They were to see, in fact, a picturization of certain unfinished
details connected with her own career on earth, over which he, for one,
felt curiosity. He had ordered the life-films to date of John Cabot
brought from the supply house and cut to give a comprehensive exposé of
a character that would refuse to heed the death cries of a girl whom,
by the honor code of Earth, he was bound to protect. Satan himself had
hit on an apt title, but had not previewed the picture and had left the
sub-titling to his first fiend-scenarist. He hoped for an entertaining
and regardless presentation.
At the Devil’s Own Playhouse it was evident that the feature had
been extensively billed. The capacity of the theater was taxed to
standing-room when the King led his interesting guest into the royal
box. Down over the billows of faces that waved back at their entrance,
Dolores looked with pitying eyes. On a few was apathy; on more, fevered
eagerness; on most, apprehension. The Sea of the Fear of Despair
they were--a Dead Sea, indeed. She, too, soon was carried out toward
its white-caps of hoping thoughts, caught in its undertow. This she
realized from the emotion within herself which began with the curtain’s
rise--the deeps of heartbreak disturbed by the high-winds of hope.
The camera was said not to lie. If His Highness’ boasted topical review
was bona-fide, some excuse might evolve for him who had refused to heed
her call.
The series of incidents unfolded upon the super-quick silver screen may
most readily be grasped, perhaps, by a perusal of the working synopsis
to which the master-director of Hell Films cut the production.
THE TURN TURTLE
HIS SATANIC MAJESTY
Presents
John Cabot
In Facts from His Natural History
Shown in Three Turns.
(_On Screen_)
The turn turtle is an insignificant reptile, great only in its
cowardice. It never looks danger in the face, but at first alarm pulls
in its head and scuddles away. Watch this one.
Turtle enters slowly. Protrudes head. Looks around. Face changes
to that of John Cabot. A pair of hands--recognizably Dolores
Trent’s--appear. Stretch toward turtle. Face shows fright. Head
withdraws into shell. Turtle crawls off.
(_On Screen_)
THE FIRST TURN
John Cabot enters his Broad Street office. Seats himself at desk. Goes
through pile of letters in weary manner. Stops to study one.
(_Show, in Dolores’ Handwriting--Envelope of Dolores’ note, with
“Personal” underscored and the return address of Retreat for Wayward
Girls in corner._)
John interrupted by arrival of Rufus Holt who looks worried, but tries
to cheer up when John asks about Dolores. Attorney assures John:
(_Insert_) “_Miss Trent is comfortably settled at a shore resort, as
well and happy as can be expected until matters are settled._”
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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