STRANGE PARADISE- Episode 132

Episode 132: Slideshow

Philip: “Night at Desmond Hall. And a cold night wind moans through the forest that surrounds the Great House. As if mourning for the one that is lost. Jean Paul has found a door to an unknown land hoping to bring Holly Marshal back to the world she has known. He has failed for Holly has passed on to another world never to return and Jean Paul travels back to the land of the living believing a chapter in his life has ended. Only to find new terrors await him.”

Jean Paul and Raxl stare at the portrait of Jacques. “What is it?” Emily asks him.

“What’s wrong Jean Paul?” Philip asks. Ada walks around Philip. “Wouldn’t you be surprised if you find you had an ancestor who looked exactly like you?” “Well I suppose I would.” says Emily. Jean Paul looks away from the portrait. “Where did you get that?” “In the attic, Philip and I were taking something up to the attic and we stumbled across it.” Ada says as she looks at the portrait. “We thought you would be interested in it and obviously you are.” Philip says to Jean Paul.

Jean Paul tries to stand. “I must go to my room and rest for a while.” Ada walks over to him. “Jean Paul your face, your cloths. What happened to you?” “I’ve been searching for someone.” “Holly?” “Yes.” “Where could she have gone?” Ada asks. “I will try to explain that to you later Ada. I must go now.” Again he tries to stand. “Raxl.” “Yes Master.” She says as she walks around the couch and helps him to his feet. Jean Paul glances at the portrait then walks out of the Drawing Room with Raxl’s help. Ada looks at Philip. “Well I think we ought to hang this portrait. What do you think Philip?” “Well it is your house, yours and Jean Paul’s.” “Would you hang it for me?” “Yes of course.” “Good then I’ll get the hammer and some nails.” Ada says then walks out of the room. Philip sets the portrait on the floor. “Did you notice the expression on Jean Paul’s face when he saw the portrait?” Philip says to Emily. Emily stands next to the bookcase. “Yes I did." She says as she looks through a book. “Either I am imagining things or he looked frightened.” Emily walks up to him. “No you were not imagining it. I saw it too.” “Raxl also. I wonder why?” “I don’t know. Emily says as she looks through the book in her hands. “Who was the ancestor in this portrait, do you know?” Philip asks as he points at the portrait. “His name was Jacques Eloi Des Mondes.” “Even his name is similar to Jean Paul’s. What do you know about him?” “He was a terrifying man. He committed almost every crime imaginable including murder.” “Well that doesn’t explain the reaction to the portrait.” Philip says to her as he stands with his arms crossed. “No it doesn’t. But they were both frightened. And I can’t imagine why?” “Neither can I but I intend to find out.” Philip says as he walks around the portrait and looks at it.

Raxl helps Jean Paul to his room. Jean Paul enters wrapping his arms around himself shivering. Raxl grabs a robe and helps him to put it on. “Raxl that portrait. How did it get here?” “It followed you.” Raxl says to him. He looks at her. “That is not the same portrait. It has to be a duplicate.” “There is only one portrait of Jacques Eloi Des Mondes.” “But that portrait was destroyed when Maljardin burned.” “You thought it was but it was not!” Jean Paul glances away from Raxl. “That can’t be the same portrait! It can’t!” “It is evil and evil can not be consumed by fire!” “Stop it Raxl! Jean Paul shouts. “I won’t listen to anymore!” “I do not say these things to frighten you Master. For I am as frightened as you are.” “Go. Leave me alone.” Jean Paul says as he turns away from Raxl. “Before I go you must tell me what happened in the caves.” “I found the Door of Promise. The Egyptian Key was in the lock. I tried to use the key but I couldn’t open the door. I couldn’t!” “You were not supposed to pass through the door. The spirit of your brother would not let it happen.” “I heard Philip’s voice.” “What did he say?”

“He said that Holly was with him. And that they were happy then I heard his final word. Farewell.” “Then you will never hear his voice again.” “I just can’t believe that Holly is gone.” Jean Paul says as he shakes his head. “Holly chose to leave us. She’s with the man she loves. She has found a great happiness there then she would ever have with us. You must content yourself with that.” Jean Paul glances away. “Yes, yes I suppose so.” “And you have returned safely from the land of the unknown. I was desperately afraid that you wouldn’t.” Raxl says almost in tears. Jean Paul turns to her. “Oh Raxl, Raxl you needn’t have feared for me. I knew I would return.” He tells her as he holds her hands. “I still fear for you Master.” She says looking up at him. “For you have the portrait to guard against.” Jean Paul turns away from Raxl. “It is not the same portrait!” “Oh you must not deceive yourself. It only makes you venerable to the evil that would destroy you!” Jean Paul glances back at Raxl. “That portrait we saw downstairs is nothing but a piece of canvas and paint! It has no power at all!” Raxl walks up to him and grabs his hand. “It can command the power of darkness. You are a fool if you do not realize that.” Jean Paul pulls away from Raxl. “Then I shall prove how much power it has!” I’ll destroy it!” “You cannot destroy it! Nor anyone else!” Raxl shouts at him. “We shall see!” Jean Paul says angrily as he leaves the room slamming the door behind him. Raxl stand in the room looking upset and worried.

Philip hangs the portrait above the fireplace. He steps back to stand with Ada and Emily. Ada smiles. “It’s an excellent portrait isn’t it?” Philip nods as Emily stands looking at it with her arms crossed. “Yes it is.” says Emily. “It looks like it belongs there. I wonder why anyone would store it in the attic. A painting like that?” “Perhaps someone didn’t like it.” says Philip. “Oh I can’t imagine why. It’s a beautiful painting.” Ada says as Jean Paul walks into the Drawing Room. “Ada?” “Jean Paul I thought you was resting?” “Perhaps I could speak to you for a moment. Will you excuse us please?” Jean Paul says to Philip and Emily.

“Certainly.” Philip says as he lets Emily walk before him from the room. Jean Paul approaches the painting. What is it Jean Paul? Are you going to tell me what happened to Holly?” She asks turning towards him. Jean Paul still stands staring at the portrait. He turns and looks at Ada. “Oh yes if you wish. She’s gone.” Ada walks up to him. “Where did she go?” “She had to go away. She felt it would be better if she left. And she is gone perhaps for a long time. In fact she may never return.” “Never?” Jean Paul shakes his head. “No never. I shall miss her. We will all miss her but she will never return to Desmond Hall.” “I knew you were thinking of sending her to Europe but why so suddenly? And why can’t she ever return?” “She chose to go Ada. And it is her decision, her desire to stay away forever.” Ada steps away from Jean Paul. “Jean Paul there is so much that I don't understand.” She looks back at him as he steps towards her. “I told you all I can tell you Ada. I’m sorry.” “One more question. Is Holly safe wherever she is?” “She’s quite safe.” “Are you sure?” “I’m sure.” “Well I suppose that’s all that matters.” Jean Paul glances at Jacques’ portrait. “Ada there is something I want to talk to you about. It’s the portrait.” Ada walks a few steps away to look at it. “Don’t you think it looks splendid above the fireplace like that?” Jean Paul glances back at her. “I’m sorry you like it because I would like it taken down.”

“Taken down? But why?” she asks as she steps closer to Jean Paul. “It reminds me of Maljardin.” he says looking at her. “Maljardin?” “Yes a portrait just like this hung in the Main Hall. It brings back memories of Maljardin.” He says as he glances at it then at Ada. “Memories I would prefer to forget.” “I see.” “I hope you understand.” “Of course I understand.” “Then may I with your permission take it down?” “Now you don’t have to ask for my permission. This is your house and if you don’t like the portrait by all means take it down.” “Thank you Ada. As a matter of fact I shall put it where no one will be able to see it again.” He says looking at the portrait. “You can do whatever you want to do with it. By the way Laslo’s looking for you. I’m just going to tell him you’re safe.” Ada says as she walks out of the room. “Please do that.” Jean Paul says then turns to the portrait. He reaches up and takes the portrait from the wall. He lowers it and looks at it. “You are nothing but canvas and paint!” He carries the portrait across the room and picks up a dagger. Turning he slashes the portrait, then carries it to the fireplace and throws into the flames. “Burn.” Jean Paul says, then backs away with a smile.

Emily joins Philip in his room. In Philip’s hand is the book that has the picture of the four women that are being hung. “I’m curious about this picture.” Emily turns away. I don’t want to look at it.” Philip closes the book. “I don’t blame you it isn’t exactly pretty.” “Please close the book. Don’t make me look at it.” “How was this picture taken?” Philip asks. “I don’t know. I don’t know I just know I found it.” “How could a picture of you come to be in a book in the Desmond Library?” “I don’t know that either.” Emily says looking at Philip. “I don’t understand any more about it then you do. I just know that I’m frightened.” “I recognize the other two women of course Helena and Holly.” “They are both gone now.” Emily says as she walks away from Philip. “This third woman. What did you say her name was?” Emily turns and looks at him. “Agatha Pruett.” “She’s dead?” “Her body was found in the river.” “Did she commit suicide?” Philip asks as he lowers the book. “No she was strangled.” Emily tells him as she walks closer to him.

“Strangled? Did they find the strangler?” Emily shakes her head no. “What do you know about her?” “She lived here. Jean Paul brought her here. “Jean Paul?” “She didn’t have any place to stay so he asked her to stay here. He was very kind to her. And then one day she disappeared. And her body was found in the river. She was the first one and then Helena was gone. And now Holly’s disappeared and I’m next I know it.” Emily says as she looks away. “So many mysteries here. So many things left unexplained. Murdered girl, Helena gone and Holly’s disappearance. And this picture and the portrait that seems to frighten Jean Paul. All these things must be connected but how? How?”

Jean Paul lays on his bed sitting up against the headboard. “I destroyed it Raxl.”

“You could not have destroyed it!” Jean Paul stands. “But I did. I sliced it to pieces then I threw it into the fireplace and watched it burn. It burned like an ordinary piece of canvas would.” “Oh you think you are free now Master but be careful. You are not free!” “You don’t think that there is even a remote possibility that I am?” “NO, it is not possible. You made a bargain with the Powers of Darkness. They control you now. They will not release you without a struggle.”

Jean Paul turns and angrily walks across the floor. He turns back toward Raxl. “But the Mark of Death has not appeared on my hand for days.” He holds his hand out. “Because the spirit Erica was here to torment you. She is gone now, the mark will return.” “How can you be so certain?” “All I know the forces of evil, you can not will them away.” “But the mark!” Raxl walks to the window and pulls back the drapes. Turning she walks back towards Jean Paul. “The evil star is not in the heavens tonight. Until it is you will not and can not know whether you are free.” There is a knock at the door. Jean Paul glances over at it. “Come in.” The door opens and Ada enters the room. “I couldn’t find Laslo. He just wasn’t in the house. I suppose he’s gone to town.” “I will talk to him in the morning. Go along Raxl. Raxl bows and leaves the room. Ada looks up at Jean Paul. “Cort won’t unlock his door. He’s still frightened.” “Does he have any reason to be frightened?” Jean Paul asks. “Well he believes something mysterious happened to Holly. He’s saying the strangest things.” “Oh it’s just his imagination. I wouldn’t pay any attention to it.” She looks at him. “No I won’t. I want you to talk to him. I want you to say to him what you said to me.” “Well I’ll talk to him but in the morning.” “Oh thank you.” Ada starts to leave but turns back towards Jean Paul. “Oh by the way I’m glad you changed your mind.” “Changed my mind? About what?” “About the portrait.” “What do you mean?” “Well as I was walking through the Drawing Room just now I noticed it was still hanging.” Jean Paul looks away in fear. Ada turns and walks out of the room. Raxl enters as Jean Paul walks to the window and looks out. He turns to her. “You were right. I was a fool to think I could ever be free.” He walks across the room to Raxl. “I knew the portrait would not burn. I knew we would not be rid of it so easily.” “Why now? Why didn’t the portrait appear until now?” “Because the spirit of Erica was here. When it failed to destroy and departed the portrait has come to take her place. It is your enemy now.” Jean Paul starts across the room then stops. He hears the heartbeat. “What is it?” Raxl asks. “The heartbeat!” “Oh no.” Raxl rushes up to him. “The heartbeat!” Jean Paul calls out. Raxl turns and rushes to the window. The star has appeared in the sky. She turns and looks back at Jean Paul. “It’s done. The evil star is there now.” Jean Paul looks at his hand. “The Mark.” He holds his hand out. Raxl grips his hand. “You’ve got to help me.” Jean Paul says to her. “I’ve tried to help you but I do not know what I ca do. Quito is not here now. I cannot guard you alone.” “Listen Raxl there is something you can do. In the upper part of this house there is a tower, a room. The room has bars in the window and only one door. Take me up there and lock me inside.” “I will stay with you.” “No, no I don’t trust myself. Not even with you. You must lock me inside and I must be left there until the morning.” “But do you have a key to this room?” Jean Paul glances away. “No but there is a key. In the desk in the Drawing Room. Please go and get it now. I’ll wait here but go quickly.” Raxl turns and rushes from the room. Jean Paul clutches his hand and paces the floor in agony. There is a knock at his door. He turns and looks at the door. The door opens and Emily steps inside. “Jean Paul?” “What is it?” “I saw your light. Didn’t you hear me knock?” “Yes I heard. I’m very tired, I want to be alone.”

Emily steps closer to him. “Jean Paul I want to talk to you. I saw the picture again. The one with the four women hanging. One of them is me.” Jean Paul stands fighting the stars influence. “You’re perfectly safe. Please go to your room and lock yourself inside.” “I feel safer with you.” “No I, please go now.” “Can’t I just stay and talk with you.” “I told you I’m very tired.” He says trembling as he fights against the star. “But what does it mean?” The picture, does it mean I’m going to be killed?” The heartbeat gets louder as Jean Paul glances up. He turns and looks at Emily. “Why don’t you answer me? Why are you staring at me like that?” Emily asks as she backs away from him as Jean Paul walks towards her.

“What is it? Jean Paul what’s wrong?” Raxl enters the room. “Master!” He looks at Raxl then rushes from the room, Raxl follows him. Emily stands in the middle of the room with an expression of fear.

Philip knocks on the Drawing Room door then enters. “Jean Paul?” He steps inside and glances around. “Jean Paul?” Raxl walks in behind him. “My Master is in his room sleeping.” Philip steps towards her. “Why do you always lie to me Raxl?” “Why do you think I’m lying?” “I had just been to his room and he wasn’t there.” “Perhaps he awakened and went for a walk. He likes to walk at night.”

“Do you know what I think Raxl? I think you are full of secrets Raxl.” He tells her as he circles around her. “Am I?” “Secret number one. That portrait.” He points at it. “Why did you gasp when you saw it?” “Surprise. There was a portrait like that at Maljardin that’s all.” “Is that all?” “I will not answer any more questions tonight.” “All right I’ll stop for tonight. But I’m warning you tomorrow I’ll start again and I won’t be satisfied until I have some answers!” “Goodnight.” Raxl tells him with her back towards him. Philip turns away angrily and walks from the Drawing Room and up the staircase. Raxl turns and watches him go then turns and looks at the portrait. She hears someone knock at the door. Leaving the Drawing Room Raxl rushes through the foyer. She unlocks the door and opens it. A girl stands on the other side of the door. Raxl steps foreword. “Yes.” “I’m looking for the murderer.”

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Summaries written by Debby Graham . The slide presentation is the work of Ron Janick.

~Ron/Bella~
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