STRANGE PARADISE- Episode 188

Episode 188a: Slideshow

Episode 188b: Slideshow

Julian hands the book to Raxl. “The star is still in the sky. We are defenseless.” Raxl says to Julian. “Where is Philip?” Julian asks. “Downstairs waiting to see if he is free from it.” “And is he?” Julian asks as he sits down. “I do not know.” Raxl says as she turns away. “But you have been custodian of the star’s victim all through the years.” Raxl places the book on the dresser. “Only as long as he portrait commanded me.” Raxl says as she turns towards Julian. “Then his

portrait must command you again.” Raxl gasps in fear. Julian stands. “Don’t be alarmed. You have survived it before.” “But I’ve turned against it.” “We will find a way.” “It will take revenge upon me.” Julian walks over to her. “If you had not given the ashes to Susan it would not be necessary to reconstruct all these alliances.” “Is there no other way?” Raxl asks. Julian turns and looks at her. “I’m afraid not.” “Then I must submit.” Raxl says lowering her head.

Cort stands at Jean Paul’s bedroom door and knocks. “Who is it?” Jean Paul calls out. “Cort I’ve got to talk to you.” Jean Paul opens his door and steps out. “Yes?” “Philip wants to see you downstairs in the Drawing room.” “Oh would you ask him to come up here please.” Jean Paul asks as he ties his robe. “He said he can’t. He’s waiting for something.” “What?” Jean Paul asks. “I don’t know but he says it’s urgent.” Jean Paul nods. “All right I’ll be right down.” He says then turns and walks into his room

In the drawing room Philip stands at the window looking at the sky. The star is in the sky. Emily walks into the room. “Have you seen Susan?” Philip turns from the window and walks over to her. “She’s gone Emily.” “What do you mean gone?” “Well I know her star is gone.” he says as he turns and looks back at the window. Emily walks across the room. “That’s very strange. I wonder where she can be? She can’t leave now! We were just beginning to understand the secret of the document.” Philip walks up behind her. “How did you do that?” Emily glances at Philip then looks away. “Well she had the ashes and I was reading the passage from the book, the one about the execution that made her faint. And suddenly the Latin script began to turn to English.” “What did it say?” “I don’t know.” Emily turns away from Philip and sits down on the couch. “Julian interrupted us and the page went blank. And then he asked for the return of the ashes.” “Did she?” “No she went kind of wild. She put her finger in the ashes then rubbed some on her temple and then Julian fainted.” Emily says as she raises her hand and touches her temple. “And then she ran from the room.” Emily says as she lowers her hand. Philip sits next to her. “Well did the ashes obliterate the writing on the document?” “No I don’t think so. I think they disappeared because Julian interrupted us just as we were about to decipher the Latin script.” Emily says as she sighs then stands. “I’ve got to find Susan. I ran after but she had disappeared.” Philip stands behind her. “Did anyone else see her?” Emily looks at him. “No I don’t think so, just Julian. Why?” Philip walks away from her. “Philip did you see her?” Emily asks as she steps closer to Philip.

Philip glances at her then away.

As Jean Paul opens the door to leave his room Raxl stands in the doorway. “Jean Paul where are you going?” “Well Philip wants to see me.” “You must not go to him, the star is still out.” “He will need me even more Raxl.” “We will protect him.” Raxl says to him. “Raxl, Philip sent for me.” Raxl steps into the room. “I forbid you to go to him!” “The time for your forbidding me to do anything is long gone Raxl.” Jean Paul tells her then leaves the room closing the door behind him. Raxl walks to the door and reaches for the doorknob then stands and looks away.”

Cort is sitting on his bed as Julian walks up to him. “You should not have wakened Jean Paul. No one should be downstairs tonight.” Cort glances at his Grandfather then away. “You and Raxl were down there and so was Susan earlier.” Julian puts his hand on Cort’s shoulder. “Did Susan give you anything tonight?” Cort stands. “Stop checking up on her.” he says angrily. “Why all of a sudden this great interest in Susan?” “She has something that belongs to me.”

“What is it?” Julian turns away. “A namesake of sorts. It has sentimental value for me.” “How did she get it?” Julian turns and looks at him. “I think she found it. She didn’t return it, she doesn’t know its value.” “Is it a little box? A little snuffbox?” Cort asks. Julian walks closer to Cort. “That’s it, then you did see it. Did she give it to you?” “She had it before you came in the room.” Cort says as he looks away. “I didn’t see it again.” Julian grabs his arm and pulls him around. ”You’re telling me the truth my boy aren’t you?” “Look Grandfather I don’t want to take sides against Susan! I like her!” Julian releases his arm. “And you don’t like me!” Cort walks away from him. “She said you were her enemy. That’s why she left the room when you came in!” Cort walks across the room then turns and looks at Julian. “And that’s why she’s hiding now!”

Jean Paul stands in the drawing room with Philip and Emily. “If your star is out Philip Susan’s star will protect you.” Jean Paul says to him. “Her star is gone.” Philip says to him. “And so is she. No one can find her.” Emily says to Jean Paul. “You should have stayed with her Philip.” Jean Paul tells him. “Philip says he hasn’t seen her.” Emily says to Jean Paul. Jean Paul steps closer to Philip. “You must have seen her.” Philip has his back to Jean Paul. “No I have not, not since earlier this evening.” “Philip what were you going to tell me earlier? You began to say that you tried to...” Emily asks. “Tried to what Philip?” Jean Paul asks. “Raxl wouldn’t let him finish what he was saying but I know it had something to do with Susan.” “Philip you’ve got to tell us.” Jean Paul says to him. Philip shakes his head and walks away. “I can’t.” “Philip we’ve got to find Susan. She’s the only one that knows the secret of the Desmond curse.” Emily says to him. Jean Paul turns towards Emily and touches her arm. “Emily leave us please.” Emily walks to Philip. “Philip if anything happens to Susan you’re responsible.” Philip glances at Emily then looks away in misery. Emily walks out of the room and Jean Paul looks at Philip. “So the star came out tonight.” Jean Paul says to him. “Yes.” Philip says as he walks away from Jean Paul and stands in front of the fireplace and lowers his head against his arms as he leans against the mantel. “And the heartbeat?” “Yes.” Jean Paul walks up to him. “And the Mark of Death came to you.” Philip raises his head and glances upward not answering. “Well did it or didn’t it!” Jean Paul asks. “Yes.” Philip says. Jean Paul glances away. “And you killed Susan.” “No I swear she didn’t die! I know she didn’t!” Philip says as he turns towards Jean Paul. “You tried to kill her?”

“Yes I did but she didn’t die. I know because Cort found her and she was alive.” Philip says as he turns towards the fireplace again. “Where is she now?” “I don’t know.” Jean Paul steps closer to Philip. “Philip have you seen her since you tried to kill her?” “No I haven’t but Cort has. And Emily and Julian.” Philip says as he turns away from the fireplace with his back to Jean Paul. “How do you know?”

“They told me. Jean Paul I’m defenseless against that star and Susan was trying to help me and now she’s gone!” Philip says as he turns towards Jean Paul. Jean Paul nods. “We’ll find her.” “Don’t bother Jean Paul you’ll never see Susan again.” Julian says as he stands next to the bookcases. “Why not?” Jean Paul asks. Julian steps closer to him and Philip. “For her own reasons.” Jean Paul walks up to Julian. “That is not an explanation.” “Perhaps not but it must suffice for the time being.” “I’m afraid I can’t settle for that.” Julian walks over to Philip. “Jean Paul your future is in our hands. You will settle for what we can give you if you wish to survive and remain with those you love.” Philip stands near the fireplace with his head bowed. Jean Paul glances away from them. “Do you want to survive or don’t you?” Julian asks. “Of course.” “Good from now on until we reach the end of our search you will both do as I say.” Julian says as he looks at Philip then back at Jean Paul. Philip turns and faces Julian. “Then I’m at your command as well as the star.” Julian turns towards Philip. “If you had not defied my instruction you wouldn’t be at the mercy of the star.” Philip looks away. “What must I do?” Julian takes Philip by the arm and walks with him across the room. “Go to the tower room with Cort.” He leads him into the foyer. Philip stops. “Where is Cort?” “Look behind you.” Philip turns and sees Cort walking down the staircase. “Cort take Philip to the tower room. Stay with him without fail.” Julian says to Cort. Cort walks to the bottom of the stairs and stands next to Philip. Philip has his head lowered. “I’m looking for Susan. Emily said...” Cort says to his grandfather. “Don’t argue with me! It’s Philip we must protect now. Do as you’re told!” Philip glances at Cort as Cort looks at him then leads the way up the staircase. Julian walks back into the Drawing Room and closes the door behind him. He turns towards Jean Paul. “Why did you send Philip away?” Jean Paul asks. “While he is under the influence of the star he’ll only be in the way. You and I have things to do.” “We must find Susan first.” Julian walks away from Jean Paul. “Will you stop thinking about Susan? Think of the curse we are trying to rid ourselves of.” “I want to know what happened to her because I am responsible for her.” Julian turns towards Jean Paul. “Not any longer.” Jean Paul walks up to him. “What do you mean?” Julian turns away. “Susan decided to leave us rather than pay the price of cooperating with us.” “What is that price?” Julian turns around and looks at Jean Paul. “In time you will learn what others pay to release us from our heritage of evil.”

Raxl sits at the dressing table in Susan’s room as Emily walks into the room. “Give up your search Miss Blair. Susan has left us as she came here, mysteriously in the night.” Raxl says as she stands and walks away from Emily.

“You don’t seem very concerned.” “I do not concern myself with things I cannot change.” “Well I do.” Emily says as she walks to the dressing table and pick up the book. “We were just beginning to find out what we wanted but I’ll have to do it alone now.” Emily says as she opens up the book. She looks at the page and gasps. “The page it’s gone. Who took it?” Emily asks as she walks over to Raxl.

“It left when Miss Susan left.” “And the document?” Emily asks. “It’s now only a blank sheet of paper.” Raxl says as she hands the document to Emily. “She did that too.” Raxl says to Emily. “No Susan didn’t do that. It happened when Julian interrupted us.” Raxl looks at Emily. “What do you mean?” “The Latin script was just beginning to turn into English when Julian came in and the page went blank.”

Raxl steps up to Emily. “But why?” “I guess because he asked her to return the ashes to him.” Raxl turns and walks to the door. “Where are you going?” Emily asks her. Raxl stops and looks back at Emily. “Julian did not tell me this.”

“Perhaps he didn’t see it. I did.” “Take the book and the document to your room and hide them till we need them again.” Raxl says as she touches Emily’s arm.

In the tower room Philip glances at Cort. “Aren’t you afraid to be alone with me Cort?” “No I want to stay with you in case the star comes out.” Philip turns and walks away from Cort. “Why don’t you just leave me here and lock the door. There is no reason for you to be here, I can’t get out.” “Grandfather wanted me to stay with you.” “Has it ever occurred to you Cort that perhaps he is trying to keep you out of the way?” Philip says as he looks at Cort. “Now why should he do that?” Philip walks towards him. “Well that’s what I would like to find out.”

“You don’t like him very much do you?” Cort asks Philip. “Well do you?” Philip asks. Cort turns away. “Sure, at least I did until tonight.” “What made you change your mind?” “Susan.” Cort says as he walks across the room. “Oh how did she do that?” “She started talking about her enemies and then Grandfather appeared.” “What did she say about her enemies?” “That they were...” Cort says as he turns towards Philip. “Well go on.” Philip says. “She was a little bit insane you know. She kept on seeing her enemies all around her. She kept talking about them and that they were going to get her.” Cort says as he walks away from Philip. “Well it appears now as though they have.” “Oh no, no she’s leaving Desmond Hall.” Cort says as he turns towards Philip. “She told you that?” “Yes she asked me to leave her room so she could change her cloths so that she could leave.” Cort tells him as he walks over to Philip. “And then Grandfather came in.” “So you don’t really know if she left or not?” Cort glances away. “That was the last time I saw her.” “She may cone back.” “Oh no. No one ever returns to Desmond Hall. Holly, Agatha, Helena.” Cort says then steps away from Philip. “When they leave Desmond Hall we never see them again.” Philip looks away from Cort.

Jean Paul sits at a table in the Drawing room and looks into the flames of the candelabra as Raxl walks in. “We have been waiting for you.” Julian says to her as he stands in front of Jacques portrait. “Where is the book and the document?”

Raxl walks up to him. “I told Miss Blair to take them to her room.” “We need them again. Jean Paul will be the third member of our circle since Susan left us.”

Raxl turns and looks at Jean Paul. “No not a Desmond.” Julian steps closer to Jean Paul. “He is the only person available tonight.” “There’s Miss Blair.” Raxl says to Julian. Jean Paul angrily slams his hand on the table. “I will not have Emily drawn into this!” Julian turns towards Raxl. “There is your answer Raxl. But we do need the book and the document you gave her.” “I’ll get them.” Jean Paul says as he stands. “No you stay here. I’ll go.” Julian tells him. “She may not give them to you.” “I shall be very persuasive Jean Paul.” Julian says then walks from the room. Jean Paul turns to go after him. “Let him go Jean Paul.” Raxl says as she walks up behind him. Jean Paul turns and looks at her. Raxl turns away. “Look at me.” Jean Paul says to her. Raxl turns and looks at him.

Jean Paul nods. “You don’t want me to help you in this do you?” “At no time has two Desmonds joined together.” Raxl turns away. “In the past the Desmond men have never worked together against evil.” Raxl turns towards Jean Paul. “They can only work against each other.” “You are wrong Raxl.” Jean Paul says as he walks away from her with his hands in his pockets and walks towards Jacques portrait. “Together we joined forces and drove Laslo out of Desmond Hall.” Jean Paul turns and looks at Raxl. “Then perhaps that is the secret of defeating the curse of the Desmond star.” Raxl says with a smile. Jean Paul turns and looks at Jacques’ portrait.

In the secret room Emily opens the book and sets the document on it. “Susan, Susan I know your not unfriendly to us. Where ever you are tell me what to do. I need your help. Return the missing page to the book. Restore the writing to this document.” Emily says glancing up. “What are you doing Miss Blair?” Julian asks as he stands across the room. Emily closes the book. “I hoped that you wouldn’t find me.” “It’s not you that I came to find.” he says as he walks up to her. Emily stands. “But what you have with you.” Emily holds the book and document against herself. “They are mine.” “We need them to save you.”

“They were destroyed by your presence.” Emily says to him. “Because someone wants to keep us from our task.” Emily looks at him. “Who’s that?” “You don’t have to protect Susan anymore.” “She was my friend.” Emily says. “She’s quite insane you know. She always has been.” “That’s not true.” “I know what I’m talking about.” “Is that why she was always so afraid of you?” “ We’ve known each other before. The circumstances weren’t pleasant. She couldn’t rid them from her mind.” “What circumstances?” “Ada may have told you I spent a good deal of time in mental homes and psychiatric clinics in the past years.” Emily glances away. “She mentioned it.” “The girl Susan O’Claire was in one of them.”

Emily looks at Julian. “I don’t believe you.” “My dear Miss Blair you have a disarming habit of not believing anything you don’t want to believe. Unfortunately it does not alter the facts.” “What was that name you said earlier?” Emily asks.

“Susan?” “No her last name. You said her last name. She never told us her last name.” “Nor did I I’m sure.” Julian says. “O’Claire that was it. That name is familiar to me from somewhere.” “Well it’s no matter. The name is not important; it is these I came to get.” Julian says as he takes the book and the document.

“Take them. They will do you no good believe me. Not without Susan to help you.’ Julian steps back as Emily turns away from him and sits down. “Susan, Susan O'Claire is that your name? Tell me, give me a sign.” Emily asks. Church bells ring throughout the room. Emily smiles as she glances around.

Raxl stands next to Jean Paul. “We have hoped now Jean Paul. We are walking a tight rope between the past and the future. If we do not look down we will reach the other side.” Jean Paul looks away. “Did Susan look down?” Raxl turns away. “She is free of us. She has gone where she intended to go.” Raxl says as she walks to the desk. Julian walks into the Drawing room. “I have two of the three. We will see what we can accomplish.’ Julian says as he sets the book and the document on the desk. “What is the third?” Jean Paul asks. Julian turns towards him. “The snuffbox.” “Where is it?” “Susan took it with her.” “Well what about your watch? Wouldn’t that help?” Jean Paul asks. “No it has stopped. Time is running out.” “That was your protection!” Jean Paul says to him. “It is Philip who needs protection tonight.” Julian says as he turns back to the desk. “Come let us start.” “No I’m going to Philip.’ Jean Paul says as he stands and starts to walk across the room. “We need you here.” Raxl says to him. Jean Paul looks at her. “Don’t force me to make the choice between Philip and you.”

“We need a Desmond here tonight.” Julian says to him. “All right then I’ll send Cort to you.” Jean Paul says then walks from the room. Raxl looks at Julian. “Master Cort is only a boy.” “Cort may be a boy but perhaps he has the strength of a man that the task of this night requires.” Julian says to her.

Philip stands and stares at Cort. “What’s the matter?” Cort asks him. “Cort leave for Gods sake you’re not safe here! The star has come out and soon the Mark of Death will come. At least save yourself!” Cort walks towards him. “I can help you.” Philip turns away. “No one can help me unless...” Philip reaches into his pocket and takes out the box of ashes. Cort looks at it. “Where did you get that? Grandfather had said that Susan had taken it. Where did you find it?” Philip looks away. “You must be mistaken Cort. I’ve had this all my life. My Grandfather gave it to me.” There is a knock at the door. “Cort let me in.“ Jean Paul calls out. Cort walks to the door and opens it. Jean Paul enters. “Julian wants to see Cort downstairs. I’ll stay with you until the morning.” Jean Paul says as he looks at Philip then at Cort. Cort walks out of the room and Jean Paul locks the door then walks over to Philip. “Philip you must let me have the snuffbox that Susan left with you.” Philip steps away. “I don’t have it.” “I know that she will not leave it here. It’s too important.” Jean Paul says as he walks over to Philip. “It can save both of us Philip.” Philip turns and looks at Jean Paul. “Now please give it to me.” Jean Paul says holding out his hand. Philip places it in Jean Paul’s hand. As Jean Paul starts to close his hand around it he hears church bells. He jerks his hand and drops the box. Walking forward he glances up. “What is it? What is that sound?” Philip steps up to him. “Now you hear it too don’t you cousin.”

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

~Ron/Bella~
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