Weird Woman

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This is the Inner Sanctum.

A strange, fantastic world

controlled by a mass

of living, pulsating flesh,

the mind.

It destroys, distorts,

creates monsters,

commits murder.

Yes.

Even you, without knowing,

can commit murder.

The so-called phenomena

of mysticism and sorcery

are brought about

through fear.

Fear,

enslaving countless millions,

making them believe because

they are afraid not to believe.

Reason against superstition.

Superstition,

casting its shadow

across even our civilization,

holding up strange

supernatural gods

to play on man's imagination.

Yes, we still have

a long way to go.

Hello. Yes.

I was concerned about Paula. I

wanted to know if she was all right.

Of course she's all right.

Why shouldn't she be?

Why? I don't know. But I

happened to be looking out,

and I thought I saw her

hurrying madly along the street.

And after all, Norman,

at this hour.

Why, Paula's been in bed all evening.

I'm sure you must be mistaken.

Well, maybe I was.

Sorry to bother you.

Good night.

Don't do that. It's bad luck.

Paula, haven't I told you, there's

nothing to these superstitions?

Norman, you should be in bed.

I thought I heard

someone walking about.

There's no one walking. It's the

wind. It makes things creak and slam.

Yes, I suppose so.

Why don't you go to bed?

It's late.

In a little while. I have

some more writing to do.

I'm sorry I awakened you.

Now, go to sleep.

Good night.

Mud on her shoes.

She lied to me. She was out.

She must have gone

some distance.

Where?

What for?

Is she in some

sort of trouble,

or is she still clinging to the weird pagan

ritual of the islands where I first met her?

What are you doing?

Well, what is that?

He's trying to tell you it's

a line you must not cross.

All who do so offer themselves as

sacrifice to the god, Kahuna Ana Ana.

And they must die.

Oh, I see. Thank you.

Did you see the star?

Yes, I did.

It was almost as though

it was an answer to the drums.

It was. It's the music

of the dance of death.

And where the star fell,

someone will die.

Oh, now...

Oh, you mustn't scoff.

You should be very grateful

to have seen what you've seen.

Let me introduce myself.

I'm Norman Reed.

Reed?

Norman Reed?

Yes.

Didn't you come to see my

father once as a student?

He was Professor of Archeology

at the university here.

Professor Clayton.

Why, of course,

I remember Professor Clayton.

And you're that little

pigtailed, freckle-faced girl.

Your name is... It's Paula.

Oh, you do have a good memory.

It was soon after that Father died and

Laraua, my old nurse, brought me up.

She's a high priestess now.

It's almost unbelievable,

finding someone like you

in this strange setting

with witchcraft

and jungle gods. It's...

You must keep quiet. You've

offended the native gods.

Only the power of Laraua's white magic

can appease them and heal your wounds.

She has placed you

within a circle of immunity.

Wait.

Soon good.

Protect, protect, protect.

Paula said it was a circle of

immunity that saved my life.

Strange superstitious child.

I remember when I first brought

her home from the islands.

Norman. He's here.

Oh, darling, it's wonderful

to have you back.

Ilona, I...

Hello, Norman.

Norman, glad to see you.

Hello everybody.

Paula, dear.

Folks, this is my wife.

Welcome, my dear.

Oh, she's lovely.

Norman, you sly old fox.

This is a great day,

a great day for Monroe.

Norman, you've certainly done yourself

proud, a brilliant book and a beautiful bride.

Come, this calls

for a real celebration.

Get yourself some asbestos mittens

before you light that torch, Ilona.

This is Professor

and Mrs. Harrison.

How do you do, Professor?

And here are the Sawtelles.

Millard's in the Sociology Department,

and Evelyn's a shark at bridge.

Well, Norman, we received the

advance copies of the book.

Why, it's a fine job.

And fine press, too.

Well, thank you.

Millard's written a book,

too, since you left,

and it's been accepted

by World Press.

Oh, that's fine. Congratulations

to you, Millard, then.

Thank you. Yes, yes,

I've really been too busy,

but Evelyn kept at me.

Not as brilliant as yours.

Oh, now.

With this admiring throng's permission,

the hostess would like to introduce herself.

Well, it's about time. This

is my sister Ilona, Mrs. Reed.

I want you two to be good

friends. I hope we shall be.

Why don't we start by

mixing you a drink?

Norman, will you help me mix

another round? He's an expert mixer.

And now, my dear, if you

will... That will do, Septimus.

Why, you seventh son of a

seventh son, give it a rest.

Come away from this aging wolf

in an academic sheepskin, child.

Well, it looked like everything

is practically ready to me.

A fine return, Norman.

I planned this little party for

your homecoming, and look what I get.

In front of all those people.

Well, those things happen.

I met Paula, fell in love with

her, and that's all there is to it.

Well, it isn't enough.

It isn't enough to keep everyone on

the campus from laughing behind my back.

Oh, Ilona, quit dramatizing

yourself. It's not your style.

We had a pleasant flirtation and... Is

that all it meant to you, flirtation?

Of course, and that's

all it meant to you.

It suits you to say that now.

Oh, Ilona, for Pete's sake, the worst I

could have done is to puncture your ego.

You compliment me.

Oh, why can't you be sensible?

We can still be friends. There's

no use being childish about this.

My humble apologies. I

won't be childish about this.

Fair Hebe,

bearer of the vestal cup.

In other words, he means,

"Bring on the drinks. "

Come on, everybody,

a toast to the bride.

What's the matter, Evelyn?

Scared Millard won't be promoted

to the sociology chairmanship?

Here's to the bride.

Oh, thank you.

And the groom.

To Superstition

vs. Reason and Fact.

The book, of course,

and to the bride.

Oh, it's a bad omen to clink glasses.

Oh, I never heard of that one before.

We don't believe in those silly

superstitions, do we, Norman?

What an odd-looking

medallion. I always wear it.

My old nurse gave it to me. She

said it was a good luck piece.

Yes, you'll read all about it in my

book. That is, if you read my book.

But I have read it.

You've even got the medallion

on the cover, haven't you?

That was Paula's idea.

According to the islanders, it's supposed

to be very powerful magic, isn't it?

Well, in a way it is,

yes, but... Oh, Norman!

I suppose you know that old Henry

Braggs has gone to Cornwall Tech as Dean.

I did. I think he'll do

a fine job of it, too.

That leaves the sociology

chairmanship open.

Of course, Evelyn thinks that

Millard's got it all sewed up.

I don't anything of the sort.

It's just according to seniority.

Oh, now, now, my dear...

Well, she's perfectly right.

You're right in line

for it, Millard.

Oh, fiddle-faddle.

Brains might be a factor, too.

Grace, you're incorrigible. Don't

you pay any attention to her.

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