Robservations 1/7/03 - Angelique Defends Her Ex

756 - (Nancy Barrett) - Collinwood, in the year 1897. While Barnabas Collins seeks solutions to the desperate problems that plague the present, Laura Collins looks into the past to find an answer of her own. Buried with a dead man is the answer she hopes will destroy her enemy-- Barnabas.

Robbing a grave is a bizarre activity for a beautiful woman, Barnabas says to Laura. Laura denies doing any such thing. Then what are you doing with something that doesn't belong to you? he asks, and takes the book. She gives him an argument, but Barnabas reminds her that, "One of us must lose." Dirk attacks Barnabas, who is able to subdue Laura's lover-henchman with one vampiric hand. You're not human! Laura accuses.

Then what am I? he inquires. I don't know, admits Laura, but I'm sure this book has a name for it-- I came back to Collinwood for just one thing-- my children--at every turn you've tried to stop me-- but not anymore-- I will destroy you! YOU are the one who will be destroyed, promises Barnabas--goodnight. He leaves. Dazed, Dirk rises to his feet. What happened? he asks. We came here to learn about Barnabas, answers Laura, and now we know-- he and the original Barnabas Collins are one and the same. But the original Barnabas lived in the 1700's! protests Dirk. Yes, says Laura, such a strange, dreamy boy, with sad eyes-- a boy one could be fond of. . .but I'm not fond of him anymore! The original Barnabas musst be dead, insists Dirk. Or he's made some black bargain, says Laura-- I know it's incredible, but Barnabas escaped my flames-- and the way he appeared here. . .I'm convinced that when I disappeared from the cottage, Barnabas was responsible, and he's trying to make me disappear forever. That will not happen! says Dirk, furious. Act quickly, orders Laura-- I'm going to the school to get Nora, then we'll go away-- but first, I'm going to take care of Barnabas-- go to the Old House and search every room until you find out what Barnabas Collins' secret is!-- I'm sure the secret will prove very dangerous to Barnabas-- once you've discovered his secret, meet me back at the cottage.

House by the Sea, aka Worthington Hall - Charity is angry with Nora for ruining her shoes, even though the little girl protests that it's muddy outside. Father will be furious, fumes Charity, and decides to get a brush to clean the shoes-- set them by the fire. Charity exits. Barnabas appears behind Nora, touching her on the shoulder. Gasping, Nora turns--Cousin Barnabas! She bubbles-- where did you come from? You didn't notice me, says Barnabas, but I've been watching you, checking to see if you're happy. I want to be with Jamison and Mother, insists Nora, not here. Would that really make you happy? asks Barnabas-- you'd better put your shoes before the fire before Charity comes back. He notices the child's hesitation. Does the fire frighten you or make you unhappy? He asks gently. I don't know! cries Nora, upset. I do, says Barnabas-- I know about your bad dreams, and I'm going to make it all right-- do you believe me?-- look into my eyes. . . When Nora locks eyes with him, Barnabas hypnotizes her.

Dirk enters the Old House and heads upstairs.

Do you understand what I've told you? Barnabas asks Nora. I do, she says. You will not mention my visit, orders Barnabas. She agrees. Charity comes back, surprised to find Barnabas here. I was having a chat with Nora, responds the vampire-- you should go to bed, Nora-- I promise you will have no more frightening dreams. Nora leaves. You shouldn't have come here, Charity tells Barnabas. I had to-- to keep Nora alive, says Barn. This shocks Charity.

Laura is on her way here, reveals Barnabas-- when she arrives, let her in. Father doesn't allow visitors at this hour, protests Charity-- don't ask me to disobey my father-- if he finds out, he'll punish me. You must take that risk, insists Barnabas-- do you understand? I don't know what I understand anymore, says Charity-- ever since I met you, everything is all mixed up. Startled, she leaps at a sound, sure her father was calling her. Barnabas whispers her name-- close your eyes, he says, and this room will disappear. . .think about the Old House and the last time we were together. . . In a dreamy voice, she says, "I drank wine that tasted like apples. It made me feel warm and alive. My father disapproves of drinking wine." (has Barnabas resorted to getting his "dates" drunk now?) Barnabas bares his fangs and bites into Charity's throat.

Old House - Dirk tries to open the cellar door and, finding it locked, gets out his keys and searches for the right one. (uh oh!)

Do you understand what you must do? Barnabas asks the virtually hypnotized Charity. She assures him, I do. There's a knock at the door; Barnabas tells her to answer it. Covering her wounded throat with her shawl, Charity does so-- Laura. Looking back at Barnabas, Charity realizes he's gone. Why are you here? the younger woman asks-- my father doesn't permit visitors at this hour. Is anything wrong? asks Laura pointedly-- I suspect you just had a visitor yourself. What do you mean? Asks Charity, uncomfortable-- I was just going over the accounts-- the cost of food these days is shocking (bread and water are cheap!). You have one less mouth to feed, says Laura-- I'm taking Nora with me tonight. You can't, protests Charity. Bring her down immediately or I'll wake the entire school! Threatens Laura. Seeing Charity's hesitation, Laura says, call your father! I won't disturb him, says Charity. I insist, says Laura. Confused, weak, Charity wishes, aloud, I wish someone would tell me what to do! I will, says Laura-- bring me my child! Charity agrees to let Laura speak with her daughter. Don't mention who her visitor is, says Laura, I want to surprise her-- just tell her she has a visitor.

Dirk opens the coffin he's found in the basement. Empty, of course.

When Nora joins her in the schoolroom, Laura is as delighted to see her daughter as Nora is cool. We're going to be so happy, darling, you, Jamison and I! Laura croons. She notices how disinterested Nora seems and asks, is anything wrong? No, says Nora. I bet I know, Laura says-- you've been dreaming of this moments for so long, you probably feel it's all a dream. I don't want to go away with you! blurts out Nora-- I want to stay at Collinwood! You wanted to go away with me, Laura reminds her. I never said that! says Nora angrily-- I wanted to be with you-- at Collinwood! You must leave, says Laura. Nora refuses. Who have you spoken to? Demands Laura. No one, the child says-- my shoes got muddy and Charity sent me to bed. Did you dream someone told you something bad about me? queries Laura. No, says Nora, I had a dream about you, the way you were before-- I was afraid of you.

Afraid of me?-- how could you be afraid of me? demands her mother. You're different, points out Nora. When Charity returns with Nora's belongings, Laura tells her to take them back upstairs-- Nora won't be going with me tonight. I was afraid my father was here, says Charity. No, mutters Laura, but I should have anticipated what occurred tonight-- you'll change your mind, Nora-- and Charity, what would your father think if he knew his rule against late visitors was broken TWICE tonight? Laura leaves. Charity follows. Nora grins.

In the woods, Dirk meets Laura and relays the story of the empty coffin he discovered. Laura, pleased, now knows the truth-- the secret of Barnabas Collins. Dirk wants to know more, and she explains that this Barnabas is the same as the 18th century Barnabas-- for him, there is no day, only a coffin from dawn until dusk-- he's one of the living dead-- a vampire.

This stuns Dirk. Barnabas is vulnerable, says Laura, pleased, and it will be easy to destroy him-- I'll do just that when morning comes.

Standing outside the Old House, Laura and Dirk watch and wait as Barnabas returns.

Laura and Dirk enter the Old House, where Laura orders him to keep watch. Holding up a hammer and stake, she says, triumphantly, "Two simple things, and the existence of Barnabas Collins will end forever." She enters the cellar while Dirk stands guard, gun in hand. Laura opens the coffin and gazes down at Barnabas, musing, "Long ago, Barnabas, when you were a small boy with sad eyes. . .did they see your future?-- did they see this moment when you would be destroyed forever?" She places the point of the stake against his chest, over his heart, and raises the hammer.

757 - (Grayson Hall) - Collinwood, before the turn of the century. And to this time and place not his own, Barnabas Collins has come, seeking an answer to David Collins' illness. But on this day, his mission stands in grave danger, for Laura Collins has become a merciless enemy. She has finally learned Barnabas' dark secret, and she has come to the Old House determined to destroy him forever.

Angelique suddenly grabs the hammer and stake, closes the coffin and introduces herself-- My name is Angelique-- perhaps you've heard of me? Laura demands to know, how did you get in here-- Dirk! Don't bother calling for him, advises Ang. What have you done to him? asks Laura.

Nothing-- he's just gone, Ang assures her-- and he won't tell anyone what he saw in the cellar. Again, Laura demands to know, who are you? I'm flattered by your interest, claims Angelique-- perhaps we can be good friends?-- I've always been rather interested in you, Laura Stockbridge Collins, one of the legendary beauties of the Collins family-- there was a picture of you in Jeremiah's room-- I remember you looking arrogant and rather woodsy in your riding habit. . .you're still very lovely, my dear, but perhaps time has begun to press in on you a little. I'll have enough time to do what I came here to do, vows Laura. To get your children? Asks Ang. That's not your concern, insists Laura. Barnabas is my concern, says Ang, and I will protect him no matter what. Perhaps you can persuade him to leave me alone, suggests Laura. Angelique, is amused at her attempts to bargain. If you hadn't come along, I would have destroyed Barnabas, says Laura. I will always be here when Barnabas. . .needs me, says Angelique meaningfully-- unless, of course, you plan to destroy me, too-- an even more foolish idea. You're being foolish, counters Laura-- perhaps I can't destroy you, but he can hurt you-- Collinwood has always held unhappy women, and Barnabas is a Collins. Rather different than the others, says Ang-- nevertheless, I will remain devoted to him, no matter what you try to tell me. Laura laughs-- you ARE a fool-- perhaps you can force him to love you through spells and potions, but if he really had a choice, do you think Barnabas would choose YOU? No, says Angelique coolly, anymore than Dirk would choose YOU. I'm not interested in Dirk, says Laura, only my children-- but you do care for Barnabas, don't you?-- how does it make you feel that you are succeeding as a-- whatever you are-- but failing as a woman? (oooh, low blow!) We should both get rid of him, says Laura, we'd be better off without him. Pissed off, Angelique says, I am going to destroy you-- you will never leave this house! Ang heads upstairs. A wall of flames rears up before her. Angelique, afraid, draws back. I must warn you, says Laura, I am not without power. And it would seem you are not without fear-- till we meet again, my dear Angelique, says Laura triumphantly, and flounces off.

Old House drawing room - Magda spots Laura exiting the cellar, but the Phoenix ignores the gypsy when she calls to her, and leaves the house. Laura won't answer you, says Angelique-- are you concerned about Barnabas?-- it's a little late for that-- I found her about to destroy Barnabas with a hammer and stake. Magda, alarmed, fears Laura will tell what she's learned-- then we'll be as dead as my sister, whose grave I visited this morning. Angelique, determined to save Barnabas, orders Magda to fetch Quentin so he can help fight Laura. He's not worth five seconds of my time! Spits Magda. You have no choice! Says Angelique-- go get Quentin or you'll be joining your sister in the graveyard!

Collinwood drawing room - Quentin, drunk (for a change), realizes his booze bottle is empty, gets annoyed and hurls the bottle to the floor. Quentin staggers into the drawing room and answers Magda's knock. He laughs at the sight of her and says, "You can go now-- I understand everything."

Magda doesn't budge. Quentin, terrified, backs away and says, "You've finished with me! You've done it all! There's nothing left to do Madame Gypsy!-- witch!-- hag! There's nothing left to do." I have business with you, Magda insists. You've come back to see if I'm still alive! Chides Quentin "I refuse to lie down and die!" You're having a hard time standing up, says Magda. I'm all right, he says, then lunges forward to choke her. She sidesteps him easily and he falls on the steps. Look at you lying there, says Magda with contempt-- you think I destroyed you?-- you destroyed yourself!-- my sister, my Jenny, how could she have loved you-- if she could see you now, it would break her heart. "She love me when we first met," says Quentin quietly, "and I loved her." He begs her, for the sake of that love, to end the curse. That wouldn't restore Jenny to life, says Magda, sane and happy-- if it would, I would do it-- even if it cost me my life! Quentin again clumsily attempts to kill her, but she easily fends the drunken man off. Be quiet! She orders-- Angelique wants you at the Old House. He asks why. I don't know, says Magda, but you cannot lie to her like you do everyone else-- you cannot give her your boyish charm and smile-- she's not like Beth, Jenny or any of the others!

Old House - Barnabas went away for the day, Angelique lies to a hungover Quentin, but he told me everything there is to know about Laura&-- I found her here today, going through the house like a thief-- are you listening, Quentin? It feels like my head weighs a thousand pounds, Quentin complains. Laura has cast a spell to harm Barnabas, says Ang. What does that have to do with me? asks Q. Don't you understand? Demands Ang-- to have someone harm Barnabas is to pierce my heart with a knife! I no longer have an interest in Laura, says Q. Revive it, commands Ang.

Leave me alone, Quentin whines. You're not in any shape to help yourself, realizes Ang-- perhaps I can help you. Not interested, says Q. People are either on my side or against me! Angelique informs him-- however bad things are for you now, they'll be much worse with me as your enemy. This interests Quentin, who straightens up and agrees to help. What about the urn? She asks. He describes how he destroyed the urn and she nearly died, but she prayed to her gods and received a scarab containing life force for 20 generations. Angelique has Magda join them and asks her to deal with "a small matter of theft" for them-- she describes the scarab to the gypsy, who is reluctant to help. You have no choice, insists Angelique-- I will tell Barnabas you were out of the house when Laura visited him this morning-- my feeling is, he'll kill you. Barnabas can't kill Magda, says Quentin-- if she dies, I'll remain under her curse. I can't be involved in that, says Ang--I only care that Barnabas be protected, whatever the cost or who must be destroyed-- Barnabas must be kept safe forever!

Cottage - Magda goes to Laura and admits she knows the truth about Barnabas. And soon, so will everyone else, vows Laura. Don't tell, Magda begs her. Surprised, Laura can't believe Magda cares about Barnabas. I have more reasons to hate Barnabas than you do, says Magda-- he did something to my Sandor and doesn't belong to me anymore-- let Barnabas die! Why are you here? asks Laura. We will kill Sandor when we kill Barnabas, says Magda, falling to her knees-- help me! Pull yourself together! orders Laura impatiently. Magda persuades her to use a silver bullet through the heart to kill Barnabas, rather than telling people about him, so Sandor can be freed.

And I will be free, too, exults Laura, who goes into another room to get money for Magda to buy the silver for the bullets. While she is gone, Magda finds the scarab under a couch pillow. When Laura hands her the money, Magda says,"They are the answer to many things, my lady."

Old House - Magda bringS the scarab to Angelique, who is delighted. Did you bring the Book of the Dead? The witch asks Quentin. He has it. You'll perform the ceremony, Angelique says, surprising him. Are you suddenly feeling sentimental about the lady you betrayed? Asks Ang. I'm more worried about the ceremony, responds Q-- it comes too close to angry ancient gods for comfort. Only Laura will feel discomfort, promises Ang. She takes a wax doll--and now I place you on your funeral pyre, she says, a bed of flames for you to sleep on for all eternity. She places the doll into the fireplace and lights it. Quentin calls to Amon-Ra, asking, "Accept our sacrifice!"

Cottage - Laura, feeling the effects of the ceremony, searches frantically for the scarab.

Old House - Quentin continues his incantation, offering, "in homage thou flames which comes forth from the horizon and passeth over the sky! In homage to thee who puts an end to the ours of the night!" Angelique, grinning, gazing at the doll melting in the fireplace.

Cottage - Laura's face is beginning to melt, too. To Ra, she prays, "Hear me-- protect me-- and crush my enemies!

NOTES: Who is going to win this battle, witch or phoenix?

Angelique's obsession with Barnabas is still burning pretty hot, too. Is it that she loves him, or doesn't want him to escape her curse? Or a combo of both?

Quentin doesn't come across as a very good man, not yet, anyway. His affliction is still new, but he can't see beyond himself. He is suffering from his curse, but still can't seem to find the right path to escape it. He wanted to harm Magda, knowing full well that her death might mean being stuck with the curse for all eternity. Quentin drinks too much and thinks too little. The man needs more to think about than just his selfish self!

Speaking of selfish, Angelique sure had a one-track mind here-- kill Laura to protect Barnabas. Or is there more to it than that?

Love, Robin