Strange Paradise: Episode 160
Episode 160:  Slideshow
 
Philip walks out the door of the cottage. Irene turns and calls out. “Raxl come here, at once.”  Raxl steps into the room. “Did you call me?”  “I need your help to speak to the Spirits.”  “We have already spoken to them. Our course is clear.”  “I want to speak to them for reasons of my own.” Irene says to her.  “It’s too late, I must return to Desmond Hall.” Raxl says as she starts to put her cloak on.  “You agreed that if I helped you, you would help me.”  Raxl sets her cloak on the couch. “As you wish.” She walks to the table and lifts the tablecloth then looks up at Irene. “The totem is gone.”  “It can’t be gone.”  “Look for yourself.”  Irene bends down and looks under the table. She looks at Raxl. “You put it there yourself.”
“Someone has taken it.” Raxl says.  “You have it.” Irene says to her.  “Oh don’t be ridiculous.”  “You never wanted me to use it. You wanted it only for your own purposes.”  “We made a bargain.” Raxl tells her.  “You used my powers for whatever it was you wanted. The Spirits are angry they have taken the totem.”
“Was anyone in this room while I was resting?” Raxl asks.  “No one.”  “I thought I heard voices coming from this room.”  “I was writing some letters. I sometimes talk aloud when I’m writing.”  “You had no visitors?”  “No one has been here this evening but the two of us.”  “The totem was here when I left. Now it’s gone, you are betraying me.”  “I warned you that the Spirits would not tolerate intrigue among their servants. I knew no good would come from this.” Irene says as she walks away from Raxl.  “You have hidden it from me.” Raxl says to her.  “I didn’t want it. I never wanted it. I was opposed to it the moment I saw it.”  Raxl looks at Irene. “We shall see. Light the candles.”  “No.”  “The Spirits will answer our questions. Light the candles I tell you!”
 
Philip knocks on Jean Paul’s bedroom door.  “Yes?” Jean Paul calls out.  “It’s Philip. Is Emily there?”  “Yes.”  “I found the totem. Can I speak to Emily alone for a minute please?”  The door opens and Emily steps out. Philip holds the totem out to her. She takes it from Philip. “It was at Irene’s?” Emily asks.  Philip nods with a smile.  “Who took it, Raxl?”  “Yes, and when you see her tell her you got it back but don’t tell her how. Say it just turned up.”  “Will she believe that? Irene will tell her.”  “No I don’t think so. She’s found herself in the middle of something she doesn’t quite understand.” Philip tells Emily with a smile. “Now keep that near you.”  Emily looks at the door. “Jean Paul?”  “I’ll stay with him. You go downstairs and I’ll send Susan to you. The totem will protect both of you.”  Susan looks at Jean Paul.  “You seem frightened of me. Don’t be please.” Jean Paul says. He is sitting on the edge of his bed.  Susan walks up to him. “You don’t remember it do you?”  “I’m sorry remember what?”  “When we were alone earlier didn’t it seem to you like we suddenly became like two other people in a different time?”  Jean Paul stares ahead. “There was a moment when I did seem to feel that we had lost ourselves. When time stood still. There was another life.” He says as he glances at Susan.  “You suddenly became someone different and so did I.”  Jean Paul stands and smiles. “Oh no it was just our minds playing tricks. It was nothing.”  “You said you didn’t want to draw me into your life.”  “Well it was only to keep you from harm.”  “No, no I mean then, in that other life. You don’t believe me do you? Do you think I’m mad?”  Jean Paul smiles. “No I don’t think you’re mad.”  Philip knocks on the door and walks in. “Everything is all right. Susan would you join Emily downstairs please. Jean Paul and I have to be alone.”  Susan nods.  “Susan thank you. It will work out.” Jean Paul says to her.
Susan smiles then walks from the room closing the door.  Jean Paul steps towards Philip. “Orendo spoke to us without you being here.”  “When?”  “When Emily went down to make a phone call. Tears streamed down his cheeks.
Philip smiles. “It’s because I found the totem. Raxl had taken it down to Mrs. Hatters.”  “You were right.”  “I’m afraid I was. But we have to get through this night. We will look after Raxl tomorrow. Has the star appeared?”  “Earlier the heartbeat came but Orendo stopped it to.”  “It’s because Orendo has accepted you as our kinsman. Tonight we will rid you of the star forever.” Philip says as he turns to the mask and circles his hand in front of it. “Gagossa face of Orendo hear my prayer.”
 
Emily sits the totem on her desk looking at it as Susan walks into the Drawing Room.  “How’s Jean Paul?” Emily asks.  “Philip’s with him” She looks at Emily. “Emily you told me to tell you when I had a dream.”  Emily picks up the totem and glances up at Susan. “Yes.”  “It wasn’t exactly a dream but when you left Jean Paul to make that phone call it happened again.”  “Well who was it? Was it Jean Paul?”  “No it couldn’t have been Jean Paul. But someone who looked like him but was different in every other way.”  “How different?”  “He was and evil man. He laughed at me and made ugly threats.” Susan says as she turns away from Emily.  Emily stands and walks in front of Susan. “Threats about what?”  “About his brother I think. You see how silly it is? Jean Paul doesn’t even have a brother.”  “He did once.”  “Did he die?”  “Yes I think so. How did you know?”  “He wished him dead. He was going to have him killed. What happened to Jean Paul’s brother?”  Emily shakes her head. “I don’t know.”  “Well when did he die?”
“I don’t know. Sometime before I came here. He wrote to me inviting me to come here and study the Desmond books but when I arrived he had disappeared.”
“Didn’t anyone tell you where he was?”  “They didn’t know. And after a while they just seemed to accept the fact that he was dead.”  “Without any proof?”  “The Desmond family is its own proof. It‘s history is full of mysterious deaths and disappearances” Emily says as she steps away from Susan.  “How long has this been going on?”  “According to the records for centuries. But even the records themselves aren’t very clear. Emily walks towards Susan. “Susan would you recognize the faces of the people you see in your dreams from portraits?”  “Well do you have some?” Susan asks.  “I have some books upstairs with family portraits in them. I’ll go get them.” Emily says as she walks from the room.
 
Cort walks up to the front door of the mansion. He stops and looks at the sky. The star is pulsing in the sky. Cort stares at it then rushes into the mansion. He leans against the closed door in fear. Seeing Susan he walks into the Drawing Room. “Well, well what’s a pretty girl like you doing all alone in the middle of the night? Don’t be frightened little Susan it’s only me.”  Susan stands in front of Jacques’ portrait. She turns towards Cort. “You startled me.”  “I didn’t mean to.” He walks over to her. “I guess you would be more pleased if it were Jean Paul or Philip. I seem to be the unpopular Desmond around here.”  “Oh Cort don’t be so sensitive.”  “You’re all alone; no concern fro your safety? That’s very gallant of the Desmonds.”  “Look I’m perfectly safe.” Susan says to him.  “Who knows when one is safe and when one isn’t?” He says as he walks around Susan. “But you do have the company of our illustrious ancestor Jacques Eloi Des Mondes. Look at him. He almost seems alive like those eyes are seeing us and those lips are telling us something.” Cort says as he stands in front of the portrait.
Susan walks up and stands next to Cort. “I know, I’ve thought that too.” She says as she walks closer to the portrait. “If he was going to tell us something I wonder what he would say?”  “To live in the present and not to live in the past. And to use what nature gave us as best as we can.”  Susan stares at Cort.
 
The candles are lit as Irene and Raxl stand in front of the altar. “Spirits of the dark, Demons of the night are we still in your favor?” Raxl asks as she holds her hands palms down above the candles. “Grant us the power to withstand deception. Grant us the power to combat treachery. Expose the plots against us. Grant us the power to continue in your service. Defy our enemies, defend our powers. Maintain our link with you so that we can perform your service. Oh Spirit protect us. Oh Spirit shield us.” Raxl glances at Irene. “Do not tempt the Spirits. We are still within their circle. They guard us as long as we serve them and no others.” Raxl bends and blows the candles out. “The Spirits have exonerated you.”  “What happened to the totem?” Irene asks.  “You have been very careless. But it is of no importance. The totem has served its purpose. We are once more within the world of the Dark Demon.”  “I refuse to continue until you give the totem back.” Irene says to Raxl.  “I do not have the totem and if you have it and are withholding it for any purpose I warn you Mrs. Hatter my powers are ancient. They are more than a match for yours.” Raxl says, then glancing around she walks to the window. Looking into the sky she sees the star. “I must return to Desmond Hall my Master needs me.” Raxl says as she grabs her cloak.  Irene walks over to her. “I’d rather you didn’t come back here again.”  “You can not keep me from the Spirits I have conjured.”  “It’s too dangerous. You’ve been seen coming in and out of this house.”  “Who told you that?” Raxl asks.  “Why Cort, he told both of us.” Irene says as she looks away from Raxl.  “He told me while you were out of the room. Were you listening at the door? I warn you do not play me against your friends at Desmond Hall.” Raxl says angrily then she turns and leaves the cottage.   Irene walks to the altar and lights the candles.
 
Jean Paul stands at the window looking at the sky. He turns towards Philip. “The star is out again.”  “I’ve been expecting it.” Philip says.  Jean Paul glances up. “The heartbeat it’s beginning.”  “We’re ready for it.” Philip turns and grabs Jean Paul’s arm. “Come stand beside me.”  They stand in front of the mask. Philip circles his hand in front of the mask. “Gagossa hear us. Send the sound of your drums. Drown out the evil from the past. Drown out the heartbeat with the sound of your eternal drum.”  Jean Paul glances up and starts breathing heavily .as he hears the drum.
 
“Cort why did you say we should live in the present and not worry about the past?” Susan asks.  “It’s true isn’t it?” Cort says as he sits on the edge of the desk.  “Yes but it doesn’t sound like you.”  “Who does it sound like?”  “Someone else long ago.”  “Well it really very hard to express original ideas. Even you must know that.”  “You said we should use what nature gives us as we can.”  “Isn’t that your philosophy?” Cort asks.  “I’ve heard those very same words said before by someone else.”  Cort stands and walks away from Susan. “If you pay as half as much time about the present as you do hearing what is inside your head you might not confuse the present with the past.” Cort says as he glances back at her.  “Oh Cort don’t be offended. I’m just trying to figure something out.” Susan says as she walks up to Cort.  Jacques laughter echoes around the room. Cort and Susan both turn towards the portrait.  “You heard that didn’t you?” Susan says to Cort.  “No I didn’t hear anything!” Cort says as he starts to rush from the room.  “Then why did you turn when he laughed?”  Cort turns towards her, “I don’t know what you are talking about.”  “I think you do.”  Cort hears the heartbeat and stares at Susan.  “Cort what’s the matter? What did I say?”  Cort turns and runs from the room.  Susan runs after him “Cort come back!” She stops at the bottom of the staircase. “Cort let me help you!”  Susan hears Jacques laughter in the foyer as the heartbeat pounds. Susan turns and looks into the Drawing Room at Jacques portrait. She turns and rushes after Cort. She knocks on his door and Cort lets her in.  “You’ve heard the laughter haven’t you?” Cort says to her.  “Yes I’ve heard it often before.”  “So do I. What does it mean?”
Susan shakes her head. “I don’t know Cort.”  “You’ve heard the heartbeat.”
“What heartbeat?” Susan asks.  “Don’t pretend that you can’t hear that.” Cort says looking around the room as he hears the sound of the heartbeat pounding.
”I can’t I tell you.”  “Oh just listen!” He stands and holds his head. “It gets louder and louder!”  There is a tap at the door and Raxl stands in the doorway.  Cort looks at her. “Oh Raxl where have you been!” Cort asks with a cry.  “It does not matter. I’m here now.” She glances at Susan. “Leave us.”  “No he’s very upset. I think I should stay with him.”  “I can attend to Master Cort now go!”  Susan walks to the doorway and looks at Cort then walks from the room.  Raxl closes the door and walks up to Cort.  Cort holds his head in agony. “The star it’s back.”  “Your destiny awaits you.”  Cort turns away. “What am I to do?”  “Follow your star. It leads you to what you want most in life.”  “The heartbeat. You can hear the heartbeat can’t you?”  “I hear it Master.”  “It’s like some giant pulse from another being.”  “It’s a signal from your Guardian Spirit.”  “It terrifies me!” Cort cries out.
“Oh it’s a good sign. It strengthens your resolution to attain what you want.”  “Will it be with me forever?”  “Until you obey.” Raxl says to him.  “I don’t want it!”  “Do you want to be the Master of Desmond Hall?”  Cort turns away. “It’s not worth this!”  Raxl grabs his arm and turns him towards her. “Accept your destiny. It will free you forever.”  “What must I do?”  “Remain here. I will send you the instrument through which you will attain your destiny.” Raxl says.  “Oh hurry please hurry.” Cort says.  “The powers are on our side now.” Raxl says as she walks from the room.  Cort turns and looks around the room as the heartbeat continues to pound.
 
Irene stands in front of the lit candles of her alter. “Oh Spirits of the other world, Demons of the night listen to me. I did not bring that woman to your altar. She forced herself upon me. Save me from your anger. Keep me from her evil intentions. Keep me safe from harm. Grant me only what I want for happiness. I will not assist that envoy from the distant past. Tell me what I should do?” They candles blow. “So be it she will not use your powers for her purpose again.”
 
Emily walks down the staircase carrying books. She is looking at the top book as she walks into the Drawing Room “I found several books here with pictures of the Desmonds in it.” She sets the books on the desk. “Susan?” Emily looks around.
Raxl walks through the doorway.  Emily looks at her. “Raxl have you seen Susan?”  “No I haven’t.”  “That’s strange she was just here a minute again.” Emily says as she walks up to Raxl.  “Shall I find her for you?” Raxl asks.
“Yes would you do that please? I have some things I want to show her.”  Raxl turns away.  “Oh Raxl just a minute.”  Raxl turns towards Emily.  “I want to apologize about the misunderstanding between us. I’m very sorry about it.”  “So am I, Miss Blair.”  “I found the totem in my room tonight.” Emily says as she holds up the totem. “I really shouldn’t have accused you for taking it. I hope you will forgive me.”  “I only want to be of help to you. Especially now that you’ll become Mistress of Desmond Hall.”  “I’d be grateful for any help you would give me.”  Raxl walks through them room. “You asked me once if I had ever seen that document before.”  “Well you know so much about the Desmonds I thought that maybe you would be familiar with it.”  “I recognized one of the signs.”  “The one at the bottom?” Emily asks.  “Yes I have seen it before. Once long ago when I was about a girl.”  “Well can you tell me what it means?”  “It is the secret sign of the Desmond family.”  “According to what I’ve read it is a sign of a pact with the devil.” Emily says as she steps closer to Raxl.  “I know only what I have just told you.”  “Someone must know what it means.”  “Have you asked Master Cort?”
“What does he know about it? Tell me.”  Raxl turns and looks at Emily. “Only he can answer that. The secret of the sign is known only to the Desmonds.”  Emily glances away.
 
Philip holds his hand out towards the mask. He turns towards Jean Paul. “Now give me your hand.” Philip grabs Jean Paul’s wrist. On Jean Paul’s hand is the Mark of Death.  Jean Paul pulls away. “No! I refuse, I can’t do this again!”
Philip rushes after him and grabs his arm. “Listen to me!” Philip says to him.
“Look at my hand.” Jean Paul says as he holds his hand up.  Philip grabs his wrist. “Place your hand before Gagossa.” He pulls Jean Paul to the mask. They kneel before the mask as Philip holds onto Jean Paul’s wrist holding his hand up before the mask. Philip circles his other hand before the mask. “Gagossa hear me. Remove the stigma from his hand. Remove the stain upon his life, the Mark of Death upon his hand. Return it to the Spirit world. Never let it come back to him.”
 
Cort stands in front of the mirror when there is a knock at his door. Emily stands in the doorway.  Cort walks to the door. “What are you doing here? What do you want?”  “You can tell me something that I must know.”  “Go away!”  “Raxl said that you could explain the Mark of Death to me.”  The Mark of Death is still upon Jean Paul’s hand. “Remove the stigma from your kinsman. Remove the stain from his life.” Philip calls out. The mark fades away. “Purify him, cleanse him, free him forever.”
 
Cort turns away from Emily “I don’t know anything about the Mark of Death.”
“But Susan say it upon your face.”  “No she didn’t. She only thought she saw it there.”  “But Raxl said you could explain it. She sent me here to find out what it means.”  Cort turns towards Emily. “Come in.”  Emily enters the room as Cort closes the door behind her. He glances down at his hand. The Mark of Death has appeared on it. He glances at Emily. “You brought it to me. It’s your fault.” Cort says as he walks towards Emily.  “No Cort Raxl sent me.”  Cort holds up his hand and stares at Emily. He walks towards her.
 
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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 161