Episode 28:
Slideshow
Holly and Tim walk down the staircase. Tim is carrying the
canvas and his paint supplies. "Oh,
oh we have company on the way down. Now change that stare on your face to a
smile. Try to be nonchalant. If they see you talking to me they'll think your
commiserating with yourself. Which in reality you are, aren't you. Or are you?"
Jacques tells Jean Paul in the Great Hall.
"You know as well as I do, this can not go on much longer. Sooner or
later I will... "Jean Paul whispers.
"Wrong!" Jacques says loudly. "Sooner or later I will. Meanwhile swing
around or swoon. They are almost on your back." Jean Paul glances back. "Hi." Holly says. "Mr. Desmond." Tim greets Jean
Paul. "Well you have good light for
your work Tim. I wont get in your way." Jean Paul says walking quickly away; he
heads up the staircase to his room.
"It's like I didn't even exist, and I thought he liked me." Holly says
after they watch Jean Paul head up the staircase. "Jean Paul Desmond, a man of many moods
and most of them mysterious." Tim says as he puts his arm on the railing. "Well
settle for me. I like you." Holly
walks away. "You make it sound as romantic as..." "Casanova." Tim cuts in. "Dead as he is he would be more
convincing." ."Dead as Erica
Desmond is. I have to bring her to life on this canvas." Tim walks to his
painting. "So up on your perch and try to be a model. Tim says to Holly as he
uncovers his painting. Holly sits in a chair in front of
Tim.
Dan is in the lab reading books when Alison walks in. "Dan? Are you still here?" "Yes and getting more engrossed every
minute. Have you seen this?"
"What?" asks Alison. "This."
he holds up a book. "Yes." "When?" Dan asks. "Just now when you held it up." Alison
says. Dan laughs. "If you mean have I seen what's inside it, I'm afraid you're
going to have to give me more than just a cursory glance." Alison tells him. Dan
hands her the book. "Yes I have seen it. And now you too will know that one day
mankind will create an artificial liver that will be completely gin
resistant." Dan laughs "Oh that
interests you?" Alison says. "I'm a
sherry man myself." Dan says taking the book. "Same difference, a body with the toxic
varies and adversely its pressure and so on." "That's all medical text book stuff. I'm
schooled in Johnson reversal and high court rulings." Dan tells her. "Law has its rules and so does science."
Alison says. "But not what's going
on around here." Dan says standing up from the stool. "Do you mean all these
books add up to bringing the dead back to life? To Jean Paul freezing Erica's
body and clinging to the pathetic hope that she will just, tomorrow snap out of
it and be alive again." Dan says.
"I can't fault his hopes Dan. Or that one day cryonics will be a fact
instead of fantasy." Alison says as she walks to the pile of books on the
counter. "I think this place is
beginning to get to you too. As for me it's a never-never land, where a man
almost begins to believe anything." Dan says walking up to Alison. "Well if you believe in love your just
going to have to accept it, Jean Paul's devotion to Erica that leads..." Oh I believe in love alright,
except there are some people who sell me short in that direction." Dan says
looking at Alison. "Take you for example."
"I was just speaking abstract here, I wasn't talking in a personal
way." "I was." Dan says leaning
towards Alison. "I still am. It
seems love in the classic sense now days seems old fashion and outmoded as if
all the sentiment was somehow filtered out of it." Alison says. "Well you could make a sentimentalist
out of me." "I'm just trying to
make you understand a particular man and his love. A man we both are very fond
of." "Well Jean Paul aside and all
these scientific achievements, I'm very much afraid that he's on the verge of
stepping beyond the edge of reason." Dan says. "Dan, that's not fair." "Well neither is it fair for him to hold
us here as hostages because he fears of public knowledge of Erica's death. And
of his having frozen her body would mean an autopsy and an end to his cryonics
experiment." says Dan. "It just
seems that you don't understand and cannot accept anybody risking anything for
love." Alison tells him. "Well
maybe that's my problem. But never mind, what I don't understand do you honestly
believe that..." Dan is saying.
"Erica Desmond will be brought back to life." Tim is talking to
Holly. "For Jean Paul’s sake I hope
they can and will." Holly says.
"He's like a science fiction writer jumping the gun. Except who knows,
there's so much in life today that nobody understands. Tell me do you honestly
hope that someone can be reborn?" asks
Tim.
"Yes I honestly do believe it can happen. But not in our
lifetime." Alison tells Dan.
In the Great Hall Jacques portrait goes blank. He takes
over Jean Paul's body as Jean Paul comes down the staircase. "Bringing it back to life Tim?" Jacques
asks. Tim covers the portrait.
"Trying to sir." Jacques nods his
head smiling, he then turns and walks outside. "He did come from his room." Holly
stands looking at the front door. "When I went to look for him he was like the
man who wasn't there." she turns back to Tim. Pointing at her with his paintbrush.
"Now you're beginning to believe in ghosts” Holly stares at Tim after they both
glance at the front door. "Hey, cut
it out will ya." Tim tells her. She
still stares at Tim. "I said knock
it off." Tim says taking a few steps away, then walking back. "He could have
come out of his room without you seeing him." "Yes but did
he?"
Elizabeth and Jacques walk in the Great hall. He shows her
around the portrait gallery of his ancestors. "This is Aunt Tiezz." "A very beautiful woman." says
Elizabeth. "And brutal, she
strangled her husband with a drapery cord." He says holding one in his
hand. "How ghastly." "Yes, he gurgled a lot, but I wasn't
there so I'm not really sure." Jacques walks on showing more portraits. "And
this dour old fellow is Ohla Ettiere."
"And what dire deed did he commit?" "Oh he was born, he died and very
little in between." "It's hard to
imagine how anyone so undistinguished could have been born to your family Jean
Paul." Elizabeth says. He was born
on April the second, only a day away from being a fool. Or was he?" Jacques
looks over at Tim. "Ah, well we must see how my darling Erica's portrait is
coming along." Jacques walks away from Elizabeth. Elizabeth reaches out and grabs his arm.
Jacques stops. "They are so hard at work why disturb them." "Look at that." Holly says to Tim. Tim
turns around. "What's your problem chum."
"My ever-loving mother, she's all over him like a tent." Jacques and Elizabeth are talking and
smiling. They walk away. "So they
are old enough to know what not to do. And you, keep it down to a dull roar."
Tim tells Holly. "I better split
before I begin to bite." Holly walks away.
Tim turns around and grabs her arm. "Hold it Holly. Your mother is a
grieving widow and Jean Paul is in the same state. So come on, let's concentrate
on this," He points at the portrait. "Instead of that." He points at Jacques and
Elizabeth.
Elizabeth walks up to Jacques portrait. "And who was his
wife?" "Huaco, but her charm
doesn't grace the family gallery."
"I never cease to be amazed how much he resembles you." "Yes and my resemblance to him."
Jacques says. "The eyes are
identical,” says Elizabeth. "And
the smile." says Jacques moving closer to Elizabeth. "And the charm." "And the need." Jacques says. "Please, you're making me melt."
Elizabeth tells him. Jacques
reaches out his hand and runs it over he hair. "It's the fire that burns." Elizabeth walks away, Jacques follows.
She walks over to Tim. "Tim what spell do you have over my daughter? I haven't
seen Holly sit so still in as long as I can remember." Tim covers the portrait. Jacques puts
his hand on the top of it, then tries raising the cloth. "Please don't look sir. It's completely
out of cadence." "Why, what's
wrong?" Jacques asks. "Everything,
I can't seem to bring it to life." Tim tells him. "It or her? My wife I mean." Jacques
stands with a smile. He then releases Jean Paul and enters his portrait. "I'm sorry Mr. Desmond but if you would
like to see what I mean." Tim starts lifting the cloth. "No, under the circumstances I would
rather not." "Well there's not much
more I can do today anyway." "Then
get it out of the way." Jean Paul says, walking away. Elizabeth grabs his arm. "Don't be upset
Jean Paul." Jean Paul looks at her
hand. "What do you expect me to be?"
"Try to be yourself as you were a few minutes ago." Elizabeth tells
him. "As I was?" He jerks his arm
free. "The way I am, the way I always will be. A man who lost a woman who meant
the whole world to him. If she can't come back to me I don't want any part of
life!" Jean Paul says angrily then heads up to his room. Elizabeth turns to Tim. "You fool!" "I know I guess I put my foot in my
mouth but..." says Tim. "I can't
stand idly by and watch the slow disintegration of Jean Paul."
Dan tells Alison.
"And yet you accuse him of compounding a felony." "The laws the law and not even he is
privileged to break it," says Dan.
"The Cryonics Society would never had put Erica in suspension if they
hadn't seen a death certificate."
"I'll believe it isn't a forgery when I see it." "Let me see it." Elizabeth tells
Tim. "Lay off mother, Tim doesn't
want anyone to see the portrait." Holly says from her chair where she is sitting
for Tim as his model. "Are you
ashamed of your work?" Elizabeth asks.
"As a matter of fact, yes." Tim grabs the easel. "Maybe I'm over my
head,” he says angrily. "Why do you
have to make a federal case out of everything?" Holly asks as she stands and
walks over to her mother. "Mr.
Desmond was deeply disappointed. I felt badly for him." "What about Tim? He has feelings too."
Holly tells her mother. "I'm not
going to conduct myself for the benefit for you or Tim." "If you did it would be the first time.
All you care about is you!" Holly tells her mother. "Well I'm entitled to a degree of
happiness." "By depriving others of
theirs? Not only me and Tim but Jean Paul too. Why don't you leave him alone
before you ruin his life too!" Holly says angrily. "Why don't you mind your own business."
Elizabeth says walking away from Holly.
Holly grabs her. "He lost the one thing he loved in the whole world. If
you weren't so anxious to replace her, you would give him time to properly mourn
her." Holly says letting go of her mother's arm. "Sooner or later he will need a woman,
especially since his hope in the cryonics is not likely one to be
fulfilled." "You would like that
wouldn't you?" Holly says.
Elizabeth smiles. "I don't find the man unattractive." "I mean you would like it now!" Holly
says. "And what about you, Little
Miss White Riding Hood." Elizabeth turns and starts up the staircase. Holly runs in front of her and blocks
her exit. "Why don't you ever finish what you start out to say." "If I do it may be the finish of you
dear daughter." Elizabeth says angrily. Trying to push Holly out of the way.
"May I please pass!" She walks up the staircase. "Come on Holly, let's go for a walk."
Tim says coming up to her. "Leave
me alone." Holly says in tears and walks past him. "One of these days I'm going
to hold all the cards." "As far as
I'm concerned you do already." Tim says walking up behind her. "But if you and
your mother only let up on each other maybe you'll be able to smile once in a
while." "Some pal you are." Holly
tells him. "Well I'm not beating
any drums for her." "For yourself
then?" Holly glances back. "I don't
want to be a pal, if that's what you mean.
Holly turns. "You're making a play?" "You're just beginning to notice?" asks
Tim. "First of all Matt Dawson, now
you. Well what are my irrestible charms that seem to sweep men off their feet!"
she says angrily as she slams the lid on Tim's paints. "Keep going that way and you'll be
asking the same question when you're a shriveled up old spinster. Excuse me
maybe I better move this before you start throwing it." Tim picks up his paint
case. Holly turns and sits on the
steps; she covers her face with her hands and bows her
head.
Dan is walking around the lab looking into cupboards. "Ah
it's frustrating." "What?" asks
Alison. "This door, it's locked.
How can I get the poison to do away with myself?" Dan asks laughing as he walks
back towards Alison. "Don't kid
about things like that." "You're
down on me because I'm down on Jean Paul. Well I was kidding is he, about that
bottle of cyanide that's disappeared."
"That's what worries me. I'm constantly afraid that one day in his dark
moods he might..." says Alison.
Elizabeth walks in. "Well
Mrs. Marshal, this is a surprise." Alison tells her. "Really Jean Paul has everything doesn't
he, to a fully equipped clinic. That's what this is, isn't it?" asks
Elizabeth. "Well a laboratory would
be more accurate,” says Alison. "Oh
course, sterile things all about. That's your area isn't it doctor?" "But not mine." Dan says as he throws
his hands up. "If you don't mind, I'll leave you ladies to your own devices." He
says as he leaves the lab. "Thank
you Dan." Alison says. "So strange
to find a fully equipped laboratory in a private home. I wonder why?" Elizabeth
asks. "Well my sister was pregnant
and this Island is isolated. I think Jean Paul wanted to afford her every
protection." "Very rich and very
strange isn't he?" Elizabeth says.
"Well that depends on your point of view. No what I mean is his moods are
hard to follow. Is it a matter of understanding then Mrs. Marshal?" " Do you?" "I try." Alison tells her. "I think I understand him as well as
anyone but." "What is it you want
to know? If it concerns Jean Paul don't ask me, ask him." Alison tells
her.
Jean Paul is lying on his bed. He has a hand across his
forehead deep in thought. There is a knock at the door. Hearing it he jumps up
and grabs his jacket, then starts putting it on. "Who is it?" "It's Dan, could I talk to you?" "No Dan not now." Dan stands outside, shakes his head then
walks away. Jean Paul finishes
putting his jacket on, buttoning it. He walks to the bookcase, he enters his
secret room. Walking over to the recorder he turns it on. He picks up the
microphone and turns on the monitor. He records a message for Erica. "Erica my
darling, your sister Alison and Elizabeth Marshal are discussing my many moods.
They don't know what it is that possesses me to keep changing, but you know my
sweet. As that demon Jacques Eloi Des Mondes, what would I do if I cannot get
you back to this world? What do I do of what is left of mine? Who do I turn
to?"
Holly walks up the staircase and knocks on Jean Paul's
door. Elizabeth comes up to her.
"What are you doing?" Elizabeth asks Holly. "I wanted to talk to Mr. Desmond." "Really you can't just throw yourself at
the man." says Elizabeth. "But you
can." "I'm not a child. I'm a
woman." Elizabeth turns and Holly follows her down the stairs.
Jean Paul pushes a few buttons; Holly and Elizabeth come
on the monitor screen on the staircase.
"When will you stop calling me a child?" Holly asks. "When you stop acting like one." "You began acting like one when I became
to old to be your daughter. Then you started treating me like a rival. Well I
don't buy that scene,” says Holly.
"Just leave Jean Paul alone. He is going to belong to me." Elizabeth
tells Holly.
Jean Paul shakes his head. "No Erica I will be yours again
or no ones." Jacques portrait comes
on the screen. "Wrong again Jean Paul. You are mine to
control."
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Summaries written by Debby
Graham . The slide
presentation is the work of Ron Janick.
~Ron/Bella~
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