All language subtitles for A Life at Stake 1955

(ominous music)

(bright orchestral music)

(dramatic music)

(paper ripping)

Oh, he's there, all
right, but he never leaves.

He just sits there
staring out of the window

most of the time.

Now I ask you, a man
of his age who stares.

Are you a bill collector?

No, I'm a lawyer.

That's what they all say.

They think they throw a scare
into us, I guess. (Chuckles)

Well, he's a weird
one, that fellow.

Really?

Him and his $1,000 bill.

$1,000 bill?

Framed like a picture
and a-sitting on the table.

And him without enough
money to eat on.

(melancholy music)

(door knocking)

Who is it?

[Sam] Name's
Pearson. Remember me?

Sam Pearson.

Could I see you just a minute?

Just a second.

Come in.

Mr. Shaw.

The last time I saw you,

I, uh, I was representing
some real estate people.

That, uh, Pasadena
deal, remember?

Well, have you had
your breakfast?

No, not yet. I was
just going out for it.

I always have a cup
of coffee here first.

It, uh, it helps.

Helps what, your pride?

Oh, come now, Shaw

you're not the first
man who lost his shirt.

Why, I don't mean that
literally, of course.

Come on, let's have some
breakfast. Be my guest.

- Why?
- What's that?

What are you
trying to sell me?

Success, my boy.

Bigger than you ever had before.

A half a million dollars
behind Shaw Incorporated.

I had a partner once
who used to talk like you.

He wound up robbing me blind.

Partner in Shaw Incorporated?

That's right.

He was a gambler, wasn't he?

Yeah. He gambled away $37,000.

Not a bad fellow
though, I hear.

No. Just a bad poker player.

$37,000.

That isn't all the
money in the world.

No, but it was all I had.

Not quite all.

Look.

All I ever wanted
was good friends,

a good home, a good business.

When I lost the business, I
lost the home and the friends.

Isn't that the usual?

No, I don't mean it that way.

All my partner and I
put in Shaw Incorporated

was $10,000 bucks.

The rest was their
money, my friends' money,

life savings, most
of it, wiped out.

May, uh, may I
ask you a question?

Sure, you will anyway.

Why?

As long as I can
keep from spending it,

I'll get going again.

You actually believe that?

I sure do.

And when you get going again,

you'll pay back every cent
of all your friends' money?

It sounds pretty
noble, doesn't it?

I don't know that my
clients will like that.

Would you consider
going into bankruptcy?

Wiping out all your debts

and starting all
over again afresh?

No, no, I guess not.

You could've done
that months ago.

You're not noble, my
boy. You're a hardhead.

Nobody's ever gonna teach
you anything except yourself.

Now come on, let's
get out of here

and go and get some breakfast.

- Wait till I wash.
- Okay.

It's down the hall.

Shaw.

That was a cynical thing to do.

Safe too.

(bright orchestral music)

I'm Edward Shaw.

Mr. Pearson phoned and
made an appointment for me.

Mr. Hillman's not home.

With Mrs. Hillman.

What are you selling?

Nothing.

Mrs. Hillman told Mr. Pearson
I should come right out.

Mrs. Hillman's in the pool.

Well, where would that be?

In the middle of
the six-car garage?

Go around the back, that way.

The pool is just the other
side of the guesthouse.

You better call out when
you get to the guesthouse.

Sometimes she swims in the nude.

Don't worry about it. So do I.

(soft orchestral music)

- Hi.
- Hi.

You're Edward
Shaw, aren't you?

- Uh-huh.
- I'm Mrs. Hillman.

Hey, did you bring your
pretty $1,000 bill?

(chuckles) Word gets around.

No, I left it at
Pearson's office.

Oh, what a shame.

Hey, do you like
our lovely pool?

Looks all right from here.

Didn't Mabel tell
you to call out

when you got to the guesthouse?

Uh-huh.

I didn't hear you call.

No need to. I
peeked first instead.

You were expecting company.

I didn't expect to
find you unprepared.

That'll be enough, Mr. Shaw.

Enough of what?

I invited you out here
just to discuss business.

Now, where were we?

About to talk business,
according to you.

Do you want a drink first?

- Thanks, yes.
- Help yourself.

I'll just have a Coke
if you don't mind.

My husband doesn't like me
to drink during the day.

He thinks it's a bad
habit to get into.

Alcohol, I mean.

I'm alone most of the
time. He travels a lot.

He thinks I should have
a business to occupy me.

Thanks.

Do you know anything
about the building business?

I know real
estate. I ought to.

I used to sell it
before I was married.

How long you've been married?

Six years.

Long years?

Short, happy years, Mr. Shaw.

Uh-huh.

Well, the building business
is a little different

from real estate, you know?

Not so different. Score.

I wanna handle the real estate.

I wanna buy up lots of
beautiful California property.

Then you build your
little houses on it.

I sell the houses
and the property.

Well, how can we miss?

You handle the
real estate end?

- Yes.
- And what part

of the business does your
husband figure to handle?

- My husband?
- Not mine, I hope.

My husband doesn't
figure to handle anything.

You mean, he just
puts up the money?

And then sits back with a
little prayer each night

that it will come back?

Yeah. He just
puts up the money.

It'll be just you and me?

Yes. Don't you
think you'd like that?

Mm, it sounds like
it might work out.

But you're not too sure?

Mm, have to chase around
the mulberry bush a few times.

Uh, how much money?

Mr. Pearson told
you, half a million.

50,000 to start with, and
50,000 every three months.

Just to keep you from
getting lonely, huh?

My happiness means a
great deal to my husband.

I'm sure it does.

But what I'm not sure of is,
who's nuts? Him, you, or me?

Or maybe it's Pearson.

Did he recommend that
you buy in with me?

No. It was our idea.

- How come?
- I like your houses.

Where did you see my houses?

Pasadena. You sold quite
a few there, didn't you?

Yeah, a dozen or so.

- My cousin lives in one.
- (chuckles) Cousin Evie.

She swears by it. I
think it's wonderful.

Hand me that towel
over there, will you?

This top gets so
uncomfortable when it's damp.

There, that's better.

Now, what were we talking about?

I, uh, I cant imagine why, but

somehow it slipped my mind.

Do you mind if I cool
this off a little?

I mean, brace it up?

I told you before,
help yourself.

Oh, there's a,

a little matter of some
money the company owes.

I've managed to
pay off some of it.

It stands out at about 30,000.

Mr. Pearson told me.

Owed to some friends of yours.

- Uh-huh.
- Male or female friends?

Both.

- Why?
- I just wondered.

And you insist on
paying them all?

Sure, I insist. Else no deal.

Well, I'll have to talk
to my husband about it.

He'll be coming back
early next week.

Fine.

Married six years, huh?

That makes you pretty young

when you were
peddling real estate.

18 to 22.

My father was in it all
his life. I loved it.

I turned out to be his
best salesman. (Chuckles)

- Where was this?
- San Diego.

Oh. Big naval base
there, isn't it?

Huge.

To salesmanship.

Some of us have it, some don't.

Aren't you getting a
little bit fresh, Mr. Shaw?

Yeah, maybe I am.

Well, Mrs. Hillman,
I'll think it over.

How about tomorrow?

Shall I stop by
about the same time?

Sure, if you like
to do business here.

Yeah, I like your office.

Don't be ridiculous, Mr. Shaw.

I wish I thought I was being
ridiculous, Mrs. Hillman.

(soft orchestral music)

(door knocking)

- Mr. Shaw?
- Yeah?

[Landlady] You're
wanted on the telephone.

- A woman?
- No, a man.

He says his name is Mr. Pearson.

I'll be right down.

Hello, Pearson.

Mrs. Hillman phoned
a little while ago.

Uh, her husband's
up in San Francisco

and, uh, she said she was flying

up there tomorrow afternoon,

to talk to him about
that 30,000 in debts.

She wants to see
you Friday night.

Night, huh?

Uh, that's what she said.

What did you think of her?

She likes you.

I think you'll make a good team.

Thanks, coach.

(soft dramatic music)

- (door knocking)
- Mr. Shaw?

(door knocking)

Oh, Mr. Shaw?

[Edward] Huh?

[Landlady] You told me to
knock when it got dark tonight,

in case you was asleep.

Oh.

Thanks.

[Landlady] I got a
message for ya too.

- I'm decent. Come in.
- (soft orchestral music)

My.

You ought to sleep at night
instead of in the daytime.

It'd be much better
for your health too.

Yeah, I'll try to
remember that, Mrs. Pilch.

My, look at this bed.

Oh, say, uh, Mrs.
Hillman called ya.

She didn't wanna talk
to ya, on the phone,

but she said to meet
her here at 9:00.

Real sweet, nice woman.

I thought, I think you can
always kinda tell, don't you?

She sounded so refined.

Yeah.

(soft orchestral
music continues)

(doorbell buzzes)

Hi again.

(chuckles) Don't
just stand there.

You've seen girls before.

Oh. Is that what you are?

I hope you didn't
mind coming here.

This apartment belongs
to a friend of mine.

She's in Palm Springs.

I, uh, promised I'd take
care of her cats for her.

Oh, that's okay. I like cats.

It's nice and quiet here,

and we can be all alone and
talk without being interrupted

by the telephone and
visitors, you know?

Hm, that's swell.

I even made the
hors d'oeuvres.

Of course, they're not
as good as Mabel's.

- Your maid's?
- Yes.

You mean, you
didn't bring her?

Well, of course not.

- I'm crushed.
- Well, try one.

Hmm, not bad.

What is it? Rattlesnake meat?

(laughs) Don't be silly.

Oh, I suppose Mr.
Pearson told you

that I flew up to San
Francisco to see my husband?

Sure.

I told my husband that
I liked you very much.

Oh, you probably want a drink.

Or would you rather
have a cup of coffee?

- Whatever you say.
- I'm ready for anything.

Well, I sort of feel
like a drink myself.

I think this calls for a
celebration. Will you mix them?

I like scotch, light
with lots of water.

Uh-oh, I forgot the tray.

Watch out for the cats.

(soft orchestral music)

Don't you think this
calls for a celebration?

What does exactly?

My husband has agreed to
pay off the $30,000 in debt.

That's what does exactly.
Isn't that wonderful?

- Sounds pretty good.
- Aren't you surprised?

I just fell down,

stiff with shock.
(Doris laughs)

I thought this
was the only thing

that was holding up the deal.

You mean, as far
as you're concerned,

the deal is settled?

Well, you certainly
gave me the impression

that this would settle it.

(liquid hissing)

You should honk about
giving impressions.

When do the debts get paid
off, providing I agree?

Well, not all at
once, of course.

We'll make an allotment for them

and pay them off as we go along.

That's fair enough, isn't it?

Out of those $50,000 chunks?

Yes, you can't
expect my husband

to put up anymore
money, can you?

I'll buy that.

To our partnership.
(glasses clinking)

Starting tonight.

Mm.

I feel just luscious.

Oh, uh, how much
insurance do you have?

- Insurance?
- Yes.

You know, life insurance.

Carried by the corporation,

to protect all the money
that's invested in it.

Just in case.

$35,000, last time I looked.

Oh. Well, that
isn't very much.

It's 35,000 more
than I carry on myself.

My husband was very
specific about the insurance.

Key man insurance it's called.

- Key man?
- Yes.

Uh, for instance, I couldn't
have the corporation

take it out on me, because,

(chuckles) well, anybody
can sell real estate.

In San Diego?

(chuckles) Oh, stop it.

What I mean is, it would
be perfectly simple

to find another real estate
man to take my place.

But nobody could
take my place, huh?

Oh, no, and not build
those nice, little houses

as cheaply as you can.

You design them.

You know the material
that goes into them.

Where to get the material.
What kind of labor to hire.

Well, they're just
like your babies.

Mm, you seem to know
a good bit about it.

Well, my husband explained
it to me very carefully.

(chuckles) Goodness,
that's all we do.

Talk business.

You mean, that's
all you ever do?

More or less.

And you like that?

I don't mind.

Well, if you
ever wanna get away

from the office water cooler
and live it up a little.

Hmm, maybe a little music
will get this party airborne.

Mr. Shaw.

Now, that sounds formal.

Edward.

How much insurance do you
think we ought to have?

How much does your husband
think we ought to have?

- Quite a lot. After all.
- It's a huge investment.

He was talking about 300,000.

Oh, but, I insisted that
premiums would be too high.

He agreed to take off 50,000.

Leaving a quarter
of a million?

Yes.

That's not too high, is it?

No. Not if you're
a mountain goat.

I'll see you around.

Where, where you going?

Look, Mrs. Hillman, I'm wise.

Now that I'm hooked, I'm
supposed to agree to anything,

- isn't that it?
- Hooked?

First, the pool and
the swimming suit.

Now this tepee and
the wall paint.

This is one scalp you don't get.

You can't talk
to me like that.

I'm doing it.

- Don't touch me.
- You're horrible.

And you're wonderful.

But not to do business with.

Get out of this apartment.

That's me you hear
whistling in the street.

(dramatic music)

(melancholy music)

(hat thuds)

(insects chirping)

(soft orchestral music)

(car engine rumbling)

I can see you too, Edward.

What were you doing?

- Walking.
- (Doris gasps)

I couldn't sleep either.

It was a terrible
thing to accuse me of.

I know.

It doesn't have to be a
quarter of a million dollars.

I know that too.

[Doris] 200,000?

150.

- 150?
- Uh-huh.

My husband will
never agree to it.

Who cares what your
husband agrees to.

Don't. Please don't.

200,000?

Please, darling.

1785.

That's all. For now.

Hey, when am I
gonna see you again?

How about this
morning at 10 o'clock?

- Where?
- Pearson's office.

- Why?
- To meet my husband.

He's coming in on
the early plane.

(car engine revving)

Now, let's be
sensible, Mr. Shaw.

If you were a banker,

I came to you and asked
for loan of $500,000,

would you allow me to put
up a 175,000 security?

Oh, that's a different thing.

Yes, it's a different
proposition, I know,

but the principle is the same.

- But Mr. Hill-
- Let me finish, Mr. Shaw.

I don't ask, and I don't expect

to get full security
the way a bank does,

but I do ask and expect 50%.

Yeah, but do you get it?

(chuckles) Uh,
I see your point.

That's a good question. (Laughs)

You've done business
before, my boy. (Laughs)

Do I get it? (Laughs)

All right, Pearson,
where do I sign?

Right here, sir.

Top line.

Hello. Miss Adams said
I should come right in.

I'm sorry I'm late, but Madge
and I have been shopping.

Mr. Shaw, I want you to
meet her. Come on in, Madge.

This is Mr. Pearson, whom
I don't believe you've met,

and Mr. Shaw, this is
my kid sister, Madge.

How do you do?

- Hello, Mr. Hillman.
- I'm glad to see you, Madge.

Nice to meet you, Miss, uh?

- Nielan. (Chuckles)
- Doris always forgets.

- (women chuckle)
- Hello.

You run along now, honey.

I'll catch up with
you in about an hour.

Glad to have
met you, Mr. Shaw.

- Same here.
- Doris tells me

you design houses,
and they're wonderful.

You see, I studied commercial
art and I think design-

- Not just now, dear.

We're in the middle of
a business conference.

Oh, sorry, Doris.

I didn't know you asked me in
just as a magnanimous gesture.

Now, Madge.

You know, one of these days,

when you introduce
me to somebody,

I'm actually going to finish
a sentence about myself.

That is, if you happen
to lose you voice.

Now, you're not gonna stand
me up a our box, are you?

Stand you up? I'd
rather strangle myself.

Doris, she gets more
like you everyday.

Now where's that line, Pearson?

Right there on the top, sir.

You mean, we're signing now?

He asked me to sign long ago.

If you hadn't spent
so much time shopping.

Four closets full of clothes

and all she ever wears
is a bathing suit.

Here.

Oh, come on, Dorey.

Shaw and I ought to be down
at the insurance company now.

What's the matter with
you? Give Shaw the pen.

(Doris sobs)
(soft orchestral music)

(laughs) Women.

I guess Madge really
did upset her.

Here.

(ominous music)

(melancholy music)

(door slams)
(car engine revving)

Hello.

I bet you're surprised.
I'm Madge, remember?

Oh, sure. I remember.

Doris said she'd be
about an hour late.

She asked me to meet you

and said for us to
go ahead and eat.

You two have made
up, huh? Oh, waiter?

Two please.

(soft orchestral music)
(people chattering faintly)

Thank you.

You didn't think I was
really sore, did you?

Doris and I go on like
that all the time.

- May I call you Edward?
- Sure.

I'll have the beef
stew and coffee.

I'll just have a chef's
salad, and coffee later.

Doris is such a wonderful girl.

Of course, she treats
me like a baby.

Now, how old are you?

Almost 22. I have my
own studio apartment.

Nice.

- I'm not as strong as Doris.
- I guess that's the trouble.

You see, I'm sensitive,
so she dominates me.

Even when she had a tragedy.

A real tragedy in
her first marriage.

Didn't bother a bit.

- (dramatic music)
- What first marriage?

- Oh, I thought you knew.
- (soft orchestral music)

Oh, she'll brain me if
she finds out I told you.

But I just detest people who
start to tell you something

and then don't
finish it, don't you?

I think it's just cruel.

Yeah.

Well, Doris married a man
named Narlesky when she was 18.

She met him down at Mexico,
when he was on a toot.

What happened? Did
he toot too much?

You're laughing at me.

That's an old word my
mother used to use.

No, he was killed.
A real tragedy.

One night, he fell asleep
while he was driving

and drove off a bridge.

Up in Wyoming somewhere.

And that didn't bother Doris?

Well, she up and
married Hillman.

Mr. Hillman was Narlesky's
business partner.

That's how Mr. Hillman happened
to come into all the money.

The insurance, I mean.
(dramatic music)

- Life insurance?
- Yes.

Oh, a fabulous amount, way up
in the hundreds of thousands.

Narlesky was a uranium
expert or something and...

What's the matter?

Pay the check, will you?

Mr. Shaw? What did I do?

Did I say something
that offended you?

No, no, no, you were fine.

Tell me something.

You got a cousin that
lives in Pasadena?

Oh, I don't think so.

Cousin Evie. Lives
in one of my houses.

No, Cousin Evie
lives in Portland.

- Thanks.
- Oh, Mr. Shaw,

I mean, Edward, will
you do me a favor

and not tell Doris I was here?

She just asked me to phone you

and tell you she
couldn't make it and I.

(soft dramatic music)

I couldn't find anybody
to send for it, Mr. Shaw

so I went out for it myself.

Anything else right now?

How much money has
Hillman given us so far?

10 to start with.

Three checks for
two, five. 17-5.

When's the rest of
the first 50,000 due?

Do you want some of this paint?

(chuckles) No, thanks.

It's due June 1st, if
you haven't changed it.

And today is May 22nd, huh?

Yes.

Nine days.

Did something
happen, Mr. Shaw?

No, not yet.

But you can count on it
in the next nine days.

Uh, tell me, Mary.

Do I strike you as a
suspicious-type character?

I mean, say, uh, a guy who
wouldn't trust his own mother

with the estate key?

Mm, no, Mr. Shaw.

You're not just saying
that, because you work here?

Oh, come on, Mary, be
frank. Have some guts.

You'll lose your job,
but have some guts.

Yeah, that's me.
Suspicious character.

I peep over my
accountant's shoulder

when he's signing the checks.

Cop gives me a ticket, and I
wonder if he's really a cop.

I lock the office every
time I go out in the hall,

because of this.

(telephone rings)
(Edward sighs)

Shaw Incorporated.

Uh, just a moment please.

It's Mrs. Hillman.

Hi.

Darling? I'm sorry
I couldn't make lunch.

- Did Madge phone you?
- Yeah.

[Doris] I was up on the
hill looking at some property

and there was no phone.

Madge wanted the car,
so I let her have it.

Darling, the property's
just what we want.

[Edward] Really?

Put those darling
houses on it,

and they're gonna
sell for a fortune.

You've just got to see it.

(sighs) Sorry, Mary was in here.

- You mean right now?
- Well, of course.

I'm in a gas station on the
corner of Barrem and Kawanga.

You can make it in 15 minutes.

I'm tied up now.

Darling, what's the matter?

[Edward] You just
heard it. I'm tied up.

But at least we could look
at the property together,

and we'll spend a little time.

Uh, maybe I'm sick of
sneaking around when he's home.

Getting five minutes here
with you, ten minutes there.

But he's going
away soon, darling.

Listen, you've gotta see the
property tomorrow morning

or we may lose it.

Shall I pick you up?

Yeah, here, early.

- Bye.
- Bye.

(car engine rumbling)

Gee, you scare easily. The
brakes just slipped, that's all.

- Brakes slipped?
- I'll get Mr. Hanauer.

He promised to show us around.

(suspenseful music)

Can I help you?

Well, this is
gonna sound funny.

Go ahead, maybe it won't.

Somebody is trying to kill me.

You know who or
you just guessing?

Look, I didn't come
in here to cut up.

A '53 Pontiac, Hoffy,
blue convertible.

Hey, maybe you didn't hear me.

I heard you.

Biff, you got
an engine number?

No.

Look, if you know who,
maybe we can help.

If you don't, what can we do?

If you're still
trying to cut up-

- Look, how many people
do you think come in here,

just like you, who say
somebody's trying to kill "em?

- How many?
- How would I know?

- Four or five a week.
- Sometimes three in one day.

Not one of them that I
know of has been hurt yet.

Biff, dig out that Collins
file for me, will you?

Think it over for a minute.

See if you got
anything real to go on.

Lieutenant Hoff
will talk to you.

Uh-uh. That door.

Where did this death
in Wyoming take place?

I don't know.

You see, Shaw, nothing.

All you got to go on is the
word of a 21-year-old girl.

And this car thing. Maybe
Mrs. Hillman wasn't lying.

Maybe the brakes
were were slipping.

Yeah, maybe I'm
goin' nuts too.

Maybe this isn't even
a police station.

Shaw.

Look.

You understand our
position, don't you?

I mean, we get
this kind of thing

shoved in our
faces all day long.

Most of "em are crackpots.

You know why I talk to you?

Tell me, Uncle Jack.

All right, let's
simmer down, partner.

I talked to you, because you
don't look like a crackpot.

You don't sound like a
crackpot, that's why.

- But I'm acting like one.
- I didn't say that.

- But that's the idea.
- All right.

We'll look up Hillman
for you. How's that?

Now where can I get
in touch with you?

Rap twice on my coffin.

A stumblebum with
a champ's mouth, huh?

- Catch him. Get his address.
- Right.

And write out a squeal on him.

[Biff] Okay.

(birds chirping)
(car engine rumbling)

(tires screeching)

Nothin' wrong
with these brakes.

Stops on a dime, stays there.

- Thanks.
- You wanna try it yourself?

No, no, no.

I told the owner I'd bring it
right back, after the test.

(car engine revving)

Oh, there you are.

Mrs. Hillman's been tryin'
to reach you all afternoon.

She wants you to meet her at
Mountain Lodge tomorrow night,

to close the deal

on that lake property.
(melancholy music)

Do you want me
for anything else?

No thanks, Mary.

- Goodnight.
- Goodnight.

(keys clacking)

(bell rings)

(dramatic music)

(ominous music)

I was hoping
I'd find you here.

I just had to see you.

I bet you think I'm awful.

Why would I think that?

I lied to you.

An outright lie about Doris
being late for lunch that day.

You probably think all
the rest were lies too.

- Were they?
- Of course not.

But you couldn't tell whether
I was a big liar or not.

What are you typing?

- Typing?
- Yes.

I heard you as I was
coming in, peck and pray.

(chuckles) Oh, it's
just, uh, an office memo.

A likely story. Roger says
that on TV all the time.

If it's just an office
memo, why you hiding it?

- I'm not hiding it.
- (paper crinkling)

Let's get out of here.

- Come on.
- I bet it's a love letter.

I just love to read other
people's love letters, don't you?

(paper crinkling)

You see, you were hiding it.

I wasn't going to read it.
I just wanted to find out.

(chuckles) Funny thing.

And I believe you.

How about a nice,
big, juicy steak?

Oh, I'd love it.

Oh, I just remembered something.

What?

I just had a nice,
big, thick, juicy steak.

(Edward laughs)

(soft orchestral music)

Wait till you hear this one.

Uh, I'd like to,
but I better take off.

- It's almost 3:00.
- Oh, it is?

Oh, first, it's 9:00 and then,
whoosh, it's almost 3:00.

(chuckles) Where
does the time go?

Yeah.

I wonder.

- You better go.
- I'll get your coat.

(soft dramatic music)

(intense music)

(soft dramatic music)

You sore about something?

Unhappy?

(chuckles) Just
playing miserable, huh?

I have to go up the mountains

and meet Doris tomorrow
and close the deal.

I'll call you as
soon as I get back.

All right.

(melancholy music)

(car horn honking)

(car engine rumbling)

(tires screech)

(birds chirping)

Darling, oh, it's
so good to see you.

(chuckles) Where'd
you get the car?

I rented it.

We're gonna have dinner
with Collins tonight.

We should be able
to close the deal.

I was gonna leave you a note.

- Yeah?
- I tore it up.

I thought it'd be more
fun to tell you myself.

I've got a surprise for you too.

I bet.

(ominous music)

(insects chirping)

You were just great, you know?

I'm so proud of you.

We've got our first
piece of property

and it's just at your price too.

Hey, watch it, will you?

Where are we going?

- That's the surprise.
- To our cabin.

What do you mean, "Our cabin"?

Well, mine and my husband's.

It's way up on the top of
the mountain, the very top.

You can look down and
see for miles and miles.

Oh, that's great.

Let's go.

(car engine rumbling)

(parking brake clicks)
(insects chirping)

Something the matter?

No.

Madge ever been up here?

- Oh, sure, lots of times.
- But for goodness sakes, why?

Oh, I just wondered.

I bet she comes running to you

with her troubles all the time.

(chuckles) Not her. She's
too independent and stubborn.

Come on.

How do you like it?

Not bad.

Come on.

(ominous music)

Scary, isn't it?

We used to have a porch
built out over there,

but nobody felt
comfortable on it.

One of these days,

I'm gonna put a great
big picture window there.

What's the matter?

(Edward sighs)

Come here, I wanna show
you something else.

Uh, no thanks. Uh-uh.

I'm quite comfortable
right here.

What's been the matter
with you lately, Edward?

How lately?

I'm serious, darling.

Nothing that I know of. Why?

You've been avoiding me.

Even when I see you,
it's not the same.

Well, that's logical.

Nothing stands still, Doris.

But I don't want
it to stand still.

I want it to grow, I,

so that nothing can stop it.

Not you, nor me, nor anybody.

But most of all,

not you, nor me.
(dramatic music)

I thought you might
like some coffee.

It's good on a cold
night like this.

I brought some cookies too.

What are you doing here?

I was worried
about you, Dorey.

I wanted to see how you and
Shaw were getting along.

Black or white?

You got any brandy?

- Not here.
- Cream will do.

- Enough?
- That's fine.

You forgot the sugar.

Oh, so I did.

(chuckles) I forgot.

Oh, Doris, of course, it
should be ladies first.

I forgot whether you
take cream or sugar.

It's been so long since
we've had breakfast together.

(dishes shattering)

Doris.

We're all civilized people.

Sit down. We might as
well be comfortable.

What do you want, Gus?

An understanding.

If this partnership
is to continue,

it's to be confined
to business hours.

That's very clear, isn't it?

Um, pretty clear.

Wouldn't you say it was, Doris?

Please, Edward,
will you shut up?

Yep, that was
pretty clear to her.

Well, I must be running.

Don't, finish your
coffee, have a cookie.

No thanks.

Oh, Mr. Hillman.

It was nice of you to
come all the way up here,

just to tell me not
to work overtime.

Goodnight.

(ominous music)

(car engine starting)

(car engine revving)

How did you know
I'd come here?

Your attitude.

What's that got to do with it?

You couldn't wait
to get Shaw alone.

This was the best place.

- You're drunk.
- Oh, sure.

I've had one or two.

It's a long ride
up that mountain.

It's a long ride down too.

(chuckles) That's better.

Now you stay here and have
some fun with Gus, huh?

(soft dramatic music)

(horn honking)

(tires screeching)

(tires screeching)

(tires screeching)

(horn honking)

(tires screeching)

(car crashing)

(hazy orchestral music)

(dramatic music)

(hazy orchestral music)

Now just what was
it I was supposed

to have put in the
coffee, Mr. Norman?

Some kind of a drug,
according to Mr. Shaw.

(Gus chuckles)

That would be funny,
if it wasn't so serious.

Do you realize, Mr. Shaw,

that you're accusing
me of attempted murder?

I sure do. And it's not hard.

I'm perfectly willing
to do anything I can

to clear this matter up.

Not only for my own reputation,

but for Mr. Shaw's
peace of mind.

I don't want anybody
laying awake at night,

wondering if I'm
going to murder them.

So it will help by
canceling the policy,

I'll be glad to do it.

Even though it leaves
me out on a limb

with a huge investment.

The policy is non-cancelable.

Yes, I know that.

But if the president of
your company is willing

to cut corners and make
an exception in this case,

I will cancel the policy.

And I'm sure that
mostly all companies

are willing to cut corners
at one time or another.

Is that fair enough?

Sounds fine to me.

Cancel it today?

Right now.

- I'm satisfied.
- Well, that's fine.

You know, Mr. Norman, what's
the matter with Mr. Shaw?

He suffers from
the guilt complex.

[Norman] Oh?

He's in love with my wife.

Perhaps I should refresh
my psychology, Mr. Hillman,

but what's that got to do with
it, if you get what I mean?

He's afraid I might kill him.

So he cooked up this story
to get your protection.

When he and my wife
arrived at the cabin,

the last person in the world

they expected to
find there was me.

Am I clear?

Did you and Mrs. Hillman

expect to find Mr.
Hillman at the cabin?

They thought I was safe
and sound in Los Angeles.

I can prove it.

Is that true?

Yeah.

I'm sorry, Mr. Shaw, but
the policy is non-cancelable,

and I see no reason to
discuss it any further.

(dramatic music)

(telephone ringing)

Hello?

Oh, Miss Hillman.

No, he ain't.

He was here about,
uh, oh, noon, I'd say

and then he packed in
a hurry, I tell ya.

Yes, packed.

Well, he was. Miss Hillman?

(phone tapping)

Hello?

Well.

Hmm.

I've called every
place, Mrs. Hillman.

It's fantastic. He seems to
have disappeared completely.

- Today's the 27th, isn't it?
- Yes.

And he took his $1,000 bill?

I imagine so.

When I came back from lunch,

he was gone and so was the bill.

(soft dramatic music)

(ominous music)

(truck horn honking)
(intense music)

(ominous music)

(door creaks)

[Man] Hey, Joe, where
you been? You're late.

(car engine revving)
(dramatic music)

- (door slams)
- Edward.

What on Earth's the
matter with you?

Oh, had of a scare,
that's all. I'm all right.

You got my message, huh?

Yes. I was so glad
to hear from you.

The maid let me in.
Was that all right?

Sure.

I guess you think I'm
some (indistinct), huh?

No.

Oh, they sure got themselves
a beautiful setup.

Insurance policy I can't
shake, police think I'm psycho.

It gets to you after a while.

Just not knowing
where it's coming from

or when or what or how?

Oh, I'm taking that $1,000 bill

and coming up on the
other side of the world.

No shakes, no cold
sweat, and no tramps.

That's why I wanted to
see ya, to say goodbye.

Why haven't you left before?

Is it because you're
in love with the tramp?

I'm sorry I said that.

After all, she is your sister.

If you're not
in love with her,

are you in love
with somebody else?

No!

Not even a little bit?

(soft orchestral music)

Maybe. A little bit.

And that's why
you haven't left?

Maybe.

Maybe staying is
like the $1,000 bill.

Gives me something to cling to.

Looks pretty good, doesn't it?

Not to me.

I think putting
that bill in a frame

was sheer sentimental dribble.

- Hey, that's cute.
- Let's hear it again.

Here you are about to
throw away your whole life

by going off to the
Australian bush or some place,

and you're gonna use
that, that thing to do it.

Well, what's wrong with that?

Can't you use all
that money here,

to fight back at
Doris and Mr. Hillman?

(scoffs) All I'm
fighting here is my nerves.

Edward.

I'm only 21.

And I know when you're 21,

you, you think you know more
than anybody else in the world.

But I think I know
what's wrong with you.

You won't stop thinking
about it, really,

until you stop running from it.

Or I could stay here and
keep on being a sitting duck.

Well, not if you do
something about it.

(Edward sighs)
Go see Doris.

You can handle her.

You mean, if I went to
her, went back to her,

she'd turn on Hillman?

If there was, you know,

a showdown between you and Doris
and Mr. Hillman, she would.

And then the whole
plot would come out.

And if Doris turned against him,

Mr. Hillman wouldn't
dare do anything.

And just how do
we get the showdown?

Well.

If Hillman sees you
and Doris together.

Where? On a trip or some place?

- Well, why not a trip?
- Las Vegas or any place.

Using what for money?

(glass shatters)

(melancholy music)

Where is he?

I'll take you to him.

Why did he send me this?

He said, "With
you, money talked.”

Really?

He also said that you
could choose the place

and spend the money
anyway you liked.

Providing, of course, that
he spends it with you.

But why?

Didn't he think I was
trying to do away with him?

Oh, of course not.

He never suspected you at all.

He thought Mr.
Hillman was trying to-

- But why didn't
he call me direct?

Well, I'll have to run along.

I'll be late for class.

Doris, won't you run
me down to school?

Honey, I can't. I'm late.

Here. Take a cab and run.

Gus is in Chicago, and
I've gotta call Pearson.

Oh. Okay.

(dramatic music)

(paper rustling)

(car engine rumbling)

- (tires screech)
- What happened to Las Vegas?

- Did it move?
- What?

We're headed towards
Big Bear country.

Come on, let's make the light.

(birds chirping)
What's bothering you?

- Now or then?
- Then.

Las Vegas. You're
about 35 miles wrong.

I must have taken
the wrong road.

Ask me what's
bothering me now.

Why ask what I already know?

Your cabin, huh?

- Yes.
- No roulette, no dice?

No big flowing dresses?
(Doris chuckles)

No.

No husband?

- Gus is in Chicago.
- You know that.

I only know what you tell me.

- And?
- Tell me more.

Just tonight, Edward.

Up there's like being
on top of the world.

We could go to Vegas tomorrow?

Go on. Drive.

(soft dramatic music)

(ominous music)

And we thought if, if Edward
and Doris went away together,

and we let Hillman know
they were away together,

- well that would do it.
- Do what?

Well, play Hillman and
Doris against each other.

I know Doris, and if she
got mad enough at Hillman,

she'd tell Edward everything.

Split and conquer, huh?

Yes.

So, now Shaw is in Las Vegas?

Only Mrs. Hillman knows
that he suspects her,

so she'll know he's
trying to trick her.

Shaw hasn't shown up
at the Sands yet, Hoffy.

Neither has that Hillman
dame. Sorry, miss.

What about Mr. Hillman?

Well, he checked out
early this morning.

Was askin' the airlines about
getting him to Big Bear.

Big Bear? Not Vegas?

He and Doris have a
cabin up near there.

Oh yeah, this.

The life insurance
people just called it

to me over the phone,
Myles Norman's office.

From Laramie, Wyoming.

"Narlesky fell asleep
and drove off bridge

12 miles north of here.

Re-opening case to confirm
suspicion of sleeping pills.

Details later.”
(dramatic music)

It's beautiful, isn't it?

I might even ask you to
drink it out of my slipper.

Champagne's for good things.

Here's to fun.

And to love.

What's the matter, Edward?

What's wrong?

You're not gonna spoil
our little party?

Our party was spoiled
a long time ago.

Happened to me like
this since I was a kid.

Something nice happens

and it always manages
to get messed up.

What's wrong, Edward?

We've sneaked around
too many corners, I guess.

I'd just like to walk down the
street once in the sunlight.

But we've had a wonderful
time the past few weeks.

The best I've ever had.
Something that could go on forever.

You feel that way just as I do.

You know, it's a shame.

We'd be awful good together.

If only I could trust you.

But is, is trust something
that you wrap up in a package

and give to the person you love?

Or is it in my
eyes, in my heart?

Read my heart, Edward.

I'm trying, Doris,
but there are things.

Things like, why did
we come to the cabin?

Edward, listen, I was
just trying to test you.

I wanted to get rid of Gus,
so that we could be alone,

so that I could make you
love me like I love you.

You're lying, Doris.

I'm not lying, Edward.

Lies. All of it lies.

Edward, I love you.

(soft orchestral music)

Oh, darling, this
is all I wanted.

This is all I've ever
wanted. Just you, Edward.

Mm, we could
stay here forever.

Yes, forever, darling.

And what about Gus?

- Gus!
- (dramatic music)

Edward, we've gotta get
away from here quickly.

Why?

- Gus, he's coming here.
- He'll be here any time.

- Tonight?
- Yes.

Then it was going
to be tonight.

Yes, but it's all changed now.

Please, Edward, let's go.

I am going. Alone!

Oh, but, Edward, you love me.

You told me-
Tell me, Doris.

How does it feel to kiss someone

you're planning to kill?
(Doris sobs)

A little bit sweeter
when you know

you'll be the last to kiss them?

Are they?

- No, Edward.
- Tell the truth for a change.

Tell me how much you loved me
when your husband fed me dope?

Do you love me more
than you loved Narlesky?

Tell me, do ya?

- Please, please, Edward.
- Come on, talk.

Tell me how much our
love will grow and grow.

Keep telling me
until you kill me.

- You're not fit to live.
- Oh, no, Edward.

Edward! Edward,
where are you going?

I'm getting out of here,
while I'm still alive.

Edward, please don't leave me.

Edward!

Put down that gun.

(gun fires)
(dramatic music)

- (gun thuds)
- (sobs) Oh, Edward.

Edward, I didn't mean to,
but you were leaving me.

Edward, I'm, I'm sorry.
Please forgive me, darling.

(door thuds)
(Doris gasps)

What's happened
here? Is he dead?

(Doris sobs)
No, he's alive.

You idiot. Why
did you shoot him?

(soft dramatic music)
You spoiled everything.

- Oh, Edward darling.
- Pull yourself together.

Stop that.

- But I've shot him.
- Can't you see? (Sobs)

You loved him a
great deal, didn't you?

Does anybody know
you brought him here?

- No.
- Good. That's perfect.

A lovers' rendezvous.

Ending in a suicide.

A double suicide.

What?

You're a clever girl, Dori.

You know that a woman
might kill her lover

when he threatens to leave her

and then follow
him herself later?

Gus, you're horrible.

Yeah. We're a pair,
aren't we, Dori?

It's too bad you could
not remember that.

(suspenseful music)

(Edward grunting)

(gun firing)

(Doris screaming)

(hazy orchestral music)

(soft dramatic music)

(soft orchestral music)

(tires screech)

- Shaw, you all right?
- (soft dramatic music)

Shaw?

(coughs) Here.

Here, let me give you a hand.

Drivel.

Who needs drivel any more?

(Madge exclaims)
(Edward groans)

Get his head.

(doors slamming)
(siren wailing)

(soft orchestral music)

Wanna tell me what
you're thinking?

Highs and lows.

Oh. What's that?

Feelings you get,

but just in certain people.

Oh.

Yeah.

Doris was practical.

She liked men, she liked money.

No nonsense.

(sighs) I never met
anybody like her.

Things may be a lot
different than you think.

Go to sleep.

(bright orchestral music)