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Messages - DarkLady

631
Current Talk '14 II / Re: Discuss - Ep #0831
« on: November 11, 2014, 06:24:48 PM »
While taunting Quentin, Trask refers to the field day the newspapers will have when they report that one of the "staid and proper" Collinses turns out to be a murderer. But Quentin has never been "staid and proper" for even one day of his life!

Angelique arrives, and Magda warns that Trask knows about Quentin. Angelique vows to deal with Trask. She is wearing a heavy gold chain with a pendant containing a large stone.

As we know from 1795, the Great House at Collinwood has its very own jail cell in the basement. Trask brings the still-groggy Quentin, who is holding his sore head, to the Collinwood basement cell, pushes him in, and locks the door. This is where Joshua locked up Ben and also where Barnabas locked up the possessed Jamison. (Note to MT: Ben knocked Barnabas out, then escaped, not the other way around.)

Angelique's big stone pendant turns out to be a (the?) jewel of antiquity, which she uses to take over whatever substitutes for Trask's mind. Trask is within an ace of blowing his brains out--with a silver bullet, no less--when Petofi arrives with Charles's portrait of Quentin, now completed. Petofi boasts about the portrait, but Trask doesn't respond, so Petofi realizes that Strange Forces Are at Work in This House. Oh, he says, someone has decided to prevent you from pursuing your duties. I won't have that, Mr. Trask. You must come within reach of your triumph--but only within reach. [For all we know, he set up the whole situation, complete with C/P’s visions.] The ultimate triumph for tonight will be Petofi’s, the count exults. I shall have it!

Nice moment: Even when Petofi grabs Magda by the throat with the Hand, she still manages to lie to him--at least for a moment. And he is at his most patronizing with Angelique, who is furious that he has thwarted her spell. Undeterred, he uncovers the portrait (with its back toward us).

Meanwhile, Trask is now released from Angelique's spell. He checks the time, realizes it's still before moonrise, and heads for the basement, gun in hand.

We get a good view of the portrait as Petofi boasts about it to Angelique, who is still furious at him. Oh, my dear Angelique, he says pleasantly, you mustn't be too angry with me. I do assure you, everything will turn out for the best. What is meant to be must be. Rewrapping the portrait, he continues, Now my dear, I think you should come with me. I don't want to let you out of my sight until after the moon has risen. It will be my night, you see. Oh, yes indeed! he laughs. My night indeed! He leaves the portrait and escorts Angelique out.

Quentin gets up from the cot where he was sitting as Magda hurries to the cell. She tells him, Angelique was trying to help you, but Petofi learned about it and stopped her. We must get you out! She takes the key from the wall and starts to unlock the door. Trask arrives the next moment, waving the pistol. Gypsy! Gypsy! he says. Get away from that door--unless you want to be locked in with your friend and get a really good view of what is going to happen! No! Magda exclaims as she backs away. Get out--and stay out! Trask orders. With a groan of despair, she runs as he takes the key out of the door. It almost worked, Quentin, Trask gloats, but whatever was happening could not stand up to one who has the Almighty on his side. With a grin, he says, There is no help for you now, Quentin, and there never will be. Quentin listens in abject terror as Trask winds up, In exactly one minute, the moon will begin to rise, and I will be witness to the fact that the transformation took place in my presence. Then the whole world will know what your secret is!......

632
Yes, 1897 is lots of fun, with still more to come. And I loved DS9 too.

633
Current Talk '14 II / Re: Discuss - Ep #0830
« on: November 09, 2014, 10:48:10 PM »
Charity/Pansy joins the long list of Collinwood heroines who wander around the woods crying. She tells Magda about her vision of Quentin lying dead in yes, the Tower Room.

Quentin has a wonderful time needling Trask about all the afflicted Collinses. C/P arrives and flings her arms around Quentin, who shoves her at Trask, who flings her off. She storms out, followed by Magda.

Perhaps as part of her effort to get closer to Quentin, C/P has acquired a Victrola. At 7:55, hers plays an instrumental version of Pansy’s song (on a disc rather than a cylinder). Magda keeps a careful eye on her.

Trask has moved from pushing Charity at Quentin to disgust at her "disgusting infatuation" and wants to know Quentin's intentions. Quentin insists he doesn't have any. Magda arrives and tells Trask that his daughter wants to speak to him.

With Trask out of the way, Quentin and Magda can consider their real problem--that the moon will be full tonight. Magda thinks Petofi might be a kindred spirit because he has the same curse. But Quentin flings open the drawing room doors and finds Trask there. Quentin and Magda leave separately. When Trask is alone in the room, he has a vision of Tessie Kincaid (the werewolf's last victim), who warns him that the beast who walks like a man is in the house--and will kill again.

Upstairs, Quentin also has a vision of Tessie, who promises to be with him tonight. He writes a farewell note to Beth. Magda is horrified that he's contemplating suicide. She promises to help him get through tonight.

Magda finishes chaining Quentin to the wooden pillar in the middle of his room. [Actually, the manacles are so loose that he could easily get away if he wanted to.] I will stay with you, watch over you, she promises--and I have my pentagram, she adds, showing it to him. All right, he replies. Remember, I said I would go through with this on one condition. Open the top right-hand drawer of my desk. She hesitates. Do it! he orders her. Magda opens the drawer and is horrified to find a pearl-handled revolver. Don’t just stare at it, pick it up! Quentin orders her. What do you want me to do with this? she asks, dreading the answer. It contains six silver bullets, Quentin tells her. I can’t escape this room, but if I get away, shoot me through the heart! Promises me! Magda shakes her head. After hesitating for a long moment, she promises she will. Suddenly, Trask bursts into the room. I must speak to Quentin! he shouts. Get out of here, Trask, Quentin yells, get out! Trask stops and takes in the sight of Quentin chained to the pillar. With dawning glee he answers, No, I believe I will stay. Get him out of here! Quentin shouts to Magda. She tries, but Trask easily gets the gun away from her, opens the chamber, and gets a good look at the contents. Smiling broadly, he says, I won't ask you why this gun is filled with silver bullets, or why you have manacled yourself. His eyes glittering cruelly, he adds, I think I will just stay for a while and see the answers for myself--when the moon rises!....

634
Current Talk '14 II / Re: Discuss - Ep #0815
« on: November 09, 2014, 10:15:50 PM »
Ha ha ha ha ha!!  [hall2_grin]

635
Current Talk '14 II / Re: Discuss - Ep #0829
« on: November 09, 2014, 05:53:12 PM »
Well, in one of the seemingly endless permutations of Quentin's death, he dies in the Tower Room.

I agree with you about the will, MT. It was Grandmamamamamama's (lol) wishes that Judith became Mistress of Collinwood and Quentin was permitted to live there whenever and for however long he wanted.

636
Current Talk '14 II / Re: Discuss - Ep #0829
« on: November 08, 2014, 08:11:39 PM »
Angelique prays to the master of darkness (as she calls him): "Help me to restore the identity of this child in order that Quentin Collins shall be mine--and yours." So now we know the real price Quentin will pay--no wonder she didn't tell him when he made the deal with her. [spoiler]In the original 1897, unaltered by  Barnabas, does Quentin actually marry Angelique? Is that how he starts to become Quentin the evil ghost? I think the skeleton can only have been Quentin's. Why would Quentin the ghost want them to bury Trask's skeleton?[/spoiler]

Poor Edward is still stuck as the "gentleman's gentleman." LE really shines in the part. He and NB must have had fun with the conversation through the door.

Angelique is actually nice to Jamison once he is back to being himself. I guess it's just her professional pride in a job well done.

As good as her word, Pansity returns with the key to the tower room and lets Edward out. Of course he's been restored to all his angry pomposity and is shocked that she is "wearing paint." Pansity is disappointed in the change in him as well. Edward tells her, I think you’ve gone mad, and stomps off out of the room. One of us has, luv, C/P says in bemusement. She leaves, closing the door behind her.

Jamison, however, looks at him with terror and asks, Why are you trying to kill David Collins?

Angelique looks at Quentin for a moment, then turns and walks away, leaving them more or less alone, in an unusually courteous gesture for her. Why did you ask me that question, Jamison? Quentin asks. I don’t know, Jamison replies. It just came into my head, so I asked it. Do you know who David Collins is? Quentin asks. He is someone that-- someone that you are trying to kill, Jamison answers with some hesitation. But you don’t know who he is or what he looks like? Quentin asks. No, Jamison answers in confusion, and I don’t understand why you would want to kill anyone. I don’t, Quentin assures him fervently. You’ve been through a terrible experience, a long nightmare--but it’s over now, and we’re going to take very good care of you. Just then, the restored Edward stomps in. I thought everyone had died, he says sarcastically, proving to Quentin that he is back to his usual self too. You’ve come out of it too, he observes. Out of what? Edward asks crossly. I only know I found myself locked in the Tower Room without the remotest idea of how I got there. I put you in there, Quentin answers. You and Jamison were both in a state of possession for the last month, imposed on you by Count Petofi. Have you lost your mind? Edward asks. [Although he doesn’t react to the strange name, Edward doesn’t even know who Count Petofi is! He introduced himself to Edward as Victor Fenn-Gibbon.] No, Quentin replies, but you came very close to losing yours. That’s absurd, Edward says. What’s today’s date? Quentin asks. The twenty-third of July, Edward replies firmly. It’s the twenty-eighth of August, Quentin tells him. Here is the Bangor Herald--dated August 28. [The Bangor Herald was not, as usual, made from the Wall Street Journal. Previously papers such as the Collinsport Call were made from the WSJ, but the origin of the Herald is not clear.] I’ve lost a whole month of my life, Edward murmurs in shock--and has Jamison, too? Yes, Quentin replies. Leave me alone with Jamison, Edward says. Not yet, Quentin replies, we have a great deal of talking to do. Not yet, Edward says back. I must speak to my son. You and Angelique will wait for me in the drawing room. Quentin and Angelique leave. Edward gently asks Jamison, How do you feel? I feel fine, Jamison replies, but I have no memory of what happened. I feel the same way, Edward says. It’s frightening enough to know it really happened. I promise you that nothing like this will ever happen again--we will either resume our normal lives or leave Collinwood. I promise that.

In the drawing room, Angelique closes the doors so that she and Quentin can argue in private, but Pansity eavesdrops just outside. Angelique wants Quentin to uphold his end of the bargain and marry her, but he is noncommital. You could sound more enthusiastic, Angelique comments. Quentin acknowledges, I entered into this reluctantly and will fulfill it no less reluctantly. Disappointed, Angelique says, Oh, Quentin, I’m sorry to hear you say that, because I-- like you very much. But you don’t love me any more than I love you, Quentin says. Perhaps I do, she says. Shouldn’t you wait till you’re sure? Quentin asks. No, she replies, we agreed to marry, and we will, within the month. I will leave the exact date up to you. I’ll let you know the place and time within a few days, he says.

Out in the foyer, Pansity is furious at the prospect that Quentin will marry "that one." She scuttles off when she hears Edward coming. Edward politely asks Angelique to leave. Edward says, I gather this possession didn’t extend to you. Do you have any idea why? Not in the slightest, Quentin replies. What have you been doing all this time? Edward asks. I was busy day and night, trying to undo what Count Petofi did, Quentin snaps. Who is this Petofi? Edward asks irritably. A former houseguest of yours, Quentin replies--Victor Fenn-Gibbon. Are you serious? Edward asks. Quentin explains, His real name is Count Andreas Petofi, a Hungarian nobleman. His  friendship with the earl of Hampshire is pure fiction--something I tried to warn you about i before Jamison’s possession began, but you wouldn’t believe me. Edward does the manly thing for once. Ashamed, he nods and says, I know--I thought it all too incredible then. I’m sorry, Quentin. Graciously, Quentin admits, If I had been in your place, I might not have believed it either. Gazing out the french windows, Edward remarks, This family has had more than its share of tragedy over the past six months. We must set this house in order, the two of us. But what he really wants to do is find and destroy Barnabas--a prospect that makes Quentin very uncomfortable indeed. Quentin argues, Edward, if we don’t deal with Petofi and Trask, there won’t be any family left to be concerned about. Edward huffs, I will deal with them at the proper time. But first I am going to find Barnabas and drive a stake through his heart. He marches out of the room and goes upstairs, leaving Quentin looking miserable at the thought of his friend.

C/P instantly pops back into the drawing room and tells Quentin, Are you contemplating what life would be like with Miss Moon Eyes? she asks sarcastically. Leave me alone, he says, pouring himself a drink. You’re not going to marry Angelique, and you know it, C/P says. You don’t love her. You tried to tell her that, but she wouldn’t listen. Maybe she’d listen if I were to tell her it’s me you love. You haven’t been yourself, Quentin says impatiently--you don’t know what you’re talking about. With a hand to her hair, Charity insists, I’ve seen the way you look at me. I know how you feel about me--you can’t hide it. I’m not hiding anything, Quentin insists, I’m going to marry Angelique. C/P insists that he loves her, not Angelique. He says not, leaving her looking small and lost. But only for a moment. When she realizes that he is going to marry Angelique, she lunges at him with a letter opener. Quentin grabs her hand and tries to stop her--still holding the brandy snifter in his other hand. For god’s sake put that down! he shouts. Edward runs in and pulls her hand back, sending the letter opener flying. Edward retrieves it, and Quentin lets her go. She’s crying now, and Edward asks his brother irritably, How much more of this madness must we endure? Quentin says, She’s been like this for a week--another example of Petofi’s unique powers. Maybe this will convince you that something has to be done about him. Leave the room, Edward orders Quentin. I’ll deal with Charity.

Edward shuts the doors after Quentin leaves. He starts, Miss Trask-- She shushes him. I need complete silence, she intones, so I can concentrate on the future. It’s coming to me, and it’s the very near future, she that concerns us--the tenth of September, yes! I see this ’ouse. [And we see it too, as in her mind’s eye.] It's late, it is very late at night. There is a storm coming. The house is dark, but not everyone is in bed. I hear music! Quentin's music--coming from downstairs. Now someone is coming to the house. It’s Angelique! [We see Angelique (wearing a beautiful broad-striped pastel silk shawl over her leaf-green gown) approach the drawing room and open the doors. Quentin! she calls. I’ve been waiting for you at the cottage. We hear Quentin’s music as Angelique sees his now-finished portrait--which has a huge bloodstain over the heart. She sees a trail of drops of blood that has dripped onto the floor. She follows the blood trail out the door, into the foyer, up the stairs, and along the upstairs hallway to a closed door. She opens the door and finds Quentin in the Tower Room, lying on the floor. On his chest is a bloodstain exactly matching the one in the portrait. C/P screams, It is his death I see! It’s his death! She runs from the room, leaving Edward gaping in amazement........

And so the episode comes to an end, leaving us with the prospect of-- what? The Many Deaths of Quentin Collins?   [hall2_grin]
 

637
Current Talk '14 II / Re: Discuss - Ep #0828
« on: November 07, 2014, 04:08:12 PM »
Farewell, Paul Michael. Aristede doesn't kill Johnny outright. While he's lying on the floor presumably bleeding to death, Johnny takes the time to curse the two villains. And Petofi at least takes it seriously. Killing Johnny has solved nothing.

J/David talks to the living Quentin as if he were Quentin the ghost. Quentin listens in growing horror to what J/D's ravings imply. Angelique materializes at this interesting moment, with a new bargain for Quentin: She will lift the spells on the other Collinses--if Quentin will marry her. The spells are very powerful, she continues. My powers are strong too, but I’m not sure they’re strong enough. It’s much easier to cast a spell than to remove one, as you know well [and of course as she knows all too well, from cursing Barnabas in 1795]. Quentin starts, And if you fail-- There is a chance Edward and Jamison will die, Angelique answers with her usual indifference to human suffering. No! Quentin gasps. Angelique adds, But if I succeed, they will be as they were before. Look at the boy and tell me what you want me to do. Quentin walks over to the bed and gazes anxiously at the sleeping Jamison.

Petofi and Aristede (lugging Johnny's body) have arrived at an unknown spot in the woods. The count deems it suitable for burying Johnny. Naturally Aristede whines about having to dig the grave after schlepping the body, but Petofi orders him to start digging.

I want an answer, Angelique tells Quentin. Unhappily Quentin agrees. Do what you must, and so will I, he tells her. She answers, I hope you will also do what you must. I am not one who likes to be disappointed, she adds with massive understatement. Rather impatiently Quentin answers, Angelique, we are going to be married. Now let us at least start off in a pleasant atmosphere. Yes, she agrees, we have no time for suspicion. I have much to do for both Jamison and Edward--if I can. Go now, she orders him. I want to be alone with the boy. (As MT notes, she has no interest in removing the spell from Pansity, maybe to keep her from becoming a serious rival.)

Aristede tamps down the last shovelful of earth on King Johnny’s grave and gloats, That’s good enough and properly done. King Johnny is now sovereign of worms. Just then, the count perceives that someone is trying to counteract all his spells. He orders Aristede to destroy the scimitar, then stomps off to Collinwood to find out who dares to oppose him.

Quentin opens the door and gets an unpleasant surprise when he sees that the visitor is Petofi. Somewhere between Johnny's burial place and the front door of Collinwood, Petofi has figured out that his opponent is Angelique--although really it's a no-brainer. What are you doing here? Quentin asks angrily. What are _you_ doing here? Petofi retorts. Imperiously, he declares, Whatever is going on in this house, I will not have it! _She_ must stop immediately! She? Quentin asks.  Petofi says, Don’t be a fool--or think me one. Who but Angelique would make the dreadful error of tampering with my spells? She must stop and come down at once! Almost at the same time, Angelique realizes that Petofi is on to her.

Downstairs in the drawing room, Petofi is trying to work on Quentin. He says, I wish you could cast aside the petty concerns of family affairs, the urge to patch up something far past patching. Let the Collins family return to the nothingness from which it came! Quentin simply stares at him without replying. The count argues, Your future could be brighter and far more expansive than you ever dreamed, if you would come over to my camp, if you would let me develop those talents I perceive in you--great talents, rare talents. For what? Quentin asks. For evil, my dear boy, pure evil, Petofi beams, but at that moment Angelique arrives. He laments, You are a charming lady--who has also taken the wrong side. You are interfering in matters that do not concern you--a serious mistake. Unconcerned, Angelique replies, I never involve myself in anything that does not concern me. Neither you nor Quentin shall attempt to change any of my spells on Collinwood, Petofi orders them--is that clear? Insulted, Angelique retorts, No, it isn’t, and I will not be spoken to in that manner! I know who you are and how to deal with me, Petofi tells her. Then _deal_ with me! she challenges him, because I will do exactly as I please. Petofi says, You are tragically mistaken. One of us is mistaken, Angelique retorts. Only time will tell which one. Now, if you will excuse me, _Excellency_, I have not yet finished my day's work. She turns her back on him to leave. This day’s work will never be finished, Petofi says, but she runs from the room before the end of the sentence. Petofi tells Quentin, You have my warning. I won’t be responsible for what happens to anyone if you interfere with my plans. He leaves the house, and Quentin goes back upstairs.

Angelique has returned to Jamison, who deliriously asks, Quentin--why did you ask about the telephone when you already know about it? Amy used to talk to you! Standing at the foot of the sofa, Angelique orders him, Listen to my voice! Remember everything I have said to you! Answer my question now, with the truth for all time. Tell me who you are! David Collins, Jamison answers. She asks him again, louder, but gets the same response. She asks him again, desperately this time. He says, I’m not sure!

At the old mill, Aristede searches frantically but in vain for the scimitar. Hearing Petofi arrive, he looks scared, but Petofi is distracted. Descending the stairs, Petofi shouts, Get me the red candles of Colet and the parchment that belonged to the Chaldean soothsayer Milalo!  Frightened of telling Petofi, Aristede nonetheless admits, The scimitar is gone! I searched everywhere for it! No other gypsy knew it was here! I don’t have time for it now! Petofi answers impatiently, Get me the things I want--and hurry! We have no time to worry about the sword now. Holding up the Hand, he says, The only gypsy who knew where it was was King Johnny. King Johnny is dead and buried.

Who are you? Angelique asks Jamison again. I’m not who I thought I was, Jamison answers, writhing on the sofa. I am someone else--someone far away! Angelique says. Yes! she insists. someone else far away, and you must let that someone into your body, where he belongs! You must say your rightful name, claim your true identity, be who you were born to be! I command you now, tell me who you are. Jamison begins, I am... We see a flash of lightning, then thunder. Her eyes wide with fear, Angelique cries, Tell me who you are! No, Jamison screams, no! Kneeling by his side again, she insists, You must tell me who you are! You must! You must! But Jamison only screams over and over, No! No! As Angelique watches in frustration, he collapses....

638
Current Talk '14 II / Re: Discuss - Ep #0827
« on: November 07, 2014, 03:51:48 PM »
Thanks for the reminder about Aristede, MT. I had forgotten that part. It will have consequences.

639
Current Talk '14 II / Re: Discuss - Ep #0827
« on: November 06, 2014, 04:20:45 PM »
Even with his back turned to the cross King Johnny holds up, Barn does a good job of bargaining for Magda's life. He seems to know just how much to tell and how much to keep back. Seeing Barn send Istvan over the cliff probably also helped change Johnny's mind.

The Old House always will belong to Barnabas--he probably can't think of it any other way. And ever the gracious host, he apologizes to King Johnny for having to be cautious. Johnny certainly does have a quicksilver disposition--he basically forgives Magda when he finds out that Petofi prevented her from saying his name. The enemy of my enemy...

Kudos to Paul Michael for applying just the right amount of swagger when Johnny returns in all his regalia. He makes you think that Johnny would be just as proud if he were wearing a big plastic bag instead of a cape. Nice that he refuses Petofi's offer of real jewels instead of fake ones.

It's fun to see the mighty Petofi scared. TD does a good job of reminiscing. And Paul Michael gets to do yet another incantation as he raises the scimitar over Petofi's wrist, just as in Charity's vision.

640
Current Talk '14 II / Re: Discuss - Ep #0826
« on: November 05, 2014, 04:58:30 PM »
Same here!  [hall2_grin]

641
Current Talk '14 II / Re: Discuss - Ep #0826
« on: November 04, 2014, 10:59:17 PM »
Thanks for the gajo spelling!

In the repeat teaser, Istvan does a better job of gagging Magda.

I suppose once Sandor died, he was free of Barnabas's gag order (speaking of gagging). Johnny shows how adept he is at conjuring ghosts (gypsy ones, anyway), so he probably got Sandor to blab after killing him.

Yes, strange that Magda's jury should be a gang of murderers--but I suppose Johnny is supplying a jury of her supposed peers. But his supreme ironic touch is having Sandor be on the panel. Of course the verdict is a foregone conclusion.

The only truly sad part is when Magda sends Sandor back to the land of the dead--another bitter parting for her. At last her pursuers catch up with her--naturally on the edge of Widows' Hill.

642
A lot of my high school classmates watched the show when it first aired, but at the time I was much too busy with the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, etc. Many years later, a coworker-friend talked about how much she had enjoyed the show, so when it came on our local public TV station, I started watching. They showed only the episodes from the arrival of Barnabas to the one where Quentin snuffs out Laura's little smudge pot in the garden--i.e., in the middle of 1897--and I was so frustrated when they stopped! But then the old SciFi channel showed the whole series twice in a row, I think, and I was hooked!

643
Current Talk '14 II / Re: Discuss - Ep #0825
« on: November 02, 2014, 06:18:06 PM »
Maybe Barn has more than one coffin--it would make sense for him to have a spare one tucked away somewhere.

Unfortunately, I can't find a pic of the mechanism under glass. Oh well.

644
Current Talk '14 II / Re: Discuss - Ep #0823_0824
« on: November 02, 2014, 06:14:11 PM »
I suspect that Quentin was a very good spy indeed, back when he was working for the police in Alexandria. He's certainly good enough to pull the wool over Petofi's eyes. In some ways, for Q it's just a repurposing of some well-honed skills. But it's also nice to see his genuine concern for Magda.

645
Current Talk '14 II / Re: Discuss - Ep #0825
« on: November 01, 2014, 07:04:38 PM »
While Quentin waits for the count to make up his mind, Magda returns from the kitchen and finds Beth lying on the floor. Very much as Dr. Julia Hoffman would do, Magda checks and finds a pulse, smells poison in the brandy glass, and hurries out again. (Why Beth didn’t smell the poison isn’t explained; maybe she’s a teetotaler.)

With just two minutes to go, Quentin wonders aloud what a Petofi-versus-Angelique contest would look like. After the opening credits, Quentin drums his fingers on his knee as Petofi takes another sip of brandy. Quentin tells Petofi, You have about sixty seconds. Are you going to release Barnabas to me? Why do you need him? Petofi asks. Are you also going to the future? No, Quentin replies, if that’s your intent, I don’t share it. Because of the moon, my future is limited--but without Barnabas I don’t have a hope. You’re a fool! Petofi huffs. I told you I’ve already dealt with your curse. Prove it--in thirty seconds, Quentin dares him. How can I? Petofi asks. Yes, how can you indeed, Quentin sneers, and how can I believe you? If you won’t accept my word, it’s impossible, Petofi says, then swallows the rest of his brandy before continuing, Even if I offered to cure you tonight and go through some contrived ceremony, would you believe me? No, Quentin says flatly. I don’t want the gypsies to come here, Petofi says. Quentin asks, Why are you so afraid of the gypsies, with the powers you have? Petofi explains: The Romanos took my hand. One hundred years ago, the grinning Nicholas Romano took my severed hand in his and stared at me. I was still conscious despite the pain. I looked at Romano’s face and tried with all the power and pride that I ever had to take that smile away--to make him feel the pain I had felt. But I couldn't! Do you know how I hate each generation of those Romanos? Every male child born to them! he snarls. Quentin points out, Your explanation has left you with ten seconds... five seconds... to decide. The clock strikes one. Stop! Petofi cries. He raises the Hand to cover his face in defeat and tells Quentin, You can have Barnabas Collins. Quentin demands the key to the coffin. Petofi hands it over, and they go to the inner room.

Magda has somehow brought the much taller Beth up to her little room. Beth murmurs, If you hadn’t come into the room-- But I am good at coming into the room, Magda comments. Beth is weak but recovered enough to ask, What time is it? I must know the time! Her clock says 12:38, but it must have stopped. How long was I unconscious? she asks. I don’t know, Magda replies. Quentin is depending on me, Beth wails in despair. Oh my god, he may be dead! She tries to get up to find out what time it is, but Magda urges her to stay. If anything’s happened to Quentin, I’ll kill myself! Beth sobs. I didn’t give you gypsy herbs for that, Magda comments. She helps Beth sit back down on the bed and leaves.

The count watches as Quentin removes the last of the chains from the coffin. Then Petofi asks Quentin to wait until he leaves so that Barnabas won't see his humiliation. The instant he closes the door, Quentin opens the coffin and quickly removes the cross from Barnabas's chest and out of his line of sight. Barnabas suspects the count of a trick, but Quentin warns him to move fast.

Magda tells Beth that it's 1:05. Beth tries to get up to go to King Johnny, but Magda gets her to lie down again.

Barnabas and Quentin step into the main room. Petofi tells Barnabas, I have enjoyed your visit. One seldom has a visitor from another time. I’m ready to go, Barnabas tells Quentin, ignoring the count. I will see you again soon, Petofi assures him, so we can discuss my trip to the future. Barnabas insists yet again, We have nothing to discuss. We shall see, Petofi replies, then reminds Quentin, Before you go, there will be nothing said to King Johnny? You can rely on my word, Quentin assures him. That is why I like you, Petofi replies. I will leave you gentlemen to your new-found freedom. He pours himself a drink and raises the glass toward Barnabas: Until then, Mr. Collins, when we may meet again--and your friends cannot rescue you. After they leave, Petofi drains the glass and angrily crushes it in the Hand.

Petofi's unpleasant evening--and string of visitors--continues when Charles rushes into the room, furious that the count knew about Amanda two years ago--and knew that Charles drew her out of thin air. He presses the count for more information, but it's not good news: (1) Amanda is very fond of money; (2) she'll do anything Tim Shaw asks her to do; and (3) he's asking her to do some very questionable things. I don’t believe you! Charles declares. You’ll find out for yourself, Petofi replies calmly. Yes, I will, Charles declares. Now that I know she exists, I can’t forget her, and if it makes you feel any worse, I wouldn’t forget her even if I could. Petofi merely smiles.

Beth explains to Magda that "Charity" poisoned her out of jealousy over Quentin. Magda promises to read the cards for Charity with a prediction that something bad will happen to her if she harms Beth again and adds, Don’t take the note to King Johnny. Beth promises not to but complains, I feel so weak. Quentin is all right, Magda assures her. I would know if something had happened to him. He’s all right! Magda leaves Beth’s room, but the moment she starts down the hall, Istvan silently grabs her and covers her mouth to keep her from crying out.

Quentin promises to watch over Barnabas after dawn. Barn wants to check on Jamison, but his (B.'s) powers are limited because the count's mark is still visible on his hand. Now if only Beth hasn’t gone to King Johnny, he frets. Barnabas comments, How curious that you’d keep your word to a man like Petofi. Wouldn’t you? Quentin asks. The (at this stage more ruthless) Barnabas replies, If he were to leave this earth, we would have lost nothing. Suddenly, he says, I want to go to Collinwood and find out how Jamison is--dare I? he wonders. It’s very late, Quentin warns him, but Beth’s room should be safe. I still can’t disappear as I could before, Barnabas says, as long as I have the mark of Count Petofi. He shows Quentin his hand, the mark still visible. Come along, Quentin says, Jamison may need us.

Beth has actually staggered to the foyer--just in time to rush into Quentin's arms when he returns. Quentin actually notices her weakness but she assures him that everything is all right--now. She agrees to help him smuggle Barnabas up to her room. Barn frets that he could do so much more if he were accepted at Collinwood. When the three are up in Beth's room, she reports that Jamison, Edward, and Charity are all still possessed. Quentin decides to go look for Magda. Left alone with Barnabas, Beth is unhappy and remorseful. You must hate me for failing you, she says. With fervent remorse, Barnabas replies, No, Beth! I summoned you, it is true. But Petofi prevented you from coming to me. I blame him, not you. Oh Beth, I misused you! he cries, ashamed. You belong to Quentin. I will never use what powers I have to summon you again!

Down in the foyer, Quentin calls to Magda, but gets no reply.

Somewhere in the woods on the estate, Istvan has pushed Magda to her knees. Take pity on me, she pleads, but he only continues tying her hands behind her back. Still talkative even now, Magda tries again. Don’t you remember what your brothers did? she asks. Don’t you hate them for that? Istvan glares at her. If you untie me, she promises, I’ll hide you. My friends will take you anywhere you want to go. They will make sure you are safe. Istvan’s only reply is to gag her. [Magda helpfully clenches the gag in her teeth while Istvan attempts to tie it.] After a moment, they hear loudly crunching footsteps. A lantern comes into view in the foreground. Istvan doesn’t move, but Magda looks up, her eyes wide with fear.........