All language subtitles for Perry Mason s10e26 Killer Kiss

Janie, I swear to God I didn't kill that
old man.

Nobody believes me.

Not even you.

I want to, Billy.

But why won't you tell me where you were
that night?

Because I can't.

I don't remember.

Oh, Billy.

Do you remember that I love you?

Jane,

I'm sorry.

Billy is due in court.

We have to go.

I told you, don't ever do that to me!

Cut. Come on.

Let's break for lunch.

And Mark, when we come back, stick to
the pages as written, okay?

You got it, Milt.

Eddie.

Eddie. Eddie, thank you. Thanks.

Great. You know, Chris, I was just
trying to play the moment.

You really ought to try working with me,
huh?

That is work I don't need. Evan, the
last time this happened, you said that

would talk to him about it.

Mark, please, no more clinches unless
they're in the script.

You got it, boss.

Thanks.

There's something else you and I need to
discuss after lunch. Just keep him away

from me, all right?

Chris, darling.

Alex and I both want you to know that we
think it's just dreadful the way that

young man is treating you. Sweetheart,
it is...

So unprofessional. I remember once when
I was doing a play... Alex, please.

Sorry. Anyway, if you do decide to take
him to the guild on this, we will

certainly support you.

Thanks, Zandra. You're welcome. You too,
Alex.

Oh, my God! Oh, my God! You're Chris
Buckner! You're even more beautiful in

person! Janie Stockwell is my favorite
character.

Thank you. Oh, very nice.

Could I have your autograph?

What's your name?

Peg. P -E -G.

I'm sorry, Miss Buckner. Is she
disturbing you? No, not at all. She's

Oh, thank you.

You're welcome.

It was really nice to meet you. Oh, nice
to meet you. Take care. So nice.

Ma 'am, I'm afraid if you don't have a
pass, you're going to have to leave.

But you see who that was? I know, I
know, but like I told you before, there

no studio tours, no tickets to the show,
and please, no more autographs. Wait a

minute, my cousin went to Chicago last
summer and she got tickets to Oprah.

Well, we don't do that here. But I came
all the way from... I know, and I'm

sorry. Look, you're going to have to go.

Evan told me that you and Miss Grant had
to switch dressing room.

He didn't tell you?

Not yet.

Wait a minute. Put this back. Put it
back in there.

Oh, Chris, great. Here.

Everyone, this morning I asked a very
special lady to share a life with me.

And I know you're all going to be as
happy as I am that she's agreed.

Ladies and gentlemen, the future Mrs.
Mark Stratton.

The very, very lovely Charlotte Grant.

How wonderful.

How wonderful.

Thank you.

Congratulations.

Mimi says Charlotte's getting my
dressing room.

I was going to tell you. Chris, it
really only makes sense. After all,

Charlotte's going to be working a lot
more, and she's going to need a bigger

dressing room.

And I'm not?

We decided to make a few changes in the
storyline.

So the rumors are true?

Yeah, starting with tomorrow's script.

Mark is giving you ideas for the show.
Wait a second, wait a second. Chris,

is an entire new storyline just for you.

Go on. I can't wait.

Okay, okay.

Now, we have a fight in prison.

And you go on a ski trip up to Aspen to
forget.

But there's an avalanche.

Am I frozen indefinitely?

No, no, it's even better. By the time
the rescue team finds you, you're brain

dead. Flatline, the doctors have to put
you in complete life support.

Chris, the women, they're going to cry
their eyes out worrying when you're

to recover.

And when is that?

We'll milk it as long as we can.

Six months minimum, Ray. We can get
Entertainment Weekly to keep tabs on it.

Chris Buckner in a coma.

Week 52.

That's right. I'm the love interest.

Well, Chris, after your tragic accident,
my attorney comes to console me, and

in the midst of all my grief and all my
sorrow, we fall in love.

It'll be great for the show, Chris.

For all of us.

I want out.

Uh, Evan?

If Chris lands on another show, that
could really drain our audience.

I think it would definitely be best if
Chris stayed right where she is.

You're under contract.

Why are you listening to him?

Since when does he rate special
treatment?

Since the network got the latest
demographics report, Chris.

Park has sensational numbers with the
advertisers' prime audience group.

Chris, I told you.

You really ought to try working with me.

You rat.

I could kill you for this.

Evan.

Any other new storylines coming up that
we should know about?

Hey, Miss Buckner.

What are you doing here so late?

Oh, I forgot to move some things out of
my dressing room this afternoon.

My old dressing room.

Yeah. I heard about what happened.

It's a rotten break.

Yeah.

Well, one day you're riding high, and
the next day, it's all over.

Mark will get his mort.

Just wait.

Yeah, I'm sure he will.

Have a good night.

Revisions.

Pages 12 and 13, Sandra.

Gee, Evan, why don't you wait until the
last minute? We're only supposed to

shoot this in a half an hour. Network
note. They just came in last night.

Anything new for me in this, Evan? It's
a 20 -line speech on page 8.

What?

Oh, my God!

Kidding, Alex.

For God's sake.

Revisions.

Gee, I hope they don't affect my
interpretation.

Jane -like, stiff as a board.

Nothing I like better than a creative
challenge.

Where's Charlotte?

I don't know, Evan.

Probably checking out her new dressing
room.

It's so hard to see her like this,
Henry.

I know.

It's as if she's trapped in her own mind
and nobody can reach her.

Our very own sleeping beauty.

Our baby.

Gee.

John, darling, the doctors are doing
everything that they can. I know.

You've got to be strong for her sake.

Damn it, Mimi.

Cut. Cut.

Mark, could you save the yelling until
after we stop the tape?

Milt, she burned me. I'm sorry.

Milt, I won't have to do my line over
again, will I?

We'll fix it in post.

Thank you.

Let's set up for the jailhouse scene.
Mark and Charlotte, that's you.

Charlotte?

Where is Charlotte?

Right here, Milt.

Okay. Let's lock the door.

They're just lying there in the snow.

I should never have let her go off angry
like that, Ellen.

Don't blame yourself.

No.

Well, who else can I blame?

I have to go.

I'm doing court.

I'll see you at the arraignment
tomorrow.

I'm going to forget what we just said.

I'll never forget.

I love you.

Cut.

Mark, cut.

Give the woman some air.

What?

We agreed yesterday you were going to
stick to the pages as written.

Mark, you all right?

What's wrong?

What's happening, Mark?

I can't breathe. I can't breathe, Evan.

He's having an attack.

Come on, just take it easy. Relax.

I can't breathe.

I can't breathe.

That's my allergy.

I need my allergy kit. I need my allergy
kit.

Me.

Dining room table. It's still in the
pharmacy bed.

It's okay, Mark.

We all know what to do. This has
happened before.

My God, shouldn't we call a doctor?
Alex, please, don't do this to us.

Honey, you're going to be just fine.

You're going to be fine.

Jack Lester live for Entertainment
Weekly. It has been two days since the

unexpected death of Mark Stratton on the
set of Mile High.

And at this point, there's still no
official word from the medical

office.

Perry Mason, come on. Come on. Mr.

Mason. Mr.

Mason. Jack Lester.

Is there any truth to the rumor the
police are investigating Mark Stratton's

death as a homicide?

Oh, I'm just here to see a friend.

Oh, excuse me just a minute.

Perry.

Thank goodness you came.

What's going on, Chris?

It's crazy.

This police detective says Mark might
have been murdered.

Well, no, not might have been, Miss
Buckner. The medical examiner is

certain it was murder.

Hello, Mr. Mason.

Lieutenant?

I'd better talk to Lieutenant Brock for
a moment.

Now, Mr. Buckner mentioned she used to
be your ward. Her father was a judge.

mother was my law clerk before she
became a lawyer.

They both died in a car accident.

Now, is Chris in trouble?

Oh, I'd say so.

According to the news last night, Mark
Stratton died from some kind of allergic

reaction.

Anaphylactic shock leading to total
cardiac arrest.

What was it?

Antibiotics? Bee stings?

Walnut oil.

Walnut oil?

That would be uncommon.

Uncommon is right.

You know, Mr. Mason, most mornings I get
up, I pretty much know what I'm going

to do through the day.

I mean, people knife each other, they
shoot each other, they push each other

buildings.

I mean, people simply are not nice to
each other. But I'm a homicide

and that's what I'm supposed to be used
to. But until this morning, I've never

once seen or heard of anyone killing
another person with...

Walnut oil.

Most people that allergic take
precautions.

And most people that allergic keep a
special allergy kit on hand with an

injector of epinephrine just in case
they go into shock like he did. Eric,

me see that thing for a minute, please.

I want to show you what set this guy
off, Mr. Mason.

Lipstick? Lipstick with walnut oil.

Charlotte Grant was wearing it.

and when she kissed him during one of
the scenes they were taping, he had a

predictable reaction, a shortness of
breath, a rapid pulse, the first stages

leading to anaphylactic shock.

Couldn't have been enough oil in that
lipstick to bring on all that or to kill

him. No.

Not in the lipstick, Mr. Mason, but in
the injector he used to treat himself,

the injector that was supposed to
contain the epinephrine.

Somebody spiked it. That was loaded with
walnut oil. I'm talking about the same

kind of walnut oil that you'd pick up in
any cooking store.

That would certainly do it.

And in this case, Stratton went to put
out the fire and

he burned down the barn.

How's Chris involved?

Oh, Chris.

I'm about to arrest her for murder.

On what grounds?

On the grounds she had reason to want
Stratton dead. She threatened him and

said, and I quote, right here, sir.

I could kill you for this.

Well?

Well, there's more, sir.

We found this kid in her dressing room
and it has Stratton's fingerprints all

over it. Leading to what conclusion?

Leading me to the conclusion that she
took that kid out of Stratton's dressing

room and replaced it with the one that
killed him.

How do you know someone else didn't
tamper with the allergy kits?

Because the security guard out there
said that she was the only one that

returned to the studio that night. What
about the cast and crew who arrived in

the morning?

Mr. Mason, you see that makeup table?

Located right across from Stratton's
dressing room. Anyone going in there

have been clearly seen, sir.

I think I got it with this, Miss Mason.

You can't believe that.

Perry, it isn't true.

Janet.

Della said I'd hardly recognize you.

It hasn't been that long.

Two years of no communication.

I know.

I was afraid you'd try to talk me out of
pursuing my career.

The last time I saw you, you were still
a very young lady.

Not anymore.

You thought I was wrong to quit college.
I thought you were wrong to shortchange

yourself. Because I wanted to be an
actress?

No, your career has always been up to
you.

But you didn't approve.

Your parents would have wanted you to
finish school.

I tried to follow their wishes and to
understand yours.

Look where my wishes got me.

I didn't know who else to turn to. I
didn't know what to do.

Lieutenant? Ah, does the young lady care
to make a statement?

Is the young lady under arrest?

Oh.

Miss Buckner, I am placing you under
arrest for the murder of Mark Stratton.

Miss Buckner is my client. She knows her
rights and has nothing to say at this

time.

Your Honor, the defendant has no family
in this community and no professional

ties to keep her here.

This murder is not a crime of passion.

It is an extremely calculated and
devious crime and suggests that the

committed it... Your Honor, my
distinguished colleague forgets that

bail hearing, not a trial.

Mr. Mason is, as always, perfectly
correct, Your Honor.

The reason I emphasize the nature of
this crime is that it reflects on the

likelihood that the defendant will flee
the area.

State requests bail in the amount of $1
million.

If it please the court, Ms. Buckner is
highly regarded in her profession, has

very strong ties to this community.

The amount of bail is unjustified.

Bail is set at $100 ,000.

It's very late. We will recess until
tomorrow morning.

Hello, Mason.

I'm surprised you didn't call it murder
most foul. I'm saving that one for

court. My wife is a great fan of yours.
If you hurry, you can make the six o

'clock news.

Then I'll hurry.

Buckner? Not now, please.

Oh, she's fine. We checked her into the
Park Lane Hotel.

Chris Stratton marked Stratton in front
of five people the day before the

murder. Evan King, the producer. Mimi
Hoyle, a production assistant.

Charlotte Grant, Stratton's fiancée.

Sandra Drake and Alex Straub.

Who were the last two?

Well, Sandra Drake plays Aunt Margaret
on Mile High, Barry.

Alex Straub is Judge Henry. And
Charlotte Grant is an attorney.

Oh, and Mark Stratton played Billy
Clavin.

And Chris was Janie Stockwell.

They were lovers.

Only she's in a coma. And he has
amnesia. And he's on trial for a murder

didn't even commit.

Della, you're a soap fan?

Well... Justice Thurgood Marshall was a
soap fan, Ken. He used to watch his

soaps in chambers between sessions of
the Supreme Court.

Della...

Find out from Chris about the people who
heard her threats to Mark Stratton.

Right. Ken, get permission to search his
house.

Brock and his people have already been
through the place.

That makes it easy for you.

When I'm through here, I'll talk with
Mort Aberdeen.

Who's that?

The security guard that placed Chris at
the studio the night before Stratton's

murder.

I'll tell him he should have had a
career in soap opera.

And nobody, Mr. Mason.

Nobody went in or out that night except
Chris Buckner.

Do you keep a log?

Yeah, the DA's got it, but I can tell
you what it says.

That might help.

Well, the studio closes at 7 o 'clock.

Everyone's out by 7 .15.

I was working the night shift, so that's
when I came on.

I did my rounds, and Miss Buckner got
here a little after 8, and she left 20,

minutes later. About 8 .30 or so.

That's it.

Could someone have possibly entered the
studio without your knowledge?

Oh, no. Look, we've got four gates.

After hours, three of them are locked
with electronic alarms wired to a

office and the fourth gate, the main
gate, has a 24 -hour guard.

That night it was me.

Who keeps the keys to the other gates?

Well, there's two sets of master keys.

One's in a safe in the security office
and the other's at the main gate.

And you can't make dupes.

I assume the clock you use to keep your
log is accurate.

Oh, yeah. I use the main time clock.

I set my watch by it.

Where would I find the production
assistant, Mimi Hoyle? Well, um, she's

probably on the set.

They're taping next week's shows.

Thank you for your help, Mr. Aberdeen.

Mr. Mason, no matter what they say, I
think Chris is a good kid.

So do I, sir.

So do I.

I just can't look at him like this,
Henry.

It's almost like he's in some kind of
dark dream.

Trapped in her own mind. This is the
background information you wanted.

That's Sandra Drake and Alex Straub.

No, Dad.

The doctors are doing everything that
they can.

I know.

The guards say that if Billy hadn't gone
back into the burning cell block to

rescue the warden, he might have escaped
with his friends.

What do you think is going to happen to
him now?

He's going to get a fair trial, this
boy.

Even if it means going back on the bench
and handling the case myself.

That's a promise, son.

Cut. Save it. It's a good one.

He has a mustache.

That man doesn't look anything like Mark
Stratton.

So?

So, isn't he supposed to play Mark
Stratton's character?

What happens to the play when he takes
the bandages off?

Miraculous. They say it was plastic
surgery.

Happens all the time.

Who are you?

Della Street.

I work for Perry Mason.

Come. I'll introduce you.

Who's Perry Mason?

I'm a lawyer. I represent Chris Buckner.

Perry, this is Mimi Hoyle.

May we have a word?

Excuse me.

I'll just watch over here.

everybody. We're going to make one.

You told the police Stratton had a new
kit delivered the day before the murder.

That's right. It came at the end of the
day.

Which means the switch could only have
been made sometime that night or the

morning.

What happened to his old kit?

I don't know. I think Mark said he lost
it.

Look, I have a production meeting in
five minutes.

How long have you been with Mile High,
Miss Hoyle?

Three years.

People who work together on TV shows
often become like families, don't they?

Sometimes.

And, as in any family, it can be hard to
keep secrets.

I guess.

Miss Hoyle, I want to ask you something
very personal.

I wouldn't ask if Chris Buckner's life
weren't at risk.

Okay, so ask.

Did you have an abortion several months
ago and did Mark Stratton pay for it?

All right.

How long were the two of you lovers?

For about two months when he first
started the show.

I thought it was true love.

Guess I've been working on these soaps
too long.

Was the abortion his idea?

He said the timing wasn't very good. He
said that there would be plenty of

opportunities to have children when his
career got going.

He said a lot of things.

And then he dumped me.

He also said that if I gave him any
grief, he'd have me fired.

I suppose when you heard he was going to
marry Charlotte Grant, it made you

pretty upset.

Angry even.

What do you think?

Angry enough to kill him?

Yeah.

But I didn't do it.

Anyway, I couldn't possibly have
switched those allergy kits. I wasn't

near here that night.

Where were you?

The Appaloosa. It's a country western
bar on Fairmont. I'm there every Monday

night. You can ask anyone.

I don't care. Ask everyone.

I intend to.

This is Ken calling in at 11.

Della, you can tell Perry I finally got
the keys for Stratton's house from

Lieutenant Brock.

All right, I'll check in after I'm done
here.

You gave me a scare.

Who are you? What are you doing here?
Hey, the police. I didn't mean to do

anything wrong. I just wanted to see
where he lives. Billy Clavin. I mean,

Stratton. Boy, slow down. I mean, I came
up the driveway and then the gate was

open. So I came and then I heard this
noise inside. And then you came along

scared me up to death. What noise
inside?

Right here.

You'd be a whole lot better once you
tell me who you are and what you think

you're doing here. Well, it's a long
story, but I'll try to keep it short.

see, I... Please.

And slowly.

Wow.

Hey.

Why don't you just go home, okay? I
can't. I still have ten days left on my

vacation.

Hi, I'm Peg.

Peg Furman?

Camelance.

Listen, I'm sorry about creeping around
outside, but sometimes I get carried

away. I noticed.

Well, it's just that I wanted to see
where Billy Clavin, I mean, Mark

lives. Really? Why's that?

Because the people on Mile High have
such interesting lives. I mean, the

characters and the actors, too.

What about yours?

Oh, my life isn't so uninteresting. I
have a wonderful family, and my sister

these two great kids that are like my
own in a lot of ways.

I look after them. I make clothes for
them.

Sometimes I forget that they're not my
own kids.

So when they go on vacation, I'm sort of
at loose ends.

I know what you mean. I used to get too
wrapped up in my work. You've got to

take time for yourself.

Exactly, which is why I wanted to take
this fantasy vacation, you know, see my

favorite show in person, meet the stars.

But then they didn't have tickets.

Look, I know this sounds really
ridiculous, but this is the first...

vacation that I've had since Ben died.

He was my husband.

It's been three years.

Oh, I'm sorry.

No, no, no, I'm okay. I just needed an
adventure, that's all.

Are you a policeman?

No, I'm an attorney. I work with Perry
Mason.

Chris Buckner's attorney?

I think it is terrible what is happening
with her.

that man was looking for?

Whatever it is, I think we stopped him
before he found it.

Hey. What?

It's the key to a locker at the bus
station.

Is that a clue?

Maybe. Okay, then let's go.

This is a murder investigation. I can't
let you get involved.

But you don't know what the guy looks
like who hit you, and I do. So let me

until we find him. Okay, but you do what
I tell you, and you stay out of the

way. Can I drive?

No.

Mr. Mason, how nice to see you.

It's tragic about Chris. Is there
anything I can do to help?

Perhaps you can clarify a few things.

Well, we're brothers before the bar, so
to speak.

I imagine you've been in quite a few
judges' chambers in your time.

None quite like this one.

That's the magic of television.

All illusion.

Ever watch our show?

Oh.

My schedule doesn't permit it, but my
associate, Miss Street, is a great fan.

Really? What does she think of me? I
mean, as a legal professional, does she

think I'm credible?

I'll be sure to ask her.

She did tell me that you used to be
quite a leading man at the beginning of

career.

Yeah, there are some people who think I
could have been the next Jeff Chandler.

Something went wrong?

I prefer television. The part's more
substantial.

So you've been active in television all
these years.

Well, the actor's never as busy as he'd
like to be, but I can't complain.

I'm very relieved to hear that.

You are?

I'm glad to hear those rumors about your
drinking problem were untrue.

Rumors?

Rumors that you once shut down
production while you slept off your

problem in a jail.

Well, I found it hard to believe that
you were... unable to continue working

had to be replaced.

Mr. Mason, let me be frank.

It was true, but that was a long time
ago.

You must have been under a great deal of
pressure.

Tremendous. People in this business
never forget when you cost them money.

So, until your wife used her influence
to get you this role of Judge Henry,

Things were difficult for you.

Well, I got an opportunity to prove
myself here, and I have.

Mr. Straub, did Mark Stratton ever
suggest that your character be dropped

this show?

He might have. I wouldn't put it past
him.

Oh, my God!

Does somebody think that I killed him?
It would help if you could prove where

you were the night someone tampered with
Stratton's allergy kit.

At home? All night.

Ask my wife.

Ask Sandra.

I will.

I will.

Just get rid of these and bring me
something I can wear.

Or I swear to you, you will be chucking
hemlines at the dry cleaners by Friday.

You understand me?

Yes, ma 'am. I'll take care of it right
away.

Mr. Mason?

Oh, of course.

You're representing Chris.

I'm so sorry. Why don't you sit down,
please?

Thank you.

You know, I was once married to an
attorney.

Did he practice here?

The producers killed him off.

But I do admire attorneys.

Your lives are so dramatic.

Not as dramatic as yours.

You are a sweet man.

You know, I do hope Chris is holding up.

Well, that's very kind of you.

Since you were close to Mark Stratton.

Well, his type come and go. I mean, the
honey tan boys of the moment.

I barely knew him.

Really?

Really?

I heard you promoted him for a starring
role in a movie of the week.

Oh, that.

Now, don't be modest.

Didn't you tell the network that if they
didn't cast Stratton in that TV movie,

you'd walk off mile high?

Now, I'd say that was very supportive of
you.

Well, Mark Stratton did have talent. I
mean, he could be very charming.

But ungrateful.

How's that?

Well, he betrayed you.

No, I wouldn't exactly call it a
betrayal.

You are being kind.

It's common knowledge that after you
helped get him the part he had another

actress cast in your role a Younger
actress

Mark Stratton did play me for a fool

and everybody knew it everybody but me
of course in fact The

entire time I was totally unaware that
people were whispering behind my back

It would make anyone angry.

Well, he was a scheming, ungrateful
little coward.

No one could blame you for hating him.
Oh, and I did. I...

Come on, Mr. Mason.

I did not kill Mark Stratton.

I mean, surely Alex told you.

He told me that you were together at
home that night.

together at home all night.

That's what he told me.

Stay.

He's a guy.

Do yourself a favor, buddy. Just give us
the pictures.

What pictures?

Be that way.

Somebody died in here.

Gentlemen, may I have your attention?

You know, you're going to have to pay
the bus company to replace that lock.

Okay, how much? Twenty bucks to cover
it. Thanks a lot.

This is a men's room, isn't it?

Guys, you snatched the briefcase.
Where'd they take it? They gave it to

we saw at Mark Stratton's house. Then he
took a bus. What bus? Where'd he take

it? I don't know.

Oh, great.

No!

No, I do not want to write him out.

Billy Clavin's murder trial is our
hottest storyline right now.

Network, just be a minute.

So he's dead. We can work with it.

Plastic surgery.

Get it?

We keep our new guy wrapped in bandages
a couple of weeks. By the time the rags

come off, nobody will even remember what
Stratton looked like.

You got it.

You work for Perry Mason, right?

Della Street.

Sorry to keep you waiting.

Oh, no problem.

It must be very difficult being a
producer of a daily TV drama.

After 15 years, I owe her my antacid by
the case.

So, about Chris.

Think Mason can get her off?

Oh, she's innocent.

Mr. Mason is planning on proving that.

Whatever it takes.

How can I help?

Well, we'd like a tape of Mark
Stratton's last scene.

The killer case?

Mm -hmm.

You got it. Thank you.

Ellen. Tell Post we need a cassette of
Monday's work print for Mr. Mason.

You can sign for it on your way out.

Sign for it? Oh, security.

Studio's got problems with pirates
stealing show tapes before we air them.

Must be very expensive for the studio.

You have no idea.

Anything else you want, you let me know,
all right? We need Chris back here.

She's terrific.

If she's terrific...

Why did you cut her part?

Look, I don't have time to explain the
business to you right now.

So if you'll excuse me.

Thank you, Mr. King.

Ellen, give me Bill in casting.

Yeah, yes, I did.

I tried to talk to him about the case,
but he cut me dead.

Jones there with you?

Yes, yes, absolutely.

Okay. Stand by in King's reception room.

Right.

This is Perry Mason.

I'm sure he's busy.

Tell him it's about the network not
renewing his contract.

Of course I'll wait.

Just what is this about my contract, Mr.
Mason?

A few questions first.

If you needed Chris on the show, why did
you cut it apart?

That was Mark's idea.

But you went along.

You don't argue with the kind of
demographics Mark had, not if you want

show. But now that he's gone, you need
Chris.

Cold hard fact.

Losing Mark cost the show momentum.

But it saved you quite a lot of trouble,
didn't it?

What trouble?

Is it true he was pressuring the network
to drop you when your contract came up?

And that he wanted to take over the show
completely?

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

No, you don't have to.

Where were you the night someone
tampered with the allergy kits?

The night the police said somebody
poisoned the allergy kit, I was at a

meeting in L .A., and I didn't get back
till the next morning at 7. You can

check it out. I will.

Now, would you please go to your office
door and tell Miss Street we've

concluded our conversation?

Sure. Thank you very much.

I've told Mr. Mason everything he
required.

Oh, good, good.

I'd like for you to meet Miss Jones.

Oh, I'm sorry. I'm not interviewing
actresses just now.

Miss Jones is the process server, and
that is your subpoena for court

Have a nice day.

I get a couple hundred people through
here every hour buying tickets for all

over the place.

But he was just here ten minutes ago.

This guy you're looking for, what does
he look like? Fixed one, sandy hair,

mustache, carrying a metal briefcase.

Kind of big guy, wearing a light striped
western shirt. That's the guy. Yeah,

bought a one -way ticket to Cedar Grove,
bus 52, left about 18 minutes ago.

You can catch him in my car. Thank you
so much.

What do you want?

Ah, well... One

more question, Cruz.

Were there any other cars on the lot
that night?

I don't know.

I didn't look.

I wasn't expecting to be arrested for
murder.

Thank you, Dylan.

Chris, we go to court in the morning.
How do you feel?

I don't know, Perry.

Now, look.

You've always been a fighter.

So fight now.

This time you'll have Della and me
fighting right beside you.

Thanks. Okay, you get some rest.

Good idea, Counselor. I'll take Chris
back to her hotel.

There she is!

She killed my fiancé. I loved him and
she killed him.

Harry. Miss Buckford, Mike Winter,
Mountain States Entertainment.

Ladies and gentlemen, my client has no
comment.

If you want the whole truth, come to
court tomorrow.

Now, this is the private office.

The outer door is there.

A little faster, please.

May I have a word with you?

Stella, where's the grant file?

Oh, it's on the desk right there.

Please take Chris into Ken's office.
When we leave, we'll take the back

elevator.

Fine.

That

woman

ruined my life.

That was a very good performance.

Now I have just one question.

You can answer it here or in court.

What?

How did Fitzpatrick feel about your
engagement to Mark Stratton?

Who?

Bill Fitzpatrick is a doctor in Los
Angeles.

I don't know him.

This is a hotel receipt.

You and Fitzpatrick spent a weekend
together in Las Vegas two months ago.

I don't remember.

That's odd.

That's very odd.

I've always heard a bride never forgets
her wedding day.

Now, you were married to another man
when Stratton announced his engagement

you.

Must have been very awkward.

You think I killed him because he wanted
to marry me?

Please. You now had the female lead in
the show.

If Stratton found out you'd been using
him, he could have finished your career.

I didn't kill him.

Where were you the night Stratton's
allergy kit was tampered with?

With Dr.

Fitzpatrick. He had come into town for a
couple of days.

Did anyone see you?

No. I thought to it no one did.

How did you get him to agree to keep
your marriage quiet?

I convinced him it was better for my
career if our audience and the fan mags

thought I was available.

What does he think now?

Oh, Mr. Mason.

There's no business like show business.

Yes, Grant, if I could just have one
more moment, please.

It's now Mark Stratton, New York. Is
that right?

Yes. I'm just devastated by all of this.
I just can't go on.

Whoever he is, he's halfway to Cedar
Grove by now.

With the briefcase from Stratton's butt
lock.

I don't get it. What does this guy have
to do with any of our other suspects?

Cedar Grove.

Why does that sound so familiar?

That's where Mark Stratton grew up.

That's right.

I read it in Soap Season Digest.

Soap Season Digest? I read it in the
dentist's office.

The May issue. Mark grew up poor in a
small town, but he never gave up his

of stardom. Cedar Grove, see?

Okay, Ken. Next stop, Cedar Grove.

When do we leave?

We don't leave. I leave. You go home.

Mr. Mason, I was outside the studio the
night before it happened.

I was on the set when he died.

I was even at his house. Perry, I got a
long drive.

The man who was at the house who took
the briefcase, Ken, doesn't know what he

looks like.

But you do.

Great.

Miss Furman, you said you were outside
the studio the night before Mark

was killed.

Yeah. Did you see anyone from the cast
or crew enter the building other than

Chris? No, just Chris.

Were you there all night?

Not all night. I had to move my car a
couple of times and the police drove

Did you see anyone else enter or leave
the building?

There was a delivery truck. It pulled up
to the gate just when I had to move my

car. Delivery truck? What kind?

It was a film lab, a central something.

I just got a quick look before I had to
move my car. Is it important?

I don't know.

Be careful, both of you. Thank you. Bye,
Perry. Bye, Dallas.

Bye, Ken.

I checked on all their alibis.

I'm going to forget what we said to each
other.

I'm never going to forget.

I love you.

Lieutenant Brock.

This container holds the theatrical
lipstick Charlotte Grant wore in the

we just saw.

Testimony from forensics has established
that it was spiked with walnut oil, and

we know from the medical examiner that
Mark Stratton was severely allergic to

walnuts. Other than Charlotte Grant's
fingerprints, can you tell us whose

fingerprints were found on this
container?

The defendant, Chris Buckner.

We already have been told by the medical
examiner.

that the fatal dose of walnut oil was in
an injection given by the victim to

himself.

Lieutenant, I now show you an allergy
kit, serial number 39021,

manufactured by Andrews Pharmaceutical,
and ask if you can identify it.

Yes, this is the kit that was found next
to the decedent's body by the medical

examiner. and subsequently sent to the
forensics laboratory. And what have you

learned from their examination?

According to specifications, the
injector was to contain 0 .3 cc of

Instead, it contained pure walnut oil.

Someone emptied the injector of
epinephrine and replaced it with the

walnut oil, didn't they? That is exactly
what happened.

Lieutenant, I now show you...

A second Andrews Pharmaceutical allergy
kit, serial number 39078,

and ask if you can identify it.

Yes, I personally located this kit, and
as you can see, it has my mark on it.

And where did you find it?

In the defendant's dressing room on a
shelf in her closet.

Thank you, Lieutenant.

I have no further questions.

Defense has no questions.

Looking for a guy to live around here.

Mark Stratton.

Folks on the place out the west road.

Still there?

Died five years back.

What kind of guy was Stratton?

No worse than some.

Have a lot of friends?

None I ever noticed.

Any enemies?

What you want to do...

You want to go down Main Street about
two blocks.

What'll I find there?

Sheriff's office.

You get any more questions, you ask the
sheriff.

That's 20 even.

Thanks.

Any luck?

Not much. So what are we going to do?

Check in with the local law, ask around,
see if anyone's seen a husky guy in a

striped shirt carrying a metal
briefcase.

Oh, my God.

What?

Him.

Sheriff's office, now, Main Street.

Did

anyone,

other than Chris Buckner, enter the
studio that night, Mr. Aberdeen?

No, sir. You're certain?

Well, there's only one gate open, and
I'm on duty all night.

I'd know if anyone went in or out.

So, only the defendant, Miss Buckner,
had the opportunity to switch those

allergy kits, knowing full well that
when Mark Stratton used one, it would

him.

I have no more questions of this
witness, Your Honor.

We've no questions at this time, Your
Honor, but we reserve the right to

this witness for the defense.

Witness may step down.

Anything further, Mr. Markham?

The state rests, Your Honor.

Fine. This court will recess until 2
.30.

Will the defense be ready to call its
first witness, Mr. Mason?

Defense will be ready, Your Honor.

This court is in recess.

Now we have something we can use to
fight.

Looking for me, Jack?

Yeah.

Hey,

what the... Help!

Video piracy. Is that a problem?

Big problem.

Copyright theft is theft, Mr. Mason.
Whether the object stolen is a book,

painting, episode of your favorite soap
opera. Something that's taken and a

victim suffers a loss.

Is there much of a market for stolen
soap operas?

An entire week's episodes, which haven't
been seen in the States, can net the

seller $30 ,000.

It's a rich market.

Rich market indeed.

Thank you very much, Mr. King.

No further questions?

Mr. Markham?

No questions, Your Honor.

Witnesses excused. Your Honor, I have
here an illegal video cassette

from Denver's Central Video by the FBI
earlier this morning.

Agent Holtham of the FBI is present in
court to so testify.

Your Honor.

Mr. Mason discussed this tape with me
earlier this morning. The illegality and

confiscation of the tape, as just stated
by Mr. Mason, have been stipulated, but

the state reserves its relevancy
objections.

Bailiff, please mark the tape Defense
Exhibit K for identification purposes.

Thank you, Your Honor.

Defense would like to call Mr. Mort
Aberdeen as its next witness.

Mr. Aberdeen.

Do you remember when we talked at the
studio, I asked you if the clock you

to keep your security log was accurate,
and you showed me your watch?

Yeah, I told you it was the right time.

And it was.

Now, what's the make of that watch?

It's a Maritz.

Expensive, I think.

I don't know. It was a gift.

Where do you get a fine watch like that
repaired?

Uh, Lord's Jewelers.

In fact, they are the only jeweler in
town who specializes in that brand.

I guess.

When I inquired about your watch, Mr.
Lord said you bought it there.

Is that true?

Oh, yeah, that's right. I forgot.

Sorry. Well, that's quite a timepiece
for a man earning a security guard

How could you afford it?

Well, it wasn't easy.

Those are your bank records subpoenaed
by my office.

What? I have copies here.

According to these records, you've
deposited several thousands of dollars

cash to your account since the first of
the year.

Where did all that money come from?

Well, I got lucky at the track.

I call your attention to the man sitting
beside Agent Wholesome.

Would the gentleman please stand?

Now, you recognize David Taylor, the
owner of Denver Central Video, don't

No, I don't know him. Mr.

Taylor has agreed to testify he paid you
$30 ,000 over the last six months to

let him duplicate unaired videos from
your studio after ours.

Also...

that you let him onto the studio lot in
his delivery truck, and that you used

your master key to unlock the studio
production office.

Well, he's lying.

And that he did the rest, copying
unaired episodes of Mile High,

later translating them into Spanish for
sale in South America.

It's his word against mine.

In fact, David Taylor will testify that
two of you broke into the prosecution

office the night before Mark Stratton
died.

You can't prove that. Oh, but I can.

Your Honor.

That scene was taped the day before Mark
Stratton died. The only way Taylor

could have made a copy was at the studio
that night.

You were away from your post, weren't
you?

Your Honor, anyone could have come into
the studio while you were gone. Anyone

could have gone to Mark Stratton's
dressing room and planted the deadly

kit. Anyone could have framed my client
for murder because you weren't there to

see them, were you, Mr. Aberdeen?

No more questions, Your Honor.

You again.

Why'd you hit me?

Why do you think? Oh, you should have
hit the other guy. Where is he?

He's here.

I need to make a phone call.

Sheriff says I can wait. I'm an attorney
working on a murder trial. Sheriff says

that you're a druggie.

Sheriff Watson says you're more
dangerous than you look. What?

Sheriff what?

I am.

I want to make a phone call.

You don't need a phone call.

Well, you can't hold me like this
without a charge.

You got a charge.

Assaulting an officer to law.

Me.

I know you were searching in Mark
Stratton's house. I know you paid those

to mug me for his briefcase.

You know that, do you? Whatever you're
up to, you're not going to get away with

it.

That's your legal opinion?

Yeah.

Well, I'm the law here, son.

The only legal opinion that counts
hereabouts is mine.

You can't hold me forever.

The thing about these old jail cells,
they ain't too secure.

Prisoners sometimes try to escape when
the deputy goes off duty and the

sheriff's all alone.

When that happens, especially if the
prisoner's a dangerous man who goes

assaulting officers of the law,
prisoners get killed.

You're not serious.

Get some sleep, son.

And your wife were at home the night
before Mark Stratton's murder?

All night.

Mr. Straub, do you ever visit the Cregan
service station two blocks from Mile

High Studio?

Only if I need gas.

Did you need gas on Monday, October
11th? No.

I have here a receipt from Cregan
service station.

It shows your gas card was used to pump
gas on October 11th.

I filled up there earlier in the day.
Mr. Cregan's prepared to testify he saw

your car at one of his pumps at 8 .30
the night before the murder.

He recognized your car, a 64 Jaguar,
because he'd done some work on it a few

weeks ago.

He made a mistake.

He didn't get a look at the driver
because those pumps are activated

automatically by credit card.

I was home.

No.

You were on your way to Mile High
Studio, weren't you?

No.

Mort Aberdeen, the guard, didn't see you
because he was busy stealing

videotapes. You're wrong.

Mr. Straub, weren't you at the studio
the night someone tampered with

Mark Stratton's allergy kit?

No. I remind you the penalty for perjury
is severe.

Would you like me to show you a security
videotape that places you at the studio

that night?

Look at me, Mr. Straub. Look at me.

Now, what were you doing at the studio?

I did it.

I'm the one you want.

I took the car. I changed the kit.

I killed him.

Bailiff, make that woman sit down now or
I will clear the courtroom.

Mr. Straub, your wife thinks you killed
Mark Stratton.

She's offering herself to save you.

Are you going to let her lie for you?

Isn't there something you want to tell
us?

Defense has no more questions of this
witness.

Your Honor, the prosecution has no cross
-examination and moves to strike this

entire testimony.

Mr. Mason is engaged in theatrics, whose
only purpose is to confuse the issue.

Your Honor, the next witness should
clear up the prosecution's confusion.

Very well. Proceed.

I call Mimi Hoyle.

I saw what happened. You want me to call
Mr. Mason? Right away. The deputy's due

to go off duty any time now, and then
Watson's coming back here.

He's trying to spook me into making a
run for it so he can shoot me. Oh, my

What'll we do?

I'm thinking about it.

Excuse me, sir. Could I change for a
dollar? I only have two quarters.

Okay, I'll trade you my dollar for your
two quarters.

I need those for my cash customers.

Look, I am desperate. You don't know
what desperate is until you only got two

quarters. At least you got a dollar. I
have one. You must be living right.

Hello, Mr. Mason, please.

I know he's not in, but I have to speak
to him. Is this an exchange?

Okay, well, you've got to get word to
him.

No, no, no, don't put me on hold!

That phone isn't working. It ate my
quarter, which makes you responsible, so

give me a quarter. There's nothing wrong
with that phone.

Prove it.

Here, see?

Mr.

Mason, please. And don't play...

The night you're talking about, I was at
a country western bar.

The Appaloosa.

You told me you were a regular there
every Monday night. That's right.

But on that particular Monday night,
Miss Hoyle, the Appaloosa was closed due

a power failure.

But you would have known that had you
been there.

Will you identify this for the court,
Miss Hoyle?

It looks like a blow -up of one of the
crew time cards we use at the studio.

In fact, it's your time card.

It indicates you clocked in on the
morning of October 11th, but never

out.

I forgot.

Did you also forget to clock in again
the next morning, October 12th?

I forgot.

The time clock is in the guard shack at
the front gate.

Every crew member entering and exiting
the studio has to clock in. Now, isn't

that so?

Yes.

The only way you could have managed not
to clock in on the day of the murder

is if you stayed at the studio
overnight.

Were you at the studio alone that night,
Miss Hoyle?

Or was someone with you?

I was with a friend. Why couldn't you
have met this friend somewhere else?

Because he was afraid someone would
recognize him.

Your friend was Alex Straub?

Yes.

You and Alex Straub were lovers?

Yes.

Damn you.

I was ready to lie for you.

You always have to be the star.

You weasel! I am the star!

Bailiff, remove those two people from
the courtroom.

Don't touch me.

Mr. Mace, do you have any more questions
for this witness?

Just a few, Your Honor.

Where were you after the cast and crew
left the studio at 7 p .m.? In Mark

Stratton's dressing room.

He had the only full -size bed.

When did Alex arrive?

After Mort finished his rounds, I called
Alex and I asked him to meet me at the

studio. He arrived at about 8 .30.

You were in Mark Stratton's dressing
room all night?

Yeah.

When did you leave?

About 7 .30 the next morning. That's
when Alex had to be in makeup.

And during the time you were in his
dressing room from 7 that night until 7

the next morning, did you see Miss
Buckner enter and tamper with these

No.

Defense has no more questions of this
witness, Your Honor.

Miss Hoyle, you were in Mark Stratton's
dressing room until 7 .30 a .m. on the

morning of the murder.

How many times do I have to say this?
Yes.

But according to this cast sign -in
sheet, Mark Stratton arrived at 7 a .m.

morning.

Mark always arrived after 8, and I
always marked a sign -in sheet an hour

earlier. Otherwise, the production
office gave him grief.

I see.

And according to this same sign -in
sheet, what time did the defendant, Miss

Buckner, arrive?

7 .42.

In other words...

You and Mr. Straub left the victim's
dressing room around 7 .30.

Mark Stratton didn't arrive until after
8.

But the defendant, Miss Buckner, was
present in the studio at 7 .42

a .m.

Yeah. So Chris Buckner would have been
able to come into Mark Stratton's

dressing room and switch the kit after
you had gone without your knowing a

about it.

Your Honor.

I need to ask for an immediate recess.

Just a minute, Mr. Mason. I'm not
through here. No minute, Mr. Markham.

I'm sorry, Your Honor, but I need to
leave court immediately.

Very unusual request, Mr. Mason, but
with your obvious concern, I'm inclined

grant a recess until 10 a .m. tomorrow
morning.

Uh, Mr. Markham?

Very well, Your Honor. I've made my
point here.

Uh, Mr. Mason?

Sheriff, a couple of kids are breaking
into a car down the street. I think

somebody better stop them.

Sheriff!

Sounds like the Gleason boys are acting
up again. I'll be back in a minute.

Help you, ma 'am?

I was just telling your deputy that...
You're not from around here, are you?

Who are you visiting?

My cousin Fred.

Fred who?

Sheriff. Is somebody hurt in there? You
stay here.

Oh, that old gag.

He must think I'm stupid.

I'm always saying what you do is too
dangerous. Well, I'm agreeing with you

so don't you think it's probably crazy
we should get out of here? I only said I

wanted to be forgiven.

I said I wanted to die. Please get me
out of here.

Shoot him, Frank. The man's a killer.
Deputy, I'm an attorney working on a

murder case.

Shut up. You're seriously involved. If
you don't believe me, I've got something

you ought to read.

Frank, shoot him. Call the state police.
Call anybody you want.

Just look at this first.

You idiot. Shoot him.

Don't you move, Jim.

I swear I'll shoot you dead.

Put it down.

Down.

Surprise, surprise.

Surprise.

Your Honor, defense recalls Mimi Hoyle
to the stand.

Miss Hoyle, is that Mark Stratton's
personalized coffee mug?

Uh -huh. It's got his name on it, and I
also recognize this crack on the handle.

Did you bring Stratton a cup of coffee
in that mug the morning he was killed?

And did he spill some of it because it
was too hot to drink?

Yes.

Thank you, Miss Hoyle. No further
questions?

No questions, Your Honor.

Defense recalls Evan King.

Mr. King, as a producer of 15 years'
experience...

Why did you allow a newcomer like Mark
Stratton to dictate changes to your

show's cast and storyline?

Mark had good numbers. The right
demographics.

He had star quality.

No, Mr. King.

What Mark Stratton had were those.

Now, I have copies here. An article clip
from the Cedar Grove News dated 28

years ago.

You lived in Cedar Grove 28 years ago,
did you not?

No.

A wealthy farmer's son named Tim Bonner.

Bonner was a college student and the
older brother of Frank Bonner, the

deputy sheriff of Cedar Grove.

Isn't it true that Tim Bonner was killed
and his kidnappers never identified?

I wouldn't know anything about that.

Really?

Two of the victim's classmates claimed
to have witnessed the kidnapping and

statements. Would you read the names of
those two witnesses and see if that

refreshes your recollection?

Jim Watson, Evan King.

Watson went on to become sheriff of
Cedar Grove.

You became a successful television
producer.

You and Watson...

lied about the kidnapping.

No.

Perhaps hearing this tape recorded by
Mr. Stratton will refresh your memory.

Hi, Evan. It's Mark Stratton.

This is tape one of two.

The other's safely locked away.

That's a funny thing. Twenty years ago,
I was a kid growing up in Cedar Grove. I

used to play at the old granary north of
town. You remember.

One day, I saw you and Jim Watson take
Timmy Bonner to the fields behind the

granary.

Except Timmy never came back.

Only you and Watson came out again, and
both of you had blood all over you.

Tim Bonner was found a week later, dead.

I was just a kid then, and I didn't put
it all together.

But when I recognized you at the
audition the other day, the pieces began

fit.

Hey, look, Evan, I can keep quiet, but I
sure could use some help with my

career.

It's like the man said.

This could be the beginning of a
beautiful friendship.

Jim Watson.

was arrested last night.

He confessed to the murder of Tim
Bonner. And he implicated you.

Mark Stratton was blackmailing you,
wasn't he?

You can't believe that, Mr. Mason.

That tape was some kind of a strange
joke of Mark's.

When you realized Stratton's demands
were going to destroy you, you decided

kill him.

Your Honor.

I'm not on trial here.

Mr. King, Charlotte Grant's lipstick was
spiked by you.

You planted the deadly allergy kit in
Stratton's bedroom that morning.

You hid the original kit in Chris
Buckner's dressing room.

In other words, Mr. King, you framed my
client.

You can't prove that.

Any of it.

As a matter of fact, I can.

It always puzzled me how the killer
could be sure Mark would kiss Charlotte

while she was wearing that lipstick.

The kiss wasn't even in the script.

No. It wasn't in any of the scripts
taken from the studio set by the police.

But it was in Mark Stratton's script.

What are you talking about?

The script with Stratton's name on it,
found by the police on the set after his

death. is not the script he was studying
the morning he died.

The dialogue in it wasn't outlined.

Mark Stratton always outlined his
dialogue.

Now, that is the script you handed Mark
Stratton that morning, is it not?

Wait a second. The script you prepared
especially for him with a scene

that reads, Billy pulls her into a hot
embrace and kisses her.

You can't prove Mark ever saw this
script.

Really?

Not with Mark Stratton's personal mug
and the stain it made on the script?

There it is, Mr. King.

All we need, Mr. King, all we need is
the truth.

I couldn't let him do that.

The show.

It was everything.

Fifteen years I've been doing this.

I don't know anything else.

I couldn't let him take it all away.

Your Honor, defense moves for a
dismissal of all charges against Chris

People have no objection, Your Honor.

This case is dismissed.

Bailiff, take this man into custody.

This case is resolved and the court has
no further objections to photographs by

the press.

You were great as always.

Just one question.

Where do you find time to watch soap
operas?

I found it the same place Marshall found
it. Justice Marshall wasn't working for

me.

You're not that demanding.

Oh, you want to bet?

What the hell?

Want to see how they do it in Hollywood?

Sure, sure.

Chris!

Smile.

Smile.