DARK SHADOWS FORUMS

RobinV's Crypt => Robservations => Topic started by: ROBINV on May 22, 2001, 07:40:50 PM

Title: #0009/0010: Robservations 05/23/01: Carolyn Plots
Post by: ROBINV on May 22, 2001, 07:40:50 PM
Episode #9 - Vicki tells us that Collinwood has made her a part of its strangeness, which seems to reach out and touch everyone and everything that lives within its walls, for the past can be a prison, not only for me, but for others, for all those driven by fears of the future.

Bill Malloy enters the Collinsport Inn and calls Burke's room--I don't know if I'm fine or not, Malloy tells Devlin--I want to come up and talk to you--that's right, I'm in the lobby. Burke hangs up on him however, and Malloy leaves, annoyed.

Liz carries the tea service through the foyer. When someone knocks, she calls to Carolyn, asking if she can answer the door, but it becomes obvious she's going to have to do it herself. She sets down the tray on the foyer table. It's Bill, who greets Liz with a brusque good afternoon--he hopes he's not disturbing her. Liz says she was just putting away some tea things. Can it wait? he asks, holding up a cord-tied folder--we've got some things to discuss. We've already talked this morning, she says, but he insists there are lots of things more important than cleaning a teapot. He slips off his coat. Disturbed by his seriousness, she leads him into the drawing room and closes the doors.

Mind if I use your phone? asks Bill, handing her the folder--these need your signatures--just the usual contracts. She takes out the paperwork while he dials the phone and asks to speak to his secretary--he tells Alice he's at Mrs. Stoddard's for the next half hour if she needs him. Liz glances over the contracts and drops them on the table. They raised the price of sardines five cents a hundred cans of sardines on Nantucket, says Bill. That's why you came to see me? asks Liz--to talk about the price of sardines? I manage a business for you, Liz, he says, got to keep you informed--now just sign 'em. I could have signed these any time, she says, you didn't have to make a special trip. Might as well get 'em done, he says. It's about Burke Devlin, isn't it? she asks. A-yuh, he responds. What's he up to? asks Liz. I saw Burke last night, did you know that? asks Bill. Did you talk to him? asks Liz. Yup, he says. Why didn't you tell me when you called this morning? she asks. I wanted to think about it, Liz, some of the things he said--want to see him again, so I went to his hotel just before I came here--called Burke on the house phone--and he refused to see me. Carolyn comes in and quips, "Probably doesn't respect age and wisdom." She giggles and impishly greets him, "Hello Bill--how are things at the fish factory?" (She seems so young sometimes, really immature.) Swimming along, Princess, he replies, showing a rare sense of humor, just swimming along! Carolyn laughs and asks Liz if she called her. A couple of minutes ago, but it wasn't important, says Liz. Was it about Vicki? asks Carolyn--did you talk to her? Later, says Liz, not now, Bill and I have business matters to discuss. By the name of Burke Devlin, says Carolyn--tell me, Bill, what is this enemy of ours like? You ought to know, he says, you met him. Me? she asks. At the Blue Whale, says Bill, last night--he told me he broke up a fight and sent you home. Was that the man? asks Carolyn, delighted--I had no idea! That was the man, says Liz, annoyed, now please! Oh, sure, says Carolyn--you know, it's a funny thing--I've been hearing nothing but Burke Devlin's name around here for the past two days, until it's up to here (indicates chin)--but with all of it, there's one thing no one ever mentioned--how good-looking he is! Out! orders Malloy in mock irritation, like your mother says. Aye aye, chuckles Carolyn, and leaves. Gettin' prettier every day, remarks Malloy--when are she and young Joe Haskell going to get married? What about Burke? says Liz, ignoring his question--you said you saw him last night. You ought to get her out of this house, advises Malloy, the sooner the better, and you know it--it's bad enough you bury yourself, but a young girl like that, living in this tomb? Don't you think I know it? asks Liz angrily, don't you think I want her to leave? Then do something about it! he says--Liz, things are going to start happening in this house, and that girl is going to see dreams, ghosts, that she never even knew existed. There are no ghosts here, says Liz firmly. You can say that? he demands--you who haven't set foot off this hill in 18 years? That has nothing to do with it, she says. Every year that goes by, he says, every year you hope the ghosts will be pushed further and further back!--until they're hidden so deep, they don't matter no more--but a ghost won't die, Liz, and Burke Devlin's come back to Collinsport and you ought to get that girl out of the house! Burke can't do her any harm, says Liz. Maybe not, says Bill, but when a man's sat in prison as long as he did, and is filled with as much hate...
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Burke went to prison because he committed a crime, says Liz. Did he? asks Bill. Yes, says Liz determinedly. And you're saying you're not afraid of him? asks Malloy. Yes, says Liz again, but he doesn't believe her. I like you, he says, I think you're the greatest woman on the face of this earth. (Here is a man with unabashed admiration of Liz.) Why? she asks, because I'm not afraid of Burke Devlin? Because you plant your feet firm on the deck when a gale blows, Malloy says, because you hold your head up high and damn the devil, cause you don't know how to run scared--well, Liz, we'll stop him, you and me, no matter what Burke tries to do. They face each other, as though squaring off in battle.

Vicki sits writing at her desk. Carolyn knocks. When Vicki lets her in, Carolyn asks if she's still keeping the door locked. A habit, says Vicki. A good one around this place, says Carolyn--am I disturbing you? I was just writing a letter, says Vicki. Carolyn giggles and says it seems every time she pops in here, she's writing a letter--she must be loaded with friends back home. I have a few, says Vicki--did you want something special? Carolyn and Vicki gaze out the window together. Carolyn asks her if she knows it's a hundred feet from the edge of the cliff out there down to the water? Carolyn! says Vicki, not liking where this is leading. Did you also know that three people have killed themselves jumping off that cliff? asks Carolyn--there was Josette, the wife of the madman who built this place, and a couple of others--come to think of it, they were governesses, just like you. What are you trying to do, asks Vicki, smiling--frighten me again? The legend goes, Miss Winters, teases Carolyn, that the body of a third governess will be found, huddled and broken, at the foot of yonder cliff. Thanks a big bunch says Vicki. Just trying to bring you up to date so you'll have a few more stories for the kiddies, jests Carolyn, when you go back to that foundling home of yours. Just what makes you think I'm going back? asks Vicki. The way my mother came tearing up here to see you after you came back from town? asks Carolyn--don't tell me she didn't fire you! Nope, she didn't, smiles Vicki. Even though you checked on her story? asks Carolyn, pleased. Vicki shakes her head. Well, says Carolyn, Mother's slipping--unless she just intends to push you off that cliff someday. I doubt that, says Vicki, a big grin on her face. Oh, don't doubt anything around this place, says Carolyn, that's the first warning I've ever given you--she pretends to advance threateningly on Vicki, who backs away in mock fear, Carolyn says, "When the wind howls, the shutters creek, and the ghosts walk--am I frightening you?" No, replies Vicki. Disappointed, Carolyn sits on the bed and asks her why she can't be as brave as she is--she can walk into a room and kid around and say aye aye, sir, to Bill Malloy, smile a pretty smile--Vicki, it's all phony, all of it, inside I'm scared silly. Of what? asks Vicki, sitting beside her on the bed. I hate this place, I hate everything about it, says Carolyn, but when I get a chance to leave, I just don't have the courage! What chance? asks Vicki. Joe Haskell was here again today, asked me to marry him for the umpteenth time--I love Joe, but as soon as he mentions marriage, panic sets in--I start to shake. Vicki says not to worry, she's got lots of time to think about marriage. But I'm afraid it's never going to change, says Carolyn, and that's what I'm really afraid of--she laughs--just listen to me, old cry-on-the-shoulder Carolyn!--well, turn me off and throw me out, will you? It's not very easy to do either one, jokes Vicki. It's a cinch, says Carolyn, just talk about something else--tell me about Burke Devlin--greatest therapy in the world--from everything I've heard, he's about as different from Joe Haskell as anybody could be
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--I know you've only met him once... That's not true, amends Vicki proudly, I saw him today--we had coffee together. You did? asks Carolyn excitedly--tell me about him!--what's he really like? (Vicki seems much older than Carolyn, but the age difference is only two years. Carolyn is only 18; isn't it amazing how she differs from the last time we saw her in 1971?)

I don't think he's really vicious, Liz, says Malloy, I mean not basically--but he's a bitter man, and an angry one--and hungry. And you think he's dangerous? asks Liz. He was a hungry man 10 years ago, says Malloy, before all the trouble began--I think if he could, he would have grabbed the world 10 minutes after he was born. I understand he's wealthy now, she says. It's in your head whether you're wealthy or not, points out Bill, and the way I have him figured, until Burke Devlin owns the Collins Fishing Fleet, Cannery and house, he's going to consider himself a poor man--and that's just what I think you're going to have to face. Someone knocks at the door. Liz looks downright terrified. He asks her if she's expecting anyone. No, she says. Do you want me to go with you? he asks. Of course not, Burke (a Freudian slip), she replies, this is still my house. She goes to the foyer and regally heads to the door.

No one is there when Liz looks out, and she simply closes the doors and walks back to the drawing room. On the floor is a broken cup from the tea service she left on the table.
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Liz picks it up and carries it inside. Malloy is back on the phone, asking for Mr. Collins--go ahead and check, I'll wait. He covers the receiver and asks Liz who it was. No one, she says. But we heard...!--OK, he says into the phone, if he comes in, have him call me--I'm at his sister's house. He hangs up and asks Liz, what do you mean, no one?--I heard someone knock. There was no one there, Bill, she says, holding out the broken crockery--and one of my favorite teacups was shattered. How did that happen? he asks. Poltergeists, of course, says Liz, evil, mischievous spirits--Collinwood is famous for its ghosts, you know--except this one is nine years old and named David--this teacup was broken and no one was at the door--and I'm delighted. You're not making any sense, says Malloy. Liz looks at him and says it was David, not Burke--they both thought it was Burke, didn't they? Yes, admits Malloy. Well, says Liz, all your talk about hungry men, ambitions and all the rest of it--I suddenly realized I was terrified--when I heard that knock, for a moment, I didn't want to move. You were just surprised, he says, that's all. Frightened, she amends, I can't live that way--Burke Devlin is just a man who's come back to Collinsport--and I'm not going to wonder, worry and plan until I'm absolutely sure that he means us (no) harm (I think she left out that word.) Are you saying you're not going to do anything? Malloy asks, incredulous. I'm going to be Elizabeth Collins Stoddard, and not jump at every sound and tremble at every whisper, she tells him, standing tall and rigid. You mean you're not going to do anything, just sit here as you have for the last 18 years? he accuses. You'd better go back to the factory, Bill, she says. If you think I'm going to apologize for what I said, you're wrong--I've been worrying about you for so long, it's like a habit--and I don't want to see you trying to ignore Burke Devlin--because I tell you he's a dangerous man! (I get the definite impression that Bill Malloy is in love with Liz, don't you?)

Carolyn laughs, telling Vicki that Burke sounds like a marvelous man--oh, Vicki, I wish I'd been there with you! I wouldn't say marvelous is the word, says Vicki--he's charming, and very direct, and a little frightening. In what way? asks Carolyn. We'd be talking, says Vicki, and he'd be telling me stories about when he used to live here in Collinsport--all the time, underneath, he'd be asking me questions about your mother and your Uncle Roger--mostly about Roger. Did he ask about me? asks Carolyn hopefully. No, says Vicki. Are you sure? asks Carolyn, disappointed. Why the sudden interest in Burke Devlin? asks Vicki. Why not? asks the blonde--Mother's interested in him, Uncle Roger certainly is--from the minute you mentioned his name around this place, it was like someone had thrown a bomb!--and maybe a good bomb is what we all need! Liz calls Carolyn to come down. As she hurries out, Carolyn says that it would sure be a lot better than worrying about whether or not to marry Joe Haskell. (This girl is not taking marriage seriously.) She opens the door, and Liz yells up if she's upstairs--Bill's waiting, he wants to see you before he goes. Carolyn promises to be right down, but she hops back on the bed with Vicki and asks her if she knows that Devlin threatened to paddle her last night (sounds like she would have enjoyed it)--I didn't even know it was him until just a minute ago--I bet he would have done it, too. That's hardly a recommendation, says Vicki. Maybe not, agrees Carolyn, but a man like that is worth a second look, don't you think?--if you're finished your letter, I'll mail it in town for you. She sounds like she has ulterior motives, and Vicki thinks so, too. After Carolyn leaves the room, Vicki sits down at the desk and folds up her letter.

On the phone in the drawing room, Malloy is asking, come on, what's one more person?--well, she won't get in the way and it'll be fun for Jenny--stop worrying about money, your mother will pay for the whole thing--I thought that would settle it for you--I'll let you know as soon as I'm sure--all right, goodbye. He tells Liz they will take her. You're wasting your time, Bill, she won't go, predicts Liz. He says it's up to them to talk her into it--Liz knows it's the right thing to do. Maybe you're right, she says, maybe she should go out of town, at least until. . .but I know she won't. Why are you so all-fired sure about everything? He asks, it's a great trip, she'll see the country, what girl wouldn't want. . . I know my daughter, says Liz. Then where is she? he asks, I've got to get back to the office.

Vicki is sealing her letter. Carolyn comes in and asks if she's all set. Just about, says Vicki. Don't worry about a stamp, says Carolyn, whisking the letter out of Vicki's hands, I'll pick one up at the hotel.--hold the fort--and remember, stay away from the edge of that cliff. Vicki asks her what she's going to do in town. Pick up a few things, see a few friends, answers Carolyn. Why are you going to the hotel? inquires Vicki. To get a stamp for your letter, replies Carolyn.
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Are you sure that's the only reason? asks Vicki. What is this, an inquisition? asks Carolyn. I don't want you to do anything foolish, says Vicki. I'll try my best, says Carolyn teasingly. Wait a minute, says Vicki. Now what? asks Carolyn. I wanted to get a stamp, says Vicki, licking it and applying it to the letter--here--she hands it back to Carolyn--now you won't have to go to the hotel at all. Anything else? giggles Carolyn.

A-yuh, Princess, a trip, says Bill down in the drawing room--and believe me, you'll really be doing my niece a favor--she's been planning this thing with he daughter for a long time, but she's been trying to get me to find someone to go with her, keep her daughter company. And keep me far away from Collinsport, says Carolyn--that's it, isn't it? she asks Bill and Liz. It's a wonderful chance for you, darling, says Liz. Who's chasing me? asks Carolyn--Burke Devlin? Liz and Malloy exchange looks, and Bill assures Carolyn it's like he told her, it has nothing to do with anything but his niece and her daughter. Whose idea was it, Bill? demands Carolyn--yours or Mother's? Does it matter, Carolyn? asks Liz. Yes, replies Carolyn, because I'd like to know which one of you is scared to have me around now that Burke Devlin is in town? That has nothing to do with it, insists Bill... You and my mother have a big conference, says Carolyn, about Burke Devlin, and suddenly I'm offered a trip--well I'm not all that delicate, Bill, and no one has to wrap me on a cocoon and hide me away. What do you think you'll miss, the fireworks? asks Malloy. (He knows Carolyn well!) Bill! says Liz. Don't say it Liz, don't tell me again there's nothing wrong, he says--to Carolyn--it was my idea, because I know Devlin, and I know there'll be trouble, and I don't see anything wrong in trying to spare you some of it. How do you know I can't help? she asks. Aw, Princess, he says, you don't know anything about it. Then maybe somebody ought to tell me, says Carolyn, because I think maybe I can help. You're stubborn, he says, stubborn as your mother--I guess you were right, Liz--can't do a thing with her. Yes, you can, says Carolyn, you can give me a lift into town--and don't worry about me, Mother, remember I was brought up in this house--and that makes me an expert fighting goblins--she kisses Liz on the cheek and they smile at each other. Bill grins at Liz and shrugs, following Carolyn out. Alone, Liz says, solemnly, "Goblins."

Hotel - Carolyn enters and drops the letter into the mail slot behind the counter, then calls Burke's room. Mr. Devlin, she says, this is Carolyn Stoddard--that's right--I'm in the hotel lobby and I was wondering if I could come up to see you.

NOTES: What is Carolyn up to now? It's like watching a ladybug going into a spider's web. She's an interesting character--silly one minute, serious the next. Contrast this gal with the one who married Jeb Hawkes--what a difference from 17 to 21, huh?

Bill has obvious affection for Liz, and speaks to her more frankly than anyone else. I like that about him, and he seems to be a part of the time and place, truly from Maine. Liz and Roger, with their British accents, don't really seem to fit in.

Doesn't Vicki already seem like Carolyn's older sister? Joan Bennett insisted that Liz Stoddard was Vicki's mother, and she DOES look like her, doesn't she?


Episode #10 - Vicki admits in her intro that she's afraid.

David enters Collinwood and sneaks through the foyer. He gazes through the half opens doors of the drawing room; when the phone rings and he hears Aunt Liz comes down to answer, he hides in the corner near the kitchen entrance, in the shadows. Liz answers the phone--it's Roger--she's here, says Liz, but Carolyn went into town. David hunkers down, hiding from his aunt. I haven't the faintest idea where she went, says Liz, but I'm sure Miss Winters will still be here when you...I have no intention of locking her in her room or tying her down (really!)--if you want to talk to her, come here and do so. Liz hangs up and tells David that was his father--she suspects he'll be home soon. (He couldn't hide from Liz!) There's no need to hide behind the chair--you're much too big for small hiding places. David comes to her and asks if she's going to tell his father about the teacup. Then you did do it, she says--why, David? I didn't, he says. That's nonsense, she says, pointing to the table--it was on the tray, right here, when I came in, it was on the floor, broken. I didn't touch it, he insists. Then who did? she asks. (His hair has a cute cowlick, and his eyes are shaped like almonds.) They did, he says--I was standing right over here, and the cup was on the tray, and I saw it move all by itself--and it fell on the floor and broke! David, things don't happen that way, she says.
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They do here, he says, lots of things happen here--and he runs upstairs, Liz watching him.

Burke is in his hotel suite. He calls the desk and gives orders that he is to receive a phone call in exactly half an hour--I have an important appointment and I don't want to forget to leave--that's right, half an hour. He hangs up. Burke puts a huge sheath of papers into his briefcase and closes it, then rubs his chin and re-opens it. He takes out one paper and drops it on the small sofa. When he hears a knock, he puts on his suit jacket, stows the briefcase on the floor, opens the door and apologizes to Carolyn for keeping her waiting--please come in. She thanks him. How else can you tell what the monster is like? he quips--that's what you came for, isn't it? Of course not, she says, but admits she supposes so, in a way. Unless of course your uncle sent you to see me, he suggests. Uncle Roger doesn't know I'm here, she says, nor does my mother--it was entirely my own idea. Smiling, he closes the door and says, "Carolyn Stoddard in the lion's den." He invites her to sit down, he'll fix her a drink--what can she have?--sherry, ginger ale? She starts to sit on the chair, but he tells her she'll be more comfortable on the sofa and steers her there. She tells him she doesn't want anything, sits down next to the letter and thanks him. Burke sits in another chair and tells her she's his first guest. I thought you grew up in Collinsport, she says. I did, he says. Didn't you have any friends? she asks. Did, he corrects, past tense--did--10 years is a long time and I've been away--things change, people change--any other questions? Yes, she says--why is my Uncle Roger so afraid of you? Burke laughs uproariously, and Carolyn tells him she doesn't think she said anything funny. I'm sorry, he says, but that's marvelous, just marvelous--if I were wearing my hat, I'd take it off to you--you're direct, to the point, and as I say, just plain marvelous. You still haven't answered my question, she says. But there is no answer, he says--you see, there's absolutely no reason why Roger Collins should be afraid of me. I don't think you're being honest with me, she says. Miss Stoddard, he says, some people live in the past, all I care about is the future, and your uncle isn't involved in my future, not this (he snaps his fingers) much. Carolyn smiles. Now I've spoiled your fun, haven't I? he asks. What do you mean? she asks. It's hardly worth it jumping into a lake to rescue someone, then finding out they're not really drowning at all, huh? he asks. They laugh together, and he tells her on that bit of wisdom, he's fixing himself a drink--can I get you something? Maybe some ginger ale? she suggests--can I help? You stay right there, he instructs, then goes into his kitchen. Carolyn opens her purse and takes out her compact, checks her hair. At that point, she finds the letter he deliberately left and picks it up to read it. Would you like a lot of ice? he asks. That would be fine, she says, hastily putting the letter back down. Be right out, he assures her. She picks up the letter and begins to read it. She grins.
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Burke watches from the doorway as she does exactly what he wanted, his face eager.

When Burke brings out her drink, Carolyn is looking out the window. One ginger ale coming up, says Burke--not much of a view, is it? Carolyn says she loves it. When you've traveled as much as I have, he says, all main streets look pretty much alike. He hands her the glass--right out of the can, he says. She thanks him. I'm a bottle drinker myself, he says, when I was a kid, I used to roam these beaches looking for empty bottles, built my first fortune that way--40 cents in five hours. Not quite the same thing as half a million dollars, is it? asks Carolyn. I beg your pardon? he asks. Of course, she continues, the money isn't certain, but to get a chance at the deal, you'll have to leave here in a day or so and fly to Venezuela. How did you...? he asks, pretending to "get" what she's getting at--he snatches up his letter--Miss Stoddard, I'm not very happy about people reading my mail. Then you shouldn't leave it lying around, she says. He returns the letter to the briefcase and says he wishes she'd forget she ever saw that. How can I, she asks when it proves you were right? I haven't the faintest idea what you're talking about, he says. Uncle Roger seems to think you've come here to settle down and I don't know, create all kinds of problems for him. I told you, says Burke, I'm not interested in your uncle, not at all! How could you be, she asks, if you're thinking of leaving in a day or two? Please, says Burke, as far as you're concerned, that deal doesn't exist--and I'm here for an indefinite stay. Anything you say, she says, holding up her glass gleefully, and toasting, "To the death of the monster!" Burke lifts his glass and toasts back, repeating what she said.

David is playing with a toy robot on the table in the foyer. It walks and flashes, and he seems to enjoy it. He takes it into the drawing room and has it walk over the carpet, but then he hears his father come in, he quickly hides behind a chair. Roger comes in, calling to Liz. David is hidden from his view. Nobody's around when you want them, complains Roger, and pours himself a drink. Liz enters and chides him for doing too much of that lately. A very proper sisterly remark, he says, but I'm in no danger of becoming an alcoholic on the strength of one drink. He drains his glass, then closes the double doors. Is Miss Winters still here? he asks. Yes, up in her room, says Liz. Did you know that she was in town today? asks Roger. Yes, says Liz. Do you know why she was there? he asks. Yes, says Liz, to make a private phone call. A private meeting is more like it, says Roger, with our ubiquitous friend, Burke Devlin. Burke? asks Liz. That's right, Burke and Miss Winters, says Roger. Are you sure? asks Liz. You mean she didn't tell you about it? he asks sarcastically, well I'll tell you, Liz, Burke is filled with hate, and he's going to use every angle he can find to tear us down, including that 20-year-old girl I warned you not to bring into this house. What makes you think she can tell him anything that would harm us? asks Liz. Are you sure she can't? he asks her pointedly. Liz doesn't reply. Elizabeth, he asks, what do you know about this girl--why did you hire her? To take care of David, says Liz. Is that the real reason? asks Roger--the best way to take care of that boy would be to put him in an institution, and you know it.
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David listens closely, reacting with fear. How can you talk that way about your own son? demands Liz. Because it's the truth, says Roger, and you know it!

I won't permit you to speak that way about David, Liz insists. You mean you won't allow me to be honest, he says Ten years ago, she says, you and I had an agreement--after the trouble with Burke, you left Collinsport and I sent you money, every month, for 10 years, and you promised not to come back--but you are back, and this is still my house and don't you forget it. You wouldn't let me forget it, he says with a bitter smile. And there's another thing you'd better remember, she says, as David listens intently, you're here for only one reason--one reason only--David--and I cannot allow you to attack him like this because of Burke Devlin or anyone else--is that clear? She opens the double doors without waiting for a reply, and leaves the room. Roger pours himself another drink. Behind the chair, David starts his robot going. Roger hears this, finds the robot and picks it up. He stares at David and places the robot on the chair behind which David was hiding. How long have you been there? demands Roger--get to your feet and answer me. When David doesn't respond, Roger grabs him by the arm and pulls him to his feet--I told you to get to your feet! You're not going to send me away! says David, staring up at his father, who towers over him. I wish I. . .says Roger, then releases him and orders him to his room. "Aunt Elizabeth would throw you out of the house if you tried, says David triumphantly, wouldn't she? I told you to go to your room, commands Roger. She sent you away once, I heard--she sent you away! says David. All right! shouts Roger, grabbing his arm again. Everybody want to send you away! says David, everybody! What are you talking about? demands Roger. I remember the big fight you had with Mother, says David, she wanted to send you away, but she couldn't because of Burke Devlin. You shouldn't make up stories like that, says Roger. It's not a story, it's true! says David. But you know you've never heard me mention the name of Burke Devlin, until here, today, in this room, says Roger, sounding desperate. David insists he heard it lots of times when he and Mother used to fight. What else did you hear? asks Roger. Nothing, says David. I want to know what else you heard, says Roger. Let me go, says David, but Roger tightens his grip, insisting his son tell him what else he heard, every word of it! Only his name, cries David, That's all! You rotten little liar! shouts Roger, shaking him. Let me go, begs David--Mother, Mother!
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Liz enters and demands to know what Roger is doing to him. David runs to Liz' arms. Stay out of this, says Roger. Don't let him hurt me, David pleads with Liz. Liz assures him no one is going to hurt him. He was hiding behind a chair, says Roger--he heard every word we said. That's no reason to--David why don't you go along to your room--we'll talk about this later, says Liz. You aren't going to let him send me away, are you? asks David plaintively. Of course not, says Liz, now go along. David turns to his father and says, "I hope Burke Devlin comes back here--and I hope he gets even with you--I hope he gets even!"---and he runs from the room, his father looking dolefully after him.

Did you really travel to all those places? Carolyn asks Burke. Every one of them, he says, sure I can't get you a ginger ale? One is all I can handle, thanks, she says--you and Uncle Roger once were good friends, weren't you? Uh-huh, he says. Funny, I don't ever remember seeing you around, she says. You were very young at the time, says Burke, 10 years is a long time. What really did happen between you and Uncle Roger? she asks. I thought we decided that was past history, says Burke, gone and forgotten. Yes, says Carolyn, I know that's what you said... ...but you're still not sure I'm not trying to fool you, he says, is that it? Something like that, she agrees. The phone rings, and Burke, before answering, says, "Maybe I am." Burke picks up the phone and, holding down the cut-off buttons, tells her it's long distance--Venezuela--no, he says, talk louder, Jose, I can hardly hear you!--yes, that's better--of course I got your letter!--yes, I think I'm interested
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--no, there's nothing important holding me here. Carolyn listens intently, a little grin on her face. Burke continues, well, you know me Jose, I get restless--a couple of days in a place like this is about all I can stand--well, keep it alive, Jose, I'll call you in the morning--right, say hello to the Mrs.!--bye! He hangs up on his phony phone call. Sorry, says Burke, a little business deal. Then it's really true, about the deal I mean, she says. Of course it's true, says Burke--you saw the letter, didn't you? Yes, she says, but then I began to think about it. I see, says Burke, and you figured I put the letter there so that you WOULD see it--now why would I do that? So I would think you were only here for a few days, so I'd be sure you weren't visiting and not just...you know. Plotting against your family? he asks--well, you've got quite an imagination, Miss Stoddard. It's just that I heard so much about you, she says. Maybe it's all true, he suggests, how can you be sure?--maybe I am trying to trick you into thinking I'm the local boy visiting the old hometown--while all the time I'm plotting deep dark deeds of revenge against all the people that you love. You don't have to rub it in, she says. No, really, says Burke, how do you know I didn't put that letter there for you to see--how do you know I didn't arrange that phone call?--I'll tell you what I'll do--why don't you call the switchboard and ask them? Don't be silly, says Carolyn. No, says Burke, I insist, if you think that's the kind of stunt I would pull. Mr. Devlin, you're embarrassing me, objects Carolyn--please. Well, he says, I just want you to be sure I'm being honest with you. I am sure, she says. No doubts? He asks. No doubts, she agrees. Then I think it's time we got better acquainted, he says, and they smile at each other.

Collinwood - Liz lies asleep in a drawing room chair, moaning, "Ghosts...there are no ghosts here..."
(http://www.dsboards.com/epimgs/0010-5.jpg)
She opens her eyes and sees David standing there, covered with muck. David, you frightened me so, she says, awakening--I must have fallen asleep. She looks at him. His clothing is a mess, too, covered with dark splotches. You were talking, he says. Was I? she asks--where have you been?--where did you get so dirty? You were talking about ghosts, says David. I'm getting old, she says--what have you got in your hand? Where are they? asks David, where are the ghosts? Only in your mind, she replies, smiling. Like that man, Burke Devlin? he asks. No, says Liz, rising from the chair, he's very real indeed--perhaps much too real. Do you think he'd really try and...begins David. Liz tells him she'd really rather not talk about it, and again asks him what he has in his hand. Only a shell, that's all, he says, but when she asks to see it, he runs off, pounding his way upstairs, and closing the door. Carolyn returns home and greets her mother joyously. Where have you been all this time? asks Liz. With a friend, says Carolyn, and turns to look outside--you remember him, don't you?
(http://www.dsboards.com/epimgs/0010-6.jpg)
--and Burke Devlin enters the house. "Hello, Mrs. Stoddard," he says.

NOTES: So, is the devil at the gate? Burke went through an elaborate ruse to convince Carolyn of his good intentions--but we know it was all a scam. He used reverse psychology to get to her, and it worked. She's smart, but very young, and someone like Burke will eat her alive in the fish tank of life. And now, Carolyn, in all her innocence, has brought the piranha home to scout out the territory, sure she can effect a rapprochement between Devlin, Liz and Roger. Given what has happened, that's unlikely, but Carolyn has never been told what did happen, so how would she know?

Roger and David--what a depressing father and son combo they are! There is no love between them at this point, rather hatred and mistrust. The violent way Roger handles his son is horrifying, but the cruel way David baits his father about his fear regarding Burke is equally violent. They each know how to push the other's buttons, and for a child this young to do that is scarier than a whole house full of ghosts. By the way, did you believe David when he claimed a ghost broke the cup, or did he blame his mischief on a ghost? Roger's desire to put his son away is at direct odds with Liz' love for her nephew. She is determined to make him feel loved, and that's an alien feeling for poor David.

These episodes are so much more talky than what I'm used to on DS! I had the idea that the earlier episodes would be shorter, take up less space--but these two eps are the longest yet!

Love, Robin
Title: Re: #0009/0010: Robservations 05/23/01: Carolyn Plots
Post by: VictoriaWintersCollins on October 11, 2010, 09:58:49 PM
I like Malloy, he appears to be fiercely loyal to Elizabeth and cares about Carolyn like his own daughter.

Speaking of which, that girl sure likes to court trouble.


Case in point, going to see Devlin at the hotel.


Soooooo Roger wants to committ his son, oh yeah Father of the Year right there.

Carolyn is a bit of a dim bulb, playing right into Burke's hands.

SMH..