Elixir of Life
Photo-story from Janus 100 featuring Jenny Close as Chelsea Chelsea walked through the garden of the huge old house, fearful of the unknown. The statues seemed to stare, the walls to whisper. She paused before the wooden steps which led into the swallowing gloom, and wanted to run back to the comfort and shelter of Madam’s arms. But it was her beloved Madam who had sent her here; who had pampered and prepared her, dressed her in this navy-blue pleated skirt and pristine white cotton top. ‘Yes, you’ll be afraid,’ she had said, but it will be exciting too. And it will be exciting for me to think of you.’ Exciting? Chelsea’s heart pounded as she mounted the steps and entered the rear of the house, passing with trembling gait through the kitchen and into the vast imposing hallway. The 21-year-old girl felt tiny and utterly insignificant as she trod up the stairway as Madam had instructed, hearing the creak of seasoned ti