STRANGE PARADISE- Episode 161

Episode 161: Slideshow

Cort walks towards Emily with his hands extended. “Why are you looking at me like that?” Emily says then looks at his hand and gasps. “The mark, so Raxl was right.” She pulls back from him. “Of course she’s right. She’s always right.” “Cort please listen to me.” “It’s too late. You are the instrument of my fate.” He reaches out and grabs her throat. Emily lifts the totem between them. “Orendo!”

Cort collapses to the floor. Emily looks at Cort clutching her throat.

Raxl stands in front of Jacques portrait. She bows her head. “Jacques Eloi Des Mondes now hear me. Eternal Master who my life is tied hear me, your secrets are being uncovered and when they are your power will vanish and you will burn forever in the fires of hell. Do not forsake me now give me your council and your protection.” Jacques heartbeat sounds in the room. “We will defeat your enemies one by one. We will bring death and destruction upon all those who appose your star. We will prevent the wedding of Emily Blair and Jean Paul Desmond. We will destroy the meddler from the distant forest who brings his ancient rituals to work against us. I will bring a new Master to your star. Give me your blessing to continue as I have for these many years.” The heartbeat stops. “What is it? Why has the heart stopped?”

Emily kneels next to Cort. “Cort, Cort can you hear me?” She holds his hand as he lays unconscious. There is a knock at the door, the door opens and Philip enters. “What’s happened to Cort?” Philip asks as he rushes into the room. Emily stands. “He tried to kill me. He started to strangle me but the totem saved me.” She says as she holds up the totem. “The mark was upon his hand, the same one that was on the witchcraft document.” Philip kneels down and picks up Cort’s hand. “Well it’s gone now.” He lowers Cort’s hand and stands. “Does he know you saw it?” “I told him I saw it. Yes.” “Why are you here?” “Raxl told me he could explain the mark to me. But he denied it and then he attacked me.” “Are you all right?” “Yes I held the totem up between us and called on Orendo, then Cort fainted.” “Where is Raxl?” “She was in the Drawing Room.” He grabs her arm. “Go to your room. I’ll take care of Cort.” “Philip is Cort the new victim of the star?” “Yes but there may be a way. Now you go to your room and I’ll explain everything to you.” He walks Emily to the door. “You go now and keep the totem near you.” Emily turns and walks from the room. Philip closes the door and kneels next to Cort. He gently slaps Cort’s cheeks. “Cort, Cort open your eyes.”

Cort stirs and looks at Philip. “What are you doing here?” “It’s all right. I want to help you.” He helps Cort to his feet. “I feel faint.” Philip helps him to the bed. Cort sits down. “Just take it easy.” Philip says as he sits next to him. “Now I want you to tell me what happened.” Cort turns his and over and looks at his palm.

“Can I get you something?” Philip asks. “No, no I’m all right.” Cort says as he covers his face with his hands. “I think I’m going mad.” “Perhaps you are.” Philip tells him. Cort glances up. “Where’s Emily!” “Cort I have something terrible to tell you.” “What?” “Emily is dead.” Cort lowers his head. “Oh my God.” He says with a sob. “Why did you do it?” Philip asks. “I didn’t mean to. Something took possession of me! The heartbeat but it wasn’t mine, it was someone else's.” Cort looks up at Philip. “It was just like the other time!” “What other time?” “You remember, when you interrupted me and my mother in the secret room. I was going to kill her but you stopped me.” Philip stands and turns away. “If I only had stopped you tonight.” He looks at Cort. “Why did Emily come to your room?” “Raxl sent her.” “Raxl?” “She said for me to wait here and she was going to bring me the instrument that would lead me to my destiny. She wanted me to kill her.” He glances at Philip. “She knew I’d kill her! Where is she?” He shouts as he stands. “It’s too late Cort. I have to call the police.” “Yes call the police!” Cort says.

Raxl stands in front of Jacques portrait. “What’s wrong Master? Why have you stopped the beating of your heart?” Raxl says then walks to the window and glances at the sky. The star is gone. “It is done.” She says happily, then turning she walks back to the portrait. “We have a new Master now. We no longer need Jean Paul.” “Raxl.” Philip calls from the doorway. “Have you seen Emily?” “Why no, there has been no one here since I came in.” Raxl says as she walks towards him. “Have you seen Cort?” “No I’ve seen no one.” Raxl says. “Why do you lie?” Raxl glances at him. “How dare you!” “You sent Emily to Cort’s room just a few moments ago. You sent Emily Blair to her death. You stole her totem because it protected her.” “She told me the totem had been returned to her.” “I thought you said you hadn’t seen her?” “I saw her briefly in the foyer when I came in.” “And you sent her straight to Cort’s room to be killed. She lies upstairs dead!” “No not Miss Emily.” “Cort has confessed to it. I’m going to call the police.” Philip says as he turns and walks from the room. “No!” Raxl shouts and rushes after him. “No Mr. Philip do not call the police. I beg you.” “He is a murderer.” Philip says as he picks up the phone. “You will destroy the Desmonds.” She says as she grips his arm. “Raxl! Raxl what have you done?” Cort shouts from the top of the staircase. Raxl releases Philip’s arm and rushes out the front door of the mansion. Cort runs down the staircase. Philip stops him from following Raxl. “Cort I told you to stay in your room!” “She made me a murderer!” “Let her go.” Philip says to him. “No! The star is in the sky and the heartbeat pounds in my ears and the Mark of Death is upon me!” Cort shouts and pushes away from Philip. He rushes through the open doorway. “Cort! Cort come back here!” Philip shouts then looking at the doorway he smiles. Emily rushes down the staircase. “What was all that shouting?” “Go back upstairs and don’t let anyone see you. We have a lot of work to do now. I’ll explain it all to you later.” Philip says to Emily.

Raxl rushes to Irene’s cottage knocking on the door. Irene walks to the door and opens it, Raxl enters. “I thought I made it clear that I didn’t want you here again!” Irene says angrily. “I need your help!” “I want nothing to do with you.” Raxl turns and looks at her. “You don’t understand, we are close to victory!” “You bring evil with you.” “But you need me now more than ever. Remember our bargain, I will help you and you will help me.” “I can not help you no matter what our bargain was.” “But I have no place to go!” “Go back to Desmond Hall. You are nothing to me.” Irene says as she walks across the room. “Do you really want me to go back to Desmond Hall?” “What do you mean?” “Because if I do go back to that house I will tell Jean Paul about you. I will tell him what you are and what you have done.” “He won’t believe you.” Raxl turns away. “Shall I summon up the ghost of Agatha Pruett who was one of your coven?” “She never was.” “Shall I reveal the spell you put upon Miss Holly? And reveal to Jean Paul that Emily Blair stayed here for weeks and when she returned she could not remember anything that happened to her under the gentle care of Mrs. Irene Hatter?” “How do you know these things?” “I know things that are important to me.” Raxl says to her. Irene walks towards Raxl. “I’m not afraid of you.” “Are you quite sure of that? My craft is ancient. I do not need friends gathered before a candelabra holding hands. I do not need to recruit partners.” “Neither do I.” Irene says to her. “You tried to recruit Cort and failed. He told me that. But that does not matter, that boy holds the key to both our futures.” “He means nothing to my future.” Raxl walks away from her. “As long as Laslo Thaxton is included in your future it also includes his stepson.” “Leave my house at once!” Irene shouts. Raxl turns towards her. “I doubt Mrs. Hatter if you will insist upon that.”

“I’ll call Desmond Hall and tell them that you are here!” “You’ll call no one! Because if you do I will tell Laslo Thaxton that Mr. Philip was here this afternoon and you are both plotting against him.” “He was not here.” “Do you think I am a fool? Do you think I do not know that it was you who gave him back the totem?”

Irene glances at Raxl. “That does not matter. The totem has served its purpose well.” “You pretended that you believed what I had told you.” Irene says to her.

“I am not interested in what people say, I am interested in what they do.” Raxl turns away. “And now you will do as I say or you will never see Laslo Thaxton again.” Irene turns towards her. “You can’t keep me from him.” “His stepson will die and your lover will be executed for his murder.” “You wouldn’t dare!” Raxl turns and looks at her. “I have dared more then that in my lifetime and I have won! Do not challenge me! Now do I stay or do you risk me returning to Desmond Hall?” “I’ll prepare a room for you.” Irene tells her.

Philip takes Emily to Cort’s room. “I want you to stay here until I return.” “But Cort will come back.” “When he does I will be with him.” “Where’s Jean Paul? Emily asks. “He’s asleep. His star won’t return ever again. Nor will the Mark of Death. We’ve freed him forever.” “Are you sure?” “Yes.” “We’ll have to tell him that Cort tried to kill me.” “No don’t tell him anything, not until it’s all over. He would never allow Cort to be a victim of his star.” Emily glances away. “Poor Cort.” “Well if we’ve saved Jean Paul we can save Cort. Now I’ve told Cort that he killed you.” “Oh Philip. Where is he?” “He followed Raxl. He went to find her. That’s exactly what I want him to do.” Emily shakes her head. “No she’ll just tell him to go back and try again.” “No I’ve told her that you’re dead.” Philip says with a smile. “Now I think you should stay here until I get back. We’ve forced their hand and I think they are walking into a trap.” Philip tells her then leaves the room.

Raxl lights the altar candles as Irene paces behind her. Raxl raises her hands over the flames, Irene stands back from her. “Spirits of the night hear me. Demons of the night listen. Come from your shadows to my side. Come from the darkness to our aid. Irene cries out with a sob as the candles blow out. Raxl turns, grabs her by the arms and shakes her. “Stop that at once!” “You have driven my powers away. You’re doing something so evil that my Spirits won’t return to me.” There is a knock at the door. Raxl looks at Irene. “Do not open it.”

Irene pulls away from Raxl. “You have blackmailed me into giving you lodging but I am still Mistress of my own house.” She says then walks across the room and opens the door. Cort steps inside. He sees Raxl and walks towards her. “I didn’t mean to do it! You sent her to me! I won’t take the blame for it! It was you!” Cort says angrily. Raxl looks away. Cort stands in front of her. “I’m not going to be punished for what you do! Do you hear me?” Cort shouts. “You are a hysterical boy. Bursting in here and revealing your most private and personal affairs.” Raxl glances at Irene. “Will you leave us please?” “This is my house!” “I have told you once what will happen if you continue to defy me. Now do as I say!” Irene glances at Cort then walks from the room. Cort looks at Raxl. “I’m turning you over to the police.” “I did not kill Emily Blair you did.” “You are the real murderer. You sent her to me!” “I am merely the instrument of your fate.” Cort walks towards her. “You lied to me! You told me the star was friendly and would bring me good fortune!” “I said it would bring you what you most desired.” “I don’t want it!” “It’s too late. You made your pact when you killed Emily Blair. Now when the star comes out you will hear the heartbeat of your Master and his mark will appear on your hand.” Raxl says then walks away from Cort. “And I will kill again?” Cort asks. She turns and nods with a smile. “Why have you done this to me?” “You are a Desmond and they are led by love for women or greed for money and to an allegiance of evil.” “You called me Master. You said that I had anything or all I wanted from life.” Raxl steps up to him. “You are a Master now. As I am your servant.” Raxl bows. “Yours alone, without me you will die and without my Master I will die. Do not question it. It was an agreement made long, long ago.” “And if I refuse to join in, in this agreement what then?” he asks as he looks away from her. “I will tell the police that you murdered Miss Blair and Agatha Pruett. Miss Holly vanished because of you and my faithful servant Quito was destroyed by you.” “That’s not true!” Cort shouts as he turns away and leans on the mantel of the fireplace. He looks back at her. “I will kill you!” He shouts walking towards her. “Do not threaten me. If I could have been killed I would have died years ago. Good or evil your destiny is linked with mine from now on.” Cort stares at Raxl in anger.

Philip uncovers the mask and sets it on Cort’s dresser. “I’ll come back as soon as I can. Now don’t be frightened. Have you got the totem?” He asks as he turns towards Emily. “Yes.” She says as she holds it up. “I’ll ask Gagossa to protect you.” Philip turns and raises his hand in front of the mask. “Gagossa, Gagossa spread your sheltering sky over this girl who will marry our kinsman. Protect her from harm.” Tears run down the cheeks of the mask. Philip smiles. “Orendo has admitted you to our people.” He raises his hand again. ‘Gagossa I go out into the night to rid the Desmonds of their ancient curse. Don’t let harm come to anyone in this house. Guard Jean Paul Desmond; keep this girl he loves in safety. Help me rid my people of the misfortunes that have trailed them for so many seasons. I offer you my mind.’ Philip says silently to the mask as he touches his fist to his forehead. ‘I offer you my strength.’ He closes his hands into fists as he keeps them at waist level. ‘I offer you my heart.’ He says silently as he crosses his hands and touches his chest. He raises his head. ‘I do what I was sent here to do, to release my people from sorrow. Send me the valor of the brave. Send me the stamina of our chiefs. Send me the purity of our tribe.’ Orendo’s drum beat sounds in the room. “Thank you Gagossa my guardian.” Philip says aloud. He covers the mask. “Don’t leave this room until I come back. Watch through the window for us. When you see us go to your own room and lock the door.” Philip says to Emily then walks from the room closing the door behind him.

Raxl walks through the woods. “Master where are you?” She shouts. Cort walks behind her hidden in the trees and brush. “I’m not your Master and I never will be.” He hears the heartbeat and glances at the sky. He turns and rushes off in fear. Philip knocks on Irene’s cottage door. Irene lets him in. 'I’ve been expecting you.” Irene says to him. “Have you seen Raxl?” Philip asks. “She came to me begging that I let her stay the night.” “What did you tell her?” “I refused.” Philip turns away from Irene. “You should tell her she can stay as long as she wishes.” Irene walks up to him. “I’m afraid of her. She’s a dangerous woman.” “Only to those who trust her.” “She has brought harm to me.” Philip turns and looks at her. “The harm has already been done.” “What do you mean? What has she done?” “Emily Blair has been murdered.” “No, how dreadful.” Irene says as she glances away. “How could she do such a thing?” “Nobody knows who did it. But Raxl disappeared and I'm looking for her.” “Then that’s why Cort...” “Have you seen Cort?” “He came here to talk to Raxl. He was very excited almost hysterical.” “I’m afraid he’s in very deep trouble. You must help me. Where have they gone?” “I was sent from the room and when I came back they were gone.” “Where?” “I don’t know, I assumed back to Desmond Hall.” Irene says as she looks at Philip. Philip walks across the room and stands behind the couch. “I’ll find them. And if Raxl returns don’t tell her I’ve been here. And don’t tell her you know about Emily Blair's death. We must prevent her from escaping.” Philip says then walks from the cottage.

Cort walks through the woods as Raxl calls to him. “Master come back. Master!”

Cort starts to stumble tiredly as Philip walks up behind him and grabs him. “Oh let me go!” Cort cries out. “You’re coming back to face what you’ve done.” “It wasn’t me. It was the star and the curse of the Desmonds!” Cort cries out. “You killed her because you didn’t want Jean Paul to marry her. Now admit it!” Philip shouts. “That’s not true! Raxl made me do it!” “Don’t blame Raxl, she’s Jean Paul’s servant.” “No! She’s the devil’s servant!” “Shall I take you to the police and let them hear your story about devils and some treacherous servant woman. They would lock you up in an insane asylum instead of a prison.” Cort sobs as he shakes his head. “It’s the truth I tell you.” “The truth is you couldn’t wait to get your hands on the Desmond money. And if Jean Paul married you would have lost your chance.” “No I never killed for money or property.” Cort says sobbing.

“Then why would you do such a thing?” “I told you it was the star!” “You’re going back to Desmond Hall and face Jean Paul!” Philip says as he drags Cort through the woods. “I didn’t want to kill her. I liked her. She was a friend of mine!”

Raxl watches as Philip drags Cort away.

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Summaries written by Debby Graham . The slide presentation is the work of Ron Janick.

~Ron/Bella~
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