Weird Woman

This is the Inner Sanctum.

A strange, fantastic world

controlled by a mass of living, pulsating flesh,

the mind.

It destroys, distorts,

creates monsters,

commits murder.

Yes.

Even you, without knowing,

can commit murder.

The so-called phenomena of mysticism and sorcery

are brought about through fear.

Fear, enslaving countless millions,

making them believe because they are afraid not to believe.

Reason against superstition.

Superstition, casting its shadow

across even our civilisation,

holding up strange supernatural gods

to play on man's imagination.

Yes, we still have a long way to go.

Hello. Yes.

I was concerned about Paula. I wanted to know if she was all right.

Of course she's all right. Why shouldn't she be?

Why? I don't know. But I happened to be looking out,

and I thought I saw her hurrying madly along the street.

And after all, Norman, at this hour.

Why, Paula's been in bed all evening. I'm sure you must be mistaken.

Well, maybe I was. Sorry to bother you.

Good night.

Don't do that. It's bad luck.

Paula, haven't I told you, there's nothing to these superstitions?

Norman, you should be in bed.

I thought I heard someone walking about.

There's no one walking. It's the wind. It makes things creak and slam.

Yes, I suppose so.

Why don't you go to bed? It's late.

In a little while. I have some more writing to do.

I'm sorry I awakened you. Now, go to sleep.

Good night.

Mud on her shoes.

She lied to me. She was out.

She must have gone some distance.

Where?

What for?

Is she in some sort of trouble,

or is she still clinging to the weird pagan ritual of the islands where I first met her?

What are you doing?

Well, what is that?

He's trying to tell you it's a line you must not cross.

All who do so offer themselves as sacrifice to the god, Kahuna Ana Ana.

And they must die.

Oh, I see. Thank you.

- Did you see the star? - Yes, I did.

It was almost as though it was an answer to the drums.

It was. It's the music of the dance of death.

And where the star fell, someone will die.

- Oh, now... - Oh, you mustn't scoff.

You should be very grateful to have seen what you've seen.

Let me introduce myself. I'm Norman Reed.

Reed?

- Norman Reed? - Yes.

Didn't you come to see my father once as a student?

He was Professor of Archeology at the university here.

Professor Clayton.

Why, of course, I remember Professor Clayton.

And you're that little pigtailed, freckle-faced girl.

Your name is... It's Paula.

Oh, you do have a good memory.

It was soon after that Father died and Laraua, my old nurse, brought me up.

- She's a high priestess now. - It's almost unbelievable,

finding someone like you in this strange setting

with witchcraft and jungle gods. It's...

You must keep quiet. You've offended the native gods.

Only the power of Laraua's white magic can appease them and heal your wounds.

She has placed you within a circle of immunity.

Wait.

Soon good.

Protect, protect, protect.

Paula said it was a circle of immunity that saved my life.

Strange superstitious child.

I remember when I first brought her home from the islands.

Norman. He's here!

Oh, darling, it's wonderful to have you back.

Ilona, I...

Hello, Norman.

- Norman, glad to see you. - Hello everybody.

Paula, dear.

Folks, this is my wife.

Welcome, my dear.

- Oh, she's lovely! - Norman, you sly old fox.

This is a great day, a great day for Monroe.

Norman, you've certainly done yourself proud, a brilliant book and a beautiful bride.

Come, this calls for a real celebration.

Get yourself some asbestos mittens before you light that torch, Ilona.

This is Professor and Mrs. Harrison.

How do you do, Professor?

And here are the Sawtelles.

Millard's in the Sociology Department, and Evelyn's a shark at bridge.

Well, Norman, we received the advance copies of the book.

Why, it's a fine job.

- And fine press, too. - Well, thank you.

Millard's written a book, too, since you left,

and it's been accepted by World Press.

Oh, that's fine. Congratulations to you, Millard, then.

Thank you. Yes, yes, I've really been too busy,

but Evelyn kept at me.

- Not as brilliant as yours. - Oh, now.

With this admiring throng's permission, the hostess would like to introduce herself.

Well, it's about time. This is my sister Ilona, Mrs. Reed.

- I want you two to be good friends. - I hope we shall be.

Why don't we start by mixing you a drink?

Norman, will you help me mix another round? He's an expert mixer.

- And now, my clear, if you will... - That will do, Septimus.

Why, you seventh son of a seventh son, give it a rest.

Come away from this ageing wolf in an academic sheepskin, child.

Well, it looked like everything is practically ready to me.

A fine return, Norman.

I planned this little party for your homecoming, and look what I get.

In front of all those people.

Well, those things happen.

I met Paula, fell in love with her, and that's all there is to it.

Well, it isn't enough.

It isn't enough to keep everyone on the campus from laughing behind my back.

Oh, Ilona, quit dramatising yourself. It's not your style.

- We had a pleasant flirtation and... - Is that all it meant to you, flirtation?

Of course, and that's all it meant to you.

It suits you to say that now.

Oh, Ilona, for Pete's sake, the worst I could have done is to puncture your ego.

You compliment me.

Oh, why can't you be sensible?

We can still be friends. There's no use being childish about this.

My humble apologies. I won't be childish about this.

Fair Hebe, bearer of the vestal cup.

In other words, he means, "Bring on the drinks."

Come on, everybody, a toast to the bride.

What's the matter, Evelyn?

Scared Millard won't be promoted to the sociology chairmanship?

- Here's to the bride. - Oh, thank you.

And the groom.

To Superstition vs. Reason and Fact.

The book, of course, and to the bride.

- Oh, it's a bad omen to clink glasses. - Oh, I never heard of that one before.

We don't believe in those silly superstitions, do we, Norman?

- What an odd-looking medallion. - I always wear it.

My old nurse gave it to me. She said it was a good luck piece.

Yes, you'll read all about it in my book. That is, if you read my book.

But I have read it.

You've even got the medallion on the cover, haven't you?

That was Paula's idea.

According to the islanders, it's supposed to be very powerful magic, isn't it?

- Well, in a way it is, yes, but... Oh, Norman!

I suppose you know that old Henry Braggs has gone to Cornwall Tech as Dean.

I did. I think he'll do a fine job of it, too.

That leaves the sociology chairmanship open.

Of course, Evelyn thinks that Millard's got it all sewed up.

I don't anything of the sort. It's just according to seniority.

- Oh, now, now, my dear... - Well, she's perfectly right.

You're right in line for it, Millard.

Oh, fiddle-faddle. Brains might be a factor, too.

Grace, you're incorrigible. Don't you pay any attention to her.

Is it something important?

Sure, it's important. It's a leg up to bigger and better things.

The schoolmaster has little enough to look forward to.

If he passes up a chance at advancement, he's a fool.

I hope you're not married to a fool, Paula.

Now, my dear, here's what we'll do tomorrow.

First, I'll show you over the campus.

We have everything, from a lover's lane to a haunted house.

- Then, I'll take you down... - Take it easy, Casanova.

That's a lot of territory for a little guy who gets a Charley horse

from reading the football scores.

Some of the laughter has gone out of her. What is wrong?

Have I failed to help her fit into her surroundings?

I 've done everything I could, and yet

she lied to me.

Good morning, Professor.

Oh, hello. This is a surprise.

- What are you doing here so early? - I came to talk over a matter of business.

You don't mind discussing business with me, do you?

Of course not.

You said we should be friends, Norman, and you're right.

We both have to live in this little island of culture,

and we might as well be civilised about it.

Oh, I'd like nothing better.

Now,

about this matter of business.

Well, the student employment registry

said that you'd asked for Margaret Mercer to do some work for you.

Yes, I did.

I had her do some research for me about a year ago, and she was very good.

Well, she's assisting me in the library now. I've trained her, and...

Oh, but this won't take very long, and she's familiar with the work.

Well, that's what I wanted to talk about.

I'm familiar with the work, too. Let me help you.

Then Margaret's routine won't be upset.

Thank you, Ilona, but, well,

I'll need someone who can take shorthand rapidly.

Norman, you don't have to be afraid of me.

Let me work with you.

Things don't have to be any different, do they?