Strange Paradise:  Episode 88
Episode 88:  Slideshow
Cort: "Once more the shadows of darkness fall over Desmond Hall. And once more the ancient ancestral home of the Desmond family seems to shudder in the night. For in its walls is a new and threatening figure. The girl Agatha who knows Jean Paul Desmond has tried to kill and yet knows that the goodness of Jean Paul is what she admires and defends."
 
"Master the girl will bring destruction upon us all." Raxl says to Jean Paul.  "I have spoken with her Raxl. I know the danger. I know that at any minute she can call the authorities and say that Jean Paul Desmond is the killer that they seek. I know all that. But she has been alone. And she needs warmth as us all do. Trust her, trust someone Raxl. You must have more faith in the human spirit."  "You do not know what you are saying. I have lived for three hundred years. I have seen people born and die. The world has not changed. Each man will seek for himself that which will do him the most good. That is the only story of life."  Jean Paul shakes his head no. "If I believed that I wouldn't want to go on living. I would want to solve my problems by ending them."  "Do not say that Master. I have no faith in mankind. I have faith only in the Desmond family. It is you and the family that I serve Master, therefore what ever I do must be forgiven."  Jean Paul looks at Raxl. "You will do nothing do you understand me. I must help this girl." he says looking away from Raxl. "If I don't succeed then life itself isn't worth living."  Raxl bows. "As you wish Master." Raxl walks out of the Drawing Room.  Agatha stands on the other side of the door. "Mr. Desmond, Jean Paul I have never in my life had such a wonderful evening. Promise me Jean Paul, you must promise me that you'll never listen to a word against me." Agatha looks at Raxl who has stopped in the doorway.  "But no matter what anyone says you will take care of me and you owe me a debt of gratitude for the rest of your life." She puts her arms around Jean Paul. "I cling to you Jean Paul as a serpent over a flooded stream clings to a tree branch that supports him."  Cort walks past Raxl into the Drawing Room. "Cousin. Oh I hope I haven't invaded your privacy."  Agatha releases Jean Paul from her embrace and turns towards Cort.  "Raxl leave us alone." Jean Paul says.  "What ever the Master says." Raxl says. She closes the doors behind her as she leaves.  "A snap of a finger, a word of command and everybody obeys. Oh to be Jean Paul Desmond." Cort says walking into the room.  "Cort I'd like you to meet..."  "Agatha and I have already met. There is no need for introductions. We've already had our talk. Haven't we?" Cort says walking over to Agatha.  "Yes and you brought me tea."  Cort takes Agatha's hand and kisses it.  "Such a beautiful evening." Agatha glances at Jean Paul with a smile. "To be a seamstress, a poor seamstress and have a gentleman kiss your hand." She says to Cort. "I thank you."  "Oh nothing at all Agatha. No more than you deserve for telling me about the secret of my cousins nocturnal adventures. He..." Cort looks at Jean Paul. "He did save your life didn't he?"
"Yes, yes he did." Agatha looks at Cort nervously.  "You have the marks on your neck to prove it."  "The marks?" Agatha says.  "The marks on your neck dear Agatha." Cort walks to the wine table. "You have the most romantic guests Jean Paul. The trouble is they talk too much."  Jean Paul has been standing watching Cort. "Cort!"  "Is he going to spoil our evening . I couldn't bear that." Agatha says as she walks over to the couch and sits down.  "He will spoil nothing. Cort when one kisses a ladies hand then one does not insult her afterwards."  Cort fixes himself a drink. "Well I don't follow the practice that one does." He says sipping from his glass.  "He is going to spoil our evening . I know it." Agatha says.
"Agatha is a guest here at Desmond Hall and she will be treated as such."
Cort leans over the couch near Agatha. "Oh I didn't realize the situation Agatha. I didn't know."  "Mr. Desmond has done me the honor of inviting me to stay in his home. Are you surprised?"  "Surprised?" Cort straightens up. "No in fact I'm very glad to see an attractive and valuable visitor. Well I'd give you the reason except I know the wrath of my cousin would be upon me." Cort walks over to Jean Paul. "You see we met earlier this morning." He points at Agatha and himself. "Long before you arrived back from what business occupied you last night. Agatha is a very honest and direct young lady. She told me things about you that made my thick Desmond blood run cold."  Jean Paul stares away in anger.  "And you know what I did, I protested. I told her never to talk about my relatives like that again. I protected you so no one else in this family would hear the bizarre statements she said about you. I have a right to keep Jean Paul's secrets. You see I saw the scars on her neck." Cort turns and points at Agatha. "And she also told me you tried to kill her."
 
Laslo holds Holly's hand helping her down the staircase. "There we are my dear. You see how pleasant it can be when one has the right friends. This evening Holly I shall be your escort. I shall stay by your side all through the evening until the time comes." He releases her hand. Holly stands and stares at him in a trance. "And you know when the time comes don't you?"  "I know the time." Holly says.
"That's right but now is not the time. So we will join the guests, and smile Holly smile." Laslo opens the Drawing Room doors and waits for Holly to enter.  "Holly have you met Agatha?" Jean Paul asks her.  "No. I haven't." Holly says with a smile looking at Agatha.  "Well Agatha is here to meet some new friends."
"Shake her hand Holly but carefully." Cort says walking over to the couch and stands behind Agatha.  "Ah Cort you're here. Then we are assured of a lovely evening." Laslo says as he guides Holly to the couch, she sits next to Agatha.
"I'm very pleased to meet you Holly." Agatha says extending her hand.  "And I'm happy you're here with us." Holly says taking Agatha's hand.  "Well done." Cort says to them.  "Where's Ada?" Jean Paul asks Laslo.  "Ada has a headache and regretfully will not join us for dinner."  "Laslo have you met the young lady?"  "Yes I greeted her this morning." Laslo says sitting in a chair.  "Very cruelly Jean Paul he greeted me very cruelly and I can not forgive him for that." Agatha says to Jean Paul.  "Well the lady has courage all on her own." Cort says smiling.
Jean Paul turns towards Laslo. "Agatha is my guest and I would like to see to it that everyone at Desmond Hall treat her with civility and courtesy."  Laslo watches Jean Paul. "As we do everyone."  "Oh I think I'm going to get a headache like Mother does. I'm going to have to leave soon." Cort says as he raises his hand to the back of his head.  "Oh don't do that." Agatha touches his hand as he lowers it.. "You were very nice to me this morning. As apposed to some people I could name." Agatha says as she turns and looks at Laslo. She takes her hand from Cort’s.  "Agatha tonight you will be the guest of honor. No one will say an offensive word. And you can tell us about your life and experiences.'  "Oh I'd like to do that.'  "Yes I'm sure she would like to do that. So why don't we have dinner." Cort says walking over to Jean Paul. "I'm sure this is going to be a promising evening." He walks over to Agatha offering her his arm. Agatha stands and takes it and walks out of the room with Cort.
Laslo stands and both he and Jean Paul stand in front of Holly. "Holly." Laslo says. Holly reaches for Laslo's arm. "Oh not my arm my dear your guardian, your guardian." Holly reaches out and holds Jean Paul's arm. He stares at her as they walk out of the room. Laslo stands with a smile on his face.
 
Agatha's snake Peter is curled around the railing on the staircase.
 
Everybody assembles back in the Drawing room after dinner. "Now let's all have an after dinner drink." Laslo says. He and Cort are standing. Jean Paul, Agatha and Holly sit on the couch.  "Not for me thank you." Jean Paul says.  "Oh I'd like that. Except I don't know what to have." Agatha says.  "Never mind my dear. I'll make the choice and Holly anything for you?"  Holly sits staring ahead. "No I'm fine, very fine."  "Of course she is, smile for Jean Paul." says Laslo.  Holly smiles as she turns her head then she screams. "I saw, saw a thing!"  Jean Paul jumps up. "Holly what is it?" He stands next to her.  Holly points. "Something moving on the stairs." She stands next to Jean Paul.  Cort walks out to the foyer. "There's nothing out here nothing at all."  "I saw something."  "Holly, Holly you're tired." Jean Paul says.  "Off to your room my child. Come along." Laslo says as he reaches out his hand.  "No!" She backs away turning to Jean Paul "Jean Paul!"
"Jean Paul will take you." Laslo tells her.  Jean Paul leads Holly from the room. Laslo follows them.  Agatha stands. "Peter? Here Peter come to me and I'll take care of you. I promise you will dine on witch’s blood."
 
Holly enters Philip's room. She carries a candle. "Philip?"  "Holly?" Jean Paul turns on the light and walks into the room. "Still awake?"  "I was just wandering around. This is Philip's room isn't it?" She sets the candle down.  Jean Paul walks over to her and nods. "Yes but you should be asleep by now."  "I wanted to see his things." Holly touches the carousel. "Was this his?"  "When he was a boy."  "Was he ever a boy?" Holly asks with a smile.  "I think we should talk about this some other time Holly. Why don't you go to sleep now."  "But I need him now"  "Need him?" Jean Paul asks.  "I do see him Jean Paul. And talk to him sometimes." Holly says as she looks at Jean Paul.  "When? Tell me."  Holly turns away. "Whenever he chooses. Not when I need him." She walks a few steps from Jean Paul. "Sometimes he's so kind to me, sweet and other times it's almost like he didn't like me."  Jean Paul walks over to Holly. "Holly what does he say to you?"  Holly looks at Jean Paul. "He says that I must help him and more often he helps me. The other day when I was lost in the fog it was Philip who brought me home safely. Oh I would have kept wandering on towards the cliffs but. Oh Jean Paul I'm so tired of living in fear. And it seems Philip is the only one reaching out to me, the only one who cares."  "Holly I care." Jean Paul says.
"I've never even touched him. He comes to me like a spirit and sometimes it's as if he takes my hand."  Jean Paul walks over to the dresser and opens a drawer. He takes out a picture frame. "Holly is this the Philip that you see?"  Holly takes it. "Yes that's Philip. May I have this?" she asks smiling.  "Of course but what does he tell you?"  "He used to say you must find him but now he says he's content as he is just talking to me. He's afraid of what will happen if he comes to me in some other form." she says looking at Jean Paul.  "Is he alive or dead? Does he tell you that?"  "No he doesn't tell me that. He says his powers are limited. That there are only certain things he can tell me. He can talk only to me."
"Does he say anything concerning me?" Jean Paul asks.  "What I said. That you must find him."  "But where?"  "He talks about the cold and the dark. I suppose that could mean death. Oh Jean Paul I don't want him to be dead. I need him."
"Holly you must speak to him. You must ask him to appear to you now."  "He won't, he only comes to me when I'm alone."  "Please try." Jean Paul asks.
Holly closes her eyes. "Philip, Philip can you hear me? Jean Paul is here with me. Jean Paul your brother. Philip are you here?"  Philip's carousel moves and crashes to the floor. "Philip! Oh he's angry." Holly says bending down to pick up the carousel. "Philip I didn't mean to make you angry. Oh I don't want you to be angry. I want you to be happy. I don't care if you come to visit me . I don't care if you come to see me just as long as you're happy." Holly holds the carousel as it starts to move. Music comes from it. "Did you make that play for me? I wish we could be children together and never worry about growing up. Just playing on a carousel, riding on a carousel riding, riding, riding while the music keeps on playing."  Jean Paul is staring at Holly.  Holly turns and looks at him. "Jean Paul? Why are you looking at me like that?"  "I think you're falling in love Holly. With the ghost of my brother."
 
Agatha stands on the staircase. "Where are you? Peter are you here?" She walks down the staircase looking around.  A light shines in her face. "Have you lost something?" Laslo asks.  "Yes, no it's not important. I should be in my room."
"Agatha let's go sit by the fire in the Drawing Room."  "I, I don't want to."  Laslo grasps her arm and leads her down the steps. "Is that the girl who talks about being lonely. Come along." He leads her to the Drawing Room.  Agatha enters and sits on the couch.  Laslo sits next to her. He takes her chin in his hand and turns her face towards him. "Yes. I was studying your face all through dinner. I saw a resemblance there that I see now.'  Agatha pulls away. "I don't resemble anyone."  "Oh but you do Agatha. Your parents."  "I don't have any parents." Agatha says.  "That's strange, for you do resemble Mr. and Mrs. Pruett. Well cat got your tongue."  Agatha looks at Laslo. "Mr. and Mrs. Pruett were not nice people."  "But I know them quite well. I'm very fond of them."  Agatha turns away. "Then you don't know them very well."  "Then you are their daughter?"  "Yes I left them a few years ago. I don't like the name."  "Why not? It's a perfectly good name and Agatha Pruett..."  "No, no it's evil. They were evil." Agatha stares straight ahead.  "Why do you say that?" Laslo asks.  "I can't tell you. Why are you asking me these questions?" Agatha says getting upset. "That's all over with. I left my parents home. I don't see them any more."  "Agatha look at me." Laslo says. Agatha turns her head towards him. "I know more than you think I do. I know your parents are witches aren't they."  Agatha nods.  "And you even though you've disowned them, are you a witch yourself?"  "No. I'm not. I'm not a witch. I don't want to even talk about such things!"  "None of them do. Tell me Agatha and I want the truth, the truth now. Have you ever attended a witch’s coven? Have you ever taken part in their rites?"  Agatha looks away. "I won't tell you."
Laslo grabs her head and makes her look at him. "You will tell me!"  "Please, please! Yes! Yes when I was a child. They took me with them. I hated it, hated all of it. That's why I left them. That's why I chose to live by myself."  Laslo releases her. "Poor little Agatha, poor thing. And you have never practiced any of it since?" Laslo asks.  "No. I swear to you."  "Don't try to fool me because you can't. Agatha what would you do if I told Jean Paul Desmond you were a witch?"  "It isn't true."  "But if I told him." Laslo says to her.  "You mustn’t. I've just only found a home . I'm happy here.'  "And I want you to be happy. I believe you will if you listen to me. And do as I tell you."  "What, what do you want me to do?"  "For the moment nothing. But the time will come Agatha. You can be certain the time will soon come. Look into the fire Agatha.." Laslo stands and grabs her chin forcing her to look at the flames. "Do you see what I see. A friend a very close friend in the flames burning."  "No, no! Please no!" She raises her hands before her face.
 
Raxl and Jean Paul enter Philip's secret room. Raxl carries candles. "So you know this room Raxl."  "Yes Master from the time of your ancestors." Raxl says as she sets the candles down.  "In this room my brother used to dabble in necromancy and witchcraft. These bottles and all this equipment give testimony to that fact."  "No one should experiment with the powers of evil." Raxl says looking around the room.  "You think that explains his disappearance?' Jean Paul asks walking up to Raxl.  "I do not know Master."  "Well what ever happened to him he has reached Holly."  "I know that."  "Reached her for good or evil?" Jean Paul asks.  "He has warned her against that woman Mrs. Hatter." Raxl says looking at him. "He is correct she is wicked."  "All that wicked? Perhaps a bad influence on Holly but not an evil person." Jean Paul says walking around the room picking up a bottle from the table.  "You ask questions master, then you refuse to heed the answer."  "Raxl is it possible that Philip if he studied the occult has the power to appear as a spirit to someone even though he were still alive?"
"All things are possible."  "I don't want to think of my brother as dead. I don't want to think of him as a spirit from the beyond."  Raxl is staring straight ahead.
"Raxl what is it? What are you looking at?"  "An opening, a hole just large enough for a serpent to crawl through. A shadow, a shadow of a crawling figure as though this room has been visited."
"Raxl use your powers. Use your powers to contact my brother."
"I lost my powers. I lost them when we left Maljardin. When my altar to the Serpent God was destroyed and my idol smashed!"  "But if a serpent has been here..."  "The Gods select the soul to who they will speak."  "Raxl! Try, try for my sake. I have been overpowered for so long by the powers of evil! I have been overshadowed by wickedness so at any time it can strike and control my destiny! There must be a force strong enough to combat this evil. Strong enough  somewhere, somehow. Where do we find it!" "I will try Master, alone."  "No I want to stay with you."  "Alone!"  "All right. I'll wait outside." Jean Paul walks towards the door. He turns and looks at Raxl. "Now call me if you need my help."
"Master do not come unless I call you no matter what happens. No matter what sounds or protests you hear. Do not enter until I bid you."  Jean Paul stands and looks at Raxl.  "Will you honor that request." Raxl turns and looks at him.  "I will."
"No matter what happens to you or to me."  "No matter what happens." Jean Paul says. He then leaves Philip's secret room.  Raxl clasps her hands together. "Gods of the Serpent. Gods of my ancestors, all power is your's for those who can reach them. Only you can disperse the spirits of good or evil. Only you can control or lead the weak souls of man. I bring to you now my spirit."  Raxl holds her arms out. "No offering for I do not have an altar. But a soul which is strong and lasting as stone. You have visited this place and uncoiled your power here. Appear to me, come to the aid of those I serve. Appear to me if you are a serpent who I am to serve. I shall make this spot a temple. Come to me. Come I do not fear you. I do not fear you." Raxl looks in horror across the room. "No, no! No you’re crushing me!" Raxl screams.
 
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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 89