668 - (Nancy Barrett) - Night at Collinwood, a night that appears to be quiet and serene. But unknown to the residents of the great house, there is terror in this night, for the spirits of those long dead still exists within its walls. And they have made contact with the living. Two innocent children have been possessed, and as a result, they will be compelled to destroy. Unwittingly, they will put every member of the Collins family in great danger.
David's room - Amy looks happy at the idea of playing the game with Carolyn, but she wonders why her? Because it's what Quentin wants, says David--Carolyn knows too much--she isn't sure, but she thinks we go into the West Wing, wouldn't let us play together today--Carolyn's just causing too much trouble. Amy protests that she likes Carolyn and doesn't want to play the game with her, but David says they have to--it's what Quentin wants. Always? asks Amy. Yes, says David. Amy isn't sure. There's a knock at the door. Amy scurries behind the door while David hops into bed. Maggie asks where Amy is; she heard them talking. She isn't here, insists David. Maggie accuses him of lying. She turns and asks Amy where she is. Amy exits her hiding place. I came to see David, she admits. You aren't supposed to be here, says Maggie. I know, says Amy. Maggie asks David why he lied. David confesses he got scared and feared being punished. Maggie says he should be punished for lying, and she should tell Carolyn. Amy begs her--don't get David into trouble because of me--I came to his room on my own. David says he wanted her to come--I've been so lonesome. (awwww!) Amy plops herself down on his bed, confessing, I've been lonesome, too. We did disobey Carolyn, so we should be punished, opines David. Amy doesn't want him to be, and she's going to tell. . .David says not to, and Maggie asks what. Amy is ashamed to tell. Don't if you don't want to, advises David. I don't want to get you in trouble, says Amy, and is fessing up. Maggie asks what it's all about. Amy tells her she had a terrible dream--she dreamed David was dead! Maggie is shocked. You shouldn't have told her, chides David. That's why I came to David's room, because of the dream, says Amy--I had to see for myself he was OK. David assures her she doesn't have to be afraid. Maggie comforts Amy--it was just a nightmare. Amy says she's had the same dream, lots of times, about people she likes. So many people have died--her parents, and Tom, and sometimes she gets scared to like people because she fears they'll leave her, die. David and Maggie both assure the little girl they won't leave her. Amy says she's ashamed of herself for getting scared, only babies do that. Maggie hugs her and says even grownups get scared. Amy earnestly looks up at Maggie, who is holding her in her arms. It's awful to lose someone you love, says Amy. I know that, says Maggie (only too well)! Amy asks Maggie not to tell Carolyn about what David did, it isn't fair. David says it isn't fair for Amy to be punished, either. Someone knocks at the door. The kids beg Maggie to keep silent. Amy again hides behind the door and Maggie tells Mrs. Johnson, who heard voices, that Amy isn't here. Mrs. Johnson says that's lucky, since Carolyn gave strict orders the kids weren't to play together today. I realize that, says Maggie. She claims not to know where Amy is--but I'll find her. Mrs. Johnson goes away. Amy and David are pleased Maggie kept silent. I didn't want you to be punished, she says. Both promise to be good from now on. Maggie orders David to go to sleep (didn't she notice he was in his clothes?) and promises to come back to escort Amy to her room. They both agree they like Maggie, and Amy asks if they're going to play the game with her. No, David assures her. Amy is glad--I don't want anything bad to happen to Maggie. David orders her to get into the clothes when she returns to her room--they're playing the game tonight. "Tonight?" asks Amy, puzzled, and David says yes.
Carolyn and Chris return from a date and hang out on the terrace. She thanks him for dinner and offers to let him live in the cottage on the estate that belonged to the caretaker. Chris says that's a kind offer.(http://www.dsboards.com/epimgs/0668-1.jpg)
You shouldn't be paying for a room at the Collinsport Inn, insists Carolyn--plus I'd feel better if you lived on the property, closer to Amy. He asks how far the cottage is from the main house. Quite a distance, and isolated, she replies. I like my privacy, he says. She assures him he'll have plenty of that. He grins boyishly and accepts. He looks at her as if he wants to kiss her, remarking on how late it's getting. She looks disappointed that he didn't kiss her, and asks if something is wrong--the way you look at me--may I be honest?--as if you want to kiss me. He looks uncertain, and explains that he's concerned he's beginning to like her too much, and he isn't the kind of guy she should get involved with. For one thing, says Chris, you're a Stoddard, I'm a Jennings (and there will be future irony here). Carolyn says it makes no difference to me. He turns away and says he should go back to town. She asks him to look at her, please. He doesn't, so she walks around and faces him. He kisses her, a long one, and we see the Cupid in the fountain, which fades into David, who might have been spying from his room on the smooching pair.
Amy, in the 19th century dress, comes to David's room. David's wearing old clothing, too. Amy's tired, and doesn't want to play dress up tonight--must they? Yes, says David. She asks what Quentin wants them to do. You'll see, he says. Quentin's music begins to play, but only David can hear it. He lights both of their candles and tells her to come with him--they're going to the West Wing, the deserted servant's quarters. Quentin will instruct them when they get there, and they must go through the West Wing so they aren't seen.
Carolyn and Chris enter Collinwood, where she thanks him for a lovely evening. He says he'll move into the cottage tomorrow. They're both smiling. Amy and David sneak in through the secret panel into the drawing room. Carolyn tells Chris Amy will be very pleased. I'm pleased, too, says Chris. David blows out his candle, then goes to blow out Amy's, but hers is already out. They smile adorably at each other. They overhear Carolyn telling Chris she wonders if David is a good influence on Amy--she caught him being very cruel to her and punished him for it--they were fighting--David was ordering her around. Chris doesn't think it's anything more than kid stuff. Carolyn says David is changing, not the way he used to be. Chris says change sounds natural, just growing up. Maybe, says Carolyn. He's all set to go, but she invites him into the drawing room for a drink. He protests he should go. She clasps his hand and they kiss a couple of more times. He leaves. Carolyn heads upstairs, her step happy.
David re-lights his and Amy's candles. They go to the servants' quarters. Amy wonders why Quentin wants them to come there. The music plays, and this time, both kids hear it. Amy knows where they are, in "my" room (and she is Beth, and he is Quentin) she says. "Quentin, you shouldn't have come here," she says softly. "I'm afraid of them--I'm afraid of both of them." He tells her not to be afraid--they can't do anything to us. Amy says, "But he hates you so, and so does she." "No more than I hate her," says David.(http://www.dsboards.com/epimgs/0668-2.jpg)
She suggests he doesn't believe in her powers, in her curse--but you should. David says he'll find a way of stopping "her." Unbeknownst to the two children, Mrs. Johnson is in the hallway, overhearing them. "You can't stop her," says Amy--"I don't know if anyone can." Mrs. Johnson presses her ear to the door. "Don't worry," says David. "I'm tired of their interference. I'm going to put it to an end." Mrs. Johnson opens the door, beholds the two children, and gasps.
She asks what they're doing down here. Just playing, replies David. He sits and bounces on the bed. Amy asks Mrs. J not to tell, but she reminds them Carolyn gave strict orders about they're not playing together today--besides, they're supposed to be in bed. It's not that late, protests David. She asks about the strange clothes they're wearing. They claim to have found them in a trunk in the attic---they belonged to some ancestors, they think, and dress-up is part of their game. Mrs., Johnson is puzzled about their claim of playing dress-up.(http://www.dsboards.com/epimgs/0668-3.jpg)
She asks about what they were talking about, and David says they were acting as other people, as if in a play. Mrs. Johnson says their games are odd, and Amy asks if she didn't play dress-up as a little girl (yes, she dressed as a maid). Sometimes, says Mrs. J. It's fun, state the kids. You're supposed to be in bed, warns Mrs. Johnson, and I am going to tell Carolyn you didn't obey her. They start to argue with her, but she insists they return to bed. Mrs. Johnson gives one last baleful look behind her.
Maggie, tired, comes downstairs. Mrs. Johnson tells her about hearing the kids, and that sneaky David likes to prowl around the house in the middle of the night. Maggie seems to be hiding a laugh as she asks if Mrs. J sent them to bed. I did, says the housekeeper, but Lord only knows if they'll stay there. I'll see to it they do, says Maggie. There's something peculiar about those children, says Mrs. Johnson--when I found them, they were wearing strange clothing from another century, saying weird things. This surprises Maggie, who asks where they got the clothes. They found them, and were playing dress-up says Mrs. Johnson. Maggie finds nothing wrong there, she used to play dress-up, too. Mrs. Johnson says somehow, the kids have changed, especially David, who's become sly--they scare me--there's something almost sinister about David.(http://www.dsboards.com/epimgs/0668-4.jpg)
Maggie feels it's the housekeeper's imagination; David and Amy are two of the dearest children she's ever met. Mrs. Johnson disagrees with this; there's something about them, and I'm afraid of them.
Amy tells David she feels funny, not the same as she did downstairs--I don't feel like Beth, nor do I want to be. He pursues her. "You're BETH!" he insists. Not really, she says, I'm Amy. He grabs her and orders her not to talk like that, not while they're playing the game. She tells him not to get mad, and he reminds her of the rules of the game--when they're wearing the clothes, they're Beth and Quentin. Amy says she understands. David locks his door and says they must be more careful and not get caught again. What will happen now? she asks. David tells her something will happen to Mrs. Johnson. What? she asks. You'll see, says David, grinning wickedly, giving credence to Mrs. Johnson's fears.
NOTES: Ooooh, these kids are excellent actors, aren't they? Good stuff. Mrs. Johnson frequently ends up in the thick of things, and is nearly always right about what's really going on. Maggie is clueless now, but she will quickly find out what's what. I always thought Chris and Carolyn could have a nice romance, but there are impediments, big ones. Wolf or Leviathan? You make the call! LOL! Amy's little speech about fearing she'll lose people she cares about was touching, even if it was supposed to be made up for Maggie's benefit to throw her off the scent of their evil deeds. That is one lonely little girl, and for good reason, and if she fears losing people she loves, there's good reason for it. Interesting how the children manipulated Maggie into not telling Carolyn they didn't follow orders. They've made their governess a co-conspirator, and she doesn't even know it!
669 - (Clarice Blackburn) - A late afternoon sun shines over the Collins estate and an aura of peace and quiet prevails within the great house. But the unseen terror of another night is not far off. Two children, possessed by evil spirits, wait for an opportunity to play a frightening and possibly deadly game. That opportunity will come sooner than they think.
David and Amy play the card game War on the living room floor with huge cards. Mrs. Johnson comes home with two bags of groceries. Maggie greets her. Mrs. Johnson complains about the man who invented supermarkets. Maggie tells her Carolyn went into town and wants her to prepare Matthew Morgan's cottage for Chris, who's moving in tomorrow afternoon. This shocks Mrs. J, who looks more than annoyed at having to clean something else. David drops an ace on Amy's queen and says this is their chance to play the game with Mrs. Johnson.
Maggie asks Mrs. J if anything's wrong. The housekeeper wants to know why Chris wants to move into the cottage; if he had any sense, he'd stay where he is--the Inn is friendly, the cottage should have been burned down, asserts Mrs. J--nothing good ever happened there when Morgan was alive, and nothing good happened there after he died. Maggie says it looks charming from the outside, but Mrs. J thinks the place is cursed. Maggie doubts Carolyn thinks so. Mrs. J wonders why Carolyn asks HER to fix it up, knowing how she hates it.(http://www.dsboards.com/epimgs/0669-1.jpg)
This puts a guilt trip on Maggie, who apologizes--she's just the messenger. Mrs. J realizes it. She'll go find Harry and get started with it. They carry the grocery bags into the kitchen.
Amy asks David if there's really a curse on Matthew Morgan's cottage. No, says David, but Mrs. J thinks so, which will make it easier to play the game with her. Morgan was their old caretaker, explains David--it's time to tell Quentin we can play the game. Maggie told us to stay here, protests Amy. I'll figure out a way, he assures her. Maggie takes some books and David returns to playing war. She's impressed with how quiet it kept the kids. David asks Maggie if Mrs. J will be all right--we overheard you conversation. She is nervous, admits Maggie. David comments that Mrs. Johnson has been sort of jumpy lately--I don't know what it is, but she's bothered by the smallest things--and never used to see things that aren't there. Maggie laughs and asks him to explain. David tells her when she found them playing dress-up, she acted as if there was someone else in the room. Amy said of course there wasn't--poor Mrs. Johnson. David suggests she's been working too hard and asks to go outside. No, it's too late, says Maggie, soon to be dark. David's tired of War, as is Amy. He asks Maggie to play hide and go seek with them, just for a little while--we know some neat hiding places. They proclaim Maggie "it"--they're going to hide. David instructs her to count to 10, very slowly, then come to find them. Maggie begins to count. Amy and David disappear through the secret panel in the living room. Maggie, looking for them, opens the double doors, but they aren't there. She hears Mrs. Johnson exit the kitchen and Harry (a new actor) is with her. Maggie's disappointed it isn't the children. Mrs. J says she and Harry are going to the cottage. Maggie looks around the drawing room, grimacing.
Amy and David are outside, waiting on the only path to the Morgan cottage. They have to come this way, says David. They hear someone coming and duck behind a rock. Harry and Mrs. J pass by. Harry finds the door locked; his mother produces the key--if I had my way, it would stay locked, she bitches. Harry says she's really uptight about this place--an expression she sourly questions him about. She turns on an overhead lamp. Harry observes that there must be an inch of dust. He complains it will take them half the night to get it ready. He places a bag of rags on a table and they get down to work.
Maggie calls to the children. It's after 7 PM, and, seeming annoyed, she gives up on finding them--your hiding place WAS wonderful, but I give up, she says--you won the game. The children don't respond.
Mrs. Johnson dusts. Harry suggests they work on the place tomorrow. Chris is moving into the cottage in the morning, she says shrilly. He complains he can't see anything--the lamp has such a small-watt bulb. She sends him to Collinwood to get more bulbs--hurry, don't linger, she warns. Harry leaves.
David and Amy stop at the front door of the cottage and make a sound reaching for the key in the lock. They duck down outside the door when Mrs. Johnson looks up. David turns the key, locking her in from the outside. Amy asks what they're to do next. It's up to Quentin now, says David.
Mrs. J is dusting the overhead lamp when the bulb goes out. She's annoyed. She finds herself locked in and calls Harry a ninny for doing it. She takes a candle from a cabinet and lights it.(http://www.dsboards.com/epimgs/0669-2.jpg)
She holds it up against the darkness and finds herself face to face with Quentin's ghost! "Oh my God!" she cries, rushing to the door to try to get out. Quentin's ghost, however, has vanished.
Maggie calls to the children--no response. She's pissed--"Come out right now!" she demands angrily. Harry returns and she asks him if he's seen the kids. No, he says. She explains that she was playing hide and seek with them. He suggests she's a little old for that kind of thing, but she continues as if he hasn't spoken--they went off to hide and I can't find them. He assures her they'll show up, but she says they haven't answered for 20 minutes--I want you to help me find them. Harry objects--I have to bring lightbulbs back to mom. She says the lightbulbs can wait--finding the kids is more important. She sends him upstairs to look for them, hoping they had enough sense not to go outside. She steps outside the front door and calls to the kids. Amy's voice asks her if she's given up yet. David calls out, "We're by the tree." She heads toward their voices. David is glad she's coming out. Amy asks him how they'll get Maggie to the cottage. Quentin will take care of that, he assures her. Maggie will be mad at us, frets Amy. Maggie, shivering, joins the kids, telling them they have explaining to do--you weren't supposed to leave the house! We didn't, David says. You did, she counters, and I warned you not to. David reminds her she said THAT before promising to play hide and go seek with them. Maggie is furious at this illogical logic.
Mrs. Johnson wonders what's taking Harry so long. She picks up the dropped candle and lights it again. Quentin, his face cruel, takes the candle into his hand. Mrs. Johnson leaps to her feet. Who are you? she demands, screaming with fear--what are you doing here? He doesn't answer her. She just stares at him, a rictus of terror on her face.
Back in the woods, David tells Maggie he didn't know it would upset her if they played outside. Amy sounds sincere when she apologizes. We're going back to the house, says Maggie sternly--and going over the rules while we have dinner! They hear a scream issuing from Morgan's cottage! Amy says it sounds like Mrs. Johnson's in trouble, and all three of them dash there.
Quentin advances on Mrs. Johnson, who, terrified, screams, "Stay away from me!" She backs away, hitting the door, then turns around and begins banging on it, yowls of fear pouring from her lips as she sobs. Maggie, kids in tow, comes to the door with the kids and unlocks the door.(http://www.dsboards.com/epimgs/0669-3.jpg)
Hysterical Mrs. Johnson tells Maggie about, "That man over there!" They look, but there's no one there. Amy and David don't see anyone, but Mrs. Johnson cries that she saw his evil face, he was coming toward her! Maggie repeats--no one is there. Mrs. J says he must have run out when he heard them--do you think I'm making it up? Maggie, probably remembering what the kids told her earlier, says of course not, but not as if she believes her. Mrs. Johnson is prepared to describe the clothing the man was wearing. Amy and David assure her she's all right now and they won't let him, whoever he is, hurt her. Mrs. Johnson accuses them of thinking she's imagining this man, but David denies that, as does Amy. Mrs. Johnson asserts that he WAS there--I wasn't imagining it. They all leave the cottage.
Harry comes downstairs and announces to the absent Maggie the kids aren't on the second floor. He's annoyed--now she's gone! Maggie and Mrs. Johnson come in with Amy and David, Mrs. J still gasping and frightened. Harry asks what's wrong. His mother orders him not to speak to her--I told you not to linger, and if it were left up to you, I'd be dead by now! She sits down under Barnabas' portrait, the others clustered around her. Harry asks what happened. She just had a bad scare, says Maggie. Mrs. J tells her son to make himself useful--I need water. He leaves to get some. Maggie sends the kids into the kitchen with Harry. The children assure Mrs. J she's safe at Collinwood. Left alone with Maggie, the housekeeper insists the children have something to do with this. Maggie is shocked. I'm not crazy, says Mrs. Johnson--something terrifying is going on with the kids. Maggie is angry, but Mrs. J says the man in the cottage was dressed funny, old-fashioned, like Amy and David were when she caught them playing dress-up.(http://www.dsboards.com/epimgs/0669-4.jpg)
This does register with Maggie.
Back at the cottage, Quentin steps outside, surveying the world with a mean, angry vengeful expression on his cruel face.
NOTES: Despite all their neat little games, like pretending they didn't hear Maggie or messing with the timing of what she told them, the kids will grow careless, and will undoubtedly raise the suspicion of more than just Carolyn and Mrs. Johnson. Maggie will grow nearly as clueless as Vicki as time goes on, but she started out sharp, and lost her edge once Vicki left. Someone had to take over the job of helpless, feckless ingenue, why not her? Even if it meant totally changing her feisty personality!
So the kids locked Sarah Johnson in the cottage and allowed Quentin to scare her, first laying the groundwork for the housekeeper seeming "off" in Maggie'e eyes. Will Maggie believe Mrs. J, or think her a whack job, like the kids already seem to?
What did you think about the new Harry? Were you "wild' about him?
And what does Quentin's cruel face do for you?
Love, Robin