For 300 years, Collinwood has been placed under a dark cloud. For in the year 1692, Amadeus Collins, one of their ancestors participated in a trial that found the warlock, Judah Zachary, guilty of the high crime of the practice of witchcraft. The sentence for his crimes was beheading, a sentence imposed by Amadeus Collins. Using his evil powers, Judah Zachary made good his dying oath to transcend death and exact his revenge on Amadeus, and all his descendants. Two men from the present have managed to transcend time, and have arrived in the year 1677. They are hopeful that they can prevent Judah Zachary from ever being introduced to the practice of evil. But on this night, they are unaware that his dark descent into darkness has already begun...
Music otherwise used for dream sequence ambles as scene opens. Samuel Dawson sits at a table in his room at the inn. A single candle is lit. He sits in an almost trancelike state. Suddenly he begins to speak, "O Dark Master, I doth call upon this flame to summon thee! I doth call upon every dark creature to bend thine ear unto me!" One dramatic sustained note sounds and fades as the dream music softens and continues. "O great one! I hath found the one which thou wouldst beckon! The time of his conversion draweth nigh!" After a brief pause, a deep booming voice sounds from the darkness, "Thou hast done well, Samuel Dawson!" Samuel developed a look of concern and said, "Art thou certain, great master, that he is the one thou seekest?" The voice boomed again, "As thou wast mine chosen one a generation ago, Samuel Dawson, so wilt Judah Zachary lead my followers in the next!" Samuel then hesitantly said, "Master, this one hath no patience and is brash!" Diablos then replied, "As wert thou also, Samuel. He will require discipling, as do all, but the day will come, when this one will rise to become thy leader also!" Suddenly a knock came upon the door. Samuel looked into the mist and said, "He arriveth!" From the mist, Diablos replied, "Go now, Samuel Dawson, thou knowest what must be done!" The mist subsides as dramatic crawl begins. Samuel walks to the door of his room. Dramatic music intensifies. The door opens to reveal Judah Zachary standing there. Dramatic music reaches a mighty crescendo ending in three dramatic notes.
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(Two dramatic notes sound.) Samuel Dawson motions Judah Zachary to enter his room at the inn. Once inside, Dawson closed the door. Judah looked about the dark room curiously and said, "Didst I wake thee?" Dawson stood looking at Judah, bringing his hands close together allowing his fingertips to touch. He then stepped toward Judah and said, "No, I hath been expecting thee!" Judah looked at him curiously and asked, "How couldst thou be so certain I would come?" With a slight chuckle, he replied, "Because thou, unlike most, art not willing to simply be content with the lot that is granted thee. There is a world beyond that which thou seest! A world which shalt open unto thee all the pleasures and the richest that thou desirest. It is a world that thou canst be a part of, Judah Zachary, if thou art found to be worthy of that world!" Judah looked at him questioningly and asked, "And just what doth it be that would make me worthy?" Dawson pursed his lips momentarily and then said, "Sit down, Judah." Judah looked at him and said, "Thou didst not answer my..." Dawson turned to him in anger, interrupting him and growled, "I said...SIT DOWN, JUDAH!" Judah looked at him offended, but Dawson continued to scowl. Realizing he would learn nothing more until he complied, Judah slowly lowered himself into chair while maintaining his gaze on Dawson. Once he was seated, Dawson resumed his former posture with his fingertips touching each other and turned away from Judah's gaze. "I cannot answer thy query, Judah!" Judah looked at him quite confused and replied, "Is that not why I came? Why dost thou say thou canst not tell me?" Dawson then turned and replied coldly, "Because thou hast not come here to have thy questions answered Judah Zachary! Thou hast come to receive instruction, and to receive guidance! That meaneth that thou art here to listen and learn. All thy questions will be answered in thy instruction, so thou art to ask nothing! Thou wilt follow and obey me completely and without question if thou art to obtain the life thou seekest. If thou canst not comply, the door awaiteth! Thou canst return to thy pitiful life! The decision is thine, Judah!" He then stood watching Judah expectantly. Judah looked at him seeing the expectancy and asked, "Thou seekest a reply now?" Dawson looked at him in feigned disbelief and said, "But of course!" He then walked to the door and opened it. Then turning again to Judah, he said, "Choose now, Judah Zachary! Life as thou hast it now... or life as it can be!" Judah rose from the chair and walked to the door. He looked at Dawson for a brief moment and then closed the door remaining inside. A look of evil glee crosses Dawson's face as his head slowly nods up and down. "A wise decision, Judah! Now, the first thing thou must know is that thou must tell no one of what is uttered in this room! Dost thou understand?" Judah looked at him and nodded that he understood. Dawson paced about the room for a moment and then said, "Now for thy first instruction. Thou shalt find thy friend, Jedediah Thorne! Thou shalt tell him thou hast been foolish, and thou shalt resume thy friendship with him!" Judah turned to him and said, "I don't understand. Why ..." Dawson's eyes then widened into a piercing glare that burned Judah to the soul. He needed to say nothing. Judah understood he was questioning and that that was forbidden. He then said, "I will do it." Dawson then opened the door and said, "See that thou dost not return here until thou hast done so!" Judah looked at Dawson with a thousand questions burning in his mind that he knew he could not ask. Breaking his gaze, he left the room. Dawson then closed the door and leaned back against it. A hideous grin is seen as camera and music fade.
Lydia Martin enters the front door of her house carrying some fresh cut flowers she had just gathered. She closed the door behind her proceeded over to the table which had a vase on it with some dead flowers already in it. She laid the new flowers on the table and removed the dead ones. She carried them through a doorway and disappeared momentarily. While she was absent, Laura entered the room. Lydia returned and upon seeing Laura, she said, "Good morning, Laura." Laura smiled upon seeing the flowers and replied, "Good morning, Mother!" Lydia placed the flowers inside the vase and then said, "How art things between thee and Judah?" The smile disappeared from her face as she turned away momentarily. Laura walked to the window and looked out saying nothing for a moment. Lydia's eyes then widened in the realization that the reply would not be a positive one. "We quarreled, Mother. Yet again he speaketh of leaving here. To journey forth to new lands that will open the doors to riches." Lydia smiled as she arranged the flowers in the vase and replied, "We hath spoken of this before, Laura. If thou lovest him, thou must make his dreams thine own. What would ye, that he would give up his ambition to make thee happy? Haply it may be that he wouldst do it, but misery would be his lot. He wouldst look out beyond the horizon as each day passeth and wonder if he did err in remaining. Perhaps thou hast deceived thine own self, Laura." Laura then looked puzzled and tilted her head as she looked at her mother and asked, "What meanest thou?" Lydia smiled and interlocked the fingers of both hands and paced away from the table toward the window. "It is Josiah Smith!" Laura looked more confused than ever and queried, "Josiah Smith? I know no Josiah Smith!" Lydia continued smiling and said, "I didst love Josiah Smith. There wast no man who couldst have mine heart, but he, or so I didst think. Young hearts stay not young, Dear Laura. As we both groweth older, he nor I wast the same people we had been. We parted, and I wast certain I should remain a maiden all my days. Thy father and I didst meet much later. So, perhaps Judah is thy Josiah." Laura paced the room and quietly replied, "I know not." Lydia came over to her and lovingly placed her hands on her shoulders and said, "Time. Thou shalt know in time." Laura looked at her and said, "He doth frighten me, Mother!" A worried look now crossed Lydia's face as she enquired, "He frighteneth thee? Why?" Laura paced with an exasperated look on her face that said she didn't quite know how to answer. Then suddenly, it came. "Anger. He is beset with anger. I canst not recall the last smile I hath seen on him. We rideth from the north in the carriage. The wheel on the carriage didst break. Judah sought to mend it, but was unable and utter cursings. Dost thou remember the kind gentleman that was at the pub?" Lydia thought for a moment and said, "The one named Amadeus Collins?" Laura nodded as her frown continued, "He didst venture by as Judah sought to mend the wheel. In minutes he did mend the wheel and Judah wast not at all thankful. Hatred! Yes, his face did bear hatred toward Amadeus Collins. As we rideth back to the village, I canst not be certain, because of the blowing of the wind as we did ride. But I am almost of a certainty that I heareth him say he wouldst kill Amadeus. Lydia's mouth parts in a horrified look as slow dramatic music groans out.
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Camera opens on a pendulum clock sitting on a mantle. The pendulum rocks back and forth. A door is heard opening and Brutus was shaken back to reality as he turned to see who was entering. Amadeus came into the office with Desmond. Desmond was cradling his arm. "Is something amiss?" Amadeus led Desmond over to a chair and sat him down. He then replied, "A crate didst fall from the deck of one the ships." Brutus knelt beside Desmond with great concern and said, "Art thou alright, Darius? Doth it be broken?" Amadeus ripped the sleeve from the shirt as Desmond replied, "I don't think so." He carefully examined Desmond's arm and said, "It be not broken, but it shalt have a considerable bruising. We art missing a man and those who art laboring seek to make up the loss." Brutus frowned and asked, "Who didst not report?" Amadeus did not look up from his tending of Desmond's arm and replied, "Judah Zachary." Brutus and Desmond exchanged hurried glances at the mention of Judah's name. "Again he doth disrupt the work! The time hath come to release him from his duties." Amadeus said with great annoyance. This time Desmond and Brutus exchange horrified looks as they realize such a move would only seek to further fuel Judah's animosity. The door opens and Judah enters. "The quartermaster saith thou dost wish to see me." Judah said looking nervously at the three men. Amadeus paused only a brief moment and then looked back at Desmond and asked, "If thou canst not continue it is understood." Desmond looked at his arm and replied, "No, I shall be able to continue." Amadeus smiled and said, "Good. Now, Judah..." Brutus suddenly interrupted and said, "Amadeus. I must see thee in the storeroom before thou dost proceed." Amadeus gave him a confused look as he wondered what was so important it could not wait. Brutus did not wait for a reply but went on into the storeroom. Amadeus looked at Judah and Desmond and said "Tarry here till I return." He then also entered the storeroom and closed the door. Desmond looked at Judah, taking in the man he did not know at all, and yet, knew so well. "So you're Judah Zachary?" Desmond asked. Judah looked back at him and said, "Yes. So I suppose they wilt dismiss me?" Desmond then replied, "They hath made no mention of it. How long hast thou lived in Collinsport?" Judah then said, "Since my birth." Desmond extended his hand and said, "I am Darius Collins." Judah looked surprised and said, "I didst think I knew all that were named Collins!" Desmond then replied, I have only recently come to these shores. I am the nephew of Isaac Collins. My father remaineth in the Old Country. I hath come to survey all that my uncle hath done. He departed England before my birth. I have only now come to know him." Judah looked away and snidely replied, He is master all that he doth survey. That is certain!" Desmond did not reply to his curtness. Suddenly the storeroom door opened and Brutus and Amadeus emerged. Desmond stood and Brutus said, "Come Darius, I will accompany thee." Desmond looked at Judah and said, "It was a pleasure meeting thee." Judah with no trace of sincerity replied, "Likewise." Brutus and Desmond exit the office closing the door behind them. Amadeus then stepped behind his desk and sat down. He looked up at Judah and said, "I will not ask why thou hast arrived at this late hour. I know thou wast out late with thy broken carriage. I trust that thou didst deliver thine lady friend home safely?" Judah then replied, "I did indeed." Amadeus paused for a moment and then said, "There is no more to be said about the matter, thou mayest report to thy post." Judah stood speechless for a moment, and then turned and left. Amadeus took the quill pen from the blotter and prepared to write. He looked up momentarily at the closed door and said, "Thou art welcome." (Transition music rises.)
Brutus and Desmond stand by a wooden shack. "I shudder to think what will happen if Amadeus doth release Judah from his position." Desmond said looking at Brutus with great concern. Brutus sighed and replied, "I feel certain I did persuade him to delay and give unto Judah another chance." Desmond then said, "For all we know, that could be the last straw that drove Judah to practicing the Black Arts." Brutus looked at him curiously and said, "last straw? Yet another quaint expression from thy time, I suppose? I gather what thou meanest thou. Yes, if Amadeus should dismiss him he wouldst have considerable time to learn. From my childhood I hath heard mine mother say, 'Idle hands art the Devil's workshop.' Now that saying hath great meaning to me. We must insure that he doth nothing more to jeopardize his place here, but we canst not be with him night and day. I know that he doth have one friend who is of good character, one Jedediah Thorne, but I know not if it be wise to seek his aid." Desmond nodded and said, "We cannot risk any suspicion. Too many questions may rise that we cannot answer." Brutus pondered a moment and said, "Amadeus saith Judah doth have one to whom he is pledged. If they spend much time together in the evening, and he is kept busy here during the day, perhaps he will not find the time to do evil." Desmond pursed his lips and said, "For now we can only hope that is truly what happens. (Stinging music plays out.)
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Stock footage of the moon over the horizon is shown as music rises. Scene switches to Samuel Dawson as he sits in his room at the inn. He is reading a book when a knock come s at he door. He lays the book down and rises. He opens the door to reveal Judah standing there. He allows Judah to enter and then closes the door. Once the door is closed he turns to Judah and growls out, "Thou fool!" Judah turned to him in surprise and said, "What troubleth thee?" Dawson came face to face to face with him and said, "All concerning thy life at this time must appear to be without incident! But no, thou dost tempt the fates by bringing attention to thyself." Judah looks at him in shock and responds, "I knoweth not what thou meanest!" Eyes bulging, Dawson then exclaimed, "I am not the fool thou mayest think, Judah Zachary! I hath heard how thou didst dally about when thou shouldst be at thy work. How thy absence did cause one to be injured! It cometh as a shock to me that thou didst not forfeit thy position! No one should see anything strange about thy life at this time!" Judah then defensively recoiled declaring. "Hadst thou not demanded that I find Jedediah and resume the friendship which we had, I should have been to bed early enough to rise, instead of sleeping past the appointed time!" Dawson's disgust gave way to surprised look of delight. "So, it is done?" Judah then replied, "It is done, but I know not why it is a thing of such urgency." Dawson coolly replied, "Thou wilt know when the time cometh. Now, sit down Judah, I will tell thee what thou must do next." He grins hideously as transition music rises.
A haggard and disheveled Quentin Collins stumbles through the dark cavern with flashlight in one hand, coiled rope in the other. His clothes are torn and covered in dried blood. He ambles around turn after turn seeking to find the pit where he had left Willie. He finds the split in the tunnels and remembers that they used the tunnel on the right. He proceeds down the gradual incline until his flashlight reveals the edge of the pit. He half smiles and begins uncoiling the rope to feed down to Willie. "Sorry it took so long to get back, I ran into some trouble with the police. We'll have you out of there in a minute." He suddenly stops in mid thought and calls out, "Willie?" There is no reply. "Willie, did you hear me?" Hearing no reply this time, he hurriedly drops the rope and shines the flashlight down to see. One slow sustained note plays, followed by four more, then one sharp staccato note as the light reveals a quite empty pit. His mouth gapes in shock as camera fades.
Had this been an actual episode, the air date would have been June 28, 1971