Cryptic Canticles presents Dracula

Jonathan observes the Count climbing down the wall from his window several more times, and notices that the Castle is built on an outcropping so it is only accessible from one side. Once the Count was out of the castle, Jonathan goes exploring and finds the the front door was locked, and the key missing so he might not escape. He discovers a door which appeared to be locked, but which gave under pressure. The view from the window is breathtaking, and the furniture suggested that he stumbled into a disused ladies’ boudoir. Jonathan marvels at how untouched the castle is from Nineteenth century modernity.

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Lucy Westenra writes to Mina Murray about the latest gossip. She is spending a lot of time with Arthur Holmwood, and her mother thinks him a fine fellow. Arthur introduced her to a man named Dr. John Seward, owner of his own lunatic asylum, who Lucy thinks is remarkably resolute. She feels that Seward is trying to read her, but she evades him. Lucy reveals that she is in love with Arthur Holmwood, and hopes for a bright future with him.

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Jonathan Harker continues to be a guest of the Count. The Count begins to ask questions about how business is conducted in London, and whether he might employ multiple solicitors so that the whole of his business isn’t known by one man. He then asks Jonathan to write to his loved ones and tell them that he will be staying with the Count for a full month. Jonathan understands that protest is futile, so he does as he is asked. He notices that the Count is conducting business of his own, and has left a pile of letters on the table, whose destinations Jonathan notes. The Count returns and tells Jonathan that should he explore the castle, he must not fall asleep anywhere except in the rooms that are known to him. Whist exploring the Castle, Jonathan is alarmed to see the Count climb out his bedroom window and scurry down the exterior wall, head first, as a lizard climbs.

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Mina Murray writes to her best friend, Lucy Westenra. Mina tells Lucy that she is learning shorthand so that she might assist her fiance, Jonathan Harker, once he returns from his business trip abroad. To that end, she will keep a journal and hone her mind to remember the details of her days. She asks Lucy to tell her of the latest gossip of Lucy’s budding love life.

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The Count throws away Jonathan's traveling mirror when Jonathan starts to suspect that the Count casts no reflection. It dawns upon Jonathan that he is unable to leave the castle, and that the Count is secretly performing all the servants' duties. Jonathan resolves himself to try and discover all he can about the Count in case a chance to escape might present itself. Inspired by lively conversation, the Count boasts about his lineage and ancestry as though he were among them. He tells of the Icelandic Ugric Tribe and the Huns from which his people are descended, and of the many battles they won over the Turks. He concludes by stating that the time of glory has passed into dishonorable peace. This takes them again to the morning, when he allows Jonathan to retire to bed.

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The Count returns late in the day to find Jonathan passing the time in his library. The Count presses Jonathan to stay with him for a while and help him improve his English so as to eradicate his accent. He welcomes Jonathan to explore his home, but cautions him to avoid any locked doors. When asked, Dracula explains that the blue flames in the woods denoted the location of buried treasure, left over from an ancient war between the native peasants and Austrian and Hungarian invaders.

Jonathan and the Count pour over maps and deeds to a house that the Count is purchasing, called Carfax. When the Count finally concluded business and conversation, it was again early morning.

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Jonathan Harker, while traveling to meet the Count, pondered gravely at the reactions of the peasants around him, as they murmur indistinctly about the supernatural horrors that await him. The peasant coachman hurried the horses over the picturesque terrain so as to arrive at the rendezvous point a full hour early. He was foiled, however, when the Count's coachman, a man of mysteriously prodigious strength, met them regardless, and took Jonathan away to the castle. The ride in Dracula's coach was filled with wonders and horrors as blue flames appeared the woods and wolves assailed their coach. Jonathan discovered that the coachman was driving him in circles to unknown purpose.

The elderly Count Dracula met Jonathan at the castle, offering him dinner and hospitality. He surprised Jonathan with a letter from his employer, Peter Hawkins, recommending Jonathan and praising his discretion. While the Count did not eat with Jonathan, he kept him company through supper, and by the time Jonathan had concluded with his meal and conversation, it was early morning.

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The Count has sent money sufficient to pay for a carriage to carry Jonathan Harker to his castle. The townspeople act peculiarly, however, when the subject of the count is raised. His landlady at inn begged Jonathan not to go, for the following day is St. George's Day, when evil is most powerful. She pressed upon him a crucifix, which he reluctantly accepted. Follow us on Twitter.com/CryptiCanticles, Facebook.com/DraculaRadioPlay, and at crypticcanticles.com

Solicitor Jonathan Harker travels on business to Bistriz on his way to Castle Dracula.​ ​Follow us on Twitter.com/CryptiCanticles, Facebook.com/DraculaRadioPlay, and at crypticcanticles.com

Episode Synopsis: Mina and Van Helsing start eastward on foot, carrying provisions and means of keeping warm. Mina is tired after a steep descent, and Van Helsing finds a sort of sheltered spot that he picks to rest. Mina is still unable to take food. Van Helsing starts at the sight of the Szgany driving their wagon at top speed, upon which is the box containing the Count. Van Helsing quickly draws another holy circle protecting their location from the Count. As they watch the wagon, they catch sight of Seward and Quincey racing from the south and Jonathan and Arthur racing from the north, all on horseback converging on the team carrying the Count and hurrying to catch him before the imminent sunset. Another survey revealed clusters of wolves gathering.

Just as the team approaches their rock, Mina and Van Helsing bear their weapons as both groups of pursuers command the team to stop. Jonathan and Quincey break through the fight of attackers and manage to prise the lid of the box, despite Quincey having been wounded in the act. The Count’s body disintegrates almost immediately, frightening the Szgany, who run frightened. Attention turns immediately to Quincey, who is collapsing under the strain of his wound. Quincey attests, however, that it was worth giving his life, for the scar has disappeared from Mina’s forehead, symbolizing the eradication of her vampire affliction. Surrounded by his friends, Quincey Morris quietly passes away.

Seven years later, Jonathan recalls the horrific events of the past. He and Mina journey to Transylvania to retrace their old steps. Arthur and Seward are both married, and life has healed around their traumatic past. Mina and Jonathan have a son which they call “Quincey”. Van Helsing remarks that some day their child, who shares a birthday with the day Quincey died, will learn that his mother, Mina, is a most loved and most remarkable woman.

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