Strange Paradise:  Episode 99
Episode 99:  Slideshow
Laslo: "An autumn wind sighs through the town of Desmond Hall as if mourning the dead. And those who will soon die. The ancient family mansion echoes with secrets and the sound of whispering voices float through the halls like scarlet moths. One life, one life the whispers seem to say is most in danger. One woman knows too many secrets at Desmond Hall. But which of the four condemned women will be the first to die?"
 
Agatha shows Jean Paul the picture. "You see she took down the book and there we were. Emily, Holly Miss Raleigh and me." Agatha says pointing at each person in the picture.  "Well perhaps it's your imagination Agatha. It's an old book. The ladies could resemble anything that you put your mind to." Jean Paul tells her.  "Oh no look again. It's the four of us. It's as clear as day."  Jean Paul looks at the picture. He sets the book down. "And where is Emily now?"  "I put her to bed, she's a sweet girl." Helena says as she walks into the Drawing Room. "But tired. Suffering from exhaustion I think." Helena notices the book. "Oh Agatha has shown you the picture. Amusing coincidence don't you think?"  "Yes amusing." Jean Paul says as he looks away. "Well I don't think it's funny. Not one bit." Agatha says as she backs away from the table. "She walked as if she were in a trance. She walked over to the bookshelf and took down that book and opened it. And when she did I saw the picture and I felt the hangman's rope around my throat." Agatha says as she holds her neck. "It burned, it got tighter and tighter."  Helena watches Agatha and steps towards her.  "It did Mr. Desmond, it really did." On her neck is a mark as if from a rope.  Jean Paul and Helena stare at Agatha.  "What is it? Why are you staring at me?  Jean Paul walks towards her. "That mark? The mark of a rope around your neck."  Agatha touches her neck. "A rope burn." she says getting upset.  Helena touches Agatha's arm. "Nonsense, she put her own hand on her neck so tightly that she irritated it."  Agatha pulls away from Helena and walks towards the fireplace.
"I think you enjoy ghost stories don't you?" Helena asks as she walks over to Agatha.  Agatha turns and looks at her. "Yes I do but not when they are about me. Jean Paul what should I do?"  "Keep a little scarf around your neck and no one will notice." Helena tells her.  Agatha walks over to Jean Paul. "Jean Paul?"
"Agatha you’ve been frightened." Jean Paul tells her.  "I am frightened!"  He takes her hand. "Look I'm glad you came back here to Desmond Hall. I'm very sorry I sent you away. But you see I was afraid."  "Afraid Mr. Desmond?" Helena asks.
"Afraid for Emily." Jean Paul says.  "But I wouldn't hurt her. I wouldn't hurt anyone. I told you that. So why is someone trying to hurt me?" Agatha asks as she holds her neck and turns away from Jean Paul. She walks to Helena. "Miss Raleigh there is so much I should tell you, so many things you've got to understand about me. I never meant any harm. It was him who meant to harm me in the beginning!" Agatha says turning and pointing at Jean Paul. "And the others."  "Agatha! Go to your room." Jean Paul tells her.  "But I don't want to. I want to talk to people about all the dangers around us."  "Agatha you're upset. Now you must rest."  "I don't want to be alone in my room they’ll try to kill me."
Jean Paul walks up to Agatha. "Who will try to kill you?"  Agatha looks at Jean Paul. "The same people who want to see you dead."  Jean Paul stares at her.
"Well go ahead die if you want to. If you won't help me, if you won't trust and listen to everything I say then let them kill you!" Agatha shouts and rushes from the room.  "Agatha!" Jean Paul steps after her.  "Quito, Quito!" Agatha shouts as she rushes for the staircase.  Jean Paul stands near the door watching Agatha.
"Mr. Desmond?" Helena calls to him.  Jean Paul turns towards her. "Yes?"  "You didn't believe a word she was saying did you?"  "I don't know."  "But you're not afraid." Helena asks as she walks over to him.  "Not of death."  "You're a very brave man Mr. Desmond. Come, come and sit and talk with me." Helena says taking his arm and leading him to the couch. "I have a great deal to learn about a man who doesn't fear death. Sit down." Jean Paul and Helena sit on the couch. "I want to know all about you and about Erica."  Jean Paul glances away.
 
Holly is sitting on her bed reading a book when there is a knock at her door. The door opens and Agatha rushes in. "I have to talk to you." Agatha says kneeling next to Holly's bed. "I have to tell someone."  "Agatha what is it?"  "Will you listen to me?"  Holly sets the book down. "Of course I will."  "I thought everything was going to work fine. I thought Mr. Desmond was going to listen to me and know I'm afraid." Agatha stands and walks across the room. "But he seems to be more interested in that actress. And now I know he's not going to listen to me." Agatha's voice wavers, she is so upset. She walks to Holly's dressing table. "They are going to get me."  Holly stands and walks over to Agatha. "Who are they? Who is going to get you?"  "I know everything, I do." Agatha says as she stands shaking in fear.  Holly grasps her arm. "Agatha!"  "I'm scared, very scared." she starts to sob. She turns and looks at Holly. "They tried to kill me the other night! Because I wouldn't do what they wanted me to! Because I was loyal to Mr. Desmond."  "Who are they? Tell me what are you talking about!" Holly says to her.  "Nobody cares what I have to say. Nobody is going to believe it anyway!" Agatha says as she walks away from Holly.  "But if somebody tried to kill you Agatha? Are you sure? I mean are you sure?" Agatha turns and looks at Holly. "You see, you see you don't believe me either. Well I could go to the police about Mr. Desmond if I wanted to. He knows that."  Holly walks up to Agatha and grasps her arm. "You're overexcited. You should try to get some sleep."  "But will I wake up? Will I ever wake up again? Holly, Holly listen to me because I want someone to know I'm not telling stories or lying. There is a coven of witches in Desmondton."  Holly drops her hand and looks away. "Witches."  "Yes and they want to get rid of Jean Paul the way, the way they got rid of Philip."  Holly looks at Agatha. "Witches got rid of Philip?"  "He's gone isn't he? Disappeared well they wanted me to do the same thing to Jean Paul. Because you wouldn't do it for them."  "Me?" Holly looks away. "I've never had anything to do with witches."
"But they had something to do with you Holly. Holly tell me something. Tell me the truth. Did you kill Philip Desmond?"  Holly looks at Agatha. "You're crazy! Get out of here!" Holly shouts.  "Did they make you?"  "Get out of here! Jean Paul!" Holly cries out.  "Then you won't listen to me. When I'm dead you'll see! You'll see!" Agatha shouts gripping Holly by the arms.  "Jean Paul!" Holly cries out.
"All of you!" cries Agatha.  "Agatha?" Laslo says as he walks into Holly's room.
"Get her out of here! Please get her out of here!" Holly cries out pulling away from Agatha and rushing across the room.  "Not with him! I won't go with him!" Agatha says turning away from Laslo.  "You seem to be disturbing Miss Holly." says Laslo.  "I won't go with you!"  "If you won't come peacefully I will have to force you." Laslo says grapping her wrist and dragging her across the room.
"You're hurting me!"  "Please Mr. Thaxton don't hurt her. It's just I couldn't stand listening to some of the things she was saying." Holly says to Laslo.  "I wouldn't hurt you Agatha but you're disturbing the lady." Laslo says pulling Agatha to the doorway.  Agatha drags her feet and looks back at Holly. "Someday, someday you'll know what you have done to me!" she cries out. Agatha looks at Laslo. "Take me to Jean Paul. I want Jean Paul."  "Of course Agatha but come along now."  "He won't you know! Good by Holly."   "Agatha!" Holly rushes across the room as Laslo closes the door. She stands with her back against it. "Philip? Philip can you hear me? It can't be true. I never knew you when you were alive. I never even saw you until you were a spirit. But maybe if I were under the spell of witches I wouldn't remember. Oh Philip is that why you left me? Did I kill you?" Holly asks as tears roll down her cheeks.
 
Laslo takes Agatha to Philip's secret room. "I don't know this place. Where have you taken me?"  "To a little used room where no one will disturb you. Where you will be free to think about the wrong you have done." Laslo says to her.  "I haven't done anything wrong." Agatha tells Laslo.  "By refusing to join our little circle of witches you have hurt your parents." Laslo tells her as he sets the candle down. "Two of our most outstanding members. And you have hurt me very deeply by attempting to tell Mr. Desmond of our secrets."  "And he'll find out, I know he will. And he will come here."  "No one will come here. No one will disturb you. Ever since you came to Desmond Hall this room has become the home of the Serpent God." Laslo says as he walks towards Agatha.  Agatha backs away. "What are you talking about?"  "You pray to the Serpent God. You have been his servant since you discovered his alter in the caves when you were a child."  "I never served him. I had my friend, my pet snake and I asked him for favors. That's all!"
"Your little pet snake is dead. Crushed to death in this room. And since then the Serpent God has appeared to anyone who remains alone in this room. And wraps his coils around them and crushes them."  "You can't make me stay here!" Agatha says as she tries to rush for the door.  Laslo grabs her arm. "There is no way out."  "He wouldn't kill me! He wouldn't kill me because I've never hurt him! I've never hurt anybody!"  Laslo walks across the room and sets a chair in the middle of the floor. "Come here Agatha." He grabs her arm and drags her to the chair. "Dear girl I don't want you pacing about and pounding on the door. I think you should be very nicely tied up while you wait for the appearance of your Serpent God." he says as he pushes into the chair. Agatha stares at him in terror.
 
Cort stands outside the Drawing Room doors listening to the discussion between Jean Paul and Helena.   "You said something about a young boy painting a portrait." Helena asks.  "Yes at Maljardin. My wife wanted a portrait of herself done. And I commissioned it at the time. But when it turned out it was not my wife at all but someone else."  "Erica was an actress too." Helena says to him.  "Yes that is until we were married and then..."  "And then?" Helena asks as she picks up Jean Paul's empty glass and carries it to the table.  "And then she wanted to devote the rest of her life to me. So she said and she did just that until she died."
Helena pours Jean Paul another drink. "A very tragic story Jean Paul. I wish there was something I could do to alleviate the pain you're suffering."  Turning he takes the glass from Helena. "No she's gone. She's dead. I look at you and I see her again. I speak with you and I hear her voice." Jean Paul stands and steps away. "But Erica is dead."  Helena watches him then steps towards him. "But you haven't told me what happened before she died?"  Jean Paul turns around. "What do you mean?"  "Holly said a strange thing to me. She said Erica killed. Killed Holly's mother." "That was not my wife. That was a demon who was sent after her death. A demon who I burned at Maljardin."  "I'm sorry I brought it up. I know it must have been painful to you. It's an awful memory for a man to recall that he burned his wife alive."  "That was not my wife I burned that was a devil who destroyed my life." Jean Paul says angrily.  Cort walks in. "Hmm I'd like to hear about that. The awful memories of Jean Paul Desmond."  "I didn't hear you knock." Helena says to Cort.  "I seldom knock. I made you a present, a star." He hands it to Helena. "Because of your performance. Did you like her performance Jean Paul?"  "I have never seen Miss Raleigh perform." Jean Paul says.  "But she just did. Just now."  "You were listening at the door." Helena says to him.
"Well I wasn't going to deprive myself of such a performance. Your acting skill caused my cousin to say things I have never heard."  "Cort! You are being very rude and I do not like your accusations." Jean Paul says to him.  "Well I'm sorry cousin but I just wanted to make sure Miss Raleigh was impressed that I am the last of the Desmond line." Cort turns and walks to the door then looks back at Jean Paul. "You see if Jean Paul disappears or dies I become the heir to the Desmond fortune. It becomes mine Miss Raleigh. No lady can inherit the Desmond fortune. If that were possible my mother would have been a very rich woman today."  Jean Paul steps forward and stands next to Helena.  "I thought some fiscal advice might be of some interest to you. Keep the star. You earned it." Cort says as he walks out and closes the door.  "Well." Helena says then looks at Jean Paul.  "I'm sorry. Sometimes he says things he doesn't mean." Jean Paul says angrily.  "Oh there's no need to apologize Jean Paul." Helena says as she walks to the fireplace. "I want to meet everyone at Desmond Hall and know them well. Even if they are unpleasant young men." She says crushing the star in her hand and throwing into the flames of the fireplace.
 
Laslo ties Agatha to the chair. "There you look most comfortable, even devotional. I would suggest you start saying your prayers even before your Serpent God appears." Laslo says then starts to walk away.  "Wait."  "Oh no I don't like to interfere in any rituals Miss Pruett especially one that leads to your death." Laslo then leaves the room.  Agatha looks around in fear as slithering sounds come from across the room. "Peter? Peter is that you? Say it is. You were my friend always. I didn't want you to die. They thought you were just a small snake but you took care of me. You helped me. Help me now Peter, help me."  The Serpent rises from the floor in front of Agatha. "No, no. help me Peter. I have never hurt anybody, please." Agatha says as she shakes in fear.
 
Holly walks down the staircase. Cort is at the bottom and stops her. "Holly don't go in there. Jean Paul and Miss Raleigh are having a...They are sharing confidences. And they object to any interruptions."  "I have to see Jean Paul." Holly says as she turns towards the Drawing Room doors.  "Why Holly? Why can't you talk to me? After all who knows more about your problems than I do?" Cort says as he walks towards Holly. "Unless it's the ghost of Philip?  "I don't want to talk about Philip with you."  "Am I not your friend anymore Holly?"
"I'm not sure. I don't know who my friend is anymore." Holly says backing away.
"That upsets me. Here I try to spread sunshine in Desmond Hall and help those that are in need and yet no one trusts me. I wonder why?" He looks at Holly. "Holly do you love Philip Desmond?"  "Yes."  "A ghost that might not even come back again?"  "Yes, it doesn't matter."  Cort turns and walks across the room. "If I found him for you. If I brought you to him would you trust me then?"  Holly walks up to Cort. "Can you? You're lying to me. How can you possibly find him?"  "I said if Holly." He says as he turns and looks at Holly. "I want you to like me. I want that very much." He grabs her and kisses her.  Holly pulls away from him. "Get away from me!"  "Holly!"  "Leave me alone! Don't touch me again I'm warning you!"  "Oh I understand you want a dream lover not a kiss from a man." Cort says as he laughs at her.  "You're not a man. You're a child a silly wild child!" she shouts at Cort.   Jean Paul opens the Drawing Room doors. "Holly? What's the matter?" he asks as he walks up to her.  "Nothing." Holly says looking at Cort.  "She wants to see you dear cousin. Goodnight Holly, pleasant dreams." Cort says then rushes from the room.  Jean Paul stares after him.
 
Agatha tries to talk to the Serpent God. "Don't you remember, remember I was just a little girl in the caves. I asked you to make my mother and father stop being witches. I told you I wanted to be good and I have been. But it wasn't like this, the Serpent was gentle and when I looked into his eyes I saw love and peace."
The Serpent hisses louder. "But you are, you are not the Serpent God. You're evil, you're Tess." 
 
Helena and Holly sit on the couch in the Drawing Room. "A kiss? Is that the great tragedy Holly? I never thought of a kiss from a young man to be a cause for concern. I find that very touching." Helena tells Holly.  "Are you laughing at me?"
"I would never do that darling. I'm afraid you're confusing me with somebody else."  "Helena it's getting rather late. I'd like to speak to Holly alone. Would you mind?" Jean Paul asks.  "Oh not at all. I'm rather tired after a very interesting evening myself. I'd like to thank you." Helena says walking up to him. Jean Paul looks at her. "I was wondering if you would object if I did what all the other young people do. Kiss you good night." Helena gives him a kiss.  "Goodnight Helena." Jean Paul tells her.  Helena walks to the door and glances back. "Goodnight." She walks out closing the doors behind her.  Jean Paul glances at Holly. "Holly I believe Cort said you had something to talk to me about. What?" He asks as he sits next to her. "Well about Agatha Pruett."  "What about her?"  Well she came to my room a little while ago and she was talking so strangely about death and secrets and warnings. It didn't seem to make any sense. Then I called for you but Laslo came and took her away."  Jean Paul stands. "Took her away?"  "After a while I went to look for her but she was so lonely and I felt so sorry for her but I couldn't seem to find her anywhere."  "We've got to find her." Jean Paul says as he rushes to the doors. Swinging them open he sees Cort.  "Jean Paul!" Cort cries as he stumbles towards Jean Paul. Bending he clutches his neck and stomach.  "Cort!"  Cort collapses. "The Serpent it's crushing somebody. I feel it."
Jean Paul rushes up the staircase Holly kneels next to Cort as he twists in agony.
 
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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 100