[Blindly feeling her way along the dark, musty corridor, Laura sighs loudly.] Why didn't I think to grab a flashlight? [Trying to squint through the blackness, Laura thinks to herself. She knew Grace was on edge and had been for days. She was volatile and this incident with John may have been just the break Laura had been looking for, but...] Damn Sam and Roman! [Dropping her voice, Laura mumbles to herself as she presses forward.] They just had to keep pushing. So help me God, if their stupid insistence has pushed Marlena deeper beneath the surface, I'll tear 'em limb from limb with my bare hands. [Laura's teeth grind as her mind strays...not to mention Shane. If there was one thing she was certain of, it was Roman running his big mouth off to Shane about his suspicions. With a slight shake of the head, she clears her mind of distraction. Unsure], Grace? Marlena?

Marlena: [Just as Laura is about to give up and return for a flashlight, a low gutteral moan catches her attention.] Mmm...

[It splits the silence--inhuman, like a caged animal. Scanning the darkness, Laura tries to follow the sound. Out of the corner of her eye, Laura sees the gossamar strand of a brief blond shadow. Rushing forward, she kneels beside Marlena's prone form--curled almost fetal.] Honey? [Nothing.] It's Laura. [With tentative fingers, she pulls the sweaty hair away from Marlena's neck.] Can you hear me? [For a brief moment she wonders if she'll receive any response, but the infinitesimal nod and muffled "Yes" is a crushing relief. Sighing heavily], Can you tell me what's wrong? What hurts?

Marlena: [Her words escape in gasping, broken breaths.] My head...Feels like...it's...in a vice. [Rolling slightly onto her back, Marlena's eyes slit open and in their white's Laura sees for the first time the glassy unseeing quality.] Laura?

[Laura's lips curl into a satisfied smile.] The one and only. [Laura's brow furrows in concern.] Did you trip and fall? Maybe hit your head?

Marlena: [Low and pained], Ugh, No...Please, can we save the twenty questions for another time?

Okay. [Mentally, Laura runs through her options. Whoever she's talking to, she couldn't very well take her back in there with Sam and Roman--might as well feed her to the wolves. And she certainly couldn't examine her in this pitch black cavern. Reaching carefully, Laura helps Marlena to sit up.] You think you can stand? [Laura meets her weak nod with a quirky smile.] Oops! I lied...I promised no more questions. [A flash of clarity swims over Marlena's eyes.] Let's see if we can't get you outside. Afterall, fresh air is the miracle cure--overcomes whatever ails you. [Awkwardly they stand as Laura takes the bulk of Marlena's weight and starts for the entrance.]
confessed by Laura at 7:55 PM

[After slamming the door, Grace makes it half-way down the dank, rocky corridor before she stumbles against the wall. Moaning, she grabs at her head and sinks down against the rough-hewn stone. The headache that has been plaguing her all day has finally overtaken her physically and it's all she can do not to pass out.]

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

[What might be several minutes, or several hours have passed before footsteps finally echo down the dark passage and a voice comes out of the darkness.]

The Big BadAss: [Flippantly.] Fine pickle you got yourself into here, Gracie. Alienated the one person who was still willing to stand by you... gee, why don't you try getting a little more unstable, ratings could really go through the roof. [Sighs.] Of course your sister isn't much better. What colour is the sky in her reality?

[There is no answer from Grace as Bob comes meekly up behind the Big BadAss.]

Bob: [Uncertainly.] Uhhh.... is she okay?

BB-Ass: [Shrugging carelessly.] She's still breathing which means she's still alive. I have bigger things to worry about Bob. [She turns to Bob, her hands on her hips.] Thanks so much for all your help by the way. Yeesh, does a girl have to do everything herself around this place?

[With no answer from Bob, BBA rolls her eyes and turns to march up the corridor to the heavy door which is set into the rock. Unbolting it, she swings it open. Inside, Isabella lies motionless in a pool of blood on the floor. BBA motions to two Burly Medics that stand behind Bob.]

BBA: You two, take her... somewhere. Since she was already dead, I guess it doesn't really matter any that she's dead now. [The Burly Medics bend over and check Isabella out. Ascertaining that she still actually has a pulse, they pick her up and carry her out of the room. BBA looks at Sam and Roman.] You two have caused a lot of trouble, you know that? Our ratings went through the roof with that drunken picnic stuff and then you had to come in and stir up trouble. [Glares at Sam.] And I don't know what on earth comes over Laura when you're around. [Turns to Laura.] Have you ever thought of having yourself checked out by some qualified doctors from like... outside Salem? Cause I'm thinking maybe Stefano implanted you with one of his chips and this here [she motions in Sam's direction] psycho twin is messing with it, cause sister there's some continuity issues going on there with your personality.

Laura: [Sighs wearily.] Don't I know it.

[BBA walks over to where John is still chained to the bed.] Well well, this is a turn-up for the books. Dammit Bob, why didn't we know this place existed? Some camera's down here and we would have sold this on pay per view.

Roman: Listen Your BadAssness, thanks for rescuing us and all but I need to go and find Mar... find Grace and work out how to get Marlena back.

BBA: [waves her hand and two Burly Bodyguards, Joe and Moe appear.] You're not going anywhere until I get this all straightened out. Moe... chains honey. [Moe thunders over to where John lies in the bed and tears the chains apart with his bare hands.]

Laura: [Chuckling.] I guess that's why they call this reality television huh?

BBA: [Grins.] My kind of reality television anyway. [She produces a skeleton key from her pocket and shrugs.] I just love to see him do that. [She tosses the key to Moe who unlocks the manacles around John's wrists and feet. Moe moves away as BBA moves to John's side. Grabbing a pitcher of water, she throws it all over John's face.] Okay big guy, wakie wakie. We got a game to play here and your wife needs a little attention.

[John opens his eyes and actually looks lucidly around the room.] Doc? Is she here?

Laura: [Dryly.] In a manner of speaking. [Watches as John throws the covers off and swings his legs out of the bed. As he tries to get up, he staggers and she rushes to help him.] Okay John, honey, you've been out of commission for a while. You're not going to be able to do this right away.

John: [Turns haunted, bloodshot eyes on Laura and speaks, his voice hoarse.] She needs me Laura. I have to find her.

Laura: [Concerned.] John, you're not going to be any use to her in this state.

Roman: [Irritated that it looks like John's going to waltz in and try and save the day when he's done all the hard work, once again.] She's right. You need to rest up. Sam and I, we'll go and find Marlena.

Laura: [Angrily.] You will do no such thing. You've caused enough trouble already. [Turns to the BBA who nods nonchalantly.]

BBA: She was in the tunnel last time I saw her. I think she wasn't feeling too hot though.

Bob: [Timidly to Laura.] I think she needs your help. She was kinda doubled over and looked as though she was in pain.

Laura: [Disbelieving.] And you *left* her there? [Narrows her eyes in disgust and then storms out of the room.]

[John makes a pitiful effort to follow her but one look from the BBA and Moe throws him back to the bed.] Nuh-uh fly-boy. Before you go anywhere, you're getting dressed. [Flings a pair of silver pants at him.]

John: [Looks at her like she's going crazy.] You think I'm going to wear those?? I could be going through a mid-life crisis and I *still* wouldn't wear those. How about some real clothes, lady?

BBA: [Shrugs as she pulls open a drawer in the armoire.] Okay, so guess he's *not* you after all.... [Looks at Sam and Roman who stand resentfully staring at Joe who is between them and the door.] And you two.... [shakes her head.] You really should have listened to the shrink. She was doing quite nicely dealing with Grace all on her own. Until you butted in.

John: [Pulling on a maroon t-shirt and a pair of blue jeans.] Grace...? Someone care to tell me what's going on here? [Looks towards the door and suddenly attempts to bolt for it again as he gets another vibe that Marlena needs him. However he is stopped by Moe and the BBA shakes her head.]

BBA: [Chuckling quietly.] John, John, John.... have I got a story for you....

The Latest Non-Survivor and the Next Vote

Well....since you all won't let Isabella go (Bob, where the hell are you??), let's try again, shall we??

Hope Williams Brady, off you go! And, dammit, find Isabella and drag her away, too. Something's starting to smell around here, and I'm thinking it's her hair. Leave your parting words if you'd like and be on the next ferry back to Salem with the rest of the flippin' freaks.

Now, everybone else, NEXT VOTE is due in by Midnight ET on Wednesday. Send your vote, along with your reason behind your vote, to the Tribal Council E-Mail. Don't forget to include your own name as well, just for reference's sake!
confessed by Your Host, The Big BadAss at 4:48 AM