Darkness settles over the great estate of Collinwood. But an even greater darkness than that which comes from the setting of the sun hovers over all those who live here. For a dark and evil man is weaving his web of treachery to ensnare all those who bear the Collins name. His spirit has crossed the long centuries since he was executed for crimes of sorcery. A lawyer in the nearby town of Collinsport has fallen victim to his evil and been possessed by the evil man, and he continues to weave the strands of death and destruction.
Judah Zachary in full control of Trevor Halliburton sits smugly behind the attorney's desk. Nicholas Blair stands by the diplomas and awards on the wall of the office. "So, you've wooed dear sweet Carolyn! That is no simple task, my friend!" Judah sneered smugly and said, "Yes, and with that, I have my passage into the Collins stronghold. From within, I shall cause the walls to crumble in around them, and they will be none the wiser. My plan WILL be fulfilled! Tomorrow I will court the heiress to the Collins fortune. I will win them all over and when they least expect it, I will destroy them all one by one." Nicholas looked dubiously at him and said, "I would be cautious about being too confident so soon Judah. Trust me; I have dealt with these people before. They may not be the simple turkey shoot you think them to be, my friend. Walk cautiously." Judah looked back at Nicholas in disappointment and replied, "You give too much credit to these mere mortals. You of course rely on your own past failings. I am not the novice at the craft that you were, Blair! Remember you are here at my will. I can just as readily return you to your fate, now that the lawyer knows he must be my unfailing ally. I have no further need of you, but I want you to witness the way a master disposes of his enemies!" Nicholas hiding his offense at Judah's belittlement of his abilities remained silent and pondered just how long it would be before Judah in his cockiness made a fatal blunder.
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Morning breaks over Collinwood and a sleepy Selena Parker stirs in the arm chair in the drawing room of The Old House. She rubs her eyes and looks around the room surprised to find herself there. Barnabas enters the drawing room seeing his guest is now awake. "Good Morning Selena. I hope your sleep was restful." He said. Selena peeled the woven afghan back and rose from the chair. "I am so sorry Barnabas, I really didn't mean to impose on you like this." She said ashamedly. Barnabas replied, "It was no imposition at all. You were very tired. I saw no reason to disturb your much needed rest. It was my pleasure to have you here. Come, breakfast is on the table in the kitchen. I'm sure you must be hungry." Selena looked nervously at her watch and said, "Oh I'd like that very much, but I must be going. I'm due at the office in twenty minutes. I can just make it if I go now." Barnabas looked disappointed but said, "I quite understand. You must come again soon. Perhaps the next time your visit won't be interrupted by a family emergency." Selena smiled and said, "I'd be delighted. You have the number of my office. I'll look forward to your call." Barnabas took her hand and kissed it. Selena was so very intrigued with his old world charm. She left through the front door just as Julia appeared. Julia looked suspiciously at Barnabas and said, "The same outfit she was wearing last night." Barnabas caught her implication and replied, "Yes Julia. When Stokes and I returned from Collinwood we found her asleep in that chair. I thought it best at that late hour to just let her sleep." Julia tossed her head slightly and said, "Breakfast smells coming from the kitchen. I know you don't eat breakfast, Barnabas." Barnabas now grew irritated at her prying and replied, "You're right Doctor, I don't, but I know most people do, so I had Willie prepare something for her. Unfortunately she awoke too late to partake of it. You are quite welcome to have it if you wish." Julia frowned and said, "Doctor? You haven't referred to me as Doctor for quite some time. Is everything alright, Barnabas?" He turned to face her and said, "Julia, you are a dear and devoted friend and ally. I appreciate that more than you know. I also know that you hope for something more. I could almost wish it were possible for me to share those feelings, but unfortunately, I do not. I find your jealous prying annoying. I do enjoy Selena's company, but that is my concern and mine alone. As I told you when you arrived, Stokes and I found her sleeping, the hour was late, and so I let her rest. That's all there is to tell. Why don't you go out to kitchen and have the breakfast Willie prepared. I must phone Professor Stokes and I intend to go through these family volumes again looking for something that might provide some clues." Julia, hiding her hurt and disappointed replied, "Yes, I think I will. Thank you. Adam should be here in about an hour. I need to start some tests to see what I can find about his condition." With that, she turned and left the drawing room.
The old antique clock on top of the desk struck 9 just as Selena entered the law office. She hurried to the desk and sat down and withdrew some manila folders from the top right hand drawer. "Ok, let's see just what's on today's agenda." She said opening the top folder. Judah and Nicholas emerged from the office. "Well good morning Selena. You're right on schedule! That's quite unusual for you. You normally get here a half hour early." Trevor chided, "I hope you slept soundly." Selena looked slightly embarrassed and replied, "Yes, I visited Mr. Collins last night, and he was called away suddenly for a family emergency. He asked me to wait for him, and I'm afraid I fell asleep in his living room while he was gone. So I didn't have my usual 7 o'clock alarm." Trevor frowned, "A family emergency? I hope it was nothing serious!" Trevor said feigning concern. Selena replied, "I guess not, or Barnabas would have probably said something." Trevor and Nicholas exchanged smiling glances. Selena caught it and said, "What?" Nicholas chuckled and said, "I see you are on a first name basis with Mr. Collins. From all reports he seems to be a fine man." Selena said, "Now wait just a minute." Trevor smiled and said, "No use denying it my dear. You're quite taken with the man. The glow on your face just gives it away." Selena smiled and said, "Well, yes, I do like him very much, but I'd hardly say we have any kind of relationship. We're just good friends." Trevor nodded and started to turn away, then suddenly turned back and said, "Oh Selena. I was going through some of my old trunks I've never unpacked since the trip from Albany." Reaching into his jacket pocket he withdrew a small orb and continued, "I found this strange little thing, and I have no idea where it came from. Look at all those little facets reflecting the light. Have you ever seen anything like it?" Selena looked into the tiny ball watching the flickering of the light. He continued again. "Look at that really bright pinpoint at the very center. Do you see it?" Selena gazed deeply into the orb, totally absorbed as the hypnotic effect of the lights overtook her. Trevor then nodded to Nicholas who reached into his breast pocket and withdrew two yellow tickets and handed them to Trevor. Taking them, he placed them on the desk in front of Selena. Then he spoke. "Selena, when I snap my fingers, you will awaken. As soon as I leave the room, you will find two tickets to the recital at the Collinsport Theatre. You will remember that Mr. Griffin left them for you after his meeting with me yesterday. They are good for tonight's presentation only. You will want someone to go with you. You will know who you should call as soon as you remember them. Is that clear?" Selena nodded slowly and mumbled, "Yes." Trevor then snapped his fingers and Selena became aware once more. Acting as if no time had passed, he then said, "Anyway, I have no use for it. It might make a nice paperweight for you. It's yours if you want it." She smiled and replied, "It would make a nice paperweight. Thank you, Trevor." He returned the smile and turned to Nicholas and said, "We need to go over the Bates deposition before we break for lunch. Let's go get it out of the way. It's going to take a while." Nicholas nodded and the two men disappeared into Nicholas office. They closed the door behind them and Nicholas grinned at Trevor saying, "Nicely done!" Trevor did not respond but motioned him over to the desk where they both watched the phone. In a moment, one of the buttons lit up. Inside the body of Trevor Halliburton, Judah Zachary smirked self assuredly.
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Barnabas Collins sat at the desk in the drawing room in deep concentration
on the old family history volume he was reading. The phone suddenly rang. He
looked up from the book at the phone as Julia walked in. Picking up the
receiver he said, "Hello. Oh, hello Selena." Julia turned toward the
bookcase so he would not see the annoyed look on her face. "Two tickets to a
recital. It's for tonight only. I see. No, I didn't have any definite plans
for this evening." Julia bit her lip and rolled her eyes. "Why certainly. I'd
be happy to join you this evening. Yes. 7:30 will be fine. I will see you
then." He hung up the receiver and Julia struggled for the right words to
say when the front door to the Old House opened and Adam entered. He looked
even older than before and his stride lacked any youthful zest to it at all.
"I am ready, Doctor." He said as both looked at him noticing his further
aging. Barnabas rose and approached him and a look of empathy crossed his
face as he saw this once towering almost invincible man wasting away
rapidly. "So Adam, Professor Stokes informs me you will be staying with him
instead. Are you sure that's wise? You would be so much closer to the
experiment if you just remained here." Adam then replied, "This place has
too many bad memories for me, Barnabas. The library at Rockport is just a
few minutes walk from Professor Stokes house. I will stay there. I will come
here for your tests. But I will not live here. I will take the rest of my
belongings to the Professor's house tonight." Barnabas eyes fell as he
understood completely why Adam felt as he did. "Come Adam, let's get started
on the tests." Julia said walking toward the cellar door. Adam turned and
followed her and the door closed behind them. Barnabas stood deeply in
thought still watching the closed cellar door.
(Painful music rises and fades)
Trevor and Nicholas sat in the latter's office. "Tonight should be quite fruitful." Trevor said with a grin, the good doctor will be away as will Barnabas. Tonight I will get what I want. Nothing shall stand in my way!" Judah declared haughtily. The door to the office open and Selena peeked in. "I hope you'll pardon the interruption, but neither of you have any appointments the rest of the day, and my paperwork is all caught up. Would you mind terribly if I left early today? I have some plans this evening and I'd like to take care of a few things beforehand." Trevor smiled and glanced toward Nicholas and said, "Well my good man, are there any pressing matters you have that need this lovely woman's attention?" Nicholas pretended to think about it for a long moment and then said, "No, I can't say that I do. I really should have brought some of my clients from Phoenix. It's been much too quiet. But quiet was what I was wanting when I came here, so I guess I shouldn't complain." Trevor turned and said, "Well, there you have it. We seem to be able to muddle through fine. Just don't make this a habit young lady. Any more than a single afternoon without you here and we'd both be totally lost." he said jokingly. Selena grinned and thanked them both and closed the door behind her. Nicholas stroked his moustache and said, "You've trained her well. So what are your plans for this evening?" Trevor arose from the desk and said, "I shall be on the town with Miss Carolyn Stoddard, of course. Soon I will fit at Collinwood as if I were part of the furnishings. You know what must be done?" Nicholas nodded knowingly and said, "I do indeed."
Adam sat up straight as Dr. Hoffman turned and put away the stethoscope.
She took a small glass slide and placed it under a microscope. She peered at
it intently for a long moment then looked up with a look of disappointment.
Barnabas descended the cellar stairs. "Any success Julia?" he asked as he
walked near. Her eyes widened for an instant and then she replied, "I cannot
find any irregularities in his blood. Every test I've performed has come
back perfectly normal. Or I should say, Normal for a man of nearly 100 years
of age at least. I can't find a single clue that would explain his
condition. It's as if he really has lived all those years!" she said with a
completely baffled expression.. Barnabas sighed and said, "Conclusive
evidence that witchcraft is at work here. Judah is trying to make me age
like this, and doesn't know about Adam and the connection we share." Adam
sprung from the bench he was sitting on and said demandingly, "Who is this
Judah? If you're afraid of him, I will have nothing to lose. I will go to
him and I will kill him! Where is he?" Barnabas remained calm and quietly
said, "We don't know where he is Adam. He has possessed someone. We don't
know who yet. He is a malevolent spirit from the family's past who is
determined to kill all of us. An ancestor of mine sentenced him to die for
crimes of witchcraft, and his spirit will not rest until he has destroyed us
all!" then with a more determined tone he continued, "He has hidden himself
well. We must find out who he has possessed and exorcise him from them. Time
is running much too short. We must find him!
(Three dramatic notes sound)
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Night has fallen. The Old House sits deserted as all of its occupants have
left for the evening. (Camera pans the darkened drawing room and comes to
focus on the front door)
Sounds of tampering with the lock are heard and moments later, the door
slowly opens. (Camera focuses only on the intruder from the knees down.) The
intruder walks into the drawing room and to the French doors behind the arm
chair. The doors open and the intruder disappeared inside. A moment later
the intruder emerges once again. (Camera follows the two legs walking toward
the staircase. It continues to follow the legs as they ascend the stairs and
disappear. (Dramatic music ambles as the camera remains perfectly still
focused at the top step where the legs were last seen) On the second floor a
dark figure in a long trench coat is seen entering and departing the rooms
one at a time. (A moment later the view switches back to the camera in the
drawing room focused on the stairway, Two legs slowly descend the stairs
carrying something. As the legs reach the halfway point on the descent, the
front door opens and Adam enters and sees the figure on the stairway. His
eyes grew wide and he yells out, "YOU!" (Long dramatic drumbeats sound as
the camera reveals the wide eyed startled expression on the face of the
intruder)
Barnabas Collins…
JONATHAN FRID
Julia Hoffman…
GRAYSON HALL
Nicholas Blair…
HUMBERT ALLEN ASTREDO
Adam…
ROBERT RODAN
Selena Parker…
KATE JACKSON
Trevor Halliburton/Judah Zachary…
KEITH PRENTICE
Written By RUSS WILLIAMS
Directed By RUSS WILLIAMS
Story Developed and Created by ART WALLACE
Fashions courtesy of ORBACH'S
Music composed by ROBERT COBERT
Series created by DAN CURTIS Executive Producer