STRANGE PARADISE- Episode 155

Episode 155: Slideshow

There is a knock on Susan’s door. “Susan can I come in?” Emily asks. Susan walks to the door and opens it. Emily starts to walk in as Raxl rushes by her.

“What happened?” Emily asks. “I don’t know. We behaved together as though we’ve known each other before. I don’t understand it.” Susan says with her back towards Emily. Emily closes the door. “You and Raxl that’s hardly likely is it?” Emily says with a smile. “No she knows more about me. She called me by another name once then she apologized. I know she’s more than just a servant.”

“Well it’s not Raxl I came to here to talk about.” She says as she sits on Susan’s bed with a smile. “Oh I think I know.” Susan sits next to her smiling. “Oh is it that obvious?” “Well to me it is.” Susan says with a laugh. “I want you to be the first to know.” “Perhaps Raxl is the first.” Susan says with the smile fading from her face. “What did she tell you?” “She said many women have loved Jean Paul.”

“Well he was married before he came to Desmond Hall. I knew that. He’s holding nothing from me.” “Are you sure?” “Oh yes we’ve been friends since the night you came here. Don’t play games with me Susan.” “No I’m not, honest.” “Well then why are you talking about all the other women that Jean Paul loved?” Susan stands. “Because I care what happens to you. You’re plunging headlong into a future you don’t even know is dangerous for you.” Emily stands. “Don’t be so sure Susan.” Emily says as she walks from the room. Susan sits in a chair staring ahead.

Raxl stands in front of Jacques’ portrait. ‘Jacques, Jacques Eloi Des Mondes don’t leave me in doubt. Tell me what to do. Where do I turn? Our enemies surround us. Don’t leave the burden in my hands only, help me. Send me an ally, send me an envoy.’ Raxl calls out to the portrait silently. Jean Paul rushes into the room. “Raxl? Where’s Philip?” “I never see him without you at his side. He does not confide in me.” She turns to walk away. “Raxl?” Raxl stops. “He has turned you against me.” she says to him. “That is not true. He is trying to help me as you are.” “He draws you back into the past Master. Have you not had enough sorrow from the past?” Jean Paul nods. “Never forget that I know the past. It follows me where ever I go. I want to shield you from its influence.”

“Does Emily Blair belong to the past?” Jean Paul asks. “She brings information from the past that can only lead to death. As it lead to death long ago.” “So you know about that document, that missing document that was in her briefcase.”

“What I know is to protect you from the past.” “And is the past my future?” Jean Paul asks. “You will have no future if you forget the past. Think Master you made an agreement in Maljardin.” “Yes I made an agreement.” Jean Paul says angrily.

“Then leave the past to me.” Raxl turns and walks from the room. Cort is coming down the staircase. “Raxl?” Raxl stops and looks at Cort. “I have no time now.”

“Where are you going?” “I must go on an errand. I’ll talk to you when I return.” She turns and grabs her cloak and walks out the door. Cort turns and walks into the Drawing Room. Jean Paul stands in front of Jacques portrait staring at it. “Don’t expect to find any help in him.” Cort says to Jean Paul. Jean Paul turns and looks at Cort. “Oh, what do you know about him?” “Very little actually but I find myself staring at him often too. It’s almost like he’s trying to tell me something.” “And what does he tell you?” “Nothing it’s just behind that inscrutable smile I sense a promise of something.” “Don’t look for promises in portraits of dead men.” Jean Paul says to him. “Who can I look to then?”

“Well certainly not portraits. Cort you’re much too eager to want what will be your in time.” Jean Paul walks across the room. “If it will be mine in time why not now?” Cort asks as he walks closer to Jean Paul. “Because you will have to wait until you are twenty- five.” Jean Paul says as he sits on the edge of the desk and looks at Cort. “And then the property that is due to you and held in trust will be turned over to you.” “I’m tired of waiting.” “Well the years go by faster than you think.” “I’d give anything to have them go even faster.” “No don’t say that. We take from life without realizing that life pays us back for our impatient greed.”” Jean Paul says to him. “Is it greed to want what life owes us?” “No but it is greed to demand what we think that life owes. I know only too well the price we have to pay for demanding what we think life owes us.”

Raxl knocks on Irene’s door. Irene opens the door and Raxl enters. “Why have you come back?” Irene asks. “There are matters to settle.” Raxl says as she takes off her cloak. “We must hurry.” “Really you can’t just burst in here anytime and expect me to drop everything.” “The candles.” Raxl says to her. Irene stands and looks at Raxl. “Well do as I say. Light the candles!” Raxl demands.

Irene walks over to the table and lights the candles angrily. “Oh Power of Darkness. Oh Spirits of Night step forth from the shadows.” Raxl looks at Irene. “Take my hand.” Irene grasps Raxl’s hand. “Give me what I ask. Give your servant Irene Hatter what she asks.” The candles flare up with sparks. “He hears.” Irene says. Raxl lifts the totem. “Return my Master to me. Do not leave me without a Master. Do not sentence me to death. Keep me alive by providing me with...” Raxl glances down. “What’s the matter? Why have you stopped?”

Thunder rolls outside. “I must be alone.” Raxl says to Irene. “But you are speaking to my Spirit.” “It is our Spirit now. You too can speak to it alone when you have a private request.” “Be careful the Powers of Darkness do not like intrigue between the servants.” Irene says to Raxl. “Leave me alone I say!” “You tempt them to destroy you!” “I cannot be destroyed by the Spirits, they need me. But I can bring destruction to those that stand in my way. Now go!” Raxl shouts.

Irene looks at Raxl then angrily walks from the room. “We are alone. Oh hear me Power of Darkness. Bring back Jean Paul Desmond to me or replace him with another. Restore my link to your star. Choose my Master for me; do not leave me without a Master to serve. Send me an instrument to follow your wishes I beg you.” Jean Paul looks at Cort. “You know really you should try to accept what life brings you and to be grateful for it. Without impatience, without greed.” “Is that what you do?” Cort asks. Jean Paul nods. “Just count your blessings that you don’t dread the coming of each night.” Jean Paul hears laughter. He looks at the portrait in shock. Then standing he walks towards the portrait. “What’s the matter?” Cort asks. Jean Paul starts breathing heavier and backing away as Jacques laughter is heard by him. “What is it?” Cort shouts. Jean Paul turns and runs from the room up then up the staircase. Cort walks towards the portrait. He hears Jacques laughter. Cort looks around the room and hugs his arms around himself. Jean Paul rushes to his room. There is a knock at the door. He walks to the door and opens it. Emily enters. “I’m worried about Philip. Where can he be?” Emily asks. “Well he’s out searching for the totem.” “Well I think its here in this house.” Jean Paul closes the door and steps closer to Emily. “No Orendo would have lead him to it.” “Why don’t you get Raxl to admit she took it? She took the document.” “We can’t be sure of that.” Jean Paul says to her. “But Philip found her with it.” “No one saw her take it.” “Why do you defend her?” Emily asks.

“I’m defending her because she defended me when nobody else could.” “By stealing and lying?” Jean Paul turns away. “She’s done more than steal and lie for me. She buried the girl I killed.” “I won’t listen.” Emily says as she looks away. “You’ve got to listen, you’ve seem the grave Emily. You’ve got to understand, Raxl has kept the secret of other crimes I have committed. I cannot abandon her now.” “Then you are bound to her forever.” “She hasn’t bound me to my fate.” “But she binds you to herself.” Emily walks up to him. “All she has to do is walk into a police station and lead them to the grave she showed me.” Jean Paul walks away from her. “No she wouldn’t do that.” “She might if she turned against you.” Jean Paul turns towards her “Yes.” “I’ll make friends with her then.” Emily says. Jean Paul smiles and standing behind her he holds her by the shoulders. “That’s all we need after we are married. I’m sure you and she will come to terms.” Emily turns and looks at him. “What did you say?” “I just proposed.” “And I accept.” She says as she reaches up to him. They kiss.

Susan is sitting at her dressing table when there is a knock at her door. She stands, walks across the room and opens the door. Cort stands in the doorway. “I want to know your opinion about something.” “You flatter me.” Susan says to him. “No I’m serious.” Cort says to her. “Well come in then.” Cort walks in and closes the door behind him. He steps up to Susan. “You know so much more about everything than I do.” “Is that what you wanted to tell me?” “Don’t joke. I want to know about the portrait in the Drawing Room. What do you know about it?” “Less than you do probably. After all it is hanging in your house.” “But it wasn’t there before you came.” Cort says to her. “What do you mean?” “My mother found it one day up in the attic and brought it down there. That night you appeared at the front door.” “No one ever told me about it.” Susan says to him.

“When I asked Laslo about the portrait he said ask the little newcomer. That’s what he called you. He said that you had recognized the face.” Susan looks at him. “Did I say that?” “I wasn’t there. It’s just what Laslo told me.” “Well sometimes I do see faces I think I recognize.” “Do you know Jacques Eloi Des Mondes?” Cort asks. “No but I do know he lived centuries ago.” Susan says to him. “But you recognized her face.” “He just reminds me of someone I once knew that’s all.” “Who’s Claude?” Cort asks. “I don’t know.” “But that’s what you called me the other night.” “Well I must have been confused. I knew someone named Claude once but I can’t recall when or where.” “That’s not very much help.” Cort says to her. “Well I’m sorry but that’s the best I can do.” “I think all you want is attention.” “Why do you say that?” Susan asks. “We’re both alike you and I. We both like to be in the center of things. But people around here keep putting us aside.” “That’s not true. And I don’t have to listen to your silly ideas.” Susan rushes from the room. “Wait a minute I was only teasing.” Cort calls out to Susan.

Raxl stands holding the totem. “Through this totem step between my Master and my enemies. Lead him back to me. Through this totem separate him from those he has turned too. Through this totem step between Jean Paul and his cousin Philip.” Raxl drops the totem. She looks down at it then picks it up. “Through this totem connect my Master with his star once more. Or through this totem bring your star to a new Master.” Raxl sits the totem next to the candles and raises her hands over the totem and candles. “Through this totem step between my Master and Emily Blair keep from them the knowledge of the past. Separate their lives oh Spirit.” Thunder rumbles and the candles spark.

Emily pulls away from Jean Paul’s arms and gasps. “Emily what is it?” “Just something strange. I feel like something is trying to warn me.” “Against me?”

“Does Raxl know we are to be married?” Jean Paul laughs. “Well how could she? I didn’t know until you accepted.” “She didn’t want you to marry Helena Raleigh did she?” Emily asks as she turns away. “Raxl feel that anyone who marries me is doomed.” Emily turns towards him. “Oh that’s nonsense.” “She may be right. Erica died.” Emily touches his arm. “What does it matter what Raxl believes? Once we are married nothing can come between us.” Cort stands outside Jean Paul’s door listening. “Nothing, I know that.” Emily says.

Raxl holds the totem as she talks to Irene. “This totem is to be used by no one else do you understand. It links our spirits to us now. It will guard you and keep your powers with you. Do not lose it.” There is a knock at the cottage door. “Be careful.” Raxl says as she hides the totem. Irene walks across the room and opens the door. “Cort what do you want?’’ Irene asks. Cort steps into the cottage. “I’ve been looking for Raxl.” “How did you know I was here?” Raxl asks.

“I didn't, I guessed.” he says as he walks over to Raxl. She is standing next to the fireplace. “Well since you apparently didn’t come to visit me I’ll leave you alone.” Irene says as she walks from the room. Cort leans his arm on the mantel of the fireplace. “What did you want to tell me?” Raxl asks. “I want you to give the totem back to Emily.” “I can’t do that.” “It’s no good to you.” Cort says to her.

“Let me be the judge of that.” “I will not have my entire future jeopardized by your jealousy of a girl that is going to marry Jean Paul.” “They will not be married.” “Pretty soon Philip will know that you have it. Wouldn’t it be smarter to return it now? And then no one will know who had it.” “He has lost the totem forever.” “What do you want with it anyway?” Cort asks. “I want to ensure the future of the Master of Desmond Hall.”

Emily stands at the window looking out. Susan walks into the room. “Are you waiting for someone?” Susan asks. Emily turns and walks towards Susan. “I’m still worried about Philip. I wonder where he could be?” “Emily please forgive me for the things I said. Don’t be angry.” “I’m not angry. I am baffled though.”

“Sometimes I baffle myself. But I wouldn’t do anything to hurt you. You must believe that.” “And I want you to be as happy as I am.” Emily says to her. “I am afraid this house lends itself to unhappiness.” “No it isn’t the house that that separates us, its ourselves.” Emily says to her. “No it’s more than that. It’s an inner presence that feeds on our unhappiness. It sets us each against the others.”

Raxl knocks on Jean Paul’s door and walks in. “Did you want to see me Master?”

Jean Paul lies in bed reading a book. He stands and sets the book down. “Yes I have something to tell you. Miss Blair and I are going to be married.” “I hope you will be very happy. But love has always brought you misfortune.” “Oh Raxl can’t you be pleased for us.” He says as he steps away from her. “When do you plan the wedding?” Raxl asks. “We haven’t set a date as yet but it will be soon.”

“Is that all Master?” She asks as she turns towards the door. “No it isn’t.” Raxl looks at him. “Emily thinks you don’t like her.” “I hardly know the girl.” “Raxl you’re an older and more experienced woman, you can make some sort of effort. I’m sure you’ll find that she’s a very nice girl.” “I will do my best.” “She will do hers. Once you get to know each other you will be friends.” “When she trusts me Master then I will trust her.”

Emily sits at her desk in the Drawing Room writing notes when Cort enters the room and stands next to her. Emily glances at him then back at her notes. “It’s not a very cordial greeting.” Cort says to her. “I’m sorry I thought you were Jean Paul” “No he’s upstairs cross examining Raxl.” “It’s a rather dramatic term isn’t it?” “Well you know me I often give in to dramatic exaggeration from time to time.” “But then Raxl does arouse a great deal of curiosity.” Emily says. “Miss Blair.” Raxl says as she walks into the Drawing Room. ”If you want to ask questions about me I suggest you ask me rather than others.” “I didn’t know you were there.” “I don’t like to be gossiped about. Do you?” Raxl asks. Emily stands. “I apologize you’re right.” “If you are to marry into the Desmonds you must accept their nature instead of demanding that we all conform to your’s.”

“Is that why you took the totem from my bag?” “I don’t know anything about the totem.” “Well you did take the document I brought from Boston.” “I didn’t take it. I found it.” “But it was in my bag.” “Not when I found it.” “How can you deny things that we all know to be true?” Emily says as she glances at Cort and walks from the room. Raxl looks at Cort. “They are going to be married.” Cort turns away from Raxl. “And I won’t be the Master of Desmond Hall.” “We will find a way.” Raxl says as she walks up to Cort and touches his arm. “Now go, leave me. I must think.” Cort walks from the room. Raxl turns towards Jacques portrait. “Jacques, Jacques Eloi Des Mondes I have served you well for three hundred years. I have always found a Desmond for your purposes. Now help me find a new Master that will save me from the fires of hell that have waited for me for three centuries.”

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

~Ron/Bella~
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