Original subtitles

(film reel clattering) (soft jazz music)

Downloaded from YTS.LT

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(Trillo chattering)

- It's not easy being a private detective

with a wooden partner.

The world: a stage of shadows, voices, illusions,

where no one can be trusted, even yourself.

Everybody has something they're hiding.

A dark secret, it messes with your head after a while.

Sometimes I wish I was the wooden one.

I, the puppet master, yearning for redemption

through a simple reversal of control.

Another night tossing voice in a dingy dive bar,

when I saw her sitting there,

I knew right away she would change my life forever.

You'd think I'd have learned better by my age,

but all guys are suckers for lookers.

Even old private dicks.

- Excuse me. Excuse me.

(audience member coughing)

Hey, I can end the act with a really dramatic

thing here, Mr. Trillo.

- What? - Can do a tongue twister.

- [Trillo] How about that Peter Piper one?

- Peter Piper picked a pack of pickled peppers.

If Peter Piper picked a pack of pickled peppers,

how many packs of pickled peppers did Peter Piper pick?

- Thank you, ladies and gentlemen.

- Thank you. (chair scraping)

Thank you.

(footsteps tapping)

It's no use, Mr. Trillo.

(Trillo sighing)

(footsteps tapping)

- Let's give it up for Van Trillo and Ezra.

(audience member applauding)

Come on, you can do better than that. Let's go.

(audience members applaud) - All right, all right.

- [Announcer] All right.

(switch clicking) (chattering from nightclub.)

- (sighs) Don't give me that look, Suede.

(knock on door) It's open.

(door clicks and thuds) (soft jazz music)

(footsteps tapping)

- She's a looker.

- Can I help you, Miss...

- Lake, Chloe Lake.

I need your services, Mr. Trillo.

- You see, Mr. Trillo? Some folks appreciate our talent.

What's the occasion, Ms. Lake?

Birthday party, communion, bar mitzvah?

- I don't need a ventriloquist, I need a detective.

You are a detective, aren't you, Mr. Trillo?

I heard that you use your dummies to question suspects.

Throws them off guard.

- What else did you hear, Ms. Lake? - That it's effective.

You've got me talking to one of your dummies,

or should I say, detective partner?

- Ezra's not my detective partner. Sam Suede is.

I'm their underpaid assistant.

- Can you talk to people without a third party involved?

- What's the problem, Ms. Lake?

- I received a call about my mother

when I was at an audition for a play.

By the time I got to my mother's house

in Canarsie she was already... mm.

The coroner said it was a heart attack, but she was murdered.

- How do you know? - Because someone phoned me

saying he murdered her and he would murder me as well.

- Could be a crank.

- He knew details only a murderer would know.

- Did you recognize the voice?

- No. (soft dramatic music)

Then I received another call this afternoon, a death threat.

He knew everywhere I'd been and where I was.

- Sorry, I can't help you, Ms. Lake.

I'm leaving for Cleveland, working a case.

There are loads of private detectives in New York.

- Most private dicks are corrupt, just like the cops.

Pay each other for leads, go to the same bars and brothels.

I need an outsider, Mr. Trillo. Like you.

- What makes you think I'm-

- An outsider?

That's what people say about you because you're... weird.

I would be terribly grateful.

(soft jazz music)

- Sorry, Ms. Lake.

(paper rustling)

- My number.

I do hope you change your mind, Mr. Trillo.

(footsteps tapping)

- As quickly as it came, the moment passed,

yet the memory of her gaze lingered.

A reminder of the power of a pair of eyes

to cut through the noise.

(Trillo sighing)

- I didn't think you could say no to a looker.

- You're finally thinking with the right head.

(crows cawing) (soft dramatic music)

(birds chirping) (gate clattering)

(thunder rumbling)

(cat meowing)

(door clicks and creaks)

- I know. It's okay. (sighs)

(cat meowing continues)

- Welcome. (Chloe sighing)

(inhales) I'm afraid we don't allow pets

of any kind here, love.

- (inhales) He's my mother's cat. Was.

I needed some place to get away to that was quiet

and remote and there's no one to take care of Charlie

now that my mother's...

- (gasps softly) Oh.

You poor dear.

All right, love.

Just keep your precious little pussy inside your room.

(Chloe exhaling) Upstairs and to the left.

- Thank you. (cat meowing)

I know, Charlie. Ooh!

(chuckles) He's a little jumpy.

- We bill at the end of your stay.

(pen scratching)

(key scraping)

(key tapping)

And help yourself to tea or a little nibble in our parlor.

(Charlie meowing) - Thank you.

Oh, Charlie. It's okay, it's okay.

I know, Charlie. He's not usually like this.

- Mm. (stairs creaking)

(bright orchestral music)

Intending to rest,

she was shocked instead to see her dear,

sweet cat lying dead.

(footsteps tapping)

(mug clacking)

(tea trickling)

(inhales) I trust you'll find your stay here

relaxing, Ms. Lake.

I bought this inn shortly after my husband died suddenly.

Ah, we were very young when we came to America.

The atmosphere is most conducive for writing.

(dish clattering) - What do you write?

- Murder mysteries. - (gasps) Ah.

(Harriet chuckling) - That's my favorite genre.

And your name's Harriet Hubbard?

- Oh, no. I write under a pseudonym, Elvira Cutler.

(Harriet chuckling) - Yes.

I've read one of your novels.

The one about the passengers on a train to World's End

that are all murdered by that mad ventriloquist.

- Did you enjoy it? - I loved it.

- Hmm. - (gasps) I just saw

a ventriloquist performance in Brooklyn yesterday.

- Did you?

(inhales) My inspiration for the book was Elliot Black,

who has lived here at the inn for many years now.

He was a very famous ventriloquist at one point.

(bright orchestral music)

- Is he?

- Oh, no. Oh, no, no, no.

Oh, no. He could not possibly be a murderer. (chuckles)

Though, he is quite eccentric.

It is in deference to him

that I do not allow cats, normally.

He does not tolerate them. (floor creaking)

- I'm not intolerant, I'm allergic. (sneezes)

- I was not trying to be offensive, Mr. Black.

I was merely explaining. - Yeah, no offense.

It's the most offensive people who say that.

(footsteps tapping)

- He never leaves the premises.

(inhales) He's an agoraphobic.

He lives only to broadcast his radio show.

World's End is the only village

where you can hear his program.

Hmm.

(Elliot breathing uneasily) (vintage jazz music)

(Elliot sighing)

(lid clicking)

(envelope rustling)

- Some people appreciate me.

Did you forget about this, Dinky?

My fan letter.

See, Dinky, people do listen to my radio show.

(envelope rustling)

- I wrote him a fan letter a couple of years ago.

- (chuckles) From your room to his?

- (chuckles) Oh, no.

I posted it anonymously, out of pity, I suppose.

I was there the fateful night

that he lost control of his dummy.

It so unnerved him that he was never able

to perform ventriloquism again.

The poor man. (Elliot laughing)

- [Elliot] Sing the song, Dinky.

- No.

(tense orchestral music)

- Our, our, our friends in the audience

are, are waiting, Dinky.

- They may be your friends, Elliot,

but I wouldn't be caught dead

with this bunch of stupid, ugly mother suckers.

(audience chattering) - What, what,

what's the matter, Dinky?

- There's nothing to matter with me, Elliot.

I'm just sick and tired of being your prop

to get cheap laughs with your corny jokes.

- (laughs nervously) Oh.

(audience chattering)

- Here, get me outta here. I'm sick of this crap.

Not gonna take it anymore, Elliot.

Don't ever do this again, Elliot.

(Elliot breathing uneasily)

- I tried to help that woman and look at the thanks I get.

She'll ruin everything for me.

I shouldn't feel responsible for her.

It's not my fault her parents are dead.

(birds chirping)

(footsteps tapping)

(door clicking)

(phone scraping)

(receiver tapping)

(finger rubbing)

- I'm coming.

I'm Harriet Hubbard, the proprietor. Welcome.

- Dr. Andre Cox at your service.

I present to you, Mr. Archibald Grimsly

and Mrs. Hortense Grimsly.

- Ah, you don't happen to be members of the family

that owns Grimsly Bank, do you?

What an honor to have you stay at Les Saisons.

And a doctor too. (soft dramatic music)

- Ah, Dr. Cox is not an ordinary doctor.

He's my personal physician and personal assistant.

- Ah. I don't believe you have a reservation.

Indeed, turns out we do have rooms available.

We bill at the end of your stay.

- We certainly are not staying here.

- Our car just broke down,

and there's no cell phone signal available.

- Oh, you won't find a phone signal here at World's End.

We're in a dead zone.

- Uh, can we use your phone to call a garage?

- A garage on a Sunday afternoon? (laughs) Oh.

- Well then call for a taxi to take us back

to our estate in Connecticut.

- It's nearly dusk.

You won't find a taxi driver to come here after sunset.

That taxi driver was murdered down the road

(Hortense gasping) the other night.

- Oh. (breathes uneasily) Oh.

- I guess we can tolerate this for one night.

- Oh, I suppose.

- Uh, please sign in. Thank you.

(pen scratching) (Archibald sighing)

(Chloe screaming)

- Oh! Ah!

(Chloe sobbing)

Oh, you're a doctor.

- I'm not a veterinarian.

- Well, surely you're more qualified than I.

(sighs) Ah.

(bag rustling)

Well, who would do such a ghastly thing?

(Chloe sobbing continues)

- [Dr. Cox] The texture indicates a vitamin B deficiency.

(Archibald exhaling)

- [Chloe] The neck, look at... Ah! (sobs)

- Yes, yes. I, I was getting to that.

As I suspected, the neck is broken.

This cat has been murdered - Ooh.

- Stabbed multiple times. - I'm so sorry, my dear.

- Oh.

- [Harriet] Shall I call the police?

- No, it won't matter. It's just a cat. (sobs)

- Do you want me to remove the feline?

- No.

(inhales) Yes.

(Chloe breathing uneasily)

- Eh. (Harriet retching)

(chuckles) Uh.

(Chloe sobbing)

- Ah. Eh.

(Chloe sobbing)

- First to be killed was a creature with a tail.

The next victim will be higher on the evolutionary scale.

Ah, wicked.

- Please. I am sure I will be next.

(chattering from stage)

- I can't help you, Ms. Lake.

- I'm afraid to be here.

- [Trillo] So go home.

- [Chloe] I'm afraid to be anywhere.

- [Trillo] I'm flying to Cleveland tonight.

- Oh, please reconsider.

- Hey! (audience members laughing)

- Sorry.

(receiver clacking)

- [Harriet] A voice in his head told him

to call her right back,

but he was determined not to give into it.

(chattering from stage) (audience applauding)

Thank you.

(audience chattering)

- Not again. Hey, Ezra.

Long time, no see. How you doing?

- Hey, Chris. You are a star now.

What is the secret to your success?

- Well, you know, I like to train my ventriloquist a lot.

Ha-ha. - Well, my trouble

is that my ventriloquist is not

as intelligent as your ventriloquist.

- Well, I don't know if I should, uh, you wanna handle that?

- Well, I mean, you guys are doing great.

You know, that's all you gotta do.

Just get out there and keep going.

- Well, another trouble I have

is that Mr. Trillo is very annoying.

- Ezra, between me and you, this guy is annoying too.

Ha-ha. Hmm, hmm, hmm.

- Oh my God, Nik and Chris. Can I get a picture?

- Well, Ezra, we gotta go. Nice to see you.

- Have fun in Cleveland. - So long, guys.

(audience chattering)

(tense orchestral music) (thunder rumbling)

(pies tapping)

- (inhales) Mr. Black, are you all right?

- It's the rain and the thunder.

- Excuse me, Mrs. Hubbard. - Yes, Mrs. Grimsly?

- What is this? (thunder rumbling)

- Shepherd's pie.

- But where is the potato?

- Les Saisons-style. (chuckles)

- I love pie.

- Ah, take it away.

Uh, I'll wait for the main course.

- Actually, it is the main course.

You see, we didn't anticipate these many guests,

but fortunately, we had enough pies on hand.

- Uh, uh, they look like they were frozen.

- Precisely, last year. - Oh.

- Could I have mine to go, please?

- Oh. (chuckles) - There's a hair in mine.

- Les Saisons-style.

(Archibald gasping)

(footsteps thudding)

Ms. Lake, do join us for supper.

- I'm leaving.

- Well, what? (chuckles)

Ms. Lake, no World's End taxi's

going to come here at this hour

- Then call one from another town.

I don't care where. Just get one for me.

- Please, calm down, my dear.

- I cannot stay here.

- Ah, well, why don't you just join us

for a little shepherd pie? - I want a taxi now.

(door clicking) (luggage clattering)

- [Harriet] Welcome.

(inhales) Do you want a room, sir?

- Yes. - Oh, well, we happen

to have one available.

- Oh, but Ms. Hubbard, I, uh,

I just decided I'm gonna stay.

- I wasn't counting your room, love.

I was expecting you would stay.

(eerie orchestral music)

- I have more luggage in the taxi.

- Well, he must have gotten a taxi from far away.

A World's End driver would know better

than to drive here at night.

(guest book rustling) - Hmm.

(rain pattering) (thunder rumbling)

(tense orchestral music)

(drawers scraping)

(thunder rumbling)

- Where's the cat?

- Mrs. Hubbard took him away.

- Why'd you let her do that?

- What, did you expect me to keep his carcass on me?

(rain pattering)

- Any idea who made those threatening phone calls?

- The stillness of the night softened

the feeling of danger that lurked silently in the air.

Breathing in the calm before the inevitable storm. (blows)

I felt the unsettling presence of the angel of death.

Who will be his victim tonight? (blows)

(thunder rumbling)

Eh. Goodness. (inhales)

(floor creaking)

(rain pattering)

(lid clicking)

(Ezra rustling)

- Hey, is this Cleveland?

- No, it's World's End, New York.

- Gee, I always wanted to go there.

Hey, next time we fly, can you get me a seat?

I hate riding in cargo.

(lights clanking and buzzing)

(soft dramatic music)

(switch clicking) - I don't know.

(muffled chattering)

(footsteps tapping)

- Oh, oo! Hey, watch it!

- Sorry.

(Trillo knocking) Ms. Lake?

Ms. Lake? (Hortense screaming)

(tense orchestral music)

- Oh! Oh my God!

Oh, my poor baby! Oh my God! (sobbing)

Oh, gee! Oh, oh! (sobbing)

Archie. Oh, my Archie!

- [Trillo] Mrs. Grimsly, someone bludgeoned him

with this frozen pie. - Oh, no, no, no!

Oh, pie! Oh!

(Hortense whimpering)

(rain pattering)

(thunder rumbling)

- (cries) I think he went in the wrong room.

(inhales and exhales) He wanted to kill me.

- My dear, (Chloe sighing)

why would anyone want to kill you?

(Chloe breathing uneasily)

(hands rubbing)

Mm. (chuckles)

(wind howling)

- Where's the cat? - In the garden.

Two feet under.

- Did Ms. Lake give you permission to do that?

- She asked me to remove that cat.

What else should I have done?

- (inhales and exhales) Any fingerprints have melted away.

I want everyone in the parlor.

- (inhales) Okay. Yes, sir.

(tense orchestral music)

A room full of suspects, including yours truly.

The two detectives scrutinized us all,

reading our looks, gestures, inflections.

Any one of us could be the murderer.

- Do we need all these candles?

- How else are we gonna see?

- I'm pyrophobic.

- The murderer of that poor taxi driver has not been caught.

- How was he killed?

(Harriet inhaling)

- I saw that taxi driver stop by here

to ask directions shortly before he was murdered.

According to the news reports,

on his way back from World End,

someone smashed his windshield with a rock,

causing him to stop the vehicle.

Then the assailant stabbed him with a knife.

(knife stabbing) - Ah! (screams)

- Oh, dreadful, isn't it?

But wonderful material for a crime novel.

- [Suede] Before Grimsly was whacked,

somebody killed Chloe's cat.

- We don't have to listen to you.

- And you're the only known cat hater here.

- I'm feline phobic.

Fearing cats is different from hating them.

- Mr. Trillo is a private detective.

- Private, so he's not a cop.

(light buzzing) - Ah, there, you see?

(inhales) Oh, everything's all bright again.

- Now can we call the police?

- Right.

- [Trillo] Everyone else stay here.

- It, it's almost midnight.

I have to go back to my room to broadcast my show.

- Nobody's going anywhere until we say so.

- Don't listen to him, Mr. Black.

Maybe this crap works in New York City,

but it won't work around here. - Sit down, Mr. Cox.

- It's Dr. Cox. - Yeah, whatever.

Sit down.

You expect to get a lot of money out of this, don't you?

It's a good racket being a gigolo.

(hands patting)

(pockets rustling)

- Looking for this?

- How'd you get that?

Oh, when you bumped me in the dark.

Oh, ooh! Hey, watch it!

- [Trillo] Sorry.

- Now sit down.

(footsteps tapping) (Harriet inhales and exhales)

- The phone line is still dead.

- (gasps) What is that man doing here with that thing?

- He's not a thing, sweetheart. He's my partner.

- I refuse to stay here.

- Looks like you've got something to hide, Mr. Black.

- I can't disappoint my listeners.

- You gotta be kidding, on your frequency in this weather?

You'll be lucky to get two or three drunks

listening in downtown World's End.

- Listen, I've got to broadcast my show.

(gun clattering) (Harriet gasping)

(Elliot groaning)

- Oh, dear. (Hortense gasping)

Mr. Black. - That "ventrikolist" attacked

that poor man. (Elliot groaning)

Do something, Andre!

Somebody stop them before they kill us all!

- Calm down, Grimsly girl. It's late.

You're tired and cranky.

- Let's all just get some sleep.

- You hurt my voice. (gulps) I can barely talk.

- Oh. - He'll be all right.

He was gentle.

Now everybody go back to your rooms and lock the doors.

- Oh!

- Oh, I'm afraid I have no spare rooms.

- Looks like somebody's gonna have

to share with sweetie pie.

How about you, doc?

- Oh, I could open a cot in the office. Mm?

(legs scraping)

- Where am I?

- Uh, you just need some sleep and rest.

- Oh, I can't sleep. (Dr. Cox sighing)

I'm frightened of those New Yorkers,

especially that wicked little one.

- I'll stay with you. You just need more medicine.

- Oh, I'm certain they will try to kill me.

(Hortense breathes uneasily) - Fear not, my lovely lady.

I'll protect you with all my life.

You're the most beautiful woman that I've ever seen.

So beautiful. - Oh, shut up.

(pill pattering)

(Hortense gulping) (fingers snapping)

(eerie orchestral music)

(Hortense slurping)

- Ah. - There.

Any minute now, you should be feeling...

(Hortense sighing)

(tense orchestral music)

(switch clicking) (distorted chattering)

- Greetings, friends of the night,

and welcome to our nightly reverie.

May the sweet sounds of yesterday transport us

to a place where time stands still and all is good.

I invite you now to relax

and enjoy the tranquility of the night

while the village sleeps.

(static buzzing)

♪ Then what will I do when ♪ (soft jazz music)

(shoes rustling)

- Were these windows locked when you arrived?

- No, actually, they were open, but I locked them.

(thunder rumbling)

So, how did you figure out that Dr. Cox is a gigolo?

- [Trillo] Huh, well, it's obvious she doesn't have him

around for his medical expertise.

- Hmm. - I mean, he's charming,

handsome, and doesn't know that he's an idiot.

- Huh.

- Okay, I don't think anyone entered through these windows.

(thunder rumbling) - Mm.

(soft jazz music) (gaps) Oh.

I didn't expect you to turn around so fast.

So, do you think he killed Grimsly and Charlie cat?

Or is there another deranged criminal on the loose? (gasps)

Could you help me with my

necklace?

(Chloe gasping)

Do you always take advantage of your clients, Mr. Trillo?

- I should have listened to Suede.

- Oh, don't get me wrong. I'm into older men.

Oh, it's so frustrating.

I just don't understand how men

always get the wrong impression of me.

- (breathes uneasily) Stay in your room, Ms. Lake,

and lock the door.

- Hmm.

(door clicks and thuds)

(floor creaking) (switch clicking)

- (gasps) Oh!

- What are you doing, Mrs. Hubbard?

- (inhales) I'm going to sit in the parlor a bit.

- Are you kidding?

- Uh, I write a chapter here every night.

- It might be your final chapter.

(knife scraping) (Trillo breathes uneasily)

- I'm not frightened.

- You better give that to me. - Oh, what?

And leave my self defenseless?

- Mrs. Hubbard, go back to your room.

- I have been called the Queen of the Crime Novel,

and I will not have my writing disrupted

by an insensitive criminal.

(footsteps tapping)

(stairs creaking) (soft jazz music)

(footsteps tapping)

(Trillo knocking) (muffled singing)

(footsteps tapping)

- It's not perfect. Don't point that at me!

- What's not perfect? - The soundproofing.

I'll reinforce the door when I have the money.

- What are you doing out here?

- Exercise.

- Take it out slowly. ♪ What a romance ♪

- Take what out? - Whatever that is

in your pocket.

♪ So my dream's not in vain ♪

(screwdriver rustling) ♪ My love will remain ♪

- What's that for? Self-defense.

- Why don't you stay in your room?

- Claustrophobic.

- What about your radio program?

- I play long musical segments so I can go for strolls.

And now can I get back to my broadcast?

(soft jazz music continues)

(door clicks and thuds)

- [Harriet] The clouds obscure the lonely moon.

(eerie orchestral music) (quill scratching)

Another victim will surely die soon.

(Harriet inhaling) (bright jazz music)

(switches clicking) (static buzzing)

(tense orchestral music) - I know, Dinky.

You're jealous of Sam Suede.

You wanna talk again the way he does, but I can't let you.

Remember what happened the last time I threw you my voice?

You kept it right on stage,

and you said the most horrible things.

It took me hours to get it back.

If I let you have it again,

I'm not sure I have the strength to take it back.

Think of the trouble we'll be in.

No, that I'll be in. They'll blame me.

Do you understand? Me.

(Elliot sighing)

(Hortense snoring) (eerie orchestral music)

- (gasps) We must do something about that woman. Oh.

(Hortense snoring)

- I warned you not to come here.

- Well, we're stuck here now,

at least until the storm breaks.

And we have a murderer to catch.

- This is a first class mess.

- Maybe he's not in the house.

Could be a secret trap door or something.

- I think you're on to something, Suede.

- He could have been hiding someplace, killed the cat,

then hid again until he had a chance to kill Grimsly.

- Then snuck out again.

- He must be a lunatic. - Maybe he's still inside.

- We gotta grill everyone here.

- Certainly, it's not even a question.

- I can talk to some of them by myself.

- You can't talk by yourself, Ezra.

- I'm doing it right now. Just like Suede.

- I don't think so. Ah, I think I'm imagining it.

- The hell you are. - We will vote.

- But I mean, it's one thing

if I'm holding your head sticks,

but you're over here, you're over there.

If somebody else saw me talking to you like this-

- Don't be influenced by what other people say.

What do others know about us?

(Chloe knocking)

(door clicks and creaks)

(soft jazz music)

- What is it, Ms. Lake? - Call me Chloe.

(inhales) I want to apologize for my behavior.

You came here to protect me.

I want to show my appreciation.

Oh wait, (chuckles) he's gotta go.

- Go where? - Uh, turn his head away

or something.

And the other two.

- Don't take me away.

I want to see the two of you do the hoochie-coochie.

(Chloe chuckling)

Wait a second. You're hiding something, Chloe.

I think you know who made those threatening phone calls.

- (inhales) If I knew, why wouldn't I tell Trillo?

- Maybe you're scared or embarrassed or ashamed.

- That's ridiculous. How would I benefit from withholding...

(gasps) You've got me talking to one of your dummies again.

- There's something you are not telling us, Chloe

- Us? - Mrs. Lavinsky,

we'll discuss this later, okay?

- Okay. This is a little too weird for me.

I...

- No, look, no, it's not, - Ah.

- [Trillo] It's not like that.

- Ah, ah, Chloe. - I'm good.

- Chl-Chloe, just... - I'm good.

(door thudding)

(body rustling)

- I did you a favor.

(head scratching)

(tense orchestral music)

(Chloe screaming)

(door clicking)

(Trillo knocking)

- Chloe, open the door. (door clicking)

Someone came in here, slashed your blanket,

ransacked your room while you were in my room?

- Apparently.

He must have attacked me in the dark,

thinking that the pillows were me in the bed.

I don't know.

(blankets rustling)

- Why do you put all those...?

- I like pillows.

(flashlight clicking)

(rain pattering) (crickets chirping)

(door clicks and creaks)

(gun clattering)

- Dr. Cox. Oh, Dr. Cox.

(footsteps tapping)

(Harriet sighing) (knife scraping)

- [Harriet] Oh, did you hear something too?

- What was Dr. Cox doing up there?

- Oh, I don't know. Is Ms. Lake all right?

- Yes. Go to your room, Mrs. Hubbard.

(stairs creaking)

(suspenseful orchestral music)

(fingers snapping) (pill pattering)

(hand thudding) (glass clinking)

(Hortense slurping)

(Hortense snoring)

(Dr. Cox chuckling)

(hands rubbing)

(tongue clicking)

(door creaks and thuds) (Trillo sighing)

(eerie orchestral music)

- I didn't see anything.

- Our mistake, Mr. Trillo.

- I was in an awkward position.

- I'm gonna look around.

- Don't go alone.

(tense orchestral music)

(footsteps shuffling)

(floor creaking)

- [Harriet] It was a comforting thought for Trillo to know

that while he prowled the dark hallway,

his trusted partner kept watch.

- Oh, oh, oh! (grunts)

You again. - You come prepared,

don't you?

- Son of a bitch, how'd you... Turn around.

- Huh? - Do it.

(Dr. Cox sighing)

Hands on the wall. Let's see what else you've got.

(clock chiming and clicking)

(crickets chirping)

(footsteps pattering)

- Is this private enough? - Open it.

(rain pattering)

(switch clicking)

(soft dramatic music)

- You killed Grimsly 'cause you're romancing his wife

and you want her dough. - I'm not talking to a dummy.

He doesn't wanna talk to you. Okay, talk to me, Andy.

- Fine, I'm "shtooping" her. Supplemental income.

I mean, can you blame me? She's still ripe, eh?

- You came here intentionally, didn't you?

- The car engine died. - You killed it.

Convenient that you're the chauffeur

in addition to being a fake doctor.

- Fake my ass.

- I guess your anus is as fake as your medical degree.

- You figured this is a good place

to stop and kill Grimsly,

'cause the cops will think that the killer

of the taxi driver did it.

- I didn't kill him.

- Why are you stalking Chloe Lake?

- I'm not. - Why did you kill her cat?

- I didn't.

- What's her connection to Grimsly?

(Dr. Cox sighing)

What's that tattoo on your back? A gang symbol?

(Dr. Cox gulping) What's the name of your gang?

We've got all night, Andy.

- Come on, doc. Make it easy on yourself.

- Trillo, I got it. The tattoo.

- A dog skull?

- A dog wags its tail.

Skull wags. Scullawags.

- Ah a play on words. Cute.

You're in the Scalawags gang.

- I quit a long time ago.

(soft dramatic music)

(fire crackling)

- [Harriet] I thought I had shaken loose from the dastardly

Scalawags gangs long ago,

but now feared that they had regained the scent

and had me in their sights.

(rain pattering) (crickets chirping)

(Harriet knocking)

(lid clicking)

- [Chloe] Trillo?

- [Harriet] Oh, it's me, Ms. Lake, Mrs. Hubbard.

Are you all right?

- Ah, yes, I'm fine. Thank you.

- May I talk with you?

(door clicking)

Oh, I was worried about you, my dear.

I saw the light was on, and well,

I wondered if you wanted some company

during this dreadful night. (inhales)

- (gasps) Yeah, come.

- Oh, huh.

(Chloe exhaling)

(hair rustling)

Actually, going to pull this down a little bit.

There we go.

- Oh, (gasps) that feels so good, Mrs. Hubbard.

- Please, please, please call me Elvira.

I do so love my pen name, Elvira Cutler.

- All right, Elvira. Uh-huh.

Mm.

- Release all your tensions. There we go.

(body tumbling) - Oh!

- Oh, don't worry, darling.

That's just Mr. Black falling down the stairs again.

(Elliot screaming)

Oh, I better check on Mr. Black.

- [Elliot] Ah, I broke my leg! (groans)

- Nonsense, Mr. Black. - Oh, ow!

- You always think you've broken something

when you fall down the stairs,

but you've broken nothing yet.

- [Elliot] Ah!

- The klutz, he falls down the stairs quite regularly.

- I suffer from vertigo.

I know what you're thinking, Mr. Suede,

but you're in no position to judge me.

(bright orchestral music) (bag rustling)

(needle scraping)

- Oh my heavens, Andre.

- I'm afraid you're going to need it, Hortense.

- Very well, if you must. (inhales and exhales)

- That is not where this needle must go, Hortense.

- Then where in heaven's name must it go?

(Dr. Cox whispering)

(gasps) Oh.

(Hortense breathing uneasily)

(footsteps tapping) (soft jazz music)

- I need to talk to you, Mr. Black.

- No time now. I need to play the next musical segment.

- I'll wait. (Elliot sighing)

(door creaking)

♪ I want to be happy ♪

♪ But I won't be happy till I make you happy ♪

- Don't come near my desk.

(static buzzing)

(switch clicking)

Wasn't that lovely?

Perfect for making us feel cozy

and comfortable on this cold, rainy night in World's End.

I don't know about you, dear friends,

but I feel exquisitely warm

and safe here in the dead of night.

(bright jazz music) Goddammit.

(static buzzing)

(Elliot sighing)

I forgot to turn it off.

Everyone in World's End heard me damn God.

Why didn't you stop me, Dinky?

- You don't vent him anymore, do you?

You know, make him talk. - I know what vent means.

No, I don't.

- Why not?

- I'm sure Mrs. Hubbard told you.

- That incident at the nightclub? Ancient history.

Why don't you try again?

- I don't need to. (inhales)

He communicates with me silently.

- You talk to him and he answers telepathically?

- Sometimes.

(inhales) Haven't you ever found that you,

that you don't need to with you and Mr. Suede-

- What does Dinky tell you to do?

- (sighs) Mainly hold him, pick him up, but I can't.

- Why not? What are you afraid of?

Ah, his power over you.

What if he told you to do something that you know is wrong?

Something wild, something evil, criminal?

- (breathes uneasily) I'm trying to talk to you

as one ventriloquist to another,

and, and, and you're trying to hold it against me.

- Maybe it's all subconscious.

You follow his orders, unaware of it.

- How about you, Mr. Trillo? Do you still control Suede?

- (inhales) I'm asking the questions here, Mr. Black.

- You're afraid to answer.

You're losing control also,

if you haven't already lost it.

- You're afraid to even pick up Dinky.

- (inhales) Someday you'll have no control over Suede.

That's what you're afraid of.

That he'll say horrible things to embarrass you.

The way that Dinky humiliated me.

People will say you're crazy, like they said about me.

Will you then retreat into obscurity the way I did?

Away from the scorn and mocking eyes of an ignorant society?

Latch onto one more socially acceptable obsession like I,

I found with my vintage songs?

Something that stirs dark emotions within you,

but (sighs) reminds you that you're alone forever.

Just you and your dummy in a black hole of utter despair.

- That's very eloquent, Mr. Black,

but you're talking about yourself, not me.

If you're hiding any information about these murders,

you better tell me now.

- Our ability to breathe life into our dummies,

Not a gift from God, Mr. Trillo.

It's a curse from the Devil.

The price, our souls.

(tense orchestral music)

(door thudding)

- I hope it was not too painful, Hortense.

- Perhaps I need another.

- Huh, you just need to sleep, Hortense.

- I hope I can.

It sickens me to think of that New York detective

snooping about with his horrid puppet.

- (scoffs) Any decent person would feel that, Hortense.

- Oh. (eerie orchestral music)

- (inhales) Some of my readers assume

that I enjoy violence, but I don't.

Truly, I'm drawn to it in a very clinical way.

- Hmm. - Keep your eyes

closed, Chloe.

I, I won't be a moment.

(suspenseful orchestral music)

(knife scraping)

(footsteps tapping)

(wind howling)

(window scraping)

(floor creaking)

(comb clattering)

(footsteps tapping)

(curtains rustling)

You are a lovely woman,

and you shouldn't have to suffer such distress.

Soon you will sleep long and peacefully.

- Chloe, open the door. (door creaking)

(Harriet sighing)

- Ah, Elvira was just giving me a neck massage.

I mean, Mrs. Hubbard. (laughs) (Harriet laughing)

- You left the door unlocked again.

- Oh, sorry. - What's with a knife?

- Oh, I saw a thread on Ms. Lake's collar,

and I was, I was going to snip it.

- I see it. (thread snapping)

- Mm, yes, well, good night then.

- Oh, Mrs. Hubbard, the Scalawags gang used to be active

in upstate New York around here, right?

- Oh, dreadfully. Yes.

It was the infamous Grimsly Bank heist a few years back

that sullied their reputation,

created a very nefarious attitude around them.

Immediately after the heist, one of the robbers

murdered the others then fled with the millions of dollars.

- Lot of dough here. - The boss will be pleased.

(cash rustling and pattering)

(guns blasting) (shells clinking)

(tense orchestral music)

- [Suede] What happened to him?

- Perhaps the Scalawags found him and dealt with him,

whacked him, as you say.

- So that Scalawags guy who double-crossed his buddies,

is his identity known? - Oh, no.

I, I don't believe it is.

Um, no, I don't think so.

(gasps) Oh, but do you think that the,

the Grimsly Bank heist has anything to do

with Mr. Grimsly's murder?

Hmm. Well, I'll leave you two, (sighs) three to it.

Good night.

(door thudding)

(tense orchestral music)

(footsteps tapping) (rain pattering)

(crickets chirping)

(window creaking)

(intruder breathing uneasily)

(intruder gasping)

- Who's there? Identify yourself.

(floor creaking)

- [Suede] What are you hiding from us, Chloe?

- I don't wanna talk to him, Trillo,

- You may be able to trick Trillo, but no me, doll face.

- Trillo, stop it.

- You know that phony doctor, don't you?

Did you meet him at one of your acting gigs?

Was he an actor like you? Or was he your sweetheart?

Did you play games with him the way you do with Trillo?

- I've never met him before.

- [Suede] Why does he wanna kill you?

- I don't know. - Why did he kill Grimsly?

- I don't know. - Then what is it, doll face?

What's your connection to Grimsly?

- It's not me, it's my mother. (inhales and exhales)

(soft dramatic music)

(sighs) It happened before I was born.

Grimsly went backstage at the theater

where my mother was dancing.

He seduced her into a relationship,

and then he beat her every night.

She couldn't escape.

She would've gone to the police,

but Grimsly with his money and his power

had the entire police department in his back pocket.

So she was trapped with that monster for two years

until she met my father, and he scared Grimsly away.

- How do you know about this? - My mother told me.

- How did you know he was gonna be here?

- I didn't. - Then why did you come here?

- (inhales) You know why I came here, to escape my stalker.

- [Suede] With all the country inns in Upstate New York,

why this one? - (sighs) I read about

this place in a magazine,

but then I saw Grimsly checking in,

and when I heard his name, I was shocked.

(inhales) And then somebody killed my Charlie cat.

I called you and you said no.

So I packed my bags and I was ready to leave,

but then you walked in the front door.

- Why didn't you tell Trillo this?

- (sighs) Trillo, please.

(soft dramatic music)

I didn't wanna air my mother's dirty laundry. I didn't-

- Did Grimsly know who you are?

- I don't think so. I don't see how.

I mean, my mother's maiden name is Parker.

Her married name is Lovick. My stage name is Lake.

I don't know how it's all connected.

(sighs) My father died when I was six,

and all I ever wanted was my daddy.

Daddy.

(doors creak and thud)

(static buzzing) (footsteps tapping)

(Elliot sniffing)

(switch clicking) ♪ Dear one, the world ♪

♪ Is waiting for the sunrise ♪

♪ Every rose is heavy with dew ♪

♪ The thrush on high ♪

♪ His sleepy mate is calling ♪

♪ And my heart is calling you ♪

(soft orchestral music)

(static buzzing)

- Dr. Cox? Oh, Dr. Cox?

(Hortense screaming) (tense orchestral music)

Oh my God! Oh, somebody else is dead!

(Hortense sobbing)

(body rustling)

(Hortense whimpering)

(intruder gasping)

- Who did this to you? Was it the doctor?

You know, the the half-wit gigolo?

- It, it was...(groaning)

- Tell me, tell me who? - It was...(gasping)

- Ah, he's dead.

(body thudding)

(footsteps tapping)

- Oh!

Oh.

(notebook rustling) Glorious.

(pages fluttering)

(stairs creaking)

(tense orchestral music)

(fingers rubbing)

- Why did you kill him? - I didn't kill him.

I left before he was killed.

- Why didn't you come to us first?

- To tell us about the intruder?

- I didn't know who it was in the shadows.

It could have been you for all I know... I mean, you.

- You knew that Scalawag, didn't you?

And you knew he was gonna kill you so you killed him first.

You were scared, so you struck first with the knife.

It's understandable, doc.

You had to do it just like you had to kill Mr. Grimsly.

You wanted the lady's dough,

but first you had to get rid of her husband,

so you swiped the frozen pie from the kitchen,

snuck into his room during the blackout

and struck him on the head! - I didn't do it!

- Whack, whack, whack on the head!

- No.

- Then you had to get rid of the gangbanger

who had a contract out on him for leaving.

Or maybe you're the guy who went AWOL

on the Grimsly Bank heist.

The double-crossing low life

who killed his partners and stole the loot!

- I didn't come here to be exonerated.

- Hey, it's understandable, doc.

You had to do it just like you had

to kill Grimsly to marry Mrs. Grimsly.

- My matricidal plans are none of your concern.

I won't let anyone stand in my way.

Huh! - Oh, oh!

(bodies slamming) - Holy shit.

- Oh, my meniscus!

- Oh. (mug clacking)

(inhales) Oh, that doctor, such a pleasant fellow.

(tea trickling) It's a pity he's a murderer.

(spoon scraping) - Let's have another

cup of tea, shall we?

To calm our nerves.

- (inhales) How could tea possibly calm my nerves?

- Well, I brew my chamomile stiff.

- I don't like it stiff.

- Well, that's not what Dr. Cox says. (chuckles)

- Uh. - Listen, we needn't be

concerned here now that we know who the murderer is.

Oh, Mr. Trillo, have you tied up

that dreadfully deceitful Dr. Cox?

- We can't hold doc without evidence.

- But the knife?

- The murderer wore gloves.

- So no fingerprints. - Oh.

- So no one's ruled out.

- So no one's leaving yet.

- Well, you can rule me out.

How could I have climbed down those stairs,

murdered the intruder, and then back up the stairs

all on my dilapidated leg?

- [Harriet] Mm.

- Mm-hmm. And not a soul saw me nor heard me?

- Quite right.

- (gasps) I've gotta get back to my room.

(Harriet inhales and exhales)

(Harriet chuckling) (footsteps tapping)

(stairs creaking)

(bright jazz music)

(both grunting)

- Why you! (fist whacking)

(both grunting)

- Oh! (groans) God!

- Where is she? - I don't know!

- Where are the photos? - I have no idea!

- Uh! (Elliot coughs and groans)

Bullshit!

I told you last week to have them ready when we come here.

- She said she tore them up. (groans)

- That blackmailing bitch threatened

to make the photos public if Mrs. Grimsly

doesn't pay her to give them back!

I told you to have them ready!

- I know it! Neither of us have them!

- Huh, you think you're protecting her,

but you're signing her death sentence.

Mrs. Grimsly doesn't know that you're her uncle,

but I do.

Tell me where she is or gimme back the photos!

- I can't tell you what I don't know!

(Dr. Cox sighing)

- This is a soundproof room, huh.

Ha-ha-ha!

(Elliot groans and coughs)

I'll be back by 9:00 AM.

It'll be your last chance, Mr. Black.

Uh! - Ow!

(Elliot groaning)

(crickets chirping)

(footsteps shuffling) (Harriet knocking)

(footsteps tapping) (door clicking)

- Chloe, dear, why don't you stay in my room?

- No, thank you. It'll be dawn soon.

- You'd be very comfortable in my room, dear.

It's a king size bed.

- I'm sure. - A California king size.

- That's nice, but-

- Northern California!

- [Chloe] That is very nice, I'm sure it's so wonderful,

but no, I'm sure I will be - Oh, darling, let me in!

- Just fine here! - Oh, wait.

- Wait a minute now. (inhales)

I really don't think you should be alone, my dear.

- No, thank you. - I...

(door slamming) (lock clicking)

Someone's bound to be murdered again,

and she wants to be alone. (scoffing)

(crickets chirping) (tense orchestral music)

(quill scratching) (fire crackling)

(bright orchestral music)

(Harriet inhales and exhales)

No one is certain in whom they can trust.

As seasons change, another victim soon will bite the dust.

Ah, exhilarating.

(crickets chirping)

(body rumbling) (Elliot groaning)

- [Elliot] Ow!

Oh, I broke a rib! Ah!

- Nonsense.

(Elliot groaning) (footsteps tapping)

Here, Mr. Black.

Oh, I have a first aid kit in the office.

Come now. Come, come.

Oh my goodness. You, ah, you've been eating.

Okay, come now, you're okay. (Elliot groaning)

- [Hortense] Doctor, I heard that manly screaming

and was afraid you were hurt.

Thank God it was just Mr. Black again. (inhales)

- Very nice. (Hortense sighing)

(paper rustling)

- (sighs) I need another shot.

- Oh, I'll gladly give you a shot when we're alone.

- A real shot, nincompoop.

Oh, oh, oh! (whimpers)

(paper rustling) - I found this downstairs.

- Looks nothing like the doc.

- Sally Dorner, AKA Harriet Hubbard.

(eerie orchestral music)

(hand tapping) (syringe shattering)

(birds chirping) (soft dramatic music)

(bell tolling)

(chimes jingling)

(switch clicking) (bright jazz music)

- I'm sorry, dear friends, for that lengthy pause.

We had some technical difficulties here in the studio.

I hope you've enjoyed this night as much as I have.

And now as the sun begins to rise over World's End,

I bid you a fond farewell,

until tonight at midnight when our journey begins anew.

(switch clicking)

(Elliot sighing)

What are we gonna do, Dinky.

- So Sally Dorner is her real name.

- And her husband's name is Gunther Dorner,

the AWOL gangster in the Grimsly Bank heist.

- Look at the name she chose

for new identity is an innkeeper.

That should be a dead giveaway.

- Yeah. Like Old Mother Hubbard.

- Not very original.

- Why didn't they leave with all that dough

from the bank heist?

Go to Tahiti or something?

- Maybe her husband is in Tahiti.

- Check the phone line.

(receiver clacking)

- Still dead.

(bright orchestral music)

(clock chiming and clicking)

- [Ezra] I've heard that some authors like to act out

their plots before they write them.

- So?

- You notice how Mrs. Hubbard is always writing

in her notebook right before someone gets killed?

(tense orchestral music)

- Oh, Andre. Yeah.

Oh, (inhales) oh, you do know where to stick that needle.

Oh. (moans)

- [Chloe] It's impossible.

- Why wasn't she afraid to sit alone in the middle

of the night in the parlor with a murderer on the loose?

- She's eccentric. I'll grant that, but a murderess?

- Help me rule her out.

(tense orchestral music)

(Chloe sighing)

(Harriet chewing)

- Chloe, dear. Were you able to get some sleep?

- A bit, yes.

- Ah, well. (dishes rattling)

(hands rubbing) I'm finished.

(inhales) Let's talk in my room, shall we?

- No.

Ah, I meant, ah, won't you please keep me company

while I enjoy my breakfast?

- Well, of course, my dear.

I haven't touched my raspberry tartine.

- Mm. Hmm.

(Chloe chewing) - Mm.

Mm, hmm. (Chloe chuckling)

Lovely. (chuckles) (Chloe chuckling)

Homemade. - Mm. (chuckles)

It's really good.

(stairs creaking)

(screwdriver clattering)

- Andre, how dare you? (Andre groaning)

- Oh, but, but, but, Hortense,

you said you enjoyed my shots.

- Shots are one thing, snuggling is quite another.

- Oh. - Oh.

(suspenseful orchestral music)

(book tapping)

(pillow rustling)

(book rustling)

Andre, did you kill my sweet Archie?

- N-No, of course not.

- I would be so disappointed if you behaved so childishly.

- I, I understand, Hortense. But now that he's...

(Hortense gasping) You're free to...

- Oh! - Look, nevermind.

(hand rubbing)

- [Harriet] We often go raspberry picking

in the fields here. - Ah.

- We've got... Uh.

(footsteps tapping)

- That's mine. - How did you predict

each murder, beginning with a cat?

- I jot down my ideas as they come.

(sighs) I had no idea that her precious little pussy

would actually be whacked.

- What about Grimsly and the intruder?

- I have a sense of the macabre.

A sixth sense, you might say.

You'll notice I didn't actually name anyone.

- This is embarrassing.

Give her back the notebook.

- Oh, thank you, my dear.

(gun clattering) - This is Dr. Cox's gun.

The one that someone swiped from my room.

What was it doing under your mattress?

- Your door was open and I saw it on the bed.

Very careless of you.

The murderer could have taken it easily.

So I decided to take it for safekeeping.

(stairs creaking)

- The New Yorker is carrying a gun.

- Uh, stay calm. - It's a well-known fact

that New Yorkers are incapable

of carrying a gun without firing it.

- (inhales) Everyone's here except Mr. Black.

- Well, surely he sleeps during the day.

- Oh, no, no, dear. He's an insomniac.

He's never missed breakfast ever.

(footsteps tapping) (Hortense sighing)

He wouldn't be caught dead sleeping.

(Trillo knocking) (door creaking)

(suspenseful orchestral music)

(static buzzing)

(Trillo sighing)

(switch clicking)

(soft dramatic music)

(birds chirping)

(eerie orchestral music)

(Trillo sighing)

- How could she have known that Black lives here?

- I found a newspaper clipping

in Black's room in the wastebasket.

I put it on the desk.

(paper rustling)

(tense orchestral music)

(hands rubbing)

(soft dramatic music)

- (inhales) Oh, that poor dear.

How was he murdered?

- Stabbed.

- Oh.

- [Harriet] I'll get more tea.

- Old Mrs. Hubbard, why did you kill them?

- Huh. - I don't blame you

for killing that taxi driver. (tea trickling)

He was gonna rat you out to the Scalawags.

But why did you kill the others?

- I didn't kill them. I only...

- You only killed the taxi driver.

(Harriet sighing)

- You recognized him as a Scalawag when he stopped here

at the inn that night asking for directions.

- You also could tell that he recognized you,

figured that he'd go back and tell the Scalawags.

Then they'd send a hitman to whack you

for hiding Gunther all those years.

So, you hid alongside the road with a rock

and a knife in your hands.

- When the taxi driver returned in that direction

from World's End, you had your chance.

- Hmm.

Gunther left soon after the bank heist.

I have no idea where he is today and whether he's alive.

Huh, but I knew that the Scalawags would send someone

to ask questions as to the whereabouts of Gunther.

He would not have believed I don't know

and would have tried to murder, uh, whack me.

(hands rubbing)

Of course, I had to prevent that.

- Apparently, he had already put in a call to the Scalawags.

- Huh, I knew that was a possibility,

but I was not scared of Dr. Cox

since it was clear that he was an imposter.

- Even with that tattoo on his back?

- Oh.

- Oh, little gang wannabes often do such things

that aid in their fantasy.

(inhales) Ah, I knew that Dr. Cox wasn't a Scalawag,

nor was he a doctor.

- Yeah, because he's too dunderheaded to be either, right?

- Hey, I'm just as intelligent as you are.

- You're more intelligent than both

of those detectives, Andre.

And certainly savvier than Trillo, anyway.

(Harriet sneezing)

- Oh, I have a headache. I'm going to rest.

- Nobody move till I get back.

(footsteps tapping)

Your mother. Right?

(soft dramatic music)

You knew Black was here.

You came here to confront him. Same with Grimsly.

- How could I have known either of them would be here?

- Your father died when you were six. Major abandonment.

Then Black romanced your mother and abandoned her.

You knew about Grimsly. - Stop it.

- You're afraid of men abandoning you,

so you push them away, making it a vicious cycle.

- I said, stop it.

- You desperately want a father,

so you gravitate toward older men.

- Don't you dare! (hands slapping)

How dare you psychoanalyze me?

You of all people with those dummies.

What happened in your childhood

to drive you to create alter egos?

To think that a hunk of wood is an actual human?

What trauma? What abuse?

Who abused you, Trillo.

(tense orchestral music)

- I didn't say anything about abuse.

- Why couldn't I stop him?

- Stop who, Chloe?

- Elliot Black.

(sighs) Mr. Black started a relationship with my mother

shortly after my father died. (sighs)

The abuse started on my first day of kindergarten.

I was so excited that day. (whimpers)

That night he came into my room. (sniffs)

He warned me not to tell anyone.

- You must have felt like killing him.

- Do you actually think I could have

stabbed him in the back?

You think I'm a...

(sighs) I didn't know he would be here.

I didn't kill him, but I'm not sorry he's dead.

(intense orchestral music)

(Chloe sniffing)

(tense orchestral music)

(birds chirping)

- Of all the indignities,

being forced to wait here with a murderer.

Uh.

Andre, take me out of here.

- Both of you sit down or I'll tell her

where you got your phony medical certificate.

You would do anything this lady tells you to do. Right?

You would even kill an innocent woman.

- Andre, you don't have to answer her.

- A woman who's only crime is that her mother

was seduced by a wicked man many years ago.

And now Mrs. Grimsly wants to destroy

all reminders of her husband's infidelity.

- That's not the case at all.

The woman was blackmailing Mrs. Grimsly,

who was threatening to release photos of her

with me in compromising positions.

- [Hortense] Andre? (gasps)

- How could Chloe Lake have such photos?

- Chloe Lake?

I'm talking about Elliot Black's niece, Abigail Black,

who used to be a maid at the Grimsly Estate.

- Elliot Black's niece?

You never told me Abigail's uncle lived here.

So the car didn't break down.

You planned to stop here on purpose to try

to get those photographs through Abigail's uncle.

Oh, you imbecile.

What an asinine reason to stop here at this ghastly place.

- But Hortense, Abigail is in hiding with those photos,

and her uncle wasn't returning any of my calls.

It was a perfect opportunity. (Hortense sighing)

- And you, what's your name?

- Sarah Levinsky.

- Levinsky. I suspected.

There was a time when your kind of puppet

wasn't allowed in polite society.

- You wouldn't know polite society

if it bit you in the tuchus.

- (inhales) The problem with you, Mrs. Levinsky,

is that you don't know your place.

- The trouble with you, Hortense,

is that you're inferior to a puppet.

- Ah!

- Uh, Hortense.

(footsteps tapping)

- Oh, fiction gold.

(birds chirping) (eerie orchestral music)

(Chloe knocking) - Trillo?

- Ah, ah, yeah, I'm back here. (recorder clicking)

- Ah, the phone lines are still out.

Why don't you come for a walk with me to the village?

It's a lovely day and it's not very far.

- You asked me if I believed you could stab him in the back.

- Yes.

- I told everyone he was stabbed, I didn't say where.

Only the murderer knew it was in the back.

- I assumed. (chuckles)

- Chloe, I understand about Grimsly

if he hurt your mother, and if Elliot Black

really abused you, I'd give you a pass on that one too.

But he didn't.

You said that the abuse began on the night

of your first day of kindergarten.

- Yes.

- Kindergarten begins at five years old.

- So? - You said that your father

died when you were six.

Elliot Black met your mother after your father died.

He could not have been in the house that night.

- But he was.

- Chloe, it was your father.

- No. - Your father

abused you, Chloe. - No.

- You couldn't face that so your mind

and your memory made Black the abuser.

You murdered an innocent man.

- He was not innocent. He used my mother.

- They had a relationship.

That doesn't mean that he used her

- Just like Grimsly used her.

Just like Dr. Cox uses women.

Just like you wanted to use me.

- Did you also kill the intruder?

- (sighs) That was a mistake.

(sniffs) I couldn't sleep, so I went downstairs,

and I saw Dr. Cox lurking in the shadows.

So I snuck up on that gigolo bastard and I stabbed him.

(intruder groaning)

Only it wasn't Dr. Cox.

How was I to know there was an intruder in the house?

- (breathes uneasily) Chloe, you even killed the cat. Why?

- My mother made me do it. (Charlie meowing)

(knife stabbing) (Charlie shrieking)

For practice so I could kill Grimsly.

(knife stabbing)

Mommy?

- Who, who, who are you talking to?

(Chloe breathing uneasily)

- Mommy.

I know, Mommy. He's just like the others.

- Chloe, your mother's not here.

- I know, Mommy. I know what I have to do.

- Uh, your mother's dead, Chloe.

- I'm sorry, I know. - Your mother's dead.

Your mother's dead, Chloe.

You're imagining, you're imagining her voice.

Chloe, I'll get you help. (knife scraping)

Chloe, you're imagining a...(gasps) Oh, oh.

Uh, I'll get you help. I'll, put it down.

Put the knife down. I'll get you...

I don't wanna shoot you, I don't,

I don't wanna shoot you, Chloe.

(Chloe grunting) (knife stabbing)

(Chloe groaning)

- It hurts. Oh, it hurts.

(Chloe sobbing)

(Chloe gasping)

(lamp banging)

(Chloe whimpering)

(intense orchestral music)

(Chloe gasping)

(eerie orchestral music)

(chattering on police radio)

- They've been questioning us all day and evening.

- Ms. Lake murdered the cat and then cut her own mattress.

- Yes.

- Then she killed Mr. Grimsly.

Then she did me a huge favor by killing the intruder,

which she mistook for Mr. Cox.

- Yes. - Who was actually

a Scalawag hitman looking for me.

- Apparently. - And all along

she imagined a stalker.

- She imagined all kinds of things.

- But she stalked Elliot Black

- For an imagined crime so long ago, she murdered him.

(tongue clicking)

Mm-mm-mm.

(inhales) Did she also know that Mr. Grimsly would be here?

- I don't think so.

- She came here to murder Black.

- Grimsly was an unexpected bonus.

- Such a sweet woman. (inhales)

You know the, the criminal mind is endlessly fascinating.

- You, Mrs. Hubbard, will be convicted

of murdering that taxi driver.

- Oh, nonsense.

(inhales) I did the police a huge favor by neutralizing

that horrible gangster in self-defense.

I doubt if they'll even bring any charges.

- You'll definitely be accused of harboring Gunther Dorner.

- Oh, rubbish.

I was suffering psychological abuse,

and I feared for my life had I gone to the police.

- Mr. Trillo, you are free to leave.

Along with Mrs. Grimsly and Dr. Cox.

- Oh. - A police car is waiting

to drive you three into town.

- I knew it would all work out.

- What about Mrs. Hubbard?

- She can stay here for now.

- And aren't you going to arrest Mr. Trillo

for the murder of Ms. Lake?

(tape clattering) - This tape

(recorder clicking) clears him.

- Accidental death.

If we are gonna arrest anyone for that,

it would have to be the dummy.

(officers chuckling)

- And no judge I know would be amused by that.

(officer chuckling) (siren wailing)

(tense orchestral music)

(French) Mon dieu, mon dieu

(hands rubbing)

(book rustling)

Fiction gold.

(pages rustling) (soft jazz music)

(quill scratching)

It's not easy being a detective with a wooden partner.

You dance with darkness, flirting with danger at every turn.

Yet the chance to uncover the truth

makes every peril worthwhile,

for it's the truth that sets us free.

For now, at least.

(static buzzing) (switch clicking)

(soft dramatic music)

- If there's anyone out there, you should know

that Elliot Black has made his final journey into the night.

Thanks for making his nights a little less lonely.

(inhales) Mm, maybe he just imagined you.

Maybe he was talking to himself all these years,

but he believed you were there,

and that's what counts. (inhales and exhales)

(inhales and exhales) What about Dinky?

What's Dinky gonna do now? (inhales and exhales)

(Trillo exhales and inhales)

One last time, this is for Elliot Black,

while the village sleeps.

(microphone clattering)

(switch clicking) (static buzzing)

(soft orchestral music)

(water dripping)

♪ Just like a melody that lingers on ♪

♪ You seem to haunt me night and day ♪

♪ I never realized till you had gone ♪

♪ How much I cared about you ♪

♪ I can't live without you ♪

♪ All alone, I'm so alone ♪

♪ There is no one else but you ♪

♪ All alone, by the telephone ♪

♪ And I wonder when you will call again ♪

♪ I'm all alone every evening ♪

♪ All alone, feeling blue ♪

♪ Wondering where you are and how you are ♪

♪ And if you are all alone too ♪

(soft jazz music)

(soft jazz music continues)