Serial Killer Chronicles: Part 3 - The Marvelous Marie

Serial Killer Chronicles

Bernard Growski lives a normal life by all appearances but under the surface he hides dark desires and acts out twisted fantasies on unsuspecting young women. After claiming the lives of numerous lovely victims, Bernard bides his time in-between kills enjoying his power over the lives he has taken, digging through his trophy collection and living out the memories of murder again and again...

Full Season Parts 1-5 Available LINK

The Marvelous Marie

Season 1 - Episode 3

Back before he fueled his dark desires, Bernard had an interest in stage magic and illusions. He didn't pursue it far before switching his hobby to serial killing, but his interest in illusions remained. Coming up with a dastardly new way to lure victims, Bernard rents out a private theater under an assumed identity and puts out an anonymous ad online for a Magician's Assistant. Receiving many responses, Bernard has a tough time picking out his desired victim. Until he comes across Marie Stanford's application, a lovely young woman from out of state who seems like the perfect candidate. After reviewing her audition Bernard schedules a time for Marie to come to town and practice a routine. The naive young woman is excited at the opportunity and does not question any of the odd details. Bernard dubs her The Marvelous Marie and sends her information and written monologue to perform at the start of the show.

Marie arrives at the location excited at this new opportunity and a little nervous too. She walks down the hall to the private theater and enters. She calls out as she looks around, not seeing anyone in sight. Bernard creeps out from behind the bleachers and greets her, startling the young woman. He shows her the space he has set up here with red curtains and she opens her bag for him to choose which dress to wear. Bernard instructs her to pick the red dress and go to the changing room nearby. He watches her go with a smile that slowly transforms into a sick grin as his hands twist the trick rope he carries into a ligature.

Marie changes into the red dress and practices her pose in the mirror. Satisfied with the look she returns to the theater but once more Bernard is no where to be seen. Marie calls out to let him know she's ready when he suddenly hops down the stair behind her, quickly snapping a Polaroid photo of her frightened expression. Enjoying the games, he quickly changes subject and directs Marie where to stand and how to deliver the opening speech to grab the audiences attention. After toying with Marie further and belittling her for not memorizing the opening, he tells her to get started and that they will go through each illusion one at a time after.

Marie pirouettes onto the stage and delivers the opening speech to the imaginary crowd, introducing Bernard as The Mysterious Merlin. He enter with a smile and gives a quick speech about magic. For the first trick, he will turn an index card solid and break a pencil with it. He instructs Marie how to hold the pencil and then prepares for the trick, hoisting the 'deadly' index card above his head. On the count of three, he swings the card down onto the pencil and snaps it in two, eliciting an excited gasp from Marie. She shows it to the audience and bows, still not understanding how it happened but Bernard won't reveal the secret to her. She puts down the pencil and puts on a smile for the next trick.

Bernard requests a pair of silk or nylon stockings for the next trick. Marie has a pair of pantyhose, but she is wearing them and feels uncomfortable taking them off for the trick. Bernard calls it the perfect follow up trick, convincing her to do it while he has his back turned. Marie goes along with it, not wanting to disappoint him and potentially lose this job opportunity. She slips off the pantyhose and then hands them over to Bernard, asking what the next trick will be. Bernard tells her it's a disappearing trick, that it will be a surprise and he'll tell her how it's done after. Marie goes along with it, teasing that she'll figure out how it's done on her own. Bernard instructs her to stand in front of him and close her eyes, that she can't see this part.

Marie does as she is told, closing her eyes tight and letting him know that she's ready. Bernard plays with the stockings and rubs them against his face while she settles. Then he raises them up above their heads and with an 'Abracadabra' he wraps the stockings tight around Marie's vulnerable neck and squeezes tight. The sudden pressure shocks Marie and her eyes open in pain. She tries to pull away but Bernard keeps her close, strangling Marie with her own pantyhose. Kicking the air with her bare feet, Marie twists and turns in a desperate attempt to get free. Clawing at the air and gasping in agony, there is no escape from the killing force. After a struggle Marie weakens and her legs give out from under her. Bernard follows as she falls face down on the ground and chokes her relentlessly. Spotting the broken pencil, Marie makes a desperate attempt at getting a defensive item. She reaches for it getting close, but Bernard yanks her back on the ground while pulling at the stockings with all his might. Marie keeps trying for the pencil as the killing pressure overwhelms her. Bernard lets her crawls forward before cruelly yanking her back repeatedly.

Ready to finish her off, Bernard twists Marie's body to the front side and strangles her face up. Squeezing the stockings tight Marie is too far gone to put up much of a fight. She swats the air and kicks her bare feet on the ground as Bernard dominates her, holding her in place and choking her all the while. Marie is overwhelmed with hopeless despair and she cries out in agony, spitting up some drool onto the floor next to her. Bernard grits his teeth and holds onto the stockings tight while he watches the life leave her body, the light disappear from her eyes. He continues to strangle her tight as she fades away into oblivion. Bernard is thrilled at taking another life, mocking his dead assistant. The trick is complete -- her life has disappeared! Bernard plays with her face and plants a kiss on her mouth, telling the dead girl she 'could have been a star.'