SCENE 4
The foyer of the great house was empty when Mrs. Johnson came in, carrying a bunch of fresh flowers. Finding an empty vase on the corner table, she put the flowers into it and started arranging them. These are just the thing to brighten the house up, she thought to herself. And heaven knows we could use a little brightness around here after the last few weeks. She remembered the strange attacks in the village, the death of sweet, young Daphne - and how she became that bloodthirsty creature. Victoria Winters' incredible disappearance, and the poor, confused child who called herself Phyllis Wicke, who arrived in her place from the year 1790. The housekeeper sighed to herself. But things were looking up. Miss Winters was back safely, though she remembered little about what happened to her. Her nephew Willie was working for that nice Mr. Barnabas at the Old House, and seemed to be doing much better - no more drinking, more responsible, and no more talk of finding buried treasure. It looked as if he had finally gotten over the influence of the shady character he had hung around with before he came to Collinwood. Hopefully everything would go back to normal.
Suddenly the doorbell rang, chiming throughout the house, breaking the morning silence. Mrs. Johnson looked up from her flowers and went to the door. She opened it, saying, "Hello. Can I help you?"
A young man stood in the doorway, carrying a clipboard. "Good morning, ma'am. I have a special delivery letter for Mr. Roger Collins."
"Mr. Collins has already left for the day. But I'll sign for it, and make sure he gets it."
"That'll be fine, ma'am." He handed her the clipboard. "Just sign at number thirteen, there." She took the pencil from the board and scribbled her signature. She handed it back to him, and he took the letter from under the clip and gave it to her. "Thank you. Have a good day." He started down the front steps.
Mrs. Johnson went back into the foyer and closed the door. She was just putting the letter on the table where Mr. Collins would find it, when Mrs. Stoddard appeared at the top of the stairs. "Mrs. Johnson," she called down, "Who was at the door?"
" Just a special delivery letter for Mr. Roger. I signed for it, and I'll leave it on the table for him when he gets back."
"Gets back?" Elizabeth seemed puzzled. "Has he left already? It's early for him."
"Oh, yes, Mrs. Stoddard. I saw his car pulling out of the drive over an hour ago."
Elizabeth got a disapproving look on her face for a moment, then it disappeared. "Mrs. Johnson, could you do me a favor? Miss Winters is going to be busy for a while, and I need to get a few things done. Would you be a dear and spend some time with him?"
"Of course, Mrs. Stoddard." She wiped her hands on her apron. "I'd be happy to. As long as he doesn't want to go exploring the abandoned wings or some such."
Elizabeth smiled. "I'm sure he won't. He's been much more subdued since Miss Winters' return. He's in the kitchen having breakfast. Go ahead into him, and don't worry about the house. We can survive with a little dust for a few hours."
"I'll go right now. You don't worry about a thing, Mrs. Stoddard. You just do what you need to. We'll be just fine." She headed out toward the kitchen.
Elizabeth waited until Mrs. Johnson was well out of the room, then descended the stairs to the foyer. She went directly to the table where the housekeeper had left Roger's letter, hesitated for a moment, then picked up the envelope. She studied it for a moment, her face betraying her concern as she read the front. Finally, she tore open the letter, pulled out the paper inside and read it. What she saw upset the usually stoic matriarch, but she quickly regained her composure. She stood in thought for a second, then propelled herself into action. Elizabeth picked up the phone and dialed.
SCENE 5
In her studio apartment, Maggie Evans was busy making coffee. It was nice to get back to normal things after the past few weeks. Other than Julia Hoffman, who had shared the experience, only one other person knew of her possession by the evil spirit named Angelique, and she hoped she would never have to face such darkness again. She could get back to her sculpting and her - the sharp ringing of the telephone interrupted her thoughts. She wiped her hands on a dishtowel, and answered the phone on the third ring. "Hello?"
The voice on the other end sounded strained. "Maggie? It's Elizabeth Stoddard. Is my brother there? It's very important that I speak with him."
Maggie's mouth dropped open, stunned, as she looked over at the half-dressed figure of Roger Collins reclining on her bed. Then she remembered the phone on her hand. "Yes, he is. Hold on a moment." She brought the phone over to him and held it out. "It's your sister." Roger frowned and took the phone from her. "It's so nice to know our relationship is such a well-kept secret. Or is Elizabeth psychic as well?"
Roger answered Maggie before he brought the receiver to his ear. "Trying to keep a secret from Elizabeth is like trying to keep the sun from rising. Yes, Liz, what is it?" he asked, annoyed at the interruption.
"Roger, I need you come back to Collinwood immediately. We have to talk."
"Oh, Liz, can't it wait? I have a lot to do at the office today, and -"
She cut him off. "No, Roger, it can't. You'll understand when you get here. But you must come now, as soon as you can."
Roger exhaled, exasperated. "Alright, I'll be right there. But this had better be important."
"It is, Roger. Believe me."
"I'll be there in half an hour. Good-bye, Liz." He started to hang up the phone, but she spoke again.
"Oh, and Roger? One last thing. Bring Maggie with you." His face grew puzzled. "This might concern her as well."
