"I have to say, I'm not best pleased," Izzy said. "The children copy what happens in the stories, you know. You shouldn't put ideas like that into their heads."

"Really?" The Master tutted softly. "In a thrilling tale of murder, romance and insurance fraud, the children have been led astray to the extent of mixing tea and Ribena? Civilisation must surely be doomed."

"You can laugh," Izzy muttered. "You didn't have to clear up afterwards."

[Saint Mark's Square. Francis Westwick and the Countess are walking together.]

Jago / Francis :
And there you have it. Each member of my family experienced uncanny phenomena while staying at the hotel. Now, I put it to you: Is this not first-rate material for a play? The ghostly influence making itself felt by one relation after another, until the one comes who will see the Unearthly Creature, and know the terrible truth!

Gwendoline / Countess [staring at him in horror] :
And when she sees him, will I see him too?

Jago / Francis :
Come, come, you're weary and over-wrought. Let me see you safe back to your hotel. Where are you staying?

Gwendoline / Countess :
The one on the quay. I can't remember the name. I think my mind must be going.

Jago / Francis :
Danieli's?

Gwendoline / Countess :
Yes.

[They set off together.]

Gwendoline / Countess :
Tell me: Are you going to sleep in the room tonight?

Jago / Francis :
No, my friend Litefoot is there tonight. But he leaves tomorrow. I haven't decided whether to take the room after that.

Gwendoline / Countess :
Don't. I shall sleep there until Miss Lockwood arrives, and then give the room up to her.

Jago / Francis :
After all you have heard, you still want to sleep in that room?

Gwendoline / Countess :
No! I want to leave Venice and never speak to any of you again!

Jago / Francis :
Why don't you, then?

Gwendoline / Countess :
I don't know! Some will that is stronger than mine drives me on to my destruction, in spite of my own self!

"Definitely post-hypnotic conditioning," Baby Vicki said.

"More like the author making the rules up as he goes along," Donna said darkly.

Master / Narrator [vo] :
Francis saw the Countess safely to her hotel, and then returned to the Palace Hotel. The manager was waiting for him.

[The Palace Hotel. François grabs Jago / Francis as he arrives, and drags him into his office.]

François :
Before you come here, you say you want Room 13A. Now you say Room 13A have bad smell. Under circumstances, François beg to be excused from reserving room for you.

Jago / Francis :
Do you wish me to leave the hotel?

François :
No, you sleep on truckle bed in attic, like François say before.

Master / Narrator [vo] :
The next morning, when Francis came down to breakfast, he discovered that the Countess had already arrived and booked Room 13A. But before he could do anything, he received a letter from his brother Henry.

[Milan. Professor Litefoot is negotiating with Tallulah.]

Harry / Henry [vo] :
I urge you to come back to Milan at once. Your so-called colleague has gone behind your back and is trying to bribe your star attraction away.

Jago / Francis :
Gad, this treachery is not to be borne! Porter, call a gondola! I must leave for Milan at once!

Treader 27 :
As You Command.

Harry / Henry [vo] :
Our brother, his wife, Agnes and the children will arrive in Venice in three days' time. They know nothing of our adventures at the hotel, and have telegraphed to the manager for the accommodation that they want.

Jago / Francis :
Hmmph. Gluttons for punishment, in my opinion.

Treader 27 :
Your Gondola Is At The Door, Sir.

Jago / Francis :
Splendid. Fetch my luggage. I must catch the Milan train.

[He bustles out.]

Master / Narrator [vo] :
Towards evening on the third day, Lord Montbarry and his travelling companions arrived, punctual to their appointment. The Countess was watching for them.

[The main entrance of the Palace Hotel. A gondola is moored outside. The Countess is looking down from a first-floor window.]

Master / Narrator [vo] :
First came the new Lord, then his wife...

[Adric jumps out of the gondola, as if stung by something. Nyssa follows, toying with the fastening of the elaborate brooch on her blouse.]

Master / Narrator [vo] :
Then the three children, and last of all, Agnes.

[Agnes lifts the children out, one by one, before following them.]

Master / Narrator [vo] :
As she ascended to the door of the hotel, the Countess (eyeing her through an opera-glass) noticed that she paused to look at the outside of the building, and that her face was very pale.

[Inside the hotel. François is showing the party round their suite.]

François :
Sitting room here. Bedroom for parents. Bedroom for children.

Nyssa / Ella :
But what about Agnes?

François :
No bedroom available on this floor for governess. She go on next floor up.

Nyssa / Ella [indicating the door to Room 13A] :
Can't we have this one?

François :
Already occupied by widow lady.

Nyssa / Ella [whipping out a stiletto dagger] :
I don't find that very satisfactory. Get her to move.

François :
Nothing to be done. If you start threatening staff or other guests, you get thrown out of window by golem.

Nyssa / Ella :
Oh, squish. All right, you may go. Don't expect a tip.

[François bows and departs.]

Nyssa / Ella :
Agnes, are you all right? You're looking pale.

Ace / Agnes :
Just a bit woozy.

Adric / Lord Montbarry :
Why not come for a walk in the fresh air? Do you the world of good.

Ace / Agnes :
And since when did you enjoy fresh air?

Adric / Lord Montbarry :
Just because I'm brilliant at mathematics doesn't mean I spend all my time indoors. I spent most of my youth scrumping marsh fruit.

Ace / Agnes :
Pull the other one.

Adric / Lord Montbarry :
Seriously. Come on, I'll tell you all about it. Ella, darling, can you keep an eye on the children?

Nyssa / Ella [through gritted teeth] :
Yes, my sweet.

Master / Narrator [vo] :
They spent an hour walking around the city. As they returned, passing under the colonnade, neither of them noticed a lady in deep mourning, loitering in the open space of the square.

Ace / Agnes [approaching the Countess] :
Hang on. Don't I know you?

Gwendoline / Countess :
I do not think...

Ace / Agnes :
It's you!

[She grabs the Countess. Once more, the two go for each other, hammer and tongs.]

Master / Narrator [vo] :
Stop it! You're not even supposed to have noticed her. Once and for all, will you two... Are you even listening to me?

[Agnes and the Countess teeter on the brink of a canal, then topple in. There is a colossal splash.]

The Master slammed the book shut.

"The Countess drowned," he said. "And so did Miss Lockwood. And the moral is, do what you're told and don't get into fights."

Setting the book down on the chair, he stalked out.