've
watched you since I came here, changing from a man who seems reasonably content
and hopeful to someone who is terribly upset and afraid. Afraid of what?" Emily
asks. "Good morning cousin." Cort
says from the doorway. "I hope I didn't interrupt you." Cort walks into the room
to the couch. "I was wondering, are you finished with the newspaper?" He asks
sitting down. Are there no items of particular interest?" Cort asks with the
page of the murder facing him. Jean
Paul and Emily stand and look at Cort. "Then I'll use it for my work. I think
I'll make a tree. A gallows tree."
Jean Paul walks to the couch. "Why don't you take the newspaper and make
whatever you want of it." "Then you
don't object to my project? I got my inspiration from the newspaper. There was a
murder in Desmondton last night."
"A murder?" Emily says.
"Well it wasn't anything world shaking. It was just a little trollop that
was found strangled in the river."
Emily takes the paper from Cort. "Did you read about it cousin."
Cort asks turning towards Jean Paul. Walking a few steps away from Cort Jean
Paul answers. "Yes." Cort stands.
"Murder this week, a disappearance the week before. And both girls that were
involved were of doubtful reputation. If this continues Desmondton is going to
be cleansed of all its doubtful characters. I have a feeling that the powers of
virtue have been overjoyed." Cort says walking up to Jean Paul. "What a dreadful thing to say." Emily
says angrily. "A fact is a fact
Miss Blair." Cort says turning to look at her. He turns back to Jean Paul.
"Don't you agree cousin?" "I don't
think I wish to discuss this." Jean Paul says turning towards Cort. "I think you had better." "Why?" "Because you are involved." Jean Paul stares at Cort.
Someone knocks on the outside door. They keep pounding on it until
Raxl enters the foyer and answers it.
Quito rushes through the door. "Quito!" Raxl says closing the door.
"Quito what is it? You look frightened."
Quito stands with his hands near his face looking around the room. "Tell me what happened to you. Try to
tell me." Raxl says to him. "Raxl!"
Jean Paul calls from the doorway of the Drawing Room. "What is it?" "It's Quito he's frightened and
exhausted as if someone is pursuing him."
Quito nods his head. "He's
just returned Master after being out all night searching for you." Raxl tells
Jean Paul. Jean Paul walks over to
Quito and touches his shoulder and hand. "Quito listen to me. I escaped last
night, I know but it was not your fault. What ever has happened you are not to
blame. Do you understand?" Quito
holds out his hands then grips them in a strangling motion. Then pounds on his
chest. "No Quito no, you didn't
kill anyone. You didn't harm anyone."
Quito gets more upset and agitated as he pounds on his chest. "No Quito no!" Jean Paul tells him. "Jean Paul?" Cort calls from the Drawing
room doorway. "Raxl take Quito
upstairs. He needs to rest. Go now." Jean Paul tells Raxl Quito rushes up the
staircase in front of Raxl. "What
do you want?" Jean Paul asks Cort as he walks over to him. "I thought you might be interested in my
news of the murder." Cort holds his arm out towards the Drawing Room allowing
Jean Paul to enter first. "The atmosphere in the town this morning is hardly
gratitude for the murder of the girl. Her name was Crystal. Crystal Snow. I
think it was a very pretty name." Cort tells Jean Paul and Emily. Jean Paul turns around and looks at
Cort. "Cort! Say what you have to say."
Cort walks to the table. "I'm going to take this newspaper and I'm going
to make a paper mache gallows tree. Then I'm going to hang one Crystal in a form
of a tear drop. Don't you find that appropriately touching?" "I think it's ghoulish." Emily tells
him. "Jean Paul he says that the townspeople think they know who the murderer
is." "They do?" asks Jean
Paul. "He's a residence of this
house. Your servant Quito." Cort says to Jean Paul. "Quito? They suspect him of
murder?" "Oh not only do they
suspect him but they are going to take action on it." Cort tells him. "What kind of action?" Jean Paul
asks. "But you know him. Do you
think he could do something like this?" Emily asks Jean Paul. "What sort of action Cort?" "Mob action dear cousin." Cort says then
sits on the couch. "Emily find
Raxl, tell her I want to see her at once." Jean Paul tells Emily. "Yes I will." Emily walks towards the
doorway. "Emily?" "Yes." She turns towards Jean Paul. "I know that Quito is innocent." "So do I." Emily says then she leaves
the room. "I admire your trust in
Quito." Cort says to Jean Paul.
"It's not a matter of trust. I know." Jean Paul says walking over to
Cort. "Well then I advise you to
share your knowledge with the townspeople. He was seen roaming the streets last
night. And between you and me he's not a very attractive wanderer." "I would prefer if you said nothing
about this anymore Cort." Jean Paul walks over to the fireplace, he turns facing
Cort. "I will provide for Quito."
"In the typical Desmond generosity?" "Your bitterness doesn't help anyone not
even yourself. And I ask that you don't disturb your mother about this. She has
been frightened enough." Cort
stands and walks in front of Jean Paul. "Because of your visit with Quito! Well
don't bother about me Jean Paul." He puts his hand on Jean Paul's shoulder. Jean
Paul looks at it. Cort jerks away then walks across the room he turns back to
Jean Paul. "I don't blame Quito. After all he was only under orders." Cort turns
and leaves the room. "Cort!" Jean
Paul shouts and rushes after him.
Cort heads for the staircase. He stops when Raxl walks by. "What a
beautiful day Raxl. I'm going to make a tree." he tells her then rushes up the
stairs. Jean Paul stands watching
Cort from the doorway of the Drawing Room. "Raxl come inside." After Raxl enters
Jean Paul closes the door and follows her inside. "Is Quito in his room?" "Yes Master." "I've got to find a place to hide him.
Where! Where?" Jean Paul says pacing through the room. "Hide him? From whom?" Raxl asks. "He is suspected of killing the
girl." "No he went out to find you,
to save you." "Now I've got to save
him. The secret room, Raxl. We've got to hide him there so no one can get to him
and then." "And then what
Master?" "And then I shall go to
the police." In the foyer Cort
carries a black paper mache tree. Hanging on it is the picture of Crystal from
the newspaper. He sits it on a table.
Ada walks in. "Cort?" "Yes
mother." Ada walks over to Cort and
looks at his art project. "It's ugly."
"Everyone to his own tastes."
"Oh please take it away. What ever it is no one wants it here." "I want it here as a memorial. Am I the
only one in Desmond Hall that has any respect for the dead?" Cort asks his
mother. "We had nothing to do with
that girl. Oh please I don't ever want to look at it. Will you take it
away." Cort picks up the tree. "If
it upsets you mother. But I don't know why I should, after all you just said the
girl didn't have anything to do with you and I. Although perhaps..." "What are you trying to say to me?" "Nothing mother." Cort says taking the
tree and walking up the staircase.
Ada turns towards the staircase. "Cort" "Yes mother?" Cort says with his
back towards her. Ada walks closer
to the stairs. "Did Laslo? Did he know her?" Cort looks at her. "Stepfather?" "That's what you meant isn't it?" "Your thoughts are your own." Cort
answers. "When ever you speak in
riddles it's always against my husband."
"Your husband is not my father!"
"Did he know her!" "Ask
him!" Cort says as he rushes up the stairs. "Cort! Why? Do you want to accuse Laslo
of murder? Is that what you want?"
Cort stops at the top of the steps and looks down. "I accuse no one. I
have not the authority nor the insight. You know me mother. I sulk around, I
play the part of a sculptor. That's all, I'm useless otherwise. If my work
offends , if I dig up skeletons that were buried for good don't blame me. And if
you're troubled and you feel Desmond Hall seems threatened by skeletons which
won't lie still look to yourself mother. I have a feeling you buried a few in
your day." Cort turns and walks away.
"That's a lie. That's a lie. I never, I never." Ada says to herself as
she starts to cry.
Jean Paul, Raxl and Quito enter Philip's secret room. "Now Quito
you are to stay in this room and make no noise. Do you understand?" Jean Paul
says to him. Quito nods. "Raxl will bring you food and drink. But no one else
must know where you are until the danger has passed." "Quito you must do exactly as the Master
says." Raxl tells Quito. Quito
shakes his head no backing away from them." "Quito!" Jean Paul walks to Quito
putting his hand on Quito's shoulder. "Quito we will protect you. We must
protect you. Listen you don't want these people chasing you again. You don't
want people hounding you." Quito
curls one hand into a fist, then gripping it he twists. "No! No Quito you must harm no one."
Raxl says putting her hand over his fists. "That is why they are after you.
Don't you understand? They think you killed." Quito starts shaking his head no then
looks at Jean Paul. "Quito obey me
for your own safety." Jean Paul says to him. "Quito for your bed." Raxl says pointing
at a cot. "We won't be long." Jean
Paul says handing Quito a candle. "Try to rest. You know we care for you don't
you? We'll provide for you." Jean Paul walks to the entrance of the room. Quito
nods his head. "I will return too."
Raxl says. Jean Paul opens the
doorway. "Good by Quito." Jean Paul and Raxl leave the room. Jean Paul closes
the door. Quito walks around the
room. The candle blows out and Quito is left in darkness. The skeleton that is
shackled to the wall has a ghostly blue light surrounding it. Quito relights the
candle. Again it blows out. "Quito! Quito you are an animal! Or worse than an
animal. I tell you leave escape. Or with the dead bones of my hands I will kill
you." A voice calls out to Quito. It's coming from the skeleton. In fear Quito looks around the room.
Again he tries to light the candle. Not able to get it lit he picks up the
candle and the holder. Turning he throws it at the skeleton. Laughter is heard
through the room. "Do as I tell you. There are caves along the river under the
cliffs. Go there and no one will harm you. Escape while you can. Escape!" the
voice commands . Quito runs to the
doorway and pounds on it with his fists.
Ada is sitting in the Drawing Room looking into the flames of the
fireplace. She hears the door open. "Laslo?" she calls out turning around on the
couch. "No. Were you wishing it
were?" Cort asks as he walks into the room. "No it's just that he has been at the
lumber mill today and I wondered how work was progressing that's all." "I destroyed that little paper mache
tree that I made. I'm sorry." "Come
and sit with me. We'll watch the fire together and talk." Ada says to Cort. "To much talk that's my major flaw."
Cort says walking to the bookcase.
"How can you say that? We never talk you and I." Cort picks out a book and turns to his
mother. "You mean we never talk pleasantly." Ada looks away from Cort. "Tell me, what
did you mean about my secrets and my guilt?" Cort doesn't answer. "Cort?" "What I meant was where are my father's
bones? Do they lie at full fathom five?"
"I don't know where your father is. Or whether he's dead or alive." "Don't you?" Cort asks her. "He disappeared. He left me and left
you." "Why? Why mother? Why would a
man leave a potential fortune without any reason? That is what I represent. That
is my potential." Cort says sitting next to his mother. "He didn't care about the Desmond money.
He never cared." "Then he must have
been an amazing man my father. What if I told you that I know where he is and I
had reached him." "What are you
saying?" "That I know what
happened to him and that he has only one desire. Revenge." "Oh stop it. That's not possible! You
couldn't, he..." "Yes mother. Go
on!" The phone rings. "Well I can't reach him he...!" Cort says. "Telephone." Ada says to Cort. "I'll answer it." Cort says angrily as
he walks over to the phone. He picks it up and listens. "Hello. Hello." "Yes." Jean Paul answers. "I want Jean Paul Desmond. Is he
there?" "This is Mr. Desmond." "Cort, who is it?" Ada asks. Cort signals her to be quiet as he
listens. "We want to see your
servant. The one who doesn't talk."
"He's not here, he's gone."
"We don't think so." "I tell
you he is!" Jean Paul says. "Then
we will have to pay you a visit."
"Listen, who is this?" Jean Paul asks. "Because we're going to get him Mr.
Desmond, if I have to ransack your place to do it. You see he murdered my little
girl." The man slams the phone down.
Jean Paul slowly lowers the phone. "Raxl!" he shouts. Cort lowers the phone. Ada stands. "Who was that? Who was
calling?" "Where's Quito?" Cort
asks his mother. "Cort I won't have
you interfering." Ada says angrily.
"Have you seen Quito?" Cort asks.
"No not all afternoon." Cort
walks to the door and leans against it listening. Jean Paul and Raxl are in the foyer. "Is
Quito all right? Have you looked in on him?" Jean Paul asks. "I'm sure he's safe Master. He does not
know how to open the door." "He's
in more danger than I knew." Cort
walks around the door into the foyer. "Good evening cousin. Isn't it almost tea
time? I'll wash up and be right down shortly." Cort says as he rushes up the
staircase. "Cort I want to talk to
you. Cort!" Jean Paul shouts. Emily
walks into the foyer. "Jean Paul what is it?" "Nothing. Nothing to be disturbed
about." Jean Paul says to her. Ada stands in the doorway of the Drawing Room
after hearing Jean Paul shout for Cort. "Well Raxl has just prepared tea. Ada,
Emily would you join me." Jean Paul says walking into the Drawing
Room.
In Philip's secret room the voice again talks to Quito. "The caves
below the cliffs." Quito starts stumbling around the room. He starts smashing
and destroying anything near him in anger and fear. Picking up a short sword
Quito walks towards the skeleton. He raises it above his head as the door to the
entrance opens. Turning with the sword in front of him a light shines upon
him. "Quito I thought I'd find you
here. It's a nice hiding place don't you think?" Cort says holding a
flashlight. Quito drops the sword
and walks towards Cort grabbing him and shoving him out of the way. Quito rushes
from the room. "Quito!" Cort calls
to him. "Oh my." He looks around the room at the destruction Quito has caused.
Turning he walks over to the skeleton and leans against the wall. "He was
awfully excited wasn't he. Have you been up to your tricks again
father?"
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Summaries written by Debby
Graham . The slide
presentation is the work of Ron Janick.
~Ron/Bella~
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