STRANGE PARADISE- Episode 139

Episode 139: Slideshow

Ada: “Morning at Desmond Hall and the Island outside the Great Estate would appear to be quiet and serene. But within its walls there are those that can no peace. They are trying to solve the mystery of a murdered girl. A girl who may or may have not been killed by Jean Paul Desmond. And as they get closer and closer to the truth new mysteries emerge. Mysteries which touch the lives of others. Before this day is over they will learn something new and terrifying.”

Cort walks in and tells Philip and Emily he knows who killed Agatha Pruett. “Who?” Philip asks. “What would you do if I tell you? Would you go to the police?” Cort asks Philip as he walks into the room. “Yes of course if there is proof.” “Oh there's proof but he will probably deny it.” “He? Who are you talking about?” Philip asks. “Laslo.” “What?” Emily asks. “Laslo killed Agatha Pruett.”

Philip and Emily stand and stare at Cort. “Well aren’t you going to say something?” “But how do you know?” Philip asks. “Well I heard Laslo threaten to kill her.” “When?” Emily asks. “The night she died.” “What did he say to her?”

Cort looks away. “You keep quiet or I’ll kill you.” “Those are his exact words?” Philip asks. “Well as close as I can remember them.” “But keep quiet about what? What did he mean do you know?” Emily asks. “I’m not sure. But I do know Laslo has a lot of secrets about himself.” “Such as?” Philip asks. Cort looks at Philip. “Such as Irene Hatter. Maybe Agatha found out Laslo and Irene had something going for themselves and she threatened to tell my mother. I don’t know.” “Let’s start at the beginning. Now where did this happen?” Philip asks.

“In the Drawing Room.” “Were you there?” “No I was coming down the staircase and I heard voices, the voices of Laslo and Agatha. They seemed to be in an argument so I stopped to listen.” “And you heard Laslo threaten to kill her?”

“Yes.” “And what did Agatha say?” Emily asks. “She was scared and she ran out of the house and Laslo followed her.” “And then?” Philip asks. “Well she didn’t arrive back for a long time so Jean Paul got worried about her. We went out to look for her. We never found her, she was already dead.” “Well then you didn’t witness the actual killing.” Philip says. “No but who else could have done it?” “Well at least we know that Laslo had a motive as thin as it is.” Emily says to them. “Unfortunately a motive isn’t evidence.” Philip says. Cort reaches into his pocket. “This is.” he says as he hands it to Philip. “What is this?” “Agatha’s compact, I found it in Laslo’s pocket.” “In his pocket?” Philip asks. “Yes his coat was on a chair. I saw a newspaper in his pocket and I wanted to read it so I took it and that fell out on the floor.” “When?” “Oh a couple of days after the murder.”

Philip shows it to Emily. “Do you recognize it?” “Yes it was Agatha‘s.” “She probably dropped it while Laslo was strangling her and he put it in his pocket to hide it.” “A pocket seems a very strange place to hide something for a murder.” says Philip. “Well yes but it is evidence isn’t it? It is something.” “Perhaps.” Philip says as he looks at the compact. “Why didn’t you tell all this to the police?” Emily asks him. “Well I was afraid no one would believe me.” Cort says as he turns away. “And I didn’t want to get involved.” “And now you do?” Philip asks.

“Cort turns and looks at Philip. “Laslo has made my mother’s life miserable. I want him to pay for it. So you go to the police and tell them you found the murderer. Cort says as he steps closer to Philip. “I want to see Laslo rot in jail for the rest of his life.” He turns and walks out of the room. Philip takes a few steps towards the door then looks back at Emily. “Well do you think he is telling the truth?” “Why would he lie?” “He hates Laslo obviously.” “But enough to lie? To make up everything he just said?” “I don’t know but we will have to be objective about it. Now Laslo might have a motive and we might have stumbled across some important evidence and that’s all.” Philip says to her. “Then you are not going to the police?” “No not yet, not until we find out something more.” Emily sighs. “I thought we had finally gotten somewhere.” “Well perhaps we have. If Cort is telling the truth we may be very close to proving Laslo is our murderer.”

Ada sits at the desk in the Drawing Room as Laslo walks into the room. “My dear?” Laslo says to her as he walks to her side. “What is it?” Ada asks. “Where have you been all morning?” “Out for a walk.” “It must have been a very long walk. You have been gone all morning.” “I needed to think.” “About what?” Laslo asks. Ada stands and walks to the doorway. “I’d rather not say.” “Where are you going?” “Out.” She says with her back towards him. “I think it is time for you and I to have a talk.” “Not now.” “Now.” Laslo tells her. Ada turns to face him. “All right Laslo lets talk.” She says then walks past him. “What is on your mind? You might as well tell me.” “A great many things.” Ada says to him. Laslo walks up behind her. “Did Cort tell you something that upset you?” Ada turns towards him. “Yes.” “I know what he told you and it is ridiculous.” “Is it?” “My dear Ada the boy has an active imagination. He has concocted some romantic fantasy about Irene Hatter and me. And that’s all it is a fantasy.” “He said...” “That he saw us kissing?” Ada looks away. “Yes.” “He did. He was telling the truth.” Ada looks at him. “Laslo?” “But he distorted what he saw. Yes it’s true I kissed Irene but it was only a friendly peck on the cheek as I was leaving her cottage, nothing more.” Ada glances at him. “You know I want to believe you.” “Then believe me, I wouldn’t lie to you. You’re my wife.” He says as he puts his arm around her shoulder. “I love you.” “Don’t say it if you don’t mean it.” “Of course I mean it. You are my wife.” Ada turns away. “People marry for many reasons.” “What’s that supposed to mean?” “Never mind.” “Ada, look at me.” He grabs her shoulders and turns her towards him. “You are my wife and I love you. There is no one else, you must believe that.” “I believe it because I want to believe it. But if I finds out you have been lying to me...” “Come here.” Laslo says as he holds her in his arms.

Emily is in Jean Paul’s room telling him what they had found out. “Laslo?” Jean Paul asks. He is sitting on the edge of his bed. “Well if what Cort says is true then Laslo had both the opportunity and the motive. Emily says as she walks to the window. Jean Paul stands. “Yes but he might have been with someone that night. Someone who could provide him with an alibi.” Jean Paul tells her as he walks away from the bed with his back towards Emily. “Well Philip has gone to question Mrs. Thaxton. I didn’t see him anywhere around here did you?” “I don’t remember much about that night. I remember searching for Agatha that’s all.”

“Jean Paul you are innocent.” Emily says as she walks up to him and holds onto his arm. “I know you are. I know it.” She lays her head against his arm.

Philip walks down the staircase, then looks in the Drawing Room. Ada is sitting on the couch. “Oh Mrs. Thaxton.” “Oh Philip.” “Am I disturbing you?” “Oh no not really, I didn’t hear you come in.” Philip walks to the couch. “Do you mind if I ask you a few questions?” “Question?” Ada asks. “About Agatha Pruett I’m curious about her. I understand her death is something of a mystery.” Philip says to her as he sits next to her. “Oh that poor girl. I hate to think about it.” Ada says then looks away. “What do you know about her?” “Well Jean Paul brought her here. Apparently she left home. Family problems I believe and Jean Paul felt sorry for her. Invited her to stay here.” “What was she like?” “She seemed like a very nice girl. I didn’t really know her very well.” “Did you know anybody who disliked her?” “No I really don’t know.” She says as she looks at him. “Do you remember the night she died?” “Vividly.” “What happened?” “Well until we found out she was dead it seemed to be an ordinary evening. I went to bed early and Raxl woke me. Told me what had happened. I remember asking Raxl to stay with me the whole night because I was afraid to be alone.” “Then you were alone?” Your husband wasn’t with you?” “Why do you ask that? Answer me.” Philip glances away. “Why are you asking these questions?” Ada asks. Cort walks into the Drawing Room. “He’s looking for the murderer. Prepare yourself for a shock. The man he is looking for is your husband.” Ada stands as he walks up to her. “Cort?” “Laslo killed Agatha Pruett and he is going to pay for it.” Philip stands next to Ada. “How can you say such a thing?” Ada asks Cort. She turns to Philip. “Please don’t listen to him.” “He already has. And I’m not making blind accusations I have proof.” “What are you talking about?” Ada asks Cort. “You will find out.” Ada glances at Philip. “Would you please me alone to talk to my son?” “Yes of course.” Philip says then walks from the room. Ada walks over to the doors and closes them. She walks over to Cort. He has his back towards her. “What did you say to him?” Cort steps away. “I told him only the truth.” “Which is?” “The night that Agatha died I heard her and Laslo having an argument. He threatened to kill her.” “I don’t believe it.” “I heard it with my own two ears.”

“That doesn’t mean anything.” “I also have proof of it to. I found Agatha Pruett’s compact in his pocket. Now what was he doing with it?” Ada walks up to him. “Did you tell Philip about that?” She asks as she grips his arm. “Naturally.”

“And what is he planning on doing?” “Go to the police I suppose.” “Do you want Laslo to be accused of murder?” “If he is guilty he should be punished for it!”

“But he didn’t do it you know that!” “I don’t know if he didn’t do it or not and neither do you. Was he home that night? You don’t know, I heard you tell Philip!”

“He, I remember now he had drinks with friends the Alexander’s I believe.” “Was he at the Alexander’s all night?” “He wasn’t out all night. He may have been out late but it wasn’t all night!” Ada says angrily. “What time?” “I don’t know. I was asleep!” she shouts. “Well I can tell you exactly what time it was. It was six o’clock in the morning. He was sneaking down the hallway like I have heard him so often!” “That’s a lie. Laslo may be many things but he is not a murderer. How dare you accuse him of it!” “You made the biggest mistake of your life when you married Laslo. He doesn’t love you.” “Stop it!” “He married you for your money. Or should I say the money I’m going to inherit.” “I said stop it!” Ada shouts. “He doesn’t love you.” “Stop it!” Ada cries out covering her face and turning away.

“He doesn’t now, he never did and he never will!” Cort shouts. Ada slaps Cort across the face. Cort looks at her. “I didn’t want to tell you Mother. I didn’t want to hurt you but you have got to face the truth.” “Never speak to me that way again. Do you hear me? I don’t care if you are my son but if you speak to me like that ever again I will ask you to leave this house and never come back. Do you understand me!” “I understand you.” Cort says as he takes a hold of his mother’s shoulders. Ada turns and walks from the Drawing Room.

Philip is standing in the foyer as Ada walks up to him. “Philip there has been a misunderstanding.” “A misunderstanding?” “Yes I think I know where Laslo was the night that Agatha Pruett died.” “Where?” “Well I have to see someone before I can tell you but promise me you won’t do anything until I talk with you.” Ada asks as she touches his arm. “All right.” “Thank you.’ Ada says then turns and walks away.

Irene stands at the window looking out. She turns and walks to her alter then raises her hands over the candles. When nothing happens she lowers her hands. There is a knock at her door, she turns and opens the door. “May I come in?” Ada asks. “Ada my dear this is a pleasant surprise.” Irene says to her as Ada walks into the cottage. “Pleasant?” Ada asks. “A surprise at any rate. It’s so seldom that you drop in on me. It’s usually Laslo who appears at my door.” “Well I won’t be staying long. I only came to ask you one question.” “And what’s that?” Irene asks as she steps closer to Ada. “Do you remember the night that Agatha Pruett died?” “Yes why?” “Was Laslo with you?” “I really don’t recall.” “I thought you remembered the night?” “Well Laslo may have dropped in or it could have been another evening.” “Please I must know the truth.” “Why is that night so important?” “Laslo may be accused of murder.” Ada says to her. “Murder?” Irene asks. “The murder of Agatha Pruett. Just answer my question. Was Laslo with you that night?” Irene looks away. “Yes.” “How long did he stay?” “For quite a while.” “He stayed all night didn’t he?” “Yes.” Irene says as she looks at Ada. “I see. Well will you testify on his behalf if it becomes necessary?” “I’ll testify.” Irene says to her. Ada smiles. “Strange I nearly said thank you.” “Shall we be honest with one another?” Irene says to her as she steps away. “Oh yes lets.” “You know about Laslo and me. What are you planning to do?” “Well I have no plans.” Ada tells her. “Are you going to forgive him?” “I don’t honestly know.” “You will. You are the forgiving type my dear.” Ada steps away. “You know something Irene you underestimate me.” She walks behind the couch and turns to face Irene. “You think I’m weak, well I’m not. I know how to fight for what I want.” “Meaning Laslo?” Irene says walking across to Ada. “Meaning stay away from my husband!” “And if I don’t?” “Don’t try me!” “This has been a most interesting conversation but I think everything has been said that needed to be said.” Irene says as she opens the outer door. “I think so too.” Ada says then walks out of the cottage. Irene closes the door and steps away.

Laslo and Ada are in the drawing Room. Laslo is standing next to the couch where Ada is sitting. “But this is outrageous. How dare he accuse me of murder. I’ll have it out with him right now.” Laslo says then walks across the room.

“Never mind about Cort. I want to talk about us.” Laslo turns towards her. “Ada whatever Irene told you...” “I know all the things she said is the truth. Don’t bother to deny it.” “I do deny it.” “I don’t believe you!” “Well perhaps there was a silly flirtation. It meant nothing to me you must believe that.” “Why should I believe that?” “Because you are my wife!” Ada stands. “I can soon get rid of that title. There is such a thing as divorce.” Ada says as she steps closer to Laslo.

“Now wait!” “No you wait.” Ada says to him. “I will give you one last chance and if you deceive me again our marriage is over remember that.”

Philip stands behind Cort in the foyer. “Why did you lie?” “I didn’t lie; I did hear Laslo threaten her.” Philip steps closer to him. “And the compact?” “I found it.”

“In Laslo’s pocket?” “Well no but it could have dropped out of his pocket. I found it on the cliff.” “In other words you were lying.” “I still believe Laslo killed her. I always will believe that.” Cort says with his back towards Philip then he turns and rushes up the staircase.

Jean Paul is sitting in a chair in his room as Emily stands at the window looking out. Jean Paul stands and walks across the room. “Emily?” She turns and looks at him. “What is it?” “I think I’m beginning to remember.” “What?” “That night, the night that Agatha died. I remember talking to Cort and I remember we left the house together. And then we parted.” “And?” “The fog, I remember walking in fog. Fog all around me. It’s like a dream but I can remember, I can remember.” He puts his hand to his head and walks across the room. “Is that all you remember?” “No, no I remember hearing Cort’s voice.” he says as he lowers his hand. “Some where ahead of me calling Agatha’s name over and over again. And then someone appears, a girl.” “Agatha?” Emily asks as she steps closer to him. “Yes, she’s speaking to me but I can’t hear her. I start walking towards her and she backs away from me. She’s frightened I can tell. But I keep walking towards her and walking towards her until...” Jean Paul is stepping forward as he talks. “Don’t say it.” Emily says to him. “I killed her!” Emily stares at Jean Paul.

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

~Ron/Bella~
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