Mean Dirk shoves Beth down the steps to the basement after taunting her about guarding Barnabas. After Dirk leaves, Beth goes downstairs and finds Barnabas slumped half in, half out of the coffin. Knowing he isn’t dead even though he is unresponsive, she carefully tucks him back in, shuts the lid, and at last sits down to have a well-earned cry.
Talking to Jamison at the cottage, RD fluffs a line: Dirk tells Jamison he killed Jamison's mother--he means he killed Barnabas. But since Dirk is insane by now, it is no wonder he is confused. He also tells Jamison that Barnabas is a vampire--he uses the V word--and tells him to check out the basement at the Old House.
Beth is still sitting beside the coffin when the lid starts to open. Startled, she exclaims, It can’t be! Beth! Barnabas calls. I thought you were dead, Beth says apologetically. I saw him! Dirk came--and shot you! I know, Barnabas says. I saw him while in my coffin. I tried to fight him, but when the dawn came my life force left me. I don’t understand, Beth says. He shot you! Barnabas explains: I do not live as other men do. Why should you think I can die as other men do? [That is beyond cool!] I wonder where the bullet holes are, Beth says. I saw them! Barnabas (taking a big risk, I think) explains, There are only two ways to destroy me--a stake through the heart or silver bullets--and Dirk had neither. He warns Beth not to tell Quentin any of this--Quentin could be dangerous. Beth pleads that Q. is just frightened--but it's still no excuse for striking her. What a strange, soft-hearted girl you are, Barnabas comments, his face very close to hers. In this world of heartless people, you are going to be hurt. Perhaps I used to be like that, Beth muses sadly, when I stood in this very house [even though she’s at the Old House] and pleaded with Quentin not to kill Jenny, but I’m not any more. She finishes grimly, I’m hoping you’ll find Dirk quickly and do whatever you must to silence him. Still intent on fulfilling his mission in the past, Barnabas assures her, I will. Don’t worry--I won’t let him or what he knows get in the way of what I must do here.
Crazy Dirk tells Laura that he's killed Barnabas--does that make her happy? Just then, Barnabas's laugh fills the air. Terrified, Dirk shouts at him to stop. Are you frightened? Barnabas asks hopefully. Dirk protests that Barnabas is dead. How can you kill someone who is already dead? Barnabas asks reasonably. Barn toys with him a little longer before finally materializing and promising, You will never leave this house alive. Even as Dirk promises that soon everyone will know Barn's secret, Barn closes in for the bite.
Jamison opens the front door to the Old House and steps into the drawing room. He spots the metal door. [Someone in a light-colored shirt is barely visible in the background.]
At the cottage, Dirk is weak from blood loss. Barely able to stand, he tells Barnabas, Jamison. You told Jamison? Barnabas asks in amazement. Dirk reaches for Barnabas’s cape, then collapses. Beth knocks at the door and steps in, horrified in spite of herself. Is he...? she breathes. Dead? Barnabas replies calmly. Not yet. I did what was necessary. Did he tell anyone? Beth asks. Yes--Jamison, Barnabas replies. It may be all right. Go to Collinwood, he orders her, and keep Jamison from talking to anyone. Beth tells him, Judith and Edward are in Collinsport for the evening. That will make it easier, Barnabas comments. If Jamison tells you, be subtle, he advises. Keep asserting that Dirk was insane, spinning a mad tangle of fantasies that aren’t true. Make him believe it, Barnabas orders her. I’ll try, she promises. Above all, don’t mention any of it to Quentin. I promise not to, Beth assures him, but for good measure Barnabas warns her: Remember, in case you’re tempted, that I am Quentin’s only hope. If anything is found out about me, there’s no telling where it will end or with what victims. I promise to do whatever I can, Beth assures him again. Don’t harm Jamison in any way, no matter what, Barnabas orders her. I promise, Beth repeats, then asks, What are you going to do about Dirk? I have a plan, Barnabas tells her. Go to Jamison now. But we viewers know that this is too little, too late.
Jamison warily descends the cellar steps and sees the coffin. Horrified, he exclaims, It’s true! What Dirk said--it’s true!
