Get a Clue: Part 3-Something to Hide
It was time to let the others know that they had an unwelcome guest. Butler would have kept this knowledge to himself if given a choice, but there wasn't a safe place in the mansion to hide a live man without risking discovery. Better to be upfront about the clown and hope for the best.
Butler: A word, gentlemen, if you please. Find the others and meet me in the library. I have something important to discuss ... and it can't wait.
Butler: There's been someone watching the house for several days now, for hours on end. It's quite possible that he saw the mascot arrive ... and not leave. Something had to be done about him.
Blanche: What are you saying! Not another body!
Butler: I hope you're not accusing me of murder, my dear. What happened to young Carie was certainly not my fault, I assure you. The snoop is merely being detained downstairs until we can sort things out.
Boddy: Are you sure that was wise, Mr Didit? Bringing an outsider into our midst? What if this person is the one responsible for Carie's death ... and mine.
Josephine: He's right! You've dragged a murderer into the manor! He must have gotten to Carie somehow. He'll kill us all. We're doomed!
John: If you'd seen this guy, you'd know that's bunk! The man's a clown, for crying out loud. Literally. He sells ice cream. Truth be told, we think he's been hanging around to catch glimpses of you, Josephine. He's a real loser.
Butler: Nevertheless, he might have seen something. I suggest we humor the young man. Tell him we're holding a house party. A mystery weekend, that sort of thing. And once the storm lets up, Josephine can dress in the mascot costume and pretend to leave. The clown will be a witness to the fact that Carie was only here for the fun.
Peter: Sounds like an excellent plan, given the circumstances. We just need to keep cool. Entertain the fellow and win his trust. A united front and all that.
Boddy: Well, easy for you to say keep cool. I'm the one who's walking through walls now! Don't forget that.
Michael: If you think being a ghost makes you less of a suspect for killing the mascot, you can forget it! For all we know, you went nuts and killed yourself. And now you're after us!
Patricia: Stop it! I can't take any more of this! If we don't stick together, we'll never make it through this horror!
Butler: Quite so, madame. We need clear heads and cooperation. We'll take shifts with the clown. Be alert, but don't act suspicious. Remember, for him, it's all a game.
A game! Blanche was petrified with fear. What if someone else discovered her secret? What then?
Patricia: Mirror, mirror, tell the truth. Do any of the others know? Is there danger for me now?
John told himself he was not afraid. The jewels were hidden. No one would find them. Once he was free of this mess, he could forget everything. Everything.
The rain was coming down in blinding sheets. The phones were out and the road would soon be flooded. Michael was on his own now. He retrieved the message he'd left in the mailbox. No one would be picking it up in this storm.
Josephine: Butler, I don't like the idea of putting on that costume! Carie died in it! That mascot suit might have killed her even. How do we know? We don't!
Butler: I've searched that costume thoroughly, Josephine. There's nothing at all harmful about it. You mustn't worry. I personally cleaned and sanitized the suit myself. Trust me.
Meanwhile, Boddy Black came across an unexpected and terrifying sight while floating around upstairs. Carie had returned from the dead! Her ghost was weak--not as strong as he was--but she was still very, very real.
Boddy: My god, Carie! Why did you ever come back here? Why!
Carie: Boddy, I didn't know. I mean, I thought you were dead. That is, you know, dead dead. Underground. But I had to see the manor one more time. I had to come here.
Boddy: I don't remember what happened to me, Carie. Can't you tell me? Help me!
Carie: I don't know anything! Not about you--or about me. Look at me, Boddy! Look! I'm no better off than you are. Worse. I can only leave my grave for short times, then I'm called back. I'm so weak. And so lonely.
Boddy: You don't remember what happened that night? Nothing at all? But ... I know you were there, Carie. I know that much! I remember your voice, your face.
Carie: Yes, I was there. But I only remember the screaming. It's like a nightmare, a dark frightening dream. All I know is that I had to come back. ... And now we're both dead. Why, Boddy? What's wrong with this place?
With a whispering sigh, Carie vanished as Boddy stood silent. He had no answers to Carie's questions--or his own.
What had happened? And why? What was going on at Boddy Mansion? And would the nightmare ever end?
It was time to let the others know that they had an unwelcome guest. Butler would have kept this knowledge to himself if given a choice, but there wasn't a safe place in the mansion to hide a live man without risking discovery. Better to be upfront about the clown and hope for the best.
Butler: A word, gentlemen, if you please. Find the others and meet me in the library. I have something important to discuss ... and it can't wait.
Blanche: What are you saying! Not another body!
Butler: I hope you're not accusing me of murder, my dear. What happened to young Carie was certainly not my fault, I assure you. The snoop is merely being detained downstairs until we can sort things out.
Josephine: He's right! You've dragged a murderer into the manor! He must have gotten to Carie somehow. He'll kill us all. We're doomed!
John: If you'd seen this guy, you'd know that's bunk! The man's a clown, for crying out loud. Literally. He sells ice cream. Truth be told, we think he's been hanging around to catch glimpses of you, Josephine. He's a real loser.
Butler: Nevertheless, he might have seen something. I suggest we humor the young man. Tell him we're holding a house party. A mystery weekend, that sort of thing. And once the storm lets up, Josephine can dress in the mascot costume and pretend to leave. The clown will be a witness to the fact that Carie was only here for the fun.
Boddy: Well, easy for you to say keep cool. I'm the one who's walking through walls now! Don't forget that.
Michael: If you think being a ghost makes you less of a suspect for killing the mascot, you can forget it! For all we know, you went nuts and killed yourself. And now you're after us!
Patricia: Stop it! I can't take any more of this! If we don't stick together, we'll never make it through this horror!
Butler: Quite so, madame. We need clear heads and cooperation. We'll take shifts with the clown. Be alert, but don't act suspicious. Remember, for him, it's all a game.
Boddy: My god, Carie! Why did you ever come back here? Why!
Boddy: I don't remember what happened to me, Carie. Can't you tell me? Help me!
What had happened? And why? What was going on at Boddy Mansion? And would the nightmare ever end?
