All language subtitles for Perry Mason s09e09 Wrathful Wraith

and proved that she killed her husband.

Your Honor, there are other
incontrovertible facts.

Twelve witnesses saw this sailboat with
husband and wife aboard leave the

starting line at the regatta, and eight
witnesses, six hours later, boarded this

boat adrift in a calm sea, and the only
person aboard was the defendant.

Now, the police have found the victim's
blood on deck.

They found a radio that hadn't been used
to call for help.

And the only defense that we hear is
that Jamison Self, an expert yachtsman,

just disappeared over the side.

Your Honor, I ask that Louis Self be
bound over to Superior Court to stand

on a charge of first -degree murder.

Here he comes.

Hey, what's the idea of tying up this
phone? Tell your troubles to your city

editor, son.

There you are, Ted.

Go to it, boy.

Rewrite.

The deputy D .A. went after Louie
himself with both barrels.

Starting with the insurance policy, she
browbeat her old man into taking out six

weeks before she tossed him into the
bay.

Then he put on witnesses that gave a
blow -by -blow account of the argument

and his bride had at the yacht club the
night before.

Yeah, any minute now.

And so, in the absence of sufficient
evidence,

The charge against the defendant, Louise
Self, is dismissed.

Court stands adjourned.

Louise, darling, I'm so happy.

Talk about getting away with murder.

It pays to have a good lawyer.

Look at her, still putting on an act.

You won, Mr. Mason. But poor blind
justice took a beating.

I hope you sleep well.

My dear, my doors are always open to
you.

My

dear,

your husband has spoken to me from the
other side.

I've helped you before. I can do it
again.

Come on.

What is it, Louise?

Well, I thought I'd come over and light
the home fires.

Who wants to spend two weeks in a
hospital and come home to a cold house?

Louise, are you all right?

Of course.

Just that across the room in the slide,
I thought I saw Jamie.

But then he would have had something
cruel to say.

Perhaps he wouldn't have spoken to me at
all.

Sometimes he didn't, you know.

Sometimes he didn't speak to me for
weeks.

Rosemary, I want that portrait of
Jameson taken down.

Of course, dear.

I suppose Rosemary has told you that
I've started going through Jameson's

to help thin things out.

I don't know what I would have done
without the help of you two.

Rosemary has promised to stay for a
while.

I'd like to feel noble about it, but the
fact is I'm still your indigent friend.

What would the mortgage do on the hotel
and everything coming down around my

ears?

Remember, Louise, the fine ladies who
were going to be when we were in school?

Were Jameson's finances really in such
awful shape? Pretty muddled that you

don't have to worry. Not with the
insurance money. I took the liberty of

Mason contact the company. The money
should be in your hands within a week.

Here, I'll show you the letter. What are
these?

I stacked them there to throw them out.

Rosemary's been a big help.

She written to me.

Louise, don't look at them. They're just
from cranks. All that nonsense in the

newspapers.

Riches gained by murder.

Woman who would kill her own husband for
his money.

Murderous.

Thou shalt not kill.

Louise, you must ignore those letters.

You feel you still need to establish
some sort of defense, but the hearing is

over.

Only the court hearing, Mr. Mason. I'm
still on trial.

You saw the newspapers.

I can't go on living this way. You can't
let the kind of people who write crank

letters and scandal sheets imprison you.

Louise, Jameson was the kind of man who
collected enemies. Any one of them could

have killed him.

That's not true.

I was the only one who really knew him.
To everyone else, he was the

personification of charm.

Not to me. We had a mutual disrespect
for one another.

Can't you understand how I feel, Mr.
Mason? I have to clear myself, and I

Not unless Jameson's killer is found.

I understand, Louise.

And of course, I'll do everything I can.

Now, Della, I'd better get you home.

Look at that rain.

That's what I get for believing the
weatherman.

Good lovely dress. You'll ruin it.

Let me get you a raincoat.

Jameson always kept an old slicker right
in the closet.

There's no raincoat here.

Jameson's raincoat.

It's gone.

Just go upstairs.

But I'm positive it was there, Rosemary.
Did one of the servants borrow it?

No, of course not, Louise.

Don't you remember you let them all go
before I came?

It doesn't matter. But it does matter. I
saw it there and now it's gone.

Don't worry about it.

We'll run for the car. Good night.

Really, Louise, it doesn't matter.

I realize that Mrs. Self has been
through an ordeal, and being a sensitive

has suffered more than most. But I never
had the impression that she was

unbalanced. But she's been acting so, so
strangely.

Well, she's refused to leave her room. I
didn't know what to do, so I called

Ralph and... And when she wouldn't talk
to me, I called you.

These things that are missing, thank
you.

Do you think she's capable of hiding
them?

I don't know.

Louise has always lived such a protected
life.

She seems to think we're in some sort of
a plot against her.

The usual paranoiac delusion.

You're the only person she really
trusts.

And this newspaper didn't help any.

I took it up to her without unfolding
it. It's enough to send anyone off.

Can't you do something to stop that man,
that Harborson?

Yes, he has got to be stopped.

I don't want him stopped.

Louise.

I thought I saw you arrive, Mr. Nathan.

Now I've decided to go see Miss Saitse.
Oh, Louise.

Louise, I can understand this compulsion
you have to absolve yourself, but what

you're proposing makes no sense at all.

If I don't go, they'll say I'm afraid.

They'll say.

Who are they?

A scandal sheet reporter?

A publicity -seeking fraud?

I used to see her, you know.

I can't tell you why any more than I
could explain it to Jameson.

Except that... Well, she was easy to
talk to.

I told her things.

She sipped tea and listened.

It was quiet there.

The whole house smelled of fresh bread.

I'm surprised she'd even talk to me.

Jameson made all sorts of trouble for
her.

Louise, do you trust me?

Then you can't trust them.

Now, don't do this.

You need a change, a trip perhaps.

We could go to my hotel.

It's closed for the season, but you
always loved the woods and the lake.

No, that's where I met Jameson.

Louise, don't go to see Willis St.
Sutton.

Don't give that reporter a chance to
keep this persecution going.

You're being stupid, Louise.

I hate to say this, but you're proposing
to make yourself into a sideshow, a

freak.

I haven't slept in so long.

I've not really slept.

I didn't get anywhere with Harbison's
managing editor.

When the public stops wanting it, I'll
stop giving it to them.

That is the sum and substance.

That's what I expected.

And my check on Harbison spells it out.
He's always been with the fringe papers,

never made the grade.

But he was aboard the boat that found
the selfie out of drift and consequently

lucked into a big story.

Now, when the decent papers won't touch
it, he's riding it for all it's worth.

Did Jelly get in touch with you? No.

She called twice. She seemed upset about
something. She left this number.

Thanks, Clay.

Nella? Carrie, I'm at Louise's home. She
just left with Rosemary.

I tried to get them to wait until I
could reach you, but... I thought she'd

given up the idea.

I don't know whose idea it was, but I
didn't get any help from Rosemary.

She just said that if it would make
Louise feel any better, there was no

it. Do you know where Willis St. Sutton
lives?

Good. Paul and I will meet you there.

Mrs. Self?

Everything is prepared.

Won't you at least wait for Perry?

Get a shot of it going in. There will be
no pictures.

Only Mrs. Self will enter.

Now just hold your horses, sister. You
promised me I could come in. I promised

you could be present.

I didn't say where.

Sit down, Mr. Harbison, and be quiet.

Or I'll have you tossed out on your
rear.

My car seems to have stalled out there.
Any chance I could use the phone?

I guess it's all right.

It's in the back, in the kitchen.

Thank you.

Where's the lease?

She's in there with Miss St. Sutton. I
didn't think of it hurt, so I brought

her. I'm taking her out.

Look, counselor, you sounded off to my
boss this morning. I'll let you get away

with it. But if you think you can bust
in here and give people orders, you're

nuts. My paper doesn't take kindly to
the press being pushed around.

If you represent the press, then we're
all in danger.

You've got the integrity of a jackal.
That's slander. Print it. Now step

Quiet. Now keep your voices down.

The spirits are very close tonight.

They've been waiting for us.

Waiting.

What is it, Louise? What's wrong? James
is here.

I saw him. And Willow went out. And
that's when I heard his voice.

I'm sorry, Louise. I'm so sorry I let
you come.

He talked to me.

He talked to me.

You spoiled it, all of you.

Louise, you must understand what has
happened.

You saw your dead husband's picture.

I know, I know, but I heard him.

I heard his voice telling me.

No, not his voice.

It may have sounded like it.

No, it was Jameson's voice.

Cold, biting Jameson's voice.

Harry.

That door leads to where?

To the kitchen.

But nobody's been there.

Come on, Louise.

I heard him. I heard him.

You just imagined it was his voice.

Told me to look at the desk.

It's in the bottom drawer.

There is a letter in an envelope.

Do what it says.

It will repay you for all the misery
I've caused you.

Jameson said it. He did.

It's addressed to you. That's your
husband's handwriting.

Yes.

Yes, it is.

Barry,

what's going on? You think Jameson
Self's alive?

That, or... Someone wants Louise to
believe he is.

Then you do believe the letter was
written by Jameson Self?

Yes, it's unquestionably his writing.

Do you know the agreement it refers to?

The one Mrs. Self was to get from the
bank?

Yes, Jameson was involved in some sort
of experimental project with these

people. The Archard Laboratories. Of
course, then he was always mixed up in

things like this.

The letter mentioned a sum of $300 ,000
to be paid by the 30th of the month for

a 50 -50 interest in the process.

Yes, and Louise is determined to pay it.

That would be in just six days.

Should she pay it?

I don't know. She's under no legal
obligation.

And who knows what this scheme is?

Well...

Until I've had a chance to check on the
Arcott company, I certainly can't advise

her. You know, Mr. Mason, it's a strange
irony.

Jameson treated her like a child.

He was brutal to her when he was alive.

And now I see the same tyranny from the
grave.

How long has it taken you to develop
this laser process, Mr. Arcott?

Nearly six years working on other things
at the same time.

Now.

Now. If you'll keep a close eye on these
blocks, I think you'll get a surprise.

The blocks, Mr. Drake. Now watch
closely.

A fusion of...

I think you can see the commercial
implications.

Well, for the construction business
alone, it's tremendous, but can it be

commercially feasible?

Well, naturally, there are a few steps
to work out from the lab to production.

And you were counting on James himself
for the money to do that?

We made a deal.

Yes.

I believe you're sincere, Mr. Arcoff,
but I think you are rather naive about

some of the problems. I'm sick and tired
of being patronized, despite your

urbane manner and your...

And your overly polite concern. What
you're really saying is you mean well,

but I'm not going to let you take Mr.
Self for a ride.

No one's appointed me mediator.

But the way you gentlemen have been
attacking one another won't solve one

What is your capital position, Mr.
Arcott, if you don't get the money from

Louise? What bank is going to carry your
paper?

Why haven't you made a market survey?

You know more than I do about everything
else. You ought to answer your own

questions. Well, if you want to make a
joke out of a $300 ,000 investment,

that's your business.

Mr. Self, I came here because Mr. Mason
called and asked me to. I wish I hadn't.

Now, it comes to this. If you want to
take up the option, it's okay by me.

And if you want to listen to Balfour,
that's okay by me, too.

You were rude, Ralph.

Really. You can do as you like, Louise,
but it seems to me you can't afford to

take such a risk.

Any scheme of this sort is a risk, of
course.

The process appears to have a good
chance of giving time.

Given time.

That's what I told you, Louise.

I guess I better not do it, Mr. Mason.

I'm really not in a position to make
such a large investment.

As Ralph says, it might be too long a
wait for a return.

Well, at least we have a decision.

After two hours.

I think I'll call it a night.

Let me see you out.

Oh, good night.

Good night, Louise.

Thanks again.

Why don't you come up to my place for a
nightcap, Mr. Mason?

Thanks, but I have a friend waiting out
front.

Well, they're both invited.

Jason!

Louise.

Louise.

Whoever it was hung up.

Harry, this is one night, Kev. I'd just
as soon skip.

At this hour, I like my drink served by
a barmaid with long eyelashes.

Sorry, no barmaid.

Balfour's invitation was for drinks
only.

Balfour?

Balfour! Can't see a thing. The blinds
are drawn.

Housebreaker. I walked right in on him.

Where's your phone? I'll call the
police. In the bedroom.

Lucky you came along. You banged on the
door. Scared him.

He went out the back.

Can you identify him? I don't know.

I couldn't see him in the dark. He swung
on me with a flashlight.

Obviously he was looking for something.

There's no money there.

What do you keep in the ditch?

Papers, letters.

The letter I got from Louise.

The one she found at Jameson's desk.

Louise.

Louise.

Louise, listen to me, Louise.

I want you to give our God the money.

tattoo? I don't know. It was in the
dark.

Nobody there.

What's this?

Jameson's raincoat.

The one that disappeared.

Louise was raving, insisting she wanted
to make the deal with our cut as soon as

it could be arranged.

But... If the doctor hadn't calmed her
down, I don't know what she might have

done. Mrs. Self suffered a very severe
shock.

It may have been self -induced. I don't
know.

We'll be able to tell by her response to
a day of forced rest.

Tomorrow she may be perfectly fine.

There's some sort of business that she's
anxious to transact, or I'd keep her

quiet longer.

And you don't believe there's any
derangement?

No. No, I don't. Just keep her quiet as
possible. I don't think you'll have any

trouble. And keep her under sedation.

I'll go on up.

And thank you, Doctor. Thank you.
Goodbye.

And don't worry.

I'll take good care of Louise.

What are you doing?

Where's the gun, Louise?

I don't know.

Come on, my dear. Tell me where it is.

I know you've always kept it in the
drawer.

I'm not going to tell you.

Louise, dear, it's dangerous to have a
gun around.

Especially when I'm crazy.

I need the gun, Rosemary. I need it to
protect myself.

From whom, dear?

From Jameson.

Jameson's dead, Louise.

No, I heard him.

I thought for a moment I saw him out
there.

He's here, Rosemary.

He's here.

You need some fresh air. No.

All right, dear.

Now you try and get some rest.

No, no, this is Rosemary Welch, Mr.
Rockett.

Now, I'm sorry she's asleep now.

Does she realize tomorrow's the
deadline?

I haven't heard from Mason.

Well, Mr. Mason is due here later this
evening. I'm sure he'll be in touch with

you.

You can tell.

Naturally, the district attorney
presumes your guilt and treats you as if

were guilty.

But you know you're not.

But I don't know.

I saw him.

I had the gun in my hand.

And that they...

Only thing I can remember is Rosemary
leaning over me, holding my head in her

lap.

Now listen to me, Louise, and listen
carefully.

Immediately after your husband's death,
you told me without hesitation that you

did not fire that gun before you
fainted.

I thought it was that way then.

You knew it was.

You were positive.

James, you're really dead.

Did you see anyone else on the balcony?

Could anyone else have gotten to the
balcony through one of the other

Apparently, that's how your husband got
there.

Louise, you must fight back.

You understand what I'm saying?

Yes, I understand.

Of course you can, Louise.

You have to.

Yes, sir.

According to the lab report, the bullet
was fired at very close range.

Now, Lieutenant Drum, when you arrived
at the scene, did you speak to Mrs.

I questioned her naturally.

And how would you describe her mental
condition at that time?

Objection, Your Honor.

The witness is not a psychiatrist.

Objection sustained.

I'll rephrase the question.

When you questioned Mrs. Self, were her
answers cogent and direct?

No, sir. She was extremely agitated.

Apparently in shock.

Mr. Balborn, it's already been
established that the decedent, Jameson

out a $400 ,000 insurance policy on his
life less than six months ago.

You were, of course, aware of this?

Yes. In your capacity as financial
advisor to Mr. Self, did you recommend

purchase? No, I did not.

Mr. Self's financial status was
precarious. I felt he could not afford

premium. Did he give you any reason for
disregarding your advice?

There were other considerations.

There was more than money involved.

Really, Mr. Balfour? What else was
involved?

Well, personalities.

When a man is married.

Oh.

Did Mrs.

Louise Self, the defendant, enter into
this decision?

I don't think Mrs. Self's concern about
the insurance was in any way unusual.

Possibly not. My question to you, sir.

is of your own knowledge, did Mrs.

Louise Self exert any pressure on her
husband to buy this insurance policy?

There was no question of pressure.

You're objecting to the word. Would
persuasion do better? Did she persuade

husband to buy the insurance?

Persuade? Jameson?

She wouldn't dare. She was afraid of
him.

Then what consideration led him to buy
the policy?

Jameson told me that Louise gave him the
money from her personal savings.

I see.

Then Mrs.

Jamison's self actually paid for that
life insurance policy which named her as

beneficiary.

No more questions, Mr. Balfour.

We need some good news, Paul.

Well, this news depends on the point of
view.

I finally caught up with our missing
witness.

The little man who ran away?

Thank you. His name's Ed Allison.

And right now, it's in Hamilton Burger's
office answering questions.

Right this way, please.

Mr. Harbison?

That's right.

I'm the one who phoned. Sit down.

Just coffee.

Coffee. Look, there's that reporter.

I'm an investigator with Interwealth
Insurance, assigned to the Self case.

The Self case?

When did your company decide to
investigate the Self case?

When the claim was filed.

See, with a policy this new and this big
and no corpus delicti, it was

practically automatic.

And you were assigned, were you not, to
keep an eye on Mrs. Louise Self?

That's right, yes. She was the
beneficiary.

If there was fraud and if her husband
was still alive, he'd be showing up

or later to get his share.

In this business, you get to the point
where you recognize a pattern.

And you were confident then that Mrs.
Self was indeed working with her husband

in this?

That was the assumption, yes.

And we did pretty well with it, except
she decided to kill him.

Objection, Your Honor.

The last remark will be stricken from
the record.

Take the witness, Mr. Mason.

According to your testimony, Mr.
Allison, you have been assigned to the

case for two months and two days. Is
that correct?

Yes. In the space of all that time, have
you uncovered one scrap of conclusive

evidence to prove that Jameson and
Louise Self had worked together on a

defraud your company?

Well, uh, there certainly was a plan to
defraud, wasn't there? And who else had

anything to gain?

I'll ask the questions, Mr. Allison.

I'd appreciate your answering them.

Now, once again, have you any evidence
to implicate Mrs. Self?

I, uh... No, I haven't. Now, Mr.
Allison,

did you at any time observe Mrs. Self in
the commission of any act or deed to

indicate that she did in fact know that
her husband was alive?

No, I haven't, but that doesn't mean
anything. Now, I've seen cases where you

would never suspect fraud.

That's enough, Mr. Allison.

Sure, that's him, Jameson Self.

But when he stayed at my house, he had a
mustache and his hair needed cutting.

And he only called himself James, that's
all. Never gave nobody no last name.

I see.

Now, how long did Mr. Self rent a room
at your establishment, Mrs. Thalma? Five

weeks, in and out.

But he paid his rent.

And what do you mean, in and out?

Well, I mean, he didn't keep no regular
working hours, and he didn't make any

friends around the place.

He had no friends at all?

No, but every so often he'd phone
somebody.

And did you ever overhear any of these
phone conversations?

Yes, sir.

Is this where you want me to tell about,
you know, what I told you in your

office? Mrs. Stallman. About the time he
saw me and hung up?

Just tell us, please, in your own words,
what you overheard. Yes, sir.

Well, I walked in on him and he was on
the phone and he was saying, Louise,

Louise.

Soft like that, you know.

Then he saw me and he hung up.

Thank you, Mrs. Stallman. Cross
-examined.

Mrs. Stallman, we haven't had an
opportunity of discussing your testimony

before.

But I can see that you're a very
perceptive woman with an excellent

So I'm sure you can be most helpful.

You told us the decedent didn't give you
a last name.

Did he ever offer any reason for this?

Well, he went into some big song and
dance about how he didn't know what his

last name was.

Said he figured he had some kind of
amnesia. Did he tell that to other

tenants also?

Yeah. He didn't say much to anyone, but
when he did, that's what he talked

about, his amnesia.

She was scared sick of her husband, I
can tell you that.

This was, of course, prior to her
husband's disappearance.

That's right.

The first time she came, she wanted me
to help her find some pearls she'd lost.

She was desperate.

Said he'd be furious if he found out
they were lost.

Well, they turned up just like I said
they would.

And then later she told me that he'd use
them as security on a loan without

telling her.

Did you ever meet the decedent, Mr.
Jamison Self?

Uh -huh.

He came busting into my place one day,
called me all kinds of names, slapped

right in the face.

And then he told her she was a, let me
see, a childish idiot.

That's what he called her.

Miss Welch, did the defendant actually
state to you that she felt that she had

been visited by the ghost of her dead
husband?

Will you answer the question, please,
Miss Welch?

Well, yes, she did say she had seen him.

But she'd been waking from a sound
sleep.

You mean she was simply recounting a
dream?

No, no, it wasn't that exactly. She...
She felt he had come back.

Oh, but you don't understand.

So many strange things have been
happening.

Objects disappearing.

The letter from Jameson. His voice on
the telephone. The seance.

But weren't you a witness to these
incidents?

Yes. Yes, I was.

And did you yourself ever feel that
these were ghostly manifestations?

No, of course not.

But that doesn't mean there was anything
wrong.

Miss Welch, are you trying to say it's
possible for a normal mind to believe in

ghosts?

Your Honor.

Your Honor, could we possibly have a
brief recess?

And could we ask defense counsel to join
us in your chambers?

Mr. Mason, will you approach the bench?

Your Honor, I'm not enjoying torturing
that woman out there.

I'm convinced that the defendant in this
case did indeed murder her husband.

But I'm not an ogre.

And I think the ends of justice could be
better served in another way.

How?

I'm convinced that she was not...

mentally responsible at the time of the
act.

You're suggesting she was unbalanced.

You're a fine prosecutor, Hamilton, but
I question your credentials as a

psychiatrist. What about the case you
presented?

That she and her husband conspired to
defraud the insurance company and that

killed him to avoid sharing the money.

All right, but let's suppose that
Jameson Self forced her to take part in

scheme and that her mind gave way under
the strain.

What are you proposing?

I'm proposing that you bind her over to
Superior Court.

I will then accept the plea of not
guilty by reason of insanity, and will

stipulate that Louise Self be confined
for treatment to a proper institution.

It seems worth considering, Perry.

Your client does seem to be at the
breaking point.

That may be, but it's a long way from
being psychotic. No, Your Honor, I'm not

interested in a deal, no matter how well
intended.

Why, Perry? Why not?

Because I reject all your assumptions.

That Louise was in on the fraud, that
she killed her husband, and that she's

mentally incompetent. I hope you can
substantiate all that, Perry.

Choosing to subject your client to
further strain.

I would rather subject her to the stress
of this hearing than to confinement in

a mental institution.

You make an excellent cup of coffee,
Your Honor.

Mr. Belfort, as Jameson Self's financial
advisor, what was your attitude toward

the option deal he made with Archon?

I'm not against speculative deals, per
se.

If you can afford to lose the money,
things don't work out. Then you regarded

Arcot's process as speculative.

Of course.

On paper, it looked promising.

But until it was developed and tested
and proved... But James himself didn't

have money with which to speculate.

He was facing bankruptcy.

His credit was gone. He stood to lose
everything, including the Arcot deal,

unless he came up with the money before
the option deadline.

Then that could have given James himself
a motive for dying, couldn't it?

With the insurance settlement, the
option could be exercised.

Not if he were dead.

Then later, he would be able to come
back to life, pretend amnesia, repay the

insurance company out of his profits
from the Arcott process.

If any. Of course.

But apparently, Jamison Self had enough
faith that there would be profits to

risk everything. Now, we can see how
Jamison Self expected to gain by

his option.

Was there anyone, Mr. Balfour, who would
benefit by its not being exercised?

Glamour cut.

I don't like what you're suggesting, Mr.
Mason.

But you've admitted you feel the option
deal you made with Jameis himself was a

bad one.

No, yes, but I didn't feel that way at
the time I made it.

I was even grateful. I needed
development money badly.

What made you change your attitude?

Oh, my process has almost proved out.
We'll soon be ready to go into full

production. Is that general knowledge?

Well, no, I've kept the results a secret
so far. Well, I promised Mr. Self.

But you feel you could make a far more
favorable financial deal today than you

could have then.

I not only feel it, I've had a better
offer from another source.

But your option with Jameson Self,
that's an obstacle.

Look, Mason, I don't know how you do
business, but when I make an agreement,

stick to it.

I don't have to like it, but I keep my
word.

That's fine, Mr. Arcott.

And I presume you've notified this other
source that you can't accept the offer.

Guerin Industries. Well, I haven't given
them a definite refusal because I don't

know what the outcome will be.

Guerin Industries.

So they offered you considerably more
than you were to receive from Jamison

if his option is not exercised.

How could they know you were so near
success if, as you say, you kept it a

secret? All I know is that I didn't tell
them. I kept my word.

Look, I'm no businessman.

I'm an engineer, a scientist.

I do my work and I try to be honest.

So get off my back. I'm not on trial
here.

I'm sure you try to be honest, Mr.
Arcott, but don't be angry.

I've seen the consequence when you
become angry.

Cross -examine, Mr. Berger.

Just a few brief questions, Mr. Arcott.

After the death of Jameson's self, did
you still feel that that option

was valid?

Yes, by the terms that could be
reassigned. But was that option one that

be exercised by just anyone?

Or was it possible only for Jamison
Self's legal heir, his widow?

Only by his widow.

No one else.

That's all?

Witness may stand down.

Since Mr. Harcott's testimony has not
been corroborated, the defense recalls

Balfour. Mr. Ralph Balfour?

Take the stand.

I remind you, Mr. Balfour, that you're
still under oath.

Mr. Harcott claims he kept the
development of this process a secret,

Balfour. Is that true?

No. I was informed.

By whom, Mr. Harcott?

Not directly.

By Mr. Self.

And whom did you tell?

No one.

That's the truth.

Mr. Balfour, you kept the secret so well
that you didn't even inform Louise

Self. That is true, Mr. Mason. I thought
it would be a mistake for Louise to

speculate. But if Louise Self had known
that the Arcott process had proved out,

or if she had been in on the insurance
fraud with her husband, she'd have gone

through with the deal.

And Jameson Self could have stayed dead
as he planned.

But he couldn't do that.

Because his partner in the fraud, the
person who helped him leave the boat,

The person who was supposed to advise
Louise to pay for the option was instead

doing everything possible to prevent her
from paying.

And when he realized the double cross,
Jameson Self returned and fought with

you.

Fought with you the night I came to your
home.

That man was an intruder. I couldn't see
who it was.

Oh, but you could.

When we arrived...

We could see the lights inside, but you
told us they were off and that you

hadn't recognized your assailant.

When he couldn't force you to keep your
part of the agreement, it left Jamison

only one chance.

To try and communicate with his wife
from beyond the grave.

And there was only one way, ultimately,
for you to stop him.

Jamison himself had to die.

Again. Give me a chance to explain.

Let me give you the facts.

Facts?

Facts, Mr. Belfort?

It's a fact that you made the
counteroffer to Mr. Arcott.

It's a fact that you set up the dummy
corporation, Guerin Industries.

It's a fact that you decided it was the
only way you could have it all.

James himself was a man without
conscience.

An opportunist. A double dealer.

He was ruthless.

A liar and a cheat.

And so was his murderer, Mr. Balfour.

I'll never make it to the check room.

I don't know why I managed to carry them
three blocks away.

Rosemary, Louise, and I have just been
shopping, and Louise told me about these

great bargains, so... All this stuff,
bargains? With a fabulous savings. I

price sale.

Shoes, stockings, dreads, robes. Believe
me, I saved a fortune. I bet you only

spent $150 to save that fortune.

Seances, missing jewelry, mystery phone
calls, a dead man that talks, all that I

understand, but women?

They're beyond understanding.

Clay, you're a misogynist.

Misogynist?

Della, you're going to have to stop
using that kind of language.

Clay is a woman -hater.

On the other hand... I'm exactly the
opposite.

I'm not thinking about you, Paul. I'm
thinking about Perry.

And believe me, you were just wonderful
to Louise.

All that time, interest, and
understanding. Perry, I don't know what

angling for, but you might as well let
her have it.

Della, tell me.

What would you have done if you had a
client whose husband died twice?