Episode 85: Slideshow
Irene: "Fog creeps relentlessly towards the mansion of Desmond Hall and covers the village and
the river below. Jean Paul Desmond bearing the Mark of Death which will force
him to commit murder against his will wonders through the fog enshrouded night.
In search of escape from the curse which controls him. While Holly lost in the
darkness follows the spirit of Philip Desmond along the cliffs above the river.
Placing her trust in a being who dead or alive might represent affection or
evil."
Holly wanders through the fog. "Philip? Philip where are
you? Philip you promised to lead me to Desmond Hall and I've lost you. Philip I
don't know how to find the path."
"Holly. Holly trusts me." Philip calls to her. "I can't move. I'm afraid to take
another step. Philip is you an evil spirit or were you sent here to help
me?" "I am what you wish me to
be." "Then I wish, I wish I could
see you." "One wish granted."
Philip says to her as he appears.
"Which way will you take me?" Holly asks. "Slowly, slowly follow me. We're at the
brink of success and below you is the raging river. Follow me and if you fall
then perhaps we'll at least be together. We will be together." Philip says as he
fades away.
In her cottage Irene stands before her altar on the table.
She has lit six candles, her gold bowl and a sacrificial knife left out on the
table. "Beelzebub wrathful power of destruction you know my devotion. I come to
you abject, your servant. Your servant whom you have treated cruelly. Have you
deserted me? Am I to have no powers? Is my voice to be muted and never to reach
your throne of power? I offer this!" She picks up the knife and cuts herself
letting the blood run into the bowl. "My strength, my life giving blood. I offer
to you as a sign of my devotion. I am useless without your aid. I am bound to
you living only through you. Your humble slave Oh Satan." Irene holds her hand
over the bowl as her blood runs from the slash at her wrist. She bows. "I have
been driven away from the girl who I was going to make another of your servants.
Without her help I cannot reach Jean Paul Desmond and do your will. Do not
forsake me!" There is a knock at the door. "Answer me! Answer me!" Irene calls
out. The knocking continues and Irene finally hears it. "Who is it?" "Jean Paul." "Jean Paul." Irene whispers looking at
her hand. She pulls a scarf from around her neck and wraps her wrist. Next she
blows out the candles then throws a cloth over the knife and bowl. She walks to
the door turning on the lights as she opens the door. "Jean Paul, welcome. What
an unexpected visit." Irene says with a smile. Jean Paul enters the cottage hugging his
arm with a shiver. Irene closes the
door. "As a matter of fact you were in my thoughts just a few moments ago." "Irene." Jean Paul says as he
shivers. "Oh what is it? You're
frightened and pale. Sit down." She says putting her hand on his arm. "Let me
make you some tea." Jean Paul sits
on the couch. "Or a drink." Irene
says. "No nothing thank you. I just
want to rest here for a few minutes." Jean Paul says tiredly. "Nonsense you'll stay the night in my
guest room. This is no night for anybody to be out. There is fog you might lose
your way." Jean Paul shakes his
head. "No no just for a few minutes."
"A brandy? Say yes." Irene says walking over to the decanter. "It will
take the chill out of your bones." she says pouring a drink. "You're very kind. I was wandering
around out there wondering where I should go." Jean Paul says to her. "Wandering around? The Master of Desmond
hall homeless?" She hands him his drink. "No one should be out on a night like
this. The sky is dark." Jean Paul
glances up. "But there is one star."
"One star?" "Yes it went
behind a cloud just a few moments ago. Do you think it will return?" Jean Paul
asks looking at Irene. "Jean Paul,
what is the matter? You're not yourself."
Jean Paul closes his eyes and lowers his head as he sighs. Then he looks
up at Irene. "I'm all right. Just let me rest." "I will. You have no idea how
happy I am to have you here. You've come in answer to a prayer." Irene says
walking behind the couch. "What
sort of prayer?" Jean Paul asks.
"Oh a prayer for company."
"I never knew you were a religious person." "Oh but I am when I want something badly
enough. And now I have you Jean Paul. I have you." she says putting her hands on
his shoulders.
Holly follows a path and steps in front of the mansion
door. "Home, the house, the door. Philip, Philip where are you? I trusted you
and you led me home safely. "Philip!"
The door opens. "Who's there?" Raxl asks. "Raxl its Holly." "Oh come in." Raxl holds the door for
Holly. Holly walks in as Raxl
closes the door. "You're a very foolish girl to be walking in this kind of
weather. Everyone has been worried about you." Holly takes her coat off. "Here I am
home safe and sound." "You were
talking to someone outside the door." Raxl says to her. "No just myself. I was so glad to see
Desmond Hall again." "I heard you
Miss Holly. You called the name Philip."
"No I..." Holly looks at Raxl.
"Why! Why were you calling upon Philip Desmond?" Raxl asks walking over
to Holly. "Raxl please I'm very
tired." Holly turns and starts to leave.
"Miss Holly." Holly stops.
"Yes." "I warned you. You are
sensitive to the spirit world. Too sensitive for your own safety." "But Philip is..." Holly starts to
say. "Where is he? I must know."
Raxl says. "Raxl I can't tell you
any more. I can't tell you any more than I've told you." "Do you still look upon me as your
enemy?" Raxl asks. "No. No I know
you've tried to be my friend."
"Then listen to me. Jean Paul's gone. There is danger tonight for all of
us. Go to your room, lock your door and strengthen yourself against anything
that might ask you to disobey my orders. Go
now!"
Jean Paul is laying on Irene's couch as she covers him
with a blanket. "There now, better?" Irene asks. Jean Paul looks up at her. "Yes,
yes." Irene walks around the couch.
"Jean Paul we've always been close friends. Tell me why have you turned against
me?" Irene asks walking over to her rocker and picking up her needlework. She
sits down in the rocker. "Because
you lied about my brother." "But
that isn't so. I loved Philip as much as I love you. Since you were
children." "Irene? Tell me why you
said loved when you speak about my brother." "Did I say that?" "Yes as if he were gone?" "But he is gone. Gone from Desmondton."
Irene says. "Do you think he will
return?" Jean Paul asks. "Well this
is his home." "What if I were to
tell you I don't think he is gone."
Irene slowly looks up. "Then I would ask you where is he hiding? And
why?" "Yes why?" Jean Paul says
looking away. "Oh Jean Paul close
your eyes, rest. You're so tired." Irene stands and walks over to him. "You're
talking nonsense." "Perhaps." Jean
Paul says closing his eyes. "Jean
Paul? Can you sleep?" "I'm very
,very tired." "Then sleep by the
warm fire." Jean Paul lays with his
eyes closed as Irene walks to the fireplace and takes a small pouch from a box
on the mantel. She walks over to Jean Paul. "You must sleep, sleep Jean Paul."
She takes a potion from the pouch holding it over Jean Paul's face. "Sleep
deeply and you will find comfort and oblivion." Irene stands straight and looks
away from Jean Paul. "Powers of evil you have accepted my sacrifice. Now help me
to turn this soul to dust."
Irene walks to the table that holds her alter and lights the candles. She
bows. "Al is ready." She walks back to the couch. "Jean Paul." She walks to the
end of the couch near Jean Paul's head. "Jean Paul Desmond do you hear me?" "I hear you." "I want to help you Jean Paul Desmond."
Irene says bending over him. "But you must tell me what is in your soul." She
kneels next to him. "Do you hear me?"
"Yes." "Then listen. One
night you cried out Jean Paul. You shouted in despair that you were to blame for
murder. Murder! And your cry was heard by one who could help you. Tell me." Jean Paul starts getting restless. "Tell me of the murder." "I wouldn't kill. I will not
murder!" Jean Paul says. "You are
guilty of murder." "No, no!" Jean
Paul says. "Speak truthfully." "Jean Paul Desmond will not kill. I will
not kill! But..." He opens his hands. "These hands, these hands." He says
struggling to talk. "Speak, tell
me." "What ever kind of devil you
are leave me. I know you well!" He gasps.
"I shall not leave you. I am here to help you Jean Paul not to harm you."
Irene says to him. "Your soul cries out for confession! To me!" "Leave! Leave me!" Jean Paul says. "Confession!" "Leave me you bring death! Only death!"
The heartbeat starts. "Oh God help me!"
Holly lies on her bed resting. "Holly." Philip calls out to her. Holly glances across the room. "Holly." "Philip?" Holly asks sitting up. "Yes." "Where are you? Philip what do you want
from me? One minute you tell me to trust you and you'll lead me to safety and
the next you torment me as if you hate me. What do you want from me?" Holly
asks. "I'm not sure what I want.
But you mustn't be afraid." "I am,
I am afraid." "Holly I came to you
because I wanted you to help me. You must save me Holly. But now I find the
pleasure of speaking with you is the most enjoyment I can get." "But you're not real." "Real enough to know I can't decide if I
should let you find me or whether I should bring you to me as a spirit." "Don't say that. That frightens me even
more." Holly says. "I want only one
thing. Trust me, trust me Holly. I’ll protect you and never leave you alone.
Trust me." Philip says as he fades away.
"But I can't." Holly stands up. "Philip I can't." She walks across the
room and touches the drapes; Philip had been standing in that spot. "Never come
back. Please never come back." Holly says
quietly.
Jean Paul jerks awake. "Irene!" Across the room Irene is sitting
in the rocker doing needlepoint. "Yes. Didn't you have a pleasant dream?" Jean Paul stands and looks upward. "I've
got to leave. Now." "You mustn’t.
I'm pleased to have you here." "No,
no! I can't stay." He says backing away and turns towards the window. He looks
out. The star is in the sky. "You don't understand. If I don't get away now..."
"turning he glances up then at Irene. "I'm sorry Irene. I'm really very sorry
for all the things I accused you of. For the lies and Philip. And driving you
away from Holly. You're a fine woman."
Irene stands with a smile. "I thank you. And you've made tonight much
pleasanter for me. It's not easy you know living alone in this house having no
one with me." Irene says walking over to Jean Paul. "Irene! Don't. I sympathize but I
mustn't sympathize. I must leave now." Jean Paul walks to the door. "No you mustn't. I won't allow it.
You'll have another brandy and then..." Irene tells him picking up a glass. "And then?" Jean Paul asks. "And then we'll talk." Jean Paul looks at his hand. It has the
Mark of Death upon it. "You do
sympathize I know. And I try as I may to appear as though I don't have a trouble
in the world. I am a widow." Irene says pouring a glass of brandy. Jean Paul walks towards Irene. "And I do need the kind words of
friends. I'm not the self pitying type as you know but everyone needs kindness."
Irene says. "Kindness." Jean Paul
repeats standing behind Irene. "Yes
we must forget our disagreements you and I. Because I have plans for you Jean
Paul." "Poor Irene. Poor Irene." he
says reaching for her throat. Jean Paul is standing behind her. "Master!" Raxl calls out. "Master!" She
is standing in the doorway. "Who's
there?" Jean Paul asks. "Master you
must come with me." Raxl says walking up to him. "Raxl really, you frightened me." Irene
says. Jean Paul reaches his hand
towards Raxl. She grasps it and pulls it down. "Master I've been searching for
you. You must come with me and you must do what I tell you. " The heartbeat gets louder as Jean Paul
cringes. "You are in danger." Raxl
says to him. "Jean Paul pays no
attention. Raxl we were having such a friendly evening." Irene says. "Were you Madame?" Raxl asks. "I resent your intrusion." Irene tells
Raxl. "I am at the service of my
Master. Come Master." She tries pulling Jean Paul away. "Yes, yes. I must leave. Irene forgive
me." Jean Paul says and rushes from the cottage. "Master!" Raxl shouts. "I'm tired of your meddling." Irene says
to Raxl. "And I yours." Raxl tells
her. "But mine is innocent Madame."
"What are you saying?" "You
are evil Mrs. Hatter! Your heart is full of nothing but evil! And hatred!" Raxl
says turning away then she rushes from the cottage to follow Jean Paul. "You are right. Hatred for you Raxl. For
you and your Master." On the docks
in Desmondton a young woman walks. "Should I? You've got to tell me because I
can't decide for myself." she says sadly talking to herself. "The water looks
very cold tonight. But I'm not afraid, not afraid at all." "You. What are you doing?" Jean Paul
asks as he walks up to her.
"Nothing sir." she says meekly.
"You were going to jump." Jean Paul says. She shakes her head no. "No I was just
walking sir. I like to watch the river at night." she says with her back towards
him. "You should be at home. Do you
have a home?" "Yes sir." "Then go to it now." "No one tells me where I must go or what
I must do." she says angrily. "No
one." Jean Paul says watching her.
"My life is my life and I'll do with it what I choose. As a matter of
fact I was standing here thinking I just might jump into the water. Is that any
of your business?" She asks looking up at him. "As a matter of fact it is my business.
I have great sympathy towards all people and their suffering and
loneliness." "Do you now?" she
asks. "Yes my dear. Have you
noticed a star in the sky? One single star." Jean Paul says glancing at the
sky. "A star?" "Yes one throbbing star." "Yes I see it now." she says looking at
it. "Such a star can soften a mans
heart towards the world. And all the suffering people in it." Jean Paul says
looking at the girl. He reaches out to her hair. "You're very kind I'm sure. But I've
seen enough of the world not to weep for it." Jean Paul squeezes eyes shut. "Better to leave it." she says. Jean Paul fights against the star's
influence. "No, leave me! That's what you must do, leave me!" "I was here first sir. And it seems to
me you're the one who must leave." She looks up at him and smiles. "Though you
are a gentleman. That's obvious and there's few enough of them in Desmondton
theses days." "Yes I'm a gentleman
and I ask you to go." "I don't take
commands from any one." she says angrily. "Because I've lived for so long
without people that I don't care what any one person tells me." she says walking
past Jean Paul. Jean Paul grabs her
by the shoulder. "What is your name? Your name!" he says angrily. "Agatha." She says in fear. "I tell you now Agatha, go home to your
bed." "I came here to do a job and
I must do it and no one must interfere with that." she says slowly, looking at
the water. "So did I. And I must do
it." he says as his hands reach for her throat. She cries out. "Leave me alone!" She
tries to rush away. Jean Paul reaches out as Agatha
screams.
Holly walks to the door. She finds out it is locked. She
pounds on it. "Raxl! Raxl let me out! Raxl please let me out!" She pounds on the
door, finally she leans her back against it. "Don't you understand. Why won't
anyone understand I'm sick of people interfering with my life. Holly do this,
Holly wear that. I want to leave Desmond Hall. I'm sorry I ever met Jean Paul.
And Philip."
Agatha stands on the dock next to Jean Paul. "You saved my
life." "Perhaps I saved both of our
lives." he says looking away. "When
you stopped me from jumping, when you pulled me back you almost choked me. Do
you know that?" "I'm sorry." Jean
Paul says lowering his head. "Well
you should be. I should tell Peter on you." Jean Paul glances at her. "Peter?" "Never mind. Someone who will deal
harshly with you. That's all." she says looking at Jean Paul. "Who are
you?" "No one. I..." Jean Paul says
as he looks away. "Well anyway you
did save my life." "We were
fortunate both of us. Perhaps we saved each others lives." "Or perhaps, perhaps you tried to murder
me." Jean Paul looks at her.
"Please I..." "I know you. I've
seen you someplace. And maybe instead of being grateful I should call the
police." Jean Paul looks at her as
he backs away, he turns and runs off.
"You better. You better run because you haven't heard the last of me Mr.
Jean Paul Desmond."
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Summaries written by Debby
Graham . The slide
presentation is the work of Ron Janick.
~Ron/Bella~
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