Josette Reborn
By: Lovely girl 10
Disclaimer: I don't own anything in the movie but the added in text.
Chapter 3-The Name
That night, I felt that somewhere in the town below, something happened. I could tell because of the distant screams that took place. Whether it is screams of fear or excitement, I had no idea of what happened. But the ghost did… She knew what was going on and she wasn't going to tell me what it was.
She was watching the window as if from amazement to know that what she said was true. Her ghostly blue glow illuminated around the bedroom. I do my best to ignore the light and concentrate on sleeping. He was coming… but who is this 'he' that she is waiting for? Could it be her murderer when she was reenacting her death? Is she waiting for her long lost boyfriend or husband that would never come? I would never know… until I would look around the house for some answers.
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The new bustling town of Collinsport is beginning to shine in full glory after the successful fishing business that the Collins Family has labored in sweat and blood for. I was one of the lucky new occupants of the town as my father and I found ourselves a new place to call our home. The town of Collinsport was so peaceful and prosperous, and rich with manners and tradition. Everybody knew who you were, and everyone goes out of their way to befriend you the first chance they get.
The DuPres Family is one of the most respectable high families alongside the Collins Family. However, we prefer to keep to ourselves and are cautious about exposing ourselves to big events. Collins are quite the opposite and they don't let any risk concern them as they keep on fighting for what they believe in. Although my father was kind and devoted to me, making sure that I have a very good respectable position in the family; still he thought that I needed the tender loving care of a husband. My father never married again when mother passed away from the Scarlet Fever. I was very young at the time to lose my mother who I never got to meet. My father and I were lucky enough to survive that illness in England and moved to Collinsport, Maine.
My father was a very close friend to Joshua Collins, the patriarch of the Collins family and they always loved to talk about how to expand the fishing trade and make it more grander than before. Naomi, Joshua's wife, always listened quietly to their chatter as she fans herself with her little fan she carries with her. They have a son who they are training to be their sole heir to the Collins family fortune. Of course, I personally thought that I have no time to see any suitors who would ask for my hand in marriage. I always wanted to help out my father with the family trade ever since mother died. He needed all the help he can get and I volunteered to do it despite my father's gentle suggestions that maybe I should worry about having a family of my own.
I told him I wasn't at all worried about what people will say about me when they see a high class girl working alongside the low class. I usually think that maybe most of the high class people my father and I know are just too stuffy and have no hearts to make an effort to bond with the other classes. After all, if the people want to respect the high class, the high class needs to have respect for the low class in return. Father is always concerned that if I work too much with the men that no one would want to get near me and see me as a suitable wife. However, if I left my future in his hands at the earliest opportunity, I would have been given away to a stuck up duke or lord in the high class. I gave my father a proposition that if he can find a good man who will be able to keep up with me in the fishing trade company, especially since I enjoy spending my time with the Collins' fishing trade company, only then will I consent to having a husband. Father accepted my proposal, despite his annoyance at me putting my time to the trade when he wanted me to follow along with what the other women do. He always claimed that ever since I was ten years old, I was already married to his work.
One night I was making some notes in the journal about how to set up some good trades with other fishing companies when my father called me down to supper. From what I could see when I first got down to the dining room, Joshua, Naomi, and my father were busy chatting about something for their business and before I could set my sights on the work they were talking about, the son of my father's closest friends caught my attention. He was very attractive for a man his age. Short and sleek black hair with a few of his bangs swaying to one side of his forehead. His dark eyes seem to be solely on me as I entered the room. His face calculating on what his best course of action should be with me.
My father clears his throat as he stands up from his sitting spot. "My dear daughter, I would like to introduce to you Barnabas Collins. He is just as much into his family company as much as you are."
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"Vicky! Its time to wake up! You're going to miss breakfast!" I hear David's voice waking me up from my sleep. Just as I was sitting up and rubbing my eyes, I could hear my door gently shutting from in front of me. David probably thought that with his job complete, he is rushing on down to breakfast himself. I narrowed my eyes in annoyance at the display the bright light was showing in the window, but I was happy enough to see the sunlight once again after many years of being stuck in the Asylum. I pulled myself out from the bed to go to the bathroom to wash myself and get my clothes on. I chose a casual dark blue dress with white sleeves with two petal-like design for the collar. I also made sure to put some high heels on my feet. I turn to look at the window side more closely and saw no evidence of the ghost girl from the night before. She must have vanished again in thin air. I shrug my shoulders as I walk out the door of my bedroom and slowly walked down the staircase, I began to think about what the ghost had warned me about.
But what was the dream talking about in connection to the Collins family? Perhaps once I am done with my breakfast I will do some history lessons with David today so that I can familiarize myself with the lore of the families and of the building itself. I should also add in some other lessons to that Elizabeth wants me to teach David to help him succeed in life.
I overheard some of the conversation that took place in the dining room as I listened closely. "Huh. Good luck." Roger's voice said, echoing from the hall. "Angie has deals with most of the boats in Maine."
"Angie?" A new male voice asked in confusion. I tensed when I heard that voice because I don't really know who it is, on the safe side I felt a bit nervous if I manage to discover the person was actually one of the workers at the asylum that is looking for me. That sure doesn't sound like one of the workers I know about from the asylum. This voice sounded deep, mesmerizing and calm.
I next heard Elizabeth's voice as she explained in an annoyed tone of voice. "Angelbay. They've taken just about every port on the East Coast."
"And that is where my work begins. And with your blessing, I shall restore the family business to its former glory." The new man's voice proclaimed. I finally found the urge to enter the dining room, even if it risks me being dragged back into the insane asylum, I was willing to risk an appearance. Perhaps if I play the game right, they will believe that I don't belong in the Asylum anymore and then they will leave me alone. Maybe it would be best if I told Elizabeth that I am not best suited for the job since that the Asylum people will be looking for me.
Everybody was quiet as I entered into the picture, no one turned to look in my direction. Not even Elizabeth who I had thought would scold me lightly for being late to breakfast, until the new man's voice, whether in confusion or in shock whispered out loud. "Josette."
'Who is this Josette?' I asked myself in my thoughts as I turned my gaze to look at the newcomer. Impossible! For a moment, I thought that I was looking at the picture of Barnabas Collins again, but I realized later that this person had a different look to the original as he stared at me with a confused expression written on his face. He had the same black hair and dark eyes, and the 18th century black clothing that adorned his body. He had very pale skin that would make you think he is a ghost and his black eye makeup stood out in the room. Although the full face makeup is out of date in 1972, this guy makes it seem like the makeup is the way to go for him. He stood up from his chair and walked over to the edge of the table, staring at me.
I was about to tell him who I was before David covered for me, saying. "That's Vicky. She believes in ghosts, like me." I ever so much wanted to gently hush that boy for trying to blow my cover. I don't want this man to think that there is something wrong with me.
Elizabeth then hushes David gently as she speaks up. "Vicky, I would like to introduce to you Barnabas Collins the third. He is going to be staying with us from England."
It took a moment for me to get myself back together as I walk cautiously up to Barnabas the third and I greeted in a soft tone. "Hi. My name is Victoria Winters... but you may call me Vicky." I moved my hand in order to shake his, he grasped my hand in a delicate manner, long fingernails on his hand gingerly wrapped around mine.
"Enchanted." He replied in a gentleman like tone, holding his gaze with mine. I almost felt like he and I had switched roles in the portrait where he is the one studying me instead of the other way around. "Surely, you do not let them call you 'Vicky'." His deep voice then whispered, making my spine tingle and kept me frozen in place. "A name like Victoria is so beautiful… I could not bear to part with a single syllable of it."
Okay, forget about leaving Collinwood! I was screaming in glee inside of my head over my new name being spoken by this man. But this is so embarrassing that I don't know if I should blush or not. My heart felt like it wanted to break out of my chest in happiness. None of the boys back in my old childhood neighborhood looked at me the way that this man is doing. I also sensed that there is something about him that is making me feel odd. I just don't know why, but I somehow got the feeling that I knew him from somewhere…maybe in a past life, perhaps? No, that couldn't be possible. I already feel my cheeks burn as I thought about those things. 'Speak, Vicky, speak!' My conscious demanded as I tried to form the words in my thoughts before Roger broke the silence.
"Yeah, well… money might grow on trees where you're from, but it's a little harder to come by here." He warned in an impatient tone.
I quickly moved my hand away from Barnabas the third as I went to my seat; I turned to see that he was somehow reluctant to see me go as he returned to his seat. Still I don't know why at first he thought that I was Josette. It could be that sometimes people mistake one person for someone else. That is probably it. I have nothing to worry about and I should just concentrate on being David's nanny.
Barnabas reassured Roger. "Do not concern yourself with my methods. I should like to see the factory immediately." He then asked Elizabeth. "How soon can the horses be ready?"
Elizabeth answered while she was holding her cup of coffee. "We don't have horses… we have a Chevy." Her explanation earned a disbelief look from him as he cocked his head, wondering what the heck she was talking about.
"Is this Chevy a new breed of horses?" He asked.
He earned a laugh from Elizabeth as she explained. "A Chevy is a car, not a horse, Barnabas." I couldn't help but spit out some of my food and covered my mouth to keep from giggling. Elizabeth then explains to me as she saw my laughter. "As you can see Vicky, he is in a state of culture shock, meaning that he is not used to what our society has." I nodded, understanding what she is saying as I continued to eat up my breakfast. Elizabeth also decided to let Barnabas sleep in his room to catch up on his slumber before he goes to check out the factory.
I began to do my first hours of work with David as we hung around in his room. He didn't have much for his little room. While Carolyn's room had a hammock and a lava lamp, he had more ghostly stuff that he keeps around. His pictures for instance were hand drawn in a beautiful and scary kind of look. The pictures are usually shown with a ghostly woman with flowing black hair and wears a blue gown.
"You are a terrific artist David." I comment as I study one picture with the ghostly lady sitting by someone who is sleeping under the covers.
"Thank you, my mother had that talent as well." He replied, a bit shy as he takes a seat on the bed.
"When did you first draw these pictures?" I smile at him, eager to learn more about him.
He shrugs his shoulders. "I got started ever since I saw mom again. My family always told me that she drowned at sea when I was five, but I started seeing her after the funeral. She's always watching me and protecting me."
"You.. do know that she is a ghost now, right? That's the reason you seem to see her." I point out gently, not wanting to tread into making him think I don't like his gift as much as the rest of his family.
"Do you believe in ghosts, Vicky?" David asks. For a moment I wanted to stay silent on that subject and distract myself with some other lessons that I wanted to teach him. I don't want him to think that I am crazy.
I shake my head, "I don't think your aunt would want you encouraged to see what I think about the supernatural."
David sighs in boredom. "Aunt Elizabeth, my dad, Carolyn and even Dr. Hoffman think that I have delusions about my mom being a ghost. They think they know what is going on, but they don't!"
"All I see is that Elizabeth, your father and the doctor are trying to protect you from getting into trouble with your gift because they want you to stay safe." I do my best to reason with him. "I was in the same position you are in now, and when I first befriended a ghost my life went downhill very fast and I was taken away because of it." I suddenly heard intense knocking as I went to the door to check it out while telling David to stay put. "We will get started with your lessons once I return, alright?" With a silent nod of agreement, David stays in his room while I left to see what was happening out in the hall.
I heard Barnabas' voice shouting. "What was that infernal banging?" His footsteps were rushing to see what was going on as Elizabeth told him that he has a visitor. I thought about going back to David's room to keep an eye on my charge, but I was curious to know who the new visitor was as I walked down the stairs and asked Elizabeth who was standing on the bottom of the stairs. "Who could be here to see Barnabas?"
Elizabeth turned to me and told me in a warning tone. "The person that he is seeing is Angie Bouchard. She is the main reason why we are having a difficult time in getting our business back together. I should warn you, Vicky, that Angie may look like she is a nice person, but she is dangerous. So, leave her to me and Barnabas, okay?" Angie? Then it occurred to me that I saw a newspaper article back at the diner before I started my journey to Collinwood that was talking about that woman. What was it about Collinwood that made her want to try to keep Elizabeth and her family out of business? An old rivalry of some sort?
I nodded before my attention turned to a small picture of a woman who was also from the 18th century, oddly it reminded me of the ghost that haunted me throughout my childhood and my beginning stages of adulthood. She had her hair tied into a shoulder length braid and as I examined the picture further, her face looked familiar. "Elizabeth, who is that person in the picture?" I asked as she turned quickly to see which picture I was looking at.
"That is Josette DuPres Collins. The fiance of the first Barnabas Collins. Legends told of her untimely death when she fell off of Widow's Hill, either by her own accord or by a curse that her fiance said was cast upon her by a witch." Elizabeth told. "Not very much is known about her history, although documents from Naomi and Joshua Collins states that she and her father moved from England as soon as the Collins left to establish their home in Collinsport Maine due to the Scarlet Fever. It was her knowledge of keeping the trade from collapsing that won her the heart of her husband. She may look like someone who cares for only clothing and staying on top of the latest gossips, but she is a very intelligent woman who has eyes only for her father's work. If she had never met Barnabas at the time, she would have been a virgin forever. She was heartily married to her work more than the thoughts of what men wanted. At least until Barnabas came into the picture." As she explained, I studied the picture of the dead woman who haunted me. Why would she be haunting me? What is her motive? And why do my features fit perfectly with hers?
"Don't women usually worry more about finding a husband back in her time?" I question, uncertain of why this girl seems to act like she is like a modern woman in a Victorian style timeline where women don't have much hold on power as the men.
Elizabeth shakes her head. "Most women do. But Josette was a different story altogether. Finding a good husband was the last thing on her mind and the work for her family came first. According to my late grandfather before he died, he said that he and the rest of the family would sometimes see a glimpse of Josette's ghost wandering around the building. Each night it is told that she appears on the chandelier as if it were Widow's Hill and she reenacts her death scene over and over again. The reason behind her haunting the building is unknown to me, but I do my best to try and figure out a solution to the problem."
Suddenly a terrified scream filled the air with fear as I realized that Barnabas might have been hurt, so I rushed over to where the drawing room was, but not before I received a strange look from a woman with bright blond hair, who I suspected, is this Angie person that Elizabeth was talking about. She was holding her dark blue jacket over her shoulder with her right arm, showcasing her white sleeved blouse underneath. Dark blue dress skirt sways in the breeze as she walked out from the hall.
She gave me a disapproving look as she warned. "You may have been reincarnated, but you will not take Barnabas away from me this time, Josette." She hissed the word 'Josette' as her warning left me confused.
"I don't know what you are talking about. You must have confused me for someone else." I counter gently, a part of me felt uncomfortable under her gaze and it wanted me to back away from her like she was a snake waiting to strike at the earliest opportunity.
"Don't be playing stupid with me Josette. You may have fooled everyone else around this monstrosity, but you can't fool me." Angie sneers at me. "If you want to stay out of my way, you better do yourself a favor and stay away from Barnabas. He is mine. And he will always be mine." I briefly feel a jab in my right shoulder and I wince in surprise over her giving me a provoking poke.
"My name is Victoria. Not Josette!" I whisper in a threatening tone of voice, something inside of me was angered at the way this woman thinks she can control whatever she wants, take whatever she desires and stomp the opposing competition in the dust. I felt sick with anger that I wanted to severely punch her in her face! But I refrain from doing so, because if by chance I do that, she would make me suffer with just a snap of her fingers. I let out a hard laugh at her. "Yeah right! How do you know that Barnabas belongs to you?! All I heard in that drawing room was a scream in horror, not in love for you. If you think that hurting him is the way to make him crawl back to you, then you should have been dragged to the insane asylum yourself!"
"Go fall off a cliff! And stay dead Josette! You are just a little fish taking on a big scary piranha. If you are as wise as the Collins portray you, then do yourself a favor and stay out of my way!" Angie walks away from me, all the while slamming me into the wall.
I flinched in pain over my back colliding against the wall. I reached behind me to rub the sore spot as I heard the entrance door opening and closing, signifying that she left the building. What was wrong with that woman? I ignored her warning as I rushed into the drawing room; Barnabas was kneeling on the floor, trying to shield his eyes and his face from the sunlight that seeped through the window. He looked like he was paralyzed in pain from the sunlight.
"Are you okay, Barnabas?" I asked, wondering what Angie did to him. He didn't look like he had any other injuries except from the sun. He managed to twitch his hands as he pointed toward the curtains, urging me to shut them. I did exactly as he wanted as I reach to the ends of the curtains and pull them closed. After I did that job, I went over to him to help him stand up. "Are you hurt?" I moved toward him in order to help him back up, pulling his arms upwards and straightened him out.
"I'm alright now. Thank you, Victoria." His eyes showed me a sign that he was really glad that I helped him. Still I wonder how I am supposed to protect him from Angie. I was pulled from my thoughts as he responded. "Would you mind in retrieving Elizabeth? I have to speak with her about something important."
I nodded. "Sure, Barnabas. I will get her for you." I went out of the door and managed to find Elizabeth and told her that Barnabas wanted to talk with her. She immediately went on her way to meet with him. I also returned to where David was waiting for me.
"What happened down there?" David asks as soon as he sees me.
"Barnabas had a bit of a fight with that Angie woman." I answer. I also wanted to tell him that I also suffered in the fight as well, but with the wincing pain in my back, I decided not to tell that part to the boy. He is already suffering with his own trials, he doesn't need mine added to the mix. I rub my back for a bit as I take my place on the bed beside him.
"I heard stories from aunt Elizabeth that Angie is a vile woman and that I shouldn't expose myself to her." David mentions softly. "Is Uncle Barnabas okay?"
"He is alright. Hopefully we won't get anymore visits from that woman anytime soon." I take a shaky breath as I try to ignore her threats to me. I handled surviving the Asylum just fine. She won't be any different. "Now, which lesson shall we go for today?"
"How about history?" David suggests, happy to help me take my mind off of the horrible encounter. Throughout the rest of the day we looked through a lot of history books from the family library. I asked him questions on the subject at hand and he tells me when exactly it happened. We also discussed about how the fishing trade businesses worked and how we are supposed to act in public. There were at times, David had to pause on our lessons so that he gets his visits in with Dr. Hoffman, but as soon as he was done he was eager to get back to me and we would continue our lessons.
When it was time for bed, Elizabeth came personally to David's room and told him that we will continue our next set of lessons in the morning. "You have done a marvelous job in keeping David busy with his studies Vicky. You can head for bed too." She added a comment in my direction.
"What lesson will we do next time Vicky?" David asks me curiously as he gets himself ready for bed. I stopped to answer him by the door.
"I think maybe we will go for your arithmetic problems next." I said, earning a playful scowl from the boy.
"I don't like math problems. They don't make sense!" I try not to smile at the sheer ridiculousness of the thought. Sometimes kids these days don't want to go after math and science when they think it is too much.
"Don't worry. I will help you if you have any questions David." I assure him, satisfied that we have scheduled our next lesson for tomorrow. "Good night." David calls out good night to me as I walk back to my bedroom.
As I laid down on my bed, thinking through the new information I found about the ghost that haunted me, I wondered about how I was going to get her to leave me and not bother me again. I do know that most ghosts would not leave the world until its basic motive was finished, so I will have to know what Josette's ghost wants when I see her the next time. The sooner I get rid of the ghost, the better my life is without it. But, on the other hand... The woman, Angie, somehow mistook me for the ghost, and that she wanted me to stay away from Barnabas. I narrowed my eyes in confusion at that thought. Why on earth would I want to stay away from Barnabas? Is she his old girlfriend or something? I shook my head at that question. No, Barnabas somehow has a strong dislike for her, I had seen the look of disgust on his face that told me that he didn't want to look upon that woman again for as long as he lived.
I soon let my sleep get the better of me as I dosed off in the bed, sleeping on my left side. The night sky looked peaceful from the window as the crescent moon shown from the distance. I though I felt someones finger caressing my cheek softly, as if I was very fragile and easy to break. That person then trailed their fingers on my sore back as if trying to soothe the pain for a moment, and then they softly walked out of the room to let me continue my slumber.
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"Hello Barnabas. It is wonderful to meet you." I bow my head in the presence of the man who my father thought would be my new husband. He in turn took a bow when I greeted him politely and he held his hand out for me to take it.
"Enchanted to meet you as well." He replied, his voice never sounded so smooth and so luscious. It made me think about wanting more of him, but I have to keep it together. "I have heard from your father that you really enjoy working on the trade Josette."
In truth I was a bit nervous as I wondered if he thought I shouldn't be working with the men at my father's fishing company. "Do you think you can keep up with me?" I couldn't hide a little playful challenge in my voice.
He cocked his head at me in a amused gesture. "Show me what you got."
Author's Note: Update- I have added in some new dialogue for Vicky with David, Elizabeth and especially with her confrontation with Angie. I have also thought about adding in some dreamlike sequences whenever Vicky is sleeping and dreams about her past life as Josette. I hope that this new information I have given for Josette is pleasing to the readers, and give her a personality that is slightly similar to Vicky but different. We don't really know much about Josette, so this is just what I think her life might be if I think like Tim Burton.
