542 - Julia bursts into the Old House, calling Barnabas. She is out of breath, and tells him Cassandra knows everything-about him and Adam. Barnabas is in his red smoking jacket, which looks wonderful on him, and his hair appears to have been freshly cut. Cassandra knows how Adam was created, which could mean she knows how to destroy Barnabas, and she, Julia, doesn't know how to stop her! Barnabas looks properly upset to hear this bad news.
Anxiously, Julia asks Barnabas what they're going to do, and he ushers her into the drawing room, sits her down, and asks her to calm down. How did Cassandra find out? asks Barn. She tells him the story of Lang's recorder, his vital message, and the fact that it's on a tape. His message was in the middle of the tape, and Cass has heard it, as has David, who asked her to listen to the tape. David came to her and they rushed to Collinwood to find the tape had been changed. We must learn what's on that tape! says Barnabas, but Julia is sure Cassandra won't ever let them find it. David remembers maddeningly little, just about Adam's creation, Barnabas, and some connection.
It doesn't look like David will ever remember the entire tape, says Julia, and says they must now find Adam, because Cassandra possesses the knowledge of this connection and will use it to harm Barnabas. They must find him before Cass and Nick do! If they find him first, the consequences could be terrifying for Barnabas. Where could Adam be hiding? speculates Barnabas.
Harry Johnson, long lost son of Sarah, quietly enters Collinwood, looking guilty. Mrs. J accosts him; she's been waiting for him. She can tell he's been drinking her money at the Blue Whale, and he awaits lecture #47 about poor old mom and her good for nothing son who can't get a job in this jerkwater town. She insists he come into the drawing room, and he reluctantly goes. She closes the doors. What is it now? he demands. She asks if he's been stealing food, and he says of course not. Someone has, she says, from the kitchen, and if he's responsible, she wants to know. He isn't feeding any worthless prison pals, he assures her, saying she's wrong and losing her mind. She reminds him she got permission for him to stay at Collinwood on the condition he behave. Harry says he isn't hiding anyone, and she gives up questioning him. She wants to know WHO is stealing the food, and comments how strange it is.
In Adam's West Wing room, where cobwebs abound, the eater of the missing food, Adam, alone and miserable, paces. "Alone!" he moans. "Alone."
Adam lies on the bed. Carolyn knocks. He's thrilled to have company, and lets her in, grinning. She's got breakfast for him, and he tells her he was alone, afraid she wasn't coming. She always brings him food, she reminds him, but must wait until everyone is out of the kitchen and no one sees her coming up there. She smiles. He assures her he isn't afraid now, and she encourages him to sit and eat. No, he says, then recites, "The widest land. Doom takes two." He shows her a book he was reading, and she glances at it. She reads, "The widest land, doom takes to part us, leaves thy heart and mine with pulses that beat double." It's a romantic poem, for sure, and she reads more as Adam listens intently, love in his eyes.
She asks if he read this and is astonished how far he's come from reading simple sentences. Alone, he reads, he says, and she expresses pride in his accomplishment. He is very happy to have made her proud and giggles, embarrassed. He asks what the words mean, and she says it's a poem, a love sonnet. Adam repeats "Love sonnet," and asks what it means. She says it's written by a woman telling a man how much she loves him. "Woman loves man?" asks Adam. Yes, says Carolyn, looking uncomfortable. She slaps the book closed and says, "Class is dismissed." She urges him to eat, and he touches her shoulder and turns her to face him. He touches her hair, gazes at her longingly, says her name. She's unnerved and tells him not to do that. "Don't," she says, and he asks if she's afraid of him. She denies being afraid, and he says, "Carolyn hates Adam." He turns away. She says she doesn't hate him, but she is his friend. She holds out her hand and he clasps it in both of hers, smiling. "You are my friend," he says, caressing her hands in his. She tells him to eat his breakfast, she must go. He bars her way and orders her to stay. He touches her face and she moves away, grimacing.
When Harry answers the door at Collinwood, Barnabas demands to know, "Who are you?" Harry introduces himself, as does Barnabas, who is looking for Carolyn and asks Harry to find her so he can see her. Barnabas heads into the drawing room, staring at the fire.
Carolyn is exiting the West Wing door, Adam's hands on her shoulders, and she begs him to let her go. He reluctantly watches her leave, his face sad, and closes the door. Carolyn exits the West Wing, tray in hand, and locks it. Harry calls her, startling her, and apologizes. Harry tells her Barnabas is looking for her, and offers to take the tray to the kitchen. She reminds him he isn't supposed to roam around the house, but to stay downstairs, and with a sneer in his voice, he replies, "Yes, Mrs. Stoddard, anything you say."
Barnabas is nervously twisting his ring around his forefinger when Carolyn enters. He asks her where Adam is. She says she doesn't know, and he insists she must know-she brought Stokes to the root cellar, where Adam was hiding. She says she doesn't know where Adam is now, she isn't hiding him.
He disappeared, she says, but Barnabas doesn't believe her. Barnabas wonders why the police haven't found him, and she says she doesn't know, either, he probably ran away. Barnabas believes she and Stokes are hiding him. "Believe what you want to believe," invites Carolyn. He isn't with Stokes any longer, says Barn, the police searched there, so she must be hiding him someplace else. Carolyn stirs up the fire, not looking at her cousin, and says she isn't hiding Adam anywhere--why would she want to? To protect him because he saved her life, suggests Barnabas, which Carolyn calls a very interesting theory, but untrue. Barnabas sits beside her next to the fire and tells her earnestly that it's very important that he find Adam. She looks at him and asks why. He can't explain that, but it's vital. He promises he won't hurt him, gives his word. Harry is listening as Carolyn tells Barnabas she doesn't know where Adam is. Barnabas insists she must know, and he must know, it's a matter of life and death. Carolyn assures him she doesn't know, she isn't hiding him and please, leave her alone! Harry listens to this carefully, filing it away.
Harry finds his mother straightening out the drawing room. He tells her the high and mighty Carolyn will be giving her static about him-he didn't do anything, but when he went looking for Carolyn, she was angry at him for being upstairs. Mrs. J tells him to listen to Carolyn, and he describes Carolyn's exit from the West Wing, which she locked behind her. Mrs. J says the West Wing is always kept locked, per Mrs. Stoddard's orders. She doesn't know why, but it's off-limits. Why was Carolyn there? wonders Harry, but Mrs. J says it's none of his business.
Harry ponders what could be so secret about it, and she says she doesn't know and doesn't ask questions, and if he's going to stay there, he'd better do the same. Harry shrugs and agrees. Carolyn comes in, asking to speak to Mrs. J, and the latter gives Harry her dusting accouterments to take to the kitchen, giving Carolyn a long look. Carolyn tells Mrs. Johnson if Barnabas comes looking for her, she's out-she doesn't want to see him, for personal reasons. This leaves Mrs. J puzzled, but Carolyn offers no further explanation and goes to look out the window.
In the West Wing, Harry uses what appears to be a piece of plastic to break into the West Wing door (it looks like he left a key in the lock).
Mrs. J tells Carolyn she knows about the trouble with Harry, and says he didn't know about not being upstairs. Carolyn assures her she's no longer annoyed--it's all right, just keep him where he belongs. Mrs. J promises to make sure Harry behaves and won't give her anymore trouble, she promises.
Harry finds Adam's room. Adam is making goo goo eyes, saying, "Carolyn. . .Carolyn," hugging the book as if it were her, like a man in love. He apparently has supernatural hearing, because he suddenly drags Harry into the room and slams the door closed!
NOTES: Well, some folks were wondering what happened to Harry, and now we know. Adam is really putting the moves on Carolyn, his libido apparently growing along with his cachet of words. They look adorable together, I've always thought, him so big and dark, she so petite and blonde. For an engaged woman, Maggie seemed intensely attracted to Nicholas, too, and he to her. I feel for Julia and Barnabas on this Adam business, but wonder why Carolyn seemed so determined not to help Barnabas. Does she not believe he won't hurt Adam? Intriguing stuff going on here.
543 - Adam has his hands wrapped around Harry's throat. He releases Harry when he tells him he was sent by Carolyn, who was worried about him. Adam seems to like that Carolyn cares.
Harry introduces himself to Adam as a friend of Carolyn's, a real good friend. Carolyn doesn't like for him to be alone, Harry assures Adam, who seems so smitten, he turns his back on Harry, who pulls a knife on him. Harry is planning to take Adam to the cops, he wants the reward he read about in the papers. Adam accuses Harry of lying, but Harry orders him to come with him and he won't get hurt. "NO!" says Adam.
Cassandra again listens to Lang's tape in the drawing room. She excitedly runs out, calling for Nicholas. She tells him that she recognizes the voice on the tape-Dr. Lang! He was a doctor who became involved with Barnabas and Julia, who used to spend a lot of time at Lang's house. Nicholas wonders what Lang meant when he spoke of "my creation." "Adam," says Cassandra. Did Lang actually create a human being, ponders Nicholas- they must find out all he knows.
Cassandra has to tell him Lang is dead, but that doesn't present an insurmountable problem for Nicholas (Cass brought back the dead Sam, why not bring back Lang?), who congratulates Cass for giving him something he needs. Cassandra listens to the tape again.
Adam backs away from Harry, refusing to cooperate with him. Harry swears to kill him if he has to. He lunges forward, intending to stab Adam, but the big guy overpowers him and forces him to drop the knife. The knife lies on the floor between them, and Adam picks it up. Harry, cowering on the bed, is fearful for his safety, and it's his turn to cry "NO!" as Adam approaches him with the knife, a murderous expression in his eyes.
Carolyn stops Adam just in time, demanding he give her the knife. Adam tells her Harry tried to kill him, but she assures him he won't, he mustn't harm him. She won't let him hurt Adam, says Carolyn, and Adam tells her of Harry's threat to turn him over to the cops. Carolyn reassures Adam on this score, too, and he admits he trusts her. She again asks for the knife as Harry grimaces with fear, and Adam finally relents and hands the knife to Carolyn. Harry tries to rise from the bed, but Adam pushes him back down. Carolyn orders Adam to release Harry-he MUST let him go. Adam does so, and Harry thanks her for saving him. She orders him to wait for her outside in a voice as steely as Liz', and he agrees, leaving Adam and Carolyn alone. She tells him not to say anything right now, just sit down. He sits on the bed and she tells him to wait for her, she'll be right back. He agrees, but seems angry at the whole situation.
Carolyn goes outside to Harry, standing and thinking for a long time. He tells her it's lucky for him she came or he'd be dead. Harry admits he figured Carolyn had a reason for locking the West Wing, and confesses to picking the lock. Carolyn is tempted to turn him over to the cops, but he reminds her what he knows, that the police are looking for Adam. He could pick up a nice piece of change-unless she makes it worth his while.
Blackmail? She asks. An ugly word, says Harry, preferring to call it an exchange of favors. He asks for five grand to keep her secret, and she says she'll give him exactly. . .nothing. They dicker. She knows about his record, so she can send him back to prison-if she wants to. Harry knows she's got him by the short hairs, and asks what happens now. She needs help with Adam, and Harry will bring him food and help keep her secret. Harry fears Adam, but she promises she'll talk with him. Cooperate or be sorry, warns Carolyn, and she'll throw in a job as chauffeur, paying him a salary to be determined later. Harry agrees to the terms; it will keep his mother off his back. Carolyn doesn't want to have to trust him, but he reminds her she has no choice. She tells him to go, she'll speak to him later, but her face is unhappy at having to make this deal.
Carolyn returns to Adam, who looks chastened and sad. She sits beside him and says she isn't angry at him, just frightened. He tried to kill someone. Adam says Harry tried to kill him, lied to him, but Carolyn insists she doesn't care-he shouldn't have done to Harry what he did. Even if he attacked him with a knife, he should have just taken the knife away, not tried to kill Harry. Adam listens.
Killing is wrong, explains Carolyn, under any circumstances. Adam says he understands. Unless he makes the promise not to harm anyone, she will go away. He promises, for her sake. Harry will be bringing him food sometimes, says Carolyn, not her. Adam looks unhappy to hear this news, and accuses Carolyn of not wanting to see him. She denies it, but says sometimes it can't be helped. She touches his shoulder and asks him to try to understand. He takes her hand and assures her he'll try. She says she has to go, but he asks her to wait--he wants to show her a picture. He opens a book and shows her a lithograph of a man and woman kissing. She says it's lovely and explains what's being depicted-kissing is what people do when they love each other, says Carolyn, and she looks into Adam's naked gaze of adoration, clearly uncomfortable. She says she must go, but Adam says "No" again. He tries to reach for her, touching her face, her hair, saying her name. He kisses her mouth and she turns away. "No," she demurs. He asks what's wrong and she says he must never try to do that again. Why? he asks. Because it's not right, says Carolyn. He accuses her of hating him, but she says she doesn't. They're friends, and that's all they ever can be. He doesn't understand, and she can't explain it now-she has to go. Beginning to cry, she races from the room. Adam is bereft. He looks at the lithograph again and says, "Carolyn hates Adam," his voice shaking.
The cemetery - Eric Lang's grave ( born 1913, died 1968 ) - Nicholas stands and calls to Eric Lang, summoning him from his grave. "Appear to me," demands Nicholas. Dr. Lang's ghost appears before Nicholas and tells him he conducted an experiment to create human life--he used parts of the dead to form his creation, named Adam, says Lang--I failed to being him to life, says the doctor, I died before finishing my creation--Julia Hoffman finished it. Nicholas vows to get her to repeat the experiment. Nicholas sends Dr. Lang back to his grave, saying he served him well.
11:30 at Collinwood - Cassandra exits the drawing room, looking impatient. Nicholas comes in and tells her he knows how to find Adam-but he won't tell her. Cassandra says to find and destroy Adam, but Nicholas says Adam must live. But my curse! Protests Cassandra. Nicholas doesn't care; Adam is going to be the first in a whole new species of man, and he will find him, study him and learn how he was created. He orders her not to argue with him, Adam will live. If she tries to destroy Adam, HE will destroy HER, permanently-this is fair warning, says Nicholas. He heads upstairs and she gazes after him, pissed off. Just find Adam, she says to herself, and she'll find a way to outwit Nicholas and destroy Adam--her curse must continue. Cassandra faces Barnabas' portrait--nothing can prevent it from reaching Barnabas-nothing! she vows.
NOTES: So Nicholas now has a plan that is in direct conflict with Cassandra's desire to seek revenge on Barnabas. Which will prove the stronger? Will Cassandra murder Adam, re-inflicting the vampire curse on Barnabas, or will he thwart her efforts, ensuring the success of his own grandiose plans? May the best demon win!
Carolyn's got a real problem. Adam is in the throes of what seems like adolescence, and it's being fired by all that gooey love poetry and what, to Adam, at least, seems like erotic pictures. Carolyn hopes to diffuse it by using Harry, a man she distrusts, with good reason, to take some of the burden of caring for Adam off her shoulders. Harry could prove to be more troublesome than she realizes. Adam already doesn't like him, and you just know there is going to be more trouble between them. Willie didn't fare too well, but he is obviously mentally messed up; will Harry do a better job?
Love, Robin
