STRANGE PARADISE- Episode 133

Episode 133: Slideshow

Emily: “Night at Desmond Hall. The peace that most people find in the coming of darkness eludes the Master of the ancient mansion. In the sky the evil star shines. Jean Paul Desmond has locked himself away from the irresistible temptation that dreaded omen leads him to. In the Drawing Room hangs the portrait of Jacques Eloi Des Mondes who links the fortunes of the present to the evils of the past. At the door of the Desmond House the future knocks.”

Raxl turns around and grabs the doorknob and closes the door. She stands outside with the stranger. “What did you say?” “I’m looking for the Desmond House.” “This is it. But you said you were looking for someone.” “Oh no, I don’t know anyone here.” “You said you wanted to see the murderer. Who do you mean?” The girl steps away from Raxl. “Sometimes I say things that just come into my mind. You’ll get used to it.” She says with her back towards Raxl. “Where did you come from?” “We all come from the same place don’t we?”

“Who are you?” “Does it matter?” “Well what do you want here?” She glances at the sky. Raxl also glances up. The evil star is in the sky. The door opens and Laslo steps out. “Now what do we have here? A little conference in the dark.”

“The young lady is looking for someone.” Raxl says to Laslo. “Bring her inside where it’s warm or send her home.” The stranger looks at him. “I am home.”

“I beg your pardon. What did you say?” asks Laslo. “Home is where we happen o find ourselves isn’t it?” Laslo walks towards her. “It may be to you but this is my home and I don’t like strangers outside the door.” “People are only strangers until we get to know them. And sometimes we know all about people without knowing them at all.” “I don’t follow you.” Laslo says to her. “Well you recently married into the Desmond family so this house isn’t yours.” Laslo glances at Raxl then back at the girl. “Come inside.” She enters the foyer and looks around. Laslo and Raxl follow her. Raxl closes the door behind them. “Are you hungry?” Laslo asks. “Well no thanks I had dinner.” Laslo walks up to her. “Are you staying in Desmondton?” “No I’m staying here.” “Oh did you invite the young lady?” Laslo asks Raxl. “I did not.” “Oh she was going to before you interrupted. Weren’t you?” She says to Raxl. “She didn’t want me to go back to Desmondton.”

“The young lady can stay here if she wishes.” Raxl says. “Is that what you want?” Laslo asks her. “I want nothing more than what happens to me. And we don’t control that do we?” Laslo looks at Raxl. “You better prepare Miss Holly’s room.” “But Miss Holly’s things are there.” “Do as I say.” The girl takes off her coat and Raxl takes it from her to hang it up. “We better go to the Drawing Room. There is a fire burning in there. It’s right this way.” Laslo says as he points to the door. “I know.” She says as she leads the way. Entering the Drawing Room she looks around as Laslo follows her inside. He closes the doors behind them.

“Would you like something to drink? Some brandy.” “No thank you I don’t drink.” she says as she looks around the Drawing Room with a smile. “Of course you don’t. You’re very young aren’t you?” “I have no need for intoxicants.” “Oh you’re very fortunate. Well do sit down if you’re going to be here for a while. We might as well get acquainted.” She walks over to the couch and sits down. Laslo sits beside her. “Now where are you from?” Laslo asks. “Oh from the world the same as you.” She says as she looks at him. “What is your name?” “Susan.”

“Susan what?” “Oh just Susan is enough.” She looks around. “But you must have a family name.” “We all belong to the same family don’t we?” She says as she looks at him. “Now look you must have a name. Mine is Mr. Thaxton. Be a good girl and tell me what your’s is.” She stands. “I’m afraid you attach more importance to names than I do.” She says as she walks around the room. “Well you must have a father, mother, brothers and sisters. You are very young to be all alone in the world.” She walks to the bookcase looking at the books. Then glances back at Laslo. “Oh no one is alone in the world when there are millions of us.” “I see you refuse to answer questions.” She walks back towards him. “Oh no I’ll answer your questions if you can just explain to me why answers are necessary.” “You have a most original attitude towards life. Is that typical of the younger set today? I do not mean to pry but you do arouse my curiosity.” Laslo says looking at her. She notices Jacques portrait. “That painting I know that face.”

Cort is sitting at the table reading in Philip’s secret room. The door opens and Emily steps in. “Cort I thought you had gone to bed.” Cort glances at her then away. “I couldn’t sleep.” he says rubbing his head tiredly. “Well don’t let me disturb you. I just thought I’d find a book I was looking for in here that’s all.” She walks over to the bookcase. “Are you looking for the answers in Cousin Philip’s books too?” “No I’m looking for information not answers.” Emily says to him.

Cort lays his head on the books. “What’s the matter?” Emily asks. “I’m scared.”

Emily walks up to him. “We mustn’t give in to fear.” “It’s easy for you to say.”

“I wish that were true.” Cort slaps the books with his hand. “Why can’t things be like they were?” Cort stands and steps away from the table and turns and looks back at Emily “Desmond Hall used to be peaceful until my mother married Laslo.”

“Nothing stays the same.” Emily says as she looks through the pile of books on the table. “Now everywhere I turn there is a mystery I don’t understand.” Emily glances at him. “What’s your mystery Cort?” “My mother told me that Jean Paul said Holly went to Europe. Is that true?” “Well if Jean Paul said so then I believe him.” “Then you trust him more than I do.” “Why shouldn’t you believe him?”

Cort steps up to her. “Because one minute Holly is in the foyer, then the next minute she’s gone!” Cort says angrily. “I believe what my eyes tell me.” “Well do they tell you where she went?” He looks away. “No but how. She went through a secret opening in the wall.” “Cort you’re imaging things.” “Oh don’t pretend you don’t know.” “I’m not pretending anything.” “Yes you are! You know where Holly went and so does Jean Paul!” Emily walks to the door. “I’m not going to stay here and listen to your ridiculous suspicions.” She turns and walks out.

Laslo looks at the portrait. “Where did that come from? I never had seen it before.” “He’s very handsome isn’t he?” Susan says with a smile. “You said you knew him.” Laslo asks as he turns and looks at her. “Now how would I know him? His picture is in your house.” “But you recognized his face.” “Oh you see faces like that all around.” Laslo turns and looks at the portrait. “Well I don’t think he’s so special.” “Oh but look closer. That face has knowledge that most of us aren’t allowed to have.” Laslo stares at the portrait as Emily enters the Drawing room. “Oh excuse me. I didn’t think there was anyone in here.” “It’s all right. Please come in. Susan this is Miss Blair.” “Hello Miss Blair.” Emily walks up to them. “Susan refuses to tell me her last name.” Laslo says to Emily. “Well it isn’t important.” Susan tells Emily. “Well that’s all right. Why don’t you call me, Emily?”

“If your name isn’t important to you what is?” Laslo asks. “There are many things. The sky, the sea, the trees outside. All those things are important to me. Compared to them we’re nothing. No matter what our names are.” “I see and nothing else matters?” “Well not at much as you think it does. But this magnificent house, all the paintings, precious furniture everything it doesn’t matter.” Emily smiles. “Maybe you’re right. Perhaps we do pay too much too material things.” “People are what they are not what they own.” She says looking at Laslo. “How easy it is for the young to require only themselves for life.” Laslo says to Susan. “Don’t tease her.” Emily says to him. “It doesn’t bother me. Mr. Thaxton has a lot to learn.” “Are you going to teach me?” “Maybe I will.” She glances at the bookcase. “Oh I love books.” She walks over to the bookcases. “You know they contain the meaning of our lives and thoughts.” “That reminds me. That’s what I came here for to get a book.” Susan pulls a book from the shelf. “Here it is.” She hands it to Emily. “How did you know?” “I think this book has everything you want to know about the Desmonds. Am I right?” Raxl enters the Drawing Room. “I have prepared your room.” “Her name is Susan.” Laslo says to Raxl. “You may go upstairs now.” Raxl tells her. “Oh we just got to know each other. She has so many unusual opinions. I'd like to talk to her for a little longer.” Laslo tells them. “I’m sorry I really am tired. I would like to be alone.” “I will show you the way.” Raxl says to her. “That’s okay I know the way.” Susan walks out of the Drawing Room. Raxl follows her. Laslo walks to the doorway of the Drawing Room and watches them go up the staircase, he turns and looks at Emily. “That girl is odd very odd indeed.” “She seems very nice to me. Lively, interested in life.” Emily says as she carries the book to the desk and sits down.

“But how did she know what book you wanted?” “Some people have a gift to find what other people are looking for. It’s unusual but it does happen.” “But to know where rooms are in a house you’ve never been and to apparently read people’s minds.” Emily glances at him. “There is a great deal about the human brain that isn’t known yet. I have friends that have studied it at the Universities. Some have even practiced what is called a kind of parapsychology I think.” She turns back to the book on the desk. “But you must admit it’s unsettling to be with somebody that knows what you are thinking.” Cort walks into the Drawing Room. “Oh Cort you’ve come out of hiding.” Laslo says to him. “I wasn’t hiding.” “Your mother was worried about you.” “I’m all right.” “Did you find what you were looking for?” Emily asks him. “What were you looking for?” Laslo asks. Cort stands and stares at the portrait of Jacques Eloi Des Mondes.” “Who is that?” He turns and looks at Laslo. “Where?” Emily asks. “That painting.” “Yes who is that?” Laslo asks. “It wasn’t here yesterday.” Cort says to Emily. Emily stands and walks up to Cort and Laslo. “Your mother found it up in the attic. She brought it down. Philip hung it there this evening. The three of them look at the painting. “Our little visitor said she recognized the face.” Laslo says. “Did she?” Emily says.

“What visitor?” asks Cort. “Then she said she didn’t but I believe she does.”

“Will one of you answer my question?” Cort says as he looks at Laslo then Emily.

“What question?” Emily asks. “Who is the visitor?” “Some girl Raxl asked to spend the night in Holly’s room.” says Laslo. “Who is she?” “That my dear Cort remains a mystery.” Laslo says to Cort.

Raxl shows Susan to her room. “Why have you brought me here? This isn’t Holly’s room.” “I’m sure you will find this room most pleasant.” Susan turns and starts to walk out of the bedroom. Raxl holds out her arm. “Where are you going?” “But I prefer Holly’s room.” “Holly’s room is not prepared.” Susan turns back and looks at the bedroom. “Why are you afraid?” “I do not frighten easily Miss.” Raxl says as she walks to the bed and pulls the blankets back. “Then why won’t you let me sleep in the room Mr. Thaxton told you to put me in?” “Mr. Thaxton does not realize how much work is involved in preparing a room for an unexpected guest.” Susan walks over to the bed. “And yet you have many unexpected guests at Desmond Hall.” Raxl glances at Susan. “Sometimes.”

“Not sometimes all the time. Like Emily, she’s not a member of the Desmond family is she?” “Miss Blair was invited to stay here.” Susan walks around the bed to the dressing table. Raxl walks around the bed. “And there was the woman who was going to marry Mr. Desmond.” Susan raises her hand to her head. “She arrived unexpectedly as I remember too.” Raxl approaches her. “As you remembered? How do you know such things?” “And there is Holly. Who was Holly?” “Mr. Desmonds ward. She came here with us.” Susan nods. “Now she’s gone too.” “You know many things which you should not know.” Susan turns away. “I guess she found what she was looking for.” Walking forward she turns and looks at Raxl. “Are you afraid I’m going to find what I’m looking for? Is that it?” Raxl stares at her.

Emily sits on the couch writing notes from the book she is looking at. Laslo stands behind the couch pouring a drink. Cort stands next to the fireplace as Laslo walks over to him. “Will you please answer my question. Who is she?”

“She wouldn’t tell me.” “It is not like you to not find out what you want to dear stepfather.” “Yes perhaps you would be better off with her after all. You young people aren’t interested in explaining yourself to your elders.” “I’ll find her. Where is she?” “Raxl took her to Holly’s bedroom. You let me know if you have more success than I did.” Laslo says as he finishes his drink. Cort walks to the doorway. “Leave her alone. If she doesn’t want to tell us who she is why should she?” Emily says to Cort. Raxl enters the Drawing Room. “The girl has gone to bed.” “I’ll find out who she is tomorrow.” Cort tells them then turns and walks out of the Drawing Room. .Raxl walks across the room and stands next to the fireplace. “Shouldn’t we tell Jean Paul she’s here?” Emily asks. “No.” Raxl says to her. “As you keep reminding me this is his house. I think he aught to be told he has a guest.” “He will be told in the morning.” Raxl says as she looks at Laslo. “Well surely we shouldn’t hide her as if we’re afraid to let him know she is here.” Laslo says to Raxl. “He’s sleeping.” “Sensible fellow, it is late.” Laslo places his glass on the mantel. “You’re little guest recognized the portrait.” Laslo says to Raxl. “What did she say about it?” “Only that she knew the face. Well you must admit it has a startling resemblance to Jean Paul.” Laslo says looking up at the portrait. “The Desmonds has a strong family resemblance.” “Which Desmond was this?” “Jacques Eloi Desmond or Des Mondes as the family was called then.” Emily tells Laslo. “I never heard of him.” “He lived in the 17th century. He founded Maljardin.” “Well that’s why Raxl is so entranced with it.” Laslo says looking at Raxl. Raxl turns to Laslo. “There was one very much like it hanging in the Great Hall at Maljardin.” “To bad our visitor isn’t here to enlighten us further.” Laslo says as he walks away from Raxl and leaves the Drawing Room. Raxl walks to the window and looks out. The evil star is still in the sky. She turns away. “What is it Raxl?” Emily asks. “The Master must not know that girl is here.”

Susan is sleeping when music awakens her. She sits on the side of the bed and lights a candle. She picks it up and walks across the room to the door. She opens it and steps into the hallway closing the door behind her.

“He must not find out there is a strange girl in the house.” Raxl tells Emily as she walks across the room. “Just a minute Raxl.” Emily says to her. Raxl stops and looks back at Emily. “Yes Miss Blair?” Emily stands and walks over to her. “Earlier tonight when you came to Jean Paul’s room and I was there.” Raxl turns away. “Do not speak of it.” “You stopped him from doing something didn’t you?” Raxl looks at her. “You are safe.” “I’m safe from what? From Jean Paul?” “Miss Blair my Master is not always well.” Raxl says as she walks away from her. “He’s had such shocks and personal sorrows that sometimes his mind leaves him momentarily.” “And when it does, he’s dangerous to others?” Emily asks. Raxl looks away. “Raxl answer me. I want to help him.” Emily says when Raxl will not answer or look at her. “You must not ask me such questions.” Raxl says and walks from the room. She closes the door behind her, then turns and is startled when she sees Laslo standing in front of her. “You weren't telling me the truth Raxl.” “About what Mr. Thaxton?” “I couldn’t resist telling Jean Paul about our young visitor. And when I went to his room he wasn’t there.” “I left him there.”

“You left him perhaps but not there. You’ve put him someplace. You have locked him up. From who? From what?” Raxl turns and rushes up the staircase

Susan opens the door to Philip’s secret room. She sets the candle down on the table and walks towards the skeleton. After looking at it she turns and walks to the table looking at the jars that are sitting on it. She walks to the bookcase looking at the books when the door opens. Cort walks in. “You’re the girl my stepfather has been talking about.” “Perhaps.” Susan tells him. Cort walks closer to her. “My name is Cort.” “And mine is Susan.” “What are you doing in this room?” She glances around with a smile. “I like quiet rooms far away from other people.” “But how did you find it.” Cort asks. “Oh it was very easy to find. I think I’ve known it all along.” she says as she turns towards Cort with a smile.

“Why are you looking at me like that?” “The music that had awakened her now plays in the room. Susan is transported to another time. “Come dance with me Claude one more time. Please just hold me in your arms and dance with me”

A man walks towards her. It could be Cort’s twin. He takes her hand. And they start to dance the minuet. “Okay my dear Susanne. I came as soon as your messenger arrived.” “Don’t leave me alone Claude.” “Of course. Of course I shan’t. I’ll be here when you need me.” “Promise me that forever.” “I’ll promise whatever you want. You’re the lady of my heart you know that.” They stop dancing and just hold hands. “Then you must help me. There is no time to waste.” He kisses her hand. “Of course I will help you.” “Papa is in danger.”

“Danger? Your father?” She turns away. “He’s pursued every day, every night.”

“By whom?” He asks touching her arm. “Oh you will detest me if I tell you.” “I could never detest you my sweet.” “It is one of your family, Claude. One of your kinsman plans to kill him.” He walks around to face her. Then backs away.

“Come back Claude come back. Please don’t leave me. Without Papa I’m all alone in the world.” Susan comes out of the trance. “Why are you looking at me like that?” Cort asks. “Oh forgive me it’s just that you reminded me of someone I knew a long time ago.” Susan says then picks up the candle and leaves Philip’s room.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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

~Ron/Bella~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~