1 00:00:39,800 --> 00:00:43,070 Oh, good evening, friends, Romans and countrymen. 2 00:00:44,140 --> 00:00:46,680 I've just unearthed some items 3 00:00:46,710 --> 00:00:49,040 which may be of vast archaeological importance. 4 00:00:53,010 --> 00:00:54,220 Two fig leaves. 5 00:00:56,950 --> 00:00:58,350 And a half eaten apple. 6 00:01:00,190 --> 00:01:03,360 Tonight's play is not about fig leaves, 7 00:01:03,390 --> 00:01:06,290 but it does have a scene in a garden. 8 00:01:06,330 --> 00:01:09,230 It is called "The Rose Garden." 9 00:01:09,260 --> 00:01:13,340 And it's concerned with two elderly sisters 10 00:01:13,370 --> 00:01:16,400 in a magnolia scented house in Louisiana. 11 00:01:42,000 --> 00:01:43,870 You say you come all the way from New York 12 00:01:43,900 --> 00:01:46,300 to see Miss Julia on business? 13 00:01:46,330 --> 00:01:48,640 You sure you ain't got them mixed up? 14 00:01:48,670 --> 00:01:51,110 You didn't come to see Miss Cordelia? 15 00:01:51,110 --> 00:01:52,810 No, who is Miss Cordelia? 16 00:01:52,840 --> 00:01:54,740 She's Miss Julia's sister. 17 00:01:54,780 --> 00:01:57,710 Why, she even tell Miss Julia what to eat for breakfast. 18 00:01:57,750 --> 00:01:59,280 That's why I was kind of surprised 19 00:01:59,310 --> 00:02:00,680 that Miss Julia got any business 20 00:02:00,720 --> 00:02:02,380 that Miss Cordelia ain't in charge of. 21 00:02:02,420 --> 00:02:04,090 Well, Miss Julia has written a book 22 00:02:04,120 --> 00:02:05,390 which my firm is going to publish. 23 00:02:05,420 --> 00:02:06,650 As far as I know, 24 00:02:06,690 --> 00:02:08,190 it has nothing to do with Miss Cordelia. 25 00:02:08,220 --> 00:02:11,260 Well, I declare. A book, huh? 26 00:02:11,290 --> 00:02:13,760 Miss Julia never had a chance to say nothing. 27 00:02:13,800 --> 00:02:16,330 I guess she just had to write it down. 28 00:02:16,360 --> 00:02:18,600 How soon do you reckon I can get a hold of a copy? 29 00:02:18,630 --> 00:02:20,600 It sure will sell out fast in this town. 30 00:02:20,640 --> 00:02:22,470 Oh, we hope to bring it out in the spring. 31 00:02:22,500 --> 00:02:24,870 It's so good, we'll probably rush it through. 32 00:02:24,910 --> 00:02:27,180 Really good, huh? Well, I'll be. 33 00:02:28,610 --> 00:02:31,310 So there are two Miss Pickerings, hmm? 34 00:02:31,350 --> 00:02:33,450 No, Miss Cordelia was married for 30 years. 35 00:02:34,480 --> 00:02:36,380 Then one day, about two years ago, 36 00:02:36,420 --> 00:02:39,390 Gordon Welles just walked out and left her. 37 00:02:39,420 --> 00:02:41,890 Never even took his toothbrush. 38 00:02:41,920 --> 00:02:44,130 I guess he couldn't stand her no longer. 39 00:02:44,160 --> 00:02:45,630 He only stayed as long as he did 40 00:02:45,660 --> 00:02:48,000 on account of Miss Julia, I shouldn't wonder. 41 00:02:48,100 --> 00:02:49,200 Oh? How was that? 42 00:02:49,230 --> 00:02:51,330 Well, he was her beau to start with 43 00:02:51,370 --> 00:02:53,500 then Miss Cordelia took him away from her. 44 00:02:53,540 --> 00:02:54,940 (DRIVER LAUGHS) 45 00:02:54,970 --> 00:02:56,910 I'll bet there's plenty of times that guy wished 46 00:02:56,940 --> 00:02:58,440 he stuck with his first choice. 47 00:02:59,810 --> 00:03:01,580 That's interesting. 48 00:03:01,610 --> 00:03:03,140 Well, here we are. 49 00:03:04,550 --> 00:03:05,910 Is this the place? 50 00:03:20,560 --> 00:03:21,760 Could be the house in the book. 51 00:03:21,800 --> 00:03:22,830 (LAUGHING) 52 00:03:22,860 --> 00:03:24,100 Perfect setting. 53 00:03:28,940 --> 00:03:30,210 You know, I ain't surprised 54 00:03:30,240 --> 00:03:31,670 that Miss Julia's wrote a book. 55 00:03:31,710 --> 00:03:33,880 I always thought she had plenty of wheels. 56 00:03:33,910 --> 00:03:35,240 She just ain't got what it takes 57 00:03:35,280 --> 00:03:37,080 to stand up to Miss Cordelia, that's all. 58 00:03:37,080 --> 00:03:38,410 Now, how much do I owe you? 59 00:03:38,450 --> 00:03:40,620 Two bits. Anywhere in town for two bits. 60 00:03:40,650 --> 00:03:42,150 Only a quarter? Yeah. 61 00:03:42,180 --> 00:03:44,750 I think I'll move down here. There you are, thanks. 62 00:03:44,790 --> 00:03:46,390 Well, thank you. 63 00:03:46,420 --> 00:03:47,920 Oh, good afternoon, I'd like to see Miss... 64 00:03:47,960 --> 00:03:49,360 Good afternoon. 65 00:03:49,390 --> 00:03:50,890 You're Mr. Vinton, from New York. 66 00:03:50,930 --> 00:03:53,090 How do you do, Miss Pickering. It's awfully good of you to... 67 00:03:53,090 --> 00:03:54,560 Well, this is Miss Welles, Mister. 68 00:03:54,600 --> 00:03:57,100 Thank you, Barney. That was very helpful, 69 00:03:57,100 --> 00:03:58,500 but we won't keep you any longer. 70 00:03:58,530 --> 00:04:00,940 Judson can carry Mr. Vinton's bag in. 71 00:04:01,040 --> 00:04:02,770 Miss Pickering is my sister. 72 00:04:02,800 --> 00:04:03,870 I am Mrs. Welles. 73 00:04:03,910 --> 00:04:04,910 Oh, I beg your pardon. 74 00:04:04,940 --> 00:04:05,910 Won't you come in? 75 00:04:05,940 --> 00:04:07,410 Thank you. 76 00:04:07,440 --> 00:04:09,210 It's very kind of you to ask me to stay here, 77 00:04:09,240 --> 00:04:11,480 but wouldn't you find it more convenient if I went to a hotel? 78 00:04:11,510 --> 00:04:13,050 (WOMAN SINGING) No, indeed. 79 00:04:13,050 --> 00:04:15,150 We wouldn't think of not having our guests in our home. 80 00:04:15,180 --> 00:04:17,420 Besides, that hotel is a disgrace. 81 00:04:17,450 --> 00:04:18,750 Why, if they have a fire, 82 00:04:18,790 --> 00:04:20,090 the only escape would be to come out of the window 83 00:04:20,120 --> 00:04:21,390 on a knotted rope. 84 00:04:21,420 --> 00:04:23,220 Whereas, if there were a fire here, 85 00:04:23,260 --> 00:04:25,360 there wouldn't even be a rope. 86 00:04:25,390 --> 00:04:26,930 How do you do, Mr. Vinton? 87 00:04:26,960 --> 00:04:28,200 How do you do, Miss Pickering? 88 00:04:28,230 --> 00:04:29,460 Very kind of you to come. 89 00:04:29,500 --> 00:04:32,070 I'm afraid you'll have to take potluck, Mr. Vinton. 90 00:04:32,100 --> 00:04:33,900 If I had known sooner that you were coming, 91 00:04:33,940 --> 00:04:36,270 or even that my sister had written a book... 92 00:04:36,300 --> 00:04:37,910 (STAMMERING) Well, I was afraid 93 00:04:37,940 --> 00:04:39,970 my sister wouldn't approve, Mr. Vinton. 94 00:04:40,080 --> 00:04:42,340 That's why I didn't tell her I was writing it. 95 00:04:42,380 --> 00:04:44,410 Well, I don't think it very dignified, Julia, 96 00:04:44,450 --> 00:04:45,810 for a woman of your background 97 00:04:45,850 --> 00:04:49,380 to write one of those sensational mystery stories. 98 00:04:49,420 --> 00:04:52,120 (WOMAN CONTINUES SINGING) Come, Mr. Vinton, I'll show you to your room. 99 00:04:52,150 --> 00:04:54,790 Julia, tell Madie she can serve dinner in an hour. 100 00:04:54,820 --> 00:04:56,690 And tell her to stop that noise. 101 00:05:11,440 --> 00:05:15,680 "The old something furniture with its carved lion's heads." 102 00:05:19,150 --> 00:05:21,050 Why, I believe this is the room that... 103 00:05:31,090 --> 00:05:32,460 "The room was old. 104 00:05:32,490 --> 00:05:33,930 "It had been there before they were born, 105 00:05:33,960 --> 00:05:35,830 "and had housed their travesty of a marriage 106 00:05:35,860 --> 00:05:37,800 "for 30 years. 107 00:05:37,830 --> 00:05:41,240 "The old, massive furniture with its carved lion's heads 108 00:05:41,270 --> 00:05:43,070 "stood as if defying anyone to move it. 109 00:05:45,070 --> 00:05:47,180 "The fireplace, with its white marble facing 110 00:05:47,210 --> 00:05:49,180 "black inside with the soot of years. 111 00:05:52,080 --> 00:05:53,820 "And on the mantel, 112 00:05:53,850 --> 00:05:55,780 "a porcelain dairy maid had stood 113 00:05:55,820 --> 00:05:58,350 "since her grandmother's day, 114 00:05:58,390 --> 00:06:00,520 "together with two brass cherubs 115 00:06:00,560 --> 00:06:02,690 "which had held candles to light her to bed. 116 00:06:10,730 --> 00:06:13,130 "In a fury, Charles turned away, 117 00:06:13,170 --> 00:06:15,770 "Amelia snatched the heavy brass candlestick from the mantel 118 00:06:15,800 --> 00:06:17,640 "and brought it down upon his head." 119 00:06:32,490 --> 00:06:35,290 Amelia. Cordelia. 120 00:06:40,700 --> 00:06:43,230 CORDELIA: I hope you like our Louisiana coffee, Mr. Vinton. 121 00:06:43,260 --> 00:06:44,670 VINTON: Oh, I'm sure I shall. 122 00:06:47,070 --> 00:06:49,240 So you haven't read your sister's manuscript, Mrs. Welles. 123 00:06:49,270 --> 00:06:51,110 I have not. 124 00:06:51,140 --> 00:06:53,310 As I told you, I wasn't even informed that she was writing it. 125 00:06:53,340 --> 00:06:56,080 But you don't like this sort of story, sister. 126 00:06:56,080 --> 00:06:57,410 I don't consider it literature, 127 00:06:57,450 --> 00:06:58,910 if that's what you mean. 128 00:06:58,950 --> 00:07:01,380 And you must have wasted a great deal of time writing it. 129 00:07:01,420 --> 00:07:03,750 Well, I'm going to be paid for my time. 130 00:07:03,790 --> 00:07:05,220 Thank you. 131 00:07:05,250 --> 00:07:06,760 Do you take cream and sugar, Mr. Vinton? 132 00:07:06,790 --> 00:07:08,560 I'll have mine black, thank you. 133 00:07:08,590 --> 00:07:10,830 JULIA: Shall I make a great deal of money, Mr. Vinton? 134 00:07:10,860 --> 00:07:12,230 I don't know. 135 00:07:12,260 --> 00:07:13,430 I think this book's going to sell very well. 136 00:07:13,460 --> 00:07:14,900 Certainly we shan't hesitate 137 00:07:14,930 --> 00:07:16,700 to advance you $1,000. 138 00:07:16,730 --> 00:07:19,670 Of course you'll probably make much more than that. 139 00:07:19,700 --> 00:07:22,370 CORDELIA: That part, at any rate, will be pleasant. 140 00:07:22,400 --> 00:07:24,040 Thank heaven dear Mama will never know 141 00:07:24,040 --> 00:07:25,210 where it came from. 142 00:07:25,240 --> 00:07:27,440 Perhaps she will, sister. 143 00:07:27,480 --> 00:07:29,780 Maybe Mama's watching over us in everything we do. 144 00:07:31,410 --> 00:07:33,050 What an interesting house you have. 145 00:07:33,050 --> 00:07:34,450 So many beautiful things. 146 00:07:34,480 --> 00:07:36,120 Those old pistols. 147 00:07:36,150 --> 00:07:38,120 Why, they're... They're works of art. 148 00:07:38,150 --> 00:07:40,390 CORDELIA: Yes, they belonged to my grandfather. 149 00:07:40,420 --> 00:07:42,060 He was forced to use the pistols 150 00:07:42,090 --> 00:07:43,260 several times 151 00:07:43,290 --> 00:07:45,630 to defend the Pickering name. 152 00:07:45,660 --> 00:07:48,760 Really? I'm enchanted to find myself 153 00:07:48,800 --> 00:07:50,770 right in the setting of your novel, Miss Pickering. 154 00:07:50,800 --> 00:07:52,170 I don't believe it's ever happened to me before. 155 00:07:52,200 --> 00:07:53,970 In the setting? 156 00:07:54,070 --> 00:07:57,440 Why, yes, this house and all the things in it. 157 00:07:57,470 --> 00:08:00,410 Why, you even put me in the murder room, Mrs. Welles. 158 00:08:00,440 --> 00:08:03,010 And I'll bet there's a stone bench 159 00:08:03,040 --> 00:08:04,350 in the garden by the rose bed. 160 00:08:04,380 --> 00:08:05,580 What? 161 00:08:05,610 --> 00:08:08,020 Yes. I recognized it at once. 162 00:08:08,050 --> 00:08:10,020 You know, authors should always have their murders 163 00:08:10,020 --> 00:08:11,490 committed in old houses. 164 00:08:11,520 --> 00:08:13,250 The shadows of the past 165 00:08:13,290 --> 00:08:15,490 surge forward to lend a doomful atmosphere 166 00:08:15,520 --> 00:08:17,760 to the matter in hand. Murder most foul. 167 00:08:18,460 --> 00:08:20,030 It's most impressive. 168 00:08:20,060 --> 00:08:21,500 It must have impressed you 169 00:08:21,530 --> 00:08:23,470 for you to make a special trip down here. 170 00:08:23,500 --> 00:08:26,030 I should have thought these things were done by mail. 171 00:08:26,030 --> 00:08:28,040 Well, I was coming south anyway, 172 00:08:28,040 --> 00:08:29,270 and I had read enough of the book 173 00:08:29,300 --> 00:08:30,340 to know we wanted to publish it. 174 00:08:30,370 --> 00:08:31,670 As a matter of fact, 175 00:08:31,710 --> 00:08:33,210 I finished it on the plane to New Orleans. 176 00:08:33,240 --> 00:08:35,280 Oh, then you have the manuscript with you? 177 00:08:35,310 --> 00:08:38,210 Oh, I'm sure he didn't bother to bring it, sister. 178 00:08:38,250 --> 00:08:39,880 If he finished it on the plane, 179 00:08:39,910 --> 00:08:42,180 it seems likely he still has it with him, Julia. 180 00:08:43,390 --> 00:08:45,490 Perhaps I might glance through it 181 00:08:45,520 --> 00:08:48,060 whenever you find it convenient to get it out. 182 00:08:48,060 --> 00:08:49,420 But you don't like this kind of writing, sister. 183 00:08:49,460 --> 00:08:50,890 You said so. 184 00:08:50,930 --> 00:08:52,530 What beautiful roses. 185 00:08:52,560 --> 00:08:55,330 Are you interested in gardening, Mrs. Welles? 186 00:08:55,360 --> 00:08:57,470 I am president of my garden club. 187 00:08:57,500 --> 00:08:59,870 My roses always take first prize. 188 00:08:59,900 --> 00:09:01,570 How very gratifying. 189 00:09:01,600 --> 00:09:03,100 You must feel rewarded for all your work. 190 00:09:03,140 --> 00:09:05,010 CORDELIA: Yes. 191 00:09:05,010 --> 00:09:07,340 You've aroused my curiosity, Mr. Vinton. 192 00:09:08,710 --> 00:09:11,650 I think I would like to read Julia's book. 193 00:09:11,680 --> 00:09:13,210 VINTON: Oh, by all means. 194 00:09:13,250 --> 00:09:14,780 But the only copy we have just now 195 00:09:14,820 --> 00:09:16,620 is the hand written original, I'm afraid. 196 00:09:16,650 --> 00:09:19,250 And we'll probably be working on that most of tomorrow. 197 00:09:20,720 --> 00:09:23,020 Miss Pickering, may I suggest 198 00:09:23,020 --> 00:09:24,830 the first thing you buy with the advance on your book 199 00:09:24,860 --> 00:09:26,860 is a typewriter. 200 00:09:26,900 --> 00:09:29,600 And spare your long suffering editors. 201 00:09:31,230 --> 00:09:33,170 No, of course I'd be delighted to send you a copy 202 00:09:33,200 --> 00:09:34,870 as soon as we have it typed. 203 00:09:53,660 --> 00:09:55,290 (VINTON WHISTLING) 204 00:10:00,960 --> 00:10:02,530 (CONTINUES WHISTLING) 205 00:10:34,460 --> 00:10:36,060 "'Sylvia', Charles urged. 206 00:10:36,100 --> 00:10:37,900 "'All we have to do is to go away. 207 00:10:37,930 --> 00:10:39,670 "'She doesn't love me, you know that. 208 00:10:39,700 --> 00:10:43,040 "'She'll be furious, but we won't be here to see it. 209 00:10:43,070 --> 00:10:45,210 "'You can stay with my Aunt Therese in New Orleans 210 00:10:45,240 --> 00:10:46,980 "'until I get a divorce. 211 00:10:47,010 --> 00:10:48,740 "'I'll meet you there tonight.' 212 00:10:50,710 --> 00:10:52,880 "It was very late when Sylvia, almost in a state of shock 213 00:10:52,910 --> 00:10:54,480 "from anxiety and disappointment, 214 00:10:54,520 --> 00:10:56,820 "stole furtively into the house. 215 00:10:56,850 --> 00:10:58,390 "She crept up the stairs and into her room 216 00:10:58,420 --> 00:11:00,360 "without encountering Amelia. 217 00:11:01,090 --> 00:11:02,390 "Where was Charles? 218 00:11:02,420 --> 00:11:03,830 "Why hadn't he met her in New Orleans? 219 00:11:07,200 --> 00:11:09,830 "Much later that night Sylvia found herself at the window, 220 00:11:09,860 --> 00:11:12,270 "half asleep, pushing it open. 221 00:11:12,300 --> 00:11:14,400 "The room was hot and stuffy 222 00:11:14,440 --> 00:11:17,210 "and she leaned out to breathe in the cool night air. 223 00:11:17,240 --> 00:11:19,070 "And there below her in the garden 224 00:11:19,070 --> 00:11:21,110 "by the stone bench was Amelia. 225 00:11:22,540 --> 00:11:23,880 "What was she doing?" 226 00:11:30,250 --> 00:11:32,350 (MAN AND WOMAN HUMMING IN HARMONY) 227 00:11:54,110 --> 00:11:56,710 Ah, there you are. 228 00:11:56,750 --> 00:11:59,380 Why, I thought your sister was the gardener in the family. 229 00:11:59,410 --> 00:12:01,250 Well, sister enjoys the garden, 230 00:12:01,280 --> 00:12:03,280 but sister's too busy to work in it. 231 00:12:03,320 --> 00:12:04,750 I hope they give you credit 232 00:12:04,790 --> 00:12:06,720 when the blue ribbons are handed out. 233 00:12:06,760 --> 00:12:08,820 Oh, I don't care about that sort of thing. 234 00:12:08,860 --> 00:12:11,960 Oh, did you want to go in and work on the manuscript? 235 00:12:12,060 --> 00:12:13,930 Well, if it's all right with you, we'll work out here. 236 00:12:13,960 --> 00:12:15,760 Well, as you say. 237 00:12:15,800 --> 00:12:17,970 Miss Pickering, have you thought about 238 00:12:18,070 --> 00:12:20,370 what your sister's reaction would be to this book? 239 00:12:20,400 --> 00:12:22,370 And the possibly local reaction? 240 00:12:22,400 --> 00:12:24,170 Yes, I have. 241 00:12:24,210 --> 00:12:25,510 Do you think I ought to withdraw it? 242 00:12:25,540 --> 00:12:27,180 Not publish it at all? 243 00:12:27,210 --> 00:12:29,240 Mr. Vinton, maybe you're right. 244 00:12:29,280 --> 00:12:31,410 (LAUGHING) Now, wait a minute, I didn't mean that. 245 00:12:31,450 --> 00:12:33,350 We're very anxious to publish it. 246 00:12:33,380 --> 00:12:35,220 Well, I should never have made a special trip here if we weren't. 247 00:12:35,250 --> 00:12:36,280 Oh. 248 00:12:37,250 --> 00:12:38,690 Of course. 249 00:12:38,720 --> 00:12:41,720 It wouldn't be fair to withdraw it now 250 00:12:41,760 --> 00:12:43,560 after you've been to all that trouble. 251 00:12:43,590 --> 00:12:45,230 It's only, just that... 252 00:12:47,430 --> 00:12:49,900 Mr. Vinton, to be honest, 253 00:12:49,930 --> 00:12:52,930 I never in the world thought anyone would publish it. 254 00:12:52,970 --> 00:12:54,270 It was quite a shock. 255 00:12:55,670 --> 00:12:57,770 Yes, but, surely, I mean, you must have thought about 256 00:12:57,810 --> 00:13:00,780 what the situation would be if it were accepted. 257 00:13:00,810 --> 00:13:03,410 No. No, I'm afraid I didn't. 258 00:13:03,450 --> 00:13:06,050 When I actually mailed it, I'd done all I could. 259 00:13:06,080 --> 00:13:10,090 It wasn't up to me anymore. It was out of my hands. 260 00:13:10,120 --> 00:13:12,450 Miss Pickering, I don't quite understand what you mean. 261 00:13:14,060 --> 00:13:16,060 Well, I don't know what there is to understand. 262 00:13:16,090 --> 00:13:18,730 I don't know what you're talking about, Mr. Vinton. 263 00:13:18,760 --> 00:13:20,360 I thought you wanted to talk about 264 00:13:20,400 --> 00:13:22,430 alterations in the manuscript. 265 00:13:22,460 --> 00:13:23,700 Yes, I do. Forgive me. 266 00:13:23,730 --> 00:13:26,530 I do want to revise a few pages with you if I may. 267 00:13:26,570 --> 00:13:29,640 Oh. You'll forgive me, Mr. Vinton. 268 00:13:29,670 --> 00:13:32,840 I'm afraid I'm a little nervous this morning. 269 00:13:32,870 --> 00:13:34,140 But what was it? 270 00:13:34,180 --> 00:13:35,610 Now, let's see... 271 00:13:35,640 --> 00:13:37,310 Oh, yes, here we are. 272 00:13:37,350 --> 00:13:39,710 Now, the night Sylvia came back from New Orleans, 273 00:13:39,750 --> 00:13:41,580 when Charles failed to meet her there, 274 00:13:41,620 --> 00:13:42,920 a little later on you say 275 00:13:42,950 --> 00:13:45,250 she found herself at the window. 276 00:13:45,290 --> 00:13:48,160 Now, was she actually awake or what? 277 00:13:48,190 --> 00:13:49,620 Well, that was it. 278 00:13:49,660 --> 00:13:52,090 She was never conscious of waking. 279 00:13:52,130 --> 00:13:53,700 She might've been walking in her sleep. 280 00:13:53,730 --> 00:13:55,760 She just found herself there, looking out. 281 00:13:57,270 --> 00:13:58,930 And there below was a deep trench 282 00:13:58,970 --> 00:14:02,040 which had been dug for compost for sweet peas. 283 00:14:02,040 --> 00:14:05,670 She saw Amelia struggling with some burden in the wheelbarrow 284 00:14:05,710 --> 00:14:08,040 which she dumped into the trench. 285 00:14:08,080 --> 00:14:11,250 But she couldn't tell what it was. 286 00:14:12,580 --> 00:14:13,950 Well, she couldn't be sure. 287 00:14:14,050 --> 00:14:16,820 She... Well, then she fainted, you know. 288 00:14:17,950 --> 00:14:19,320 Yes. 289 00:14:19,350 --> 00:14:22,490 "And as Amelia sank down upon the bench..." 290 00:14:25,730 --> 00:14:27,630 That would be this one, wouldn't it? 291 00:14:28,830 --> 00:14:32,700 Well, it would be one like it. 292 00:14:32,730 --> 00:14:34,740 Hmm. 293 00:14:34,770 --> 00:14:37,770 "Suddenly Sylvia's head was icy and she fell to the floor. 294 00:14:37,810 --> 00:14:39,470 "When she woke up it was dawn. 295 00:14:40,840 --> 00:14:43,210 "The trench below was no longer there. 296 00:14:43,240 --> 00:14:46,580 "Rose bushes had been planted in the newly filled-in bed. 297 00:14:46,610 --> 00:14:50,420 "Or was it newly filled-in? And why roses? 298 00:14:50,450 --> 00:14:51,820 "Could it be so the bed 299 00:14:51,850 --> 00:14:53,460 "wouldn't be dug up again next year? 300 00:14:54,460 --> 00:14:55,620 "But Amelia..." 301 00:14:55,660 --> 00:14:56,990 Mr. Vinton. Yeah? 302 00:14:57,090 --> 00:15:01,030 What... Well, what was it you wanted to ask me? 303 00:15:01,060 --> 00:15:03,900 Oh, well... Well, about this really. 304 00:15:03,930 --> 00:15:05,500 After seeing Amelia 305 00:15:05,530 --> 00:15:08,140 dump what looked like a body into the trench, 306 00:15:08,170 --> 00:15:09,900 and when Charles never appeared again 307 00:15:09,940 --> 00:15:11,940 and there was no word from him, 308 00:15:12,040 --> 00:15:14,640 isn't Sylvia sure it was he? 309 00:15:15,910 --> 00:15:17,580 Well, she couldn't be positive. 310 00:15:19,210 --> 00:15:20,650 It might still be a dream. 311 00:15:21,650 --> 00:15:23,620 Well, everything was so queer. 312 00:15:23,650 --> 00:15:26,760 And then next day, Amelia said 313 00:15:26,790 --> 00:15:29,060 that the rose bushes had been there all the time, 314 00:15:29,060 --> 00:15:31,060 planted the day that Sylvia went to New Orleans. 315 00:15:31,060 --> 00:15:32,190 Yes, I know. 316 00:15:32,230 --> 00:15:33,600 But in her own mind, 317 00:15:33,630 --> 00:15:35,560 in her heart, wasn't Sylvia sure? 318 00:15:35,600 --> 00:15:37,100 Well, yes... 319 00:15:37,130 --> 00:15:38,800 But I don't know. 320 00:15:40,800 --> 00:15:42,840 Yes, I suppose she was. 321 00:15:42,870 --> 00:15:44,710 Then why doesn't she go to the police? 322 00:15:44,740 --> 00:15:47,140 Was it just the prospect of the disgrace, 323 00:15:47,180 --> 00:15:49,310 the shame and notoriety? 324 00:15:49,340 --> 00:15:51,080 Well, partly, I suppose. 325 00:15:52,880 --> 00:15:54,620 Mostly because she was a coward. 326 00:15:55,880 --> 00:16:00,090 You mean she's afraid of Amelia? 327 00:16:00,120 --> 00:16:03,020 Not physically, perhaps, though it could come to that. 328 00:16:04,660 --> 00:16:07,300 She's afraid of her sister's disdain. 329 00:16:07,330 --> 00:16:09,360 Her contempt. 330 00:16:09,400 --> 00:16:12,530 Well, I... I tried to make it clear. 331 00:16:12,570 --> 00:16:14,040 Mr. Vinton, if you've never been 332 00:16:14,040 --> 00:16:15,400 really afraid of another person, 333 00:16:15,440 --> 00:16:16,940 you can't understand this. 334 00:16:18,570 --> 00:16:21,040 Sylvia cannot take the step. 335 00:16:21,040 --> 00:16:23,110 She cannot stand up and say, "I accuse." 336 00:16:24,850 --> 00:16:27,750 She's got to go on day after day 337 00:16:27,780 --> 00:16:29,580 pretending that she'll do it tomorrow, 338 00:16:31,620 --> 00:16:33,050 knowing that she never will. 339 00:16:34,190 --> 00:16:35,160 I see. 340 00:16:36,190 --> 00:16:37,830 And yet, as a reader, 341 00:16:37,860 --> 00:16:40,800 I can't help feeling her sister's power over her 342 00:16:40,830 --> 00:16:43,430 exists only in Sylvia's imagination. 343 00:16:47,200 --> 00:16:48,770 Mr. Vinton, I... 344 00:16:48,800 --> 00:16:50,310 You'll have to excuse me, please. 345 00:16:50,340 --> 00:16:52,910 I... I have to see about lunch. 346 00:16:56,880 --> 00:17:00,120 Well, there you are, Mr. Vinton. 347 00:17:01,080 --> 00:17:02,120 It's all signed. 348 00:17:03,250 --> 00:17:05,590 You have an option on my next three books, 349 00:17:05,620 --> 00:17:07,160 but I fear I shall never write them. 350 00:17:07,190 --> 00:17:08,490 Let's not be too sure, Miss Julia. 351 00:17:08,520 --> 00:17:09,720 One never knows. 352 00:17:09,760 --> 00:17:10,860 Get your hat, Julia. 353 00:17:10,890 --> 00:17:12,660 We'll be late for choir practice. 354 00:17:12,690 --> 00:17:15,030 Sister, I just thought I wouldn't go, for once. 355 00:17:15,030 --> 00:17:17,070 It's Mr. Vinton's last night. 356 00:17:17,100 --> 00:17:18,270 Nonsense. 357 00:17:18,300 --> 00:17:20,670 The choir's down to nothing these last few weeks. 358 00:17:20,700 --> 00:17:23,570 Reverend Samuels is counting on you. 359 00:17:23,610 --> 00:17:25,440 I'm sure Mr. Vinton doesn't consider himself 360 00:17:25,470 --> 00:17:27,440 more important than God. 361 00:17:27,480 --> 00:17:29,440 Oh, no, not at all. 362 00:17:29,480 --> 00:17:31,350 Get your hat, Julia. 363 00:17:31,380 --> 00:17:34,250 And not that silly thing you bought for Easter. 364 00:17:34,280 --> 00:17:36,850 I must thank you, Mrs. Welles, for a very pleasant visit. 365 00:17:36,890 --> 00:17:39,150 I hope you two ladies will visit New York some time 366 00:17:39,190 --> 00:17:40,520 and let me be the host. 367 00:17:40,560 --> 00:17:42,520 Thank you. I doubt that we ever shall. 368 00:17:42,560 --> 00:17:43,960 No member of our family 369 00:17:44,060 --> 00:17:45,760 has been north for 100 years. 370 00:17:46,860 --> 00:17:48,760 It's changed a good deal, I believe. 371 00:17:50,170 --> 00:17:51,100 Will you be gone long? 372 00:17:51,130 --> 00:17:52,500 Oh, not long. 373 00:17:52,530 --> 00:17:55,100 We shall be gone a good two and a half hours. 374 00:17:55,140 --> 00:17:56,770 Put your gloves on, Julia. 375 00:17:58,210 --> 00:18:00,440 Well, I'm sorry, Mr. Vinton. 376 00:18:00,480 --> 00:18:01,880 I just hope you won't be too bored. 377 00:18:01,910 --> 00:18:03,550 Oh, I'll find plenty to do. 378 00:18:04,680 --> 00:18:05,810 (DOOR CLOSES) 379 00:18:06,550 --> 00:18:08,850 (MAN AND WOMAN SINGING) 380 00:18:27,740 --> 00:18:29,100 (DOOR CLOSES) 381 00:19:12,880 --> 00:19:14,550 Well, Mr. Vinton? 382 00:19:15,120 --> 00:19:16,920 Oh, Mrs. Welles. 383 00:19:17,020 --> 00:19:19,290 (STUTTERING) I was just... 384 00:19:19,320 --> 00:19:20,720 CORDELIA: Yes? 385 00:19:20,760 --> 00:19:24,630 I must apologize. You see, in fact I... 386 00:19:24,660 --> 00:19:26,260 You were looking for my husband's body, 387 00:19:26,290 --> 00:19:27,060 is that right? 388 00:19:28,360 --> 00:19:30,300 Yes, I'm afraid I was. 389 00:19:30,330 --> 00:19:33,270 Perhaps you would like to dig a little deeper. 390 00:19:33,300 --> 00:19:34,270 Oh, no. Thank you. 391 00:19:39,940 --> 00:19:42,810 Mr. Vinton, perhaps it's just as well you've done this. 392 00:19:42,840 --> 00:19:44,750 I left choir practice early 393 00:19:44,780 --> 00:19:47,050 so I could talk to you in private. 394 00:19:47,050 --> 00:19:49,780 And since Julia's book has driven you to this extreme, 395 00:19:49,820 --> 00:19:51,750 you must see that it's quite out of the question 396 00:19:51,790 --> 00:19:53,890 ever to publish it. 397 00:19:53,920 --> 00:19:56,830 Well, it is a very convincing book, Mrs. Welles. 398 00:19:56,860 --> 00:19:58,760 It convinced me and I feel sure 399 00:19:58,790 --> 00:20:00,030 your sister believes every word of it. 400 00:20:00,060 --> 00:20:02,060 Very probably she does. 401 00:20:02,100 --> 00:20:03,930 My sister is a neurotic and disappointed woman 402 00:20:03,970 --> 00:20:05,830 with a vivid imagination. 403 00:20:05,870 --> 00:20:08,300 And she deeply wishes it were true. 404 00:20:08,340 --> 00:20:10,440 Why should she wish a thing like that? 405 00:20:10,470 --> 00:20:12,440 Why, so that I might appear as the villain, of course, 406 00:20:12,470 --> 00:20:14,910 instead of my husband. 407 00:20:14,940 --> 00:20:18,250 I wasn't the only one he deserted, you know. 408 00:20:18,280 --> 00:20:21,280 Julia thought she was going away with him. 409 00:20:21,320 --> 00:20:23,250 But he left her, too. 410 00:20:23,280 --> 00:20:26,650 And she has never been able to accept that. 411 00:20:26,690 --> 00:20:31,230 So, she wrote her own sordid ending to the story. 412 00:20:31,260 --> 00:20:34,900 I see, Mrs. Welles. I feel like a fool. I... 413 00:20:35,660 --> 00:20:38,070 I can only apologize. 414 00:20:38,100 --> 00:20:41,540 And as to Miss Julia's book, if she wants to withdraw it... 415 00:20:41,570 --> 00:20:45,740 You may leave that to me. Julia will do as I say. 416 00:20:48,380 --> 00:20:50,350 Well, I'm sorry to change my mind again, 417 00:20:50,380 --> 00:20:51,710 Mr. Vinton, 418 00:20:53,480 --> 00:20:55,150 but I'm afraid Cordelia's right. 419 00:20:56,280 --> 00:20:58,490 So if you're willing to release me 420 00:20:58,520 --> 00:20:59,750 from my contract... 421 00:21:01,460 --> 00:21:04,060 It's treating you shamefully, I know. 422 00:21:04,060 --> 00:21:05,330 It's quite all right, Miss Julia. 423 00:21:05,360 --> 00:21:07,360 Please don't give it another thought. 424 00:21:10,130 --> 00:21:11,970 Well, I... I think I'll get along now. 425 00:21:12,070 --> 00:21:14,470 There's... There's a late train, I believe. 426 00:21:16,070 --> 00:21:18,740 I don't wish to appear inhospitable, Mr. Vinton, 427 00:21:18,770 --> 00:21:20,640 but perhaps it would be best. 428 00:21:20,680 --> 00:21:21,940 Yes. 429 00:21:21,980 --> 00:21:23,810 I'll walk to the station. 430 00:21:23,850 --> 00:21:25,310 I've got plenty of time. 431 00:21:31,950 --> 00:21:33,120 Good bye. 432 00:21:33,690 --> 00:21:35,220 CORDELIA: Good bye. 433 00:21:36,390 --> 00:21:38,430 Good bye, Mr. Vinton. 434 00:21:38,460 --> 00:21:40,630 (DOOR CLOSES) 435 00:21:40,660 --> 00:21:42,760 Well, I'm glad you've finally come to your senses. 436 00:21:42,800 --> 00:21:43,930 Yes, I have. 437 00:21:44,930 --> 00:21:45,970 Tomorrow... 438 00:21:46,700 --> 00:21:47,770 No. 439 00:21:48,600 --> 00:21:50,240 In the morning. 440 00:21:50,270 --> 00:21:52,510 In the morning I'm going to Sheriff Thibault, 441 00:21:52,540 --> 00:21:54,540 and I'm going to tell him everything. 442 00:21:54,580 --> 00:21:56,110 And he's going to come here 443 00:21:56,110 --> 00:21:58,110 and he's going to dig in the right rose bed 444 00:21:58,110 --> 00:21:59,950 where the bench used to be. 445 00:22:00,050 --> 00:22:01,180 Julia! 446 00:22:01,220 --> 00:22:03,280 I would've done it tonight, 447 00:22:03,320 --> 00:22:05,120 only I wanted to spare us the humiliation 448 00:22:05,150 --> 00:22:07,060 in Mr. Vinton's presence. 449 00:22:07,060 --> 00:22:09,790 Are you out of your mind? 450 00:22:09,820 --> 00:22:11,330 You certainly are not going to the Sheriff 451 00:22:11,360 --> 00:22:13,060 with any such insane accusation. 452 00:22:13,060 --> 00:22:15,400 You know perfectly well I won't allow it. 453 00:22:15,430 --> 00:22:18,270 Nothing you can do to stop me. I'm not afraid of you anymore. 454 00:22:20,270 --> 00:22:22,070 I guess maybe now I'm more afraid 455 00:22:22,100 --> 00:22:23,570 of going on being a coward, 456 00:22:23,610 --> 00:22:26,370 lying to myself and to everyone... 457 00:22:26,410 --> 00:22:28,140 I most certainly can stop you, 458 00:22:28,180 --> 00:22:30,150 and I will if you make it necessary. 459 00:22:30,180 --> 00:22:31,980 I killed Gordon to save us from the scandal 460 00:22:32,080 --> 00:22:33,210 of his running away with you 461 00:22:33,250 --> 00:22:35,080 and I won't hesitate now. 462 00:22:35,820 --> 00:22:38,320 But now... 463 00:22:38,350 --> 00:22:41,260 Now you're being ridiculous, sister. Why... 464 00:22:41,290 --> 00:22:44,190 Why, you can't kill me and not be found out. 465 00:22:44,230 --> 00:22:46,490 I'll simply say I was cleaning the pistol, 466 00:22:46,530 --> 00:22:48,230 and it discharged by accident. 467 00:22:48,960 --> 00:22:51,000 Nobody will suspect me now 468 00:22:51,100 --> 00:22:52,500 any more than they did with Gordon. 469 00:22:56,100 --> 00:22:57,410 Very well, then. 470 00:23:00,040 --> 00:23:02,510 I guess you gotta kill me, 471 00:23:02,540 --> 00:23:04,510 because you can't stop me any other way. 472 00:23:04,550 --> 00:23:05,880 (DOOR OPENS) 473 00:23:05,910 --> 00:23:07,150 VINTON: No, you mustn't do that, Mrs. Welles. 474 00:23:07,180 --> 00:23:08,550 Mr. Vinton. 475 00:23:08,580 --> 00:23:10,690 Or that. You can hardly explain my body, too. 476 00:23:10,720 --> 00:23:12,050 What are you doing here? Spying on us? 477 00:23:12,050 --> 00:23:13,290 Yes, as a matter of fact. 478 00:23:13,320 --> 00:23:15,420 You see, I noticed this pistol was missing. 479 00:23:15,460 --> 00:23:17,530 Sneaking back here prying into our personal affairs, 480 00:23:17,560 --> 00:23:20,760 of all the disgraceful outrageous performances... 481 00:23:20,800 --> 00:23:22,560 Sister, sister. 482 00:23:23,370 --> 00:23:26,200 Don't you call me sister! 483 00:23:27,670 --> 00:23:28,940 Are you all right, Miss Julia? 484 00:23:28,970 --> 00:23:30,240 Yes, I guess so. 485 00:23:32,640 --> 00:23:34,440 You were grand. 486 00:23:34,480 --> 00:23:35,780 You know, I really believe 487 00:23:35,810 --> 00:23:36,980 you'd have let her shoot you. 488 00:23:37,080 --> 00:23:38,080 You know, 489 00:23:38,880 --> 00:23:40,350 I made a decision 490 00:23:41,080 --> 00:23:42,880 for once. 491 00:23:42,920 --> 00:23:45,520 Mr. Vinton, you do understand about the book, don't you? 492 00:23:45,550 --> 00:23:48,690 I just couldn't bear to have anybody read it now. 493 00:23:48,720 --> 00:23:51,230 Of course. Please don't worry about it. 494 00:23:51,260 --> 00:23:53,760 Besides, you'll write me another one, I'm sure. 495 00:23:53,800 --> 00:23:56,430 Well, perhaps I will. 496 00:23:56,460 --> 00:23:59,000 You know, I've known about all this for two years. 497 00:23:59,100 --> 00:24:01,270 They'll probably send me to prison, too. 498 00:24:01,300 --> 00:24:03,540 Maybe I could write it there. 499 00:24:03,570 --> 00:24:05,040 I'm sure they won't. 500 00:24:05,070 --> 00:24:07,040 But if they do, I shall insist 501 00:24:07,040 --> 00:24:09,310 they don't give you time off for good behavior. 502 00:24:20,260 --> 00:24:22,560 So much for the literary set. 503 00:24:22,590 --> 00:24:25,260 And now we must interrupt our program 504 00:24:25,290 --> 00:24:28,360 while we prepare the next play for production. 505 00:24:28,400 --> 00:24:30,330 I shall see you then. Good night.