Strange Paradise:  Episode 91
Episode 91:  Slideshow
Laslo: "The curtain of night encloses Desmond Hall like a shroud as Jean Paul Desmond returns to the old mansion after going on an errand of mercy. It would seem to him he will never be able to help another human being again. For all he touches turns to tragedy for all those that dwell within these walls. And a new threat has taken hold with the arrival of the mysterious Agatha Pruett;"
 
Agatha dances by herself in the Drawing Room. "It's so beautiful isn't it? And the lovely ladies and their extremely handsome gentlemen and the orchestra. Oh I do love the waltz don't you?" She says. "Why thank you sir. You are a very graceful dancer too. I'm just all embarrassed by your compliments. You have no idea what it is like for a girl like me who has nothing, nothing at all to be your honored guest and a dancing partner of the Master of Desmond Hall." Agatha stops dancing in front of the fireplace. "It doesn't work." She says sadly. "It doesn't really work at all." She kneels in front of the fireplace. "I'm alone; I'm not with Jean Paul Desmond." She sits on the floor. "Oh Peter pretend for one minute that I am a magic princess and grant me my wish. Pretend I'm very pretty and Jean Paul has fallen in love with me. And bring him to me now. I won't hurt him I promise. I'll just keep him very close and never let him go if you send him to me. Send him to me now. But if you won't grant my wish then I shall have to hurt him. I'm sorry but I'll have to hurt him badly. Ready?" Agatha closes her eyes. "One, two."  "Agatha?" Laslo calls to her from the doorway. He walks into the Drawing Room and closes the door behind him. "Good evening my dear. Am I invited to your party?" Laslo asks as he walks over to Agatha and helps her to her feet.  "There is no party."  "Oh but your dressed for one." Laslo tells her.
"There isn't any party and there isn't going to be one. I had to have dinner alone in my room. Did you know that?"  "Miss Emily Blair was very ill this evening. My wife thought trays in the room would be the best thing." Laslo tells her.  "Where's Jean Paul?" Agatha asks.  "That's what I came to talk to you about. He went for a doctor for Miss Blair but unfortunately the car broke down."  "How do you know all this?"  "My dear I know everything that happens at Desmond Hall. I also know where Jean Paul is."  "Where?" Agatha asks.  "He's at a friend’s house. A Mrs. Hatter. He wants you and I to join him there."  "Oh he does." Agatha asks with a smile.  "Yes so you will have your party after all and you'll not have worn this gown in vain."  "Oh I don't know." Agatha says walking away from Laslo. "Why didn't Jean Paul call me himself? It isn't very polite for a gentleman not to request for a lady personally."  "These are very unusual circumstances Agatha but I assure you, you'll be treated as a lady all through the evening." He says walking over to her.  "Well I hope so since I am all dressed up and everything. I made these dresses myself you know." She walks away and spins around showing off her gown. "Over a very long period of time. Because I thought I'd need some beautiful things some day."  "A very nice story but we really should go." He says reaching for her arm.  "Oh just the two of us, Isn't Mrs.Thaxton going?"  "Mrs. Thaxton has a fierce headache."  "Oh I'm sorry. Perhaps I could help her. I know of a wonderful way of massaging the neck that increases the circulation." Agatha says walking away from Laslo to the closed doors of the Drawing Room.  "I am afraid we can not spare the time." Laslo says as he follows her.  "Oh but it doesn't take long and it works like a miracle." Agatha says smiling.  "Are you going to comply with Jean Paul's wishes or not?"  "I have wishes of my own you know. And they are not always answered either so if he has to wait he has to that's all."  "I'm beginning to get annoyed."  "At me Mr. Thaxton?" She walks away from him. "Then you certainly aren't treating me like a lady. And you have already broken your promise. I never break a promise to anyone."  Laslo walks up to her. "Very admirable but Mrs. Hatter is waiting for us at this moment."
"I'm not sure I like Mrs. Hatter."  "You're behaving like a child Agatha. Of course you like her and her friends. It's going to be a rather large party."  Agatha smiles. "Really! Do you think anyone will recognize me? I mean some of her guests may have seen me at the dress makers shop where I work." she walks away then turns around. "But I have changed a great deal don't you think?"  "You certainly have." Laslo says as he walks towards Agatha. "But let's get your coat. This is going to be one evening you’re never going to forget. Little Agatha." Laslo walks over to the door, opens it and waits for Agatha.  Agatha enters the foyer followed by Laslo. She stops. "Don't call me Little Agatha. I'm not a child even though you said I behaved like one. I'm not sure I should go with you."  "But I insist."  "You go to the party and tell Jean Paul to get me."  "I don't think he'd like that. You're in no position my dear girl to order Jean Paul about."  "Oh but I am." Agatha says.
Laslo holds Agatha's coat. "Agatha, have you found your little friend?"  "No but I'm sure he's around. He'd never leave me." Agatha says as she walks a few steps away from Laslo.  "A little snake. How could you expect such a creature to give you loyalty?"  "Peter does most of the time."  "I fear your friend has been up to some tricks lately."  Agatha turns and looks at Laslo. "What do you mean?"
"Never mind. But I think he's dangerous and the only reason I bring him up is to warn you unless you cooperate with me. Unless you become my friend I will destroy your friend."  "You wouldn't do that." Agatha says. She's starting to get upset.  "Oh yes I keep my promises too. And unless you come with me now I will kill him."  "Oh no. I couldn't be without him." Agatha says as she walks towards Laslo. "I, Give me my coat."  "Oh no. I will assist you as a good escort should." He puts her coat over her shoulders. "There now see it's going to be a proper evening and you'll be the most pampered lady in Desmondton." Laslo says as he leads her to the door.  The door opens and Jean Paul enters. "Where's Emily?"
"Well I thought you were at the party." Agatha says to Jean Paul.  "Is Emily all right?" Jean Paul asks Laslo.  "Jean Paul, well would you come into the Drawing Room. I would like to speak to you alone." Laslo asks Jean Paul.  "I thought we were going..." Agatha says to Laslo.  "Alone Agatha." Laslo says then walks away.  Agatha stops Jean Paul. "He mustn't talk to me that way Jean Paul."
"Agatha one moment, one moment please!" He says as he grips her shoulders then rushes after Laslo.  Agatha tries to follow them but Jean Paul closes the door in her face. "Really!" she says. Agatha turns and walks over to the staircase and sits on the bottom step. She leans against a post. "Oh perhaps you were right Peter after all. Not to send him to me when I asked. Perhaps I shouldn't be fond of Jean Paul Desmond. But I am."
 
Laslo says to Jean Paul. "But you did get my message at the doctor’s office."  "I did but it was so unbelievable. When I drove away I knew she had died. I knew it."  "But she did not die. She is not dead."  Jean Paul gives a sigh of relief. "Thank God. Without her I could not accept the fact that she would die."  "You seem to have a very strong attachment for Miss Blair." Laslo says as he walks across the room.  "I'm in love with her. I realized that when I was driving looking for someone to help. I realized that if I should lose Emily I would lose the most important person in my life." Jean Paul says walking to the window. He turns and looks at Laslo. "I'm in love with her Laslo."  Laslo walks towards Jean Paul. "What can I say under the circumstances? If I'm a bit confused Jean Paul it's because I'm not accustomed to your confidence."  "I must see her. Where is she?"  "She's asleep. I dislike being the bearer of bad news but the girl is very disturbed.  "Laslo says as he walks away from Jean Paul.”When she woke up she was weak but serene. But later on in the evening she became quite hysterical." Laslo says as he sits on the couch.  "Why? What did you do?"  "I did nothing but treat her with kindness."  "She must have been upset about something. Are you sure she's asleep." Jean Paul asks as he walks across the room.  "Ada gave her a strong sedative. She was most illogical, talking about someone being dead."
"Dead?"  "When she first regained consciousness she claimed that she had been dead. It's so ridiculous. All that happened was she was frightened by a serpent and fainted."  "It's not as simple as that. I must talk to Emily." Jean Paul rushes to the door. He stops and looks at Laslo. "But first I have the unpleasant task to perform if Emily is to be well." Jean Paul opens the door.  "Jean Paul?" Laslo calls to him.  Jean Paul walks into the foyer. "Agatha."  "If I were you I'd go to Emily's room and not bother with this." Laslo says.  Jean Paul looks at Laslo.
"What do you have to say to me Jean Paul?" Agatha stands up on the steps. "I'm ready you see."  "Agatha I'm sorry but it's very important for everyone in this house that you leave."  "Leave?" Agatha asks.  "I am sorry but since you came here frightening events have taken place."  "But they won't. I'll stop them. If it's because of Peter he'll obey me. You can't make me leave you Mr. Desmond."
"But I'm afraid I must if Emily is to get well." Jean Paul says as he walks up the staircase.  "For her! You can't send me away because of her!" Agatha shouts at Jean Paul.  "I won't go! I won't!"  "If I were you Agatha I would pack your bags and come with me now." Laslo tells her.
 
In the cottage Quito warms his hands at the fireplace. "Quito. You mustn't be sad Quito." Irene says as she walks over to him.  Quito moves away from her and sits in a chair.  "You are safe here with me." Irene says as she touches his shoulder. "No one will find you here but if that should ever happen I have powers to protect you. Powers stronger than Raxl's." Irene says as she walks over to the fireplace. Turning she looks at Quito. "No one can harm you. Not the police, not the hunters with their dogs. You were right Quito to come here for refuge. Because I welcome you." Irene stands in front of Quito. "I can't believe it was you who murdered that girl."  Quito shakes his head.  Irene kneels in front of him. "Oh you're suffering because you can't talk or protest. And because you’re Master Jean Paul refuses to defend you. He doesn't want to see you again Quito. I heard him say so."  Quito stares at her in disbelief shaking his head.  "You must never return to Desmond Hall again. You are not welcome there." Irene stands and touches Quito's hands. "But here with me you are secure." Irene turns and walks across the room. "You will help me with my ceremonies. And all I ask in return is obedience, total obedience because I command you now." Irene says standing in front of her alter. Quito nods his head.
 
Jean Paul hears Agatha arguing with Laslo as he walks down the staircase. "No you can't make me go! Let me go! You're hurting me!" Agatha cries out.  "Laslo let her go." Jean Paul tells him as he walks over to them.  "She's a vixen, this one." Laslo says.  "I said let her go."  "I was only trying to carry out your orders with the least possible fuss." Laslo says. He has Agatha's suitcase and coat in one hand and holding Agatha's arm with the other.  Agatha pulls away from him. "He hurt my arm."  "I certainly did not intend for this lady to leave tonight." Jean Paul tells Laslo.  "There you're a bully. And you'll be punished for what you did to me. Jean Paul won't he be punished." Agatha asks looking at Jean Paul.  "I assure you he won't touch you again."  "The girl is incredible. She tells lies."
"The party is all a lie. He told me we were going to a party." Agatha tells Jean Paul.  "To find shelter for you. To find a place for you to stay." Laslo tells Agatha.
"I want to stay here. Jean Paul, Mr. Desmond please let me stay. Tell me what Peter's done. I'll find him and I'll stop him. But don't let me leave here."  "See the resistance. The lack of respect. Agatha for Mr. Desmond’s peace of mind let me take you now."  "No." She huddles against Jean Paul.  "Now that's enough Laslo you're frightening her."  Agatha looks at Laslo. "Not hardly. I'm not afraid of him."
"Very well I shall take these to your room." Laslo says.  Agatha pulls away from Jean Paul. "He'll get rid of me I know it. One way or another."  Jean Paul touches her shoulder. "Agatha please let's talk calmly you and I."  Agatha turns and walks into the Drawing Room. Jean Paul follows her. Laslo stands on the staircase watching them.  Jean Paul closes the door. "Now to begin with in this house is a young lady who is mysteriously ill."  "I don't care about her." Agatha says as she walks to the couch and sits down.  "Well I must and I do." Jean Paul says walking over to the couch.  "And she gets to stay while I get kicked out bag and baggage. I want to remind you of something Mr. Desmond. I haven't told the police yet about you and how you almost killed me. But if I should start to feel it's my duty then I'd have to tell them wouldn't I?"  "Agatha I am willing to take that risk." He sits down next to her. "Now I can't go on protecting myself so that others suffer for it."  Agatha leans towards him. "I think you're a wonderful man, I do. That's why I have been so happy here. I don't want to tell on you at all. But sometimes I have to do things that I don't want to." Agatha lowers her head.  "Agatha I've been good to you her haven't I?"  Agatha looks at him. "Yes you have. And sweet."  "Then you must understand that it hurts me to tell you that you must go."
Agatha puts her hand on his shoulder. "Does it hurt you?"  "Yes I have no choice. You must go and you must find the snake and take it with you."  "But I don't even know where he is. Perhaps he's gone away." She lowers her head.  "You know that's not true."  "I know nothing of the kind. All this evening I haven't felt his presence at all. I mean it's like when you have a close friend. You can feel whether that friend is near of not. Maybe he's gone."  "Agatha I'm going to ask you a question and I want the truth. Now if I ask you to get rid of this friend would you do as I asked?"  "I, I think I would." she says looking at Jean Paul. "I really think I would if I had you, as a friend."  "Well I am your friend Agatha."  She throws her arms around Jean Paul's neck. "Oh thank you, thank you."  "And you'll give up dealing with the Serpent God."  Agatha pulls away from Jean Paul. "I don't have any idea what you're talking about.'  "Yes you do Agatha now the truth."  "I told you I'd send Peter away if I find him or."  "Agatha answer my question." Jean Paul stands up. "This is important, it's important to me because it means I think it has a definite connection with Emily’s recovery. And I will chance anything. I will pay any price to see that she does recover because I love her."  "You, you love her."  "Yes."  "Her and not me?" Agatha stands and rushes to the door.  Jean Paul walks after her. "Agatha!"  "Well if that's the way it is I should leave, right away tonight." She rushes up the staircase. Agatha stops at the top and looks down at Jean Paul. "But you'll be sorry Mr. Desmond. And your heart will be broken like mine is when your precious Emily Blair is dead."  "Jean Paul looks away worriedly.
 
In her cottage Irene talks to Laslo.”But that's impossible; the others will arrive at midnight and no girl. No reunion between parents and daughter."  "She refuses to leave Desmond Hall. She has great strength that girl."  "More strength than you Laslo?"  "She thought she was supposed to meet Jean Paul here and then he returned."  "You did a bad job of it. How many times have you accused me of failing with Holly?" Irene says walking away from Laslo. She turns and looks at him. "And you would not accept any excuses. Well now I won't accept any either."  Laslo walks over to Irene. "We mustn't argue you and I."  "When I failed then there is an argument. Well the coven will meet and no one to complete the circle because of you. That is not arguing that is a point of fact."  "Offer then Quito." Laslo says.  "He is a speechless fool."  "Then why do you protect him?"
"Because he is also a powerful fool. If I were to order him right now he could choke the life from you."  "Is that your plan my dear?"  "My plan is to protect myself. To protect all of us. You have no idea of the forces which you are dealing." Irene says walking away from Laslo.  "I know my own force." Laslo says walking up behind Irene.  "So do I. I'm a witch. I serve and I know whom I serve. But when you desire to dabble with snakes, to employ a servant of the Serpent God then I am frightened Laslo. I'm very frightened."  "Of what?"  "Of a power that can devour and destroy yours and mine. Of a wicked God who has often challenged the evil one, our Master. Has challenged him and won the victory."
 
Agatha quietly walks down the staircase carrying her bags.  "Who's there?" Jean Paul asks from the Drawing Room.  Agatha hides her case in the foyer.  "Laslo?" Jean Paul calls out as he walks into the foyer. "Agatha? What are you doing?"
Agatha shrugs. "Going for a walk."  "Alone? At this time of the night?"  "What would you care about what I do? You already told me to leave for good."
"Agatha I told you, you mustn't leave. Only if you are involved in the mysteries you have been involved in."  "I'm not involved in any mysteries. It's only a childish game, a friend who protects me. At least I imagine he does."  "Agatha if you leave you will be driving yourself away from Desmond Hall. Now I want you to stay."  Agatha looks at him. "Do you?"  "Yes if you promise."  "I guess my promise won't be worth much. After all I'm not an educated lady like some I know."  Jean Paul looks away from Agatha.  "Jean Paul? Do you like me a little?"
"Yes I do Agatha."  "Could you like me more?"  "I could if you were on my side and help me drive the spirit of the Serpent from this house."  "I don't know anything about a spirit of a Serpent. I only know a little garden snake who is my pet and is lost." Agatha turns towards the door.  "Agatha please stay. Help me."
Agatha looks back at him. "I'd like to very much."  A slithering hissing sound is heard. "What's that?" Jean Paul asks, he turns and walks away from Agatha.
"Jean Paul did you hear me. I'd like to help you. If I could I would like to help you very much." Emily walks over to her suitcase, picks it up and leaves the mansion.
 
Jean Paul enters Philip's secret room. He has a candle in his hand. "The door's been left open. By whom? Cort where are you?" Jean Paul sees one of Cort's paper birds hanging in the room. He takes it down and sees writing on it. "As a bird fears the serpent and quickly takes flight. I to have taken wing to fly. I fly. Cort!" Jean Paul says.
 
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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 92