Original subtitles

Good evening.

May I help you?

We have a fantastic assortment of lost articles.

We have a number of ways, some bearings, and a national purpose.

We have some dear little lambs, a weekend, and one entire generation.

And we have one gentleman back here named Mr.

Keene. A single button is found early in tonight's story, and as they used to

say, thereby hangs a tale. The tale is called You'll Be the Death of Me, and it

begins in a few moments.

Thanks. Good night. You expecting company on the bus, Betty Rose?

They're going to take it, Tompy.

I hear it's a lovely time of the year in New Orleans right now.

Why don't you drink up your drink, Betty Rose, and I'll just buy you another one.

One drink ain't worth all the struggle.

Of course, if it was driver Arthur, that would be another matter.

Driver's saving his money, though.

Fixin' to build his bride a new house, I reckon.

What kind of house they got in the Orient, driver?

It's up on stilts, Tompy.

Lots of alligators floatin' around below to police up the garbage.

Alligators?

You sure keepin' that little beauty all to yourself, driver?

Ain't nobody in the valley seen her except comin' from the station.

She ain't missin' nothin'.

Not so long as she's got driver coming home night after night.

Driver Arthur. Always in the driver's seat.

Whether it's cars or women. Ain't that what they used to say about you?

Mm-hmm. That's what they used to say.

Maybe you better go back to just playing Bob.

I don't see that driver hardly fits you anymore.

Do? No.

You're like all the rest of the married men. You ain't in the driver's seat. You

just go whatever way you're pushed.

You got a match?

Oh, any time for you, Betty Rose.

Listen, will you go loose someplace else? You ain't talked since the cradle

and you ain't gonna talk now.

I got nothing to say to you except quit haunting me.

I don't know why she riles you so much, Betty Rose.

She takes spells of flapping around me like a little brown buzzard.

I get tired of her staring at me all the time.

Like she's waiting for something.

Poor child's only got half a reason. She can't do you no harm.

How about a little dance in the bedroom?

I don't dance with nothing, Carl Sawyer. You were born nothing. You ain't nothing

now. And when you die, they're gonna have nothing on their hands to bury.

Now leave my pretty waist alone.

You feel like dancing, driver?

You know, you ain't danced with me since you got back.

Did they give you some medals this time?

Reserve unit didn't see no action.

But I got me a medal.

I got me one sweet little bride.

Dance with me, driver.

Or are you afraid to hold me in your arms?

Like old times, huh?

I better be getting on up that hill.

See you around, driver man.

Well, look who's here counting his memories.

Why'd you come here?

Why didn't you go up on the hill?

It ain't that easy, is it, driver?

Too many things to remember?

Like this place here?

I'm a married man now, Betty Rose.

Can you get that through your head?

Hmm? Can you?

I'm married.

Sure, driver.

I can get that through my head just fine.

Especially since I thought all the time that she was going to come home and

marry me.

I ever tell you that in so many words?

I kind of thought it was understood.

Otherwise, I wouldn't have waited.

Yeah.

You waited all right.

You waited with Tompy.

Burt Clark.

Yeah, that's why I heard it What was I supposed to do join a sewing circle or

something you got married Well if I led you to

believe that I'm sorry it wasn't meant But right or wrong we got to be

through now now you understand that you got to stay away from me Why

Because every time you look at me, you start forgetting her?

This is an awful small town, driver.

If you wanted to stay away from me, you shouldn't have come back.

Well, the old farm was the only stake I had.

Now, you're always talking about wanting to go to New Orleans.

Now, what if I was to give you some money?

This is my town. I belong here. I ain't gonna get out of it for that little...

Keep your tongue off her.

I'm sorry.

But if somebody has to leave this town, maybe it better be her.

Living up there in that old farmhouse thinking it's hers.

Maybe she wouldn't like it so well if she knew.

What are you talking about?

About us.

You shut up.

You think she'd stay there if she knew?

And believe me, she's gonna know.

Get your paws off of me.

You ain't gonna just brush me off and forget me, driver.

You're going to remember me to the end of your days.

You stay away from her, you hear?

You stay away from Mickey, you hear?

You ain't going to tell her nothing.

You ain't going to tell her nothing.

I didn't mean it.

All right, Rags.

Even if no one else is eating, you must have food.

That's right. Eat.

I'm all right.

Never has he been so late.

Never has he left me alone so long.

What's the matter, honey?

Driver, you scared me.

I was so frightened.

Frightened?

Why, huh?

It's looking so within two miles of this place.

A little wind and storm.

Ain't nothing but the Lord's artillery old grandpa used to say.

Nothing to be afraid of.

I thought something had happened to you.

I didn't know what to do.

Oh, just take it easy.

But where have you been?

I've been waiting.

Yeah, well, I'm sorry I'm late.

I worked a little overtime.

Stopped by the Blackbird for a beer.

You stopped at the Blackbird?

Stopped by for a beer every now and again, you know that?

I wait dinner for hours, and you stop for beer.

Honey, I worked hard all day long.

There's no need to shout.

Mickey, I'm waiting to clear through from the rain.

I walked a couple of miles from that stinking bus. Now, I'm sorry I'm late,

and I'm sorry I stopped by for a beer.

What more do you want from me?

I didn't mean please.

Everything is so strange here.

I get so lonely when you're gone.

And the storm.

I'm sorry.

No.

No, I'm sorry.

It's my fault.

You're a long way from home.

You're going to be happy here, aren't you?

You're not going to get homesick and want to leave me?

Oh, no.

I could never leave you.

I'd be happy anywhere you are.

When you look at me like that...

I know I love you so much.

Oh, Rags, be quiet.

If Chief be crying, I think maybe you have hurt me.

You poor hound.

I wouldn't hurt you, Mickey.

I'd do anything in the world to keep you from being hurt.

Driver, if we move in town near the mill, you wouldn't have to get up

so early.

Oh,

ride that stinking bus?

If I live in town, I think I'd show up and die on you.

You see I've been a mountain man all my life.

And this is my mountain.

Good night, my husband.

It means nothing.

I'm a foolish girl.

I will simply ask him about it, and he will explain.

Yeah?

Come on. We have work to do. Come on.

He probably knew many pretty girls, but he chose me for his wife.

He prefers me above all the others.

Better now, Rags?

Who is it?

Don't leave your door unlocked, ma'am.

Who are you?

Garfield Newton, Ms. Arthur.

I take care of the police work around here.

My husband is not here.

Didn't think he would be.

I'd like to talk to you, Ms. Arthur.

Be a mite easier if you came in here.

My husband.

Thanks. Go lie down.

My husband, he is perhaps hurt.

They're a strapper.

Your husband's perfectly okay, Mrs. Arthur.

There has been a little trouble, though. I thought maybe you might be able to

help me out a bit.

But how could I... You shouldn't hide yourself away up on the hill like this.

You ought to come into town.

Start getting acquainted.

You'll find the natives are real friendly.

We have no car yet. My husband is working very hard.

Working overtime a bit?

Yes.

The place sure looks a lot better than the last time I saw it.

A woman's touch.

Driver work late last night?

He, um... You said that there had been some trouble,

and you wish me to help.

What kind of trouble is it, and how may I help?

Do you ever meet a girl named Betty Rose Calder?

No.

She was strangled to death down by the lake.

Lake?

But that is... Not much more than a thousand yards from your front door.

That's why I said you ought to keep it locked.

You see any stranger around here yesterday afternoon?

No.

Well, I guess you wouldn't know a stranger.

Did you see anybody?

No.

How terrible a thing to happen.

Poor girl.

Did you hear anything?

Any sounds?

A cry?

See any cars on the road?

No.

You're sure nobody came around the house?

Ragus would let me know if anyone came across.

Why did you question me about my husband?

That's my job, Ms. Arthur.

What time did the driver come home last night?

I did not look at the clock, Mr.

Newton, so I could not tell you truly what time it was.

I see.

Well, if you should remember anything, you'll let me know.

I'll be around the neighborhood for a while.

I'll just come back.

Looks like it's letting up.

We better keep this doll out.

I cannot play now.

Oh, rags.

If Drava comes home in their snow milk, he'll be furious at both of us.

Oh, my dress.

Now I must change.

Naughty.

Is that you, Ruby?

You like rags.

I know.

I'm going to your mother's store.

Would you like to walk along with me?

Would you like to take his leash?

been so long?

Took you an hour and a half to find out about one sick calf.

That's all right, Miss Arthur. You can put rags down.

What can we get for you?

The rags spill the last of the milk.

I'm already late with my husband's dinner.

Well, don't get so upset about it. He ain't gonna send you home for that.

Ruby, fetch in a can of milk.

You two come down the hill together?

Yes, she held Rag's lease.

I'm mighty grateful to you being so kind to the child.

I'm happy to be her friend.

She's sweet and good-hearted.

Most people only see what she lacks. Like that Betty Rose. She couldn't bear

the sight of the child.

Betty Rose?

She's the one who was killed?

Yes.

Strange. It was Ruby found her.

Ruby? My poor little night runner.

Wild as a swallow and can't be caged.

Maybe that Betty Rose had a foreshadowing, and that's why she always

drove the child away.

Poor Betty Rose.

Most folks say she brought it on herself, but that's man's judgment, not

God's. I do not understand.

She brought it on herself?

Men just couldn't stay away from her.

She was so pretty.

Well, perhaps she was, Ruby, but it's a cruel thing all the same.

You better be careful, Miss Arthur.

Maybe it was one of Betty Rose's men that killed her, and maybe it was a

stranger. No one knows.

But he was strong and he was mean.

She must have tried to get away from him because he tore the button right off her

coat. But he held her, and I hear that he pulled the scarf so tight around her

throat the flesh was cut.

So you be careful, you hear?

me to startle you you

didn't mention you found this

Mickey

I'm

afraid that the requirements of commercial television make it necessary

for you to tear yourselves away from the story for a short time.

Lest you lose your place, I shall stay here and hold it for you.

Scared me terrible coming home and finding you gone.

I spilled the milk.

Yeah, I noticed that. What happened?

Ragus was trying to play.

That fool hound.

Honey, you're trembling.

What's the matter? Something scare you?

No. Only I heard about the girl who was killed just down by the lake.

Don't you worry about that.

There ain't been no stranger around here, has there?

No. A man came.

He said he was to do with the police.

Oh.

Guy Newton paying his respects, huh?

What did he have to say?

He had many questions.

Is that right?

What kind of questions?

He asked what I had seen or heard.

Did you know the girl who was murdered?

Yeah, I see a dollar blackbird now on them What else did Newton have to say

I couldn't understand all of it He

said I should come into town because the natives are friendly

Well, I'm not sure I like that

guys partial pretty woman Oh

Did he say anything about this button?

No, I do not even think he said.

But it was right there on the table when he was here, wasn't it?

I think so.

Don't you know?

He didn't mention it.

But he could have seen it without mentioning it, couldn't he?

I don't know. I suppose so.

What is so terribly important about the button?

Nothing. I was just wondering, that's all.

I'm going to get cleaned up.

That button.

What about it?

Could it have belonged to the girl who was killed?

What makes you think that?

Mrs. McLeod said the murderer tore a button from a coat.

Oh, I see.

That's why you were so upset.

I don't know. Could have belonged to her. Never thought about it.

But, driver, if it did belong to her... Now, wait a minute.

You're not thinking that I... Oh, no, no. I am not.

I just found that button by happenstance.

When I was walking up the trail last night.

I saw glitter and I...

I picked it up. I thought it was pretty.

Bright and shiny.

I thought you might like it.

Rabbit, do not be angry with me.

I know. I was only thinking that if that button was from her coat, then it is

important.

I could have dropped it right where I found it.

Then you must tell Mr. Newton.

Don't you see, driver? You might help him catch this man.

Yeah.

And it's a sure thing I didn't see it on that table or he'd have grabbed it.

You know what?

I think I'll go down the hill right now and see Gar.

Might be exactly the thing he needs.

I go with you?

Why, hon?

Driver, someone has killed a girl.

I'm afraid to be alone here.

Oh.

Yeah, I suppose you're right.

Matter of fact, I wouldn't want you here alone anyway.

Will your dinner things keep?

Yes, they will keep.

I hope you're gone that long anyway.

I've been waiting on the foot. You better put your boots on.

It might start raining again.

Take the flashlight. It'll be dark before we get back.

Driver!

Are you all right?

Yeah, I'm all right.

That no-good mutt's gonna be the death of me yet. I never saw such a critter

for getting underfoot!

He didn't mean it, Driver.

It hurt him, too.

I'm sorry, hon.

I know he's the most company you had since we come here.

Come on, Rags. Take your foe a walk.

It's all right. You don't have to put him on the leash. He'll run ahead of us.

Driver, you didn't have the flashlight last night.

No. And it was dark when you came home.

What are you getting at?

The button, you said it glittered. So it did in the moonlight.

Driver, there was no moon.

You sound like you think I'm lying.

No, driver. No, it's just I do not understand.

They don't understand. The clouds broke for a minute or two. The moon shone

through.

Yes, of course.

I see.

Stop asking me these poor questions.

I'm sorry.

What is it?

You know what?

It was just about here I found that fool Button.

You know what I'm gonna do?

I've been thinking all the way down here how this is gonna look to Gar.

Me having this Button all this time, not even thinking about telling him about it

till now.

But, driver, if you're telling the truth... The truth don't have nothing to

do with it.

Gar Newton's desperate to grab somebody for this.

And he's no good friend of mine.

You know, Mickey, I could get in some real bad trouble all because of finding

the shiny button.

There.

Now let somebody else find it.

Be just as good as me telling Guy.

Only important thing is that it gets found.

What are you looking at?

I know what I'm doing. You're just going to have to trust me.

What's the matter with you?

Driver, why are you afraid to tell Mr. Newton about the button?

I just told you.

He might make out like I had something to do with it.

Have you forgotten what you said last night? That you were at the mill and

done with Tompy?

Did you tell Gar that?

No, I told him nothing, but... Why shouldn't I have told him if it's true?

Now, Mickey, you stop thinking things like that.

It is true, isn't it? Mickey!

No, it isn't.

And you didn't find the button on the path.

Now, you stop it.

You stop it! You're imagining things.

I believe you killed it, didn't you?

Mickey.

Mickey, we gotta talk about this. You gotta listen to me.

You killed her, didn't you?

No, Mickey.

Please. Please listen to me.

I didn't mean to do it.

I tried every way I knew.

But she had a headset.

She was gonna do you a hurt.

I couldn't let her do it.

I wouldn't let anybody in the whole world hurt you.

Don't you understand that?

You killed her.

I did it for you, Mickey.

I did it for you.

Now... I'm still your husband.

That hasn't changed.

Now you gotta stand by me!

You do that, won't you?

I'm all you got.

I'm all you got in the world.

No.

No, don't touch me.

Don't touch me.

But you gotta help me.

Listen.

You know what they'll do to me if they find out?

They'll hang me.

Now you gotta stay by me and not say a word.

You'll do that, won't you?

No.

No, I can't stay with you.

You.

You killed her.

You killed her!

You can't leave me.

If you do, they'll know.

And you'll hang me.

Don't that mean anything to you?

You'll hang me.

You can't let them do that to me.

You can't give me away.

Don't do that.

Somebody will hear.

Please, Mickey.

I can't let them hang me.

I did it for you.

Don't you understand that?

I did it for you.

Now, Vicki, somebody's gonna hear.

Please, please don't do that.

Please don't do that, Mickey.

Please.

Somebody's gonna hear.

Please, Mickey.

Don't do that!

Well, can't it wait, Carl?

I'm kind of worried about Mickey.

I'm just going to go out and look for her.

Wasn't she here when you got home?

No, she started to make dinner, but she must have forgotten something, I guess.

Going down to Miss McCloud's.

By the time I've been here, she could have been back there two or three times.

Let's go down and see.

Yeah, we'd better get down there.

Thank you.

What time was she here, Ms. McLeod? Oh, late in the afternoon.

She was all fussed about dinner on account of Rags spilling the milk. I

ain't seen her since then.

She never come home after that.

What time did you get there, driver?

About six.

I left Tappy Dale down at the Blackbird. Came right on up.

God, we got to do something.

Got to find her.

Can I use your phone?

Poor little thing.

My Lord, I hope nothing's happened to her.

Hello.

Pull me through to the sheriff's office.

Gar Newton.

Hello, Bill. This is Gar.

I'm up here at McLeod's.

Round up everyone you can find for a search party.

Send them up here.

Ms. Arthur's missing.

Sorry, driver.

Come away, love. Come away.

Driver. Here's McCloud. Why don't you take Driver along with you?

Go on.

You don't want to be alone. There's nothing more you can do here.

I'll drop around later with Doc Chalmont.

Come along, Driver.

I could make all the arrangements if you like.

It's hard to put your mind on things at a time like this.

I thank you, Doc.

Unless you need me, I'll be getting along.

I'll talk to you later, Doc.

Can I drop your boys anyplace?

Thanks, Doc.

Thank you, Doc.

Driver, I got something to say to you.

I had you figured for killing Betty Rose.

I was wrong.

But I tell you this, whoever did this, townsman or stranger, he ain't gonna get

away.

Driver, why don't you stay with us?

Stay with us till you get things straightened out.

It ain't good to be alone.

I know well, thank you mrs. McCloud, but Seems like I gotta be alone now

Come on rags

Shame

Girl's daft.

All right, driver, let's not be in a hurry.

Why, of course, she had the chain.

Mrs. Arthur?

Yes, when she came to the store.

She let Ruby walk the dog with it.

You said you didn't see your wife at all from the time you got home to when we

found her.

That's right, huh?

For that so, how did you get the chain?

Those of you who watched our broadcast of October 27, 1957 will remember that

four minutes were lost due to a power failure.

You will be glad to learn that those four minutes have been found.

They were discovered just west of Billings, Montana by an elderly

prospector who unfortunately used three of those four minutes to soft-boil an

egg. However, he has returned the other minute and we show it to you now.