Black Magic Page #4

You belong to me. Say it.

I belong to you, Joseph.

Now wake up.

Wake up. Wake up.

I seem to have been dreaming.

Dreaming?

What were you dreaming?

- Tell me.

- No, I can't tell you.

You were dreaming that you love me.

You do love me, Lorenza.

It's true. You're not just dreaming.

You're awake

and I'm holding you in my arms.

- You belong to me.

- No, no. Please let me go.

Lorenza, you are free to go.

The door is open. I...

I didn't lock it.

Nothing is...

Nothing is keeping you from going.

Only your eyes.

Look into my eyes.

Your eyes.

Who is it?

It's me, Gitano. It's important.

But you said the door was unlocked.

Someone to see you, Joseph.

I'll see nobody, I told you that.

- It's DeMontagne.

- DeMontagne?

DeMontagne with a lady.

Now come!

Now come!

Why do you want to leave me?

Why do you want to go?

Where is it you want to go?

To Gilbert?

Hmm?

Always to Gilbert.

Always Gilbert.

Your Excellency.

Madam.

We find this room

unpleasantly crowded, Count.

Zoraida. DeRemy.

Allow me to introduce

Count Cagliostro.

Madam.

Countess Du Barry.

My poor house is glorified

by your presence.

Where is this woman that looks like

the Austrian baggage?

She's right behind you.

Marie Antoinette.

It's unbelievable.

You sent for me, Joseph?

Yes.

But you didn't.

Yes, Madam.

In a way I did.

Very well, Lorenza,

you may go back to your room.

Yes, Joseph.

I'm half afraid.

You'd have more cause if the double

weren't so perfect.

You'll bring her to my house

in a closed carriage tonight.

- I'm afraid not, Madam.

- What?

This woman is ill.

She needs my help, and so do you.

Are you trying to threaten us?

I'm nearly pointing out

that you've acquired

a new partner in this little intrigue,

whether you like it or not.

I like you.

You'll do well at court.

At court, Madam?

There's a special reception in honor

of the Paris Faculty of Medicine.

Your name has been included.

I'm sure I'll have the honor of seeing

the real Marie Antoinette.

You can't very well miss her.

She sees to that.

Really, Monsieur Prophet?

You ask a great many questions for one

who is supposed to read the future.

But I can read the future, Vicomte,

and the words are very clear.

Well, since you insist on being a partner,

I think it only fair to tell you

that we are gambling

for the highest stakes of all.

As high as the throne of France.

You'll need me for that.

You'll need Lorenza.

That's why I've come to you.

Old King Louis loves me well enough.

The whole world knows

that he'd marry me tomorrow

except for this prayer reciting

Austrian daughter-in-law of his,

who stands in the way

like an accusing statue.

I've talked, I've screamed,

but she can twist him around

her finger like so much thread.

If we can discredit Marie Antoinette,

if we can get enough pitch

- to stick to her royal skirts...

- Using the double, of course.

That's all you need to know,

for the moment.

We'll talk again later at the palace.

With the stakes as high as they are,

Madam,

we three can arrange anything.

Having made himself a vital link

in this palace conspiracy,

Cagliostro's great ambition

was achieved:

His presentation to the most glittering

court in Europe.

Always a master of theatrical effect,

he'd adorned his court costume

with mystic symbols and insignias

stolen from secret fraternal societies.

Your royal highnesses, Prince Louis

and Princess Marie Antoinette.

The Dauphin and Dauphine of France.

It's Lorenza.

Lorenza came to life.

That is Marie Antoinette.

How did he gain admission

to the court, doctor?

I understand Madam DuBarry arranged

the invitation, your highness.

You see, Louis?

Now she brings this witch doctor

to our court.

I'll tell you just once more.

That woman is capable

of any connivance,

which might induce

your grandfather to marry her.

Surely, my dear, you don't believe in

any of this nonsense about witchcraft.

His Majesty, Louis the XV,

the King of France.

And the Countess DuBarry.

Good evening, my dear boy.

Dear child.

Your highness.

Oh, a new face.

Who is this gentleman?

It is Count Cagliostro, Louis.

All Paris is talking about him.

Oh, of course, we have heard of him.

What is this?

I have given you my blessing, Majesty.

As I have blessed

your ancestors for centuries.

My ancestors?

Oh, yes, I knew you're great great great

grandfather pleasantly well.

You must be older than you seem.

I am older than the pyramids, Majesty.

But in somewhat better condition.

The medical faculty is resenting

your presence at court.

I believe they are planning

to discredit you.

I will survive it.

Your Majesty, we're honored tonight

by the presence

of the renowned healer,

Count Cagliostro.

And so, knowing your Majesty's insistence

about fair consideration

and all the matters

concerning the health of your subjects,

we have taken it upon ourselves

to provide a few,

shall we say,

guinea pigs to test his powers.

Admirable, admirable.

This will be vastly entertaining.

My dear Count, the stage is all yours.

Here we have all the afflictions

for you,

from rheumatism to paralysis.

You may cure each case individually,

but I feel sure our guests

would prefer

something a little less tedious.

Just cure them all at once, Monsieur.

Cure them all at once.

That is your Majesty's command.

We're agog

with impatience, Count.

Madam.

A king I might keep waiting,

but a lady, never.

By the red star of Aphesis

and the jeweled hand of Copnor,

I will command you now to throw

away your crutches

and arise from your sickbeds.

No need for that.

One glance from you

and we are already cured.

It was a trick, Joseph.

Now they'll laugh us out of Europe.

Yes, but a trick has a double edge,

like a sword blade.

A most remarkable achievement.

My dear Count, with the physicians

of Paris, has met our master.

Your Majesty, there's one little matter

they all forget.

If I can cure, I can also afflict.

I can also afflict!

You.

You're the leader of the dance.

Down on your knees.

Down on your knees.

Down on your knees.

You'd like to rise, but you cannot.

You cannot rise.

This shirt is remarkably rich

for a beggar.

If you'll excuse me, sir?

What was your disease?

It was supposed to be paralysis,

Monsieur.

Supposed to be? It is.

You are paralyzed.

Even now as I speak you can feel

the strength

ebbing out of your limbs.

Soft, melting wax.

You're a cripple.

Now, cripple,

crawl.

Crawl.

Crawl, crawl.

Now listen, you fool,

there's nothing wrong with you.

Give me your hand.

Leap to your feet.

You'll think twice before you mock again

the sufferings of humanity.

Go.

Amazing. Incredible.

This man is far more

than a charlatan.

I believe it's the devil himself.

Very amusing, Monsieur.

You turned the tables

most effectively.

You see, your Majesty, there was nothing

whatever wrong

with the young man except the ailments

that inflict the doctors

who arranged this little deception.

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