STRANGE PARADISE- Episode 165

Episode 165: Slideshow

Thunder crashes and lightning flashes as a storm starts outside. There is a knock upon the front door of the mansion. Ada walks across the foyer, she unlocks and opens the door. “Yes can I help you?” She asks the older man that stands outside. “I’m looking for Ada Desmond.” “Well I’m Ada Desmond, Ada Thaxton now.” “You don’t recognize me do you little Ada.” “Daddy? It can’t be. Daddy is it really you? I can’t believe it.” She says as she throws herself into his arms. “I must be dreaming.” “It’s true Ada.” “But they told me you were dead.” She says as she pulls back to look at him. “In a way I was. And I just recently found out who I am. And you didn’t even recognize me.” “Only for a moment then I knew. Oh come on let me take your coat and hat.” Ada says as they step inside and Ada hangs up his hat and coat. “They aren’t even wet. I thought it was really storming out there.” “The taxi brought me right to the door.” Ada turns her face into the coat and gives a small cry. He touches her shoulder. “It’s all right my dear. I should have written but I thought you would be more alarmed if I didn’t appear at your door.” “I’m not alarmed but I just don’t know what to think.” She turns away. “I don’t know what to say or what to ask. Mamma went to France for your funeral.” “I didn’t have a funeral.” He says stepping closer to her. “She told me you died in a fire on a boat and then she never mentioned you again.” Ada tells him then glances away. “Well there were many who did die in that fire but I was rescued by a fisherman.” He says as he holds Ada. “The nurse told me.” She hugs him. “You were alive all this time and Mamma didn’t know it. Why didn’t you come back to us?” “If I had known where to come I would never have left you alone.” “I always said that you weren’t dead. I knew you would come back to us and here you are. How did you find me?” “A doctor in San Francisco treated me for all these years and one by one the door to my memory opened.” He releases Ada and looks around the room. “My name, where I came from and finally your name and that’s all. I wanted to see you again before I die.” He says as he glances back at Ada. Ada puts her arms around him. “Oh don’t say that. I really think I'm going to start crying in a moment so let’s go inside where it’s warm. There’s a fire in there.” She says a she leads him to the Drawing Room. “Do you know now that your back I’m never going to let you go again?” She says as she grips his arm. “Emily, Emily! The most unbelievable thing has happened! I can hardly believe it!” Ada says as she holds her father’s hand and leads him through the room. “I’d like you to meet my father!” she says excitedly. “My name is Julian Desmond.” he says to Emily as he shakes her hand. “This is Emily Blair.” Ada says to him. “Your father? But I thought he was...” Emily says with a surprised tone. “It’s all right my dear don’t be afraid. I’m not a ghost arriving from the past. Ada will explain it to you.” “Yes indeed I will.” Ada says to Emily as she places her hand on Emily’s shoulder. “Miss Blair here is going to marry Jean Paul. She’s going to be a Desmond too.” “Jean Paul?” “Oh yes Uncle Armand's son, you remember the eldest one.” “Oh yes he was just a little boy when I sailed away for France.” Julian glances around the Drawing Room. “Times change but this room hasn’t changed very much.” “You know this house then?” Emily asks. “Not very well. Armand and I weren’t very friendly.” He walks to the fireplace. “Desmond men don’t get on very well with their brothers although I must say I preferred Armand to Benjamin.” “Oh he was your brother too.” “I’m sure your husband will be the exception to the rule. He does have a brother as I recall.” He says as he turns towards Emily and Ada. “He did have but he died.” Emily says to him. “Daddy would you like anything to eat?” Ada asks as she steps closer to him. “No I stopped at Desmondton and had something at the Inn.” Ada smiles. “To think that you’re really here in Desmondton.” Ada glances at the door. “Cort, I must find Cort!” “And who is Cort?” “Cort is your Grandson, my son!” Ada says excitedly. “My Grandson, what a surprise.” “Now you stay here and talk to Emily, I’m going to go up and get him. He’ll be as surprised as I am.” “Ada listen, let me go get him. You stay here with your father.” Emily says. She turns and walks from the room. Ada walks closer to her father as he walks away from her. “She’s a very attractive young girl.” “Yes she’s charming too. We are very happy for Jean Paul.” “Desmond men always marry handsome girls.” Julian says as he sits down. “And your Mother was the prettiest of all.” “Poor Mamma.” Ada says as she glances away. “Oh I’m sorry; I didn’t mean to distress you.” He tells her as he holds her hand. Ada sits next to him. “You know Mamma was a completely different person after you disappeared. She became very bitter and very remote. She sent me away to school and I hardly ever saw her. And then she died.” “How I wish I could have prevented it.” “Oh there was no way you could have Daddy.” Ada gives a small laugh as she puts her head against his shoulder. “I have to stop calling you Daddy. I sound like a little girl.” “You were a very nice little girl. And it’s been a long time since anyone called me Daddy.”

Emily rushes to Jean Paul’s room. “Jean Paul?” She calls out. Philip walks to the door. “Philip the most amazing thing just happened. Ada’s father is downstairs.”

“What did you say?” Philip asks. “Julian Desmond is downstairs.” “But he’s dead.” “No he’s not. He just knocked and walked in. Ada’s like a little girl, I’ve never seen her so happy.” “Where has he been all these years?” “I don’t know. I’m sure Ada will tell us. Oh she wants Cort to come downstairs and meet his Grandfather.” “Philip steps closer to Emily. “He can’t do that.” Emily steps into the room. “Jean Paul has just taken him to the tower room.” Philip says to her.

“What are we going to tell her?” asks Emily. “I don’t know.” “That he should come tonight of all nights.” Emily says. “I wonder.” Philip says then walks to the mask and picks it up. “Earlier this evening you said you expected a stranger.”

“Orendo promised that he would send an emissary and we must trust him no matter what he seemed like.” Philip turns towards Emily. “Are you sure this is Ada’s father?” “Well Ada recognized him.” “No perhaps it is just a coincidence.”

“How do you mean a coincidence?” Emily asks. “Well I thought perhaps he had been sent to us.”

Ada pours a cup of coffee. “Now you are going to have some of this Daddy. It will warm you up after that dreadful storm outside.” She says as she walks around the couch and hands it to him. “Here you go.” Julian stands. “Who is this charming young girl? Don’t tell me I have a Granddaughter as well as a Grandson?” He asks looking at Susan who stands in the doorway. Ada stands. “You are right my dear he did come back.” she says to Susan. Susan turns and walks into the foyer. “Who came back?” Ada follows her into the foyer. “My father. You said he would don’t you remember? You said he wasn’t dead after all.” “That man in there is not your father.” Susan says as she steps away from Ada. “But he is.” Ada says with a smile. “Come I want to introduce you to each other.” She grabs Susan’s arm. “I tell you he’s not your father. I know that man in there.” Susan says as she glances into the Drawing Room. “Then who is he?” Ada asks. Susan pulls away and walks across the room. “I don’t know but he’s not who he says he is.” Ada steps up to her. “Now do you think I don’t know my own father? You’re mistaken that’s all. Come on in and meet him and you’ll see for yourself.” Ada says as she takes Susan by the arm again. Susan shakes her head. “No I’d rather not really.” She turns and rushes up the staircase. Ada walks back into the Drawing room. “I couldn’t help but overhear some of the conversation between you and that girl. Who is she?” Julian asks as he walks to the table to refill his coffee cup. “Oh she’s been staying here with us.” “I supposed I have to get used to the manners of the young. But it’s not going to be easy.” “She really is a nice girl but she does have some odd ideas.” Ada says as she walks to the fireplace and turns to face her father. “She doesn’t believe you’re my father at all.” He walks towards her. “Who does she think I am?” “She thinks she has met you before somewhere. It’s not very likely.” “She may have known me from somewhere. Perhaps she was a patient with me once.” “A patient?” Ada asks. “Yes my dear. Much of my life has been spent in hospitals. Being treated by doctors of all kinds.” He walks across the room. “Trying to discover my identity.” “And you think Susan might have met you in one of these places?” Ada asks as she steps closer to him. He turns towards Ada. “Susan?”

“That’s her name.” “Susan what?” “I don’t really know. She’s never told us.” Ada tells him. “Well perhaps like me she’s searching for her identity too.” Julian says then drinks his coffee. Susan rushes into Jean Paul’s, room. “Philip there’s a man in the Drawing Room.” Philip stands in front of the window and turns when Susan enters. “I know, Ada’s father.” He says as he walks away from the window.

Susan follows behind him. “He’s not who he says he is.” Philip turns and looks at her. “What do you mean?” “I’ve seen him somewhere before.” Susan says as she steps past him. “Under peculiar circumstances a long time ago.” “Did he recognize you too?” “I think so. He looked at me as if he did.” Susan says as she glances back at Philip. “And what did he say to you?” Philip asks as he steps closer to her. “Nothing I didn’t talk to him. I just came back upstairs.” She says then walks away from Philip. “Well you can’t be certain if you know him if you don’t talk to him.” “I don’t want to talk to him.” Susan says with her back towards him. Philip walks around her and holds her by the shoulders. “If you want to know who he is you have to.” “He’s a wicked man.” Susan says moving away from Philip. “He’s come here for a no good purpose.”

Emily enters the Drawing Room. “Oh Emily have you seen Cort?” Ada asks from the couch. “No I’m afraid he isn’t in his room.” “Well he is probably with Jean Paul.” Ada says as she stands and steps to her father’s side. “No I looked in Jean Paul’s room too and they are not there.” Julian looks at Ada. “Well don’t concern yourself my dear. Young people have their own lives.” “I want him to meet you.” Ada tells him as she touches his hand. “I’ll be here when he comes in.” he says turning away from Ada. “Well I’m going to look for him myself.” Ada says then walks over to Emily. “You stay here with my father. Get acquainted with him after all he is one of the Desmonds you have been most curious about.” Ada says as she walks from the room. “And why are you so curious about me may I ask.” “Oh I originally came here to write a book about the Desmond family.” Emily says as she walks across the room and pours herself a cup of coffee. “Well I hope you find us interesting.” “Oh I have as a matter of fact although there are many well I guess mysteries is for the only word for it.” “What kind of mysteries my dear?” “Sudden disappearances and deaths, things like that.” “And you hope to solve these mysteries.” “No I hope to understand them since I’m going to be marrying into the family.” Emily says as she walks across the room. “And I am one of the mysteries you want to understand.” “One of many. Your brother Benjamin is another one.” “Ah Benjamin, he was mysterious even before he died.” “A thing not uncommon in the Desmond men.” Emily says to him. “And that doesn’t discourage you from marrying into the Desmond family?” “No Jean Paul is not mysterious. He’s one of the most open men I’ve ever met.” Emily says as she turns away. “I admire your courage.” “It’s not courage, its love.” “I tried to persuade my wife not to marry me even though I loved her.” Julian says as he steps closer to Emily. Emily glances at him. “Perhaps you didn’t love her enough.” Julian turns and walks away from Emily. “I almost wished I hadn’t loved her at all. I brought her happiness when I was with her and even greater misery when I left.” He walks to the table and sets his cup down. “I know Ada told me.” Emily says to him. “We are at the mercy of our fate we Desmonds.” He steps closer to her. “We require strong woman to share our lives. Are you strong, strong enough to marry a Desmond?” Emily turns and looks at him.

Ada walks into Jean Paul’s room and looks at Philip. “All night long you have been hiding something from me.” “No we haven’t you must believe me.” Philip says as he walks away from her. “Well then where is Cort?” “Well Jean Paul took him out.” “Where?” Ada asks. “Well right after dinner when he came upstairs.” Philip says with his back towards her. Ada walks around him to face him. “I didn’t hear them go out. I can’t remember when they went.” Philip throws his hands out. “I can’t tell you.” Ada steps away from him. “My father has returned unexpectedly after being away from years and his only Grandchild isn’t here.” She says looking back at him. “But we didn’t know he was coming.” “And Jean Paul, can’t you find him for me?” Ada asks as she walks up to Philip. “Well they will be back soon. Now why don’t we go downstairs and wait for them.” Philip says as he walks to the door. Ada walks from the room with Philip following her.

“You haven’t answered my question. Are you sure you’re strong enough to marry a Desmond?” Julian asks Emily. “I’ve read all the family history. I know all the Desmond secrets.” Emily says to him as she looks away. “The most important secrets don’t find their way into books.” “I have been told by others not to marry Jean Paul.” Emily says as she walks away from him. “But I’m going to go ahead and marry him anyway.” Emily says as she turns and looks at him. He steps closer to her. “Who told you not to?” “Your Grandson for one. Raxl for another.”

“Raxl? Who is that?” “She’s Jean Paul’s servant.” “Do you think it wise to marry in the face of such advice?” Julian asks as he walks around her. Emily turns towards him. “I’m not afraid.” “Neither was I at your age. My dear the young never listen to their elders. I challenged faith blindly as you do.” He steps away from her. “But faith punished me as it will punish you.” Emily steps up behind him. “Did you come here just to warn me not to marry Jean Paul?” He turns towards her. “I came here to find my daughter and to pick up a few strands of a life that has nearly run its course. I want my relations to benefit by what I learned in over 60 painful years of being a Desmond.” “I’m not going to be frightened by someone else's memories.” He turns and looks at her. “Perhaps you are right. Why should an intelligent young woman be frightened by the haphazard recollection of an old man?” Emily sets her coffee cup down and walks out of the room. Julian walks to Jacques portrait. “Well Jacques we haven’t seen each other for many, many years and here we are together again.” Ada walks into the Drawing Room. “My son must have gone out without telling me. And so has Jean Paul. I don’t know when they will be back.” Julian walks towards her. “Ada it doesn’t matter I have all the time in the world. There is a great deal that you and I haven’t told each other. Where’s your husband?” “Oh Laslo is working late tonight at the office.” She says as she walks to the fireplace. “Oh what does he do?” “He manages the Desmond mill.” “Well come sit down and tell me all about it.” “No Philip will be down in just a minute.” She says as she touches his arm.

“Philip?” “Philip Desmond, a cousin of ours from Canada. I almost forgot, excuse me I have to prepare your room.” “Oh just put me anywhere. It doesn’t matter.”

Ada walks to the doorway. “It does to me.” She says as she glances at him. Philip walks into the Drawing Room as Ada is leaving. Philip smiles. “Ada is so excited she forgot to introduce me. I’m Philip Desmond.” Philip says as he shakes Julian's hand. “I’m Ada’s father Julian Desmond.” “Emily told me about you.” “Oh Emily, that’s the girl your brother is going to marry.” “No Jean Paul isn’t my brother, he’s my cousin.” “Oh I thought Armand's younger boy was named Philip.” Julian says as he steps away and sits down. “Yes he was but we have the same name.” Philip walks closer to him smiling. “What happened to him?” “Well Philip died some months before I came here.” “I see. Well which Desmond is your father? Surely it couldn’t be Benjamin?” “No I don’t think you would know my father. We’re a branch of the family that settled in the North.”

“Oh then your Grandfather married...” “Yes an Indian girl.” Philip says turning towards Julian. Julian stands. “Yes I remember, I’ve had the occasion to know a number of Indians in my many travels. And I venture to say with all honest that we have certain empathy.” Julian says as he stands in front of the fireplace.

Philip stares at him. “I hope I didn’t say anything to offend you.” Philip smiles and gives a small laugh. “No, no it’s just that I’m surprised. We all thought that you were dead.” Philip says as he steps closer. “We Desmonds are a sturdy lot; we survive in spite of adversity. I hope we will be friends.” “I hope so too.”

Julian pats Philip’s shoulder. “I’m an old man and I tire easily. So if you will be good enough to excuse me I’ll go upstairs to the room Ada’s preparing for me.” He walks to the door of the Drawing Room and glances back. “Goodnight.” he says with a smile then walks from the room. Philip walks to the doorway and watches Julian climb the staircase.

Susan lies in her bed as thunder rumbles and lightning flashes through the room. Ada walks into her room. “I don’t understand you Susan. You were rude to my father.” Susan sits up. “I didn't mean to be. Something just came over me, I apologize.” “But you even said it in front of my father.” “Mrs.Thaxton please, I know what I said was unforgivable but can you just forget I ever said it.” Susan says as she climbs out of the bed and walks to the window.” “Why would you say a thing like that?” Susan turns towards her. “He just reminded me of someone I knew that’s all.” “He thought he might have met you before.”

“Oh did he say that?” ”Well he said he may have run across you in one of the hospitals or private clinics. He’s been ill in recent years.” “You mean a mental hospital.” Susan says. “Well after all we hardly do know you.” Susan steps away from Ada. “But I’ve never been in a place like that before.” “Oh no, don’t you be angry with me.” Ada says as she touches Susan’s arm. “Today has been full of unexpected surprises and I hardly know what I am saying. Do forgive me.”

Susan glances at her.

Philip is in Jean Paul’s room as Emily walks in. “Isn’t Jean Paul back yet?” “No he must have decided to stay with Cort for a while.” “Well I think you had better go get them.” Emily says to Philip. “Will you be alright alone?” “I have the totem.” Philip covers the mask. “Have you spoken to Julian Desmond?” “Only briefly.” says Emily. “You sound annoyed.” “Well it gets tiresome to be told over and over again even by a stranger that I shouldn’t marry into the Desmond family.” Emily says as she walks across the room and stands in front of the window. “Is that what he said?” “He came up with the usual tales of death and disappearances. He told me I need more strength than most women have.” Emily says as she walks past Philip. “You don’t like him do you?” “No.” Emily says as she glances at the totem. “I suppose I don’t.” Philip smiles. “And he seems to know about my family too. Though he may not be what he seems to be.” “Well why would he pretend to be Ada’s father if he isn’t?” Emily asks as she walks across the room. “You go to your room and lock your door.” Philip says as he holds her by the arm and leads her to the door. “Don’t let anyone in. I’ll go get Jean Paul and Cort.” He puts his hand on her back and walks her out of the room. Turning back he enters the room, closes the door and uncovers the mask. ”He raises his hand in front of the mask. “Gagossa face of Orendo answer me. Is this your emissary sent among us? Is this your ancient chieftain come to help us? Answer me Orendo.”

Susan lies on her bed with her eyes open as the storm continues outside. She sits up then gets out of bed. Walking to the window she glances up at the sky. The star is out. “Is our star out young lady?” Julian asks from the doorway of Susan’s room. Susan spins around and looks at Julian.

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

~Ron/Bella~
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