Barnabas Collins, Julia Hoffman, and Professor Stokes have returned from their perilous journey back to the year 1841, a time of great turmoil in the Collins family history. The evils that prevailed during that time of turmoil have been dramatically altered. But in the old Collins Mansion, on the Collinwood Estate, a shocking truth is being revealed that may lead to even more peril…
Barnabas Collins stands before the fireplace in thought. Suddenly he hears a
knock on the door. He walked to the door and opened it to see Professor
Stokes standing there. The look on his face was grave. "Do come in
Professor, what brings you out here this time of the day?" he asked
quizingly.
The Professors familiar pouting look of deep pondering was on his face. "Do
you mind if I pour myself a sherry?" he said, "I rather think you should
have one too when you hear what I came to tell you." Barnabas looked
cautiously at him, wondering just what alarming bit of information Timothy
Stokes was about to impart. He liked Stokes very much, but at the same time
feared the ruthless streak of curiosity and razor sharp intelligence of the
man. If anyone from this century could discover his long hid secret,
Professor Timothy Eliot Stokes was that man. He took a sherry glass in hand,
poured it about half full, turned to the fireplace and walked a couple of
paces and turned to face Stokes. The Professor, tasted his sherry, a
momentary look of delight crossing his face, only to be replaced immediately
by the familiar of drama when he was about to say something Barnabas knew he
would not want to hear. "I got a call this morning from a colleague at the
university, Mr. Collins. It seems that a new exhibition piece has arrived in
the history department. He felt it would be something I would want to see
and so he persuaded me to come take a look at it. At first I was a bit
perturbed that he didn't just wait to tell me tomorrow morning, when I was
scheduled to return. Now I'm glad I went" Professor Stokes then paused, he
then looked directly into Barnabas' face and said, "It was the encased skull
of Judah Zachary"
Barnabas' eyes widened in shock and horror at the news as he wondered what awful dread this might come to mean. (3 dramatic notes sound)
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"The skull of Judah Zachary? What could this mean?" Barnabas said, his eyes still wide and his mouth gaping. "It could mean nothing at all, Mr. Collins." He said matter of factly as he adjusted his monocle. "You see, this wasn't the perfectly preserved head we saw in the 19th century. All the flesh was gone. It looked just like it did after Gerard was shot." Barnabas stepped to the window looking out over the estate, his concern not lessened by Stokes comments. "Why? Why should that monstrosity turn up here now?" Barnabas said turning back to Stokes. The Professor stroked his chin, and cheerfully looked back up at Barnabas, understanding his concern, but also mildly amused at the melodrama the situation was creating. "Barnabas, we came back to an event celebrating the history of Collinsport", Stokes mused, "That head was a distinct part of that history one hundred and thirty years ago. It very simply could be an avid researcher who knew its whereabouts and history behind it saw it fitting that it should be included and made haste to forward it here for display at the new historical center." Barnabas looked at Stokes for a brief moment and replied, "I hope you're right Professor…" The front door to the old house opened. A moment later, Julia Hoffman steps into the drawing room. "Ah Professor Stokes, what brings you here this early in the after noon? Stokes sipped his sherry, and with an amusing half smile said. "Well now, I'm not really sure I should repeat it after the exaggerated reaction the news brought to Barnabas.
Barnabas gave a slightly embarrassed and annoyed look at the last comments
made by Professor Stokes, and said. "Julia, the good Professor came to tell
us that the historical center will be including the decomposed skull of
Judah Zachary as a part of the exhibit"
Julia's eyes grew wide. "You mean it wasn't destroyed in 1841?" Stokes takes
a step forward and said. It wouldn't be the first time an item marked for
destruction was hoarded away by a zealous archaeologist or historian. They
can be tenaciously protective of things they consider valuable. Well, I only
came to inform you of my findings. It was not my intent to cause panic, for
sure. I can appreciate your concern, but frankly I see no cause for alarm.
I thank you for the excellent sherry, Mr. Collins, but I must be going. I
have much to prepare before I return to the university in the morning. Good
day, Mr. Collins, and Good Day to you Dr. Hoffman." Stokes let himself out
leaving Barnabas and Julia with looks of concern.
Meanwhile at Collinwood, Elizabeth Stoddard came from the study with the
daily mail and heads to the drawing room to go over it. She sits at the desk
opening them with a letter opener. Quentin comes from upstairs and enters.
"Good afternoon Elizabeth" he said smiling. "So how are things at good old
Collins Enterprises?" Elizabeth turned and greeted him in return. "Ah, Good
afternoon Quentin, it seems things are hopelessly the same hum drum daily
routine." Quentin poured a scotch and smiling replied "That could be a
blessing in disguise, Dear cousin!" Elizabeth opens another piece of the
mail, looks at it briefly, and then turns to Quentin. "Could you close the
drawing room doors for a few moments, Quentin? I have something I'd like to
discuss with you if you don't mind." Quentin, looks puzzled for a moment,
and then closes the doors and turns to see what Elizabeth has to say.
"Quentin, a few years ago we had to create a position in the company that I felt was totally unnecessary. It was that of Director of Publicity." It was created just to give a place in the company to a certain unscrupulous man. He is long gone now and the position never has been done away with, and I'm now finding that we truly do need someone to fill such a position. I'd like to recommend you to the board at our next staff meeting. I'd like you to think it over the next couple of days and give me your answer." Quentin raised one eyebrow and rubbed his index finger across his long chin. "My my my, My Dear Elizabeth! And just what ever made you think that a free spirit like I'd be the man for the job?" Elizabeth stood up and looked directly at Quentin and replied. "You've been here with us for quite sometime now, Quentin. I like to think I'm a good judge of character. I also know that you came to Collinsport without any real resources. Now I don't want you think I'm suggesting charity. Far from it! I believe you have just the qualities needed for the job. We will be filling the position with someone, no matter what you decide. I'd really like that someone to be YOU! "Quentin folded his hands behind his back and began pacing the room. "Well, well, well! Quentin Collins, Industrial tycoon! It's been a long time since anybody put responsibility and Quentin in the same sentence! " he said in his half jesting manner. Elizabeth looked at him and said, "Please tell me you'll give it full consideration." Quentin's face then grew warm. A smile passed across it and he said "Yes, I will give it my consideration. I promise." Quentin opened the drawing room doors just as Maggie came down the steps. Elizabeth looked up and saw her. She then picked up the mail and turned to Quentin. "I'm going to the study to finish up. I'm sure you two have plenty to talk about", she said smiling to herself as she left the room. Quentin looked at Maggie and ushered her into the drawing room and closed the doors.
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Hallie Stokes emerged from the doorway at the top of the stairs in the Collinwood foyer. Halfway down the staircase, she heard a knock on the double doors to the great mansion. Continuing on down, she opened the door to see her Uncle standing in the doorway. She then invited Professor Stokes in hugging him once the door was closed. Timothy Stokes removed his hat and hung it on the hat rack at the entrance. "I trust you're enjoying your stay here at Collinwood, Hallie?" he said smiling. "Oh yes, Uncle! Though it has been a little boring with David not being here" she added. "When is young David scheduled to return?" He asked. "Oh sometime this afternoon, I think. What brings you up to Collinwood?" she queried. "I was hoping to see Mrs. Stoddard about some of her family history volumes. I've perused them from time to time, and would like to see if she might let me borrow a couple of them to satisfy my curiosity about some things". He said straightening his tie. "Why certainly you can see them Professor!" Elizabeth said as she suddenly appeared from the study. "I thoroughly enjoyed the other evening at the historical center! You seemed be quite taken with events as well." Stokes nodded. "Yes indeed. History has always been one of the things that fascinate me most. I was interested in viewing some of your own family history from the 17th and 18th centuries if you don't mind." Elizabeth smiled and motioned him follow. "I'd be delighted Professor!" she said as they walked to the study
The drawing room of the old house was totally vacant. Against the north
wall, the bookshelf stood. Suddenly, one of the books slid from its slot and
floated over to the desk. Lying with it's back flat upon the desk the cover
opened. Pages began to turn as they had at the Professors home in Rockport
the night before. Page after page leafed by with enough pause as if someone
were scanning the contents of the pages without fully reading them. When it
reached chapter 9, the pages slowed. The same eerie floating eyes that had
been present at the Professors house then materialized and glared at the
pages. The front door opened. Barnabas and Julia entered the drawing room.
"I think it's good that you're having those phones installed, Barnabas",
Julia remarked. "I know how you feel about keeping this house true the
period it was built. I know you're doing this at a great loss to your
convictions." Barnabas nodded reluctantly. "Yes, but I'm a part of the 20th
century now. There are quite different circumstances associated with this
time period than my own. The world moves at a much quicker pace and I
must…." Julia's eyes fall upon the open book on the desk and she interrupts
him to call it to his attention. "Look Barnabas!" She walks over to the desk
and picks up the book examining the front cover without closing it. She
turns to face Barnabas and said curiously, "The very same book Willie put
back on the shelf this morning!" She again opened the book to where it had
been left. She looked at the page and her eyes grew wide. She called for
Barnabas to come look at the page. The page had an artist drawing of a
middle aged man dressed in 17th century attire. The caption at the bottom of
the page read: AMADEUS COLLINS.
Splattered over the heart of the man were drops of fresh blood. Both of them
looked at each other with horror and puzzlement. (Dramatic music crescendos)
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(Roll Closing Theme)
Elizabeth Stoddard…
JOAN BENNETT
Barnabas Collins…
JONATHAN FRID
Julia Hoffman…
GRAYSON HALL
Quentin Collins…
DAVID SELBY
Maggie Evans…
KATHRYN LEIGH SCOTT
Professor Stokes…
THAYER DAVID
Hallie Stokes…
KATHY CODY
Written by RUSS WILLIAMS
Directed by RUSS WILLIAMS
Fashions courtesy of ORBACH'S
Costumes by MOSTOLLER
Music composed by ROBERT COBERT
Series created by DAN CURTIS Executive Producer
Dan Curtis Productions Copyright 1971