STRANGE PARADISE- Episode 183

Strange Paradise: Episode 183

Episode 183a: Slideshow

Episode 183b: Slideshow

Emily leans over Susan. “Susan what is it? What’s the matter, tell me.” Emily asks as she touches Susan’s arm. Susan stirs and Emily helps her to sit. “I don’t know.” “Can I get you something? Maybe some water.” Susan touches her head then looks at Emily. “No, no don’t leave. Not just yet please.” “You’re exhausted that’s what the trouble is with you.” “No it’s not that, I sometimes have spells but they go away. Please don’t read anymore of that book.” Susan says to Emily. “I don’t like to hear about people dying by fire. It’s always horrified me.” She says looking away. “I wish I had known.” Susan reaches down and picks up the document. “And take this back to your room with you. I don’t want it here.” “Julian said you should keep it.” “I don’t want it here it upsets me.” Susan says holding hr head. “All right I’ll keep it till morning.” Susan yawns. “I'm really tired all of a sudden.” “Of course you are. I’ll see you in the morning. Get a good rest.” Emily says as she collects her books and stands then walks from the room. Susan glances around her room, then stands and walks across the room. She listens at the door then peers out and looks down the hallway. She steps out of the room closing the door behind her.

Raxl sits in a chair in the tower room and looks at Philip. Philip is asleep leaning against the wall. She stands and walks over to him and touches his shoulder. “Mr. Philip?” Philip opens his eyes and looks up at her. “Oh I’m sorry.” He says as he rubs his eyes covering his face with his hands. “I must have fallen asleep.” “It’s nearly morning. You’ll soon be able to go back and rest in your own bed.” “The heartbeat didn’t come after all.” Philip says to her. “Your Gods protected you.” “No Orendo left me. It must be something else.” There is a knock at the door, Raxl and Philip both glance at the door. “That must be Jean Paul to relieve you.” Philip says sitting up. Raxl walks to the door and unlocks and opens the door. Susan steps inside. “Susan is something the matter?” Philip asks as he comes to his feet. “Did you just hear something?” Susan asks. “No what?” “Church bells ringing.” “I didn’t hear them.” Philip says. “We heard no church bells.” Raxl says to her. “Are you sure you didn’t hear tem?” “We heard nothing.” Raxl says to Susan. Susan steps into the room. “Well why should they ring for me? I didn’t go here. I didn’t even see it. I promised I wouldn’t go to the square that day.” Susan says then turns and runs from the room. Raxl rushes to the doorway. “She will do harm to herself.” “Now follow her quick.” Philip says to Raxl as he walks up to her. “I mustn’t leave you. The star is still out.” Raxl says holding his hands. “Never mind about me. She needs you now.” Raxl turns and rushes out of the room. Philip closes and locks the door.

Jean Paul glances at the papers that Laslo had signed. He folds them and puts them in his pocket as Emily walks into the Drawing Room. Jean Paul turns towards her. “Emily it worked. I got Laslo to sign the papers and he left Desmond Hall.” Emily smiles. “Good then Ada will be safe.” “Yes it’s the last I think we will see of him.” “Jean Paul something just happened that I don’t understand.” ”Darling what?” Jean Paul asks as he sits on the edge of the desk. “Well I was reading to Susan from this book and she fainted for no apparent reason. She said this has happened to her before.” “Well where is she now?” “She’s in her room sleeping. She’s utterly exhausted. Jean Paul I’m worried about her. She says such strange things and now she’s talking about the fact that she has to leave us.” Jean Paul gives a sigh. “She can stay here as long as she wants to.” “I know I told her that but she said she still has to go.” “Well I suppose if she has to leave there is nothing we can do about it.” Jean Paul says as he looks away. “But she doesn’t want to leave.” Jean Paul gives a smile. “Well I don’t understand the problem.” Emily steps away. “Oh I have a strange feeling that the closer we get to solving the Desmond curse the more dangerous it is for her.” “In what way?” Emily looks at Jean Paul. “She told me that our happiness will come only through her sorrow.” Emily glances at the doorway. “Philip?” “I couldn’t stay alone in that room any longer.” Philip tells them as he walks into the Drawing Room. “Is Raxl still with you?” Jean Paul asks. “I told her to follow Susan.” “Susan, she’s asleep.” Emily tells him. “No she came to the tower almost hysterical saying something about hearing church bells ringing, then she ran out again.” “I’m going to go to her.” Emily says as she sets the books on the desk then walks from the room. Jean Paul steps after Emily then looks at Philip. “Well how about you? Are you all right?” Philip nods. “Now there is a new danger here at Desmond Hall tonight.” “Why do you say that?” Jean Paul asks. “Well I was safe from the star but all the time I felt there was something terrible going on down here. I wanted to come down but Raxl wouldn’t let me. She sent Cort instead.” Philip says as he walks away from Jean Paul. “Well she was right. Laslo tried to kill Ada but Julian stopped him.” Philip glances at Jean Paul. “Where is Laslo now?” “He’s gone for good. I think we will be safe from now on.” Jean Paul says looking away. “Well now there is a strange presence in this house drawing us all to a unknown destination.” Philip says as he looks away.

Susan stands in front of the skeleton. “Oh save him. Don’t let him die please. He’s the gentlest, purest man who ever lived. Don’t let him die that way. I’ll do anything; I’ll give my soul to you forever. Take my life but don’t take him. No, no put out the flame! Stop it! Stop!” Susan shouts as she holds her head. The door opens and Raxl walks in. “What are you doing here alone Miss Susan?” Susan uncovers her ears. “I’m not alone.” The bells start to ring. “Oh they are ringing his death! I won’t listen to them Raxl.” She says as she throws herself into Raxl’s arms. “Come back with me. I’ll take you to your bed.” Susan pulls back. “You will save him won’t you? You will bring him to me. You won’t let his ashes be scattered into the gutter to be trod upon by his enemies.” “No I’ll find them and bring them to you Mademoiselle Susanne.” Raxl says as she leads Susan from the secret room.

The next morning Emily is working at the desk in the Drawing Room when Jean Paul walks into the room. “Well good morning.’ he says as he walks over to her and gives her a kiss. “You didn’t get very much rest.” He says as he puts his hand on her shoulder. “Neither did you.” Emily says as she looks up at him. “No I’m worried about Susan.” “I stopped in to see her on the way down. She seems much better more relaxed.” Jean Paul sits on the edge of the desk. “We should try to think up something to get her mind off of last night.” Jean Paul says as he looks at Emily. “How about a picnic?” He says with a smile. Emily smiles back at him as Philip walks into the room. “Philip I was just suggesting to Emily that we should have a picnic for Susan.” “That’s fine by me.” Philip says to Jean Paul. “I’ll go and ask her.’ Emily says as she stands. “All right but don’t take no for an answer.” Jean Paul says as he points at Emily. Emily walks from the room. Jean Paul stands and looks at the notes Emily had been working on. Philip stands next to Jacques’ portrait and stretches. Jean Paul notices the document from the trials and picks it up. He looks closer at it. “Philip, come here.” Philip walks over to him. “Look.” Jean Paul says as he shows him the document. “The Mark of Death is gone.” Philip takes it from him and looks at it. “How can that be?” “I don’t know. Emily didn’t mention it. She must have...maybe she didn’t notice it.” “What’s this doing down here anyway?” Philip asks. “Well she’s been working with it, checking out some information in a book that Julian found.” Philip places the document on the desk and picks up a book. “This one?” “Yes I think so. She was copying something from it.” “She marked a passage here.” Philip says pointing it out. “The sun filled the square. The Cathedral bells rang out while thousands of Parisians.” Philip starts to read then glances up as he hears church bells ringing. “That’s strange; I’ve never heard the church bells of Desmondton up here before.” He looks at Jean Paul. “Church bells?” “Yes can’t you hear them?” Philip asks as he closes the book and walks to the window and looks out. “Well listen. There must be some special service or something. A funeral, perhaps.” Jean Paul walks up behind him. He listens then looks at Philip and shakes his head.

Emily knocks on Susan’s door. “Come in.” Susan calls out. Emily opens the door and walks into the room. She closes the door behind her. Then walks over to Susan. “Are you all right?” “Of course I am why do you ask?” Susan says as she sits at her dressing table brushing her hair. “I was worried about you last night.” Susan stands and walks away from Emily. “Why what happened?” “Don’t you remember?” “Remember what?” Susan asks as she looks back at Emily. Emily walks around her. “Why you were very upset, you fainted.” Susan turns towards her. “I did?” “Then you don’t remember.” “Well I was very tired. I remember that much and I think I fell asleep when you were talking to me.” Susan says as she walks to the bed and sits on it facing Emily. “No you didn’t fall asleep you fainted.” Emily tells her as she sits on the bed next to Susan. “Are you sure?” “Yes I’m sure. And I wasn’t talking to you I was reading something to you from a book.” “What was it?” “It was about a witch being burned at the stake.” Susan looks away. “Well perhaps you dreamed that.” Susan says with a smile. “No I didn’t dream it. Susan why are you pretending it didn’t happen?” “Susan stands. “Well if it did I refuse to think about it. It’s such a beautiful day out.” Susan says as she looks at Emily. “Look Emily why don’t we go for a walk. Let’s just look at the sky and listen to the birds okay.” Emily stands. “That’s exactly what Jean Paul wants us to do, go for a picnic with him on the cliffs.” “Well that’s great. I’ll just finish dressing and meet you downstairs okay.” Susan says as she walks back to the dressing table and sits down. Emily turns towards her crossing her arms and shaking her head. “Emily what’s the matter?” Susan asks as she turns towards Emily. “You’re just so strange sometimes Susan. Your moods they go from one extreme to another.” “Well that proves I’m human doesn’t it.” Susan says as she turns and looks at her reflection in the mirror as she brushes her hair.

Jean Paul faces Philip. “Philip I am telling you there are no church bells ringing in Desmondton.” “And I tell you I could hear them as clearly as can be.” “You’ve got to believe me.” Philip looks away. “Master?” Raxl calls out from the doorway. They turn and look at her. ‘You must believe Mr. Philip.” “Did you heat them too?” Jean Paul asks. “Miss Susan heard them.” “Yes that’s right. Last night when she came to the tower room.” Philip says. “I’ve got to talk to Susan.” Jean Paul says as he walks from the room. Philip starts to follow him. Raxl steps in front of him. “No Mr. Philip you must not interfere.” “What do you mean?” “Miss Susan is leading us where we must go. We must endure it without question and without interference.” “But for how long?” Philip asks. “Until we reach the end of what began that day in the market place so long, long ago.” Raxl says as she walks towards Jacques' portrait. “With him and his brother.” “This has nothing to do with my people and I can’t let it keep me from them any longer.” Philip says as he walks up to Raxl. Raxl turns towards him. “You will stay here until the curse of the Desmonds is no more. Then we will all depart.” Raxl turns towards the portrait. Philip glances at it also. “We will leave, separate and go to our fates, which we have eluded for so long.” Philip steps closer to the portrait.

Emily leaves Susan’s room as Jean Paul walks down the hallway. Emily turns towards Jean Paul. “Oh she’s all right. She says she wants to go on the picnic.” “Good but I will have to talk to her.” Jean Paul says as he reaches for the knob. “You haven’t changed your mind have you?” “Oh no.’ Jean Paul says as he steps closer to Emily. “Emily did she mention anything about hearing church bells last night?” “No.” “You said she fainted.” “She did but she said she can’t remember it. I was reading to her.” “What were you reading about?” “About a man being burnt at the stake for witchcraft.” Jean Paul takes a step away from Emily. “And the sun filled the square and something about Cathedral bells ringing.” “Yes, yes that’s it.” Emily says as she steps up to him. “How did you know?” Jean Paul nods. “Philip read me the same passage and he said he heard church bells as well.” “Well that’s impossible.” “Raxl says it isn’t impossible.” Jean Paul says as he turns towards Emily. “And Susan told Philip that she heard those church bells last night.”

Philip sits on the couch. “I’m being led further and further away from my people.” Philip says in discouragement. “Your Gods have loaned you to us.” Raxl says to him. “No they’ve deserted me. Why did the mask disappear? Why did the totem lose its power? No Raxl.” Philip stands and walks across the room. “For a long time I’m being led further and further away from them and towards something that isn’t my affair.” He says looking back at her. “Do not resist the fate that directs you.” “I will not sacrifice my people.” “Mr. Philip you came to take the curse from them.” Raxl says as she walks closer to him. “And I have failed.” “Let me finish. The dead are crying out to you to free them from the eternal guilt that they have taken to their graves.” “And what has that to do with my people?” “We all played our part in what was done. And now we must play our part in correcting it.” Emily stands in the doorway. “And I’ve done all I can do.” Philip says to Raxl. Emily walks into the room. “Philip listen to her please, for my sake.” Raxl walks over to Emily touching her arm. “Miss Emily you must talk to him. He must help us in this final difficult time if you and Jean Paul are ever to be married.” Raxl says then walks from the room. Emily steps closer to Philip." Don't leave us now Philip, please.” “Emily I promised I would stay until Jean Paul was clear of the influence of that star. And now that is done.” He says looking at her. “That was only the beginning. We have much more to do now.” Philip shakes his head. “No I’m being warned to go before I bring destruction on everybody here in this house and my own people.” Philip says as he walks away from Emily then glances back at hour. How do you know that the church bells are a warning?” Philip stares at her wondering how she knew about the bells. “Jean Paul told me.” “And you believe me even if he doesn’t?” Philip asks as he walks towards hour. “Yes I believe you.” “They are telling me to go before it is too late. They are tolling the death knell.” He says as he turns away from Emily. Emily steps closer to him. “Church bells don’t necessarily mean death. They could mean something very joyful. Let’s find out together. Perhaps the evil has left Desmond Hall and been replaced by good. And perhaps that good is you.” Emily says as she touches his arm. Philip shakes his head. “No the star has chosen me. The Mark of Death chose me and the bells are calling to me.” Philip says as he picks up the document and throws it on the desk angrily. “But did you do evil when the mark chose you and the star?” “I tried to!” Philip says as he looks at Emily. “But you didn’t. What ever chose you couldn’t force you to go against your nature.” Philip picks up the document. “Why did the mark disappear from this document?” “Well it wouldn’t have if it intended to continue its evil in our lives any longer.” “Can you be sure of that?” “Because of your Spirits with their help we moved the mark from Desmond to Desmond until it came to you. Now we are free from the threat of Laslo Thaxton, from the magic of Irene Hatter and it’s all because of you. Don’t turn your back on us now Philip we need you. You’ve taken the evil out of this household and replaced it with good. When you came other friends came to us and we are no longer alone.”

Jean Paul sits on Susan’s bed. Susan is sitting at her dressing table. “I think a picnic lunch would be very nice.” Susan says to Jean Paul. Jean Paul nods with a smile. “It will do you the world of good. Put some color back into your cheeks.” “I’m fine, really I am. Why is everyone treating me as if I were an invalid?” “We’re not implying that.” “Well Emily was just saying that I fainted last night.” “Oh she was just concerned about you. I suppose it was because of the church bells that you heard last night.” “I heard what?” Susan asks. “Church bells when Emily was reading to you last night.” “Well surely I would remember something like that wouldn’t I?” “Philip just heard it too.” Susan’s hand jerks and she drops her comb. “He heard church bells?” Jean Paul reaches down and picks up the comb and places it on the dresser top. “That’s what he said.” Jean Paul says as he sits back down and looks at Susan. Susan jumps up and sits next to Jean Paul grabbing his hand. “But he mustn’t hear them! Don’t let that happen to him! Please keep him from that please!” Susan says throwing herself against him. Jean Paul puts his arm around her. “Then Susan you were lying when you denied to Emily that you heard the church bells last night.” “Well I didn’t want to upset her.” Susan says pulling away from Jean Paul. “I thought I was going mad. I often feel like that.” “I know what you call madness may lead us to the truth.” “I know but I'm frightened.” “Nothing will harm you.” “But you can’t be sure of that.” Jean Paul reaches into his pocket and takes out the tin of ashes. “Susan this will shield you from all harm.” Susan stares at the tin. “Where did you get that?” “Julian Desmond gave it to me. It’s blessed he said.” Susan pulls away from him. “Don’t come near me with that.” “Oh don’t be afraid. It will keep you from all harm. Just rub some on your eyelids . Here.” He holds it out to her. “Do it yourself.” Susan looks at him then reaches for the tin. Once she holds it she drops it as it bursts into flames. “Philippe! Philippe!” Susan cries out as the sound of church bells ring. Susan stands. “No! NO! “She shouts.

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

~Ron/Bella~
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