STRANGE PARADISE- Episode 176

Episode 176a: Slideshow

Episode 176b: Slideshow

Laslo stands in the Drawing room holding a drink as Jean Paul rushes through the doorway. “What is the matter with you?” Laslo asks. Jean Paul glances at Jacques’ portrait and flinching in pain as he covers his mouth with the back of his hand. “You’re not acting like yourself Jean Paul.” Jean Paul lowers his hand and glances around. “Where did Philip go?” “I haven’t the slightest idea.” says Laslo.

“Why he must have come down here to talk to Irene.” “Irene? What she doing here?” Laslo asks. Jean Paul turns and rushes through the foyer to the outside door.

Philip’s hands tighten on Irene’s throat as Irene screams. Jean Paul rushes out and grabs Philip’s wrists. “Philip, stop!” He pulls Philip away from Irene and holds on to him.

Ada rushes out of her room. Julian walks up to her. “My dear Ada you should be asleep.” Julian says as he touches her hands. “What was that dreadful noise?”

“I didn’t hear anything.” Julian says to her. “It sounded like a woman screaming.” Ada says as she tries to walk around her father. Julian grabs her by then shoulders. “You were probably dreaming.” “No I wasn’t. It woke me up.” “Well I’ll go down and check and you go back to bed.” Julian says as he walks her to her bedroom door. Leaving Ada he walks down the hallway.

Jean Paul struggles with Philip. Philip collapses against Jean Paul. “What happened?” Philip asks. “Go inside now, do as I tell you.” Philip glances at Irene as Julian stands in the doorway. “Oh excuse me.” Julian says. “Don’t let him near me!” Irene says to Jean Paul. “Go upstairs at once.” Jean Paul tells Philip.

“I thought I heard something.” Julian says to Jean Paul. “Julian take him inside. He’s not feeling well.” Jean Paul says holding on to Philip. Irene stands holding her throat. “Come on I’ll take you to your room.” Julian says as he grips Philip’s arm. “No take him upstairs to mine. I’ll be up in a minute.” Jean Paul says to Julian. As Julian takes Philip inside Jean Paul walks over to Irene putting his arm around her shoulder. “He was going to kill me!” “He’s been having these strange sort of spells. We don’t quite know what it is. But we know he does need some help.” “I don’t understand. He seemed so friendly and then suddenly...” Irene says holding her neck. "It’s all over now. It’s all over. Julian will take card of him.” “I’m still trembling.” Irene says shakily. “Come inside.” Jean Paul says as he leads her to the doorway. Irene stops and turns towards Jean Paul. “Laslo is there.” She says as she grips his arm. “It’s all right Irene. I’ll be with you, don’t worry.” “Oh Jean Paul this whole night has been like a nightmare!” Irene says fearfully. “I’ll get you some brandy. You’ll be all right.” He leads her into the foyer closing the door behind them. Laslo walks out. “I thought I told you not to come to Desmond Hall.” Jean Paul grips Irene’s hand as she stands not moving. “Anyone who wishes to see me is welcome here.” Jean Paul tells Laslo then looks at Irene. “Come inside Irene.” Laslo turns and walks into the Drawing Room followed by Jean Paul and Irene. Jean Paul releases Irene and walks over to the wine table. Irene follows him. “There, a little brandy will settle your nerves.” He says as he pours her a drink then hands it to her. “What’s the matter with your nerves?” Laslo asks. “It’s nothing. She was just a little upset that’s all.” Jean Paul tells Laslo. “What was that noise outside? Did I hear you scream?” Laslo asks Irene. Jean Paul looks at Laslo. “It was nothing, she was just startled.” “Why did Julian rush Philip upstairs? What happened out there?” “She heard some sort of noise that’s all. She was simply upset.” “Can’t she speak for herself?” Irene walks towards him. “I am going to speak.” Laslo walks closer to her. “Oh I’m sure you already have. Why did you come here?” “To tell Jean Paul to watch out for you.” “I’m sure Jean Paul doesn’t need your advice.” “You’re wrong Laslo. I find Irene’s advice very interesting.” says Jean Paul. “Well now that you’ve accomplished what you came for I’ll drive you home.” Laslo says as he walks away from Irene. “I think she would prefer someone else’s company.” Jean Paul says stepping up behind Irene. “Is that true?” Laslo asks Irene. “I never want to see you again!” “I’m sure that can be arranged.” “I’ve been a fool too long!” Irene says as she looks at him. “A foolish woman does not become sensible overnight my dear. But then foolish woman are dangerous for foolish men. They compound each others mistakes.” Laslo says taking a sip from his drink.

Philip starts to wake up as Julian sits next to him in a chair. Philip leans forward. “Do you hear it?” “Yes I do.” Julian says to him. Philip sits up in bed and looks towards the window. “You needn’t look, the star is out.” Philip looks at his hand. “The mark was on my hand. I nearly killed Irene Hatter!” “But you didn’t.” “You should go back to your own room. I may try to kill you.” Philip says as he looks away from Julian. “I’ll die when my time has come.” “Don’t tempt fate.” Julian reaches into his jacket. “What are you doing?” “Hold this in your hand.” He hands Philip a pocket watch. “Do you feel the ticking?” “Yes.” Philip says as he glances at Julian. “Do you hear the heartbeat?” “No.” Philip says as he leans back and tries to hand the watch back to Julian. “Hold it in your hand.” Julian says as he covers Philip’s hand with his. “It has ticked longer than the heart has beat. Lie back and rest.” Julian tells him as he touches Philip’s shoulder after releasing his hand. “The ticking seems to make me drowsy.” Philip mumbles as he lays back. “Then sleep. I’ll stay here until Jean Paul comes.

Laslo looks at Irene. “So despite your protestations of love you’ve turned against me.” “I’ve come to my senses at last that’s all.” Irene says as she looks at him from her seat on the couch. “You came to spew out your hatred.” Laslo says as he steps closer to her. He glances at Jean Paul. “I’m sure you’ve heard the old adage hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.” He glances at Irene. “And hell hath no demons like Laslo Thaxton.” Irene says looking away. “Oh please spare me your judgments.” Ada stands in the doorway. “No don’t Irene. I think the time has come for judgment.” She says looking at Laslo then steps into the room. “Go back to your room Ada.” Laslo tells her. “No I want to hear what Irene has to say.” “You may regret it.” Laslo says to Ada. “Perhaps but perhaps you’ll regret it even more.” She says as she glances at Irene. “Go ahead Irene.” Jean Paul walks up to Ada. “Ada are you sure you want to do this?” “I’m only sure that I can’t go living the way I have. What ever Irene has to say to me can be no worse than what I imagine.” “In that case I’ll leave you...” Jean Paul says as he walks across the room. He looks back. “I don’t see any reason why I have to stay and listen to what you have to say to each other. Irene let me know when you want to leave. I’ll drive you back.” Irene nods to him. Jean Paul leaves the room as Laslo walks to the doors. “Oh you don’t have to close the doors Laslo.” Ada says as she sits down next to Irene. Laslo looks at her. “I am not going to have the entire house listen to the lies that Irene Hatter is going to tell you.” “How do you know what she is going to say until she says it?” “Have it your own way.” Laslo says as he turns away. Irene glances down at her drink. “I, I’m so ashamed. I don’t know how to begin.” “Well begin with Laslo. He’s an attractive man. That’s why I married him. So very few people ever really paid much attention to me...”

“He is after your money.” Irene says to Ada. Ada laughs. “Oh I have very little money actually.” “Someday you’ll have a great deal.” Laslo turns and looks at them. “I am not going to listen to this nonsense.” “Then why don’t you leave.” Ada says to him. “Are you going to sit there and listen to this woman’s prattle about me? Are you going to take her work against mine?” “I don’t know what to believe anymore but I am going to listen! And what I choose to believe I will decide!” Ada tells him. “I warn you Irene you can go too far.” Laslo says to her.

“I haven’t gone far enough and I didn’t begin soon enough.” Irene says to Laslo then glances at Ada. “Your husband is trying to insinuate himself into one of the largest fortunes in the country.” “She doesn’t know what she’s talking about.” Laslo says to Ada. Ada looks at Laslo. “Why did you ask me to give you power of attorney?” “That’s the first step in his plan.” Irene says to Ada. “Be careful Irene.” Laslo says. “You be careful! How did you get control of your first wives money? And why did she die so soon after you did?” Irene asks him. “Don’t accuse me of things you cannot prove.” “I may be a foolish woman Laslo as you say but I’m not so foolish that I didn’t investigate the man that promised to marry me as soon as his wife died.” “Get out of this house!” Laslo shouts.” “Go ahead Irene. As soon as his wife died.” Ada says to Irene as she turns and looks at her.

“Get out of my house and take your slander with you!” Laslo tells Irene. Ada stands and faces Laslo. “It isn’t your house it’s Jean Paul’s!” “You can stay and listen if you want to but I won’t. I’ll talk to you later.” Laslo says to Ada then walks from the room. Irene stands. “I’m sorry my dear. I didn’t want to hurt you, I really didn’t.” “No I’m the only one that hurt myself and Cort.” Ada says with a sob. She steps away. “Oh how could I have been so stupid?” “He’s a very persuasive man when he wants to be.” “How could I allow him to endanger Jean Paul?”

Philip is asleep holding the watch as Jean Paul enters the room. “He’s asleep.” Julian says to Jean Paul. “I must talk to him.” Julian stands and takes the watch from Philip’s hand. Philip wakes and sits up. “What is it?” Philip asks. “Philip there is something I have to tell you.” “I’ll leave you alone.” Julian says as he stands. Philip grabs his hand. “Don’t take the watch please.” “This watch my dear boy is my own heartbeat. I can’t go on without it. I’m not ready for that yet.”

“It stops the heartbeat for me.” “Jean Paul is here. He will guard you.” Julian says as he walks out of the room. Philip looks at Jean Paul. “A little while ago I was protecting you from the star. Now you’re protecting me.” He says and looks away. Jean Paul walks across the room. “That’s the meaning of a kinsman isn’t it cousin?” He walks to the dresser opening the drawer. Closing it he looks away.

“What’s the matter?” Philip asks. “I was hoping the mask would have returned.”

“Well it did as soon as I was finished with it at Irene’s.” “Yes it came back all right but after you left the room it vanished before my eyes.” Philip climbs off the bed. “Vanished?” “Two tears rolled down his cheek, I spoke to him and then he was gone.” Philip leans against the bed... “My people have called him back.” Jean Paul turns towards him. “Listen it’s not your fault.” “Yes it is. I told you Orendo may be offended if I called on evil in his name! I’ve only made matters worse!”

“No you haven’t believed me! Gagossa came to us because we were desperate and needed help. Now he has left us because we no longer need his help. We have another kind of help.” Jean Paul tells him as he sits on the end of the bed.

“Now the star has come to me. The Mark of Death, the heart....” Philip says then glances around. “The heartbeat it’s gone.” Jean Paul nods. “It will come back. But this time we will be prepared for it. You’re the last Desmond the curse will reach.” “What about Julian?” Jean Paul stands and walks across the room. “No he defeated it many years ago. And once it has left it never returns.” Philip walks up behind him. “And Ada?” “She’s a woman. It would never reach her.” “Then I really am the last.” Jean Paul nods. “Yes.” He turns towards Philip. “And we will end this curse forever through you.” The door opens and Laslo steps inside.

“What do you want?” Jean Paul asks. “Just a reminder to tell you tomorrow morning you will go with me to the lawyers or the police.” Laslo says to Jean Paul then walks away closing the door behind him. “What did he mean by that?” Philip asks. Jean Paul turns away. “Laslo knows about the people I’ve murdered.” “How did he find out?” Jean Paul turns and looks at Philip. “Never mind, he knows.” “And he was going to turn you over to the police.” Jean Paul turns away. “It won’t do him any good. He’s really only using it as a threat to force me into signing the estate over to him.” He says facing the window. “Then Irene Hatter was right.” Jean Paul glances at Philip then turning he walks towards him. “He has a weapon but he can’t use it. He’s only trying to threaten me.” Philip glances away. “Well he could turn you over to the them.” “No he won’t. It would only prevent him really from getting closer to what he wants.” Philip stares as he hears the heartbeat. “I’ll take care of him.” he tells Jean Paul. Jean Paul glances at him. “What are you going to do?” “Let him join the others who have been killed.” Philip says as he rushes for the door. Jean Paul goes after him. “Philip! “ Jean Paul grabs his arm. “Killing doesn’t solve anything.” Philip glances up then rushes to the window. He backs away pointing at the window. “The star it’s back. The heartbeat has started again!” Philip pulls out the totem. “Orendo, Orendo where ever you are hear me! Help me! I need you to protect me!” Jean Paul steps towards him. “No it’s no use! He’ll never come back!” Philip says as he sits in a chair next to the bed. Jean Paul touches his arm. “I’m at the mercy of the star!” Philip says looking away and breathing heavily. “I’m going to take you to the secret room. Susan and Raxl will protect you.” Philip looks at Jean Paul. “But who will protect them?”

Irene looks at Ada. “If I were you I’d throw me out of this house.” Ada looks away in misery. “I don’t blame you for not answering me. It’s a silly thing to say.” Ada shakes her head and looks at Irene. “Oh I’m sorry. I was thinking why would Laslo believe that marrying me would bring him the Desmond money?” “What ever he thinks you’re safer knowing what it is.” “I’m grateful to you Irene.” Irene shakes her head. “Oh don’t say that.” “Oh I mean it. For years I’ve been trying to shoot out at anything that might destroy my dream world and you’ve made me realize that dreams are much more dangerous than reality.” Irene looks away. “Was Laslo your dream?” Ada nods. “Part of it.” The door opens and Julian steps into the room. “Oh my dear Mrs. Hatter you’re still here.” “Oh Daddy do you know Irene?” Ada asks him with a smile. “Yes I took the liberty of calling upon her this afternoon. We had a pleasant but brief conversation. I hope we may continue it sometime. Oh my dear am I intruding? You seem upset.” He says to Ada. “Oh not now, not any longer. Nothing’s wrong that I don’t know how to take care of myself.” Jean Paul walks into the Drawing Room. “Irene I’m sorry I was delayed.” “How is Philip?” Irene asks. “He’s fine now. He’s in safe hands. Well if you’re ready I can drive you back.” Irene glances at Ada. “If it weren’t for all this we might have been good friends.” Ada looks away. “Goodnight.” Irene says as she stands and walks from the room with Jean Paul. Julian turns to Ada. “It’s none of my business my dear but I don’t like to see you unhappy.” He says as he sits next to her. Ada looks at him. “No I have nothing to be unhappy about. I have a great deal to be grateful for. I have a healthy handsome son and...” “An ancient not so handsome father.” Julian says to her with a smile. Ada smiles and gives him a hug. “I have many, many blessings. And I’m grateful for what I’ve got and I won’t be sorry for what I’m losing.” Ada says as she holds him by his shoulders. Laslo stands in the doorway. Ada and Julian turn towards him. “I waited till they had gone so I could talk to you alone.” Laslo says as he walks towards them. Julian puts his arm around Ada’s shoulder. “Come and talk to me when you’re through if you feel like it.” He says to Ada then glances at Laslo. Standing he looks at Laslo then walks out of the room. “How very touching, the long lost father resumes his duties very easily.” Laslo says to Ada. “Your contempt for anything that’s important to me doesn’t hurt me any longer Laslo.” Ada says as she looks away from him. “You’re wasting your wit.” Laslo walks away from Ada. “What did Irene tell you?” “Only what I already suspected and you’ve always denied.” She says as she looks at him. “And you believe her?”

“Why should she lie to me?” “Because she’s jealous of you. She can’t bear to see another woman happy.” “Poor Laslo, do you know there was a time when I actually thought that you were more intelligent than myself.” Laslo turns and looks at Ada. Ada stands. “I’d like you to leave this house and never come back.” Ada says as she walks towards the door. “If I go I will take Jean Paul with me.” Ada stops and looks at Laslo. “What did you mean by that?” Laslo walks up to her. “Tomorrow morning I am going to take your dear cousin with me to the police.” “What ever for?” Ada asks. “Shall I make an inventory of the deaths by drowning and strangulation?” “You’re making it up.” “He tried to kill me.” Laslo tells her. “I don’t believe you.” “I didn’t expect you would. You don’t even believe that he tried to kill you.” “He did not.” “Oh I know you pretended to faint in the secret room and when you came to he was reviving you. But that story does not fit his usual style.” “What are you talking about?” Ada shouts. “Shhh not so loud or dear Daddy will come down again or perhaps your son or the Indian warrior with his totem.” “If you suspected that Jean Paul attempted to kill people why didn’t you go to the police? I’m sure he would be very happy to have things cleared up.”

“And will he be happy to clear up the attempts that succeeded?” “What, what attempts succeeded? Who was killed?” Ada asks nervously. “Oh now lets see there was Annie Harrigan.” “Oh you mean the girl who worked in the restaurant beside your factory.” “Yes what ever became of her do you think?” “Oh she disappeared. Everyone knows that.” “Then there was the poor girl the police were asking about.” “Jean Paul didn’t even know her.” “Well he did know Agatha Pruett.” “Well we all knew Agatha Pruett!” Ada says turning away. “I knew her, you knew her and Cort knew her!” She turns towards Laslo. “Why are you saying all these things?” “Think, think back on the mysterious deaths and disappearances here at Desmond Hall and you will find Jean Paul behind them all.” Laslo says as he turns away from Ada. “It can’t be true!” Ada cries out.

Laslo walks away. “You know me better than to think I would risk the ridicule of the authorities or the revenge of the Desmond family to make accusations I cannot prove.” Ada steps towards Laslo. “He’s sick. He couldn’t have done that if he weren’t sick.” Laslo picks up a fireplace poker, kneels and tends to the fire. “Sick or not he is a murderer.” “But then they will hang him.” “Not unless you insist on my leaving you.”

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

~Ron/Bella~
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