Subj: On the Dark Side of Twilight Chapter 4
Date: 10/1/01 9:28:00 PM Central Daylight Time
From: Melissa

"Miss Winters," David called out. Vicki wasn't paying any attention to David and his lesson. She was thinking of the new guests in Collinwood, they would be arriving tonight. "Miss Winters," David said again louder this time.

"Yes?" she asked as if she hadn't spaced out at all.

"We haven't finished Frankenstein yet. You started the last chapter, but then you just stopped."

"I'm sorry David. Where did I stop." David told her and she began again.

Class was over for the day, and both of them were happy. Vicki didn't know if she could take another minute in that classroom, but she had nothing to do, she went into the drawing room and found Carolyn reading one of her romance novels.

"Hi Vicki," she said looking up from her book.

"Hi Carolyn, do you mind if I sit here with you?"

"No, want to read something? I just finished this one, it was really good," she said handing Vicki a book.

Vicki took it, she didn't usually read this stuff, but she didn't really feel like going into the library and searching for something she probably read before.

Roger walked into the drawing room not really noticing the young women reading behind him, he poured himself a brandy, then walked to his chair.

"Hello Kitten, Vicki."

Neither responded both so focused on the novels, Roger was used to this. Especially when Carolyn and Liz's soap was on. He always seemed to be in the way.

He finished his brandy and got up to pour himself another.

"Oh Vicki you got to read this, isn't it the most romantic thing. I'd kill for a man to do that for me," Carolyn said as Vicki read.

"Well I wouldn't mind, but I think the guy in this book has better ideas," Vicki said holding up her book.

"You'll never find a man like that girls," Roger muttered. Women today expect too much, with all the romantic things men do in the movies and books, when we try we look stupid, Roger thought to himself.

Liz would be coming home soon with their guests. Carolyn put her book down.

"You're not done are you?" Vicki asked.

"Yes. What did you think of the book?" she asked.

"It's all right," Vicki said.

"Uncle Roger when did you come in here?" Carolyn asked.

"Not long ago, you both were so wrapped up in your books, I guess you didn't hear me come in."

"When is Mother coming?"

"She should be coming soon," Roger said looking at his watch.

"Do you know anything about them?" Carolyn asked.

"No, but I saw them at the diner yesterday," Vicki said.

"What did they look like?"

"The younger woman is really beautiful, she's got dark hair and blue eyes, the older woman is about Mrs. Johnson's age, and the man looks like his sister."

"So is he handsome or is he ugly?"

"He's good-looking, why?"

"Come on Vicki, there are no guys in Collinsport, their all old, married, or well you know."

"Well there's always Willie Loomis," Vicki said seriously.

"Oh how could I forget about Willie?" Carolyn said.

Both girls began to laugh, "Willie's not that bad and what about Tony Peterson?" Vicki said.

"I know Willie not that bad, as for Tony, he can," Carolyn said.

"Carolyn," Elizabeth said interrupting, "Our guests have arrived."

Both girls rose as the three strangers followed Elizabeth into the drawing room; Roger set the glass down and got up.

"I'd like you to meet Countess Rosalie Karnstein, her brother Paul, and Helena Jo, the Countess's. . . " Elizabeth stopped and looked at the Countess unsure.

"Helena is my maid," she said, her accent was light and charming.

"Welcome to Collinwood," Carolyn said.

"Thank you. It's so kind of you all to share your home with us. Your home is very beautiful, it reminds me of home."

"Thank you," Elizabeth said.

"May I ask you where you are from Countess," Roger asked.

"Please call me Rosalie. I'm from Hungary, but I was born in Transylvania."

"That's where Dracula's from," David asked from the stairs excitedly.

The Countess turned around and looked up, smiling she said, "Yes. Do you like that story?"

"Yeah," David said coming down the stairs, "Have you ever seen a vampire?"

"Yes, when I was a little girl, a little younger than you are, I woke up in the middle of the night, and by the light of the moon, I saw a man in my doorway. I called out, thinking that it was my father or one of the servants, but no one answered. Have you ever seen one?"

"No not yet, but I'd like to. Do you think that it was Dracula?"

"I don't know."

"I'm sorry Rosalie, David has such a wild imagination sometimes," Elizabeth said.

"That's all right, maybe you'd like learn how to spot a vampire?"

"You'd teach me?" David asked excitedly.

"Yes, if your father doesn't mind?" Rosalie said.

"Dinner's ready Mrs. Stoddard."

"Thank you, Mrs. Johnson. Come all must be hungry."

Dark Shadows is a Dan Curtis Production