SCENE 11
Standing in the hallway, Roger stared at the door. It had been a long time since he had crossed this threshold. Since the day he had discovered Miss Winters and his son in there. And months before then, since the day he had returned to Collinwood. The memories it held had been shut behind this door for a long time, and that was where he wanted them to stay.
His sister noticed the obvious pain on his face. "Roger, we don't have to do this." She touched him to show her support.
He brushed her away. "No. This room holds…all my painting supplies. If I was up painting all night, there will be some evidence of it here." His mouth dry, he licked his lips, betraying his nervousness. He reached for the knob.
"This is foolishness, Roger. What is this going to prove?"
"I know I was sleeping all night, but you say I wasn't. Let's find out the truth." Roger took a deep breath and pushed open the door.
"This seems like it should be between the two of you," Julia spoke up. "I don't understand why I am here."
He pointed at her. "I want a witness, Julia, when I show my sister I'm not crazy." He bowed slightly, extending his arm. "After you, ladies."
Julia stepped inside. Glancing around the room, she saw the abandoned canvasses lying against the wall. A couple of them caught her eye. She was impressed; she hadn't realized Roger Collins was so talented. Dust covered everything somewhat, so something seemed strange. A room closed up this long should smell musty, but wasn't that jasmine she smelled?
Elizabeth was less concerned with the details of the room, having seen it before. She went straight to the center, where an easel was standing. Cluttered around it were mixed paints and used brushes left unwashed. She gasped, then gained control of herself. "Well, Roger, I don't think there can be any doubt about what you were doing last night."
"What are you talking about, Liz?" Roger asked from the doorway. He had yet to enter the room.
Julia came to stand beside Elizabeth, and for the first time saw what she did. She was completely confounded by what faced her. "Roger, I think you had better come see this."
Hesitantly, with the burden of his past on him, Roger Collins came into the room. Slowly, step-by-step, he walked over to the easel. There stood a fresh painting, the colors barely dry. It showed a beautiful woman with long, blonde hair standing tall and erect, dressed in an elaborate robe. To Roger's horror, she was surrounded on all sides by fire.
END OF CHAPTER 16
CREDITS FOR CHAPTER 16
Ben Cross as Barnabas Collins
Barbara Steele as Dr. Julia Hoffman
Christopher Pennock as Dr. Eric Lang
Jean Simmons as Elizabeth Collins Stoddard
Joanna Going as Victoria Winters
Michael T. Weiss as Jeff Clark
Ely Pouget as Maggie Evans
Roy Thinnes as Roger Collins
Eddie Jones as Sam Evans
Michael Cavanaugh as Sheriff George Patterson
Chris Eugia as the Gravedigger
