Original subtitles

("Alfred Hitchcock" theme music)

- Good evening.

Welcome to our improvisational theater.

This is, of course, completely unrehearsed,

unwritten, and unintelligible.

Nothing is planned.

We just ask our audience to call out

what you would like us to do.

Simply give us a last line, a title, some characters,

a theme, a setting, a point of view, a plot,

a first line, and some lines in between,

and we make up the rest, improvising as we go along.

To be perfectly honest, we have never done this,

since, to date, no audience has managed

to come up with a last line, a title, characters,

a theme, setting, et cetera, et cetera, et cetera.

They keep getting hung up.

Apparently, people can think on their feet,

but have difficulty when they are sitting down.

Tonight's play tells of an actor in Hollywood

and his response to a call for help

from a desperate girl in New York.

This next minute is completely rehearsed,

planned, and calculated.

Your reaction to it, however, may be improvised.

You are on your own.

(bittersweet instrumental music)

- Ed, stop, stop it!

- [Ed] I'll kill him,

so help (groans). - Stop it, please!

Stop it.

- [Ed] You tell me everything.

(gasping)

- Ed.

(shattering)

Ed, he loves me. - He's playing a game.

- I love him, leave us alone. - Where is he?

Where?

Tell me, where he is! - No!

(crashing)

- Come here. - No.

- [Ed] Come here.

- No.

- [Ed] Come here.

- No. - Where is he?

Where is he, where is he?

- No. - Where is?

I'll find him.

Wherever he is, I'll find him, I'll expose him.

I'll get him, if it takes the rest of my life.

(thudding)

(cascading instrumental music)

I'll kill him.

- Ed.

Ed.

Ed.

(cascading instrumental music)

Operator,

I'd like to make a person-to-person call

to Hollywood, California.

(phone rings)

- Hello.

- [Operator] New York calling.

I have a person-to-person call for Mr. Larry Duke.

- Speaking.

- [Operator] You're Mr. Larry Duke?

- Yes, who is it?

Put it through, please.

- [Operator] Go ahead, New York, your party's on the line.

- [Distraught Woman] Larry, is that you?

- Janice?

(Janice sobs)

Janice, darling, take it easy, take it easy.

- [Janice] I'm sorry if I woke you,

but I just had to talk to you.

I'm half out of my mind.

- What happened, are you in some kind of trouble?

- Larry, it was horrible, it was Ed.

- [Larry] Who?

- Ed, my husband.

He found out where I was living.

He burst in here half an hour ago.

He was drunk and he started hitting me.

- Did he hurt you, Janice?

Janice, are you all right?

- Yes, yes, I'll be all right.

- [Larry] How did he find out where you were living?

- I don't know, he must've gotten my number

from the office.

Larry, I've never seen him so violent.

He started beating me and swearing

he'd never give me a divorce.

Larry, Larry, he's out of his mind.

He wanted to know where you were living.

He threatened to kill you, ruin your career,

do anything, anything to pay you back

for what's happened.

- Oh, you poor baby, you poor kid.

- [Janice] Darling, what are we gonna do?

I'm so mixed up.

- Just take it easy, darling, just take it easy.

What happened after that?

- He passed out, he just keeled over and went to the floor.

I've never seen him like this before.

- [Larry] You mean he's still there?

- Yes, I'm afraid to touch him.

I mean, suppose he wakes up.

What am I gonna do?

- What a lousy break.

I'm 3,000 miles away.

- [Janice] Darling, I'm sure he means it.

He won't give me a divorce and he'll come after you.

- [Larry] Don't worry about it.

I'm more concerned about you at the moment.

- Oh, darling, I miss you so much.

These last weeks have been like a century.

When will you be able to come home?

- Once this picture's over, they won't be able

to hold me here with chains.

I figure another month, it'll be all over.

- Oh, but that's so long.

Couldn't I come out to you, please?

I could leave tomorrow.

- Darling, you're wonderful, you really are.

Nothing would make me happier.

But suppose he follows you.

I mean, the last thing I need now

is any kind of scandal, you know that.

No, sweetheart, there's too much at stake.

I mean, I wouldn't be here if it weren't for you.

Darling, I wanna make you so proud of me.

- I'm proud of you now.

And, Larry, Larry, look, all those ridiculous things

I said in that last letter,

you know I didn't mean a word of it.

I mean, you must know that.

I'd be the last person in the world

who'd want to spoil your chances.

- Then let's go ahead as we planned.

Sweetheart, when this picture is over

and I can write my own ticket,

we're gonna be sitting on top of the world.

Janice?

- Yes, I'm sorry, Larry, he moaned.

I thought he was coming to,

but he's still dead to the world.

What am I gonna do if he wakes up?

- Darling, I'm taking the next plane east.

I can be with you.

- No, Larry, just talk to me.

Just talk to me.

The sound of your voice is so reassuring, so good.

I don't know how I ever lived one day without you.

- The same goes for me, baby.

Before you, it's all a blur.

- Two months,

only two months ago.

So much has happened.

So very much.

Of course, Harold.

All right, gentlemen, I'm sorry to have kept you waiting.

Last minute script problems.

Would you all stand up so I can get a look at you?

Now, you've read the scene.

The part calls for someone suave, debonair,

strictly bon vivant type.

Mr. Roberts and Mr. Drake are inside,

waiting to hear you read.

Now, unfortunately, they have to fly to Boston

within an hour, so, to save time,

I'm going to select only those of you

I think are closest to what we're looking for.

- Yes, one moment.

Mrs. Brandt, telephone.

- [Janice] Who is it, Mimi?

- It's your husband.

Shall I tell him to call back?

- No, no, I'll take it here.

Hello, darling.

- [Ed] Hello, Janice.

- How'd the meeting go?

- [Ed] Great, they're sending me to Chicago today.

- Oh, wonderful fabulous.

Isn't that rushing things a bit?

Oh, of course I'm excited for you.

I mean, flying to Chicago at such short notice.

Yes, well, I mean, how long will you be gone?

- [Ed] Only tomorrow.

- Only tomorrow?

I guess I can survive.

- [Ed] Will you miss me?

- Yes, yes, call me as soon as you land.

Good luck, I'll keep my fingers crossed.

- [Ed] Will you be all right, Janice?

- Hmm, oh, don't worry about me.

I have dozens of scripts to read.

See you tomorrow.

You, you,

and you.

Will the three of you come with me?

Just go right on into my office.

Thank you very much, gentlemen.

Try us again next week.

- Just a second, Miss High And Mighty,

just a second here.

I've been waiting three hours to do a reading for you.

I was the first one here.

- I'm sorry, you're not the type.

- I'm an actor, I can be any type you want.

What right have you to judge me without a reading?

- Just call it intuition.

- I'd rather call it stupidity.

- What's your name? - Larry Duke.

Larry Duke.

Remember it, it's gonna be on a lot of marquees

before I'm finished.

- As far as I'm concerned, you're finished right now.

Thank you, gentlemen, and better luck next time.

Harold, they're ready when you are.

- [Harold] We're ready, send them in,

one at a time. - Right.

Who wants to be first?

- Me.

- Maybe you haven't noticed, but I made my selection.

- Listen, lady, I'm gonna be a star some day.

Be the first in your neighborhood to discover me.

- Uh, would you go in, please?

Start reading from the top of page 22.

Good luck.

- What's he got that I haven't got?

- Good manners.

Look, for your edification, this is not

the way to win friends and influence casting agents.

- All I want is a chance, I'm a good actor.

Right now, I need a job, it's as simple as that.

- I'll make it simpler.

Go home, you're not right for the part.

- Why not?

- You read the description.

It calls for nobility, breeding,

a kind of English aristocracy.

- So?

- You're Greenwich Village, the drifter type.

It shows all over you.

- So?

I'll fall on my face, so what, it's my face.

- Mr. Duke, this is a very busy office.

- I'll bet you've never even looked at my face.

- I see it!

(buzzing)

- I bet you think there's nothing behind it, don't you?

Well, lady, you're wrong.

There's dreams and feelings behind it

the size of mountains.

- [Mimi] Mrs. Brandt.

Mr. Roberts says, would you send in the next actor, please.

- All right. - Come on, when was

the last time you were desperate for something?

- Believe me, you're not what they're looking for.

- Then let them tell me, please.

- Janice, what's holding you up?

Cal has a plane to catch. - I'm glad to see you,

Mr. Roberts. - I know, Harold, I'm sorry.

- I'm Larry Duke. - Wait, wait a second.

Here, I (speaker cut off).

He doesn't have a chance.

- All right, young man, now you've gone over the--

- Duke, Larry Duke.

- Yes, Larry Duke.

This is the part of the Englishman.

- Right, you want this in dialect?

- Well, just read it, Mr. Duke.

- Well, Mr. Roberts, England is a big place.

This could be anywhere in England.

I mean, it could be--

- Just read it, Mr. Duke.

- Ah, Milicent, I knew I'd find you here in the garden.

Bit under the weather tonight, aren't you?

- Mr. Duke, we don't have time for method rehearsals.

- This is not a rehearsal set. - Would you kindly read

the script! - I've already started

the scene, sir.

- You have? - Yes.

- Well I can't hear you.

- Bit under the weather tonight, aren't you?

Well, old darling, I'll bet the whiskers--

- Just a minute, who are you mad at?

What are you shouting for?

This is a light, gay, airy Englishman.

This is a comedy.

- Right, right.

- I'll bet the whiskers on your butler's chin

it's because of your father's goot.

Faithful Arnold will cheer--

- Gout. - Should I make it funnier?

- [Harold] Gout, Mr. Duke, gout.

- Right.

Gout.

It's because of your father's gout.

Faithful Arnold will cheer you up.

Shall I make a funny face?

(phone rings)

Or do you want to hear a dandy new bird call I do?

Listen, it's the beckle fellied,

it's the freckle-bellied wobtail.

Could I please start this again, please?

- No, no. - If I can start at the top

again-- - Just continue on from where

you left off, thank you.

- Yeah, well, they want the bird call here.

It's the whistle.

- Well, I presume that you have a whistle.

Thank you very much, Mr. Duke. - Well, I can do a speech.

- It was splendid, thank you very much, Mr. Duke.

- Mr. Roberts, if I can start

again from the top. - Janice, the next actor,

please. - I could get under this thing

and do it. - Thank you very much,

Mr. Duke.

(bright instrumental music)

Aw, Janice. - Sorry.

Harold, I'm sorry, I'm sorry.

Next, I tried to keep him out.

- [Harold] Next actor, please.

(bright instrumental music)

- [Janice] Taxi!

Taxi!

- Remember me?

- Very well indeed.

- Look, I'd like to apologize for my bad behavior up there.

I guess I'm something of a nut.

- Well, please, forget it.

I really have to--

- No, look, really, I'm sorry.

I'd like to make it up to you.

Look, how about something warm for a cold shoulder?

- No, thank you, Mr. Duke.

- You remember my name?

Score one for me.

You sure you won't join me?

- I'm sorry, I can't.

- You were right.

They clobbered me in that meeting.

Look, I really do apologize.

- Accepted.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm trying to get a cab.

- [Larry] Why the rush?

- First, I make it a rule never to drink

with budding actors,

and, secondly, my husband's waiting.

- In Chicago?

Remember, I was there when he called.

Look, I don't mean to embarrass you.

It's just that you're the first casting agent

I've been able to talk to for more than five minutes

since I got to New York.

This can be an awful cold town for a guy just starting out.

I guess I just wanted somebody to know I'm alive.

Please, won't you join me for a drink?

- I'm sorry, I'd like to help.

There's a cab, taxi!

Oh!

- You all right?

- I'm fine, I can manage.

Please, if you just hold that cab.

- Even I'm a better actor than that Mrs. Brandt.

- [Janice] What are you doing?

- I'm being suave, debonair, and bon vivant.

How else am I supposed to learn?

(romantic instrumental music)

- Remember, darling?

You literally swept me off my feet.

And, even then, I had no resistance.

Larry.

Can you hear me, Larry?

Larry.

Larry.

- I'm thinking, darling.

(twisting instrumental music)

I'm thinking.

- About what?

- Us, what we mean to each other,

what we've been through.

Janice, every moment we've had together

has had a shadow lurking over it, spoiling it,

making our love something dirty and cheap.

- [Janice] What are you talking about?

- Janice, do you love me?

- Oh, darling, how can you ask such a question?

You know there's nothing in the world

I wouldn't do for you.

- [Larry] Then I'm going to ask you to make a decision.

- What decision?

I don't understand.

- Janice, don't you see?

If we let him, he can destroy everything.

You, me, the whole works.

But tonight, we can stop him,

free ourselves once and for all.

That decision is yours.

- What decision are you talking about?

- The one we've been avoiding too long,

concerning your dear husband.

- What about him?

- He's dead to the world you said, right?

Well, sweetheart, I think it's time we made him deader.

(dramatic instrumental music)

I think it's time we made him deader.

Janice?

Janice, did you hear what I said?

- Uh, I'm not sure.

- Janice, he's a curse on us.

You gave me your word there'd be no trouble

once you asked for a divorce,

but he's still hanging on like a leech.

Janice, he's capable of smashing my life,

my career, everything if we give him half a chance.

Well, he's not gonna smash me, Janice.

Not now, no one is.

I swear it.

- Larry, you sound so strange.

- Remember, once I told you I only play it one way,

the only way I knew how.

- Uh, Larry, I'm so confused.

- [Larry] I want you to remember the first time I said it

and what you answered.

- Larry, he may wake up at any minute.

- [Larry] He's not gonna wake up, Janice.

Now, listen to me, I want you to remember

that first time I told you how I play this game of love

and what it means to me.

- I'll try.

- Try hard, baby.

Because once you do, it'll make the rest easier.

Remember, it was that same day I brought you home.

(dramatic instrumental music)

- This has gone far enough, put me down now.

- Wow.

- I said you could put me down now.

- Oh, yeah, service with a smile, that's me.

How's your ankle?

- I'll manage, thank you.

Good bye.

- Good bye, good bye, she says.

Here I am soaked to the skin, she says good bye.

Most people wouldn't put garbage out on a day like this,

let alone a Sir Galahad like me.

The least you could do is let me dry off a minute.

- I have been rather rude, haven't I?

All right, you can stay a few minutes.

I'll make some coffee.

- Oh, coffee, yeah, oh yeah, coffee, thank you.

That'll hit the spot.

- Just make yourself comfortable.

I won't be a moment.

- Hey, listen, are you all right?

- I'm fine.

- Rugged individualist to the end, aren't you?

- Look, Mr. Duke, I invited you in for coffee,

not instant analysis.

If you wanna start the coffee, it's in the kitchen.

- No, thank you, I'll wait for you.

(soulful piano music)

- Tell me about yourself, Mr. Duke.

- [Larry] There's not much to tell.

I wanted to be an actor ever since I was a kid.

Now I'm not a kid anymore, I still got the hunger.

- [Janice] What about your parents?

- No parents.

They were killed when I was five.

Auto crash.

After that, it was one foster home after another.

You'd be surprised what a kid can pick up about life

playing that circuit.

It gets to be like a revolving stage after a while.

Nothing seems real for very long.

Not even people.

Anyway, after I graduated that off-Broadway scene,

I bummed around in the navy for a couple of years.

And here I am,

ready for action.

Any more questions?

- [Janice] Nope.

- Now it's my turn.

How long you been married?

- [Janice] Four years.

- Happy?

- Yes, very.

- [Larry] He's a lot older than you, isn't he?

15 years or so, wouldn't you say?

- I'm sorry, I can't hear you.

- Skip it.

Your husband drinks, doesn't he?

(dramatic instrumental music)

I'm sorry, but there's always something

around the eyes gives them away.

- Are you always so positive about things?

- Only when it comes to weaknesses of the flesh.

- Not that it's any of your business,

but my husband is a very successful copy writer.

Maybe he did drink a little bit

before we were married, but, I assure you,

that's all over now.

- Bully for him.

But let one little obstacle come along he can't handle,

I bet he'll be back boozing it up

before you can say gin on the rocks.

- You don't have very much faith in people, do you?

- Living in foster homes didn't help much.

People are masks to each other,

especially in a marriage.

Most couples live out their whole lives

without ever once exposing their true natures.

- I suppose you think my marriage

falls into that category.

How wrong you are.

- Am I?

Then why are you twisting your wedding ring

like it's burning a hole in your finger?

- I think that's enough.

- I don't think it's half enough.

I don't think it's been enough for the last four years.

- Get out of my house.

- [Larry] You're not as invincible as you pretend, are you?

- I said get out of my house!

- All my life, I've watched women like you,

hurrying down Fifth Avenue,

driving by in big limousines,

treating me like I didn't exist.

Well, I do.

And, for once, one of you is gonna know it.

(dramatic instrumental music)

My name is Larry Duke.

I'm alive, I'm human, recognize me.

I wanna belong somewhere, to someone.

- This isn't happening.

- Let it be you.

(dramatic instrumental music)

I'm stopping now.

If I kiss you once more, it stops being for fun,

for kicks.

It becomes the real thing, for keeps.

I don't know any other way to play.

- Neither do I.

- Then walk away.

One more kiss means we're two of a kind.

And there's no turning back.

- No turning back.

(dramatic instrumental music)

No turning back.

No turning back.

- [Larry] No turning back.

Those words sealed us forever, Janice,

and anyone that stands between is our enemy,

don't you see that?

- Yes, but what can I do about it?

- You can make certain that we have

the rest of our lives together

without this barrier between us.

- Larry, don't.

- [Larry] He has to be taken care of, Janice.

When he's around, we don't have a chance

of making it together.

- Don't say that!

- It's true, Janice.

All of a sudden, it's crystal clear.

With him around, we're dead.

But with him dead, we're free and clear all the way.

- Larry, you sound so crazy.

- [Larry] Me or him, Janice, that's what it amounts to.

Tonight is showdown night, one way or another.

- You mean, you mean you want me to,

do you realize what you're asking?

- [Larry] Easy now, just take it easy.

Don't put words in my mouth.

- Look, I'd do anything in the world for you,

but, please, not that.

- Darling, I wish there was some other way, I really do.

Don't you see what it can mean?

- But how can we?

I mean, what could I do?

- All right, all right, let me think about it a while.

I'll figure out something.

Can you call me back in 15 minutes?

- I didn't say I, I didn't say I'd do it,

I didn't say that!

- Okay, okay, maybe your loyalty to him is too strong.

We'll just forget the whole thing.

And maybe while we're at it, we'll forget

we ever met each other.

Good bye, Janice.

- Larry!

Don't hang up!

I'm so desperate.

I swear I'll kill myself if you do.

I'll kill myself.

I can't live without you.

(dramatic instrumental music)

I don't know how I ever lived one day without you.

- [Operator] Your call to Mr. Lockwood

can be put through now.

- Yes, yes, Mr. Lockwood.

- [Mr. Lockwood] Janice, is that you?

- Hello, Jack.

I bet you're surprised to hear

from me again. - It's a pleasant surprise.

- Look, I've got wonderful news for you.

I think I found the perfect actor for Judd in Wild Rebel.

- [Jack] But what about Craig?

- I know, I know you're about to sign Craig Hamilton,

and he's with the agency, too,

but both Harold and myself feel

you'll be making a great mistake

if you don't test Larry Duke before signing anyone else.

- [Jack] Larry Duke?

- That's right, that's his name, Larry Duke.

Take my word for it, Jack.

He's got more appeal than a dozen Craig Hamiltons.

I tell you, he's sensational!

He cannot miss.

I mean, have you ever heard me go overboard

for anyone like this?

- [Jack] Well, if you're sure.

- Believe me, Jack, Jack, he's something special.

- [Jack] Janice, hello?

- Yes.

- [Jack] Are we still connected?

- I'm still here.

What was that, Jack?

- [Jack] You want us to hold up Craig's contract?

- That's right. - His contract.

- That's right.

We want you to hold up Craig Hamilton's contract

until you've tested Larry Duke.

- [Jack] Well, you haven't been wrong yet.

- Wonderful.

Wonderful, Jack, you won't be sorry.

- [Jack] I hope not.

- I tell you, he's the type of man

who could charm a woman into doing anything,

anything at all.

- [Jack] You make him sound terrific.

- Yes.

Yes, I'll be waiting to hear.

(dramatic instrumental music)

- [Larry] Me or him, Janice.

Who's it gonna be?

- You.

You.

Only you.

- Then call me back in 15 minutes.

Dial me direct this time, don't use the operator.

I'll be waiting with all the details.

- Larry, I don't think I can.

I don't think--

- [Larry] Janice, I'm depending on you.

(dramatic instrumental music)

Now just answer this,

did anybody see him come into your apartment?

- [Janice] No.

- And his car, did he come by car?

- I don't know, he's parked directly in front.

I'm frightened, Larry, I'm so frightened.

- You and me, Janice.

The rest of our lives together, remember that.

In 15 minutes, it can all be ours.

- Larry.

- [Larry] I'll be waiting.

Good bye, darling.

(dramatic instrumental music)

- Ed, Ed, wake up.

Ed, wake up and go home.

Why did you have to come here tonight?

Why couldn't you have given me a divorce

when I asked for it?

Now look what's happened.

What are we doing here like this?

(trembling instrumental music)

- Janice, what is it?

Lately, well, I can't seem to reach you anymore.

- Can't we discuss it some other time?

- No.

We've always been truthful with each other.

Now what's going on?

- Maybe we've just grown too used to each other,

too unexciting.

That happens, you know.

- What about our plans?

I mean, I mean our plans to leave New York

if my promotion goes through?

- I couldn't possibly leave New York now, not now.

It's out of the question.

- I don't understand, you're like a stranger.

Something's come between us.

- Maybe just the truth of what a poor marriage

we really have.

- Janice I (speaker cut off by phone ringing).

- Excuse me.

Yes?

- Lockwood Studios. - Lockwood Studios?

Yes, put it through.

It's Hollywood, Jack Lockwood,

the call I've been expecting.

Maybe you better go on to your club meeting.

- [Operator] I have your party, go ahead, please.

- Hello, hello, Jack.

- [Jack] Janice.

- Yes, it's Janice again.

Say, you are an angel for calling me back so promptly.

- [Jack] It's my pleasure, I wish you were here.

- What?

Yes, there's some fine points I'd like to clear up

with you on the Larry Duke deal.

Well, you wait til you see him.

He's irresistible.

The kind of man that can make a woman do anything.

Anything.

Anything at all.

(dramatic instrumental music)

(phone rings)

Larry.

- Sweetheart, thanks for calling back.

You dialed me this time, didn't you?

- Yeah.

Larry, Larry, don't make me do this thing.

- Janice, darling, I wish there was some other way,

but we just can't go on like this.

I worry about you all the time,

wondering if we'll ever have a life like other people.

I tell you, I can;'t take it anymore.

Now listen to me, is he still out?

- He hasn't moved.

- [Larry] Good, now this is what I want you to do.

Only, you gotta move fast, before it starts getting late.

- Larry, I'm shaking all over.

I feel sick.

- Baby, it'll be over before you know it.

I thought of something so simple,

it'll be like snuffing out a candle.

Janice, are you listening?

- Yes.

- [Larry] Where are you?

I mean, whereabouts in the apartment are you?

- I'm sitting on my bed.

- [Larry] Good, you must have a pillow there.

- Oh, yes.

I have the pillow you sent me from Hollywood, remember?

- Get the pillow, Janice.

I want you to go to him

and press the pillow against his face

for five minutes.

- Larry, no.

- Janice, when you called back, you sealed this bargain.

I mean it, it's now or never.

I swear to you, Janice, if I hang up now,

it's for the last time, I'm finished.

- No, Larry, no.

I'll do it.

I'll do it,

only just don't hang up on me.

- Have you got the pillow?

- Yes.

- [Larry] Get it done with.

Do it now.

- Larry.

- Put down the phone, baby,

don't think about what you're doing.

I'll be right here waiting, all the time.

- [Janice] And you'll never leave me again?

- Never.

- Larry, I'm so afraid.

- [Larry] For me, baby, for us.

I love you.

- I'll do it now.

Wait for me.

(dramatic instrumental music)

Oh, darling, it's absolutely mad.

I love it, and I adore you for thinking of me.

- And you really like it?

Yeah, well, I think it's kind of gauche,

and, of course, you'll never have any use for it.

I spotted it the night I arrived,

in a little shop on Hollywood Boulevard.

Soon as I saw it, I knew I had to send it to you for laughs.

- Look, I'm dying to hear about the screen test.

How did it go?

- You ready?

They flipped, they really dig me.

Even I couldn't believe how good I came over.

Janice, they've already signed me to a contract.

They want me to start on the picture immediately.

Did you ever hear of anything so fantastic?

- Oh, darling, I'm so happy for you.

I knew it would happen.

But you have to start to work so soon.

Won't they let you come back to New York?

(women laughing)

Can you hear me, Larry?

- Hi, again.

- Hi.

Hi.

Darling, am I interrupting something?

- [Larry] No, it's just some publicity people

taking pictures.

They're all gone now.

What was I saying?

- The screen test.

- Oh, yeah, yeah, the screen test.

Sweetheart, how I wish you could've been there.

I gave you all the credit.

- Oh, oh, how sweet of you, darling.

Darling, I'm so excited for you.

I just can't wait to see you.

- [Larry] Janice.

- It's Mr. Roberts, he's back.

- Thank you, Mimi.

Darling, darling, I have to hang up.

Business, you know, as usual.

Will you call me tonight at the new number?

- [Larry] You bet I will, baby.

I miss you.

- Oh, I miss you so much.

You do a good job and come home to me.

I love you.

- [Larry] I love you, baby.

(bittersweet instrumental music)

- Didn't you even tell him what happened?

- Oh, I don't want to worry him.

He's got more important things on his mind.

- Mrs. Brandt,

you've been a good friend to me.

I'd like to help.

Would you like to talk about it?

Sometimes talking it out helps.

If you want, I could meet you downstairs.

- Thank you, Mimi, but there's nothing to talk about.

- What made you do it?

You knew that Mr. Roberts had his heart

set on Craig Hamilton playing the part.

The contracts were already drawn up.

- I knew all about it.

- Wow, no wonder he fired you.

What made you do such a thing?

- It's what Larry needed, he needed that part very badly.

- Brother, when you fall in love,

you really fall in love.

- Is there any other way?

- What are you gonna do now?

I mean, losing your job and your reputation, your husband?

Is any man worth all that?

- Larry is.

He's worth that and more.

He'll make it up to me.

You'll see. - Sure he will, sure.

Everything will turn out fine.

- It has to.

Thanks, Mimi.

- Oh, wait.

Your gift.

- Oh.

- You're forgetting your pillow.

And don't worry about the rest of your things.

I'll send them on to you when you're settled somewhere.

- Okay.

Good bye, Mimi.

- Bye.

- Thank you.

(twirling instrumental music)

Ed.

Ed, forgive me, Ed, forgive me, Ed, forgive me, Ed.

(dramatic instrumental music)

- [Larry] Janice?

Janice, is that you?

Janice, why don't you answer me?

Janice.

(dramatic instrumental music)

- Larry.

- [Larry] Janice, you all right?

- Larry, it's done.

I killed him.

He's dead.

It was like putting him to sleep.

- You're positive.

- He's dead.

He looks so small and quiet.

Talk to me.

Talk to me.

Say anything, please.

- It's all right, baby, it's all right, it's over.

The worst is over.

- [Janice] When are you coming home?

- Before you know it.

- And you'll never leave me again?

- Darling, I told you I wouldn't.

Now, Janice, you've got to listen to me.

There's not much time.

I want you to take a blanket off your bed

and cover him with it, you hear me?

- [Janice] A blanket.

- Make sure the street is clear and no one sees you,

leave the car door open, and drag him into it

as quickly as possible.

- I don't think I can.

What if he's too--

- [Larry] Janice.

I'm depending on you, Janice.

You've got to get him into that car.

- And then afterwards, you'll come home,

and we'll get married, and you'll be a great actor,

and I'll have dinner waiting every night,

and we'll drink wine and kiss each other all the time.

Tell me, please, tell me it's gonna be like that.

- Yes, of course, darling, it's gonna be just like that,

right down to the last detail.

Haven't I told you that a thousand times?

I'll come through for you, baby.

Only, right now, you've got to come through for me

and finish what we've begun.

After you get him into the car,

drive down to the East River.

See that the blanket's covering him.

Park on the dock near 22nd Street,

make sure it's deserted,

and dump the body into the river.

After that, take the car and leave it

a few blocks from the house.

Wear gloves.

Walk back to the apartment, wait for my call.

Have you got all that, Janice?

Janice?

- I did it for you, Larry.

I did it for you.

- [Larry] I know that, baby.

Only, you've got to get him out of that apartment

before it gets too late.

- Will you call me, darling?

- In an hour.

You should have it all finished by then.

- [Janice] Do you hate me for what I did?

- Oh, my darling, my sweet baby,

how can you even think such a thing?

You're my girl.

I'm with you all the way.

- All the way, all the way.

You call me, darling.

- [Larry] Trust me, baby.

I'll be thinking of you.

- Larry!

- [Larry] What, darling, what is it?

- Larry, I want to come out to you tonight.

I want to be with you.

I wanna take the first plane out.

I can't be alone, not now!

Not now.

I'll take the first plane out.

I won't take no for an answer.

I won't, I must, I must!

I have to be with you.

I must, Larry!

Can you hear me?

Larry!

Larry!

Larry, do you hear me?

- Oh, yes, of course.

You'll take the first plane out,

you'll be with me tonight.

- I love you, Larry.

- Like I said, darling, all the way.

Only hurry.

Hurry.

(smokey piano music)

- [Operator] Operator.

- Los Angeles Police, please.

- [Man] Sergeant Beck speaking.

- Hello, Sergeant, my name is Larry Duke.

I'm calling because 10 minutes ago,

I received a long distance call from New York,

the wife of a very dear friend of mine.

She was hysterical, rather incoherent,

so I don't know if she was telling the truth.

But, uh, she said she just killed her husband.

She said she couldn't take his beatings anymore.

At any rate, uh, she was gonna take his body

and carry it to the car and dump it into the East River.

She sounded half crazy.

I think the New York Police should be notified, don't you?

- [Beck] What's her name and address?

- Yes, a Mrs. Janice Brandt.

B-R-A-N-D-T.

877 East Fourth Street.

I think you better hurry.

I mean, you know, she sounded insane, so who knows

what she'd do or say at this point.

- [Beck] We'll call immediately.

- Right, I'd appreciate that.

Could you call me as soon as you hear?

- [Beck] What's your number?

- 2714699.

- [Beck] 2714699.

- I'm terribly worried. - All right, Mr. Duke,

we'll call her immediately.

- Right, Sergeant, thank you.

(snaky instrumental music)

(bright instrumental music)

- [Woman] Who was that on the phone, Mr. Duke?

- Just a friend, Mrs. Duke.

- You were gone an awfully long time.

- Well, I had some business to take care of,

some pre-honeymoon business.

- Did you get it done?

- You know it.

- That's what I like about you, darling.

You're always so sure of yourself.

You know exactly what you want, don't you?

- Like I told you, baby, we're two of a kind.

Brains, beauty, and ambition the size of the Pacific.

You and me are headed for the top.

Ain't nobody gonna stop us.

- You have a nice touch.

- Yeah, don't I, though?

(bright instrumental music)

At first, all seemed blissful for Larry,

when, suddenly, there appeared on the horizon

a cloud no bigger than a man's hand.

Actually, it wasn't a cloud at all.

It was a man's hand, and it was on the end

of what is known as the long arm of the law.

Darlene, a truly ambitious girl,

couldn't resist the publicity inherent

in breaking down in court and turning state's evidence.

You see, she'd been listening to Larry's

conversation with Janice.

Next week, we return with another story,

scenes of which you shall see in a few moments.

("Funeral March of a Marionette" by Charles Gounod)

(dramatic instrumental music)