History Recap / AreYouAfraidOfTheDarkSeason7TheTaleOfTheManyFaces

* AnAesop: How you look doesn't matter as much as who you are on the inside. Nobody can ever take that from you.

* YouAreNumberSix: Those inducted into Madame's theatre company are made to wear masks, and grey gowns marked with a numerical designation.

Girl 72 and Girl 84 each seize Madame Visage’s arms. Emma takes the small photo album, shows Madame Visage her own, three hundred year-old face, and, with a raised finger, advances. Emma Madame Visage’s cheek. The face blurs, swirls, and reverts to the aged features of Madame Visage’s true face. Without another word, Madame Visage turns and slumps, face down, onto her dressing table. Emma gently raises the aged, lifeless face. In a vaporous blur, the skin vanishes - to reveal an ancient skull. Emma and the others remove their masks - to find their faces restored. With gasps and laughs of relief all round, Emma approaches the unmasked Lizzie - who now has the face of the Talent Scout. Jessie inspects the Punishment Book - all of whose pages are blank.

* FateWorseThanDeath: The Punishment Book.

Vange ponders the fun of using a mask to adapt another personality - but what if a mask not only hid your personality, but took it away? Submitted for the approval of the Midnight Society, she calls this story "The Tale of the Many Faces."

Vange wears a skull mask.

-->'''Vange:''' ''Reeeuurgh''!! ...I love masks! You put one on, and it changes who you are. ''{Ducks behind sofa, and emerges in a clown mask}'' You can be goofy!
-->'''Quinn:''' You don’t need a mask for that.
-->'''Vange:''' ''{dons feathered eye mask}'' Or… glamorous!
-->'''Megan:''' Dreaming!
-->'''Vange:''' ''{in blank mask}'' Or… mysterious!
She then dons a red, hairy masks with huge teeth and tusks.
-->'''Andy:''' I like those clear masks that change your face just a little bit… way creepy!
-->'''Vange:''' The thing about masks is that they let you be whatever you wanna be. Underneath, you’re still you. But no one can tell, ‘cause they can’t see behind the mask. My story is about the horror of what’s losing what’s behind the mask. Behind every mask is the one thing that makes you different from everyone else - your personality. But if you lose it, no one would know you, no one would care. You’d be all alone, and forgotten.

Submitted for the approval of the Midnight Society, she calls this story “The Tale of Many Faces”.

At a modelling audition, photographer Jacques directs aspiring model Emma to emote the comfort of a warm sweater on a cold day - but decides she’s not what he’s looking for, and calls the next auditionee.

As Jacques’s camera goes crazy for Jessie, Emma watches ruefully.

A thrilled Jacques quickly announces his selectee, and congratulates Jessie.

As Emma dejectedly packs her bag, Jessie catches up with her.

-->'''Jessie:''' Are you okay?
-->'''Emma:''' Sure. Hey, congratulations!
-->'''Jessie:''' You’ll get the next one!
-->'''Emma:''' With this face? Not likely.
-->'''Jessie:''' Don’t say that. You’re beautiful.
-->'''Emma:''' Yeah, right. Since when is thin lips and a big nose beautiful?

They are suddenly approached by a young, darkly dressed woman.

-->'''Talent Scout:''' But you ''are'' beautiful! You have the cheekbones of a Russian princess, and the eyes of an Egyptian queen. Have you thought about performing in the theatre?
-->'''Emma:''' Thought about it? I ''dream'' about the theatre! ...Who are you?
-->'''Talent Scout:''' A talent scout. For the Madame Visage Theatre Company. ''{hands Emma business card}'' Go to that address. See if you like it. ''{leaves}''

-->'''Jessie:''' ...That was weird. Are you gonna go?
-->'''Emma:''' I dunno… What have I got to lose?

In the courtyard of a stately redbrick building, Emma approaches an arched set of double doors, by which hangs a purple sign. Above its legend “MANY FACES… MANY LIVES” are pictures of variably emotive theatrical masks, and the small, encircled, monochrome headshots of four young women.

Inside, Emma explores a wood panelled hallway rowed with several headless, frocked mannequins.

Behind her opens a side door. Emma approaches for assistance - and faces a young woman in a grey gown and grey, eyeless, pink-cheeked mask. The figure looks at Emma, and skittishly hurries away.

Emma follows her across the hall, but meets only a swiftly slammed door.

From behind arrives a similarly masked girl.

-->'''Girl 66:''' What do you want?
-->'''Emma:''' I’m here to see Madame Visage. Someone gave me this? ‘’{holds up card}’’

Girl 66 silently opens the door through which she came, and gestures.

-->'''Emma:''' What’s with the masks?
-->'''Girl 66:''' We’re rehearsing a play.
-->'''Emma:''' Oh… cool.

In a gallery rowed with framed sketches of finely gowned young women, a gramophone, and various quaint ornaments, Emma picks up a blue feathered scarf.

Behind her opens a large patterned door, from which emerges a woman in a flowing feathered gown and turban.

-->'''Madame Visage:''' Are you interested in the theatre?
-->'''Emma:''' Well, sort of. I got this -

Madame Visage gently raises a finger to her mouth for silence.

-->'''Madame Visage:''' You are stunning, indeed… Come, sit!/

Before a mirror, she directs Emma to emote.

-->'''Madame Visage:''' Lovely, Emma, just lovely!
-->'''Emma:''' How did you know my name?
-->'''Madame Visage:''' Your face would be perfect for the lead role in my new play.
-->'''Emma:''' The lead… for real?
-->'''Madame Visage:''' But only after the right preparation. Are you willing?
-->'''Emma:''' Of course! What do I have to do?
-->'''Madame Visage:''' My theatre is known the world over for presenting the most lovely faces to whoever graces the stage. But raw beauty is only just the start.

She glides over to a cabinet, and retrieves a disc-shaped golden pot.

-->'''Madame Visage:''' This powder was developed over three hundred years ago. It conditions the skin, and gives it the most amazing properties.
-->'''Emma:''' Is that what you use? Your skin is beautiful! It almost glows.
-->'''Madame Visage:''' Ah, glow is the right word! When your skin is prepared with this powder, stage lighting is almost unnecessary. Here, try some.

Emma sits at the dressing table, and tentatively dabs some of the powder on her face.

-->'''Madame Visage:''' Oh, I can see the change already…!\

Back in the hallway…

-->'''Madame Visage:''' Apply the powder frequently. And then come back tomorrow and we shall begin our… adventure!

As Emma leaves, Madame Visage looks sharply towards a call from Girl 66.

-->'''Girl 66:''' We’re waiting!
-->'''Madame Visage:''' Where is she?

In a side room, a terrified, struggling masked woman is held by two more of the masked order.

-->'''Madame Visage:''' Bring me the Punishment Book.\

Another masked attendant fetches and hands her a large, hardback volume.

The flanked woman screams…

At Jacques’s studio, the photographer delightedly takes numerous shots of Jessie, who poses with a baseball glove and ball.

While the attendant stylist prepares her for another shoot, Jessie eagerly hears Emma’s exciting news.

-->'''Jacques:''' Jessie, mon amour, we will set up - ''{to Emma}'' hello!
-->'''Emma:''' Hi!
-->'''Jacques:''' ''{peers at her in fascination}'' Do you model?
-->'''Emma:''' I auditioned for you yesterday…!
-->'''Jacques:''' No, no, no, you did not…!
-->'''Emma:''' I did!
-->'''Jessie:''' She did.
-->'''Jacques:''' ...What was I thinking? Ah… may I…?
-->'''Emma:''' ''{looks uncertainly to Jessie, who grins}'' ...Okay…!
While the stylist takes her jacket, Emma steps up to the set. Before the sunny, forested backdrop, she poses with easy confidence.

-->'''Jacques:''' Yes, yes! Wonderful! Okay - look at me like I’m a bonbon! You are hungry! A candy! Yes, yes! Perfect! Yes, I love it! How I missed it, I do not know! I’m such an imbecile! Yes, so beautiful! I love your smile!
-->'''Jessie:''' Way to go, Emma!
-->'''Jacques:''' …I have decided. You must be the next Spree cover girl!
-->'''Emma:''' Cover girl?!
-->'''Jacques:''' Oui, oui! You will be on the cover of one million catalogues, wearing the brand new line of Spree clothing.

The other auditionees applaud. Jessie gives Emma a celebratory hug.

At a dressing table, Jessie affirms that Emma does indeed look different. Emma mentions her sampling of a powder with mysterious properties, and departs for her theatre appointment.

At the theatre, Madame Visage examines Emma’s face from several angles, and with a clap, summons Girl 66 and Girl 87.

The masked attendants bring forth a large, hard-backed book, and set it on a table-mounted lectern.

-->'''Emma:''' What’s the play they’re rehearsing?
-->'''Madame Visage:''' Rehearsing? Oh, this no rehearsal! ''{opens book}}''
-->'''Emma:''' What’s this?
-->'''Madame Visage:''' These are my other faces.

Each blank page, marked with swirling black patterns, holds a seamless cut-out image of a different young woman’s face.

-->'''Emma:''' Oh, you mean the other actresses you’ve worked with?
-->'''Madame Visage:''' ...You might say that.
-->'''Emma:''' Maybe I’ll be in there, someday.
-->'''Madame Visage:''' Sooner than you think.

From behind, Girl 66 and Girl 87 seize each of Emma’s arms, and pull her back a few paces.

-->'''Emma:''' Hey…!\

As Emma struggles, she sees Madame touch a blank page. Across it flow what appear to be black liquid ripples, which seem to be one with the page. These fade, to reveal a cut-out image of Madame Visage’s own face.

Madame Visage snaps the book shut - and looks up. Her facial features have seamlessly vanished - save for blank eyes, a small, closed bump of a nose, and a lips-shaped protuberance around a tiny hole, her face is a mask of smooth blank flesh.

Emma screams in horror. Towards her, Madame Visage silently reaches an outstretched hand.

-->'''Emma:''' No! Get away from me! Get away from me! Get away!\

Madame Visage lightly touches Emma’s cheek. With a thick rippling sound, the featureless skin seamlessly bulges, flows, and instantly reforms, in the shape of Emma’s face.

-->'''Madame Visage:''' There… much better!\

On seeing in the mirror what has happened to her own face, Emma gives a muffled scream.

-->'''Emma:''' ''No''...! ''No''! ...My face! You took my face…!
-->'''Madame Visage:''' And what a wonderful face it is! It’s perfect for my new play. Welcome to my theatre group.

With a fresh blank mask and neatly folded grey gown, Girl 87 approaches Emma.

-->'''Girl 87:''' You’ll be Number 94.
-->'''Emma:''' What?
-->'''Girl 87:''' Names aren’t allowed. I’m 87.
-->'''Emma:''' But… but my face…
-->'''Girl 87:''' Madame Visage has it now. ''{holds mask to Emma’s face}'' It’s better this way. Trust me.

Just then, a curious Jessie arrives in the hallway.

-->'''Jessie:''' Hello… anybody here…? Emma…?\

A hand falls on her shoulder. She turns - to see the face of Emma, in the feathered dress of Madame Visage.

-->'''Jessie:''' Oh, Emma! Don’t be mad, please.
-->'''Madame Visage:''' Why would I be mad?
-->'''Jessie:''' Well, it’s just that… after what happened to you, I sort of… followed you here, so I could meet with this, uh… Madame Visage?
-->'''Madame Visage:''' I’m not mad!
-->'''Jessie:''' What’s with the feathers?
-->'''Madame Visage:''' We’re rehearsing.
-->'''Jessie:''' Oh. So, can you introduce me to her?
-->'''Madame Visage:''' Of course. Come with me!

In a gloomy, fireplace-lit costume room, Girl 87 briefs Emma.

-->'''Emma:''' She took their faces. Why?
-->'''Girl 87:''' Madame’s power is ancient. The faces keep her young. ‘’{across the room}’’ Everyone, this 94.

As one, several masked figures look up from their textile-related tasks, and resume work.

-->'''Girl 87:''' ...But she doesn’t steal faces just to stay young. She wants them for her plays. This is where we make her costumes.
-->'''Emma:''' Why doesn’t anyone stop her?
-->'''Girl 87:''' Madame is too powerful. If you displease her, she’ll expel you, and you’d have to live outside.
-->'''Emma:''' Can’t be worse than here.
-->'''Girl 87:''' No? Go outside, and see how people look at you.
-->'''Emma:''' This is horrible.
-->'''Girl 87:''' There’s… one thing more horrible. The Punishment Book.
-->'''Emma:''' The Punishment Book?

In involuntary fright, several masked girls glance their way.

-->'''Girl 87:''' Working here is a joy, compared to being banished there. If you’re sent to the Punishment Book, you’ll never be seen again.

Madame Visage escorts Jessie to her dressing room, and tells her to wait.

-->'''Jessie:''' Hey… do you think I could use some of Madame Visage’s powder?
-->'''Madame Visage:''' Of course! Use as much as you’d like.

In the hallway, Emma and Girl 87 walk together.

-->'''Emma:''' What did you look like?
->'''Girl 87:''' I’d rather not talk about it.
-->'''Emma:''' But you have to. It was you. What colour were your eyes?
-->'''Girl 87:''' Um… blue.
-->'''Emma:''' I bet you had a nice smile.
-->'''Girl 87:''' ''{a small laugh}'' I did. I could… show you, if you want.
-->'''Emma:''' How?
-->'''Girl 87:''' It’s in the book with all the others. But… if Madame catches us…
-->'''Emma:''' I want to see what you looked like.
-->'''Girl 87:''' ''{hushed}'' Come on.

…

In the dressing room, Jessie turns the door handle - and finds herself to be locked in.

…

To an empty room where lies the Book of Faces, Girl 87 hurriedly leads Emma, and turns the pages to reveal the paper-imprisoned image of her smiling face.

-->'''Emma:''' What’s your name?
-->'''Girl 87:''' We’re forbidden to use names.
-->'''Emma:''' I don’t care. My name’s Emma.
-->'''Girl 87:''' I’m… Lizzie… I haven’t said that in a long time. The hardest thing is that… no one can tell you apart from anyone else. But it gets worse. No one can see how you feel. If you’re angry, or sad, or happy… it’s like you’re not there. Pretty soon, you stop feeling altogether.

In a windowed cabinet, Emma sees another book.

To Girl 87’s fearful protest, Emma makes for it.

A voice sounds behind them.


-->'''Girl 66:''' What are you doing? It’s forbidden to touch the book!
-->'''Girl 87:''' I’m sorry! I won’t do it again, I promise!
-->'''Emma:''' Leave Lizzie alone.
-->'''Girl 66:''' We don’t use names here. I’m taking her to Madame.
-->'''Girl 87:''' No! I’ll be good, I promise!

Emma comes between them.

-->'''Girl 66:''' Back off, 94!
-->'''Emma:''' I’m not 94. My name is Emma! And I’m gonna see what’s in that cabinet.

From around Girl 66’s neck, Emma seizes a dangling key.

With a further threat, Girl 66 storms off.

…

Madame Visage, still wearing Emma’s face, returns to the dressing room.

-->'''Jessie:''' Hey, you locked me in.
-->'''Madame Visage:''' Sorry. Are you using the powder?
-->'''Jessie:''' Yes! It’s amazing.

Jessie returns to the mirror. Behind her, Madame Visage stoops.

-->'''Madame Visage:''' This won’t take long at all…
-->'''Girl 66:''' Madame! You better come - now!
-->'''Jessie:''' She’s creepy. Why did she call you Madame?
-->'''Madame Visage:''' Part of the play. Wait here. Use more of that powder.

…

Emma unlocks the cabinet, and takes out the book.

-->'''Girl 87:''' Don’t! That’s the Punishment Book!\

Emma looks inside. The purple pages, set with multicoloured swirling patterns, are set with the seamlessly detached image of a young face, each set in a silent scream.

In the cabinet, Emma finds a small photo album. Its single, black page holds the seamlessly detached image of the face of an elderly woman.

-->'''Girl 66:''' ''{from outside}'' They’re here! They’re in the Inner Sanctum!
-->'''Girl 87:''' Hurry, Emma, I’m scared!
-->'''Emma:''' Is there another way out of here?
-->'''Girl 87:''' Yes, but they’ll get us!
-->'''Emma:''' Show me!

As the door opens, Emma and Girl 66 fly past their pursuers.

Down the hall, Emma leads them back to the costume room - she has an idea.

-->'''Girl 87:''' There’s nowhere to run.
-->'''Emma:''' We’re not going to run.
-->'''Madame Visage:''' That would be very wise. Now give me the book. Or your punishment will be more severe than you could ever imagine.
-->'''Emma:''' ... You can’t steal people’s faces.
-->'''Madame Visage:''' I’ve been doing it for centuries. All these lives are mine.
-->'''Emma:''' No, they’re not. You have our faces, but you can’t take away who we are.
-->'''Madame Visage:''' Your face is who you are.
-->'''Emma:''' No, it’s not. And I’m gonna stop you, right here!

Into the lit fireplace, she flings the Punishment Book.

-->'''Girl 66:''' No!\

With a contemptuous laugh, Madame Visage approaches the fireplace. With a whoosh, the flames are instantly extinguished.

-->'''Madame Visage:''' You think my power can be destroyed that easily? You’ve been watching too much television. ''{to the others}'' Take them to my chamber!

…

In her spacious, ornate lounge, Madame Visage considers her prisoners, both held at each arm by two masked girls.

-->'''Madame Visage:''' Now… what would be a fitting punishment?
-->'''Jessie:''' ''{just arrived}'' This is getting weird, Emma. I wanna leave.
-->'''Emma:''' That’s not me, Jessie!
-->'''Jessie:''' ...Okay, now I ''really'' wanna leave.

Girl 66 and Girl 65 seize each of Jessie’s arms.

-->'''Madame Visage:''' Bring me the Punishment Book.''{Girl 74 fetches it}'' Let this be a lesson - 94 and 87 disobeyed my rules. And they will be banished forever.
-->'''Emma:''' Stop! I’m not 94. My name is Emma. And her name is Lizzie. You all have names. You have friends and families. Try to remember! ''{to Girl 72, holding her left arm}'' What’s your name? ''{to Girl 83, at her right}'' What about you, what’s your name? Linda? Rachel? Robin? Listen to me: she took your faces, she didn’t take who you are - you’re still in there! It doesn’t have to be this way!

…

Girl 87 breaks free.

-->'''Girl 87:''' My name is Lizzie! I have a brother named Bill, and a dog named Maggie!
-->'''Madame Visage:''' Silence!
-->'''Girl 72:''' My name’s Kayla.
-->'''Emma:''' Good! ''{to Girl 83}'' Who are you?
-->'''Girl 83:''' I’m Hilary! I miss my parents.
-->'''Madame Visage:''' Quiet! None of you are to speak again! Bring me the Punishment Book! ''{snatches it from Girl 74}'' You will not defy me! I own you all!

She touches Girl 74’s brow.

With a strangled scream, Girl 74 exudes a dazzling shaft of yellow light, and is pulled, spinning, into its ethereal blaze, which in turn is then sucked into the Punishment Book.

-->'''Jessie:''' ...Okay. Now this is getting bad.
-->'''Madame Visage:''' Now, troublemaker… it’s your turn. Faces are mine, the girls are mine, and no one’s going to take them from me.
-->'''Girl 66:''' Stop! My name is Lorette. And you don’t own me.
-->'''Madame Visage:''' How are you! Listen to me! You’ll all be punished!
-->'''Girl 66:''' Take her!

Girl 72 and Girl 84 each seize Madame Visage’s arms.

-->'''Girl 66:''' What should we do?
-->'''Emma:''' I think it’s time we gave Madame Visage her own face back.

Emma takes the small photo album, shows Madame Visage her own, aged face, and, with a raised finger, advances.

-->'''Madame Visage:''' No! You can’t do that! It’s not my face anymore! It’s three hundred years old! ''Aaah…''!!

Emma Madame Visage’s cheek. The face blurs, swirls, and reverts to the aged features of Madame Visage’s true face.

Without another word, Madame Visage turns and slumps, face down, onto her dressing table. Emma gently raises the aged, lifeless face. In a vaporous blur, the skin vanishes - to reveal an ancient skull.

Emma and the others remove their masks - to find their faces restored.

With gasps and laughs of relief all round, Emma approaches the unmasked Girl 66 - who now has the face of the Talent Scout.

-->'''Emma:''' I know you…
-->'''Lorette:''' Madame used my face to lure you here. I’m sorry.
-->'''Lizzie:''' Emma?
-->'''Emma:''' Lizzie!

They hug.

-->'''Emma:''' We’re back!
-->'''Lizzie:''' No! It’s like you said - we were always here!

Jessie inspects the Punishment Book - all of whose pages are blank.

…

-->'''Vange:''' ...So it doesn’t matter what mask you wear. Beneath it, you’re still you - and no one can take that away.

The others, wearing each of Vange’s masks, regard her in silence.

-->'''Vange:''' ...The end.

As one, the others rise, and approach - and remove their masks.

-->'''Tucker:''' Good story!

* OntologicalInertia: Madame Visage has a reason to be afraid when the girls gang up and decide to return her original face: it's nearly 300 years old. As such, when her face is returned, she instantly drops dead on her make-up table from old age and shrivels into dust.

-->'''Madame Visage:''' You think my power can be destroyed that easily? You’ve been watching too much television. ''to the others}'' Take them to my chamber!

* UnPerson: Madame Visage imprisons her attendants via magical facial disfigurement; ostracism for which they hide from in her theatre, where they wear masks and are forbidden to use their own names. Emma eventually rallies the others to defy this.

* UnPerson: Madame Visage imprisons her attendants via magical facial disfigurement; ostracism for which they hide in her theatre, where they wear masks and are forbidden to use their own names. Emma eventually rallies the others to defy this.

-->'''Jacques:''' '{peers at her in fascination}'' Do you model?

* OntologicalInertia: Madame Visage has a reason to be afraid when the girls gang up and decide to return her original face: it's nearly 300 years old. As such, when her face is returned, she instantly drops dead on her make-up table from old age and shrivels into dust.

-->'''Talent Scout:''' A talent scout. For the Madame Visage Theatre Company. ‘’{hands Emma business card}’’ Go to that address. See if you like it.

Lorette leaves.

-->''Vange:''' ''{in skull mask}'' ''Reeeuurgh''!! ...I love masks! You put one on, and it changes who you are. ''{Ducks behind sofa, and emerges in a clown mask}'' You can be goofy!
→’’’Quinn:’’’ You don’t need a mask for that.

-->'''Emma:''' Stop! I’m not 94. My name is Emma. And her name is Lizzie. You all have names. You have friends and families. Try to remember! ‘’{to Girl 72, holding her left arm}’’ What’s your name? ‘’{to Girl 83, at her right}’’ What about you, what’s your name? Linda? Rachel? Robin? Listen to me: she took your faces, she didn’t take who you are - you’re still in there! It doesn’t have to be this way!

* TheFaceless: Downplayed. Those who are rendered faceless aren't entirely faceless, but their features are [[UncannyValley off]]. Eyes become milky and white, noses become featureless, and mouths are reduced to wrinkled orifices where lips are supposed to be.