Welcome. I am E. G. Marshall. Welcome to the
world of your own terrifying imagination. It
has been said that we are prisoners in a dark
closet with small openings that on occasion admit
some light. Small wonder that the demons who
lurk in the deepest corners are more real to
us than the sweet light of reason outside. There
is so much evil in our world that light turns
naturally to shadow Even the love of Stephen
and Amelia Stampler for their son Michael is
converted to suspicion in this dark closet We
live in Reverend Stokes. I don't want a theological
debate I want you to tell your congregation the
truth. And what is that, Dr. Stabler? That my
son Michael conducts his lab experiments for
scientific purposes. And shall I ask him to believe
in coincidence? What coincidence? That a peaceful
town is ripped apart every time your son returns.
That cattle die for no reason at all. That we
are suffering epidemics and the worst drought
in our history. All because of coincidence. Yes.
This is the 20th century. What else could it
be? Ask your son, Dr. Stampler. Ask your son
Michael if he's just doing lab experiments. Our
mystery drama, A Sacrifice in Blood, was written
especially for the Mystery Theatre by Milt Wisoff
and stars Patricia Rowe and Ralph Bell. And now
it is time to turn to the macabre and nightmare
world where there is no shortage of blood. Our
tale opens on a pleasant enough note in a fashionable
restaurant where Dr. and Mrs. Stampler are celebrating
a special occasion. But I promise you it will
end in true gothic horror Not another drop Stephen
I've had my fill and so have you I suppose you're
right my dear, but This is really so special
one more dig and the staplers hang up their shovels
not really But we'll be digging up flower beds
and compost heaps instead of ancient grave sites
No regrets none my dear. We should have retired
years ago then Why not now? I mean, what can
this one dig mean? Well, it will be a fitting
climax to our career immediately. Perhaps the
most significant find of our lifetime. Professor
Cerubius agrees with me. The last excavations
there indicate a pre -tortured civilization existed
that was not completely archaic. A highly sophisticated
people. Who worshiped the devil. Oh, why not?
Most of us still do. Black masses are held in
California Covens of witches gather in New Mexico
Blood rights take place in the shadows of New
York skyscraper You've had too much wine too
much wine. I haven't had enough come Amina Let's
toast the occasion to a splendid find to a safe
return Dr. Stambler. Dr. Stambler. Yes. I am
Professor Saruvius. Thank you for meeting us.
This is my wife Amelia. My great pleasure. It's
very nice of you. Not at all. Here, let me put
your bags in, please. Will you get in? I can't
tell you how I've looked forward to meeting you,
Professor. Miguel, if you please. And the high
I'm honoured by the opportunity of working with
Soho. eminent the scientists. And I would be
delighted to have a nice hot bath and about three
days of uninterrupted slumber. Oh, planes are
almost as uncomfortable after ten hours of flight
as the small donkeys we rode to the Shenandoah
site. The Toltecs have always been regarded as
the earliest civilization in the Americas. The
new finds at Ashtapulko may show one much heavier
steel. You really believe it was a civilization?
Almost certainly. Not by our standards, perhaps,
but certainly in its day. You shall have the
opportunity to see for yourselves. We leave at
five a .m. on the morning. But that's three days
away. Why the delay? Ah, there is much preparation,
including the paperwork. You shall get some rest,
and I will have the pleasure of acting as your
host. If you will permit it. Of course. And forgive
my impatience. Who's there? It is I, Miguel.
Just a second. Forgive me. I know it is late,
but it was necessary for me to see you. Oh, that's
all right. Come on in. We weren't in bed yet.
What is it? I... Hey, I'm afraid I have bad news
for you. We will have to postpone our trip. Why?
There is word of trouble in the mountains where
the site is. What kind of trouble? Nothing serious,
but it will cause us some delay. Why didn't you
tell us sooner? I just learned it, Stephen, when
I returned to my room. How long will the delay
be? I will. That is hard to say. What kind of
trouble is it, Miguel? An... Indian has been
found. Murdered. It was a ritual killing. His
skin has been removed. Oh, God. Well, we still
get back to the basic question, Miguel. How long
will we be delayed? Then you still bend on going?
Well, of course I'll be there. A native killing
isn't going to stop me. I've encountered worse
on other digs. Well, answer me, Miguel. Perhaps
you should forget it, Stephen. Oh, come on. Now,
both of you, I'm not going to change my plans.
If you insist, we will continue. But I must warn
you, it will be difficult to assemble a crew.
But not impossible. No, not impossible, if we
pay enough. There is always someone who will
take a risk if the inducement is great enough.
I guess you're right, Miguel. See what you can
do. Then you'll go along with me? I wouldn't
miss it for the world. They're not making much
headway, Miguel. Can't they dig any faster? We
are up very high, Stephen. More than 10 ,000
feet. It is not conducive to strenuous exertion.
They didn't display too much zeal on the climb
either. But they're not used to the altitude.
Why didn't we get men who are? But you know the
answer. No one else would come. You haven't seen
anyone else since we got up. They know better.
They have broken through to a new chamber. Well,
I hope it's more fruitful than the last one.
Let's go take a look. Look there. They have an
opening wide enough to go through. May I? Of
course. This is your excavation, Stephen. Are
you all right? Yes. Come on in. My God. It's
so still in here. Even their corpses die after
thousands of years. We seem to be in the anteroom.
I imagine the main chamber is just through those
doors. It would appear so. Get the men in here,
we've got to get those doors open, and it looks
like one heck of a job. Siga! Siga pronto! No,
no! No quiero entrar a los! Siga! No, no, no!
Siga pronto! Well, what are they waiting for?
They will not enter. Well, tell them they'll
get docked if they're not in here pronto. It
is no use. They will not come. All right, then
we'll get the doors open by ourselves. Let's
see how thick they are. Throw me a hammer, would
you? It's pretty solid, big girl. Stephen, look!
The doors are opening. How? Perhaps Stephen struck
some kind of a trigger mechanism by accident.
Well, never mind how. It'll save us some sweat,
that's all. Stephen, please be careful. There's
something here that makes me... I would go ahead.
Not on your life Miguel. This is one big step.
I'm going to take come on follow me Good Lord
It's an enormous chamber. It's like a giant cathedral
Bring the lamps up Door it's it's cut in a single
block. Yes It must weigh at least 10 tons Look
at the bar reliefs on the walls It is the devil
that these people worshiped. Beautiful. Sinister,
malevolent, but beautiful. Bring the lamps forward.
What does it mean? It's skulls! There's piles
of brilliant skulls! We have found what we are
looking for. The sacrificial chambers of the
temple. Yes, you're right, Miguel. Can you make
out these inscriptions? I see, yes. They tell
the story of the ritual. These were incense burners
where human hearts smoked. The skulls piled at
the base of that enormous slab of stone were
sacrificed on that altar. What's that? Oh, Miguel
just described it, my dear. The stone slab was
the altar. No, I mean in the center of the altar.
Probably the debris of centuries. I just saw
something stir. Well, how could it be warm? It's
so cold and damp in here. Well, he must have
been left here a few minutes ago. Well, perhaps
someone left him as a warning to us. Well, impossible.
There is no other entrance beside the stone doors,
not even windows. This was the sacrificial chamber
of these ancient people. Well, then how, Miguel?
I don't know. And I'm afraid the answer if we
ever find it. Will not be pleasant Well at least
whoever left him had sense enough to leave some
protection There's a woven mat on the altar see
and that is one of the mysteries that troubles
me What are you saying Miguel the fabric the
child is lying on? examine it Yes Yes, I see
what you mean It was woven when the temple was
new When a bright star appears in the east and
a child is born, there is a season of celebration.
But when a child appears on a sacrificial slab
of the temple of an ancient people who worshiped
the devil, what will the season bring? by the
philosophy that no one is born evil, that only
time and circumstance can corrupt the innocence
of an infant. And yet, deep within us, we feel
some doubt when monsters arise. What made Cain?
Was Adolf Hitler or Jack the Ripper ever a clean
slate? Why should we not wonder even stronger
when a child appears out of nowhere in the temple
of Satan? I Am not happy to see you leave my
friends. We'll miss you too Miguel of course,
but I wish you have not decided to adopt the
baby and Take him with you. I would have preferred
you to leave him here with me until I could ascertain
what his origins are I think he's right to be
here, dear. There's still time to change our
minds. Oh, no! No, we fought harder to take him
with us than those artifacts from the chamber.
I'm not going to give him up now. What difference
does it make where our son came from, or who
left him there? He's a perfectly normal baby,
and he means more to me than the trophies we're
carrying off. Well, if you have made your minds
up, then all I can say is, via condios. I am
very delighted that you both have what you wish.
Stephen, your find will have an historical impact.
Our find, Miguel, would have been impossible
without you. And my gratitude for helping us
with the baby. We've named your godchild, Michael,
to you. A great honor, Emilio. You'll keep trying
to trace his parents? Yes, if that is what you
wish. Don't try too hard, Miguel. It doesn't
matter where he came from. We're all he needs
from now on. I hope you are right, Emilio. Stampler
here? Oh, no. I'm sorry. That will have to wait.
And look, another thing, don't set up any more
interviews. My wife and I have had it. All right,
I'll let you know, right? Don't be so short with
Conrad. He's only trying to promote your book.
I know he is a media, but we're entitled to some
privacy. We've been back home for almost a year
now and I'm sick of interviews and publicity.
People poking around here. Oh, you know you don't
mean that. You're positively glowing with success.
You proved your theory about the pre -Teltic
people, the influence they had on earlier civilizations,
and just look at the results. Academic honors
and all the fantastic sale of your books on the
expedition. This year has been good for you,
Steve. Of course it has, Emilia. But if we hadn't
gone on that bloody trip, we'd have some peace,
at least. We wouldn't have, Michael. Well, you're
right, my dear. Oh, he's quite a handful, for
a kid his age. Only a year old, he's been walking
for months. And he's such a good -looking child.
He's so well -behaved. Oh, too well -behaved.
You know, it's scary. He hardly makes any sounds
at all. Oh, count your blessings. Our neighbors
and the SO, they want to know how I discipline
Michael. He's such an angel. He doesn't need
any discipline. Oh, maybe he doesn't, but I do.
I've got to finish my notes for the lecture tour.
Are you sure you won't come with me a minute?
Well, who'd look after Michael? Well, Karen.
She's perfectly capable. Oh, nonsense. I mean,
he'd be gone in a month. He needs me. So do I.
Oh, don't tell me you're jealous. Oh, no, no,
no. But... I am disturbed. You've got to give
a little, Ann. Don't try to smother him. It's
no good for either of you. Stephen! I didn't
expect you home so soon. It's Michael's birthday,
so I thought I'd be early. I was taking a sentimental
journey back through the years with Michael's
birthday books. Here he is at two. Yes, I remember.
We took him to the zoo and he was fascinated.
Here he is a year ago. Five years old, growing
like a weed. Oh, that reminds me. What can I
do to help with the festivities? Nothing. Just
relax. Where's Mike? Well, I sent him out to
play. On his birthday? I don't understand...
What's wrong, Amina? Nothing. The party's off?
No one's going to show up? Is that it? Who cares?
Well, you do for one. Why aren't they coming?
Because we have stuffy neighbors with stuffy
children. I just think it's time we moved. They're
all out of step. That's right. Take their side
for heaven's sake. Yeah, I'm not taking any side.
I Just want to know Honey tears butterflies apart
Yanks legs off frogs. Well, he's inherited you
scientific curiosity. Oh, you know, that's impossible.
Well, I mean you would you set an example for
him and Level with me would you? What happened
between Michael and the fielding child? Nothing.
I told you. All right, then you don't mind if
I call them and straighten this out? You go ahead
and call. You'll agree. It's a tempest in a teapot.
I'd rather hear it from you, Em. Sarah? This
is Stephen. Stephen Stampler. Well, yes, I know.
I read your note. Well, can you tell me why?
Michael did what? Are you sure? I see. Yes, I
know how you feel. And thanks for being direct.
Bye. Well? I just don't understand. It's curiosity.
It's simple, childish. Curiosity, children. try
to discover the world around them. They smell,
taste, feel. They hurt? Well, yes, sometimes
they hurt. Not out of malice. Try to be honest,
Em. How would you feel if you were Sarah Fielding?
I hope I'd have the good sense to take things
in stride. Would you? I can't believe it's you.
I mean, you've lost all sense of objectivity.
And you've lost all sense of proportion. Are
you trying to cast Michael as a monster? I'd
like to understand him. But I think I need help.
And so does he. Meda? Oh, there you are. How
are the silver bells? Fine. But the cockle shells
are a bit droopy. And so am I. Oh, nonsense.
Very galant, Stephen. But age is beginning to
catch up. I don't know where the last ten years
have disappeared. Seems only yesterday that Michael
was six, entering school for the first time.
Now he's almost grown. Seventeen. Oh, my, you
look handsome today. You're even wearing a tie.
Yes, so I am. What's the occasion? We have a
friend in town. Old Cerubius. Oh, I didn't know
he was in his days. Neither did I. He's consulting
with the museum people and he'd like to see us.
I asked him out to lunch. Ah, that was thoughtful.
Now, there's no need to fuss about it. Of course
not. I'll get the soil off my hands and throw
something together. If Miguel doesn't mind, I
certainly don't. Well, thank you, Anne. Is there
anything I can get from town for you? No, just
hurry back. Cerubius is dying to see Mike. What
time is Mike due here? Oh, dear, I forgot to
tell you. There was a letter from Michael in
the morning mail. He's staying at the Academy
through the holidays. Well, that's odd. Did he
say why? Well, he wants to catch up with some
schoolwork, and there's an experiment going in
the lab. Well, he just can't leave. Well, that's
too bad. Miguel was looking forward to a visit
with Mike. He made quite a point of it. This
is quite a machine. It sounds like my coffee
grind. It's reliable transportation, Miguel,
despite the noise it makes. And how is the boy?
Well, very well. And so is the media. You look
fit. I should be. I still clamber over rocks
like a mountain goat and dig interminable tunnels.
Have you found anything more at the old digs?
Enough to verify your findings. But one thing
we never discovered. No trace of Mike's parents,
eh? No, no. I have shown the pictures you send
me to every man, woman, and child in the region.
Nothing. Well, how is he getting on? He seems
to like it at the Academy. As a matter of fact,
things are going so well there, he won't be home
for the holidays. I'm sorry. It's too bad. I
must see you. Perhaps I still can. Well, he's
not due home until the summer vacation. In that
case, Mohammed must go to the mountain. That's
quite a trip. Not to see a godchild. Well, here
we are. We're here at last. Miguel, how nice
to see you again. It is always a pleasure, dear
Emilia. You look more enchanting than ever. Thank
you. You're so good for my ego. I have drinks
set on the terrace. Would you like to unpack
first? No, I think not. A drink would be fine,
and then I must be going. But you've just arrived.
I prepared lunch. We haven't seen you in years.
Too many years. I know, but I may get a chance
to stop in before I go home. What made you change
your mind? He's going to visit Mike. Aren't you,
old friend? Yes, I think so. Oh, he'll be delighted,
as we are disappointed. I hope so. It would be
nice to feel wanted by a godchild. I have not
seen since he was an infant I'm sure he'd love
to see you. He keeps asking about you all the
time. You can feel flattered Miguel You seem
to be the only human being he has any interested
besides you and Amelia, of course What's the
strange thing to say? Oh, you must forgive me.
I have not been in civilized company for ages
my Conversation is a little, how do you say,
rusty? Exactly. My bones and my speech are undoubtedly
growing rusty. That is why I want to see him
on this trip. I may never have the opportunity
again. Could you get that? I'm just finishing
the shelf, dear. Very well. Michael. I don't
understand. No hello? Should I go out and start
over again? Oh, it's not silly. Hello, darling.
Ah, that's more like it. Steven! It's Michael.
Mike! I know. Mother had the same reaction. I
just got through sooner than I thought I would.
So I rushed home. Put your bags in your room
and I'll fix something to eat. You look well,
Dad. Why shouldn't I? Leisure is good for the
thinking classes. You look a bit drawn. Are they
pushing you? No, I'm pushing myself. There's
so much to do. What's new? Your Godfather paid
us a visit. He wanted to see you. Well, here
I am. He had to leave. Obviously he didn't get
to see you at the Academy. No, I didn't even
know he planned to make the trip. Well, that's
odd. He said he would go to the Academy directly.
We must have crossed paths. Oh, excuse me, Mike.
Hello. Yes, this is Dr. Stephen Stamper. Would
you mind reading it? Would you read that again,
please? Oh, my God. What is it dear? It's a wire
from the Academy They found Serupius Found him?
Yes Miguel is dead Michael Michael, are you home?
He's out Amelia His car's gone Strange. He seemed
under the weather this morning And he didn't
want to attend the funeral. Oh, nonsense. He
just wasn't feeling well. You still believe that
act after all these years. You know, he's always
avoided unpleasantness that way. Well, it was
unpleasant, Stephen. An old friend... Go that
way. All right, all right, Em. It's all over.
What could have done it? You mean who, Em? No,
I don't. Nothing. Human. Could have been responsible
for Miguel's death. I wonder. You wonder what,
Dad? Where did you come from, Michael? You startled
me. I was in the garage. My fan belt's loose.
I was tightening it. You should have come to
the funeral. What for? I never saw Professor
Cerubius. He was your godfather. You were his
namesake. I wasn't feeling so hot anyway. I thought
I was coming down with something. How do you
feel now? Better, I think. You look healthy enough
to me. Well, that doesn't mean a thing. I'll
put the tea up, and then it's off to bed with
you. She still thinks you're a child, Mike. I
know. I want to talk to you, Dad. That's why
I came home from school. All right, shoot. I
really don't know what I want to do. I think
I've had the Academy. But you said you liked
it there. You're doing well. I know, but I can't
make the scene there anymore. Too much work?
No, not really. I'm just not on to some of the
stuff I've got to handle there. The creeps in
Fairmount are still living in the 17th century.
They'd have witch -burning if the law didn't
forbid it. What's that got to do with you? Well,
some of my experiments have got them on the war
path. How about your working in the physical
sciences? Well, not exactly. I've been going
beyond that. Like what? Well, for one thing,
ESP. You've always felt I had it. Well, that's
not considered supernatural today. I know, but
the townies think it is. Well, that's all the
fuss I think you should stay on. It never pays
to bow down to ignorance. I'm glad you see it
that way, Dad. Oh, but there's more, isn't there?
What do you know about my people? Where I come
from? Not too much. How about Cerubius? Well,
he thought he was on to something. He was on
his way to talk to you about it. Too bad we missed
each other. Did you? Of course. I told you I
was on my way back here when I heard... That's
not exactly what happened, Mike. He called me
from the airport when he landed. What did he
say? I don't know. Amelia and I were out. He
left a message with our answering service. He
said he was going right out to see you. That
he had phoned ahead. I never heard from him.
And that if anything happened, there was a letter
that he was mailing to us. Well, then you did
hear from him. By mail, at least. We never received
the letter. Did you? Now you're accusing me of
tampering with your mail? I'm only asking, Michael.
Do you really think I saw Sirubius that night?
Did you, Mike? You're as bad as the townspeople
What do you want to hear a full confession? Okay,
I saw the old man. I killed him. Is that enough
or do you want me to invent the gory details
too? Fear can be a force for good or evil it
can keep us from harm Or it can be a malignancy
that feeds on darkness and ignorance. Is Mike
a victim of rumor and coincidence? Or is he truly
evil? There is a peculiar kind of fear we call
courage. that makes us go on when all we want
to do is find peace and shelter. It makes men
who fear heights climb mountains. Soldiers who
detest war and suffering advance on bloody battlefields.
Some call it pride rather than courage. Choose
now. Retreat now and regret it or go on with
me. To act three. They seem to connect my frogs
with everything bad that's happening. The Gilmore
child comes down with meningitis, my frogs are
responsible. The drought and the unusual heat,
the salmonella outbreak, all part of my wicked
machinations. How would you like to come out
of retirement, both of you? What do you mean?
I'd like to go back to the place you found me,
to see if I can trace my origins. Maybe I'll
find myself then. Well, I don't know, Mike. I
just hadn't thought about it. Well, then don't
let's just do it It's a gift from our loving
neighbors, it's a brick there's a note attached
to it. Let me see that Mike This is your last
warning Leave or we will send you back to the
hell where you belong They're not all clods after
all Someone has imagination and a gift of expression.
This is no laughing matter, Mike. I'm going to
find out who's responsible for this outrage.
Now, Dr. Stamford, delighted to see you. I think
we can do without the four maladies, Reverend
Stokes. I just want some answers. Yes, so do
I. I haven't seen you in charge for quite a while.
You're very fortunate. I didn't attend last week.
I don't think you'd care for my reaction to your
sermon. Oh, then you don't believe in the presence
of Satan. No, I don't. All I know is what that
kind of talk leads to. Oh, the brick, you mean.
I'm sorry about that. Well, yes, you should be.
You've got these farmers half insane with your
superstitious prattle. Some say that about religion.
I wonder why. All right, let's not get sidetracked,
Reverend Stokes. I don't want a theological debate.
I want you to tell your congregation the truth.
And what is that, Dr. Stumper? That my son Mike
raises frogs for his lab experiments. And shall
I tell them to believe in coincidence? What coincidence?
That a peaceful town is ripped apart every time
your son returns. That cattle die for no reason
at all. That we are suffering epidemics and the
worst drought in our history. All because of
coincidence? Yes, yes, you tell them that. This
is the 20th century. What else could it be? Ask
your son, Dr. Stamper. Ask him if he's just doing
lab experiments. I told you, Dad, I'm going back
where you found me, with or without you. Mike,
that is foolish. Cerubius excavated for years
but found nothing. What makes you think you can?
Because I was born to it and Cerubius was not.
He was contaminated by Spanish blood. My lines
are pure. I need to find my way to another world.
Will you come with me? You're not serious, Mike.
I've got to go, Mother. I thought you'd understand.
Well, I do. I just want you to think things through
a little longer. Go back to school. Just finish
this semester, and then we'll all go back. I
promise you. That makes sense, Mike. It's only
a few months. What do you say? Okay. But I won't
let you stall me past then. I think my word is
good enough. It is, Dad. Then, that's settled.
Now, why don't you take Dad out for a walk? This
room needs cleaning and airing. Are you implying?
Not at all. I'm stating it quite clearly. Either
I clean this place now, or I'll send in some
goats to keep you company tonight. Now, shoot.
Okay, I'll go. How about the keys to the car?
I thought we were going for a walk. Take a rain
check. I'd like to drive into the city. I'll
be my guest. Here. Just drive carefully. Don't
worry. I'll be back for dinner. Can I give you
a hand, Amina? I don't think so, Stephen. My,
this place is dusty. I'll empty the trash basket
for you. Just dump things in the plastic bag.
Don't you feed Mike, Amina? Of course I do. Look
at all these hamburger wrappings. Well, I think
he feeds his frogs. Oh, no. What's wrong, Stephen?
You're as white as a sheet. Yeah. It's a piece
of paper. Well, what is it? It's part of an envelope,
Amelia. The one that contained the letter Cerubius
wrote to us. Oh, my God. But why didn't I...
Destroy the letter? That's what I'm wondering,
too. And I don't like the answer I get. Hello.
Yes, this is Dr. Stampler. He what? Can't be.
We'll be right over. Yes, but I want to see my
son. What is it, Stokes? What? Stokes. I don't
want to see him. I want to see my son. Hello.
Hello. He hung up. Well, what happened? Mike.
They're looking for him. What for? They claim
he's killed someone. I don't believe it. What?
With the car? I mean, was it an accident? It
was no accident. They found Claire Baxter dead.
What's that got to do with Mike? They claim he
was seen near the place where the body was found.
Where's Mike now? He's disappeared. They found
our car in the ravine. I'll go see. Good evening.
Yes, Reverend Stokes, what is it? May I come
in? No, you may not. Now clear out of here. What's
wrong with you, Steve? Please come in, Reverend.
Thank you, Mrs. Stapler. I know it's painful,
but I must talk to you. What is there to talk
about? Your son. I tried to reach you before
with facts. But you wouldn't listen. Why should
I? Of all these silly nonsense... It's no nonsense
this time, I'm afraid. Your son has committed
murder. Just because he was seen near where the
girl was found, I'll bet half the town would
have been dead. No one else in town would kill
the way Claire was slaughtered. Please, I don't
want to hear anymore. Then we'll just sit quietly
and wait. For what? For your son to return. And
then what? Then we'll... They'll do what must
be done You won't wait here be sensible. There
are men just beyond this door. I Would prefer
to do this as reasonably as possible. Do what
just ask him a few questions. Mrs. Sampler Now,
please let me handle this Or would you prefer
mob violence ask your questions Stokes? I'm here
Not yet. I've got a score to settle with old
no sit down Michael It's all over for you for
you meddler no Asmodeus your time has come Asmodeus
Satan whatever you call yourself Sit down and
answer my questions. I changed my mind. I'll
answer your questions if you catch me Please
don't let him go. Don't worry Stokes will never
get him neither with that mob He's on his way
back Where we found him a man in In the sacrificial
chamber, Serovia said someday Mike would return.
Just a while longer, Amina. I'm all right, Stephen.
Do you think we'll find him? He wanted so badly
to find his way back. He must be here. I'm glad
he got away from them all. I'm not so sure about
that. I pieced together Sarubis's letter from
the scraps in the wastebasket. It explains a
great deal. Michael was not just an ordinary
Indian child abandoned by his parents. Tribes
have a legend about the pure -born son of kings
who is sacrificed for his people. Do you think
Michael? I don't know, Meena. I don't know what
to believe anymore. There's a light. In the chamber
ahead. I know. Hold the slant in a minute. Hold
it high. Don't come any closer. Michael. Oh,
thank God we found you. Where are you, Mike?
Boy, we believe in you. We trust you. Stay where
you are. Do as I tell you. We want to help you.
Then leave. That's the best you can do for me.
You kept me from my destiny when you took me
from this tomb. Let me fulfill it now. We love
you, Michael. Please save yourself. Hold the
lantern higher, Amita. What is it? There's a
child, Anne. There's a baby on the altar where
we found Mike. It's Michael. Oh, my God. It's
Michael. It can't be. He is. I remember every
detail. Stay back. Stay back a minute. Don't
come any closer. It's a child in the altar. It's
Mike. Someone or something is standing over it.
Oh, no. Oh, no. I can't believe it. The child's...
Oh, God, no. It's all over now. Whoever it was
has disappeared, Amelia. He's gone. A child is
born, becomes a man, then dies. The natural order
of things. No one can upset it. But not in the
case of Michael Stampler. or whatever his true
name was, he was plucked out of antiquity by
accident and returned there by desire. I'll be
back shortly. The dark closet was open for a
short time, and instead of light streaming in,
evil oozed out. And ancient magic spanned the
bridge of time, and for a while dark forces swirled
once again, turning reason into fear, understanding
into violence, and light into shadow. Our cast
included Patricia Rowe, Ralph Bell, Don Scardino,
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.