Witch's Tale (AU) 41-xx-xx Altar of Hate

Summary

Podcast Title: Harold's Old Time Radio
Episode: Witch's Tale (AU) 41-xx-xx Altar of Hate
Release Date: April 19, 2025

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Overview

In this gripping episode of Harold's Old Time Radio, titled "Witch's Tale (AU) 41-xx-xx Altar of Hate," listeners are transported back to the tumultuous era of the French Reign of Terror. The narrative intricately weaves themes of vengeance, duty, and the tragic consequences of unrelenting hatred. Through a series of intense dialogues and haunting monologues, the story delves into the lives of the DeLorean family and their adversaries, the Citizen Carriers, culminating in a tale of curses, broken promises, and the enduring struggle between love and hate.

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Plot Summary

The episode opens with an eerie introduction by the Narrator at [00:08], setting the stage for a dark and compelling story:

Narrator [00:08]: The Witch's tale.

The central figure, Butcher Carrier, introduces the listeners to the macabre fascination surrounding Old Nancy, the witch of Salem, and her sinister accomplice, Satan—a metaphorical representation of the dark forces at play. At [00:54], Old Nancy declares their intent to share a blood-chilling tale:

Old Nancy [00:54]: 103 year old I be today. Yes sir. A hundred and three year old. Well, Satan, tonight we ain't going to tell no bedtime story for weaklings. Pass the word to douse all lights and we'll get at it.

As the lights dim, the story transitions to Nantes, France, during the Reign of Terror. Rudy Nantes, also known as Butcher Carrier, is portrayed as a ruthless executioner whose reputation precedes him. The narrative unfolds with the Citizen Carrier confronting the aristocratic Delorean family, who are attempting to resist the revolutionary fervor.

Key tensions arise when Butcher Carrier offers a twisted form of mercy to Madame Delorean, promising to spare her son, Henri, under the condition that he becomes the executioner of his own family. This moral dilemma is poignantly expressed at [05:18]:

Butcher Carrier [05:18]: Your son will be spared, citizens, if he will be your executioner. What you mean this boy shall live? If he will operate the knife that drops your heads into the the basket.

Despite Madame Delorean's pleas, the oppressive ideology of revolution leaves little room for compassion. The internal conflict within Henri and his son, Charles, adds depth to the narrative, exploring the impact of inherited hatred and the struggle for redemption.

The story takes a supernatural turn as the curse of the altar begins to manifest, intertwining the lives of the living and the dead. Old Nancy's concluding remarks at [23:16] hint at the cyclical nature of vengeance:

Old Nancy [23:16]: That is an awful omen.

The episode culminates in a tragic resolution where promises are broken, and the altar of hate stands complete, symbolizing the ultimate triumph of hatred over love.

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Key Characters

• Butcher Carrier (Rudy Nantes): The primary antagonist, embodying the face of revolutionary justice turned merciless executioner.

• Old Nancy: The witch of Salem, serving as a supernatural narrator and commentator on the unfolding events.

• Madame Delorean: A noblewoman caught in the throes of revolution, representing innocence and the human cost of political upheaval.

• Henri Delorean: Madame's husband, an executioner tormented by his role in the family's demise.

• Charles Delorean: The young son, torn between familial loyalty and the demands of revolutionary justice.

• Citizen Carrier: A symbol of the revolutionary collective, urging adherence to the cause over personal morals.

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Notable Quotes and Moments

1. Opening Invocation:

   Old Nancy [00:54]: 103 year old I be today... pass the word to douse all lights and we'll get at it.
   Sets a foreboding tone for the dark tale to unfold.

2. Butcher Carrier’s Twisted Mercy:

   Butcher Carrier [05:18]: Your son will be spared, citizens, if he will be your executioner.
   Introduces the central moral conflict of the story.

3. Madame Delorean’s Plea:

   Madame Delorean [04:16]: We are ready to die. But our son is only a boy. A child. You can't. Kill him.
   Highlights the humanity and desperation of the victim.

4. Henri’s Revelation:

   Henri [15:12]: To my dead mother and the scum who made her die...
   Reveals the depth of Henri’s vengeance and the family curse.

5. Climactic Curse:

   Butcher Carrier [16:34]: The dead are dead and harmless in their graves if they are not.
   Emphasizes the supernatural consequences of broken promises.

6. Final Confrontation:

   Madame Delorean [20:34]: I will not hate and not kill.
   Represents the last stand against the cycle of hatred.

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Themes and Analysis

1. Vengeance vs. Forgiveness:
   The episode delves deep into the destructive nature of vengeance. Butcher Carrier embodies the consuming power of hatred, while characters like Madame Delorean and Marguerite strive for forgiveness, showcasing the internal and external battles between these opposing forces.

2. Cycle of Hate:
   The altar of hate serves as a powerful symbol of how hatred perpetuates violence and retribution across generations. The curse placed upon the Delorean family underscores the inescapable nature of inherited vendettas.

3. Moral Dilemmas in Times of Revolution:
   The plight of the Delorean family highlights the ethical ambiguities faced during political turmoil. Henri and Charles navigate their roles within a revolution that demands ruthless actions, questioning the price of loyalty and justice.

4. Supernatural Elements:
   The inclusion of Old Nancy and the haunting presence of ancestral curses infuse the story with a gothic atmosphere, linking historical events with mythic retribution.

5. Identity and Redemption:
   Charles's journey from a young boy to an executioner reflects the struggle for identity amidst societal expectations. His eventual rejection of his father's legacy symbolizes a quest for personal redemption and the desire to break free from the chains of past atrocities.

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Conclusion

"Witch's Tale (AU) 41-xx-xx Altar of Hate" is a masterfully crafted episode that combines historical context with supernatural horror to explore the devastating effects of unbridled hatred and vengeance. Through its richly developed characters and suspenseful narrative, the story offers a poignant commentary on the human condition during times of upheaval. Notable quotes and key moments punctuate the narrative, providing listeners with memorable highlights that underscore the episode's central themes. This episode stands as a testament to Harold's Old Time Radio's ability to breathe new life into classic radio storytelling, making it a must-listen for fans of historical dramas and gothic tales alike.

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Key Takeaways for New Listeners

• Historical Context: Familiarity with the French Reign of Terror enhances the listening experience, though the supernatural elements make it accessible to all.

• Character Depth: Each character embodies distinct aspects of the overarching themes, providing a multifaceted exploration of revenge, duty, and redemption.

• Narrative Style: The blend of dialogue, monologue, and narration creates a rich auditory tapestry that immerses listeners in the story's dark ambiance.

Embark on this haunting journey and immerse yourself in a tale where history and horror intertwine, leaving a lasting impression of the costs of revenge and the enduring power of love and forgiveness.

Transcript

[Narrator]

The Witch's tale.

[Butcher Carrier]

The fascination of the Eyrie. Weird blood chilling tales told by old Nancy, the witch of Salem and Satan, her wise black captain. They are waiting. Waiting for you.

[Old Nancy]

103 year old I be today. Yes sir. A hundred and three year old. Well, Satan, tonight we ain't going to tell no bedtime story for weaklings. Pass the word to douse all lights and we'll get at it.

[Butcher Carrier]

That's it.

[Old Nancy]

Make it nice and dark. Sitting in the gloom's the way to hear our purty tin. Soar up to the fire and gaze into the embers. Gaze into em deep and soon you'll see the town of Nantes in France. The time is that of the Reign of Terror. And Rudy Nantes is a man named Carrier who history calls the Butcher. Outside a handsome house where soldiers of the Revolution are battering down a door, you'll see a mob of maddened men and women. And there else story. The altar of hate begins. The altar of ha.

[Citizen Carrier]

Drive them back and keep them at a distance. Citizen Carrier wishes to enter his rat's nest alone.

[Butcher Carrier]

How these good citizens trust me.

[Citizen Carrier]

Well, no patriot in France has better serve Madame la Guillotine than you.

[Butcher Carrier]

Because of your fine working nuns.

[Citizen Carrier]

Bodies of the dead so who fill our river Loire. It overflows its banks.

[Butcher Carrier]

After this stubborn door has yielded, you will witness even finer work, friend Bressac.

[Citizen Carrier]

What will you do to them?

[Butcher Carrier]

Wait and see. I have a very pretty plan.

[Madame Delorean]

Ah, the door is broken.

[Butcher Carrier]

Do you see the dogs we searched for? Brisac. Take them. Hold them. We have them.

[Citizen Carrier]

Come, Citizen Carrier. They make no sure fight.

[Butcher Carrier]

I'm coming. Well, Monsieur le Comte and Madame la Comtesse Delorean. And the young Monsieur le Chevalier Delorean.

[Narrator]

We are your prisoners. There is no need to ask what you will do to us. We are ready.

[Butcher Carrier]

You are brave, Monsieur le Comte. But will you not ask for mercy? At least for your wife and son?

[Marguerite]

Neither my husband nor myself will plead for our lives, Monsieur.

[Butcher Carrier]

Nor will I. I am not afraid to die.

[Marguerite]

Oh, my son. My child.

[Narrator]

Helene.

[Butcher Carrier]

The lady weakened.

[Henri]

Mother, don't.

[Marguerite]

I can't help myself. When her child is threatened. Every mother is a cow. I know. I'm speaking to a man without a heart. Yes, Pink.

[Old Nancy]

I must.

[Marguerite]

We are ready to die. But our son is only a boy. A child. You can't. Kill him.

[Madame Delorean]

Kill him.

[Henri]

Mother, I beg you.

[Madame Delorean]

Go on.

[Butcher Carrier]

Madame, I am really most sympathetic.

[Marguerite]

Spare my son. He is but 16. A child.

[Butcher Carrier]

You have touched me deeply. I will grant your plea. What?

[Citizen Carrier]

No.

[Butcher Carrier]

Carrier.

[Citizen Carrier]

Oh, There is. The class must die.

[Butcher Carrier]

Silence.

[Narrator]

Please.

[Butcher Carrier]

Act. I command. Here no one can be spared. Enant. I am revolutionary law. I will spare your son, Madame, on one condition.

[Marguerite]

Anything you say.

[Narrator]

Yes, anything.

[Butcher Carrier]

So the father is not too proud to beg.

[Madame Delorean]

I will not let them beg.

[Marguerite]

Father.

[Madame Delorean]

Mother.

[Butcher Carrier]

We three die together.

[Marguerite]

No, child, not you.

[Narrator]

You are the last of the deloreans. You must carry on our name.

[Marguerite]

Yes, my son must live.

[Narrator]

Name your condition, Monsieur Carrier.

[Henri]

No.

[Butcher Carrier]

Yes. Your son will be spared, citizens, if he will be your executioner. What you mean this boy shall live? If he will operate the knife that drops your heads into the the basket.

[Madame Delorean]

No. Monster.

[Narrator]

You are worse than the butcher they call you.

[Butcher Carrier]

You are a fiend from hell, Grand Carrier.

[Citizen Carrier]

A stroke of genius.

[Butcher Carrier]

You thought I had forgotten my beauty, Brizard. I said I had a plan for these aristocrats.

[Citizen Carrier]

Only you could have thought of this.

[Madame Delorean]

Listen, citizen soldiers. To this great patriot we follow. Enough. Enough.

[Butcher Carrier]

And now I restore your answer. The answer is no. Do you think I would buy my.

[Madame Delorean]

Life at the cost of taking those of my mother and father? Take us free to your guillotine and learn how aristocrats, both young and old, can die.

[Narrator]

My son, you make me proud, but I am yet head of my house. But your carrier, my son, submits to your condition.

[Madame Delorean]

Only you are not in earnest, Father.

[Marguerite]

Thy father is in earnest, Charles. And I divine his reason. I add my voice to his.

[Madame Delorean]

Thou must obey us not if God commanded it.

[Narrator]

Charles. Now the last of our noble name must live. Monsieur Perrier, we cannot escape. Will you withdraw with your men for.

[Butcher Carrier]

A few minutes that you may persuade the young man privately with citizen soldiers. We will all retire to the hallway.

[Citizen Carrier]

Come, citizen soldiers.

[Charles]

You're wasting time.

[Butcher Carrier]

I die with my parents. I count on their ability to convince you, young man. They understand my motives as I understand theirs. Motives which assure them I will keep my promise that you'll be allowed to live.

[Narrator]

I know you will keep your promise, Butcher. Terrier. And why? Please leave us.

[Butcher Carrier]

Certainly. I will await your decision out of hearing, but not out of sight.

[Henri]

Mother. Mother.

[Marguerite]

Thou must accept that fiend's condition. Charles, how can you bid me even.

[Madame Delorean]

Think of such a crime against all nature?

[Narrator]

Thou dost not understand, my son. The name of Delorean must not die.

[Henri]

Dost think I would preserve it by.

[Madame Delorean]

Depriving thee of life?

[Marguerite]

An ideal. A cause is more important than the individual.

[Narrator]

And we are already doomed to die by thy hand or another's.

[Marguerite]

Thou, my son, must live at such a God.

[Madame Delorean]

I cannot.

[Marguerite]

Then, Arthur, a card and stick to be our thumb.

[Henri]

Ay.

[Narrator]

To die is not difficult. But thou art afraid to live.

[Madame Delorean]

I cannot live so.

[Narrator]

Listen, Charles. That beast sated with murder would now destroy souls as well as bodies. So that men may say of thee. There goes an aristocrat who brought his life with the blood of those who bore him. He will keep his word. And thou must prove such scum cannot destroy a soul. For thou and other young men like thee are the only hope of France. Thou must live, or we shall have died in vain.

[Marguerite]

Thou wilt be bravest of the brave in living, Charles, for thou wilt bear men scorned in honor.

[Madame Delorean]

I cannot will not do this thing, Charles. No. You await at that door. Take us to your guillotine. We die together.

[Marguerite]

I have a final argument in my command, Mother.

[Madame Delorean]

Drop that knife. If Steedoc has a dagger, you must see me.

[Marguerite]

No. I am granting your desire. It was too much to ask as fun that he should bring his mother dead. But now that death the countless jars. Thou wilt thou fulfill my final wish and live?

[Narrator]

Yes. Thou wilt fulfill this man's condition on me, thy father. You still will keep your pardon, butcher.

[Butcher Carrier]

It will not make so good a show to have him drop only your head in the basket. Still indirectly, he will have caused his mother's death. Returns yet stand.

[Henri]

Promise you will live, Charles.

[Madame Delorean]

Oh dear.

[Marguerite]

Promise. It is my dying wish.

[Butcher Carrier]

The she dog's dead.

[Narrator]

I will join you soon, Elaine.

[Butcher Carrier]

What says the she dog's puppy? Will he join her too? Or will he buy his life?

[Charles]

My mother's dead. My mother.

[Butcher Carrier]

And you.

[Madame Delorean]

You, who call yourself the government of France, have killed her.

[Butcher Carrier]

Yes, I will buy my life. I promise, mother, to fulfill thy dying w. I will be thy executioner, Father.

[Madame Delorean]

That I may live to serve a holy ha. That I may avenge thy death a hundredfold. Do you hear me, murderous beasts? You fiends of hell. I will live to serve a holy ha. To avenge a hundredfold. To avenge a hundredfold.

[Butcher Carrier]

Take them away, Brisac. And inform the citizens outside that Madame L Guillotine will be well served tonight.

[Citizen Carrier]

An aristocrat for victim and one for executioner.

[Butcher Carrier]

Come, Charles.

[Charles]

Yes, Father.

[Butcher Carrier]

I swear on thy body, Mother.

[Charles]

To avenge an hundredfold.

[Old Nancy]

That's only the beginning of this pretty story, Satan. Now it's 34 years later. The revolution's over. Butcher Carrier himself has lost his head upon the guillotine. A Bourbon king sits on the throne of France once more. And the boy who swore oath upon the body of his mother is now an old man of 50 who's lying on his deathbed. So our tale goes on. Our tale of the altar of hate. The altar of hate.

[Henri]

I know there is but a short time left for me, Monsieur le Cure. But I have no wish for your offices. I have a creed better suited to my needs.

[Butcher Carrier]

I know your creed, Monsieur Lepant. It is a religion of hate. Oh, go away.

[Henri]

Call my son. He will be my confessor. The only one I wish.

[Narrator]

Very well.

[Henri]

The doctors say I may die at any minute, and I have much to tell. The boy.

[Butcher Carrier]

I left him waiting outside. Only thy father bids thee enter.

[Narrator]

Father.

[Henri]

Come close to my bed. Only so I need not raise my voice.

[Charles]

Yes, Father.

[Henri]

I have little strength.

[Narrator]

Leave us alone.

[Henri]

Monsieur le.

[Narrator]

You will not change your mind?

[Henri]

No. Get out.

[Butcher Carrier]

I go.

[Henri]

Well, my son. You, like all of France, know I was my father's executioner.

[Charles]

Like all of France, I know the reason for your deed, Father. All honor and applaud it.

[Henri]

Only one living man beside myself knows the true reason for my deed and how I kept my promise.

[Narrator]

Your promise?

[Henri]

To my dead mother and the scum who made her die. Well, that bell. Call old Gina to my bedside. Yes, Father. Gina served my parents. He has ever been my confident and trusted friend.

[Charles]

I have envied him. I never knew my mother so. Thou art all I've ever had to love. I wish to be thy confidant.

[Henri]

You shall be now, my son, for you must carry on the work I may not finish.

[Charles]

But thou canst not leave me, Father.

[Henri]

I shall die when you have learned my wishes. My will shall make me live till then. He knights at the door. Let him enter.

[Madame Delorean]

Come. Dinner.

[Butcher Carrier]

Monsieur le Comte, you wish something from your servant?

[Henri]

Yes, old friend. A last wish. A last command that thou shalt serve my son, as for 50 years thou hast served me.

[Butcher Carrier]

I was born a servant of the DeLorean.

[Henri]

I too have served that name. Close the door.

[Butcher Carrier]

Locketkina.

[Henri]

Henri. I have said you must carry on my work. If I did not know you for a faithful son, I even now would stay the hand of death that tightens on my burned out heart. But you, I know, will fulfill my uncompleted promise.

[Charles]

I do not understand.

[Henri]

You will in a moment. You have believed I dropped the knife upon my father's head. That I might live to perpetuate our ancient lie?

[Narrator]

I did.

[Henri]

But that was only a portion of my reason. The greater part was that I avenge that I serve her holy hate. Dina, open the secret panel that hides the shrine of my religion.

[Butcher Carrier]

Yes, Monsieur le Comte.

[Henri]

Look, my son, at the altar I have, Benzita. An altar built of human skulls. The skulls of those who, in the name of liberty, defiled the natural rights of all created men. The skulls of those who served Madame La Guillotine. The skulls of those who made my life a lost and a horror. An executioner they made of me. Aha. I have persisted in that calling. Before that shrine, you see a headsman's block. It is I who have lifted and let fall the bloody axe that leans upon it. I can look no more. You must do more than look. I vow to repay an hundredfold. Two skulls are missing from my altar.

[Charles]

You mean I.

[Henri]

You bear the name I have preserved. 90 heads only adorn that shrine. You must make an hundred breasts there. I cannot.

[Charles]

Will not.

[Henri]

I command you. You will obey.

[Madame Delorean]

No. Yes.

[Henri]

Promise. Or I curse you with my dying breastfather.

[Madame Delorean]

Promise.

[Henri]

Promise.

[Madame Delorean]

I promise. Swear.

[Charles]

I swear.

[Henri]

Ah, now I know thou art fit to bear my name. Father. I die content. I. I shall have avenged an hundredfold.

[Madame Delorean]

Father. Father, I cannot let thee die deceived. I lie to thee. I cannot do thy awful bidding. I withdraw my promise. Father, answer me. I tell you I withdraw my promise. I take back my oath.

[Butcher Carrier]

Your father has ceased to breathe.

[Madame Delorean]

No. Oh, no.

[Butcher Carrier]

One cannot withdraw a promise from the dead.

[Charles]

I tell you I will keep my promise, Gina.

[Madame Delorean]

But I must have more time. Just a little more time.

[Butcher Carrier]

Six months have passed since your father breathed his last. Has not that been time enough?

[Madame Delorean]

Oh, will you never leave me alone? Morning, noon and night, you speak of nothing but that ghastly promise.

[Butcher Carrier]

Your father rests uneasy in his grave because you make no move to keep your plighted word. The word of a Delorean. His spirit cometh to me and bids me tell you.

[Madame Delorean]

You only dream he comes to you.

[Butcher Carrier]

I do not dream. This spectre walks these halls from dusk to dawn, bitter and accuse thee because of your broken face.

[Madame Delorean]

I never see it.

[Butcher Carrier]

You will if you do not go. He is upon his portrait, hanging there. His spirit now looks at you from its painted eyes.

[Madame Delorean]

They.

[Henri]

They do look alive.

[Madame Delorean]

But that's imagination. My mind is becoming weakened by your ghoulies chatter. Leave me alone. I must have more time.

[Butcher Carrier]

How much more time?

[Charles]

How can I tell?

[Madame Delorean]

A man does not commit cold blooded murder as he takes an evening stroll.

[Butcher Carrier]

Just vengeance is not murder.

[Madame Delorean]

Such vengeance is not just. Oh, I know the awful cause my father had for hatred. But no cause on earth can make such hatred right or good. It can't excuse the frightful order that lies behind that panel.

[Butcher Carrier]

That altar is a Shrine of Heaven.

[Madame Delorean]

It's a monument to hell. One man alone was responsible for my father's horrid memories. One man alone. Yet the head of Butcher Carrier did not fall by my father's hand. His head is not included in that edifice of skulls. No. They are the heads of the innocent followers of Carrier.

[Butcher Carrier]

Dogs who shared his guilt.

[Madame Delorean]

You've told me that author has claimed victims who, like me, were not yet born when the reign of terror ended. But they were of the blood of those of the terror.

[Butcher Carrier]

Of that vile brood.

[Madame Delorean]

How could I hate people I'd never seen For a thing that happened before my time? I won't hate. Hatred burnt my father's life away. I saw him die at old age of 50. An age when other men are in their prime. I won't follow in his footsteps. I'll not hate and not hate.

[Butcher Carrier]

Then you have lied from the first. You never meant to fulfill your plighted word.

[Madame Delorean]

The word of a DeLorean.

[Butcher Carrier]

The name that he preserved means nothing to you, Dina.

[Charles]

Two heads are needed to complete that altar.

[Henri]

Bring me.

[Madame Delorean]

Bring me two of Butcher Carrier's blood.

[Charles]

And I will keep my promise.

[Butcher Carrier]

You renew your compact with the dead before this portrait of your father? I?

[Charles]

Yes, I renew my compact on the conditions I have made.

[Butcher Carrier]

I'm content. Within this hour your father's shade will be at peace. Within this hour, our holy altar will have its hundred skulls.

[Henri]

What do you mean?

[Butcher Carrier]

That I have foreseen your conditions. That last night I went upon the hunt. And this morning I came home with game. It lies waiting now behind the panel.

[Henri]

Look.

[Madame Delorean]

Two bodies lie there by the hedgeman's block.

[Butcher Carrier]

Two live bodies, bound and dead, ready for the axe which you will wield.

[Madame Delorean]

Your prisoners are women.

[Butcher Carrier]

My prisoners are enemies. They are the sister and the niece of Butcher Carrier.

[Madame Delorean]

Don't. Devil. Cut those cords that bind them as I tear away the gas stuff. No. This one is just a gun. You're setting them free. Yes. And I take back my Thomas now forevermore. I will not hate. I will not kill. Cannot withdraw our promise to the dead.

[Butcher Carrier]

Gaze upon your father's portrait. Look into its eyes. They are warning you.

[Madame Delorean]

Monsieur le Comte, beware.

[Charles]

Mademoiselle, you truly forgive me for Gina's dreadful treatment of you and of your mother.

[Marguerite]

Mother and I remain here in your house as guests. Does that not prove forgiveness? And? And we know the wrong my uncle brought upon your father. And it is for us to beg forgiveness, not for you.

[Charles]

Forgiveness. What a blessed were that is to one who has only heard of hate. Even love must lack such meaning.

[Marguerite]

I've never been in love.

[Charles]

Neither have I.

[Marguerite]

How old are you, Monsieur le Comte?

[Charles]

On my next birthday, I'll be 20.

[Marguerite]

I suppose we're really too young to know much about love.

[Charles]

I don't think we would be if we weren't country people. They say in the city that girls and men much younger than we are know all about it. Some are even married.

[Marguerite]

It must be nice to live in a city and to know about love.

[Charles]

It must be wonderful.

[Marguerite]

Oh, terribly wonderful, Monsieur le Comte.

[Charles]

I wish you wouldn't call me that anymore. No. My name is Henri. Oh, but.

[Marguerite]

But you're a Noble, a DeLorean. And I am a bourgeois and a niece of Butcher carrion.

[Charles]

What difference does that make? We've known each other now for two whole weeks. The happiest weeks I've ever known. And. And Marguerite.

[Marguerite]

What were you going to say?

[Charles]

I. I think that I've learned to love you.

[Marguerite]

Oh, really?

[Henri]

Yes.

[Charles]

I know what love is now. And I love thee.

[Marguerite]

I love thee.

[Charles]

Oh, my dear one.

[Marguerite]

What was that?

[Madame Delorean]

My father's portrait.

[Marguerite]

As you took me in your arms, it fell crashing to the floor.

[Henri]

Its eyes.

[Madame Delorean]

Its painted eyes, they glared at me with.

[Marguerite]

Good night, Mother.

[Old Nancy]

Good night, my little Marguerite. God bless thee and thy husband.

[Charles]

May I call you Mother now, madame? Since your daughter has just become my wife, I would like to. I never knew my mother.

[Marguerite]

You poor boy.

[Old Nancy]

I am thy mother now.

[Marguerite]

Good night, Priscilla Cure.

[Butcher Carrier]

Good night, Madame la Comtesse DeLorean. You are that now you know. Good night to you only. And God's blessing on your bridal night.

[Charles]

Thank you, Monsieur le Cure. Dinar, old servant. Won't you cease to look at me with loathing?

[Butcher Carrier]

Won't you also bless our wedding? When you took this woman your wife today, you lost all claim upon my service. You are no longer a DeLorean. You are a butcher carrier. Keep your peace. Upon this bridal pair I lay my curse. And the dead have laid another, more weighty one upon them.

[Old Nancy]

Holy.

[Charles]

Don't be afraid, Marguerite.

[Madame Delorean]

Love cannot fear hate.

[Henri]

Let me lift you in my arms.

[Charles]

And carry you into the House of Lorien.

[Madame Delorean]

Only he stumbled.

[Old Nancy]

That is an awful omen.

[Madame Delorean]

It is nothing.

[Marguerite]

It means nothing. Mother. Good night.

[Charles]

Good night.

[Butcher Carrier]

Go to your wedding bed. Cursed spawn of Butcher Carrier. In the house of one who served her holy hate.

[Old Nancy]

I. I am afraid, Monsieur Le Cou. They call them back.

[Butcher Carrier]

No one can call them back, for they are the dead as waiting to receive them.

[Old Nancy]

Who does?

[Butcher Carrier]

Cease your superstitious lies, Dina. The dead are dead and harmless in their graves if they are not.

[Henri]

The boy was right.

[Butcher Carrier]

Love has naught to fear from. So says your religion. The dead and I hold another different face. Come, Marguerite.

[Old Nancy]

Marguerite, where are you?

[Madame Delorean]

Monsieur le Cur.

[Henri]

Monsieur.

[Madame Delorean]

Monsieur Henri. Boy.

[Old Nancy]

They do not answer.

[Butcher Carrier]

You will find them in this room. I think his father's room.

[Madame Delorean]

Mother.

[Old Nancy]

Eat, my baby.

[Marguerite]

Answer me.

[Madame Delorean]

That opening in the wall, that pile.

[Butcher Carrier]

Of grinnings cull the close. Two fleshly severed heads now lie upon it.

[Marguerite]

Oh, my doctor.

[Madame Delorean]

And oh, now the altar is complete. Not even the grave could keep my master from fulfillment of his vow. He has avenged an hundredfold. And hate has triumphed.

[Old Nancy]

You folks come see us next week on me birthday. And Satan and me. You'll have another 30 yarn to spin me.