STRANGE PARADISE- Episode 178

Episode 178a: Slideshow

Episode 178b: Slideshow

Raxl talks to Jacques’ portrait. “Flames will consume you as they did your brother that dreadful morning.” Julian steps out of the secret passageway and approaches Raxl. “Don’t torture him Raxl. We will defeat him but we mustn’t gloat. He will suffer enough.” Raxl turns towards Julian. “For centuries I have been under bondage to that man.” “It’s over now. Don’t think of vengeance but of justice. We have much to do.” Julian says as he walks up to Jacques’ portrait and takes out his watch. He holds it in front of the portrait. “There it is! That is...” Raxl says. “Be quiet.” Julian says as he looks at her then he turns back to the portrait. He starts swinging the watch in front of the portrait. “That watch would have saved Jean Paul from all the endless terror he has endured.” Raxl says to Julian.

Julian looks at her as he puts the watch in his pocket. “It has been saving me from mine all these years.” “Philippe Des Mondes would never part with it during his lifetime.” Raxl says to Julian. He turns from her. “There are secrets of the past that even you don’t know Raxl.” Raxl steps up to him. “What do you mean?”

“Your loyalty to Jacques has blinded you to the merits of his brother.” “They detested each other.” Raxl says as she glances away. Julian walks away from her. “Outsiders never understood the Des Mondes brothers.” Raxl walks up to him. “You quarreled with your own brother. Everyone knows that.” Julian turns towards her. “Benjamin sacrificed his own life so that I may live.” “He gave that watch to you?” Julian turns away. “The night before I sailed and it’s been with me ever since.” “He gave it to you knowing that he would go to his death.” Julian turns and looks at her. “He knew one of us had to. He preferred that it would be himself.”

Jean Paul is in his room sitting on his bed looking at the small tin box that is filled with ashes when there is a knock on his door. He closes the box as the door opens. Ada walks into the room and Jean Paul slides the box into his pocket. “I must talk to you.” Ada says as she walks into the room closing the door behind her. “It’s about Laslo, I am afraid I’ve done a very foolish thing. I’ve signed the power of attorney over to him. Jean Paul looks away. “Because he threatened to go to the police and tell them stories about you.” “You should have come to me first.” Jean Paul says to her. “Oh he said such terrible things that I couldn’t think, I just wanted to stop him.” Jean Paul walks away from her. “Ada I’m sorry but you shouldn’t believe everything that Laslo tells you.” Ada turns towards him. “He told me he has enough evidence against you and Cort to hang you both.”

Jean Paul shakes his head. “Cort is safe.” He says with his back towards her.

Ada steps around to look at his face. “And what about you?” “Well if anyone goes to the police about stories about me it won’t be Laslo it’ll be me.” He says as he looks at her, then walks around her. “But I can’t do that until I’m sure that everyone at Desmond Hall is safe.” Ada turns towards him. “All my life, all my life I’ve lived under the shadow of some unknown terror. Strange deaths, people vanishing without a trace.” Ada tells Jean Paul as she steps closer to him. “I know, we are trying to find the reason behind these things.” Jean Paul says as he walks away from her. “Is my life always to be this insecure? Am I to live like this forever?” Jean Paul turns towards her. “Ada your father has come back. Now if that could happen then perhaps we can find what has plagued the Desmonds all these years. Soon Ada you will know everything when it can no longer harm you.” Ada glances away. “And in the mean time I’m to be with this man that I married.” “Not if you don’t oppose him.” “Are you suggesting that I do what ever he tells me?” Ada asks looking at him. “No I’m suggesting that you pretend.” “I can’t do that.” Jean Paul walks up to her touching her shoulder. “Yes you can Ada. Look go downstairs and tell him that you’ve been foolish. Tell him that you have changed your mind.”

Emily is sitting at her desk in the Drawing Room working when Laslo walks into the room. “Am I disturbing you?” He asks as he stands next to her. “No not at all.” Emily tells him as she is looking through the book that is in front of her. “I thought perhaps Ada might have been down here.” “I haven’t seen her since lunch.” Laslo steps closer to her and glances at the book she is copying notes from. “It sometimes seems to me that your research of the Desmonds has become an obsession.” Emily glances at him then away. “Well it’s an old family with a fascinating history.” “One would almost think you were searching for an answer to a puzzle.” “Perhaps I am.” Emily says to him. “If I were you I’d forget the past and concentrate on the future.” “But you’re not me.” “True.” Laslo says then sits across from Emily. “But we do have one thing in common you must admit that.” Emily looks up at him. “Oh really what’s that?” Laslo leans closer to her. “We are both outsiders.” “I don’t consider myself an outsider.” “It doesn’t matter what you consider yourself. What matters is what they consider you after your married.” “I’d rather not discuss that at the moment if you don’t mind.” Emily says as she turns back to her book. “Well that’s all right I understand your motive.” Emily glances at him. “What motive?” “Jean Paul is a very wealthy man; it would be wise of you not to reveal your true motive until you are safely married to him.” “Don’t judge everyone by yourself.” “Do you deny that his fortune is his great attraction?” “I'd marry Jean Paul if he hadn’t a penny in the world.” “Of course you would. Just as you would marry him no matter what I said about him.” “I love him.” “You are young and the young see only what they want to see even if the evidence is right before their eyes.” Laslo says as he stands up. Emily looks up at him. “What evidence?” “You would do well to search the Desmond secrets not in the ancient books but right here at Desmond Hall.” Emily gathers her books and stands next to him. “If you will excuse me.” “That’s right run away, hide. But the truth will follow you from the day that you become a wife to the day you become a widow.” “I’m not afraid of the truth.” “I’ll believe that when you know what it is.” “I know everything there is to know about Jean Paul.” “You know only what he has told you.” Emily gives a sigh. “Well let me make sure that I understand you correctly. You are suggesting that you know things that Jean Paul hasn’t told me.” “You might do well to listen to me. It may be a form of insurance against the dangers of the future. A young bride should always look to the future.” “My future is Jean Paul Desmond.” Emily says angrily as she walks from the room. Laslo walks to the wine table and pours himself a drink. “Your future Miss Emily Blair will not last much longer than your husband.” He says looking at the doorway then takes a sip of his drink.

Emily stops at Jean Paul’s door. “I thought you were working downstairs.” Jean Paul says to her. “I decided I would have more privacy in my own room. Lasso's down there making vague hints about the future.” Emily says as she walks into the room. “I wouldn’t pay any attention to what he has to say.” Jean Paul says to her. “He seems restless like a tiger ready to spring at his prey. He’s got something that he’s going to use against you.” “Did he tell you that?” “He implied it.” Emily says as she walks towards him “What does he know?” Emily asks. Jean Paul turns away. “He doesn’t know very much but he’s making a lot of shrewd guesses,” Jean Paul says as he stands in front of the mirror. “Who could have told him?” “Well that doesn’t matter now. It can’t be helped.” “I don’t understand you. The man already knows a great deal he should not know and you won’t take him seriously.” “There is something else that must be taken very seriously.” He tells Emily as he turns towards her. “What is it? Did the star appear to you again last night?” Jean Paul walks up to her. “No not me but it did appear. I know I’ve wanted it kept from you but there was no way of keeping it from you because you would have found out tonight. The star has gone to Philip.”

“Philip?” Jean Paul nods and walks around her. “Oh no where is he?” Emily asks. “Susan and Cort are looking after him. We will take turns watching over him tonight.” Emily steps closer to Jean Paul. “Orendo protects him.” Jean Paul turns towards her. “Orendo has returned to his own people.” Emily steps away. “Then Philip is completely helpless.” “He tried to kill Irene Hatter last night but I stopped him.” “You told me that nothing happened last night.” Emily says as she turns towards Jean Paul. He touches her shoulder. “I didn’t want to alarm you.”

Emily turns away. “What was Irene Hatter doing here?” Jean Paul walks up behind her. “She came to confess that she and Laslo had been plotting against me.” Emily turns and looks at him. “What would make her do that?” “Laslo threatened to expose her. Her and her coven of witches.” Jean Paul says then turns and walks to the window. “And he has also threatened to expose me. So it turns out that none of us is safe until we get rid of Laslo and the only way we can do that is to put him in the trap that he has set for me.”

Raxl stands in front of Jacques’ portrait as Ada walks into the Drawing Room. “Oh I’m looking for my father, excuse me.” Ada says to Raxl then turns to leave. “Oh Mrs. Thaxton don’t leave. I have something to tell you.” “What is it?” “You have nothing to fear from Mr. Thaxton any longer. I destroyed the paper he made you sign.” Ada looks at her. “You stole it from him.” “I took it from his hand and burned it before his eyes.” “Oh Raxl you saved me from a very silly thing.” Ada says as she walks around Raxl. “I do my duty to the Desmonds.” Raxl says as she walks closer to her “And you will protect Cort from him won’t you?” “I will protect all Desmonds from their enemies.” Raxl tells her with a smile then turns and walks to the door and glances back. “Oh Mrs. Thaxton do not allow your husband to persuade you to sign anything else.” “But he has information.” “His information is useless and he knows it. I told him so.” Raxl says then turns and walks from the room. Raxl walks to the staircase as Julian comes down the stairs. “Raxl there is a document I‘ve been curious to see again.” “What kind of document?” .”It was claimed to be a pact with the devil used in the witchcraft trials.” Raxl turns away. “What do you want with it?” “I only want to look at it to refresh my memory. I saw it once long ago.” “It brings evil with it.” Raxl says to him. Ada stands near the door and hears their conversation. “Let me be the judge of that.” Julian says as he steps closer to Raxl. “Do you know anything about it?” “I know where I can get a copy of it.” Raxl tells him, then turns and walks up the staircase. Ada rushes into the foyer and touches his arm. “Now what is all this, about a pact with the devil?” She asks as they walk into the Drawing Room. “It’s nothing to concern yourself about my dear. It’s just something I want to look at.” “Now I don’t want you getting involved with that sort of thing again.” She says as she puts her hands against his shoulders. “Again?”

“Yes, my only childhood memory of you was reading those ugly books and illustrations of witches and demons and potions.” Julian walks across the room then glances back at Ada. “That’s all you remember about your father?” “Well it seemed that those things were much more important to you than I was.” She says as she walks up to him. “I suppose you’re right my dear, what a bad father I must have been.” Julian says as he looks at Ada. “I just don’t want you hiding in those books again please.” “I was only trying to past the time so I would keep out of your way.” He says as he turns towards her. “You have your life, son and husband.” Ada covers her face to hide the tears. “What is it my dear?” Julian asks as he looks at her. Ada steps away from him. “Oh I’m afraid I made a very terrible mistake and I don’t know how to get out of it.” Julian walks up behind her. “Your husband?” Ada turns towards him. “He just frightens me.” “He wouldn’t dare do anything to you.” “It isn’t me its Cort. And I know it sounds awful but I have a feeling he just tolerates us because he wants something. He wants control of my money.” “Every time I turn my back I find myself the subject of some spiteful gossip.” Laslo says from the doorway. “Perhaps you should give up the habit of listening at doors.” Julian says to him. “I don’t have time to exchange insults with you Mr. Desmond.” Laslo says then looks at Ada and holds out a paper. “I have another copy of that paper I want you to sign.” “What paper is that?” Julian asks. “Oh it’s just a family matter, something between my wife and myself.” Ada looks at her father. “It’s a power of attorney.” “Let me see it.” Julian says as he holds out his hand. “I’d rather not if you don’t mind.” Laslo says holding it away from Julian. Julian reaches into the inside pocket in his suit and takes out a pocket watch. “My daughter’s business affairs interest me. And since she’s inexperienced in these matters I think she might benefit by my counseling.” Julian tells Laslo as he swings the watch back and forth. Laslo eyes are drawn to the watch. “I am also experienced in these things.” “I’m sure you are but financial matters often require the attention of more than one expert.” Julian says as he continues to swing the watch. “Give me that paper.” Laslo turns away and walks towards the door. As Julian looks at the watch Laslo clutches his throat. “You said you don’t have much time I don’t like to delay you.” Julian says to Laslo.

Laslo turns and staring straight ahead he walks up to Julian and hands him the document. Julian takes it and puts it in his pocket. He looks at Ada. “I’ll take it upstairs and look it over in my own room.” He says then walks out of the room.

Laslo stands and stares straight ahead, Ada glances at him.

Jean Paul walks up to Emily. “Now let me worry about Laslo. We’ve got to find out what to do about Philip.” “I’ll go talk to Susan. We can make our plans for tonight.” Emily tells him as she walks to the door. When she opens it she sees Raxl standing outside the door. “Hello Miss Blair.” Raxl says with a small bow.

“Hello Raxl. It’s all right; Jean Paul has explained everything to me.” Emily says with a smile. She glances at Jean Paul. “I’ll be in my room if you need me.” Raxl looks at her. “Miss Blair would you let me have the copy of the document that you brought back from the University. The one with the Mark of Death on it.” “Why do you want it?” Emily asks. “Mr. Desmond would like to see it.” “Did you tell him about it?” Emily asks. “He seems to remember it from long ago.” Emily glances at Jean Paul then back to Raxl. “How could that be it’s been unheard of for centuries?” “Don’t question Mr. Desmond’s knowledge. He wouldn’t ask for it if he didn’t have am good reason.” “Well she’s right Emily, let her have it.” “All right come with me I’ll get it for you.” Emily says as she walks from the room followed by Raxl. Jean Paul walks across the room hitting his fist into his other hand.

In the Drawing Room Laslo is also hitting his fist into his other hand. “You’ll regret bringing your father into this.” He tells Ada as he paces the floor. “Well why do I have to sign another one of those papers?” Laslo walks to the table and pours himself a drink. “Because I need one copy to file with the court and the other one for myself.” Ada stands. “Well why didn’t I sign both of them this morning?” She asks as she stands next to the fireplace. “Don’t ask stupid questions. I forgot that’s all.” He tells her then drinks a large part of his brandy. “Oh don’t be angry my dear. I just like to understand these things.” She tells him as she walks across the room. Laslo sets the glass down and walks up to Ada. “Is that why you asked your father about it?” Ada has her back towards him. “You know it really doesn’t matter, I’ll sign it for you.” She says with a smile then turns towards him. “I’m beginning to think maybe your right after all.” “About what?” “You know when you talked about the Desmond fortune coming to us.” She says then walks away from him. “Oh I wouldn’t want anything to happen to Jean Paul or anything like that but if he’s guilty of these things you say well I think he should face his punishment.” She says as she turns towards him. “Why have you changed your mind?” She steps away. “Don’t you think there has been times that I wished for the wealth that my cousins had. Oh how I longed for the luxuries that they had and I didn‘t.” Ada says as she pours herself a drink. “I’m glad you came to your senses.” Laslo tells her. Ada hands him the drink. “Your patience is more than I deserve.” Laslo takes a sip. “You’ll have a different life from now on. All the things you should have had before they are practically yours.” He says as he walks to Ada and puts his arm around her shoulder.

Julian walks into Jean Paul’s room. “Excuse me; may I speak to you for a moment?” Julian asks. Jean Paul turns towards him. “Yes of course.” “Ada gave me this paper that her husband asked her to sign. I’ve just been going through it. I doubt that these matters have changed much since my time but I would appreciate it if you would take a look at it for me.” He hands it to Jean Paul. Jean Paul opens it and looks over the pages. “Why I thought Ada had already signed one of these?” Jean Paul says as he walks across the room. “Laslo wants her t sign another apparently. I really don’t understand it but I never did have much of a head for business.” “I’ll talk to her about it.” Jean Paul says to Julian. “I wish you would... They are downstairs now.” Jean Paul turns towards Julian. “Julian just a moment. Raxl tells me you were looking for a document, a medieval document that Miss Blair has. Why do you want it?” “Miss Blair? How does she have it?” “Well she found it in the library. Why do you want it?” “Oh just curiosity. Benjamin used to talk about it when I was a youngster and I thought maybe if I saw it again it might refresh my memory.” “Then you’ve seen it before?” “Oh yes Benjamin had it among some papers. I thought perhaps it had burned when he had died.” “What do you know about this?” Julian turns away. “Oh it’s just another relic of the Desmond past.” He turns and looks at Jean Paul. “But I am curious about it. But don’t you worry yourself about it. These things can preoccupy an old man like me.” He says as he walks up to Jean Paul and touches his arm. “But you should be thinking about the present and the future. Laslo and Ada are downstairs very, very concerned about the present and the future.” Julian says then walks to the door and glances at Jean Paul. “I should imagine.” He turns and walks out of the room. Ada sits at the table as Laslo walks up to her. “Would you like a brandy my dear?” He asks as he finishes the drink in his hand. Ada looks up at him. “No thank you.” “I think we should celebrate our future don’t you.” He asks as he pours two drinks. “Well I think we should celebrate after dinner.” “It’s not often we get to celebrate. I wish that you would join me now.” Jean Paul walks into the room. “I’ll help you celebrate the occasion Laslo.” “Oh I was speaking to Ada. What do you want?” “Isn’t this the day you were going to take me to my lawyer of to the police as I remember.” “Well I have more important business here.” “Such as the power of attorney?” Jean Paul says as he holds up the documents. “That Julian says you want Ada to sign.” “She’ll sign it.” He tells Jean Paul then takes a sip of his drink. “I think not.” Jean Paul says as he opens the papers. “Your schemes against me have ended Laslo.” Jean Paul says then angrily tears the papers and tosses them onto the table and walks out of the room. “Laslo looks at Ada. “You won’t get away with this.” “What are you going to do kill me?” “Don’t be so certain that I wouldn’t.” He says as he leans closer to her. “Unless I sign this paper?” Laslo straightens. “You signed the other one. “What other one?” “You know very well.” “Strange I don’t remember signing any other paper.” “But you signed the other one here in this very room this morning.” Ada looks up at him with a smile. “Show it to me.”

Laslo glances at the fireplace then back at Ada. “I’m beginning to understand a little bit more about business matters.” She stands and faces him. “And I certainly would never sign another paper for you.” Ada says then looks away. “Because if I did I’d be signing my own death warrant.” She looks at Laslo. “As your first wife did.”

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

~Ron/Bella~
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