Dracula Episode: September 20th

Cryptic Canticles presents Dracula

Episode Synopsis: The doctor that Seward had placed in charge of the asylum in his absence, Dr. Patrick Hennessy, writes to Seward describing an unfortunate incident regarding Renfield. Renfield had been witnessed shouting obscenities at some workmen who were retrieving some heavy wooden boxes from the neighboring Carfax Estate. When the men were preparing to leave, Renfield escaped from his room and attacked the men, almost killing one. He struggled against the attendants who managed to restrain him. The workmen were angry about the incident, but calmed down after Hennessy bought them a round of drinks and paid them a sovereign a piece to forget about the incident. Their names were recorded for future reference. Van Helsing, Seward, and Arthur trade turns watching over Lucy as she nears the end. Seward finds it perplexing that when asleep, Lucy pulls the garlic away, and when she awakens, she draws it close. Her teeth continue to look longer and sharper than usual. Van Helsing removes the scarf around her neck and discovers that the wounds on her throat have completely disappeared. He calls for Arthur to be brought in, as he believes Lucy is nearing the end. Arthur tries to comfort Lucy, but Van Helsing will not let him kiss Lucy on the lips. Lucy undergoes a change, actively seducing Arthur to kiss her, but Van Helsing forcefully keeps Arthur back. Lucy regains herself, thanking Van Helsing, and asking him to bring her peace. She closes her eyes and breathes her last. Lucy’s funeral is arranged for the following day so that Lucy might be buried with her mother, and so that Arthur may return to Ring immediately after to continue arrangements for his own father’s funeral. Rather than decay, Lucy’s body appears more luminous and beautiful in death such that the men can scarcely believe she has passed. Van Helsing insists upon looking over Lucy’s recent papers so as to prevent any critical or implicating information from being witnessed out of context. Once Mrs. Westenra’s solicitor had been notified of his client’s passing, Van Helsing and Seward check in on Lucy’s presentation. Van Helsing places garlic flowers among Lucy’s bouquets and a golden crucifix over Lucy’s lips. Van Helsing stops by Seward’s room and asks Seward to procure tools such that he might remove Lucy’s head and heart. Seward objects to such desecration, but admits that he called Van Helsing because his methods are true. As Seward bids goodnight to Van Helsing, he is touched by the sight of one of Lucy’s maids entering her burial chamber to pay final respects. The following morning, Van Helsing reveals that the maid had been robbing Lucy’s corpse and had stolen the golden crucifix that had been placed over her lips. As a result, Van Helsing’s ghastly desecration of Lucy would be postponed. Seward meets with Mr. Marquand, Mrs. Westenra’s solicitor, who explains that Mrs. Westenra had all her affairs well in order, leaving everything to Arthur. Arthur arrives to bid farewell to Lucy, and breaks into tears on Seward’s shoulder, disbelieving that she is truly dead. After the undertakers seal up Lucy’s coffin, Van Helsing asks Arthur for permission to hold and read Lucy’s private papers, to which Arthur acquiesces. For the remainder of the night, Van Helsing patrols the hallway beyond the burial chamber.

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