264 - June 29, 1967

[bunniefuu]

[narrating] - My name is Victoria Winters.

A tangled web of deception is being spun at Collinwood.

Lips have been sealed, because the truth will imperil others.

But there is one who has brought his devious plans

to the point of fruition.

And he is determined not to allow anything to happen

that might prevent him from achieving his goal.

- Oh, Roger.

Good evening.

I said, good evening.

- I heard you.

- Oh... for a moment there

I thought your voice might have been affected or your hearing.

- It's not my hearing that's affected.

- Oh, I see.

So, that's how the wind is blowing, is it?

- [sighs]

- I do hope that you are not leaving on my account, Roger.

- That is precisely why I am leaving.

- Well, I'm sorry that you feel that way.

Since we are practically brothers...

in law.

- We're not brothers-in-law yet

and if I can do anything about it, you won't be.

[laughing]

♪♪

♪♪

- You seem to find humor in everything.

- Yes, I do.

Especially in hollow threats.

- You think it's impossible to prevent you

from marrying my sister?

- Oh, I think that if an obstacle could have been placed

in the way of this marriage,

it would have been done long before this.

Liz and I are going to be wed on schedule.

But I'm sure that as time goes by

this little barrier between us will be lifted.

- I still contend that she won't go through with it.

- How little you know her.

- You must know that I will never be anything to you

except an enemy.

- All right.

Then let me tell you something, brother-in-law.

I've gone out of my way.

I've bent over backwards,

I have smiled at you when I should have spat.

Now, let me tell you,

if it's an enemy you're after,

you've chosen an adversary who never loses.

And if you continue to oppose me,

you may find yourself hung up on the short end of Collinwood.

- Do you really think that if by some fluke

you should marry my sister-- - Never mind what I mean--

- You could get control of this estate?

- Never mind what I mean.

- Well, just for your information...

Some papers are being drawn up

which will prevent any such takeover.

- Papers being drawn up, my dear Roger,

is step number one.

The signing of those papers is step number two.

And step number one is no good without step number two.

- They will be signed, I assure you.

Along the with other preventative measures.

- Preventative!

- Measures that will prevent you from being married altogether.

Now, I find your presence in this room--

it makes it just a little less habitable.

♪♪

[laughing]

- Barnabas?

It's all taken care of down there.

- There are no traces of the Evans girl left in that room?

- I cleaned it up. There's nothing there.

- Good.

- What's the matter?

- I thought I saw someone out there.

- David?

- No, but it could have been a child.

- Barnabas, what are we gonna do now?

- About what?

- Well, she's dead.

Maggie Evans is dead.

- Well, there isn't much one can do about it.

- I didn't count on her dying.

- Well, no one ever counts on it.

But it happens.

- I mean, she seemed all right.

She seemed like she was gonna be okay.

- Yes, her death was a surprise to me.

But I'm still not certain of the cause.

- Aren't you?

Well, I'll tell you.

We're the cause.

We put her through something

that no one should have to go through.

I've done rotten things in my life but nothing like this.

I hate myself for it.

- And me?

Do you also hate me?

- You know how I feel.

- Yes, I do.

Take care, Willie.

I can tolerate only so much opposition.

- I just didn't figure this kind of thing would happen.

We went too far.

Too far.

- My existence has rather special requirements.

- That girl's death wasn't part of it.

You could have gone on without her.

- I'll be the judge of what I need.

If you really don't want to work for me,

you know the alternative, don't you?

- Yeah, I know.

- Your life dangles by a thread.

Be careful that you don't put too much strain on it.

I suggest you forget the Evans girl.

- Yeah, I'll forget... if I can.

- I want you to go out there-- outside.

I feel sure there's someone out there.

- Sure, I'll go out and look around

and I'll try not to think.

I'll try not to think who your next victim will be.

♪♪

♪♪ [wind whistling]

[knocking]

[knocking continues]

- Hello, Barnabas.

- Roger, this is a surprise.

Come in, please. - Thank you.

I was out, getting some fresh sea air,

and I thought I would look in on you.

I hope I'm not interrupting you. - Not at all.

I'm glad you dropped by.

Could I give you some amontillado?

- Oh, yes, that would be very nice.

- Do you come by this way often?

- No, it's simply that this is one of those evenings

that I just had to get out of the house.

I couldn't stay there another minute.

- You seem quite disturbed.

- Yes, I am.

There's a situation at Collinwood that's unbearable.

I cannot live with it.

- Well, I'm sorry to hear that.

To better times, then.

- I don't mean to bring my troubles here to you

but I think it's something that you could understand

and sympathize with.

It concerns the marriage of my sister.

- Yes, I know how distressed you must be.

- Well, you and I have a feeling for tradition

and family continuity.

When I mention Jason McGuire,

it has nothing to do with his social position.

My objection to him is simply that

I think he's dishonest in forcing my sister to marry him.

- Forcing her? - Yes.

There exists something between them

that is anything but affection.

He... He has some sort of hold over her.

- I wasn't aware of this.

Well, it did strike me as rather an odd relationship,

but then I felt it was none of my business.

Have you any idea what this hold is?

- No.

but it's something of long-standing.

We've tried to get to the bottom of it.

We've theorized, we've tried to figure it out,

but we've come up with nothing.

- Oh, my encounters with Mr. McGuire have been very few,

but I know he is a man not to be trusted.

- That is the majority opinion.

It's obvious that he's after all of the Collins' wealth.

As much as he can get.

- And Elizabeth can't be dissuaded from this marriage?

- Well, she's been the target of many speeches by all of us.

Carolyn has even gone off the deep end

in an attempt to stop her.

She has threatened to marry some young person in town

who is undoubtedly one of the most disreputable people

in the entire county!

- This has the terrible sound of a family disintegrating.

- That is exactly what it is!

We all feel so helpless about it.

- Well, I don't like to get myself involved

in this sort of thing, but,

if you want, I could talk to Elizabeth.

- Oh, thank you very much,

but I don't think it would do any good,

and it would just put you in a difficult position.

- Is it possible that McGuire could be bought off?

- No.

It seems to me that he has set higher goals for himself.

He's going all out this time.

- I see what you mean--

- I hate to think what would happen to this estate

and to the enterprise if he got control of it.

We've got our family lawyers writing papers up

that will prevent anything like that

but McGuire has indicated that he can do something

to keep the papers from being signed.

In which case, we would be at his mercy.

- Not a very pleasant prospect.

- Oh, I only wish that there was someone

who could deal with him.

Someone who knew how to handle him.

- Well, since the disposition of this property would involve me,

I think perhaps I will have a word with Mr. McGuire.

I understand him

and I think I might be able to ease the situation.

- Would you do that?

I would appreciate it.

- Yes.

Yes, I'll speak to him right away.

♪♪

[wind whistling]

[little girl] - Hello.

♪♪

- What are you doing out here?

- Looking for someone to play with.

But I can't find anyone.

- Well, there isn't anyone to play with.

It's late and everyone is home.

That's where you should be.

- Home? I'm not far from home.

- Where do you live?

- Around here.

- Your mother and father must be looking for you.

- I can't find them.

- Well, maybe they are home or somewhere near there.

- No.

- Then where are they?

- I don't know.

I have been looking for them for such a long time.

I can't find them anywhere.

- Hey, kiddo, I don't understand you.

Hey, are you the one who was playing with David?

- David? - Uh-huh.

- Oh, yes. I met a boy named David.

I was looking for him too, but I couldn't find him.

- Yeah, well, that's because he's not supposed to play here.

And you're not supposed to play here either.

Now nobody is.

- I have to have someplace to play.

- Well, you play someplace else, but not around here.

- I wouldn't know where to go.

- Look, I'm not gonna sit around talking to you all night.

Now you get out of here and you get out of here now.

- I don't know where to go.

- This ain't a safe place, you understand?

It ain't safe around here.

Now you'd better get going, you understand?

Now which way is your house?

- I live over there.

- Oh no, that's the Old House, Mr. Collins' house.

Now where do you live?

- I told you!

- Hey, I know what's the matter, you're lost, huh?

Well, come on now. It's a good thing I found you.

You come with me and I'll take you back toward town.

That's where you live.

- No! I live over there!

- Now, I haven't got time to argue with you.

Now, you just follow me and I'll take you back to town.

[wind whistling]

Hey, little girl!

Where'd you go?

Where are ya?

Where are ya?

Little girl?

♪♪

- Yes, I can see that your interest in the Old House

would be in considerable jeopardy

if the estate were to fall into other hands.

- Yes, it might create problems for me.

That's why I would like you to look into the possibility

of a proviso in one of the original deeds

that might have anticipated a situation like this.

- Well, I'll look upstairs.

Would you mind waiting inside?

- Certainly.

- Ah, Mr. Collins.

Good evening.

- Good evening, Mr. McGuire.

You appear to be quite comfortable.

- Well, these are very comfortable surroundings.

One might as well take advantage of the facilities.

- Quite so.

I understand there's to be a change in the--

shall we say-- family relationships.

- Relationships?

Ah, yes.

Very well put.

You are referring, of course, to my marriage to your cousin.

- Yes, that's it.

- Well, it promises to be a very happy event.

- Does it?

- Yes, it does.

And I intend to take every measure to ensure that it does.

♪♪

- This marriage means a chance at happiness

for your cousin, Liz.

Oh, but I'm sure you've taken that into consideration.

- I've taken many things into consideration.

I certainly don't want to become a partisan in this situation,

because it isn't quite my business.

- I am very happy that you realize that

and said it yourself.

- But I am concerned with your motives.

- Oh.

I see.

You've been talking to the family.

- I've hardly discussed it with anyone.

- I hope not.

- But there is the possibility that I know more about you

than the others.

- Know? About me?

Now whatever does that mean?

Oh yes, yes, yes.

My former friend, your employee, Willie Loomis.

- He has told me very little, actually.

No, I base what I'm saying

on the few contacts that I have had with you.

- Oh?

And just what is it that you are saying?

- I am expressing concern

for the future of the Collins family.

- Oh, well, the Collins family has a great future,

I assure you.

- I want to be certain

that the Collins estate remains as it has been-- intact.

- It certainly shall.

- I hope so.

But I am also concerned that the estate doesn't fall

into the hands of an unscrupulous person.

- Unscrupulous?

Do you by chance mean me?

- I'm speaking generally,

but there are certain things in your past that give me pause.

Things that may have been done in the shadows...

that may not have been within the law.

- I see.

Well, let me tell you something, Mr. Collins,

if you have anything to say, any accusations to make at all,

I suggest you come right out with them.

I may even go so far as to suggest

that you get the sheriff and make them to him.

Because I don't intend to be intimidated by you

or anyone else.

- Oh, Mr. McGuire,

your attempts at self-righteousness

are amusing indeed.

- Oh, really?

Well, I'm very glad that you're amused.

Because I also am very amused.

Very amused indeed

at this little game we have going between us.

- Game? - Yes, it's called

"Which of us is more righteous than the other?"

Apparently, you are very adept at this game.

- You are being very elliptic, Mr. McGuire.

Just what do you mean?

- I mean, Mr. Collins,

that I have been taking a long hard look at you

and I've come to wonder, just who are you?

And just what is it that you do?

Hmm?

You see, you have hired a former friend of mine.

A man whose character leaves much to be desired.

And who fills the description of an unscrupulous person.

Well, now, I have to ask myself,

what does a man like Mr. Collins

want with a man like Willie, hmm?

Why should a gentleman hire a man like Willie?

It strikes me that perhaps a man like Willie fits very well

into whatever it is that you do.

That you need a man like him.

Tell me, Mr. Collins...

just what is it that you do?

- That is my business.

- Ah yes, of course.

It's your business.

But tell me, what is your business, Mr. Collins, hmm?

Where do you get your money?

I know you are from the foreign branch

and obviously, there must be some money there.

But you don't have any accounts at the bank in town.

I know you don't operate a business.

Yet you go somewhere in the daytime.

Every day, in fact.

Come to think of it, Mr. Collins,

I've never seen you in the daytime.

Tell me, just where is it that you go?

You know, you're a mystery to me, Mr. Collins.

And you're beginning to interest me very much.

♪♪

- What's the matter?

- I've just had a talk with your friend, McGuire.

He's beginning to ask questions.

- That's the way he is-- full of bluffs.

- If he isn't careful, he'll have to be dealt with.

- He likes to bluff everybody. Don't worry about him.

Oh, by the way, you were right about somebody being outside.

- Who was it? - Some little girl.

I found her wandering out there and I sent her on her way.

She took off pretty fast.

- What do you mean?

- I mean she must have run fast.

'Cause I turned my back and she was gone.

Strange kid.

Seemed kind of lost, had no sense of direction.

When I asked her where she lived,

she kept pointing at this house.

♪♪

♪♪

[announcer] - "Dark Shadows" is a Dan Curtis Production.