Episode 81: Slideshow
Raxl: "Desmond Hall sitting high on the cliffs among
rushing rivers. And beneath the house itself winding caves leading deep into the
earth. Caves which the Desmond family tried to seal up long ago. For in their
dark passages are secrets which endanger anyone who enters. This night at
Desmond Hall a door has opened and the voice of Philip Desmond has offered an
invitation."
"Come to me Holly. Enter through the doorway and descend
to me. I won't hurt you Holly, not anymore." Philip's voice says from the
opening under the staircase. Holly
stands and looks at the opening. "Cold. It's so cold." Her teeth are
chattering, "Yes but you'll set me
free Holly. Out of the darkness and out of the cold." "No. I want to leave!" Holly backs away
getting upset. "I want to leave this place!" Holly shouts. "Holly!" Jean Paul calls to her from the
staircase. He rushes down the stairs.
"Jean Paul!" Holly cries running to Jean Paul. He holds her in his arms.
"Jean Paul help me please!" Holly starts to cry. "I've got to leave this place
before I go insane!" "Holly? Tell
me what is it? What happened?" "The
door, the door!" Holly cries out hiding her face against Jean Paul's
jacket. "What door?" Jean Paul
asks. Holly turns around. The panel
beneath the staircase is closed.
"I don't see anything. There’s nothing there." Jean Paul says to
her. "Am I losing my mind?" Holly
says to herself. "Holly what
frightened you?" Holly looks up at
him. "It's all right. I'll protect
you." Holly shakes her head no.
"No, he was right. I have to leave Desmond Hall for your sake and mine. I’ve got
to leave Desmond Hall." Jean Paul
looks at Holly. "Who was right? Who told you to leave?" "Philip, Philip Desmond." Holly says
hiding her face against Jean Paul.
Jean Paul looks up with a stunned look on his face. Holding Holly he
calls for Raxl. He looks down at Holly. "Holly? Holly nothing is going to hurt
you anymore. Speak to me." Holly
lies against him, her eyes are closed. "Raxl!" Jean Paul calls. Raxl rushes into the room. "What is it
Master?" "Holly has fainted. Please
help me take her to her room will you."
Raxl puts her hand on the side of Holly's face. "Holly. Awaken Miss
Holly." Holly opens her eyes. "Jean
Paul." she says quietly. "Raxl." She looks over at the staircase. "Behind the
door. Mustn't go, mustn't go near the door." Holly says getting upset
again. "Holly, Holly listen. You're
here, here at Desmond Hall. You mustn't be afraid." Jean Paul says. "Come with me Miss Holly." Raxl says to
her. Holly pulls away from Jean
Paul. "No! I don't want to go with anyone! I have to leave this place alone!"
she says rushing across the foyer.
Jean Paul runs and grabs her. "Holly you're in no fit condition to go
anywhere. Now you must go upstairs to your room." "No! I can't go to my room! He's there!
He pretended to be kind but he hurt me!"
"Who hurt you? Who are you talking about?" "I told you! Philip, Philip Desmond your
brother!" "Where is Mr. Desmond?"
Raxl asks. "Has he been here? Has
he returned?" Jean Paul asks lowering his hands. "I don't know where he is! But he spoke
to me and he hurt me!" Jean Paul
grips Holly's arm. "Philip wouldn't hurt you He wouldn't do a thing like
that." Holly pulls away from him
and rushes over to the staircase. "Are you telling me I'm crazy?" She turns
towards them. "Do you think I'm losing my mind? Is that it?" Holly cries
out. "Holly no." Jean Paul says to
her. "Maybe you're right. Maybe I
am. Perhaps I should go away." Jean
Paul walks over to her taking her arm. "Holly, Philip wouldn't do a thing like
that. Philip wouldn't drive anyone away from his house." Holly looks at Jean Paul. "He did! He
said I must tell you, to tell you to send me away or you will die." "Listen Holly, Raxl will take care of
you." "He did! Jean Paul he said
you would die!" Jean Paul
stares into Holly's face. "What else did he say to you? Anything else?" "He said, he said to tell you not to
trust Irene. That she's evil." Holly says looking away from Jean Paul. "Holly where did he speak to you?" Holly looks at him "In my room , in my
room! I don't want to see him anymore!"
"You saw him. How did he look when you saw him?" "Very kind at first but then he turned
against me. He became cruel."
"Listen Holly, I think it's very important to tell all to me. You must go
upstairs to your room first." Jean Paul says brushing Holly's hair back with his
hand. "Raxl will see that you get upstairs all right. You must rest." Holly looks at Jean Paul. "Please if I
do will you take me away. Tomorrow?"
"We'll see about that tomorrow." Jean Paul says brushing his hand across
Holly's face. "Raxl will you help her upstairs. See that she gets some
sleep." Holly walks to the
staircase, Raxl follows her.
"Perhaps we better call a doctor." Jean Paul says. "No. No doctor. “Holly says as she stops
and looks at Jean Paul. "I agree
Master. Your doctors could do no good." Raxl says to Jean Paul. "Come along Miss
Holly." Holly and Raxl walk up the
staircase.
Jean Paul walks into the Drawing Room looking around the
room. "Philip." He calls out. "Jean
Paul." some one calls from the hallway.
Jean Paul turns. "Oh it's you." he says to Laslo. "I heard a fuss going on." "It was Holly." Jean Paul tells
him. "Holly? I hope she's all
right. I warned her not to leave the house and go looking for you." "She was in this house and she's very
frightened. "Oh. Perhaps I can
help." Laslo says. "Perhaps it is
none of your business." "I don't
understand." Laslo says. Jean Paul
steps away from Laslo. "Or maybe it is something of interest to you after all."
Jean Paul looks thoughtfully away then turns towards Laslo. "Holly believes she
spoke to my brother." "To
Philip?" "Yes, to Philip." "Nonsense. We both know..." "Know what?" Jean Paul asks. "That Philip is away and will not return
immediately." "That's your story
not mine." "You can call it a story
if you like. I call it fact. I've given you proof of that fact." Laslo says
walking away from Jean Paul. "I
don't always agree with your proofs and your facts." Jean Paul says to him. "Have you proof to the contrary? Have
you a theory of your own?" Laslo asks looking back at Jean Paul. Jean Paul nods. "Yes." He walks towards
Laslo. "I'm afraid my brother is dead."
"Dead. Nonsense." "And he
was dead when I arrived in this house."
"If your brother had died surely you would have been notified." "Perhaps not if he had been secretly
murdered." "You will regret this.
You will regret this entire conversation."
"Laslo why did you turn pale when I said that Holly spoke to my brother?"
Jean Paul asks stepping closer to Laslo.
"I was frightened for the girl. She's a very disturbed young lady. I
talked to her today." Laslo says looking away from Jean Paul. "Very calmly, very
sympathetically. Her conclusion was that I was somehow her enemy." "And you're not? Is that what you're
saying?" "I am no ones enemy. But I
have been treated like an intruder ever since you arrived. You're very fortunate
Jean Paul that I am not a vengeful man. Very fortunate indeed. Now if you don't
mind I will go to my quarters. My wife is also upset because you are here. You
and your friends." Laslo says then walks out of the room. Jean Paul looks away angrily. He walks
to the table then glances around. He shakes his head then turns off the lights.
Walking out of the drawing room he enters the foyer. He stops and glances around
then walks up the staircase turning the lights off as he heads for his
room.
Under the staircase the panel in the wall opens. Quito climbs out of the
passageway. He takes a few stumbling steps and
collapses.
Jean Paul is in his room when Raxl enters. "She is
sleeping Master." Raxl says to him.
"Perhaps she shouldn't be left alone." Jean Paul says to Raxl. "She will not waken for many hours I can
promise you that." Raxl says closing the door. "Raxl, why did you say no doctor?" "The girl is not ill. She is under some
spell." "How can you be sure?" Jean
Paul asks. "Master I have known the
girl since Maljardin. I remember how easily she fell under the spell of my
Mistress." Jean Paul looks away.
"Maljardin has been left behind."
"But the girl remains as she has been. Victim of evil forces." "But she spoke to Philip. He's no evil
force." Jean Paul says walking across the room. "Dead or alive he's..." Raxl walks over to him touching his arm.
"Master I know this is painful for you but you must not think of your
brother." "I know but wherever he
is he's crying out. I know that he needs my help." "And you forget your own torment. You
forget Master that at any time the Mark of Death could appear again. And all
would be lost, everything."
Quito wakes up and pulls himself up the
staircase.
"Master forget. Forget all this and leave Desmond Hall.
You and I we will find Quito together and go back to the world where
we belong." "I'll never go back to
Maljardin. Ever." Jean Paul says turning away from Raxl and walking to the bed
with his back towards Raxl. "It is
our only refuge. Otherwise I feel the spirit of death upon us all.' Jean Paul sits on the edge of the
bed. Raxl walks to him and kneels
next to him. "Master think of your brother if you must if he is gone forever.
But we must leave here now." There
is a light tapping at the door. "Who is it?" Jean Paul says looking at Raxl. A
harder pounding is coming from the door. "Raxl answer the door. I don't want to
be disturbed by anyone." Raxl walks
to the door and opens it. "Master!" Raxl shouts. Jean Paul quickly rushes to the door
when he sees Quito. He grabs his arm. "He's exhausted. Over
here, sit down. Sit down." Jean Paul says as he and Raxl help Quito into the room and to
a chair. "Quito?
Quito where were
you?" Jean Paul asks. Quito tiredly tries to
sign to Jean Paul pointing to the floor.
"Where Quito? Tell us somehow. Where were you and how
did you get back?" Jean Paul looks up at Raxl. "Raxl get some food and drink as
fast as you can. He's in a state of exhaustion." "It's a sign Master. Quito has returned. It's a
sign. We must leave here now while we are all together!" Raxl says then rushes
from the room. Jean Paul bends over
Quito's chair.
"Quito I know
you're exhausted and I know you can't speak but somehow you've got to show me
where you have been. What happened?"
Quito
touches his fingers and opens his hand.
"What's that?" Jean Paul asks.
He picks up a chain from Quito's hand. "This is Holly's locket. How did
you get it? What happened to it?"
Quito
looks at his other hand and opens it.
Jean Paul looks down and picks up a bolt. "A bolt? It's all rusted and
old." He looks at it. "It's been shattered." Quito starts sobbing. "Quito did you break this? Did you have to break
this in order for you to escape from where you were?" Jean Paul asks as he
watches Quito
cover his face with his hands. Jean Paul puts his arm around Quito's shoulder.
"Quito, Quito you're crying. I've never seen you weep
before. What it that made you weep? What have you seen?" Raxl walks in with a tray. "Raxl he's seen something terrible.
Something pitiable to make him weep like this." Raxl brings Quito a drink. She takes
his hand and puts the cup in it, then she puts her arm around his shoulder. "Perhaps he was pursued by some of the
townspeople." Jean Paul says then stands. "Or perhaps..." He looks at the bolt
then walks to the window. Jean Paul turns towards Quito. "The caves. The caves along the river.
This is the kind of bolt that seals the entrance to those caves. It's rusted
because of the high water tide from the river." He looks at the bolt as he walks
towards Quito
and Raxl. "But it's broken. Quito indicated that it was down." Jean Paul
points at the floor. "Down in the caves. Quito? The caves, were you lost in the caves?"
Jean Paul looks down at him. Raxl
pats Quito's
back. "You're safe now." Quito looks up at Jean Paul
and nods. "How did you get to the
caves? How did you get in? Those entrances are sealed." Quito shakes his head no. "No? Then how did you get in? How did
you get there?" Quito shows him the sign
for swim. "You swam? You swam the
river? Were you pursued by someone?"
Quito
hunches down not looking at Jean Paul.
"Quito
how?" Jean Paul asks. Quito covers his face looking down as he sobs.
Jean Paul kneels next to him. "Quito did you find a secret entrance or a
forgotten entrance?" Quito looks away from Jean
Paul and looks at Raxl. "He doesn't remember." Raxl says. "Quito how did you escape from there?" Jean Paul
asks. "Wait a minute, his cloths are dry. You swam there but how did you escape
Quito?" Quito looks at Raxl. He opens his mouth then
puts his fingers near his mouth.
"Where did you go?" Jean Paul asks him. Raxl stands. "Master he doesn't know.
He's weary. Let me take him to his room."
"Yes. Yes make sure he keeps warm." Jean Paul stands with Quito. Raxl and Quito leave the room as
Jean Paul stands and looks at the bolt. He walks forward. "This bolt. What could
he have seen that made him tear an iron bolt from the wall? Quito is powerful. What
could have caused him to be so afraid? To weep? What awful thing exists in the
black caves under Desmond Hall?"
In Irene's cottage. "Philip's voice. That’s what he said."
Laslo says to Irene. "I think he believes the girl." "Philip couldn't possibly?" Irene
says. Laslo lowers his tea cup.
"I’m not concerned with Philip Desmond. What is important to us now is what Jean
Paul believes." "I wouldn't worry
about Jean Paul. He's manageable believe me." "There is another thing I forgot to
mention. Another small matter, Jean Paul thinks his brother was murdered." Irene stands. "Murder you say." Laslo sips from the tea cup. "Does the
word offend you?" Irene walks to
the fireplace. "How could he think, unless, unless." She sets her cup on the
mantle and looks at Laslo. "He connected you somehow with the murder." "Why me my dear Irene? Do I have the
aura of a murderer? Surely not." "I
know you Laslo, I shared your life. What ever your aura may be I know you’re
capable of almost anything. And if Philip is found." "Be quiet. Don't say that." Laslo says
looking away from Irene. "A little
jittery tonight aren't we. At least you are." Irene says with a smile. "But I'm
not afraid Laslo. I am pleased that you told me about Holly and the so called
voice of Philip Desmond. There has been interference, I told you that." Irene
says walking across the room. "Just when I have her under my influence she
withdraws or laughs at me. This will end. It will end." "Leave her alone. I told you I will take
care of her." "And I told you I
heard the voice of Philip Desmond ordering me to stay away from Holly." Irene
walks over to Laslo. "But that no longer frightens me. What makes you think you
do?" Irene asks walking away. Laslo
glances back at Irene. "Where are you going?" "To Holly." "Irene I have warned you, you will ruin
the plot." "I will not ruin
anything but I will destroy the voice of Philip Desmond!" Irene says grabbing
her coat.
At Desmond Hall somebody is pounding on the door. Raxl
answers it. "Who is it?" she says against the closed door. "A gentleman." "What do you want?" Raxl asks. "I want to see Mr. Jean Paul
Desmond." "He's asleep." "What is it Raxl?" Jean Paul asks from
the staircase. "A man to see
you." "Well let him in." "Master it is the middle of the night."
Raxl looks at Jean Paul. "Let him
in." Raxl open the door and holds
it open for the visitor. An older man walks in. "Jean Paul Desmond?" "Yes." "Lucky you let me in. I have others out
there who would have come to help me knock the door down if you didn't open
it." "Who are you? What do you
want?" Jean Paul asks. "I told your
servant here I am a gentleman. The Desmonds aren't the only gentlemen around
here in these parts." "Agreed. But
what do you want?" "I want your
servant. The big strong one that can't talk." "Quito." Raxl says. "He isn't here." "We think he is." He tries to walk past
Jean Paul. Jean Paul stops him with
his hand. "I tell you he isn't here. He disappeared and hasn't yet been found.
Now will you kindly leave or should I call the police?" "We can't wait for the police. That's
why I'm here. Your servant with the funny name is a murderer." "That is not true." "We saw him around town the night the
girl was killed. Big boot prints in the sand near the spot she was thrown in the
river." Jean Paul turns away from
him. "Well I suggest you let the police decide how the girl died." "Didn't I see you around there
too?" Jean Paul stares straight
ahead, then looks at the visitor.
"Walking alone around the dock. Yes I remember the face now." Jean Paul looks at him. "Leave my house
now." "Maybe I will. But the police
are going to find out what I just remembered." "Get out!" Jean Paul shouts. "Are you afraid of the police? Well they
will be here but not for the reason you want Mister. He walks to the door as
Raxl holds it open. He glances back at Jean Paul. "If they won't come we will.
And the next time we will be carrying torches." He walks out the door. Raxl closes the door and walks over to
Jean Paul. "You heard, you've been seen."
Jean Paul turns away angrily. "That hardly seems extraordinary Raxl.
After all I did kill the girl! Well when should we expect the police? Tonight or
in the morning!" "Hear me Master.
Now is the time. Now we must get away."
"Leave! Leave my dear dead brother who has spoken to everyone except me!"
Angrily Jean Paul rushes to the Drawing Room, throwing the door open. "Philip!
Philip where are you! Speak to me! Because of you I have to remain here! Because
of you I have murdered! Speak to me!" Jean Paul
shouts.
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Summaries written by Debby
Graham . The slide
presentation is the work of Ron Janick.
~Ron/Bella~
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