Episode 4: 'The Enigmatic Dr. Lang' Part 2
Chapter 1
Victoria Winters was struggling unconscious on her bed, tossing and turning, unleashing heavy sighs and faint groans. Sweat was dripping down her face like rain, and after a matter of seconds she had finally awoken from what had seemed to be an obvious nightmare. Severely disoriented, she scooted over to the edge of her bed, getting up on her feet and starting towards a mirror located on top of a nearby dresser.
Her hair was messy and clothes stained from perspiration buildup. She turned towards the bathroom, anticipating a shower. Upon pulling the shower curtain over to one side and turning the water on, Victoria closed the bathroom door and began to slowly undress; entering the stall completely nude. The warm water fell, gently penetrating her flesh.
Shortly after finishing her shower, Victoria climbed out and dried herself off. A voice suddenly came from outside the bathroom. "You have a visitor Ms. Winters." A nurse had announced.
"Give me a few minutes, please," she retorted. Victoria wrapped herself up in her best robe and opened the door.
Barnabas Collins had stood alone waiting for Ms. Winters. "Hello, Victoria," he said with a smile.
She gave a polite smile in return. "Have we met? You seem very familiar."
For a moment, Barnabas had forgotten about her amnesia. "My name is Barnabas Collins. We were once very close friends." His voice had grown tender and Victoria's pupils had slightly fluctuated as she stared back at him-indications of a mutual attraction-very similar to the first time that they had met almost one year ago.
Her smile turned into a frown, "I apologize... my amnesia-"
"There's absolutely no need to apologize, Victoria. As a matter of fact, I'm the one who should apologize for not visiting you much sooner. How have you been?"
She replied, "I've been well. Thank you for asking." She turned around to take a seat in her office chair.
"I have something that I've been meaning to give to you." Barnabas had set a small case down on her desk.
"A gift?" Victoria reached over to pick it up with both hands.
She pulled Josette's music box out of its case and set it down gently, enthralled by its beauty. "It's exquisite." She opened it and the minuet had began to play. After it completed it's first cycle, she handed the gift back to Barnabas. "But I can't accept this Mr. Collins."
"You already did. Josette's music box has belonged to you for a long time. I was only returning it." Victoria was surprised.
"Who is Josette?" She inquired.
"The former owner. It's a long story and I have to be going, perhaps we could catch up over lunch or dinner sometime?"
"I would like that very much," she replied.
"Excellent. I'll have my servant, Willie Loomis, come by to pick you up tomorrow at one o'clock," He told her.
Victoria politely arose from her seat as Barnabas walked towards her. He took her right hand in his and kissed it before exiting her room. She was smiling and blushing slightly in response to his singular charm.
She sat down once more at the desk. Regaining her composure, Victoria reached for the bottom drawer. Upon sliding it open, she reached in and pulled out Dr. Lang's journal, and began to read the first entry:
Entry #1
12/22/89
It was a very long, tiring journey from Boston, but alas I have arrived safe and sound here in Collinsport, Maine. My plans for the project formerly known as L.E.V. 126 can finally be brought to fruition without the intrusive, overbearing secret society that has pursued me and my work so voraciously. I am quite confident that I have evaded their grasp once and for all.
There came a sudden knock at Victoria's bedroom door. Surprised, yet still intrigued by the journal's contents, she reluctantly quit reading; closing the book and filing it away back into the bottom drawer of her desk.
"You can come in." Victoria announced, sounding a little on edge.
"It's only me, Ms. Winters." An older lady had poked her head into the room.
"Oh, hello Olivia. Please come in." She was somewhat relieved by the sight of her nurse.
"I thought I'd stop by to see how you're feeling this evening. And to be honest, I thought you might want some company. It must have been a difficult day for you, I'm sure."
Victoria gave a half smile. "It has been. Thanks for coming. I really do appreciate it."
"Don't mention it. I'm really going to miss Eric, you know." Her tone of voice was somber and uneasy.
Chapter 2
Victoria stood up and gave her a hug. She continued to gently console her as Olivia broke out in tears. "I know how much you cared about him. Everything is going to be alright, Olivia."
"What am I to do now that he's gone?" Her nurse had inquired, grief-stricken.
"You will continue to live your life the way you want. He would have wanted you to be happy, after all." Victoria had replied encouragingly.
After a few moments had passed, Olivia gained self-control over her emotions."You know I saw him the night he was murdered." Victoria's countenance turned into one of intrigue. Olivia continued, "Eric had awoken from a nightmare as I entered his office. I had inquired about his well being and if there was anything he needed, but all he could talk about was that ominous nightmare. The strange thing about it, Victoria, is that Dr. Lang told me that I was an omen of some kind. I went to bed later that night and experienced a similar dream; and this time I was the forewarned and a Detective Devlin, whom I had not met until today, took my place as the harbinger."
Victoria asked, "Do you remember what this nightmare was about?'
Olivia shook her head. "Only certain parts. It seems as if though elements from the dream continually fade from my memory. I do, however, remember a soft, morose melody and a room full of doors." Victoria was bewildered by what Olivia had just revealed to her. "The Detective came by to talk to me earlier today, too. Feeling compelled to do so, I ended up telling him of my nightmare. Something very strange, is happening here, Victoria, and I can't help but feel that I am somehow involved."
"You must vanquish these thoughts from your mind, Olivia. Yes Eric's death was tragic and unexpected, but it is time for us to both move on," Victoria stated.
"I suppose you're right as always Ms. Winters." Her nurse admitted, appearing rather defeated.
Later that night at the Old House, Barnabas, Julia, Willie, Eliot Stokes, and his daughter Amy sat at the dinner table inside of the dining room.
They had all just finished eating as Professor Stokes complemented Willie Loomis on his excellent culinary skills. "I must say Mr. Collins, your chef prepared an exceptional meal for us this evening."
Barnabas looked up in response, "Indeed, my servant, Willie Loomis is quite a versatile young man."
The Professor raised his glass of wine into the air, proposing a toast. "To Mr. Loomis!"
Julia had joined in, raising her glass. "I can toast to that."
They had all smiled as Willie seemed rather shy. "Gee, I don't know what t' say guys... thanks."
Willie started to clear the table of all the dishes and so forth. "Thank you, Willie." Barnabas had retorted. He continued, "Would Doctor Hoffman and Professor Stokes care to join me in the drawing room for a night cap?"
"I dare say you've read my mind, Mr. Collins." Professor Stokes said with an optimistic grin. All three of them had risen from their seats and started towards the next room.
Professor stokes was a large, stately fellow who's eloquence was often times both his greatest, and weakest attribute. His dark-grayish hair was not only revealing of his middle age, but also of his unique lustre-visible only under the proper lighting conditions. Light wrinkles of both age and wisdom were perceptible around his wide, green eyes and his smile was one that could light up an entire room. To put it simply, Professor Stokes' nature consisted of great empathy and humbleness. In addition to this, his imperturbable demeanor was capable of invoking a great sense of comfort in those he associated himself with.
Barnabas and Professor Stokes made their way to the fireplace as Julia and Amy took a seat on the sofa. "Would you like a Brandy, Professor?" Barnabas asked, making his way to the cabinet of liquor.
"I would indeed, Mr. Collins. Thank you," Eliot replied.
"Please, call me Barnabas. He continued, "How about you, Julia?"
She glanced up, "Oh, no thank you."
He poured two glasses of Brandy, handing one of them to Professor Stokes. After both men had taken a sip of their alcohol, Barnabas spoke. "Do you happen to believe in witchcraft, Professor?"
Eliot returned a profile of slight bewilderment. "What a peculiar question. I must confess that I have never seen witchcraft performed with my own eyes before. I have, however, met individuals who believe themselves to be endowed with special abilities attributed to witchcraft and the supernatural. Why do you ask?"
Barnabas displayed a countenance of concern. "Would it be possible for both of us to talk in private, Professor?"
He seemed caught off guard by his request. "I see no reason why not. Julia, could you and Amy find something to do while Barnabas and I talk in private?"
Doctor Hoffman glanced over at both men. "Yes, of course. Come along Amy, I'd like to show you around the house." They both started towards the door and ventured forth into the foyer, leaving Eliot and Barnabas alone in the drawing room.
Chapter 3
"Is everything alright, Mr. Collins?" Asked a concerned Professor Stokes. There was a momentary silence as Barnabas set his glass down. He had been anxious to let Eliot in on his current predicament regarding Angelique, but was hesitant to do so, worried that the Professor may not believe him.
Barnabas had began to ponder the situation inside his head. Can I truly trust this man? If so, take great care not to reveal too much information; and inform him of only that which is most relevant. "I am in desperate need of your help, Professor." Barnabas had addressed Professor Stokes in a very serious, yet sincere manner.
At that same time back at the Great House of Collinwood, Laura Collins, dressed in a thick trench coat, peered out of her bedroom out into the hallway. Laura proceeded to step outside, closing her bedroom door behind her.
Upon reaching the bottom of the staircase, she walked with rapid pace through the foyer, towards the door, opening it and exiting the Great House. Laura was, however, utterly oblivious to Roger Collins' presence as he watched her from the top of the staircase.
She made her way through the dark, foreboding woods-moonlight her only guide. Laura finally arrived in front of a small rundown shed, candlelight had flickered in the window frame facing her direction.
Laura opened the door and stepped inside. "Are you here?" It was indeed quite dark; and with the exception of some overturned furniture and cobwebs, Laura could see very little.
Angelique, possessing Maggie Evans, appeared rather abruptly from the shadows. "It's very good to see you again, Laura."
She was quite startled by her appearance. "Hello Angelique." There was a warm, friendly quality in her tone.
Both women stood, facing one another. "I assume by now that you've heard of Dr. Lang's death?" Laura had inquired.
Angelique expressed a slight grimace. "Oui, and my plan to possess the body of Victoria Winters has died with him." She revealed; moving towards a free-standing mirror that stood in the middle of the room. She continued, "As you can see, mirrors have become unbearingly problematic for me." As both women peered into the mirror, Angelique's face reflected back-not Maggie's-revealing her true identity.
Laura turned around, looking deep into her eyes. "I know who is responsible for sabotaging your plans." Angelique seemed intrigued. She continued, "It was Nicholas Blair. He arrived in Collinsport shortly before you traveled back from the year seventeen ninety."
Angelique was surprised. "That's impossible! He and his master were destroyed over three-hundred years ago."
Laura shrugged slightly. "Apparently Nicholas had a back-up plan of some kind. I've seen him, Angelique, we met two days ago. He explained his association with the Doctor to me. I believe he was the one who murdered Dr. Lang due to a conflict of interests. After all of these years he still trusts me."
Angelique seemed slightly flustered. "Don't think for a minute that you can trust him, Laura. You remember what happened all those years ago."
Laura winced at her words-words that seemed to remind her of very painful memories from a time long since past. Angelique continued, "Perhaps you can spy on Blair for us. Regain his trust and report to me every secret that he reveals to you." Her tone suddenly grew tender. "And remember, ma chère, who it was that freed you from that hell of an asylum." Angelique gently reached out to caress the right hand side of Laura's face. "We're both in this together. And if we are successful, not only will I gain control of Collinsport, but you will have David back."
"Of course, I've never once doubted you," Laura remarked in a most humble manner. She continued, "I must get going back to Collinwood now before someone notices that I am missing."
Angelique walked towards her, kissing Laura gently on her forehead. "Pleasant dreams, Ma chère."
As Laura started towards the door, "Goodnight Angelique."
As she left the shed, the light inside the window had been extinguished and Roger Collins, in a most quiet manner, peeked out from behind a tree. It seems he had heard everything.