Rose Red Page #6

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What? What frightened you?

I don't know what|you're talking about.

You know, don't you?

But you're not saying.

What is it?

- It's cold. Cold metal, that's all.|- No, but you spoke.

There was something there,|but it's gone.

I didn't like the way it felt.

The caretaker left it after he|let in the equipment guys.

- He'll miss it.|- Not after summer.

In September there won't be|a gate to open.

There's a flashlight for everyone.|Keep it on you at all times.

The power's usually fine.

If it goes out, I don't suppose|the fuse box does much good?

Nope, neither does calling|Puget Sound Energy.

- And your equipment?|- Lf the power goes, it uses batteries.

We better get started.

Where's Annie?

She's wonderful.

Friday afternoon, 3:17 p.m.

We've experienced our first paranormal|phenomenon: a phantom draft.

I insist that you don't go|exploring on your own.

The geography can seem unstable.

Let's double up on sleeping|arrangements. I'll share with Cathy.

The three of us could go in.

I'll sleep with Emery.|We'll raid the fridge.

No, the bedrooms are safe.|Just don't wander off.

- I think you'll find this interesting.|- Wow.

You could make Thanksgiving dinner|for a hundred people here.

- Maybe after the place was fumigated.|- You're such a charmer.

Was I talking to you?

Ellen Rimbauer called this|the Health Room.

We call it a solarium.

A railroad executive, George Meader,|drinking buddy...

...of John Rimbauer, died in here|just after the end of WWI.

According to a doctor, |he was stung by a bee.

He died of an extreme|allergic reaction.

As I told you, in Rose Red's heyday,|men didn't fair well here.

That's not very reassuring.

Nothing to worry about. Just use|the buddy system in the house.

- Now...|- Whoa.

What?

What's this?

- The caretaker leave that too?|- Doubt it.

- Well, then who?|- Press redial and see who answers.

You've reached Professor Miller|of the Psychology department.

I'm unable to answer the phone. Leave|a message. But remember Shakespeare:

- Who is it?|-Brevity is the soul of wit.

This is Joyce Reardon's friend,|Steven Rimbauer.

We found your property in Rose Red.

I'm sure you didn't drop it, since|we just saw you. But I know who did.

The guy who wrote the story.|Trespassing isn't serious.

Abetting a trespasser is less serious,|but your dignity will take a hit.

Guess who will be on next week's|newspaper cover?

- You have a nice day.|- Bravo, Steve, bravo.

- You can't be certain that's his phone.|- Of course it is.

I bet one of the numbers in memory|is that son of a b*tch Bollinger.

If the reporter had the phone,|where is he?

Maybe the house ate him.|Isn't that what it's supposed to do?

Something that he doesn't believe in|frightened him, and he ran off.

- Perhaps he's still in the house.|- Then we'll find him.

- Come on, folks...|- You sure we shouldn't notify somebody?

Why should we? If he's here,|he's trespassing, like Steve said.

If we call the cops, we'll|have half a dozen police...

...roiling up the atmosphere,|and he'll win!

That pig Miller will win,|and I can't have it.

Okay? I just won't. I can't.

It's okay. He doesn't get to win.

And if we find Bollinger,|we spank him and send him on his way.

- Sounds good to me.|- Yeah, me too.

On with the show?

On with the show.

It's a pity no one kept up|those vines.

There hasn't been a groundskeeper|since Omicron Oil fell off the board.

We're in the kitchen because...

...Joyce wants to tell you|about my great-aunt April.

- Go on.|- Are you sure?

Sure. That's what we're here for.|Besides, it was before my time.

April was 6 when she disappeared. Her|brother Adam was in boarding school.

- Boarding school at 8?|- It was Rimbauer's idea.

Ellen ranted and raved. But John|put his foot down and kept it down.

He didn't trust Rose Red even then.|This was the last place...

...April was ever seen.

Sukeena stepped into the pantry|over there...

...for what she swore was no more than|30 seconds. When she came out... .

April?

April, honey, where are you?

April?

Fifty men searched the house|and grounds. They found nothing.

Not so much as a lock of hair|or a thread from her dress.

Great-Grandfather, convinced of|Sukeena's guilt, took her downtown.

Ellen objected in the strongest terms, |but John declined to listen.

- She's innocent!|- Ellen, stop it!

Please, John! Sukeena!

She was taken to a room and questioned|for 50 hours. No sleep, no food...

...no bathroom breaks, no mercy.

I don't know.

She was gone.

I don't know.

She convinced them she didn't know|about April's disappearance, but...

...it cost her three teeth,|a broken nose and a broken wrist.

Eventually, Ellen's maid was allowed|to return home again.

I mean, the only home she had left.

When do we go upstairs? I hear|that's where the weird stuff is.

No time like the present.

Come on, everybody.

I didn't notice that one before.

Neither did I.

Could you try to remember who's|running this expedition?

- Sure.|- Thanks.

Come here, please.

Tie your rope to that pole.|It'll help us find our way back.

Couldn't we just go and get the plans?

- The plans don't always mean a lot.|- It's a safety measure.

So follow me, and prepare|to be amazed.

Ellen called this the|Perspective Hallway.

Her first major addition.|And no architect designed it.

She made it up herself?|Way to go, Ellen.

But she didn't.

Then who?

Sukeena.

- Her maid?|- Her companion.

It's so wild, like something|in a fun house.

Oh, it's making my stomach turn.

I guess they're pieces|built in perspective.

Camouflaging the doors|was Great-Gram's idea.

She didn't want them to spoil|the illusion.

Bollinger! Hey, Bollinger,|are you in there?

Whoa!

Annie, no!

No!

You be quiet!

You wanted this place to wake up.|I'd say you've been successful.

Does she ever get assertive, or does|she always waffle like that?

She doesn't talk much, but|what she says, she means.

- I'll say.|- In the mid-60s...

...a team of scientists spent|some time investigating Rose Red...

...and heard the house scream.

They recorded them, although|they don't sound impressive.

- And what did they conclude?|- That it was underground water.

Perhaps amplified by the water pipes|under this part of Seattle.

Underground water?

People facing these phenomena|tend to protect their belief systems.

This hallway was the last place|Ellen Rimbauer was ever seen.

They moved in on January 15th, 1909.

Each January 15th, Ellen wore the same|dress she wore when they arrived.

Ellen threw a party every January 15th|and everybody showed up.

Politicians, hoodlums,|sports players, stars.

When the actress disappeared,|the parties stopped.

Finish telling us about|old Mrs. Rimbauer.

She disappeared on January 15th, 1950.|She was 70.

A maid wished her good evening...

... and she swept by as if|she didn 't even hear.

And that was the last|anyone ever saw of her.

Come on, lots more to see.

This is the gymnasium.

The exercise equipment is out-of-date.

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