A cruel and evil man stalks those who live at Collinwood. All the evils the family has known over the long centuries have been caused by a curse which he pronounced in the year 1692. The family has endured through various evils which have plagued them in the long centuries past. Now he has transcended time and space and is determined that the present generation, will indeed, be the last...
Adam sits on a cot in the basement of the Old House. Barnabas, Julia, and Professor Stokes stand before him as he tells of the events of the previous evening. "I saw the door to the house cracked open when I came to get my belongings. When I came inside I saw Nicholas Blair on the stairs holding a picture. He didn't know who I was. All I could think of was how he tried to hurt me. So I chased him upstairs. I grabbed him by the throat, and I killed him." Adam said as the three listened intently. "And in doing so destroyed any chance of learning anything from him about Judah Zachary." Barnabas said disappointedly. Adam looked up at him and said, "You mean he knew who this Judah Zachary is?" "It would seem so. There can be no other explanation for his being here Adam. Twice before he has been destroyed. The first time was the very night he tried to destroy you. So he had to be brought here by some supernatural means. Judah Zachary is the only one with such a motive." Barnabas reasoned. Adam stood and struck his forehead with hand and said, "All I could think of was how I wanted to hurt him like he tried to hurt me. So I killed him. Then the fire. It was all around me. I couldn't find a way out! Then I saw her." The other three all registered surprise at his last statement. "Her? Who Adam? Who did you see?" Barnabas pressed. Adam stood with a blank expression and said, "I don't know. But she was standing there. Motioning to me to come. I was afraid. The fire was everywhere." Stokes then placed a hand on Adam's shoulder and said, "Can you tell us what she looked like, Adam?" Adam shook his head in the negative and said, "She was wearing a long white robe and a white hood was on her head." Barnabas mouth gaped. Julia's eyes fluttered, and Stokes fingertips came up to his mouth as puzzlement overcame them all.
(Three dramatic notes sound)
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"You saw a strange woman in white wearing a hood?" Stokes queried as his look of puzzlement grew even more intense. "Did she speak to you, Adam?" he asked further. Adam nodded and said, "No. She just kept waving me to come to her. Then the fire seemed to just separate there. Just long enough for me to get through. I was scared, but I followed her. I saw the door burning so I ran down here. I looked for the woman, but she was gone." Barnabas pondered just who this "angel of deliverance" could be. "The ghost of Josette?" he asked no one in particular. Julia thought on it for a moment then said, "I don't recall ever hearing in any of the accounts of Josette appearing to anyone wearing a hood, Barnabas." He paced the cell thoughtfully and said, "No. Neither have I." Stokes then chimed in, "The important thing isn't who she was, though I myself am quite intrigued by her possible identity myself. The important thing is that she guided Adam to safety." Julia nodded saying, "Yes, we can be very thankful for that." Adam looked at her and said, "Why Doctor? So I can continue to drain off the aging curse from Barnabas? Would you still be so happy I survived if it wasn't for that?" Julia seemed pained by his accusative tone and said, "Adam, I've told you before that you are very important to me. I feel a certain responsibility for your being here. How can I convince you that I am your friend?" Adam looked at her with a scowl and said, "I remember the reason you brought me here, Doctor. I was an accident. Barnabas was supposed to live in this body. Not me. I just happened, and I have to live with all the bad things people try to do to Barnabas. How would you like to live like that, Doctor? To know that you have to suffer so somebody else can be happy?" Barnabas eyes dropped in sorrow that what Adam was saying had some measure of truth to it. Stokes then placed his hand on Adam's arm and said, "Come Adam, I will take you home. I think we could all use some time to reflect on what we've learned here tonight. There's nothing to be gained from animosity. We have a common enemy, and cooler heads prevail when you are battling what we are. Come, I will see you at Collinwood this evening, Barnabas, Julia." Stokes opened the cell door and left with Adam following Julia turned and saw Barnabas looking sorrowful still and said, "Come Barnabas, we should return to Collinwood." Barnabas looked at her and said, "Will it never end, Julia? The atrocities I was forced to commit to gain my freedom. Will I always have to live them?" Not knowing what to say, she moved toward the door, and Barnabas followed, still pondering the same thoughts.
"Damn you, Magda!" Quentin said in disgust as he threw the shredded clothes he had been wearing into the fireplace in his room. Searching his room, he found a small box of matches and ignited the incriminating evidence. "If only I had brought the portrait here. Maybe I wouldn't have had to return to this cursed existence. Petofi is dead, Tate, I have no escape from the curse. I have to dread the coming of every full moon. Why did I have to kill Jenny? Why?" A knock came at the door interrupting his thoughts. "Who is it?" he called out. Through the door he heard, "It's me, Maggie." He glanced nervously at the fireplace to see if the fire had consumed the torn clothing and thought, "She'll wonder why if I send her away. Better to make an excuse." He thought, then he spoke, "Come in." Maggie entered and walked over to him put her arms around his waist. "I missed you last night." she said smiling and looking into his eyes. "It's alright. Mrs. Stoddard told me you were looking for Barnabas. It's just awful what happened to the Old House." She added. Normally he would have quite enjoyed her affections, but now... Now he had to worry about her safety when the full moon came. A worry he didn't want to have. He remembered having those worries about Beth, about Amanda. He didn't care to have them again, but have them he must. He turned on his usual wittiness and remarked, "Yeah, well it seems we'll all be one big happy family with Cousin Barnabas living here under the same roof with us." Maggie cocked her head to one side and said, half questioningly, "I thought you liked Barnabas?" "Oh I do, I just meant that now we won't have to go traipsing through the woods now when we want to see him, that's all." Maggie smiled again and said, "Well breakfast is ready. I'll see you downstairs." Quentin nodded as she opened the door. Just as she opened it, Barnabas was about to knock. "Oh, hello Barnabas. I heard what happened to the Old House. I'm so sorry." Barnabas nodded acknowledgement and said, "Thank you Maggie. If you'll pardon me, I need to speak with Quentin for a moment. I won't keep him long, I promise." Maggie then replied, "I will hold you to that, Barnabas." She then left closing the door behind her. "I see you made it back here undiscovered." Barnabas said quietly. Quentin replied, "Yes. If you remember I got quite good at it. Sneaking into the house through a first floor window in the closed off East wing. I thought those days were gone for good." Barnabas sympathized with him remembering his own days of skulking around to avoid being discovered. "So, where did you run off to in such a hurry when you let me out of the mausoleum this morning?" Quentin inquired. "I had to go see what may be salvageable at the Old House." Barnabas replied, seeing no reason to reveal his real reason for going. "I see. You aren't entertaining the notion of rebuilding it, are you?" Barnabas said, "I've not yet decided. Willie has kindly offered to help. I shall have to wait and see. I'd like you to come by my room after you finish with Maggie. There are some things I'd like to discuss with you." Quentin nodded and Barnabas left the room. Quentin also left to catch up with Maggie. (Music out)
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The sounds of knocking came upon the front door as Elizabeth Stoddard sipped
on a cup of tea in the drawing room as she looked over the company ledgers.
She rose and answered it to find Tony Peterson. "Good morning, Mr. Peterson,
what brings you out here on such a lovely morning?" Liz asked as she urged
him on in. "Good morning Mrs. Stoddard. Business primarily, can we talk in
there?" he said indicating the drawing room. "Certainly", she replied as she
followed him inside. He went directly to the sofa and sat down opening his
briefcase. He withdrew a manila folder and looked up at her and said, "I'm
sure you've heard of Wilton Thurmond?" Liz thought for a moment and said,
"Yes, he owns a fishing fleet at Bar Harbor. We offered to buy his fleet
about ten years ago, but he wasn't interested in selling." Tony stood and
approached her presenting the folder to her and said, "Well he is now. As
you know, he's getting on up in years, and he has no heirs to leave it to.
He wants to retire and sail around the world with his wife. So he found out
I was representing you and brought me this proposal. Everything looked in
order, and the price seemed reasonable, so I told him I'd bring it to your
attention." Liz read over the documents briefly and said, "You can tell him
I'll bring the proposal before the board next Tuesday. I don't see any
reason why it shouldn't be accepted. As you said, it all seems to be in
order and the price is a bit more than we may have offered, but it's still
within reason." Tony nodded and said, "I kinda thought that would be your
answer." He said returning to the briefcase and withdrawing yet another
folder. "So I took the liberty of drawing up these just in case." He said as
he presented it to her. She took the folder and opened it to view the sales
agreement documents. Smiling she looked at him and said, "I knew you were
the right man to take over our business affairs, Tony. Roger, of course was
skeptical because you had opposed us in the past. I admire the job you did,
and safety conditions are a top priority at all of our operations now, and
you are partly responsible." Tony half smiled and said, "I'm glad to hear
it. Is Carolyn here? I haven't spoken to her in a while." Liz eyes dropped
momentarily as she felt a little uncomfortable telling him what she felt he
should know. "No, she went out early this morning. I think I should tell you
that she has been seeing quite a bit of another young man. He too is an
attorney." Tony trying to hide his disappointment replied, "Oh, anyone I
know?" Liz looked at him and said, "Yes. It's Trevor Halliburton"
"Trevor Halliburton? How did she manage to get involved with him?" Liz then
said, "He was very apologetic about his ever having represented Gerald
Fenton. He came out here to assure us he wouldn't be involved in the
attempted murder trial. He and Carolyn seemed to hit it off. I try not to
interfere in Carolyn's affairs, and he does seem to be a nice young man."
Tony closed the briefcase and said, "I see. Well, no need to mention that I
asked about her. If there's nothing else, I guess I'll see you at the board
meeting next Tuesday then." Liz realizing how he felt, but not knowing what
to say simply replied, "No, I have nothing more. Thank you again for coming
by, Tony." He placed his hat on his head and disappointedly left the house.
Liz looked pensively after him. (Sad music fades)
The scene is Barnabas' room. "So this Judah Zachary is indirectly responsible for the fire?" Quentin said as he faced Barnabas. "Yes." Came the simple reply. "The rest of the story is so incredible; I can see why you never told me about it before. This Adam, his being alive is keeping you from aging almost 200 years! So I guess if he had died in the fire then both of our gooses would be cooked right now." He continued. Barnabas nodded, ignoring the indeliberate pun. "So Nicholas Blair was trying to steal my portrait. He was working for Judah, which means Judah knows about my curse." Quentin reasoned. "I'm afraid so, Quentin." Barnabas said, and then continued, "I want you to come to the Old House this evening. Julia and Professor Stokes will be there as well. What I have to say must not be overheard in this house. Can you come about 7 O'clock?" Quentin nodded saying, "Sure. I appreciate you taking me into your confidence. I'll be there." Quentin left the room and Julia entered. "So he knows?" she asked. "Yes, at least the part I could disclose here. He agreed to meet with us at the Old House tonight." Julia nodded and then said, "By the way, Barnabas, I just saw Liz downstairs. She asked me to tell you she'd like to see you in the drawing room." "Did she say why?" he asked. "No. She didn't." Julia replied. Barnabas pondered about what reason Liz should have to see him. He could think of no reason why she might want to see him. He rose from the chair he was sitting in and said, "I shall see what she wants. I will see you at the Old House later." He left the room closing the door leaving Julia curious about what his visit with Liz could be about.
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Elizabeth put away the business ledgers and rose from the small desk in the drawing room. She saw Barnabas descending the stairs in the foyer. She stood and prepared for his entrance. He reached the bottom of the stairs and strolled into the drawing room bearing the familiar wolf's head cane in his grasp. "Julia said you wished to see me." He said, watching as he wondered why she called him here. Liz motioned toward the sofa indicating she would like him to sit. Barnabas gave a slight nod and stepped toward the sofa. He sat with a look of anticipation at Liz as he wondered what to expect. Liz sat down beside him and faced him saying, "Barnabas I want you to know that I understand how difficult this must be for you. I know you are accustomed to a bit more privacy than Collinwood affords." Barnabas looked at her thoughtfully. Shifting his grip on the wolf's head cane and his eyes dropped slightly as he softly replied, "Quite true, however this is your house, I could hardly impose." Liz sat up straight and replied, "What would you say if I told you I know a way to restore some measure of your privacy?" Barnabas tilted his head slightly as a look of intense curiosity crossed his face. "I'm afraid I don't understand." He said as he waited for a clearer explanation. Liz looked warmly at him and said, "Barnabas. Do you remember when Burke and Vicki were going to be married?" Barnabas quickly recalled the announcement and his own dislike for Burke Devlin. He nodded that he indeed remembered. "I offered to let them open up the West wing and redo it to their liking." She said as she watched him. He nodded that again, he remembered this as well. "I'm prepared to make you that same offer, Barnabas. The West wing does have its own entrance, and you could either leave the access to rest of the house open, or close it off completely to provide whatever measure of privacy you wish." Barnabas was moved by this kind offer. "I don't know what to say. A very kind offer Liz." He said as he rose from the sofa and paced the floor pondering the aspect. "You don't have to decide right away, Barnabas. Think it over, and if you decide, you know where to find me." She rose giving him a warm smile, then turned and left him to ponder her offer. Barnabas stood in awe at the possibilities this could present.
Quentin Collins ducked slightly as he passed through the open doorway at the Old House. He looked all around taking in the devastation. He looked momentarily at the burned remains that had been his portrait on the stairs. He then slowly surveyed the fire ravaged drawing room. His mind rushed back to all the times he himself had found refuge in this remote hideaway. Then the awful realization that this was also the very room that Magda imposed the wretched curse that now seized him once again. He was shaken back to reality by the muffled sounds of voices far away. He turned and followed the sounds as they led him to the basement door. He opened the large metal door and descended the stairs. Reaching the bottom he saw Julia Hoffman and Professor Stokes. "Ahh, it's you two. So I guess Barnabas hasn't made the party yet." He said in his usual jesting manner. Julia stepped toward him and said, "No he should be along momentarily, Quentin. You remember Professor Eliot Stokes?" Quentin looked at Stokes and gave a nod of acknowledgement. Quentin then folded his hands behind his back and strolled around taking in the dank musty cellar and said, "So what new strange brew do we plan to concoct in this dreary dungeon tonight, my good doctor?" Julia's lips pursed slightly trying to overlook his attempt at dry humor and said, "I think it would be best if we wait until Barnabas arrives. I think he really should be here to tell you what we've learned." Quentin maintained a half jovial demeanor as he gave a resigned agreement to wait. The sound is heard of the big metal door opening momentarily, and then closing again. The sound of footsteps is then heard. Momentarily, Barnabas Collins descended the stairs. Professor Stokes stood pensively by, eagerly anticipating what the results of this covert gathering would reveal. Barnabas came to the center of the room and all eyes were focused on him. "I'm glad you all came." He said acknowledging all there. He then paced a few steps and said, "After long weeks of mystery, we are finally growing near to the time when we will defeat Judah Zachary." He then turned looking at them all and said, "For this night, finally, we know who he really is..."
(Three dramatic notes sound)
Elizabeth Stoddard.
JOAN BENNETT
Barnabas Collins.
JONATHAN FRID
Maggie Evans.
KATHRYN LEIGH SCOTT
Julia Hoffman.
GRAYSON HALL
Professor Stokes.
THAYER DAVID
Quentin Collins.
DAVID SELBY
Tony Peterson.
JERRY LACY
Adam.
ROBERT RODAN
Written and Directed by RUSS WILLIAMS
Story Developed and Created by ART WALLACE
Produced By PETER MINER
Associate Producer GEORGE DiCENZO
Fashions courtesy of ORBACH'S
Music composed by ROBERT COBERT
Series created by DAN CURTIS Executive Producer