WEBVTT 00:00:18.060 --> 00:00:22.920 Welcome. I am E. G. Marshall. Welcome to the 00:00:22.920 --> 00:00:27.660 world of your own terrifying imagination. It 00:00:27.660 --> 00:00:31.359 has been said that we are prisoners in a dark 00:00:31.359 --> 00:00:35.719 closet with small openings that on occasion admit 00:00:35.719 --> 00:00:39.780 some light. Small wonder that the demons who 00:00:39.780 --> 00:00:42.740 lurk in the deepest corners are more real to 00:00:42.740 --> 00:00:47.780 us than the sweet light of reason outside. There 00:00:47.780 --> 00:00:51.179 is so much evil in our world that light turns 00:00:51.179 --> 00:00:54.759 naturally to shadow Even the love of Stephen 00:00:54.759 --> 00:00:57.719 and Amelia Stampler for their son Michael is 00:00:57.719 --> 00:01:02.020 converted to suspicion in this dark closet We 00:01:02.020 --> 00:01:04.879 live in Reverend Stokes. I don't want a theological 00:01:04.879 --> 00:01:07.840 debate I want you to tell your congregation the 00:01:07.840 --> 00:01:11.019 truth. And what is that, Dr. Stabler? That my 00:01:11.019 --> 00:01:13.640 son Michael conducts his lab experiments for 00:01:13.640 --> 00:01:16.319 scientific purposes. And shall I ask him to believe 00:01:16.319 --> 00:01:18.959 in coincidence? What coincidence? That a peaceful 00:01:18.959 --> 00:01:22.120 town is ripped apart every time your son returns. 00:01:22.680 --> 00:01:25.540 That cattle die for no reason at all. That we 00:01:25.540 --> 00:01:28.260 are suffering epidemics and the worst drought 00:01:28.260 --> 00:01:32.159 in our history. All because of coincidence. Yes. 00:01:32.640 --> 00:01:35.359 This is the 20th century. What else could it 00:01:35.359 --> 00:01:39.799 be? Ask your son, Dr. Stampler. Ask your son 00:01:39.799 --> 00:01:53.060 Michael if he's just doing lab experiments. Our 00:01:53.060 --> 00:01:57.140 mystery drama, A Sacrifice in Blood, was written 00:01:57.140 --> 00:02:00.260 especially for the Mystery Theatre by Milt Wisoff 00:02:00.260 --> 00:02:16.189 and stars Patricia Rowe and Ralph Bell. And now 00:02:16.189 --> 00:02:19.949 it is time to turn to the macabre and nightmare 00:02:19.949 --> 00:02:25.569 world where there is no shortage of blood. Our 00:02:25.569 --> 00:02:28.409 tale opens on a pleasant enough note in a fashionable 00:02:28.409 --> 00:02:31.550 restaurant where Dr. and Mrs. Stampler are celebrating 00:02:31.550 --> 00:02:35.789 a special occasion. But I promise you it will 00:02:35.789 --> 00:02:42.430 end in true gothic horror Not another drop Stephen 00:02:42.430 --> 00:02:44.889 I've had my fill and so have you I suppose you're 00:02:44.889 --> 00:02:47.729 right my dear, but This is really so special 00:02:47.729 --> 00:02:51.150 one more dig and the staplers hang up their shovels 00:02:51.150 --> 00:02:53.949 not really But we'll be digging up flower beds 00:02:53.949 --> 00:02:57.050 and compost heaps instead of ancient grave sites 00:02:57.050 --> 00:03:00.830 No regrets none my dear. We should have retired 00:03:00.830 --> 00:03:04.620 years ago then Why not now? I mean, what can 00:03:04.620 --> 00:03:08.080 this one dig mean? Well, it will be a fitting 00:03:08.080 --> 00:03:10.759 climax to our career immediately. Perhaps the 00:03:10.759 --> 00:03:13.659 most significant find of our lifetime. Professor 00:03:13.659 --> 00:03:16.740 Cerubius agrees with me. The last excavations 00:03:16.740 --> 00:03:20.219 there indicate a pre -tortured civilization existed 00:03:20.219 --> 00:03:24.460 that was not completely archaic. A highly sophisticated 00:03:24.460 --> 00:03:27.639 people. Who worshiped the devil. Oh, why not? 00:03:28.379 --> 00:03:31.550 Most of us still do. Black masses are held in 00:03:31.550 --> 00:03:35.650 California Covens of witches gather in New Mexico 00:03:35.650 --> 00:03:37.870 Blood rights take place in the shadows of New 00:03:37.870 --> 00:03:41.449 York skyscraper You've had too much wine too 00:03:41.449 --> 00:03:45.349 much wine. I haven't had enough come Amina Let's 00:03:45.349 --> 00:03:50.990 toast the occasion to a splendid find to a safe 00:03:50.990 --> 00:04:03.550 return Dr. Stambler. Dr. Stambler. Yes. I am 00:04:03.550 --> 00:04:05.909 Professor Saruvius. Thank you for meeting us. 00:04:06.189 --> 00:04:09.949 This is my wife Amelia. My great pleasure. It's 00:04:09.949 --> 00:04:14.110 very nice of you. Not at all. Here, let me put 00:04:14.110 --> 00:04:19.250 your bags in, please. Will you get in? I can't 00:04:19.250 --> 00:04:20.810 tell you how I've looked forward to meeting you, 00:04:20.990 --> 00:04:25.230 Professor. Miguel, if you please. And the high 00:04:25.230 --> 00:04:27.990 I'm honoured by the opportunity of working with 00:04:27.990 --> 00:04:31.560 Soho. eminent the scientists. And I would be 00:04:31.560 --> 00:04:34.660 delighted to have a nice hot bath and about three 00:04:34.660 --> 00:04:38.879 days of uninterrupted slumber. Oh, planes are 00:04:38.879 --> 00:04:41.220 almost as uncomfortable after ten hours of flight 00:04:41.220 --> 00:04:43.879 as the small donkeys we rode to the Shenandoah 00:04:43.879 --> 00:04:47.199 site. The Toltecs have always been regarded as 00:04:47.199 --> 00:04:51.000 the earliest civilization in the Americas. The 00:04:51.000 --> 00:04:55.420 new finds at Ashtapulko may show one much heavier 00:04:55.420 --> 00:04:58.240 steel. You really believe it was a civilization? 00:04:58.680 --> 00:05:01.879 Almost certainly. Not by our standards, perhaps, 00:05:02.279 --> 00:05:05.519 but certainly in its day. You shall have the 00:05:05.519 --> 00:05:08.779 opportunity to see for yourselves. We leave at 00:05:08.779 --> 00:05:12.319 five a .m. on the morning. But that's three days 00:05:12.319 --> 00:05:16.160 away. Why the delay? Ah, there is much preparation, 00:05:16.560 --> 00:05:19.600 including the paperwork. You shall get some rest, 00:05:19.980 --> 00:05:22.779 and I will have the pleasure of acting as your 00:05:22.779 --> 00:05:27.160 host. If you will permit it. Of course. And forgive 00:05:27.160 --> 00:05:37.480 my impatience. Who's there? It is I, Miguel. 00:05:38.079 --> 00:05:44.560 Just a second. Forgive me. I know it is late, 00:05:44.779 --> 00:05:47.579 but it was necessary for me to see you. Oh, that's 00:05:47.579 --> 00:05:49.819 all right. Come on in. We weren't in bed yet. 00:05:50.180 --> 00:05:54.720 What is it? I... Hey, I'm afraid I have bad news 00:05:54.720 --> 00:05:59.620 for you. We will have to postpone our trip. Why? 00:05:59.860 --> 00:06:02.180 There is word of trouble in the mountains where 00:06:02.180 --> 00:06:05.480 the site is. What kind of trouble? Nothing serious, 00:06:05.480 --> 00:06:08.699 but it will cause us some delay. Why didn't you 00:06:08.699 --> 00:06:10.899 tell us sooner? I just learned it, Stephen, when 00:06:10.899 --> 00:06:13.879 I returned to my room. How long will the delay 00:06:13.879 --> 00:06:17.980 be? I will. That is hard to say. What kind of 00:06:17.980 --> 00:06:23.180 trouble is it, Miguel? An... Indian has been 00:06:23.180 --> 00:06:30.959 found. Murdered. It was a ritual killing. His 00:06:30.959 --> 00:06:36.980 skin has been removed. Oh, God. Well, we still 00:06:36.980 --> 00:06:39.579 get back to the basic question, Miguel. How long 00:06:39.579 --> 00:06:42.079 will we be delayed? Then you still bend on going? 00:06:42.120 --> 00:06:44.139 Well, of course I'll be there. A native killing 00:06:44.139 --> 00:06:46.740 isn't going to stop me. I've encountered worse 00:06:46.740 --> 00:06:50.430 on other digs. Well, answer me, Miguel. Perhaps 00:06:50.430 --> 00:06:53.129 you should forget it, Stephen. Oh, come on. Now, 00:06:53.129 --> 00:06:55.370 both of you, I'm not going to change my plans. 00:06:55.509 --> 00:06:59.050 If you insist, we will continue. But I must warn 00:06:59.050 --> 00:07:02.029 you, it will be difficult to assemble a crew. 00:07:02.709 --> 00:07:06.329 But not impossible. No, not impossible, if we 00:07:06.329 --> 00:07:09.629 pay enough. There is always someone who will 00:07:09.629 --> 00:07:12.329 take a risk if the inducement is great enough. 00:07:13.829 --> 00:07:17.050 I guess you're right, Miguel. See what you can 00:07:17.050 --> 00:07:21.300 do. Then you'll go along with me? I wouldn't 00:07:21.300 --> 00:07:36.139 miss it for the world. They're not making much 00:07:36.139 --> 00:07:39.459 headway, Miguel. Can't they dig any faster? We 00:07:39.459 --> 00:07:42.639 are up very high, Stephen. More than 10 ,000 00:07:42.639 --> 00:07:46.339 feet. It is not conducive to strenuous exertion. 00:07:46.339 --> 00:07:48.439 They didn't display too much zeal on the climb 00:07:48.439 --> 00:07:50.300 either. But they're not used to the altitude. 00:07:51.019 --> 00:07:53.319 Why didn't we get men who are? But you know the 00:07:53.319 --> 00:07:55.199 answer. No one else would come. You haven't seen 00:07:55.199 --> 00:07:57.180 anyone else since we got up. They know better. 00:07:59.160 --> 00:08:02.240 They have broken through to a new chamber. Well, 00:08:02.240 --> 00:08:04.100 I hope it's more fruitful than the last one. 00:08:04.660 --> 00:08:09.579 Let's go take a look. Look there. They have an 00:08:09.579 --> 00:08:13.500 opening wide enough to go through. May I? Of 00:08:13.500 --> 00:08:17.860 course. This is your excavation, Stephen. Are 00:08:17.860 --> 00:08:26.920 you all right? Yes. Come on in. My God. It's 00:08:26.920 --> 00:08:32.200 so still in here. Even their corpses die after 00:08:32.200 --> 00:08:36.399 thousands of years. We seem to be in the anteroom. 00:08:37.019 --> 00:08:38.799 I imagine the main chamber is just through those 00:08:38.799 --> 00:08:41.879 doors. It would appear so. Get the men in here, 00:08:41.919 --> 00:08:43.740 we've got to get those doors open, and it looks 00:08:43.740 --> 00:08:46.200 like one heck of a job. Siga! Siga pronto! No, 00:08:46.340 --> 00:08:49.720 no! No quiero entrar a los! Siga! No, no, no! 00:08:49.740 --> 00:08:51.779 Siga pronto! Well, what are they waiting for? 00:08:53.360 --> 00:08:55.860 They will not enter. Well, tell them they'll 00:08:55.860 --> 00:08:57.639 get docked if they're not in here pronto. It 00:08:57.639 --> 00:09:02.080 is no use. They will not come. All right, then 00:09:02.080 --> 00:09:04.159 we'll get the doors open by ourselves. Let's 00:09:04.159 --> 00:09:06.059 see how thick they are. Throw me a hammer, would 00:09:06.059 --> 00:09:18.480 you? It's pretty solid, big girl. Stephen, look! 00:09:19.220 --> 00:09:24.320 The doors are opening. How? Perhaps Stephen struck 00:09:24.320 --> 00:09:26.519 some kind of a trigger mechanism by accident. 00:09:26.679 --> 00:09:28.799 Well, never mind how. It'll save us some sweat, 00:09:28.960 --> 00:09:35.860 that's all. Stephen, please be careful. There's 00:09:35.860 --> 00:09:39.440 something here that makes me... I would go ahead. 00:09:39.789 --> 00:09:42.389 Not on your life Miguel. This is one big step. 00:09:42.509 --> 00:09:50.570 I'm going to take come on follow me Good Lord 00:09:50.570 --> 00:09:55.029 It's an enormous chamber. It's like a giant cathedral 00:09:55.029 --> 00:10:00.250 Bring the lamps up Door it's it's cut in a single 00:10:00.250 --> 00:10:05.269 block. Yes It must weigh at least 10 tons Look 00:10:05.269 --> 00:10:08.970 at the bar reliefs on the walls It is the devil 00:10:08.970 --> 00:10:14.789 that these people worshiped. Beautiful. Sinister, 00:10:15.110 --> 00:10:19.330 malevolent, but beautiful. Bring the lamps forward. 00:10:20.929 --> 00:10:24.570 What does it mean? It's skulls! There's piles 00:10:24.570 --> 00:10:27.029 of brilliant skulls! We have found what we are 00:10:27.029 --> 00:10:30.710 looking for. The sacrificial chambers of the 00:10:30.710 --> 00:10:35.169 temple. Yes, you're right, Miguel. Can you make 00:10:35.169 --> 00:10:39.259 out these inscriptions? I see, yes. They tell 00:10:39.259 --> 00:10:44.179 the story of the ritual. These were incense burners 00:10:44.179 --> 00:10:48.200 where human hearts smoked. The skulls piled at 00:10:48.200 --> 00:10:52.899 the base of that enormous slab of stone were 00:10:52.899 --> 00:10:57.019 sacrificed on that altar. What's that? Oh, Miguel 00:10:57.019 --> 00:10:59.899 just described it, my dear. The stone slab was 00:10:59.899 --> 00:11:02.419 the altar. No, I mean in the center of the altar. 00:11:02.600 --> 00:11:05.039 Probably the debris of centuries. I just saw 00:11:05.039 --> 00:11:28.649 something stir. Well, how could it be warm? It's 00:11:28.649 --> 00:11:30.929 so cold and damp in here. Well, he must have 00:11:30.929 --> 00:11:34.009 been left here a few minutes ago. Well, perhaps 00:11:34.009 --> 00:11:38.149 someone left him as a warning to us. Well, impossible. 00:11:39.149 --> 00:11:41.669 There is no other entrance beside the stone doors, 00:11:41.809 --> 00:11:45.309 not even windows. This was the sacrificial chamber 00:11:45.309 --> 00:11:48.769 of these ancient people. Well, then how, Miguel? 00:11:49.570 --> 00:11:54.049 I don't know. And I'm afraid the answer if we 00:11:54.049 --> 00:11:58.649 ever find it. Will not be pleasant Well at least 00:11:58.649 --> 00:12:00.470 whoever left him had sense enough to leave some 00:12:00.470 --> 00:12:04.149 protection There's a woven mat on the altar see 00:12:04.149 --> 00:12:07.190 and that is one of the mysteries that troubles 00:12:07.190 --> 00:12:10.809 me What are you saying Miguel the fabric the 00:12:10.809 --> 00:12:17.529 child is lying on? examine it Yes Yes, I see 00:12:17.529 --> 00:12:22.850 what you mean It was woven when the temple was 00:12:22.850 --> 00:12:30.679 new When a bright star appears in the east and 00:12:30.679 --> 00:12:34.080 a child is born, there is a season of celebration. 00:12:35.399 --> 00:12:38.559 But when a child appears on a sacrificial slab 00:12:38.559 --> 00:12:42.000 of the temple of an ancient people who worshiped 00:12:42.000 --> 00:12:57.120 the devil, what will the season bring? by the 00:12:57.120 --> 00:13:03.399 philosophy that no one is born evil, that only 00:13:03.399 --> 00:13:07.039 time and circumstance can corrupt the innocence 00:13:07.039 --> 00:13:13.000 of an infant. And yet, deep within us, we feel 00:13:13.000 --> 00:13:18.919 some doubt when monsters arise. What made Cain? 00:13:20.179 --> 00:13:24.919 Was Adolf Hitler or Jack the Ripper ever a clean 00:13:24.919 --> 00:13:28.889 slate? Why should we not wonder even stronger 00:13:28.889 --> 00:13:33.129 when a child appears out of nowhere in the temple 00:13:33.129 --> 00:13:39.690 of Satan? I Am not happy to see you leave my 00:13:39.690 --> 00:13:42.730 friends. We'll miss you too Miguel of course, 00:13:42.730 --> 00:13:47.210 but I wish you have not decided to adopt the 00:13:47.210 --> 00:13:51.110 baby and Take him with you. I would have preferred 00:13:51.110 --> 00:13:54.590 you to leave him here with me until I could ascertain 00:13:54.590 --> 00:13:57.100 what his origins are I think he's right to be 00:13:57.100 --> 00:13:59.200 here, dear. There's still time to change our 00:13:59.200 --> 00:14:02.299 minds. Oh, no! No, we fought harder to take him 00:14:02.299 --> 00:14:04.580 with us than those artifacts from the chamber. 00:14:04.919 --> 00:14:07.120 I'm not going to give him up now. What difference 00:14:07.120 --> 00:14:10.019 does it make where our son came from, or who 00:14:10.019 --> 00:14:12.580 left him there? He's a perfectly normal baby, 00:14:13.399 --> 00:14:15.659 and he means more to me than the trophies we're 00:14:15.659 --> 00:14:18.500 carrying off. Well, if you have made your minds 00:14:18.500 --> 00:14:23.000 up, then all I can say is, via condios. I am 00:14:23.000 --> 00:14:25.139 very delighted that you both have what you wish. 00:14:25.360 --> 00:14:29.000 Stephen, your find will have an historical impact. 00:14:29.440 --> 00:14:32.059 Our find, Miguel, would have been impossible 00:14:32.059 --> 00:14:34.360 without you. And my gratitude for helping us 00:14:34.360 --> 00:14:37.360 with the baby. We've named your godchild, Michael, 00:14:37.659 --> 00:14:41.740 to you. A great honor, Emilio. You'll keep trying 00:14:41.740 --> 00:14:45.299 to trace his parents? Yes, if that is what you 00:14:45.299 --> 00:14:48.100 wish. Don't try too hard, Miguel. It doesn't 00:14:48.100 --> 00:14:50.299 matter where he came from. We're all he needs 00:14:50.299 --> 00:15:05.299 from now on. I hope you are right, Emilio. Stampler 00:15:05.299 --> 00:15:11.659 here? Oh, no. I'm sorry. That will have to wait. 00:15:12.860 --> 00:15:14.860 And look, another thing, don't set up any more 00:15:14.860 --> 00:15:19.340 interviews. My wife and I have had it. All right, 00:15:19.340 --> 00:15:22.330 I'll let you know, right? Don't be so short with 00:15:22.330 --> 00:15:24.049 Conrad. He's only trying to promote your book. 00:15:24.190 --> 00:15:26.570 I know he is a media, but we're entitled to some 00:15:26.570 --> 00:15:28.850 privacy. We've been back home for almost a year 00:15:28.850 --> 00:15:30.809 now and I'm sick of interviews and publicity. 00:15:31.409 --> 00:15:33.909 People poking around here. Oh, you know you don't 00:15:33.909 --> 00:15:36.929 mean that. You're positively glowing with success. 00:15:37.690 --> 00:15:39.529 You proved your theory about the pre -Teltic 00:15:39.529 --> 00:15:42.549 people, the influence they had on earlier civilizations, 00:15:42.649 --> 00:15:45.649 and just look at the results. Academic honors 00:15:45.649 --> 00:15:48.750 and all the fantastic sale of your books on the 00:15:48.750 --> 00:15:51.120 expedition. This year has been good for you, 00:15:51.240 --> 00:15:53.340 Steve. Of course it has, Emilia. But if we hadn't 00:15:53.340 --> 00:15:55.500 gone on that bloody trip, we'd have some peace, 00:15:55.539 --> 00:15:58.840 at least. We wouldn't have, Michael. Well, you're 00:15:58.840 --> 00:16:02.460 right, my dear. Oh, he's quite a handful, for 00:16:02.460 --> 00:16:05.379 a kid his age. Only a year old, he's been walking 00:16:05.379 --> 00:16:08.039 for months. And he's such a good -looking child. 00:16:08.519 --> 00:16:10.639 He's so well -behaved. Oh, too well -behaved. 00:16:11.519 --> 00:16:13.779 You know, it's scary. He hardly makes any sounds 00:16:13.779 --> 00:16:16.879 at all. Oh, count your blessings. Our neighbors 00:16:16.879 --> 00:16:19.480 and the SO, they want to know how I discipline 00:16:19.480 --> 00:16:22.960 Michael. He's such an angel. He doesn't need 00:16:22.960 --> 00:16:24.940 any discipline. Oh, maybe he doesn't, but I do. 00:16:25.679 --> 00:16:27.519 I've got to finish my notes for the lecture tour. 00:16:28.899 --> 00:16:30.740 Are you sure you won't come with me a minute? 00:16:30.960 --> 00:16:33.360 Well, who'd look after Michael? Well, Karen. 00:16:33.440 --> 00:16:36.240 She's perfectly capable. Oh, nonsense. I mean, 00:16:36.279 --> 00:16:40.820 he'd be gone in a month. He needs me. So do I. 00:16:41.279 --> 00:16:44.179 Oh, don't tell me you're jealous. Oh, no, no, 00:16:44.279 --> 00:16:48.200 no. But... I am disturbed. You've got to give 00:16:48.200 --> 00:16:51.679 a little, Ann. Don't try to smother him. It's 00:16:51.679 --> 00:17:06.660 no good for either of you. Stephen! I didn't 00:17:06.660 --> 00:17:09.700 expect you home so soon. It's Michael's birthday, 00:17:10.119 --> 00:17:14.470 so I thought I'd be early. I was taking a sentimental 00:17:14.470 --> 00:17:16.509 journey back through the years with Michael's 00:17:16.509 --> 00:17:22.130 birthday books. Here he is at two. Yes, I remember. 00:17:22.750 --> 00:17:24.890 We took him to the zoo and he was fascinated. 00:17:26.369 --> 00:17:29.630 Here he is a year ago. Five years old, growing 00:17:29.630 --> 00:17:33.430 like a weed. Oh, that reminds me. What can I 00:17:33.430 --> 00:17:37.210 do to help with the festivities? Nothing. Just 00:17:37.210 --> 00:17:41.269 relax. Where's Mike? Well, I sent him out to 00:17:41.269 --> 00:17:46.900 play. On his birthday? I don't understand... 00:17:46.900 --> 00:17:51.839 What's wrong, Amina? Nothing. The party's off? 00:17:53.140 --> 00:17:56.420 No one's going to show up? Is that it? Who cares? 00:17:57.539 --> 00:18:00.839 Well, you do for one. Why aren't they coming? 00:18:01.359 --> 00:18:04.059 Because we have stuffy neighbors with stuffy 00:18:04.059 --> 00:18:07.680 children. I just think it's time we moved. They're 00:18:07.680 --> 00:18:10.559 all out of step. That's right. Take their side 00:18:10.559 --> 00:18:13.380 for heaven's sake. Yeah, I'm not taking any side. 00:18:14.579 --> 00:18:20.500 I Just want to know Honey tears butterflies apart 00:18:20.500 --> 00:18:24.160 Yanks legs off frogs. Well, he's inherited you 00:18:24.160 --> 00:18:26.980 scientific curiosity. Oh, you know, that's impossible. 00:18:27.160 --> 00:18:29.180 Well, I mean you would you set an example for 00:18:29.180 --> 00:18:34.779 him and Level with me would you? What happened 00:18:34.779 --> 00:18:38.079 between Michael and the fielding child? Nothing. 00:18:38.279 --> 00:18:40.319 I told you. All right, then you don't mind if 00:18:40.319 --> 00:18:43.000 I call them and straighten this out? You go ahead 00:18:43.000 --> 00:18:45.539 and call. You'll agree. It's a tempest in a teapot. 00:18:45.619 --> 00:18:51.559 I'd rather hear it from you, Em. Sarah? This 00:18:51.559 --> 00:18:56.140 is Stephen. Stephen Stampler. Well, yes, I know. 00:18:56.160 --> 00:18:59.839 I read your note. Well, can you tell me why? 00:19:02.440 --> 00:19:13.420 Michael did what? Are you sure? I see. Yes, I 00:19:13.420 --> 00:19:17.740 know how you feel. And thanks for being direct. 00:19:19.180 --> 00:19:27.880 Bye. Well? I just don't understand. It's curiosity. 00:19:28.740 --> 00:19:32.049 It's simple, childish. Curiosity, children. try 00:19:32.049 --> 00:19:34.609 to discover the world around them. They smell, 00:19:35.089 --> 00:19:38.509 taste, feel. They hurt? Well, yes, sometimes 00:19:38.509 --> 00:19:42.170 they hurt. Not out of malice. Try to be honest, 00:19:42.309 --> 00:19:47.049 Em. How would you feel if you were Sarah Fielding? 00:19:47.650 --> 00:19:50.049 I hope I'd have the good sense to take things 00:19:50.049 --> 00:19:54.430 in stride. Would you? I can't believe it's you. 00:19:54.670 --> 00:19:57.470 I mean, you've lost all sense of objectivity. 00:19:57.630 --> 00:20:00.319 And you've lost all sense of proportion. Are 00:20:00.319 --> 00:20:03.160 you trying to cast Michael as a monster? I'd 00:20:03.160 --> 00:20:07.160 like to understand him. But I think I need help. 00:20:08.859 --> 00:20:23.680 And so does he. Meda? Oh, there you are. How 00:20:23.680 --> 00:20:28.140 are the silver bells? Fine. But the cockle shells 00:20:28.140 --> 00:20:31.380 are a bit droopy. And so am I. Oh, nonsense. 00:20:31.880 --> 00:20:35.160 Very galant, Stephen. But age is beginning to 00:20:35.160 --> 00:20:38.039 catch up. I don't know where the last ten years 00:20:38.039 --> 00:20:41.279 have disappeared. Seems only yesterday that Michael 00:20:41.279 --> 00:20:43.799 was six, entering school for the first time. 00:20:44.779 --> 00:20:50.400 Now he's almost grown. Seventeen. Oh, my, you 00:20:50.400 --> 00:20:53.500 look handsome today. You're even wearing a tie. 00:20:53.880 --> 00:20:58.029 Yes, so I am. What's the occasion? We have a 00:20:58.029 --> 00:21:01.789 friend in town. Old Cerubius. Oh, I didn't know 00:21:01.789 --> 00:21:04.490 he was in his days. Neither did I. He's consulting 00:21:04.490 --> 00:21:06.789 with the museum people and he'd like to see us. 00:21:07.450 --> 00:21:09.410 I asked him out to lunch. Ah, that was thoughtful. 00:21:09.589 --> 00:21:11.670 Now, there's no need to fuss about it. Of course 00:21:11.670 --> 00:21:14.269 not. I'll get the soil off my hands and throw 00:21:14.269 --> 00:21:16.250 something together. If Miguel doesn't mind, I 00:21:16.250 --> 00:21:18.410 certainly don't. Well, thank you, Anne. Is there 00:21:18.410 --> 00:21:21.250 anything I can get from town for you? No, just 00:21:21.250 --> 00:21:26.000 hurry back. Cerubius is dying to see Mike. What 00:21:26.000 --> 00:21:29.339 time is Mike due here? Oh, dear, I forgot to 00:21:29.339 --> 00:21:31.539 tell you. There was a letter from Michael in 00:21:31.539 --> 00:21:33.920 the morning mail. He's staying at the Academy 00:21:33.920 --> 00:21:37.400 through the holidays. Well, that's odd. Did he 00:21:37.400 --> 00:21:39.880 say why? Well, he wants to catch up with some 00:21:39.880 --> 00:21:42.099 schoolwork, and there's an experiment going in 00:21:42.099 --> 00:21:44.720 the lab. Well, he just can't leave. Well, that's 00:21:44.720 --> 00:21:47.240 too bad. Miguel was looking forward to a visit 00:21:47.240 --> 00:21:57.779 with Mike. He made quite a point of it. This 00:21:57.779 --> 00:22:01.440 is quite a machine. It sounds like my coffee 00:22:01.440 --> 00:22:04.740 grind. It's reliable transportation, Miguel, 00:22:04.839 --> 00:22:09.519 despite the noise it makes. And how is the boy? 00:22:10.160 --> 00:22:14.339 Well, very well. And so is the media. You look 00:22:14.339 --> 00:22:18.099 fit. I should be. I still clamber over rocks 00:22:18.099 --> 00:22:22.480 like a mountain goat and dig interminable tunnels. 00:22:23.019 --> 00:22:25.539 Have you found anything more at the old digs? 00:22:25.950 --> 00:22:30.809 Enough to verify your findings. But one thing 00:22:30.809 --> 00:22:34.430 we never discovered. No trace of Mike's parents, 00:22:34.690 --> 00:22:38.509 eh? No, no. I have shown the pictures you send 00:22:38.509 --> 00:22:41.390 me to every man, woman, and child in the region. 00:22:42.309 --> 00:22:48.450 Nothing. Well, how is he getting on? He seems 00:22:48.450 --> 00:22:51.289 to like it at the Academy. As a matter of fact, 00:22:51.329 --> 00:22:53.750 things are going so well there, he won't be home 00:22:53.750 --> 00:22:59.269 for the holidays. I'm sorry. It's too bad. I 00:22:59.269 --> 00:23:03.529 must see you. Perhaps I still can. Well, he's 00:23:03.529 --> 00:23:06.210 not due home until the summer vacation. In that 00:23:06.210 --> 00:23:10.190 case, Mohammed must go to the mountain. That's 00:23:10.190 --> 00:23:16.910 quite a trip. Not to see a godchild. Well, here 00:23:16.910 --> 00:23:23.069 we are. We're here at last. Miguel, how nice 00:23:23.069 --> 00:23:26.869 to see you again. It is always a pleasure, dear 00:23:26.869 --> 00:23:31.490 Emilia. You look more enchanting than ever. Thank 00:23:31.490 --> 00:23:34.609 you. You're so good for my ego. I have drinks 00:23:34.609 --> 00:23:36.609 set on the terrace. Would you like to unpack 00:23:36.609 --> 00:23:39.710 first? No, I think not. A drink would be fine, 00:23:39.930 --> 00:23:43.789 and then I must be going. But you've just arrived. 00:23:44.130 --> 00:23:46.990 I prepared lunch. We haven't seen you in years. 00:23:47.170 --> 00:23:50.029 Too many years. I know, but I may get a chance 00:23:50.029 --> 00:23:52.990 to stop in before I go home. What made you change 00:23:52.990 --> 00:23:56.069 your mind? He's going to visit Mike. Aren't you, 00:23:56.130 --> 00:23:59.789 old friend? Yes, I think so. Oh, he'll be delighted, 00:24:00.190 --> 00:24:04.420 as we are disappointed. I hope so. It would be 00:24:04.420 --> 00:24:07.440 nice to feel wanted by a godchild. I have not 00:24:07.440 --> 00:24:11.579 seen since he was an infant I'm sure he'd love 00:24:11.579 --> 00:24:13.660 to see you. He keeps asking about you all the 00:24:13.660 --> 00:24:16.140 time. You can feel flattered Miguel You seem 00:24:16.140 --> 00:24:18.460 to be the only human being he has any interested 00:24:18.460 --> 00:24:23.240 besides you and Amelia, of course What's the 00:24:23.240 --> 00:24:26.359 strange thing to say? Oh, you must forgive me. 00:24:26.400 --> 00:24:29.259 I have not been in civilized company for ages 00:24:29.259 --> 00:24:32.339 my Conversation is a little, how do you say, 00:24:33.160 --> 00:24:38.559 rusty? Exactly. My bones and my speech are undoubtedly 00:24:38.559 --> 00:24:41.779 growing rusty. That is why I want to see him 00:24:41.779 --> 00:24:46.359 on this trip. I may never have the opportunity 00:24:46.359 --> 00:24:59.680 again. Could you get that? I'm just finishing 00:24:59.680 --> 00:25:08.400 the shelf, dear. Very well. Michael. I don't 00:25:08.400 --> 00:25:11.819 understand. No hello? Should I go out and start 00:25:11.819 --> 00:25:15.960 over again? Oh, it's not silly. Hello, darling. 00:25:16.119 --> 00:25:19.240 Ah, that's more like it. Steven! It's Michael. 00:25:20.380 --> 00:25:23.700 Mike! I know. Mother had the same reaction. I 00:25:23.700 --> 00:25:25.559 just got through sooner than I thought I would. 00:25:25.740 --> 00:25:28.349 So I rushed home. Put your bags in your room 00:25:28.349 --> 00:25:31.390 and I'll fix something to eat. You look well, 00:25:31.569 --> 00:25:34.910 Dad. Why shouldn't I? Leisure is good for the 00:25:34.910 --> 00:25:40.069 thinking classes. You look a bit drawn. Are they 00:25:40.069 --> 00:25:43.950 pushing you? No, I'm pushing myself. There's 00:25:43.950 --> 00:25:47.869 so much to do. What's new? Your Godfather paid 00:25:47.869 --> 00:25:51.049 us a visit. He wanted to see you. Well, here 00:25:51.049 --> 00:25:55.089 I am. He had to leave. Obviously he didn't get 00:25:55.089 --> 00:25:58.339 to see you at the Academy. No, I didn't even 00:25:58.339 --> 00:26:00.859 know he planned to make the trip. Well, that's 00:26:00.859 --> 00:26:03.460 odd. He said he would go to the Academy directly. 00:26:04.359 --> 00:26:08.400 We must have crossed paths. Oh, excuse me, Mike. 00:26:09.980 --> 00:26:15.019 Hello. Yes, this is Dr. Stephen Stamper. Would 00:26:15.019 --> 00:26:21.480 you mind reading it? Would you read that again, 00:26:21.599 --> 00:26:29.640 please? Oh, my God. What is it dear? It's a wire 00:26:29.640 --> 00:26:35.660 from the Academy They found Serupius Found him? 00:26:36.759 --> 00:26:48.819 Yes Miguel is dead Michael Michael, are you home? 00:26:49.259 --> 00:26:53.940 He's out Amelia His car's gone Strange. He seemed 00:26:53.940 --> 00:26:56.309 under the weather this morning And he didn't 00:26:56.309 --> 00:26:58.190 want to attend the funeral. Oh, nonsense. He 00:26:58.190 --> 00:27:01.450 just wasn't feeling well. You still believe that 00:27:01.450 --> 00:27:04.509 act after all these years. You know, he's always 00:27:04.509 --> 00:27:07.430 avoided unpleasantness that way. Well, it was 00:27:07.430 --> 00:27:12.410 unpleasant, Stephen. An old friend... Go that 00:27:12.410 --> 00:27:15.589 way. All right, all right, Em. It's all over. 00:27:16.250 --> 00:27:20.670 What could have done it? You mean who, Em? No, 00:27:20.670 --> 00:27:24.779 I don't. Nothing. Human. Could have been responsible 00:27:24.779 --> 00:27:28.680 for Miguel's death. I wonder. You wonder what, 00:27:29.059 --> 00:27:32.180 Dad? Where did you come from, Michael? You startled 00:27:32.180 --> 00:27:34.960 me. I was in the garage. My fan belt's loose. 00:27:35.099 --> 00:27:37.680 I was tightening it. You should have come to 00:27:37.680 --> 00:27:40.480 the funeral. What for? I never saw Professor 00:27:40.480 --> 00:27:44.759 Cerubius. He was your godfather. You were his 00:27:44.759 --> 00:27:47.920 namesake. I wasn't feeling so hot anyway. I thought 00:27:47.920 --> 00:27:49.640 I was coming down with something. How do you 00:27:49.640 --> 00:27:53.259 feel now? Better, I think. You look healthy enough 00:27:53.259 --> 00:27:56.099 to me. Well, that doesn't mean a thing. I'll 00:27:56.099 --> 00:27:57.960 put the tea up, and then it's off to bed with 00:27:57.960 --> 00:28:01.880 you. She still thinks you're a child, Mike. I 00:28:01.880 --> 00:28:05.660 know. I want to talk to you, Dad. That's why 00:28:05.660 --> 00:28:09.180 I came home from school. All right, shoot. I 00:28:09.180 --> 00:28:11.880 really don't know what I want to do. I think 00:28:11.880 --> 00:28:15.519 I've had the Academy. But you said you liked 00:28:15.519 --> 00:28:19.559 it there. You're doing well. I know, but I can't 00:28:19.559 --> 00:28:23.009 make the scene there anymore. Too much work? 00:28:23.369 --> 00:28:25.890 No, not really. I'm just not on to some of the 00:28:25.890 --> 00:28:28.490 stuff I've got to handle there. The creeps in 00:28:28.490 --> 00:28:30.809 Fairmount are still living in the 17th century. 00:28:31.369 --> 00:28:33.069 They'd have witch -burning if the law didn't 00:28:33.069 --> 00:28:36.109 forbid it. What's that got to do with you? Well, 00:28:36.109 --> 00:28:38.309 some of my experiments have got them on the war 00:28:38.309 --> 00:28:40.950 path. How about your working in the physical 00:28:40.950 --> 00:28:44.890 sciences? Well, not exactly. I've been going 00:28:44.890 --> 00:28:48.910 beyond that. Like what? Well, for one thing, 00:28:49.410 --> 00:28:53.319 ESP. You've always felt I had it. Well, that's 00:28:53.319 --> 00:28:56.460 not considered supernatural today. I know, but 00:28:56.460 --> 00:28:59.480 the townies think it is. Well, that's all the 00:28:59.480 --> 00:29:02.720 fuss I think you should stay on. It never pays 00:29:02.720 --> 00:29:05.299 to bow down to ignorance. I'm glad you see it 00:29:05.299 --> 00:29:08.319 that way, Dad. Oh, but there's more, isn't there? 00:29:09.900 --> 00:29:12.779 What do you know about my people? Where I come 00:29:12.779 --> 00:29:18.829 from? Not too much. How about Cerubius? Well, 00:29:18.849 --> 00:29:21.569 he thought he was on to something. He was on 00:29:21.569 --> 00:29:25.170 his way to talk to you about it. Too bad we missed 00:29:25.170 --> 00:29:31.549 each other. Did you? Of course. I told you I 00:29:31.549 --> 00:29:33.589 was on my way back here when I heard... That's 00:29:33.589 --> 00:29:36.269 not exactly what happened, Mike. He called me 00:29:36.269 --> 00:29:39.809 from the airport when he landed. What did he 00:29:39.809 --> 00:29:44.089 say? I don't know. Amelia and I were out. He 00:29:44.089 --> 00:29:46.789 left a message with our answering service. He 00:29:46.789 --> 00:29:49.130 said he was going right out to see you. That 00:29:49.130 --> 00:29:52.549 he had phoned ahead. I never heard from him. 00:29:52.589 --> 00:29:54.789 And that if anything happened, there was a letter 00:29:54.789 --> 00:29:58.049 that he was mailing to us. Well, then you did 00:29:58.049 --> 00:30:01.890 hear from him. By mail, at least. We never received 00:30:01.890 --> 00:30:07.190 the letter. Did you? Now you're accusing me of 00:30:07.190 --> 00:30:09.410 tampering with your mail? I'm only asking, Michael. 00:30:09.430 --> 00:30:11.589 Do you really think I saw Sirubius that night? 00:30:13.069 --> 00:30:17.829 Did you, Mike? You're as bad as the townspeople 00:30:17.829 --> 00:30:21.470 What do you want to hear a full confession? Okay, 00:30:21.750 --> 00:30:25.390 I saw the old man. I killed him. Is that enough 00:30:25.390 --> 00:30:28.309 or do you want me to invent the gory details 00:30:28.309 --> 00:30:40.230 too? Fear can be a force for good or evil it 00:30:40.230 --> 00:30:44.099 can keep us from harm Or it can be a malignancy 00:30:44.099 --> 00:30:48.859 that feeds on darkness and ignorance. Is Mike 00:30:48.859 --> 00:30:54.019 a victim of rumor and coincidence? Or is he truly 00:30:54.019 --> 00:31:09.640 evil? There is a peculiar kind of fear we call 00:31:09.640 --> 00:31:13.349 courage. that makes us go on when all we want 00:31:13.349 --> 00:31:17.089 to do is find peace and shelter. It makes men 00:31:17.089 --> 00:31:21.529 who fear heights climb mountains. Soldiers who 00:31:21.529 --> 00:31:26.589 detest war and suffering advance on bloody battlefields. 00:31:26.809 --> 00:31:31.609 Some call it pride rather than courage. Choose 00:31:31.609 --> 00:31:37.369 now. Retreat now and regret it or go on with 00:31:37.369 --> 00:32:09.309 me. To act three. They seem to connect my frogs 00:32:09.309 --> 00:32:12.049 with everything bad that's happening. The Gilmore 00:32:12.049 --> 00:32:14.710 child comes down with meningitis, my frogs are 00:32:14.710 --> 00:32:17.809 responsible. The drought and the unusual heat, 00:32:18.069 --> 00:32:21.269 the salmonella outbreak, all part of my wicked 00:32:21.269 --> 00:32:24.430 machinations. How would you like to come out 00:32:24.430 --> 00:32:27.349 of retirement, both of you? What do you mean? 00:32:27.869 --> 00:32:30.430 I'd like to go back to the place you found me, 00:32:30.670 --> 00:32:33.549 to see if I can trace my origins. Maybe I'll 00:32:33.549 --> 00:32:37.869 find myself then. Well, I don't know, Mike. I 00:32:37.869 --> 00:32:40.230 just hadn't thought about it. Well, then don't 00:32:40.230 --> 00:32:47.130 let's just do it It's a gift from our loving 00:32:47.130 --> 00:32:50.069 neighbors, it's a brick there's a note attached 00:32:50.069 --> 00:32:57.569 to it. Let me see that Mike This is your last 00:32:57.569 --> 00:33:02.029 warning Leave or we will send you back to the 00:33:02.029 --> 00:33:05.529 hell where you belong They're not all clods after 00:33:05.529 --> 00:33:09.049 all Someone has imagination and a gift of expression. 00:33:09.410 --> 00:33:13.089 This is no laughing matter, Mike. I'm going to 00:33:13.089 --> 00:33:15.170 find out who's responsible for this outrage. 00:33:21.410 --> 00:33:24.329 Now, Dr. Stamford, delighted to see you. I think 00:33:24.329 --> 00:33:26.230 we can do without the four maladies, Reverend 00:33:26.230 --> 00:33:29.289 Stokes. I just want some answers. Yes, so do 00:33:29.289 --> 00:33:32.690 I. I haven't seen you in charge for quite a while. 00:33:32.730 --> 00:33:35.150 You're very fortunate. I didn't attend last week. 00:33:35.319 --> 00:33:37.299 I don't think you'd care for my reaction to your 00:33:37.299 --> 00:33:40.640 sermon. Oh, then you don't believe in the presence 00:33:40.640 --> 00:33:44.619 of Satan. No, I don't. All I know is what that 00:33:44.619 --> 00:33:47.359 kind of talk leads to. Oh, the brick, you mean. 00:33:48.200 --> 00:33:50.480 I'm sorry about that. Well, yes, you should be. 00:33:50.859 --> 00:33:52.759 You've got these farmers half insane with your 00:33:52.759 --> 00:33:55.420 superstitious prattle. Some say that about religion. 00:33:55.559 --> 00:33:57.460 I wonder why. All right, let's not get sidetracked, 00:33:57.619 --> 00:33:59.980 Reverend Stokes. I don't want a theological debate. 00:34:00.200 --> 00:34:02.240 I want you to tell your congregation the truth. 00:34:02.380 --> 00:34:05.279 And what is that, Dr. Stumper? That my son Mike 00:34:05.279 --> 00:34:08.019 raises frogs for his lab experiments. And shall 00:34:08.019 --> 00:34:10.420 I tell them to believe in coincidence? What coincidence? 00:34:10.639 --> 00:34:14.099 That a peaceful town is ripped apart every time 00:34:14.099 --> 00:34:17.260 your son returns. That cattle die for no reason 00:34:17.260 --> 00:34:20.679 at all. That we are suffering epidemics and the 00:34:20.679 --> 00:34:23.130 worst drought in our history. All because of 00:34:23.130 --> 00:34:25.349 coincidence? Yes, yes, you tell them that. This 00:34:25.349 --> 00:34:28.289 is the 20th century. What else could it be? Ask 00:34:28.289 --> 00:34:32.550 your son, Dr. Stamper. Ask him if he's just doing 00:34:32.550 --> 00:34:39.429 lab experiments. I told you, Dad, I'm going back 00:34:39.429 --> 00:34:41.650 where you found me, with or without you. Mike, 00:34:41.949 --> 00:34:45.630 that is foolish. Cerubius excavated for years 00:34:45.630 --> 00:34:48.269 but found nothing. What makes you think you can? 00:34:48.309 --> 00:34:51.170 Because I was born to it and Cerubius was not. 00:34:51.480 --> 00:34:55.360 He was contaminated by Spanish blood. My lines 00:34:55.360 --> 00:34:59.380 are pure. I need to find my way to another world. 00:35:00.380 --> 00:35:03.659 Will you come with me? You're not serious, Mike. 00:35:03.840 --> 00:35:06.679 I've got to go, Mother. I thought you'd understand. 00:35:06.780 --> 00:35:09.360 Well, I do. I just want you to think things through 00:35:09.360 --> 00:35:12.159 a little longer. Go back to school. Just finish 00:35:12.159 --> 00:35:14.840 this semester, and then we'll all go back. I 00:35:14.840 --> 00:35:18.619 promise you. That makes sense, Mike. It's only 00:35:18.619 --> 00:35:23.429 a few months. What do you say? Okay. But I won't 00:35:23.429 --> 00:35:27.150 let you stall me past then. I think my word is 00:35:27.150 --> 00:35:30.909 good enough. It is, Dad. Then, that's settled. 00:35:31.349 --> 00:35:33.969 Now, why don't you take Dad out for a walk? This 00:35:33.969 --> 00:35:36.650 room needs cleaning and airing. Are you implying? 00:35:36.769 --> 00:35:39.929 Not at all. I'm stating it quite clearly. Either 00:35:39.929 --> 00:35:42.449 I clean this place now, or I'll send in some 00:35:42.449 --> 00:35:44.530 goats to keep you company tonight. Now, shoot. 00:35:44.710 --> 00:35:47.809 Okay, I'll go. How about the keys to the car? 00:35:48.449 --> 00:35:51.110 I thought we were going for a walk. Take a rain 00:35:51.110 --> 00:35:54.000 check. I'd like to drive into the city. I'll 00:35:54.000 --> 00:35:57.980 be my guest. Here. Just drive carefully. Don't 00:35:57.980 --> 00:36:01.500 worry. I'll be back for dinner. Can I give you 00:36:01.500 --> 00:36:04.139 a hand, Amina? I don't think so, Stephen. My, 00:36:04.280 --> 00:36:06.659 this place is dusty. I'll empty the trash basket 00:36:06.659 --> 00:36:09.559 for you. Just dump things in the plastic bag. 00:36:12.159 --> 00:36:16.300 Don't you feed Mike, Amina? Of course I do. Look 00:36:16.300 --> 00:36:18.659 at all these hamburger wrappings. Well, I think 00:36:18.659 --> 00:36:22.869 he feeds his frogs. Oh, no. What's wrong, Stephen? 00:36:23.289 --> 00:36:27.030 You're as white as a sheet. Yeah. It's a piece 00:36:27.030 --> 00:36:32.150 of paper. Well, what is it? It's part of an envelope, 00:36:32.349 --> 00:36:37.030 Amelia. The one that contained the letter Cerubius 00:36:37.030 --> 00:36:42.309 wrote to us. Oh, my God. But why didn't I... 00:36:42.309 --> 00:36:45.789 Destroy the letter? That's what I'm wondering, 00:36:46.030 --> 00:36:57.210 too. And I don't like the answer I get. Hello. 00:36:58.530 --> 00:37:06.230 Yes, this is Dr. Stampler. He what? Can't be. 00:37:08.030 --> 00:37:12.110 We'll be right over. Yes, but I want to see my 00:37:12.110 --> 00:37:17.949 son. What is it, Stokes? What? Stokes. I don't 00:37:17.949 --> 00:37:20.550 want to see him. I want to see my son. Hello. 00:37:21.210 --> 00:37:26.730 Hello. He hung up. Well, what happened? Mike. 00:37:27.409 --> 00:37:30.789 They're looking for him. What for? They claim 00:37:30.789 --> 00:37:34.190 he's killed someone. I don't believe it. What? 00:37:34.269 --> 00:37:36.750 With the car? I mean, was it an accident? It 00:37:36.750 --> 00:37:40.489 was no accident. They found Claire Baxter dead. 00:37:41.630 --> 00:37:44.429 What's that got to do with Mike? They claim he 00:37:44.429 --> 00:37:46.789 was seen near the place where the body was found. 00:37:48.190 --> 00:37:52.789 Where's Mike now? He's disappeared. They found 00:37:52.789 --> 00:38:01.230 our car in the ravine. I'll go see. Good evening. 00:38:02.110 --> 00:38:05.010 Yes, Reverend Stokes, what is it? May I come 00:38:05.010 --> 00:38:07.710 in? No, you may not. Now clear out of here. What's 00:38:07.710 --> 00:38:09.829 wrong with you, Steve? Please come in, Reverend. 00:38:11.409 --> 00:38:15.230 Thank you, Mrs. Stapler. I know it's painful, 00:38:16.030 --> 00:38:18.190 but I must talk to you. What is there to talk 00:38:18.190 --> 00:38:21.510 about? Your son. I tried to reach you before 00:38:21.510 --> 00:38:24.829 with facts. But you wouldn't listen. Why should 00:38:24.829 --> 00:38:26.829 I? Of all these silly nonsense... It's no nonsense 00:38:26.829 --> 00:38:31.610 this time, I'm afraid. Your son has committed 00:38:31.610 --> 00:38:35.090 murder. Just because he was seen near where the 00:38:35.090 --> 00:38:36.809 girl was found, I'll bet half the town would 00:38:36.809 --> 00:38:38.510 have been dead. No one else in town would kill 00:38:38.510 --> 00:38:40.550 the way Claire was slaughtered. Please, I don't 00:38:40.550 --> 00:38:43.570 want to hear anymore. Then we'll just sit quietly 00:38:43.570 --> 00:38:49.889 and wait. For what? For your son to return. And 00:38:49.889 --> 00:38:54.909 then what? Then we'll... They'll do what must 00:38:54.909 --> 00:38:58.570 be done You won't wait here be sensible. There 00:38:58.570 --> 00:39:01.750 are men just beyond this door. I Would prefer 00:39:01.750 --> 00:39:04.389 to do this as reasonably as possible. Do what 00:39:04.389 --> 00:39:07.730 just ask him a few questions. Mrs. Sampler Now, 00:39:07.730 --> 00:39:11.789 please let me handle this Or would you prefer 00:39:11.789 --> 00:39:15.789 mob violence ask your questions Stokes? I'm here 00:39:15.789 --> 00:39:19.769 Not yet. I've got a score to settle with old 00:39:19.769 --> 00:39:23.750 no sit down Michael It's all over for you for 00:39:23.750 --> 00:39:29.070 you meddler no Asmodeus your time has come Asmodeus 00:39:29.070 --> 00:39:33.590 Satan whatever you call yourself Sit down and 00:39:33.590 --> 00:39:36.929 answer my questions. I changed my mind. I'll 00:39:36.929 --> 00:39:39.889 answer your questions if you catch me Please 00:39:39.889 --> 00:39:43.170 don't let him go. Don't worry Stokes will never 00:39:43.170 --> 00:39:46.789 get him neither with that mob He's on his way 00:39:46.789 --> 00:39:53.289 back Where we found him a man in In the sacrificial 00:39:53.289 --> 00:39:58.610 chamber, Serovia said someday Mike would return. 00:40:07.090 --> 00:40:10.409 Just a while longer, Amina. I'm all right, Stephen. 00:40:11.670 --> 00:40:14.349 Do you think we'll find him? He wanted so badly 00:40:14.349 --> 00:40:18.090 to find his way back. He must be here. I'm glad 00:40:18.090 --> 00:40:20.710 he got away from them all. I'm not so sure about 00:40:20.710 --> 00:40:24.019 that. I pieced together Sarubis's letter from 00:40:24.019 --> 00:40:27.219 the scraps in the wastebasket. It explains a 00:40:27.219 --> 00:40:30.980 great deal. Michael was not just an ordinary 00:40:30.980 --> 00:40:35.139 Indian child abandoned by his parents. Tribes 00:40:35.139 --> 00:40:38.300 have a legend about the pure -born son of kings 00:40:38.300 --> 00:40:42.780 who is sacrificed for his people. Do you think 00:40:42.780 --> 00:40:45.840 Michael? I don't know, Meena. I don't know what 00:40:45.840 --> 00:40:52.909 to believe anymore. There's a light. In the chamber 00:40:52.909 --> 00:40:57.769 ahead. I know. Hold the slant in a minute. Hold 00:40:57.769 --> 00:41:03.170 it high. Don't come any closer. Michael. Oh, 00:41:03.210 --> 00:41:06.409 thank God we found you. Where are you, Mike? 00:41:08.050 --> 00:41:12.210 Boy, we believe in you. We trust you. Stay where 00:41:12.210 --> 00:41:15.849 you are. Do as I tell you. We want to help you. 00:41:16.170 --> 00:41:19.329 Then leave. That's the best you can do for me. 00:41:19.849 --> 00:41:22.469 You kept me from my destiny when you took me 00:41:22.469 --> 00:41:26.550 from this tomb. Let me fulfill it now. We love 00:41:26.550 --> 00:41:31.170 you, Michael. Please save yourself. Hold the 00:41:31.170 --> 00:41:37.550 lantern higher, Amita. What is it? There's a 00:41:37.550 --> 00:41:41.289 child, Anne. There's a baby on the altar where 00:41:41.289 --> 00:41:46.590 we found Mike. It's Michael. Oh, my God. It's 00:41:46.590 --> 00:41:50.980 Michael. It can't be. He is. I remember every 00:41:50.980 --> 00:41:54.119 detail. Stay back. Stay back a minute. Don't 00:41:54.119 --> 00:41:58.880 come any closer. It's a child in the altar. It's 00:41:58.880 --> 00:42:04.300 Mike. Someone or something is standing over it. 00:42:06.460 --> 00:42:12.139 Oh, no. Oh, no. I can't believe it. The child's... 00:42:12.139 --> 00:42:31.019 Oh, God, no. It's all over now. Whoever it was 00:42:31.019 --> 00:42:42.719 has disappeared, Amelia. He's gone. A child is 00:42:42.719 --> 00:42:48.800 born, becomes a man, then dies. The natural order 00:42:48.800 --> 00:42:53.900 of things. No one can upset it. But not in the 00:42:53.900 --> 00:42:57.400 case of Michael Stampler. or whatever his true 00:42:57.400 --> 00:43:00.940 name was, he was plucked out of antiquity by 00:43:00.940 --> 00:43:06.219 accident and returned there by desire. I'll be 00:43:06.219 --> 00:43:19.960 back shortly. The dark closet was open for a 00:43:19.960 --> 00:43:24.059 short time, and instead of light streaming in, 00:43:24.559 --> 00:43:29.809 evil oozed out. And ancient magic spanned the 00:43:29.809 --> 00:43:33.309 bridge of time, and for a while dark forces swirled 00:43:33.309 --> 00:43:38.670 once again, turning reason into fear, understanding 00:43:38.670 --> 00:43:45.050 into violence, and light into shadow. Our cast 00:43:45.050 --> 00:43:48.670 included Patricia Rowe, Ralph Bell, Don Scardino, 00:43:49.170 --> 00:43:52.329 and Ian Martin. The entire production was under 00:43:52.329 --> 00:43:55.539 the direction of Hyman Brown. This is E .G. Marshall 00:43:55.539 --> 00:43:58.119 inviting you to return to our mystery theater 00:43:58.119 --> 00:44:03.519 for another adventure in the macabre. Until next 00:44:03.519 --> 00:44:07.000 time, pleasant dreams.