Strange Paradise:  Episode 89
Episode 89:  Slideshow
Ada: "Two shadows move darkly over Desmond Hall and Jean Paul Desmond trying to escape from the curse which would force him to destroy life finds himself and friends threatened by additional powers. The witchcraft of the wicked Laslo who seeks the death of Jean Paul. And the evil shadows of the serpent from the underworld now wrapping its coils tightly around the servant Raxl."
 
"Release me! You're crushing me!" Raxl cries out.  "Raxl, Raxl!" Jean Paul shouts from the other side of the door.  "Master the breath is being crushed from my lungs." Raxl cries out in agony. "Master, help me." Raxl cries out as she stumbles across the room. "Enter!" she cries out as she collapses.  Jean Paul pushes the door open and sees Raxl on the floor. "Raxl!" He kneels down and lifts her head and shoulders from the floor. "Raxl, Raxl open your eyes. Raxl its Jean Paul."  "Master." Raxl says as she opens her eyes. "It's the girl, she has brought to this house a devouring serpent of hell. And it will not leave until it has fed itself on our hearts and our souls." Raxl cries out before she faints.  Jean Paul takes Raxl to his room. He helps her to a chair then pours her a glass of water and walks over to her with it.   "I will not succumb even though the life be crushed out of me. I will not succumb " Raxl says.  "Raxl drink this. You have been injured." Jean Paul tries to hand her the glass.  "No I will not accept injury."
"Drink." Jean Paul tells her.  Raxl takes the glass and takes a sip.  "How do you feel?" Jean Paul asks.  "Better, stronger." Raxl takes another drink. "I will not be defeated by the forces of darkness. I have fought them all the years of my life. I will not be conquered."  "Raxl tell me what happened."  Raxl glances at Jean Paul. "The girl must go." Her face shows pain.  "Please you must rest."  "The girl must go! Or she must die!" Raxl says as she stands up weakly.  Jean Paul grabs her arm. "Please rest. Sit down."  "I will not sit down before my Master. Nor will I rest before my battles have been won."  "Raxl I order you! Please."  Raxl shakes her head no. "There are orders which I cannot obey. Just as there are actions you refuse to take." Raxl says walking a few steps from Jean Paul. Jean Paul follows her. Raxl turns and looks at him. "The girl Agatha must be sent away!"
"Yes to label me a murderer."  "Then accept my first solution. She must die!"
"Raxl no! No more death. It solves nothing. One death leads to another that's all it is." Jean Paul turns away and walks across the room. "Can't I cherish life without obliterating it?" There is a knock at the door.  Raxl walks up to Jean Paul and holds his arm. "Shhh. It is your life I have been assigned to cherish.  "Jean Paul?" Ada calls from the other side of the door. Raxl walks across the room and opens it.  "Jean Paul." Ada says.  "Ada come in."  "Jean Paul I couldn't sleep and I saw the light under the door and I heard voices."  "Raxl wasn't feeling very well. She needs attention."  Raxl grips the side of the door. "I need nothing. If you will excuse me Mrs. Thaxton." Raxl says as she leaves the room.  "Raxl!" Jean Paul calls out to her.  "Goodnight Master and sleep. Sleep well." She closes the door behind her.  "Jean Paul what's happened?" Ada asks.  "Nothing." Jean Paul says turning his back to Ada.  "Don't pretend with me. I'm tired of deception."  "Ada I'm not lying to you. Raxl must make her own decisions and as she said she is well."
Jean Paul look at me." Ada says quietly. Jean Paul turns to Ada. "Do I look like the same cousin you've always know? Do I look the same?"  "You've always been the same to me." Jean Paul says.  "I don't want to be the same Ada. I won't. I accused you of deception and lies right now. Well I've been pretending ever since the first day you arrived at the door." Ada says walking away from Jean Paul. "I've tried to be the same Ada, but that wasn't true."  "What do you mean?" Jean Paul asks.  "My marriage, my son they have changed me. They haven't been my dream of life come true and I'm tired of living on old memories. Visions of pleasant days at Desmond Hall." She turns and looks at Jean Paul. "Desmond Hall is no longer a paradise."  "Ada I'm sorry." Jean Paul says as he walks across the room and sits down. "Perhaps I shouldn't have come here at all."  "Jean Paul it's not you." Ada says walking over to him.  "Yes I've been the cause of all the problems. I've upset your husband and your son." He says looking up at her.  Ada kneels down next to him. "But you've opened my eyes. I'm not speaking bitterly when I say this I'm just stating a fact. My marriage is not what I hoped it would be. Well it's my fault. I allowed Laslo to command me, into frightening me. And Cort well all his life I guess I've been more a servant than his mother. But no more." Ada stands. "No more." she says looking at Jean Paul. "And I want you to know that because it may affect your future at Desmond Hall."
Jean Paul stands. "Ada can you do that? Can any person change his life that suddenly?"  "I am and I shall. Not just for my sake but for the people I love. Oh Jean Paul you've always been so kind to me." She says as she holds his hands. "If I can eliminate any of the torture that you are suffering, if I can do anything at all for you please tell me."  Jean Paul nods. "Yes, yes I will. Thank you for telling me that Ada."  "And if you still want to explore the river caves as Emily said I'll no longer protest. I’ll go with you. Well I miss Philip too." Ada turns away. "And I have a feeling that then caves hold the secret." She opens the door and leaves the room.  Jean Paul glances away from the door.
 
Cort walks into the mansion carrying a box with a handle.  Laslo sees him from the Drawing Room . "Cort? Where have you been?" He asks. In his hand is a drink.  Cort walks over to the doorway of the drawing Room. "Walking Stepfather."  "What have you got there?" Laslo asks.   "A field mouse." Cort answers.  "I would like to know from time to time what my family is doing."  "It's very late Stepfather." Cort says as he turns away.  "I want to know where you have been."  Cort turns to face Laslo. "You don't believe me?" He opens the box. "Look a field mouse and some fat little spiders. I gathered them for food."
"Food?"  "Yes you see we have a new guest at Desmond hall. A snake, it's a pet of Miss Agatha."  "How cozy. How homey for us. And where does she keep this rather bizarre pet?"  "I don't know it's missing."  "Oh making itself at home." Laslo says.  "Exactly." says Cort.  "Now you are going to add a mouse and some spiders as wandering guests."  "I told you it's for food for provisions." Cort says closing the box and walking past Laslo.  "I wish I knew what went on in that mind of yours." Laslo asks.  "It functions as does yours."  "Cort the other night you threatened me with a dagger."  Cort looks up. "Did I?"  "Yes, perhaps you don't remember but I find the incident very vivid. You were defending as I recall and avenging your father."  "Is that what I was doing?" Cort says with a smile.  "I have a suggestion Cort before you go about avenging your father. Find out from your mother what he was."  Cort turns towards Laslo. "I know what he was!"  "So do I. therefore I do not wish to die because of him. He was a nair do well, a conspirator."  "Don't speak about my father like that. He was a victim of conspiracy and hate. He was a man who knew nothing more than that. I have struggled and seen age old problems become power and money! And I am struggling to keep myself free from that!" Cort says as he walks across the room . He stops and turns towards Laslo. "So I will stand aside Laslo until all the money is mine." Cort walks out of the room.  Laslo turns and hurls his glass into the fireplace in anger. Philip's laughter fills the room. "Until the money is Cort’s. Did you hear that Laslo, and you thought you would win." Philip laughs.  Laslo glances around. "Philip? Is that you? Where are you?"  "Now where should I be. But Cort your dear stepson, now Cort is often at your side and someday he shall move that dagger if I have to move both heaven and hell to do it."  "Philip it can't be you. You are..."  "What were you about to say dear friend Laslo. I am what? Alive and well." Laslo backs away in fear.  Philip's laughter echoes through the room.
 
Cort opens the drapes in the Drawing Room as Emily enters. "Good morning Emily."  "Good morning." Emily says quietly as she walks across the room.  "I was just greeting the sunshine. Raxl always keeps the drapes closed. I think she would like to live underground down in one of those caves." Cort says as he picks up his coat from a chair. "Down with the bats and the little creatures and the crawling creatures." Cort says walking up to Emily with a smile.  "You're not amusing." Emily tells him as she stands next to a table leafing through a book.
"Well the entertainer needs an audience and your not being very responsive at all." Cort turns to walk away.  Emily glances at him. "Cort? Is Jean Paul back yet?"  "Should I know. And if I did should I tell you? Does she care? Does she love him?"  Emily turns away from Cort.  "So many questions and no answers." Cort says to Emily.  "I told you you're not funny." Emily says.  "Well I think you're funny Emily. Here you are trying to make some sense of the Desmond family, trying to get a niche in for yourself. Trying to dint the heart of Jean Paul. Don't you know you're put of your league. Don't you know you're out of the running." He walks over to Emily. "Have you met Agatha?"  "Yes I have." Emily glances down.  "You know she's gazing fondly at Jean Paul." Cort says then walks away.
Jean Paul is coming through the doorway.  "Good morning cousin." Cort says.
Jean Paul glances at Cort.  "Oh there is someone in there who wants to see you." Cort says as he puts on his coat.  "Cort?"  "Yes."  "If we were going to explore the river caves would you join us?"  "Certainly. Yes I'd enjoy that very much. Ah do we take along our own provisions?"  Jean Paul stares at him questioningly.  "I mean were not going to get lost in the labyrinth ways without devouring each other are we?" Cort turns away from Jean Paul and leaves the mansion.  Jean Paul shakes his head. "Such a winning young man."  "Jean Paul?" Emily calls from the Drawing Room.  "Good morning." Jean Paul says as he walks into the room. He stands in front of Emily. "Did you rest well last night?"
"No I didn't. I haven't seen you since... Jean Paul, Laslo somehow influenced me to show him the secret room. But I can't even remember it. I'm sorry." Emily says turning away from Jean Paul. "I wanted to help you but I've done nothing but cause trouble."  "You help me Emily by just being here."  "Jean Paul that night when you ran away from me you told me to leave you alone. To stay away from you." She turns and looks at him. "And I'll do that Jean Paul if that is what you want."  Jean Paul walks away from Emily. "I'm sorry, that night I just wasn't myself Emily. I regret what happened." He tells her with his back towards her.
Emily walks up to him. "I tried to be honest with you. You might do the same for me."  Jean Paul turns and grasps her hands. "I am being honest. Now I did not mean to hurt you."  "Do you want me to go?"  "I don't know. Emily if it was my decision alone I'd say stay, stay as long as you wish. Forever." He releases her hands and walks away from her. :But there are so many things, so many unpleasant things here that my instinct is to say go. She must go."  Emily glances down sadly.
 
Laslo sits on the couch talking to Irene in her cottage. Irene is arranging flowers. "The girl is right for us. I know." Laslo says.  "Agatha?" Irene asks.  "Yes destined I think for us."  "I knew her as a child long before you came to Desmondton. Her parents used to bring her with them, hoping to include her in the circle. The evil one likes nothing better than a responsive child. So true you see, so pure. But little Agatha would have none of it."  "Little Agatha is a grown woman ." Laslo says as he stands up and walks up to Irene. "Very attuned , alone. Ready to be responsive I can tell you."  "You can tell me about Holly too couldn't you?"  "You too Irene. Holly would have done well, she would have completed the coven. Been ours to mold as we wish." Laslo walks to the fireplace. "But there are other influences. Irene, Philip spoke to me last night."  "Philip spoke to you? I warned you!"  "He mocked me as if the job were done." Laslo says.  "The job will not be done until Jean Paul is taken care of! And you, you delay, delay." Irene says as she turns away from Laslo.  "What should I do? Shoot him and end up in prison. No I tell you this girl is the only way."  "But you have no moment of doubt. No hesitation? Oh how convenient for you. Jean Paul brings Agatha to his house so she can destroy him. Something seems a little wrong to me Laslo. Something very wrong." Irene says as she turns towards Laslo.  "You fret too much. In any case I don't want her at Desmond Hall. She's a cheat and a liar. She must go."
"Described like that she sounds ideal. All right bring her to me this daughter of witches." Irene says walking up to Laslo. "I'll see what we can do. Though how her parents will react I don't know." Irene walks away.  "They will be jubilant Irene. The wandering child returns to the fold. They may even kill the fatted calf themselves." Laslo says walking up to stand behind Irene."  "Laslo what did Philip say to you?" Irene asks turning to look at him.  "He said I was going to die. Presumably by the hand of my stepson."  "And it has frightened you."  "Not at all. A voice without a body." Laslo says walking away from Irene. "A spirit without any hope. No I fear Cort worse than I do Philip. But I have plans for him. When the estate is settled and all the money is in his hands then he will go on a trip too. Just like Philip." Laslo says as he picks up his coat.  "I feel sorry for the boy, I always have."  "I hate him much more than he hates me if that's possible."  Irene walks over to Laslo. "Thanks for stopping by Mr. Thaxton." she says as she   offers him her hand. "I feel it has been a rather pleasant and productive visit."
"Wasn't it though." Laslo says smiling at her.  "When will you bring the girl to me?"  "Tonight Mrs. Hatter tonight." Laslo says then leaves the cottage.
Irene walks across the room and smells her flowers.  "Filthy! Any flowers that you grow Mrs. Hatter would be filthy." Philip's voice tells her.  Irene backs away. "Philip you mustn't blame me." Philips laughter fills the room. "Not for anything. I was your friend, you know that."  "The vase of flowers pushes off the table and smashes. "Whatever our friendship is Irene it hasn't yet begun. Observe. And this is your alter." Her altar slides to the floor and smash.  "You will suffer for this Philip Desmond! You're tampering with something that is sacred to us! You have lost!" She picks up the broken pieces and drops them back on the floor. "Any victory that you hope that you had you lost!"
 
In Philip's secret room Emily sorts through books and glances through them.
Jean Paul enters. "Emily?"  "Jean Paul I'm just collecting my papers."  "I don't want you in here. Never again do you understand! Never again alone!" Jean Paul glances around the room.  "I was just preparing to leave this place as neat as I found it."  "Well leave it now! Take your research papers and go!" Jean Paul says nervously looking around the room.  "If you say I must then I will."  "Then you must now Emily! This room is to be sealed and no one is to be allowed in here again."  A hissing is coming from across the room. "What was that?" Emily asks.
"What do you mean?" Jean Paul asks walking over to her.  "A hissing sound like a snake. Some huge hissing snake ready to strike."  "Emily would you leave!: Jean Paul tells her.  "Didn't you hear it? Don't lie to me Jean Paul!" Emily says getting upset.  "Yes, yes I heard it!" Jean Paul shouts. And Raxl heard it last night. She also saw it. Not in reality because it is not real. It is some huge shadowy serpent which has the will to appear and disappear. It almost choked her to death last night! Now come with me!" Jean Paul rushes towards the door. "Now!"  "Wait I." Emily drops a book. As Jean Paul turns the door closes trapping Emily inside.  Emily rushes to the door. "Oh Jean Paul! Oh Jean Paul!" she shouts pounding on the door.  "Emily!" Jean Paul shouts. "Emily!"  Hearing a loud hissing Emily turns and walks towards it. A shadow of a giant snake rises up in front of her. "No! No stay away! No!" Emily screams as the candles blow out.
 
Ada is in the Drawing Room straightening it up when Laslo walks in. "Good morning my dear." Laslo says.  "Good morning." Ada says with her back towards him.  "Not a very bright greeting."  "My day did not begin very brightly as far as you are concerned. How is Mrs. Hatter?"  "She's well, very well."  "Laslo!" Jean Paul screams his name as he rushes into the room. "Laslo its Emily! She's... Come with me please. Well move! Come!" Jean Paul races from the room. Laslo follows him.  "Oh Emily you should have left Desmond Hall long ago. As I may leave. Yes, yes leave." Ada says.
 
Emily is lying on the floor in Philip's secret room.  "Emily, Emily!" Jean Paul shouts rushing over to her after he gets the door open. He lifts her head. Laslo takes her hand. "Jean Paul there's no pulse, no heartbeat. She's dead."  
 
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Summaries written by Debby Graham .  The slide presentation is the work of Ron Janick.
~Ron/Bella~
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Episode 90