[Papillon Noir]

I found this is a surprisingly difficult challenge as the perspective from most novels doesn't really translate onto radio. I was actually thinking of doing World War Z, but Chrono beat me to it. :p

So the next idea that came to mind was for the novel, "The Haunting of Hill House" by Shirley Jackson. Most of you are familiar with this story as it was made into two movies (the first obviously far superior). A doctor, Dr. Montague, has an interest in the paranormal hires two "psychics" to comes to a known haunted house, accompanied by the heir to the house. It's a ghost story that also deals with issues of rationality and mental stability.

For the radio broadcast, it would be a series of "found" tapes of Dr. Montague's recordings of his study while in Hill House. It would tell how he came to find the two psychics, Theo and Eleanor and their experiences in the house, including interviews with the caretaker and the heir to the house himself, Luke (who was also present). It would also mark Eleanor descent into madness and her ultimate desire to join with the ghosts of the house.

[Sample broadcast to follow in next post.]

"It is now Wednesday and I will attempt to describe the events of last night. I'm still unsure if we have indeed come across true paranormal activity or it is all the mind. The mind will often play tricks with you and paranoia can easily take over. Especially in the dark.

Last night both Theo and Eleanor were awoken by a strange noise in the hall. It was almost like a banging, which increased in intensity and then abruptly stopped. The women attempted to fall asleep and Eleanor had taken a hold of Theo's hand in comfort. It was only a few hours later when Luke and I heard screaming from their room. Eleanor was hysterical saying that she had thought she held Theo's hand, but Theo was across the room, and it must have been a hand from a ghost or something.

We didn't know what think. With Eleanor's past situation of her seclusion prior to coming here, I can only think this is contributing to her mental state. It is day now and we all seems to find solace in the daylight. Though it seems that Eleanor is spending a lot of time engrossed by the statues of the houses original occupants in the solarium. I know there is nothing wrong with looking at statues, but there is just something eerie about the way she looks at Crain's statue, it's almost...lovingly."