Collinwood in the year, 1971; Hatred knows no limit for Judah Zachary. A dark and foreboding evil has befallen all who live in the great mansion, for this man, in spirit form, has possessed one who lives at Collinwood, and seeks to exact his revenge on the descendants of a man who did him harm in centuries past. A deadly plague has caused the house to fall under quarantine. A plot devised by the evil Judah, to insure the family could not receive outside help in ridding themselves of the terror he has brought. On this night, another of the terrors he has brought upon the house is being relived again...
(Dream music sequence is heard.) Roger Collins sits bound and slumped over in the wheelchair in which he is confined. He moans as he is in the throes of a dream. "What do you mean? You must tell me! What do you mean? Please tell me!" Elizabeth Stoddard and Carolyn Stoddard Halliburton are stirred from their own slumbers by his moaning. Suddenly he snaps awake still yelling out, "What do you mean, 'The child is dead?" Carolyn looks both piteously at him and her eyes fall in remorse. Elizabeth looks at him also showing concern. Realizing he is now awake, he looks alternately at his sister and nephew with bewilderment. "What is the meaning of this ridiculous dream that comes night after night? It doesn't make anymore sense now than the first time I had it!" he said in exasperation. Carolyn looks at him and says, "It must have something to do with David, Uncle Roger. He was your child, and now he is..." Tears now well up in her eyes as she struggles to finish her sentence. "Dead." She now breaks down sobbing. A sorrowful look comes over Roger's face as he is reminded of the death of his son. His head lowers as he sorrowfully says, "I never was a proper father for David, and now I'll never get the chance to make it up to him. But it con't be about David. The dream began while he was still well. It must be something else!" Liz looked at Roger with deep sympathy. Roger slowly looked up at his sister and pleadingly asked, "What can it mean?" Suddenly a voice is heard. "Yes Mrs. Stoddard. Tell your poor brother the secret you've kept from him for so long!" Roger looks toward the door seeing the smug grinning face of Trevor Halliburton. A look of terror crosses Liz's face as three dramatic notes sound.
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(Two dramatic notes sound) "Go ahead; tell him your deep dark secret! Tell him about the child you kept from him!" Liz glared in horror as Roger looked at her with great questioning. Carolyn also looked at her expectantly. Realizing she could hide it no longer, she stammered as she spoke, "It's true Roger." Roger looked at her with urgency waiting for her to continue. "It all happened so very long ago, Roger. Father was still alive. You were away at school. You came home one holiday weekend. You had too much to drink, and there was a young girl also here visiting her uncle. The two of you took to each other; you both had too much to drink. You returned to school and a few weeks later we learned the girl was pregnant. Father was furious and decided to pay the girl to leave with her child after it was born, but she died giving birth to the child. So father had me take the child to Richard Garner to arrange for its care." Roger's eyes begin to slowly widen as realization began to come. "Yes Roger. The girl was Hanscomb's niece, Betty... and the child... was Vicki." Roger sits in utter shock at the revelation. He can hardly speak, but manages to look into Liz's eyes with a look that said, "Why didn't you tell me?" Liz struggled for a moment and then continued, "It was all Father's idea. I tried to get him to reconsider, but he wouldn't hear of it. He was concerned about the Collin's name and the stubborn Collins pride. About the reputation and how it would look. So I did as he asked, and I swore to myself that one day, I would bring her back. After you and David returned to Collinwood, he needed a governess, and I had learned that Vicki was teaching at the foundling home, so I decided that fate had arranged the circumstances so that I could do it. So I sent for her." Roger looked at his sister in shock at the revelation, hardly believing his ears. "She was here for months, Liz! Why didn't you say something?" he asked in earnest. Liz looked downward in shame, and said, "I was waiting for what I thought would be the perfect moment. Do you remember when Vicki was to be married to Jeff Clark, and you were going to give her away?" Roger replied, "Yes, I remember." Liz continued, I was going to tell you that night before the ceremony, but then Jeff ran away to the cemetery, and you followed, and the wedding didn't take place. Then you were away when the two of them suddenly decided to be married right away. After that, she was taken from us. From that point on I didn't have the heart to tell you." Roger looked at her and said, "But I don't understand how that is connected to this absurd dream where the nurse keeps saying the child is dead!" Liz looked curiously at him and said, "I don't understand that either. You weren't even there when those words were spoken. You were away at school." Carolyn, who had been sitting totally speechless the whole time, finally speaks, "Why would the nurse say the child was dead? Vicki didn't die!" Liz through her tears replied, "Those words were spoken by the nurse to Hanscomb. They never let him know the baby survived." Trevor now smirkingly paces between the three of them and says, "So the noble and upright Collinses have deep dark skeletons buried in the closets. Yet they feel qualified to pass judgment on others!" With her eyes bulged in fury, Carolyn yells out at Trevor, "Why don't you shut up, you...monster! He just discovered he's lost not only one child, but two!" Trevor then in great anger comes face to face with her and says, "At least he had children to lose! I didn't even have that, thanks to Amadeus Collins! He took the woman that was pledged to be mine. He gave her children that should have been mine, and then ultimately, he took the very life that was mine, so spare me your moralizing blubbering! You've had everything you ever wanted! You can't even begin to know what it means to lose everything! But you will! Very soon... YOU WILL! In anger, Halliburton exits the room slamming the door behind him. Liz, Carolyn, and Roger all exchange troubled looks as music fades out.
Scene opens on the foyer of Collinwood. Three successive knocks are heard on the front door. Trevor Halliburton emerges onto the second floor landing. His face bears an incredulous scowl as he wonders who in their right mind would be seeking entry into this house. Three more knocks come as he descends the stairs. Suspiciously, he approaches the doors. He hesitates a moment, and then turns on his most gregarious façade, and then opens the door. "Hello?" Trevor said as he faced the man standing in the doorway. The man gave an acknowledging nod and said, "I don't believe I've met you, Sir." Trevor looked at the man and then at deputy who stood a few paces away facing away. "I'm Trevor Halliburton, Carolyn's husband." The man then smiled and gave another nod and said, "My name is Thaddeus Simpson. Dr. Thaddeus Simpson." Trevor looked slightly disturbed and asked, "Doctor?" The man removed his hat and said, "Mr. Halliburton, I was here a few weeks ago. It was my visit, and the results from the cultures I took while I was here that resulted in the quarantine that has been imposed here." Trevor nodded and said, "Ah yes, I remember the ladies mentioning you now. But I don't understand. Aren't you afraid of being infected with the disease that's running rampant here?" The doctor then smiled and said, "Not at all, Mr. Halliburton! You see, I have come with the cure!" Trevor's face goes white as five ascending dramatic notes sound.
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Two dramatic notes sound and softly fade as a wide eyed Trevor repeats the doctor's last words in question form, "The cure?" Dr. Simpson then replied, "Yes, you see, I was infected with the malady during my brief visit here. I too have been secluded from the public... until now, that is. We have a serum ready to inoculate everyone with that will hopefully reverse the effects of this disease and restore everyone back to their normal healthy selves within a matter of a few short weeks. I'd like to get started right away. The sheriff has already cleared it with the local authorities. May I come in Mr. Halliburton?" Judah realized Trevor would look very suspicious if he did not welcome the doctor inside. So he feigns excitement about the doctor's arrival. "Oh yes, please do, and please pardon my moment of daftness. I haven't felt at all well lately. I wasn't thinking very clearly." The doctor hung his hat up in the vestibule and entered the foyer saying, "That's quite understandable, Mr. Halliburton. If we can go into this room here, I'll start my examinations with you." The doctor proceeded on into the drawing room as a look of great worry and hesitance show on Trevor's face. Transition music rises as camera fades.
Scene returns to the West wing room where Roger is oddly quiet. Liz looks at him and says, "Roger, what are you thinking? You mustn't hold it inside. Please!" Carolyn also looks at him and says, "You know we both love you, Uncle Roger. It won't do any good to bottle everything up." Roger looked up slowly at both of them and said, "I was just remembering reading the old writings about Amadeus, Judah Zachary, and the witch trial. I remember laughing at it and thinking what a lot of utter morons our early ancestors were for believing in such foolishness. Now all I can think of is what a fool I've been. The supernatural has presented itself in this house on countless occasions, and all I could do was try to find rational explanations my mind could readily accept. I was willingly blind to the truth that was there staring us all in the face. Now the myth that I so wanted to believe was just that, is going to destroy us all. If I hadn't been so stubbornly blind, perhaps we may have found a way to avoid all this tragedy that Judah Zachary has brought upon this house." Carolyn's eyes lowered as she said, "If anyone is to blame, Uncle Roger, it's me. I brought him into the house to begin with. I don't know how I could have been so completely taken in by him. (Her head drops as she bursts into tears.) Liz coughed and then said, "It won't do any good for either of you to blame yourselves for what has happened. We were all taken in by his charm. Selena also said that Trevor is not to blame for his actions. This Judah Zachary has so absorbed him that he is powerless to resist. How often have we all scoffed at the tales Barnabas and Julia tried to convince us of, and we couldn't believe them?" Carolyn now looked up through tear stained eyes with a look of hatred and said, "I hope they ALL die! They deserve it after what they've done! I want to see it with my own eyes when they get what they deserve! Monsters!" Liz looks at her in total shock and says, "What on earth, Carolyn? Perhaps you should rest. You're not being rational!" A cold hard look comes over Carolyn's face as she says, "No! I'll tell you just how devoted dear Cousin Barnabas is! I'll tell you the whole truth about our dear cousin from England..."
Trevor Halliburton buttons up his shirt in the drawing room as Dr. Simpson shakes his head in disbelief. "What's the matter, Doctor?" he asked, seeing the disturbed look on the doctor's face. "It's incredible. Truly incredible!" Judah squirmed inside Trevor, as he just had to know what the doctor meant. "I don't understand what you mean, doctor." He said with impatience. The doctor finished closing his bag and looked at Trevor and said, "You've been confined in this house throughout the entire quarantine period, and though you say you haven't felt well, you show not one symptom of this disease! No swollen lymph glands, no latent evidence of fever, no apparent weight loss by the fit of your clothing. It's almost as if you have a natural immunity to the disease. I must see the remaining family members. Are any of the others as apparently healthy as you are, Mr. Halliburton?" Trevor turned away nervously and said, "Well, uh... no. I don't understand it myself. You're right of course, that I haven't suffered the symptoms you described. But I have had terrible fatigue and absent mindedness. Are you sure there is no connection, Doctor?" Doctor Simpson then turned looking Trevor in the eye and said, "I couldn't be MORE sure. While the symptoms you describe may accompany the others, they alone would not constitute having the disease itself. By its very nature, this disease is a severe infection of the lymphatic system. Your resistive qualities are utterly remarkable. I'd like the opportunity once this quarantine is over to run some tests if you wouldn't mind. The results might well lead to some beneficial research that would advance modern medicine significantly." Trevor again paused nervously at this unwanted attention, but turned anyway and said, "Well sure, if there's something I can do of such lasting significance, I'd be more than happy to oblige." The doctor smiled and said, "Very good! Now, if you wouldn't mind taking me to the others, I'd like to get them on the way to recovery." Not letting the doctor see his uneasiness, he said, "Certainly. Come on upstairs, I'll show you where they are." (Low dramatic oboe sounds fade out.)
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Scene opens showing a wide eyed look of disbelief on Liz's face. "Barnabas, the same Barnabas that lived in the 1700's? Oh Carolyn, you con't be serious! Do you realize how absurd that sounds?" Roger looks up straight faced and said, "I believe her, Liz. I'm beginning to believe a lot of things I never thought I would. When Barnabas first came to Collinsport, the murderous attacks began in the village. We only saw him at night, and every time I tried to suggest meeting with him, he always had some excuse why he could only meet at night." Liz then retorted, "Carolyn, Roger, we have seen Barnabas during the day on countless occasions!" Carolyn then angrily replies, "Yes, after Doctor Julia Hoffman performed experiments to make it possible for him to walk in daylight. I know what I'm talking about because I'm one of those he victimized! He was responsible for Maggie Evans disappearance and he framed Willie Loomis to be blamed for it! He's evil, Mother! Why can't you see it?" Liz then paused and said, "It would seem he was also a victim of the curse. If Judah Zachary has lived through all these generations then he may have been responsible for what happened to Barnabas, if he is indeed the same one from the 18th century. Whenever Barnabas is engaging in all his mysterious research into the family, he has always been so secretive. Possibly because he knew if he told us what he knew, his arguments would only meet with our skepticism. I only know that the Barnabas Collins I know has always had this family's best interest at heart. Even when we wouldn't believe anything he had to say."
Trevor leads Dr. Simpson down the main bedroom hallway. He stops in front of David's bedroom and turns to the Dr. and says, "You'll find the children in here." Dr. Simpson nodded a kind of thank you nod and then places his hand on the door knob. He turns the knob and opens the door. He steps inside and immediately turns back in horror and says, "You didn't tell me they were already dead!" Trevor then gave an impish grin and said, "Oh yes, I did forget to mention that, didn't I? You'll have to forgive me that little oversight Doctor! I have much too pressing matters to discuss it with you now however." Suddenly without warning he gives Dr. Simpson a shove forcing him back into the bedroom. He then quickly seizes the door and closes it, locking Dr. Simpson inside. From inside the room, the furious pounding by Dr. Simpson on the door is heard. "You're mad! Let me out of here this instant! Let me out. He continues demanding to be let out as Trevor bursts into insane laughter as three dramatic notes sound.
Elizabeth Stoddard.
JOAN BENNETT
Roger Collins.
LOUIS EDMONDS
Carolyn Stoddard Halliburton.
NANCY BARRETT
Trevor Halliburton/Judah Zachary.
KEITH PRENTICE
Dr. Simpson.
ALFRED HINCKLEY
Written and Directed by RUSS WILLIAMS
Story Developed and Created by ART WALLACE
Produced By PETER MINER
Associate Producer GEORGE DiCENZO
Miss Scott's Fashions Courtesy of JUNIOR SOPHISTICATES
Fashions courtesy of ORBACH'S
Music composed by ROBERT COBERT
Scenic Design SY TOMASHOFF
Music Supervisor SYBIL WEINBERGER
Costume Design MOSTOLLER
Make up VINCENT LOSCALZO
Associate Producer KEN McEWEN
Assistant to the producer HARRIET ROHR
Unit Manager PATRICK PLEVEN
Technical Director J.J. LUPATKIN
Lighting Director MEL HANDELSMAN
Audio FRANK BAILEY HENRY PLIMACK
Sound Effects ED BLAINEY
Video RUDY PICCIRILLO ROSS SKIPPER
Series created by DAN CURTIS Executive Producer
Had this been an actual episode, the air date would have been June 30, 1971