Come in. Welcome. I'm E .G. Marshall. Welcome
to the sounds of suspense, to the fear you can
hear. Make yourself comfortable, for there are
ill winds blowing outside. This is a tale of
a titanic struggle between two colossal forces,
one natural, the other supernatural. The prize,
a girl's soul. And in the clash, as fire and
water mix, there is the very devil to pay. Come
with me now to the Solway Firth in Scotland to
meet the first of the forces. It's the tide!
It comes in faster than an express train. Is
it always like this? Twice a day. Doesn't it
ever break? It will when it gets just about abreast
of us. Isn't it exciting? That's one word for
it. That's why you don't dare go out on the flats
on foot. If the tide was due, you'd never make
it ashore. Our mystery drama, Speak of the Devil,
was written especially for the Mystery Theatre
by Ian Martin and stars Jada Rowland and Nick
Pryor. I'll be back shortly with Act One. They
say he who dreams on the Solway will wake in
another world. Not only is the tide a terror,
but so are the quicksands, and far worse than
either. The bogies, warlocks, and unnamed things
that haunt Scottish history. The Scots word for
tonight's story is eldritch. It means uncanny,
eerie, frightful, otherworldly. Listen. If you'll
put out the light, Mrs. Petrie. Hold my hand,
Mike. You'd better hold both, mine. Why? You
can't trust me in the dark. I'm sorry, Colonel
Bruce. Now Mike, Mary Ellen, I know you two young
ones think a seance is a mite daft, but it's
not the way the Colonel, Mrs. Petrie and I feel.
Well, then maybe we'd better not stay. Oh, no.
We need five of the circle. It's a blessing you're
here. But please, be serious. All of us have
made contact with your dearest ones who have
passed on through my control Control? That's
a messenger who brings us messages Honour to
He once was a slave in Babylon Babylon? This
is scary Hang in darling Now may we all join
hands, please I'm asking you not to break the
chain of contact now. Clear your minds. Make
them a blank. A quiet place. I'm reaching now.
Reaching away and above and out and over from
here. to the bonny, bonny other place that lies
beyond our kin. We're biding here, Anatu, asking
you back into our circle. Will you not come back
to us again? At all. Yes, yes. It burned. It
burned. Ellen, where's that damn light? Mary
Ellen, are you all right? Yes, sir. What's all
that smoke? That's just the incense we burn.
I'm the one to blame for Madeleine and the business
of the Lord. We'll not ever have a seance in
this house again. I'm afraid that I loosed some
devil out of hell. this night. Ouch. Oh, don't
wriggle so much. You stuck the pin in me, Aunt
Jeannie. Oh, I'm sorry, Ellen. Oh, but it'll
take more than a pinprick to burst your happiness.
Thank you, Aunt Jeannie, for letting me come
home to be married and for such a heavenly day.
Oh, well, I'll accept the thanks for bidding
you back to where you grew up. When dad died
so suddenly, I was lost. I didn't know what to
do. Well, you did just the right thing. You came
home. You're two modern young people who are
a lot smarter than we old people are. And it's
proud I am to be part of the gamble you're making
in your lives. I am all goosebumps. I'll get
back into my jeans and sweater. I've got a skin,
just like I had last Wednesday night. Don't mention
it. I should never have had you children in that
circle. It was so scary. What happened? I don't
know. It was some kind of trick, wasn't it? I
don't play tricks. Well, it was Maggie, your
mother, who had the second sight, you know, that
we were so delicate and so, so vibrant when she
died. tore the heart out of me. But Will went
off to America and left me to bring you up. Well,
it put my heart back. And then when you were
15 and almost grown up and he wanted you to join
him, I was left alone again. How could I stop
you going? I didn't want to go. I know. But you
were his flesh and blood. I found a way out of
my loneliness. Nights when the roar of the tide
used to come boiling up the firth outside the
windows there. I thought I could hear Maggie
calling to me. But when the wind was curling
out of the northeast, I'd hear her voice on the
wings of the blow. And I began to think maybe
I had the call too. That's when I started the
seances. Until the other night. Yes. I'll never
hold a seance again. So the subject is closed.
I realize I'm just a foolish old woman. I've
never been so scared. Well, promise me to put
it out of your mind. What's past is past. Your
future is all that matters. It seems so right
to be back. As if... As if something were calling
me. Hold! I'll stir up the fire. No. No, don't
bother. I just miss my American Central heating.
I think I'll go outside in the sun for a minute
or two. Oh. Go take a good brisk turn down the
road while I finish this hem. That's a good idea.
Ah, but don't go down the Firth Road. Take the
High Road. Why? Well, I saw your Michael off
this morning for the Solway. You don't want to
run into the bridegroom on the wedding day. It's
bad luck. Kiss me, Ellen. Aunt Jeannie thinks
it's bad luck for the bride and groom to see
each other on the wedding day. You can't fault
that. Back in Nebraska, my mother used to feel
the same way. But that's just old -fashioned.
And Aunt Jeannie's something else? Darling, your
Aunt Jeannie sure is something else. Good or
bad About 90 % good. I just don't dig the spirit
kick. We won't have any more of that It was awful
though, wasn't it? That's all kind of self -hypnosis
That terrible raspy voice Whatever it was saying
Ellen there wasn't any voice You didn't hear
it I heard something that sounded like your aunt
choking herself to death. But the first voice.
That. That's just the old girl practicing a little
ventriloquism. No. No, that awful burning smell.
Well, I will admit I like the Hare Krishna incense
better. Come on, Ellen, let's forget all that
mumbo jumbo. Hey, dig that crazy character out
there. Fishing in those little pools in the flats?
What's crazy about that? On horseback? But everyone
does because of the tide. The tide? I forgot.
If we hadn't been up in Glasgow wedding shopping,
I'd have shown it to you. Look out there to the
west. If that ghillie is up on his horse, it
must be... Oh, yes. Here it comes. And there
he goes. You'd think the devil was on his tail.
What's his hurry? Look. The tidal boar. It's
coming. You mean that big wave down at the mouth
of the estuary? Yes, it's the tide. It comes
in faster than an express train. Listen. Holy
Maloney. Is it always like this? Twice a day.
Worse than the ottoman in the spring. Doesn't
it ever break? It will when it gets just about
abreast of us. Isn't it exciting? That's one
word for it. That's why you don't dare go out
on the flats on foot. If the tide was due, you'd
never make it ashore. What, sir? Husband. Read
that loud and clear. On my way. What's taking
you so long? Just brushing my teeth. Please come
to bed. Why didn't you say that in the first
place? Will you come under the covers? I'm freezing.
I'll put some more coal in the fire. I don't
want coal. I want my brand -new husband. You
got him. What is it, darling? Nothing. It's just...
just that funny smell. It's the coal smoke. Remember,
you don't want coal to keep you warm. Just me.
Oh, my darling. Yes. Yes, yes. My husband. My
darling. My husband. You. No, no, please. No,
no. Don't don't touch me. Go away. Michael, is
there anything wrong? No, Aunt Jeannie, why?
Well, I was dozing and I thought I had... What's
that I smell? Is it your candle? Oh, I guess
I let the fire go out. Aye, it's a damp chimney,
but just the same... Is Mary Ellen all right?
She's sound asleep. See for yourself. I'm sorry
to bother you, but... What is it? What's troubling
you? I don't know. I don't know. Maybe I was
the one that dreamed it. Oh, be gentle with her,
Michael. She's so sensitive and delicate. Like
her mother that died all those years ago. We'll
keep her from any harm. Good night, Aunt Jeannie.
Good night, Michael dear. If we can. If it's
in human hands to be able to... Snuff my candle
out, if you will, old Ricky. But hear me this.
You'll not have Mary Ellen. You'll not have her
like my sister Maggie. Old Reekie could be translated,
Old Smokey. It's a Scots name for the devil.
Genie should know better than to mention him,
for the old proverb says, speak of the devil,
and his horns appear. Let's see when I return
shortly with Act Two. Dreams are made to die
with the opening of day, and superstition fades
and falters in the sunlight. So, by the following
morning, we might hope our bride and bridegroom
wake and rise on the right side of the bed. Let's
find out as Michael comes downstairs. Oh, good
morning, Michael. I'm in the kitchen. Come on
out. Morning, Aunt Jenny. Well, how is the bridegroom
today? Well, the bridegroom's first rate. It's
the bride who's not. Oh. What's wrong with the
wheel -ass? Oh, I don't know. I think now you
were right last night. Huh? Right? About what?
Well, she had some kind of a bad dream. But if
she did, she won't tell me about it. What do
you think it might have been? Oh, I don't know.
She's a sensitive wee thing. And she's back in
the part of the house where her mother died.
That was Maggie's room you're in. Maybe I should
never have put you there. Anyway, I'll get her
tea and go on up and have a wee chat. And I couldn't
tell Mike. I couldn't. Not after what we... My
wedding night. How could I dream anything so...
so vile and hideous? That great, gross presence
bearing down on me. Breath so sick, the lips
slavering, and that awful fur, fur all over.
And the fire burning me, and that scorching smell.
What a genie. What a nightmare. Oh, wished now.
Then that's all it was. But it seems so real.
Well, it wasn't. Because when I came by, you
were sleepin' sound. Drink your tea now. It's
a good thing you married that nice American boy
with his head screwed good and tight. Mike. He'll
blow all the cobwebs out of your head. And he's
going to have a good chance to. What do you mean?
I mean, you two are going to have a nice honeymoon
all alone for a big, long month. Where are you
going? Oh, I've got an old girls' school chum
who lives just outside Blackpool at St. Anne
on Sea. For years she's wanted me to visit. I'm
not going to drive you out of your house. Oh,
you're going to do more than that, Mary Ellen.
You and your handsome bonnie husband are going
to move downstairs to my room. away from this
draughty old flu. And while I'm gone, I'm going
to get it fixed so the fire will burn clean.
And I'll not take no for an answer. I thought
Scottish weather was supposed to be terrible.
Rainy, damp, no sunshine. This has been a very
particular May. Our honeymoon. Yes. Sorry it's
over. Desolate. Still, with Aunt Jeannie back,
maybe you'll get a little more work done on the
book. Darling, I have been busy in research.
It is a love story. Speaking of that, do you
think... Look down the road. I can't. Your front's
in the way. That's Dr. Ferguson bringing Aunt
Jeannie back. Our month is up Speaking of your
front. Do you know how you blossomed in the last
four weeks? All right playboy. Let's concentrate
on other physical problems. How do we get out
of a hammock without breaking a limb? Welcome
home Aunt Jeannie Ellen precious You've turned
into a real scots lassie. You've got the bloom
on your cheeks. It's happiness and those warm
spring winds from the west. Hello, Dr. Ferguson.
Hey, wheel, Mrs. Tilson. As a physician, I can
only concur with your aunt's diagnosis. You're
a picture of health. And how are you, Mr. Tilson?
Never better, sir. Oh, I can believe that. Well,
I really have to be back on rounds. Thank you
for meeting Aunt Janie at the station. It should
have been me. Without the car? Oh, you'd have
had hard shrift getting me aboard all best since
the carriage broke its wheel. You know, Jeannie,
you should put that old horse out to pasture
now she's nothing left to pull. Oh, I couldn't
do that. We're too used to each other, poor old
soul. All right, Dr Ferguson, away you go. Right
you are. See you soon. I'll take your bags up
to the house, aren't you? Oh, give me a hug first.
That's right. Now. Off you go, and me and Mary
Ellen will have a week's chat on the way up to
the house. Goodbye, Percy. I should never have
said that. He hates the name. I'm not sure I
blame him. Oh, well, that's not what's on my
mind. How are you, dearie? You can see for yourself.
Oh, don't say anything to Mike yet, but I just
have to tell someone. Aunt Jeannie, I think...
I know I'm pregnant. Well, Mrs. Stilson... Tell
me, am I pregnant? Oh, the test will prove it,
but I'll bet on it. And let me say that you're
the loveliest expected mother I've ever had under
my care. A little morning sickness is to be expected
in these early months. Still... There's nothing
wrong, Doctor. Ah, a young, healthy woman. What
could be wrong? Still, we must take precautions.
I'm writing out some medication for you that
I want you to take each day. But what does Dr.
Ferguson say is causing it? It's nothing, dear.
Just some little hitch. Honey... We both had
thorough physical checkups before we came to
Scotland. The RH factor is ruled out. Why should
you... Lots of women have morning sickness. It
isn't only in the morning, Helen. I'll talk to
Dr. Ferguson. Maybe we should change the medication.
Mary Ellen, dear. I talked to Dr. Ferguson and
he's completely puzzled. I'm not sure that I
am, though. Is there anything you want to tell
me? What can I tell you, Aunt Jeannie, that I
haven't told him? Are you... are you in pain?
I've talked to the doctor about that. It... it
isn't pain. It... I don't know. Ellen, are you...
are you... Dreaming again? Of what? Of the presents.
I don't want to talk anymore. I just want to
sleep. Only I don't want to. I don't want to
sleep at all. It's just that I'm so tired. So
tired. You have to help me, Aunt Jeannie. How,
Michael? Dr. Ferguson says that physically, Melon
should be all right. The baby seems to be thriving.
It's her mental state that... Do you know she
won't go to sleep at night? She forces herself
to stay awake? What is it she's afraid of dreaming
about, Aunt Jeannie? It is that, isn't it? I
can't tell you just what she's dreaming. I'm
too far out of touch since I went away. But...
I do know one thing. The only way to stop it
is to get her away from here. As easy as that?
Oh, not so easy, maybe. She's bound and determined
on having you finish your book first. Ah, the
devil take the book. Melon comes first. You sure
you don't mind, Michael? I'm very sure. We're
going home. To have your baby three thousand
miles away. Oh Darling, I don't know what to
say It It can't be too soon for me. Well, it's
sooner than you think We're booked out of Glasgow
tomorrow afternoon home for America. I don't
know I should be feeling all sorts of things.
I know but The only one I can really feel is
relief Oh, such blessed relief. Oh, for the first
time in as long as I can remember. Days, weeks.
I just want to go to sleep. Good night, darling.
Rest. Sweet dreams. You'll keep me safe. You
won't let me come to any harm. For better or
worse. in sickness and in health until death
do us sleep poor baby rest I love you Michael
I love you keep our baby safe don't let You're
going to be all right, Ellen. Don't worry. Get
Dr. Ferguson. I'm going to call him now. You'll
be all right. I'm fine. Just get him. I'll send
Aunt Jeannie up to you while I phone. Aunt Jeannie!
Aunt Jeannie! What is it? What is it, Michael?
Helen, maybe a miscarriage. What's Dr. Ferguson's
number? Oh, you'll no get him by the phone. It's
out of order again. Hello. Hello! Ladi, Ladi,
it's no use. It won't be fixed before morning.
I'll go to the neighbors. It's a party line.
If one's out, they're all out. Oh, God! How far
are the doctors? A good three miles. Who's got
a car? Only Colonel Petrie. And he's a way up
to Edinburgh for his regimental reunion. All
right, then I'll go on foot. Aunt Jeannie, go
up and help her. I'll make it as fast as I can.
By the wheel, Michael. Can you ride a horse?
Yes. Good. Then take old Bessie. There's a bridle
and saddle by her in the barn. She'll get you
there faster. Take care of her, Aunt Jeannie.
Don't let anything happen to her! Right along
the third road till you come to town. He's the
third house in on the right. And take care of
yourself! What's taking Michael so long? Oh,
just lie still. Don't bring back the pain. It's
funny. I thought it was going to tear me in two.
And then within ten minutes after Michael left
the house it just stopped suddenly is it What's
that? Oh, it's a car. That'll be the doctor.
I'll let him in Bide quiet now. Oh Come on in
doctor what took you so long I tried to phone
you the moment I found out and I got here as
soon as oh Then you know Of course I know. Oh
dear, things have been taken care of, Mary Ellen.
Now you get on up to her. Where's Michael? Oh
Jeannie, Michael is dead. Dead? How? Here, let
me close the door. Was Michael riding to try
to fetch me? Of course. She thought she was losing
the baby. What happened to him? Bess must have
thrown him. Oh, she never threw a body in her
life. She was as gentle as... Something must
have frightened her, driven her frantic. Jeannie,
this is a terrible thing to tell you, but...
But I examined the boy and his body was covered
with hoof marks. He was literally trampled to
death. So Ellen has kept her baby and lost her
husband. Some evil force shadows this innocent
and tragic girl, and still may threaten her.
Those hoof marks, were they from the horse? Or
in some dark, unfathomable way, were they supernatural,
a demon's footprints? Perhaps we'll know when
I return with Act 3. For two weeks Ellen after
her first wild emotion when she heard of Mike's
death has retreated into herself Her face white
and drawn her eyes black and empty like two holes
burned in a blanket Now as the doctor comes down
after examining her always she today doctor no
change listless unreachable hopeless The baby
the baby Yeah, there's no doubts of its vitality.
Oh, I have a terrible time getting her to eat
anything. Well, you must be more successful than
you think, Jeannie. There's nothing the matter
with Mary Ellen physically. No, it's her mental
health that concerns me. The poor Baron has been
through a terrible shock, Percy. Yeah, I know.
You don't think there is any chance of her losing
her mind? Jeannie, Mary Ellen is beyond me and
my knowledge. Somehow we've got to call in a
psychiatrist. Oh, Percy. What is it you're afraid
of for Mary Ellen? Well, you don't like my medical
term. I want to know. Very well, then. Schizophrenia.
More specifically, dementia precox. Paranoid
type, I guess. Oh, well, what does all that mean?
Withdrawal from life, delusions of all kinds,
persecution, unseen enemies, that sort of thing.
The second sight. Just... just like all of us.
Now that's enough of that nonsense. You're all
sensitive, delicately balanced women, but all
things being equal, perfectly normal. Well, I
have other calls to make. Oh, well, I'll walk
you to the door. Any instructions for Mary Ellen?
No, just that she keep on with the sedation I've
provided. And Jeannie, try to persuade her to
let me call in another doctor. I'll... I'll see
what's best to do. Be very careful. I'll do what's
right. I think maybe tonight I'll take a run
up to Glasgow and have a consultation with a
friend of mine there, Dr. Engel, good man. Maybe
I could persuade him to run back down here with
me just to observe him. By the way, till I see
what I can do first, eh? All right. Another day
or so can't do any harm. I hope. Who is it? It's
Aunt Jeannie, Mary Ellen. May I come in? If you
want. I thought you might like a wee cup of tea.
No, thanks. What are you staring at? Out the
window? The soul way. The tide just came in.
roaring and boiling so fast and now the water
is all smooth and with the Sun on it everything's
wiped clean I wonder if it heals as it washes
over what are you thinking about child I'm thinking
about the first time I showed the tide to Michael
The day we were married. The day you said it
was bad luck for us to see each other before
the wedding. I was just joking about superstitions.
Nobody believes those old wives' tales. Nobody
believes so many things that are outside the
ordinary. So many things they say don't exist
but might be. Did you see Michael's body after?
What? Did you see the marks of the hooves don't
talk about that loss? I know they said the horse
trampled him. I Asked dr. Ferguson about the
hooves and he wouldn't tell me You'd tell me
wouldn't you Jeannie? Tell you what were they
like horseshoes Or were they cleft in two Were
they cloven hooves in the name of God? What are
you seeing? I'm not speaking of God I'm speaking
of the devil, or some demon that haunts my dreams.
Now this is no time for foolish fancies. You
mustn't let dreams spill over into your real
life. Or is it the other way around? Mary Ellen,
I don't know what it is you have on your mind,
but... You can get me to Michael. Let me talk
to Michael. He'll know. He can tell me what to
do. Take me to Michael and Jeannie. Take me to
him. Oh, can I, Mary Ellen? You know he's...
I know he's dead. I know he's passed beyond.
But you can reach him. You can hold a seance
and... Oh, no. I swore I never would again after...
After what happened that night when something
got loose? Some evil presence? Some thing from...
Auntie, you let him loose. The least you can
do. is help me undo the harm. I can't. I won't.
I'll get the doctor. You dare to bring him here
and I'll kill myself. I swear. Child, you're
out of your... No. Not yet. But if you don't
have that seance and let me find out from Michael
what to do, I will be. I'll lose my mind. You've
got to promise. Promise. Oh, calm down, child.
Calm down. Tonight! Now! That isn't possible!
There... There have to be more than two to form
a circle! Then call in the Colonel and that other
woman, anyone! Just promise me! Promise! I need
him! I need Michael! Promise, Angini! Promise!
May God forgive me! I... I... I promise! May
we all join hands, please Clear your minds make
them a blank a quiet place open and hushed I'm
reaching now reaching away and above and out
and over from here to the Bonnie, Bonnie, other
place that lies beyond our ken. Can you hear
me, Anatu? Can you come to me, into our circle?
Anatu, we're reaching for you. Oh, I can't make
contact. Ask for Michael. I have no way to him.
Then let me. Try it. Everyone concentrate. Be
still. Be still. Michael. Michael, I need you.
Come to me. Oh, Michael, I love you. I love you.
We'll be together again. Michael! It's not our
child you're carrying. Get rid of him! Michael!
It's no use, child. There's no contact tonight.
We can break the ring. Will someone turn on the
light, please? I'm that sorry, Mary Ellen. It's
all right, Aunt Jeannie. You gave me what I wanted.
I found out what I needed to know. Oh, I'm afraid
that's quite impossible, my dear. You're not
as backward as that dr. Ferguson Abortion is
perfectly legal, isn't it? Oh, I'm not concerned
with the legality Mary Ellen as it happens it
is but then help me I Can't be here. It's too
late What do you mean too late? When you came
to me a few weeks ago, and we determined your
pregnancy You must have known that I would know
it was already well advanced, but it wasn't Michael
and I were only married a month before that.
You should know that. Of course I know that,
my dear, but... facts are facts. You're carrying
a child that's past midterm. And abortion now
is just too dangerous. Past midterm. Four and
a half months. My guess is at least five. That
fast? Oh, God, no. It mightn't wait. He could
be born any minute. There's no one to help me
but myself. Well, I'll drive you home, child.
And I'll give you something to get a little rest.
She's sound asleep now, Jeannie. Let's go downstairs
and talk. Poor wee angel. So thin and pale and
haunted. Come away, let her rest. No. No. What
you gave, you'll never take away. Never. It's
never going to be. Yes, that's the way. Full
moon. The time was right. And for our own protection,
I see no other way, Jeannie. But to lock her
away... Well, we're not locking her up. It's
a sanitarium. It's a really lovely place. I don't
think I could do it to her. I'll care for her.
Jeannie, dear, if Ellen had preeclampsia or a
threatened miscarriage or any one of a number
of other diseases of pregnancy, she would have
to be hospitalized. Now, think of it that way.
All right, Percy, if you think it's best. It's
the only way. Oh, no, Doctor. Mine is the only
way. That sounded like the front door. Ellen,
go on. I'll check upstairs. You look outside.
I thought you said she... Oh, dear Lord. I've
got the premonition. Mary Ellen? Mary Ellen!
Are you out there? Jeannie! Jeannie! It's Mary!
She's gone! I gave her enough sedation to knock
her out, but she's gone! But where? Where? She's
out on the first... There wasn't a chance. We
couldn't have saved her. My poor wee motherless
lamb. It didn't take long to follow her poor
husband. But what's a child? It hadn't been born
and she didn't want it. It wasn't Michael's,
you know. Are you sure of that? Yes, it was five
months old, at least from the size. A monster!
No, I didn't say that. Still, I was thinking
of X -rays. There was something strange about
that embryo. I can't quite explain. It was nothing
you could have understood, Doctor. So, at the
last, it was all... The Lord's will, and maybe
for the best, at least Michael and my Mary Ellen
are in God's pocket at last. in another world.
Our story has come full circle. For us, it is
the end. Let's hope the genie is right. And for
Ellen and Michael, it is only a beginning. One
final thought. If you believe some dreadful incubus
possessed poor Ellen, driving her and her husband
to their deaths, there is another explanation.
Insanity did run in her family. So either way,
even if there was a devil to pay, it still was
all in the mind. Our cast included Jada Rowland,
Nick Pryor, Bryna Rayburn, and Ian Martin. The
entire production was under the direction of
Hyman Brown. This is E .G. Marshall inviting
you to return to our mystery theater for another
adventure in the macabre. Until next time, pleasant
dreams.