STRANGE PARADISE- Episode 169

Episode 169a: Slideshow

Episode 169b: Slideshow

Raxl faces Jean Paul. “Our accounts have already been settled Jean Paul.”

“Not to my satisfaction.” Jean Paul says as he walks towards her. “All that remains is your payment for what is due.” Jean Paul stands in front of her. “You want my life.” “I will take your life when you are in the midst of happiness.”

“Raxl if that is the price I have to pay I’m not going to wait. I’m going to end it here tonight.” “You have lost the right to set terms. By interfering with the intentions of my Master.” Raxl says as she steps away from him. “Then my life is in your hands.” “It always was.” Jean Paul nods. “Why didn’t you end it long ago? Before the promise of happiness came to me again?” “As long as you were my servant you lived.” Jean Paul walks closer to her. “Then you are the Master not I.” Raxl turns. “There is only one Master. We all serve him as long as we live.” “As long as you live you serve him. Is that what you mean?” “Those are secrets you will never know until you join us in the life that follows.” Raxl says as she turns towards him. “Raxl I will make any bargain with you.” “You did not keep the bargain you made at Maljardin.” “I did not realize the terms of that bargain.” “Will you accept the terms I give you now?” “What are they?” Jean Paul asks. “Give up Emily Blair.” says Raxl. Jean Paul looks away. “And if I don’t she will be taken from me.” “Send Mr. Philip back to his own people. And put yourself once again under my control.” “Then you will let Cort go?” Jean Paul asks. Raxl turns away. “Master Cort is another matter. I can’t release him until I’m certain of you.” “You cannot serve both of us.” “I will choose between you.”

“Raxl I will not allow you to put Cort on the same path of murder you put me on.”

Raxl looks at him. “I am but a loyal servant. I do not have the blood of others on my hands.” “There must be a way to stop you.” Jean Paul says. “That way will never be known to a living person.” Jean Paul glances up as the heartbeat sounds. “Do you hear the heartbeat yet?” “There is no heartbeat now.” “Yes, it is here with us in this room.” Jean Paul tells her. “That is not true.” Raxl says.

“Yes listen.” “The heartbeat has left you. So has the star and the Mark of Death. It has shifted to another.” Jean Paul looks at her. “It has come back to me.” “The heartbeat will not sound for two people at the same time. And it never returns once it has left to join another.” “You are mistaken Raxl.” “Oh don’t try to trick me. If the heartbeat was beating I would hear it.” She says as she walks away from Jean Paul. “Perhaps it has left you too.” Jean Paul says as he follows her.

“That’s impossible.” Jean Paul smiles and walks away from her. “Where are you going? Stay here.” “I am going because I am no longer under your control Raxl. Not any longer.” He turns and walks from the room.

Cort is resting on his bed as the sound of thunder sounds through his room. Standing he walks to the window and looking out he sees the star. He covers his ears in agony as the heartbeat starts. “No please no! Orendo help me, Jean Paul where are you! Philip, someone help me!” he shouts. Susan rushes into the room. “Cort what is it?” “The star is out again!” He says. “I know I seen it.” “The heartbeat came back again too.” “Look Cort it’s all right, I’m here.” Susan says as she takes his arm. Lowering his hands Cort walks across the room. “I want Jean Paul.” Cort says as he leans on his dresser. “Just stay here, he will come to you.” “Raxl must have done it. What’s happening? The star comes and goes. The heartbeat starts then it stops and then starts again!” “Cort they are caught between two forces.” “Raxl did it. She summoned the star again. She awakened the heartbeat, they obey her command!” Cort says as he turns towards Susan.

“Something is interfering with them Cort.” Susan says as she turns towards him.

“She threatened me with it. She told me that as soon as Jean Paul was out of the way I’d sit up nights and I’d watch for the star and I’d hear the heartbeat. And then I’d see the Mark of Death. What has happened to Jean Paul?” “Cort Jean Paul is safe...” Susan says as she touches his arm. “No one is safe. Now go back to your room before it’s too late!” “I’m not afraid.” Cort looks away. “Don’t you understand? Don’t you understand if you don’t leave now I’ll try to kill you.” “Cort it is not time for me to die.” Cort steps away from her. “Don’t take that risk!” “Cort if I could have been killed it would have happened long ago.” Cort turns and looks at her. “What protects you?” “I just can’t die until my star wills it.” “Help me, please help me!” “I can’t Cort until I know what the secret is that brings this curse upon you. Now why don’t you stay here? You’ll be safe in your room.” Susan says as she touches his arm. She turns to walk away. He grabs her arm. “Are you sure?” “Look, trust me Cort. I have ways of making sure only if you trust me.” She turns and walks from the room. Laslo is walking down the hallway as Susan closes Cort’s door and steps away. “Why are you wandering around the house at this time of the night?” Laslo asks. “I wanted to see Cort.”

“You’re up to something you two and I intend to find out what it is.” “Leave him alone. It’s his business.” She says as she steps in front of her. “Then I shall make it my business.” “Laslo if you wish to be safe don’t be alone with Cort tonight.” “I’ll take care of Cort.” Laslo tells her. “He’s not responsible for his actions tonight.” “I’ll be the judge of that.” “Okay if you want to risk your life go into the room.” “What do you mean by that?” Laslo asks. “I’ve warned you. I can do no more.” Susan says as she walks away. Laslo reaches for the door as Jean Paul walks down the hallway. “Laslo you’re already set me against Cort now I suppose you’re going to be busy setting him against me?” “I’m merely trying to find out what is going on here.” “Well I suggest you don’t cause any more trouble between us. Just leave him alone.” Jean Paul says to him. “Why is everyone protecting poor little Cort tonight?” “Don’t argue with me! This is a family matter and they are none of your concern!” Jean Paul says then walks past Laslo and enters Cort’s room. Cort stands up. “Susan said you would come.” “Are you all tight?” “The heartbeat.” Cort says to him. “You heard it to?” Jean Paul asks.

Cort nods. Jean Paul rushes to the window and glances at the sky. “Cort as long as we both hear it there is somehow a fighting chance against this.” Cort walks up to him. “How do you know that?” “Perhaps the star can only influence one person at a time.” “Are you sure?” “As long as the star must choose the one person it will influence we are safe because we can wait. And as long as we are waiting we are both safe.” Jean Paul says as he turns away from the window.

“How long do we have to wait?” “Until the secret is revealed.” Jean Paul says to him. “Isn’t there anyone who can help us? What about Orendo?” “Orendo can only protect us from it but it cannot reveal the enemy.” Jean Paul says as he walks across the room. “Someone must know. Someone who has a key. Susan, she said no harm would come to me.” Cort says as he steps closer to Jean Paul.

Jean Paul turns and looks at him. “Well who would want to hurt you?” “Laslo does, said he was going to talk to you in the morning.” “He already has talked to me.” “And what did he say?” Cort asks. “That you had invited him to join you in a plot to get rid of me. Is that true?” “It was true once but I refused to go through with it. You must believe me.” “But why would he accuse you of that now?” “He wants you and I to destroy one another so that everything is in his hands. He wants your estates.” “Yes but that’s what he is accusing you of.” “Well don’t listen to him. He has wanted your estate ever since you came here; He and Irene Hatter conspired to...” “Irene Hatter? What has she got to do with this?” Jean Paul asks. “Only that she wants to be the next Mrs. Thaxton.” “Cort those are pretty wild charges Does your Mother know?” It won‘t happen. I won‘t let it happen. I know I‘ve been foolish and I‘m ashamed of it but what ever happens tonight don‘t let any ill will come between us.” Jean Paul nods. “Cort that‘s all I wanted to know. The main thing now is I will deal with your stepfather when the time comes.”

Susan walks down the staircase and enters the Drawing Room. Laslo is sitting on the couch holding a drink. Seeing him Susan turns to leave. Laslo stands. “Oh no please come in. Come in.” “I thought everyone had gone to bed.” “I owe you an apology for my rudeness upstairs. I‘ve had a dreadful day but that is no excuse.” Susan approaches him. “It is Cort you owe your apologies to not me.”

“I’ve done nothing to Cort.” “You’ve upset him.” “Cort is a spoiled, impulsive boy who needs discipline.” Laslo says to her Susan walks away from him. “He needs understanding.” “Don’t you think his mother and I are more qualified to judge that then strangers?” “We’re all strangers to each other.” “Yes I know that’s a very popular idea with you young people but it doesn’t do much good in handling Cort.” Susan turns and looks at him. “You can’t deal with Cort by getting him upset or angry.” “Why don’t you let me handle it my way and keep out of it.” Laslo tells her as he walks towards her. “I’m not involved with Cort’s affairs because I want to be. Cort asked me to be.” “Nobody invited you here. Nobody is forcing you to stay. What do you want here?” “I just want to belong somewhere.” Susan says as she looks away. “Or do you want a share of the Desmond fortune?” “I don’t want money. It’s for people like you.” “I don’t believe this act of yours young lady. It may fool Jean Paul but it doesn’t fool me believe me.” “Don’t judge others by yourself Mr. Thaxton.” “Here you are a penniless nobody in a situation to marry into a fortune.” “I will never marry.” Susan says to him. “Emily Blair is set for life because she is marrying Jean Paul. Pretty good for a little librarian isn’t it.” “She loves him.” Susan says as she faces Laslo. “Oh I’m sure you could learn to love someone if the stakes were high enough.” Laslo says as he turns away from her. “Let’s see there’s Philip. But he doesn’t have a penny.” He looks at her. “That leaves Cort who will one day be a very rich man.”

Susan walks up to him. “You’re a wicked man Mr. Thaxton. But wickedness is always found out and punished.” Susan says then walks out of the room. She passes Raxl in the doorway. Raxl closes the Drawing room doors then turns towards Laslo. “I would like to speak to you for moment Mr. Thaxton if I may.”

Laslo sets his glass on the mantel and walks across the room. “I was just on my way to bed.” “It’s about Master Cort.” Laslo stops next to Raxl. “What about him?” “Beware of him tonight.” “Oh come now Raxl.” “You are in great danger. You must take every possible precaution.” Laslo walks to the brandy decanter and start to pour a drink. “Is that what your friend Irene Hatter told you to say?”

“What do you mean by that?” Raxl asks. “I’ve often wondered what connection Mrs. Hatter had with the affairs at Desmond Hall.” He says pouring himself a drink. “I don’t know anything about that.” Raxl says to him. “Why should I believe you? You haven’t exactly earned my trust.” Laslo says as he walks up to Raxl. “Recently there has been nothing but rumors about death and despair at Desmond Hall and I’m not going to listen to any more of them.” “Those rumors were meant to catch us.” Raxl says to him. “Us? They have nothing to do with me.” “Master Cort was going to kill Emily Blair and then he was going to blame it on Jean Paul. So that he would become Master of Desmond Hall.” Laslo turns away. “So that was his scheme, no wonder he no longer needed me. But Emily Blair did not die. Why did Mrs. Hatter tell my wife that she did?” Laslo asks as he turns towards Raxl. “Oh that was a plot by Jean Paul and Mr. Philip to frighten Master Cort.” Raxl steps up to Laslo. “So that he would become under their control.” “So now he will do what they say.” “That’s why you are in danger.”

“Why I have nothing to fear from them.” “You’re an outsider married into the family. You’ve stumbled upon their secrets. They must be gotten out of the way.”

“What secrets?” Laslo asks. “Oh think Mr. Thaxton, what has happened here since Jean Paul arrived? Oh there’s been mysterious disappearances, murder and unexplained departures. And mysterious arrivals of people who claim to be long lost relations. Strangers without homes.” “That girl Susan.” Laslo says to her. “Yes. That girl who appeared from nowhere yet knows all about the Desmonds past and present. Laslo steps away from Raxl. “And Julian Desmond himself.” “The man who claim he is Julian Desmond.” Raxl says to him. Laslo turns towards Raxl. “You think he’s not Ada’s father?” “Oh I know Julian Desmond, that man is not him.” Raxl says as she steps closer to Laslo. “How did you know him?” “I worked for his brother Benjamin many, many years ago.” “Ada never mentioned that.” “Well she hardly knew him. He was a recluse. I doubt that she met him any more than once.” “When did you see Julian Desmond last?” “When I went with your wife’s mother to identify the body in France.” “And?” Laslo asks. “We both identified it to the police.” “Why didn’t Ada know you were there?” “Well her mother swore me to secrecy. There is a curse on the Desmond family.” “What do you mean a curse? That’s superstitious nonsense.” Laslo says to her. “Consider how they die, accidents, fires vanishing from the face of the earth.” “But Ada would have known about that.” “Her mother carried that terrible secret to the grave with her.” “Laslo steps away. “If this is true then who is the man who calls himself Ada’s father?” Raxl steps up behind him. “I do not know.” “And who is the girl who calls herself Susan?” Laslo asks.

“Is there a connection between them?” Raxl asks. Laslo looks at her. “Well I intend to find out if it’s the last thing I ever do.” He turns and walks from the room.

“That very well might be the very last thing you do Laslo Thaxton.” Raxl says as she turns towards Jacques’ portrait. Susan walks into the Drawing room. “I waited until he left. We have a few things to say to each other Raxl.” “I have nothing to say to you.” Raxl tell her as she walks to the door. “Madame Newaire.”

Raxl stops and looks back at Susan. “What did you call me?” “I’m remembering bit by bit. Things are coming back to me, names and faces buried deeply in my mind for years” “Don’t go too far back or you may never be able to return.” “Where ever I go I will take you with me.” “No I accompany only my Master.”

“Who is your Master, Raxl?” “The one you came to see.” “Is that what I said that I came to see your Master?” “You said you came to see the murderer.” “And you answered the door. Now I know my star was leading me to you.” “Who are you? What do you want?” Raxl asks. “Only you can answer that.” “Keep out of my way do you hear. I want nothing to do with you. Stay out of my sight and out of my life!” Raxl shouts, then she turns and walks from the room.

Laslo knocks on Jean Paul’s door. Jean Paul walks across the room and opens it. “I have some questions I must ask you.’ Laslo says to him. “Not tonight Laslo please.” “Yes there are things I must know.” “Listen I don’t want to talk to you tonight.” “Then perhaps I should ask Miss Emily Blair. Perhaps she will answer my questions. I’m sure she will tell me why it was necessary to spread a rumor saying that she was dead.” “Who told you that?” Jean Paul asks. “Your loyal servant confessed to me that you and Philip pretended that Emily was dead.”

“So why must you know these things? They have nothing to do with you.” Jean Paul tells him as he walks across the room. Laslo steps inside closing the door. “My concern is my wife and the welfare of her son. I want to know why you and Philip trapped the boy?” Laslo asks as he walks towards Jean Paul. “It was not to trap him Laslo!” “Then who were you trying to trap? Was it me?” Jean Paul laughs. “Why should we want to trap you?” He says then turns towards Laslo.

“I don’t know why you do anything.” Laslo says looking away. “Why you’re interfering in my life.” “I didn’t realize that I was.” “Then why did you advise Ada not to give me power of attorney?” “She came to ask my opinion.” Jean Paul tells him. “She doesn’t trust me with her money now.” “Oh it’s hardly my concern.” Jean Paul says as he turns away from Laslo. “Oh yes it is. You’re trying to control the Desmond money, Ada and Cort's. Jean Paul turns and walks towards him. “Laslo what is the matter with you? The Desmond fortune is enormous. More then enough for any man to ever need or want.” “And now that Julian Desmond has returned I think the family fortune needs adjustment. After all most of the money is still probably his I should think.” “Well I’m sure you could be possibly right however I shall see to that myself.” Jean Paul says to him. “In that case I would advise you to postpone your marriage plans until you do.” “What has that got to do with it?” Jean Paul asks. Laslo turns away. “There are those who are against your marriage. They want to keep your fortune free in case of your death. And a helpless widow and young dependants might be victims of greed.” “Are you threatening me?” Jean Paul asks. “I am merely trying to point out what you should consider before taking the final step into the future.” Jean Paul glances up as he hears the heartbeat.”

Cort steps away from the window as he hears the heartbeat. He covers his ears with his hands. Lowering his hands he stumbles to the dresser and leans his hands upon it. The door opens and Raxl enters. “Raxl go away!” “The star is out again.” She says with a smile as she touches his arm. “I know it is.” Cort says. “Soon the heartbeat will sound again Master Cort.” “I am not your Master!” Cort says as he looks at her. “It has been decided.” “I refuse!” “You cannot refuse your destiny.” The heartbeat gets louder as Cort covers his ears. “No!”

“Tonight you will kill. Tonight you will bind yourself to me forever.” “Please Raxl I can’t!” Cort shouts as he turns away from her. Raxl grabs his hand. “Look!”

The Mark of death is on Cort’s hand. “Make it go away. I’ll do whatever you want if you make me free of it.” “Good I will help you Master.”

Laslo looks at Jean Paul. “You cannot marry until you are sure the Desmond curse is no longer with the family.” “Raxl told you that as well.” “Raxl told me a great many things. Things that up until now only you and she knew.” The heartbeat gets louder as Jean Paul glances up then looks at Laslo. “Why are you staring at me like that for?” Laslo asks him. Jean Paul opens his hand. The Mark of Death is on it. Laslo backs away. “Don’t come near me do you hear. No, no!” Laslo says as he backs away. Jean Paul smiles as he reaches towards Laslo’s throat.

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

~Ron/Bella~
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