Subj: A Collinwood Carol-chapter 6
Date: 12/16/01 10:59:04 PM Central Standard Time
From: Julianka

When Elizabeth found herself back in her room, she fell into the bed still wearing her slippers and robe. She then flipped the comforter over herself completely. She was so disheartened by her visit to the past, she only wanted to crawl back into the refuge of her safe little world and banish the painful past and it's memories.

"Hallo...Hallo..Come out and face the music ducks." A voice heavy with a cockney accent beckoned firmly.

Elizabeth clutched the comforter tighter and begged, "Please! Please I can't bare any more! Go away!"

"Now! Is that any way to behave? Out you come my girl!" The comforter disappeared leaving Elizabeth exposed and facing the smiling face of a outlandishly dressed and made up young woman. She was wearing a garish long, bright red dress with beads looped around her neck, dangling earrings hung from her ears and a long fluffy feather boa draped over her shoulders. Her blond hair was pinned casually atop her head, curls allowed to fall where they may. Too much eye shadow, powder, blush and lip stick adorned her gamin face.

"Whooo..who are you?"

"Leticia Faye's the name." she answered as she sketched a little curtsy.

"Don't you have any pity in your heart? Can't you see I've been through quite enough for one night? Please! I beg of you, go away!"

"Hiding your head in the sand won't help at all my girl. The world goes on spinnin' round. Whether you face it or not things are happenin'. So let's be off!" Leticia grasped Elizabeth's hand and pulled her to her feet.

Leticia Faye said, "Hold tight to my hand and we'll be there in two winks of your eye."

Before Elizabeth could form the words to ask, where to, she found herself standing on the scraped sidewalk outside Brewster's department store. Crowds of shoppers gathered to admire the christmas displays in the store windows.

Leticia Faye tugged at Elizabeth's arm, pointing toward the street sign. "Recognize that little fellow, do ya' ?"

"David? What's he doing out so late? David, come here!" Elizabeth called to him.

Clicking her tongue, Leticia Faye reminded Elizabeth. "He can't hear you ducks."

David wasn't looking at the windows, he was staring at the families bunched up in front of them. Fathers picking up their youngsters to give them a better view, smiling mothers hugging the children, boys and girls hopping up and down with excitement. David's sad eyed face reflected his forlorn mood. He stuffed his hands in his pockets and turn away, walking (Elizabeth hoped) toward Collinwood. Elizabeth watched him go, her heart breaking, wishing she could run after him.

Shaking her head, Leticia Faye muttered, "Poor little bugger." And then more brightly she said, "There more places to go dearie."

With a snap of her fingers, Leticia Faye transported herself and Elizabeth into the Blue Whale. Cacophonous music assaulted Elizabeth's ears and her eyes watered at the smoky atomsphere of the room. She was standing near the bar when a conversation caught her attention.

"Who's those blokes?" questioned Leticia.

"Dave Woodard, he's our family doctor and Sam Evans, he's a local artist."

"Sam, I know I have told this before. But you simply can go on putting....."

"Don't you think I know? Where do you think I'm going to get the money for eye surgery?"

"Have you told Maggie yet?"

"NO! Why get her worried about something that she can't do anything about? Don't worry about it Dave, something will come up."

"Sam, if you don't get the surgery soon..well I hate to say it, but you'll go blind."

"You know how to ruin a good buzz, don't you buddy!" Sam down the the last swallows of his beer and stomped out of the bar.

A familiar voice shifted Elizabeth's attention to a table near the neon light flashing jukebox. "Oh dear! It's Carolyn!" Elizabeth lamented. "I thought she'd quit coming here! Whose that man with her?"

Elizabeth with Leticia quickly following hurried to the table where Carolyn sat. Rounding the juke box she saw who was cajoling Carolyn to join the party. Buzz Hackett, motorcycle riding hoodlum!

"Come on, baby. Let's shake that thing!"

"I'm not in the mood Buzz. Go find another playmate."

Buzz grinned at Carolyn and cupped her chin, forcing her to look at him. "Hey! It's a celebration, dig? So let's party!"

"Celebration? What are you celebrating?"

"Christmas! Like Ho-Ho-Ho! Santa, reindeer and that kind of jazz!"

"Oh yeah." Carolyn scowled. "Bah humbug."

"That's not groovy babe! Where's your holiday spirit?"

Carolyn sighed and said, "What the hell! Order us some more drinks. And let's see if I can work up the mood."

Elizabeth watch helplessly as Carolyn slammed back shot after shot, watched as her daughter danced wildly to the discordant music blaring from the jukebox and finally unable to watch any more asked Leticia if they could leave. She had seen enough.

"Course ducks. Want to go home?"

"God yes!" Elizabeth moaned.

"Close your eyes for half a tick and we'll be off dearie."

Elizabeth soon found that Leticia Faye wasn't quite done with her. They had arrived back at Collinwood alright, but not to the sanctuary of her bedroom. They were in the study. Roger was speaking on the phone.

"What...?" began Elizabeth, But Leticia interrupted her.

"Hush. You may learned a thing or two."

"Well, yes." Roger was saying. "That was the straw that broke the camel's back. I can't go on living in the house. Elizabeth will forever try to keep me a mere figure head, at home, as a father to my son and with the business. It's past time I got myself and David away. Ned, can't you find some position at your plant?"

Rubbing his forehead, Roger listened on the phone.

"I'll take it." He said. "Yes, I understand it doesn't pay as well as I am use to getting here. I don't care. Portland will be good for David. He can go to a regular school, have a more normal life. Thank you Ned. I can't tell you what this means to me."

Roger hung up the phone.

"Of all the nerve! Calling Ned Calder for a job! Desserting me? His own sister?" Elizabeth wailed.

"If you leave here and take David you'll be sorry, Roger!" Elizabeth pounded the desk.

"Oops a daisy dearie! Can't keep the whole 'can't hear you thing' in mind?"

Elizabeth rounded on Leticia. "Are you finished with me yet!" She demanded.

"Sure duckie, trot on up to your room like a good girl. The next spirit will be along to collect you soon."

Elizabeth walked away without a backward glance.

"Ta-ta dearie, just a word of warning" Elizabeth stopped, her spine visibly stiffing, " if you think our little visit was rough, the next visitor won't be any tea party for you."

Dark Shadows is a Dan Curtis Production.