121921
Robservations / Re:#1238/1239: Robservations 01/14/04: Melanie's Mother; Another Death
« on: January 14, 2004, 08:21:15 PM »
1239 - Old House - Catherine runs to the Old House--Bramwell, Julia just told me Daphne had taken a turn for the worse, she says--I came as quickly as I could. Bramwell, walking downstairs, doesn't respond, his face turned away from Catherine. When he turns to look at her, his disconsolate face tells all. Please tell me it isn't true! begs Catherine. Daphne is dead, says Bramwell--she died a few minutes ago.Catherine begins to cry.
She died peacefully, without pain, says Bramwell. Tears running down her face, Catherine cries, oh no!--why couldn't it have been me?--I'm the one who deserved it. We can't think that way now, he says--it isn't what she wanted. She was so young, full of life, she had everything to live for, sobs Catherine--a person like that doesn't want to die--the will to die has got to be inflicted upon them--and WE inflicted it, didn't we?--you say she died without pain--what about the pain we brought into her life?--I wish I was dead. I feel I must tell you, he says--she had one last wish before she went. Catherine wipes her eyes with a handkerchief. She said she wanted you and me to be together, he says. Oh, please! she pleads, stop it, you're making it worse! He apologizes. I'd like to go up and see her one more time, if it's all right, she says. He starts to follow her. I'd prefer to go by myself, if you don't mind, says Catherine, and heads upstairs. Bramwell bows his head.
Collinwood - drawing room - Julia sits by the fire, rubbing her hands together, upset and worried. She opens the window and looks out. The front door opens and closes--Melanie and Kendrick, who joyously announce, we have just gotten married. Melanie is Mrs. Kendrick Young! We were married in the village, an hour ago, says Melanie, ecstatic. Seeing the look on Julia's face, Kendrick asks, aren't you going to congratulate us? This can't possibly come as a shock to you, says Melanie, grinning. Bramwell was just here, explains Julia, we were talking, then Josette came in and said Daphne had taken a sudden turn for the worse. Is she still alive? asks Melanie hesitantly. I don't know, says Julia, I'm waiting to hear now--I told Catherine about it, and she went there, too. I'd like to go see her, Kendrick, says Melanie. No, I think it would be best for us to just stay here and wait, advises Julia. It seems we spend most of our lives waiting for death to come, says Melanie. I'm so sorry you had to come back to this news, Mr. Young, says Julia--this should be one of the happiest nights for you--she shakes Kendrick's hand and says, welcome to the family. Thank you, he says--call me Kendrick. And you call me Julia, she invites--I wish you both every happiness.The newlyweds are smiling. Melanie thanks her. There is one thing, says Julia, that troubles me--have you made any plans? We've been married less than an hour, he says--no, we made no plans. I wondered if you would be staying here at Collinwood, says Julia. We intend to, at least temporarily, he says. You don't know how much that pleases me, smiles Julia--Melanie, I'll have one of the servants prepare a room for you and Kendrick. She leaves. Kendrick kisses Melanie's forehead. Catherine returns home, her face a sodden mess. How is Daphne? asks Julia. She's dead, says Catherine quietly. Everyone looks somber. Melanie bursts into tears and runs upstairs. Catherine begins to cry again, too.
Catherine, wiping her eyes, sits beside Julia in the drawing room--it's so hard to believe I'll never see Daphne again, she says . Death is something we have to accept to go on living, says Julia. Catherine cries. I never knew Daphne very well, but I did pray for her, says Julia. That was good of you, says Catherine. No, not at all, says Julia, I think it was selfish of me. Why do you say that? asks Catherine. Perhaps now isn't the time to discuss it, says Julia--it MUST be discussed --the family will have to be told, of course, and I am particularly worried about how Morgan will react--ever since Daphne became ill, he has been particularly bitter toward Bramwell. I can't understand that, says Catherine--Morgan didn't know Daphne any better than you--why should he be bitter? Bitterness is only a surface reaction, says Julia--beneath that is fear.Fear of what? asks Catherine. With Daphne gone, Bramwell will be free to be a rival for your affections. I'm not going to let anything like that happen! insists Catherine through gritted teeth. I'm not as worried about what you will do as I am Morgan--if this fear takes hold of him, there's no knowing what will happen. You don't have to worry, says Catherine--I'll go to Morgan immediately and tell him he's to leave Bramwell alone. She hurries upstairs. Julia watches her go, seems to come to a decision of her own, and leaves the house.
Kendrick carries Melanie into a bedroom, where they fall together on the bed, kissing, declaring their love. I know you're still upset about Daphne, he says. I'm sorry, she says, running her hands through his hair. Don't talk that way, he says. You should be happy tonight, she says. Both of us should, he corrects, caressing her face. I can't be, don't you understand? she asks. Of course I understand, he assures her, but there's a million other nights left--you've got a beautiful new life ahead of you--don't you believe it? I want so very much to believe it, she says, but I don't know if I will ever be able to as long as the curse goes on--as long as death and madness are all we know in this house. (Another unconsummated marriage--sigh!)
Old House - Bramwell sits by the fire, staring into the flames. There's a knock at the door, but he can't seem to rouse himself to answer. Julia lets herself in and enters the drawing room--may I come in? she asks Catherine has told you? he asks--I suppose you've come as the official spokesman of the family with the family condolences? She nods--yes, she says. I know you all so well, he says bitterly, I know every move you make before you make it--well, you've given your condolences, I extend my gratitude, the ritual is over--good night. You mean you really don't believe in our sincerity? she asks. I neither know nor care, he says--I just want to be left alone. I have another reason for coming here, she says--I believe that when the funeral is over, it might be wise for you to leave Collinwood!Bramwell stares at her, enraged.
Leave Collinwood, I don't know what you're talking about! says Bramwell, standing to face her. I think my statement was plain enough, she says. But not the reason behind it, he says--explain yourself! I think you understand the reason, she says--I want to avoid another incident like that duel. Say no more, says Bramwell--it's all become crystal clear--you're here on Morgan's behalf, of course! He doesn't know I'm here, says Julia. I know he doesn't! says Bramwell, infuriated, you never consult anyone when you're cooking up one of your little schemes. This is not a scheme, she says, I am genuinely concerned about the future--I'm afraid if you stay here, Morgan may try something foolish. No, says Bramwell, you're afraid he may try something foolish and get himself killed! Or you will, says Julia. No, says Bramwell, we both know perfectly well that he doesn't stand a chance this time. You haven't given me an answer, she says--will you consider leaving? My answer is NO! shouts Bramwell, this is where I belong and this is where I'm staying! But you know your presence here can lead to trouble, protests Julia. No force on earth will make me leave Collinwood! says Bramwell--I vowed five years ago that I would come back here a rich man someday, and see you people rot in hell--well, it took longer than I thought, but I'm rich now, rich as any of you and I have one good reason for staying here. Ah, and that reason is Catherine, says Julia with a nasty smile. Yes, Catherine! he says. Does it matter to you that she's married--and happily--to another man? asks Julia. You and I both know, as Daphne knew, says Bramwell, there's only one man who can ever make Catherine happy--"Now thank you for your advice, dear cousin, good night!" Without another word, she leaves.
Collinwood drawing room - Julia, thank you for telling me about Morgan, says Catherine--when I told him of Daphne's death, I was amazed at the depth of his anger--he was all ready to go to the Old House, find Bramwell--it was all I could do to stop him. But you did stop him? asks Julia. Yes--after a great deal of persuasion, says Catherine--I finally did get him to give me his word that he would leave Bramwell alone. But will he keep his word? worries Julia--and I hope Bramwell will stay away from Collinwood. Kendrick enters. Where is Melanie? asks Julia--is something wrong? Nothing is wrong, he says, she's still very upset about Daphne--I finally put her to bed, she's sleeping now. I'm sure the rest will do her good, says Julia. If anything in this house CAN do her good, remarks Kendrick--I think you should know, Julia, I have had second thoughts about what I said to you earlier--I told you I plan to stay here for the time being--I have reconsidered, Julia--my stay here is going to be very brief--I plan to take Melanie away as soon as I possibly can.
Melanie sleeps. A wind blows through her room. Windows open by themselves, billowing the curtains. There is the sound of tinkling glass. Melanie awakens and arises from her bed, demanding, "Who are you?" We hear Brutus' laughter, then the ghost himself appears to Melanie, who screams.Brutus Collins! she cries, horrified.
Why have you come to me? she asks. My curse must be fulfilled, he says, advancing on her. Stay away from me! she begs. You will help me, he says, you have helped me before, you shall bring suffering upon them. No! protests Melanie, I don't want to hurt anyone! You can't escape me! he insists. Leave me alone, please! she pleads--leave me alone. I will have my revenge, he vows--and you shall be the instrument of my revenge--Amanda! I'm not Amanda, she says, I'm Melanie. You are Amanda, he says, you must do as I tell you to do! No! she cries hysterically, backing away from him.
Kendrick, are you sure I can't persuade you to change your mind? asks Julia. Only Melanie could do that, he says--if she sincerely told me she wanted me to stay--but I know she wants to leave Collinwood! What Melanie wants and what is good for her are two different things! says Julia. I'm sorry, says Kendrick, I believe they are one and the same--she must get out of this house!--good night. He leaves. She sits down, dejected, shaking her head--no one wants to listen to me!
Kendrick returns to his room, but pauses for a puzzled moment before entering. Melanie is gone. He calls to her, instantly worried, ordering, Melanie, answer me! Julia joins him--what's wrong? He points out, she's not in her room. We've got to find her, says Julia. The two of them turn to start searching. Melanie darts out, a knife held in her upraised hand. "I met you before!" she viciously tells Kendrick--"You're not a Collins, you don't belong here!" It's Kendrick, Melanie! My name is Amanda, she informed him--I warned you before to get out of this house, but you didn't listen to me--all in this house are destined to die!--and now, you are going to die with them! She comes at Kendrick, intent on stabbing him, but he easily disarms her. We must take her to the tower room and lock her up, insists Julia. Kendrick refuses, struggling with his wife. We must, says Julia--given how dangerous she is, that it's the best thing for her. They go down the hall, pulling the struggling girl along.
Midnight - Kendrick sits in the drawing room, his face buried in his hands. Julia hands him a brandy--now you can now see why Melanie can never leave this house, she says. Whatever you say, I agree, he says, but only until this curse is done and finished with, and then I swear, we'll never come back here. What do you think can be done about it? she asks with a bitter chuckle. Wind fills the room, the lights flicker. Kendrick asks Julia what's happening, but she doesn't know. Brutus' laughter echoes around them. What's happening? asks Kendrick, who's laughing? Brutus' ghost, she replies.Brutus himself appears before them with an edict: "Hear me and hear me well--she will not be sane again, not until another Collins enters the locked room!"
NOTES: There have been three elopements out of Collinwood in this storyline, keeping the Justice of the Peace in Collinsport hopping. Melanie and Kendrick, Bramwell and Daphne, Morgan and Catherine. They never had a really big, formal wedding on DS, and all of these took place off-camera, too!
Brutus has spoken once again--the lottery must be held once more. I guess that Morgan's turning into his enemy, James Forsythe, negated his stay in the lottery room. Too bad.
Catherine has warned Morgan not to go near Bramwell, and Julia has warned Bramwell not to come to Collinwood. Will these two battling cousins actually be able to stay away from each other, especially now that Bramwell seems to have taken his dead wife's blessing to heart and is intent on pursuing Catherine again?
Poor Kendrick. He married the woman he loves and now she has been possessed--perhaps permanently--by Amanda. And he didn't even get any wedding night nookie! If they do hold the lottery, does Kendrick get to play, since he's married into the family now?
Loved the confrontation between Julia and Bramwell. It was a honey. She was wrong, of course, to try to force him to leave Collinwood. He won't go anywhere if it means being separated from Catherine and his child. We've seen what the years of having to keep her secret did to poor Josette. Is this generation doomed to play out the same sorrow?
Love, Robin
She died peacefully, without pain, says Bramwell. Tears running down her face, Catherine cries, oh no!--why couldn't it have been me?--I'm the one who deserved it. We can't think that way now, he says--it isn't what she wanted. She was so young, full of life, she had everything to live for, sobs Catherine--a person like that doesn't want to die--the will to die has got to be inflicted upon them--and WE inflicted it, didn't we?--you say she died without pain--what about the pain we brought into her life?--I wish I was dead. I feel I must tell you, he says--she had one last wish before she went. Catherine wipes her eyes with a handkerchief. She said she wanted you and me to be together, he says. Oh, please! she pleads, stop it, you're making it worse! He apologizes. I'd like to go up and see her one more time, if it's all right, she says. He starts to follow her. I'd prefer to go by myself, if you don't mind, says Catherine, and heads upstairs. Bramwell bows his head.
Collinwood - drawing room - Julia sits by the fire, rubbing her hands together, upset and worried. She opens the window and looks out. The front door opens and closes--Melanie and Kendrick, who joyously announce, we have just gotten married. Melanie is Mrs. Kendrick Young! We were married in the village, an hour ago, says Melanie, ecstatic. Seeing the look on Julia's face, Kendrick asks, aren't you going to congratulate us? This can't possibly come as a shock to you, says Melanie, grinning. Bramwell was just here, explains Julia, we were talking, then Josette came in and said Daphne had taken a sudden turn for the worse. Is she still alive? asks Melanie hesitantly. I don't know, says Julia, I'm waiting to hear now--I told Catherine about it, and she went there, too. I'd like to go see her, Kendrick, says Melanie. No, I think it would be best for us to just stay here and wait, advises Julia. It seems we spend most of our lives waiting for death to come, says Melanie. I'm so sorry you had to come back to this news, Mr. Young, says Julia--this should be one of the happiest nights for you--she shakes Kendrick's hand and says, welcome to the family. Thank you, he says--call me Kendrick. And you call me Julia, she invites--I wish you both every happiness.The newlyweds are smiling. Melanie thanks her. There is one thing, says Julia, that troubles me--have you made any plans? We've been married less than an hour, he says--no, we made no plans. I wondered if you would be staying here at Collinwood, says Julia. We intend to, at least temporarily, he says. You don't know how much that pleases me, smiles Julia--Melanie, I'll have one of the servants prepare a room for you and Kendrick. She leaves. Kendrick kisses Melanie's forehead. Catherine returns home, her face a sodden mess. How is Daphne? asks Julia. She's dead, says Catherine quietly. Everyone looks somber. Melanie bursts into tears and runs upstairs. Catherine begins to cry again, too.
Catherine, wiping her eyes, sits beside Julia in the drawing room--it's so hard to believe I'll never see Daphne again, she says . Death is something we have to accept to go on living, says Julia. Catherine cries. I never knew Daphne very well, but I did pray for her, says Julia. That was good of you, says Catherine. No, not at all, says Julia, I think it was selfish of me. Why do you say that? asks Catherine. Perhaps now isn't the time to discuss it, says Julia--it MUST be discussed --the family will have to be told, of course, and I am particularly worried about how Morgan will react--ever since Daphne became ill, he has been particularly bitter toward Bramwell. I can't understand that, says Catherine--Morgan didn't know Daphne any better than you--why should he be bitter? Bitterness is only a surface reaction, says Julia--beneath that is fear.Fear of what? asks Catherine. With Daphne gone, Bramwell will be free to be a rival for your affections. I'm not going to let anything like that happen! insists Catherine through gritted teeth. I'm not as worried about what you will do as I am Morgan--if this fear takes hold of him, there's no knowing what will happen. You don't have to worry, says Catherine--I'll go to Morgan immediately and tell him he's to leave Bramwell alone. She hurries upstairs. Julia watches her go, seems to come to a decision of her own, and leaves the house.
Kendrick carries Melanie into a bedroom, where they fall together on the bed, kissing, declaring their love. I know you're still upset about Daphne, he says. I'm sorry, she says, running her hands through his hair. Don't talk that way, he says. You should be happy tonight, she says. Both of us should, he corrects, caressing her face. I can't be, don't you understand? she asks. Of course I understand, he assures her, but there's a million other nights left--you've got a beautiful new life ahead of you--don't you believe it? I want so very much to believe it, she says, but I don't know if I will ever be able to as long as the curse goes on--as long as death and madness are all we know in this house. (Another unconsummated marriage--sigh!)
Old House - Bramwell sits by the fire, staring into the flames. There's a knock at the door, but he can't seem to rouse himself to answer. Julia lets herself in and enters the drawing room--may I come in? she asks Catherine has told you? he asks--I suppose you've come as the official spokesman of the family with the family condolences? She nods--yes, she says. I know you all so well, he says bitterly, I know every move you make before you make it--well, you've given your condolences, I extend my gratitude, the ritual is over--good night. You mean you really don't believe in our sincerity? she asks. I neither know nor care, he says--I just want to be left alone. I have another reason for coming here, she says--I believe that when the funeral is over, it might be wise for you to leave Collinwood!Bramwell stares at her, enraged.
Leave Collinwood, I don't know what you're talking about! says Bramwell, standing to face her. I think my statement was plain enough, she says. But not the reason behind it, he says--explain yourself! I think you understand the reason, she says--I want to avoid another incident like that duel. Say no more, says Bramwell--it's all become crystal clear--you're here on Morgan's behalf, of course! He doesn't know I'm here, says Julia. I know he doesn't! says Bramwell, infuriated, you never consult anyone when you're cooking up one of your little schemes. This is not a scheme, she says, I am genuinely concerned about the future--I'm afraid if you stay here, Morgan may try something foolish. No, says Bramwell, you're afraid he may try something foolish and get himself killed! Or you will, says Julia. No, says Bramwell, we both know perfectly well that he doesn't stand a chance this time. You haven't given me an answer, she says--will you consider leaving? My answer is NO! shouts Bramwell, this is where I belong and this is where I'm staying! But you know your presence here can lead to trouble, protests Julia. No force on earth will make me leave Collinwood! says Bramwell--I vowed five years ago that I would come back here a rich man someday, and see you people rot in hell--well, it took longer than I thought, but I'm rich now, rich as any of you and I have one good reason for staying here. Ah, and that reason is Catherine, says Julia with a nasty smile. Yes, Catherine! he says. Does it matter to you that she's married--and happily--to another man? asks Julia. You and I both know, as Daphne knew, says Bramwell, there's only one man who can ever make Catherine happy--"Now thank you for your advice, dear cousin, good night!" Without another word, she leaves.
Collinwood drawing room - Julia, thank you for telling me about Morgan, says Catherine--when I told him of Daphne's death, I was amazed at the depth of his anger--he was all ready to go to the Old House, find Bramwell--it was all I could do to stop him. But you did stop him? asks Julia. Yes--after a great deal of persuasion, says Catherine--I finally did get him to give me his word that he would leave Bramwell alone. But will he keep his word? worries Julia--and I hope Bramwell will stay away from Collinwood. Kendrick enters. Where is Melanie? asks Julia--is something wrong? Nothing is wrong, he says, she's still very upset about Daphne--I finally put her to bed, she's sleeping now. I'm sure the rest will do her good, says Julia. If anything in this house CAN do her good, remarks Kendrick--I think you should know, Julia, I have had second thoughts about what I said to you earlier--I told you I plan to stay here for the time being--I have reconsidered, Julia--my stay here is going to be very brief--I plan to take Melanie away as soon as I possibly can.
Melanie sleeps. A wind blows through her room. Windows open by themselves, billowing the curtains. There is the sound of tinkling glass. Melanie awakens and arises from her bed, demanding, "Who are you?" We hear Brutus' laughter, then the ghost himself appears to Melanie, who screams.Brutus Collins! she cries, horrified.
Why have you come to me? she asks. My curse must be fulfilled, he says, advancing on her. Stay away from me! she begs. You will help me, he says, you have helped me before, you shall bring suffering upon them. No! protests Melanie, I don't want to hurt anyone! You can't escape me! he insists. Leave me alone, please! she pleads--leave me alone. I will have my revenge, he vows--and you shall be the instrument of my revenge--Amanda! I'm not Amanda, she says, I'm Melanie. You are Amanda, he says, you must do as I tell you to do! No! she cries hysterically, backing away from him.
Kendrick, are you sure I can't persuade you to change your mind? asks Julia. Only Melanie could do that, he says--if she sincerely told me she wanted me to stay--but I know she wants to leave Collinwood! What Melanie wants and what is good for her are two different things! says Julia. I'm sorry, says Kendrick, I believe they are one and the same--she must get out of this house!--good night. He leaves. She sits down, dejected, shaking her head--no one wants to listen to me!
Kendrick returns to his room, but pauses for a puzzled moment before entering. Melanie is gone. He calls to her, instantly worried, ordering, Melanie, answer me! Julia joins him--what's wrong? He points out, she's not in her room. We've got to find her, says Julia. The two of them turn to start searching. Melanie darts out, a knife held in her upraised hand. "I met you before!" she viciously tells Kendrick--"You're not a Collins, you don't belong here!" It's Kendrick, Melanie! My name is Amanda, she informed him--I warned you before to get out of this house, but you didn't listen to me--all in this house are destined to die!--and now, you are going to die with them! She comes at Kendrick, intent on stabbing him, but he easily disarms her. We must take her to the tower room and lock her up, insists Julia. Kendrick refuses, struggling with his wife. We must, says Julia--given how dangerous she is, that it's the best thing for her. They go down the hall, pulling the struggling girl along.
Midnight - Kendrick sits in the drawing room, his face buried in his hands. Julia hands him a brandy--now you can now see why Melanie can never leave this house, she says. Whatever you say, I agree, he says, but only until this curse is done and finished with, and then I swear, we'll never come back here. What do you think can be done about it? she asks with a bitter chuckle. Wind fills the room, the lights flicker. Kendrick asks Julia what's happening, but she doesn't know. Brutus' laughter echoes around them. What's happening? asks Kendrick, who's laughing? Brutus' ghost, she replies.Brutus himself appears before them with an edict: "Hear me and hear me well--she will not be sane again, not until another Collins enters the locked room!"
NOTES: There have been three elopements out of Collinwood in this storyline, keeping the Justice of the Peace in Collinsport hopping. Melanie and Kendrick, Bramwell and Daphne, Morgan and Catherine. They never had a really big, formal wedding on DS, and all of these took place off-camera, too!
Brutus has spoken once again--the lottery must be held once more. I guess that Morgan's turning into his enemy, James Forsythe, negated his stay in the lottery room. Too bad.
Catherine has warned Morgan not to go near Bramwell, and Julia has warned Bramwell not to come to Collinwood. Will these two battling cousins actually be able to stay away from each other, especially now that Bramwell seems to have taken his dead wife's blessing to heart and is intent on pursuing Catherine again?
Poor Kendrick. He married the woman he loves and now she has been possessed--perhaps permanently--by Amanda. And he didn't even get any wedding night nookie! If they do hold the lottery, does Kendrick get to play, since he's married into the family now?
Loved the confrontation between Julia and Bramwell. It was a honey. She was wrong, of course, to try to force him to leave Collinwood. He won't go anywhere if it means being separated from Catherine and his child. We've seen what the years of having to keep her secret did to poor Josette. Is this generation doomed to play out the same sorrow?
Love, Robin