All language subtitles for The Family Secret (1951) REMUX.eng

When you're scared
you act instinctively.

And my first instinct was to run away
from the tavern. Start hiding.

It was a stupid instinct,
I realise that now.

I couldn't decide whether
I ought to go to the police,

or home or get somewhere
across the border.

I was too confused
to decide anything,

and too jumpy to sit still.

I found myself headed home.

Who's that just drove in?

David.

It was that red mud
from around the tavern.

But it would have been
better to leave it on my tyres

than to have anyone
know I washed the car.

- Sybil!
- Relax, relax, I'm here.

It's your deal.

If Howard weren't such a beast,
we could play bridge.

Canasta bores me rigid.

"Some men die in battle,

"Some go down in flames,

"But most men perish inch by inch.

"In play at little games."

Also women.

Instead of such
cultural pursuits as...

Oh, I'm not watching it.
I merely have it on so I won't...

Well, if you're not listening,
for heaven's sake turn it off.

Thought I heard
David drive in.

Maybe he went over to
the house to see Art.

Art isn't there, though.

He's washing his car.

David is?

Ah, here's what
I've been waiting for.

Say, folks, do you like soup?

Well, that's a silly question.
Of course you do.

Everybody loves soup.

And wait till you taste
this wonderful O'Connor's Soup.

Made from the most succulent
garden-fresh vegetables,

simmered to perfection
in wonderful beef broth,

and you've got a soup that'll
really make ya smack your lips.

Oh, I love this part
of the commercial

because I get to taste that
wonderful O'Connor's Soup.

I find him irresistible.

Oh, that's David now, isn't it?

Yes. No-one closes
the door as loud

or runs up
the back stairs so fast.

Watch.

Every time he comes
into his room.

- It's automatic.
- I know. Art does it, too.

Well, I suppose it's
a small price to pay

for having two such
wonderful boys.

But I wish the instalments
weren't so frequent.

If Art just wouldn't leave it
running when he goes out.

I have the answer to that.

I had a switch installed which would
cut it off from down here.

It also serves to remind
him when it gets so loud...

Well, it's the first time
that's happened.

The last thing in the world
I wanted to do was go downstairs.

I knew Art's mother was there.

But it was early, and it would
look funny if I didn't.

Isn't this early for David?

He must have had a fight
with Marcia.

Or was it Louise tonight?

Or Sue Farrell?

The way they call him up
all the time.

Oh, I know.
They call him over to our house

when they
can't get him here.

Well, that's it.

- Oh dear, and I was just set to go.
- Round 'em up.

- Where are all the jacks?
- Oh, too many for me to count.

- Round 'em up!
- A hundred and eighty for me.

- Ellen?
- Minus fifty.

Minus fifty, yeah.

Well, I hate to break up
this gripping contest, but...

Hello, everybody.

- Hello, David.
- Well, hello, David.

David.

Well, you're just in time.
Here, take my hand.

And you have
a comfortable lead.

I'll keep what I win and
you'll make it good if I lose?

All right. That sounds unreasonable enough.

I'll see you home, Sybil,
if you're ready to go now.

Oh, don't bother, Donald,
thank you.

Ellen and I just
go back and forth

through our back yards,
the way the boys do.

Well, good night.
Good night, Ellen.

- Good night.
- David, Howard.

- Good night.
- Good night, Donald.

- See you at the office.
- All right.

- It's my deal.
- Did you see Art?

No. No, I didn't.

What on earth were you
doing washing your car?

I can't even get you
to hang up a suit.

Well, there was some stuff on it.
It looked like whitewash or paint.

I didn't want it to dry.

Where did it come from?

Mr Clark.

Are you here for Captain Ames?

Well, I suppose so.
I'll take it in my study.

- Thank you, Larry.
- Yes, sir.

You're a fine dealer. This is
the worst hand I've had all evening.

Where are all the
red threes, I wonder?

Who's Captain Ames?

He's a police captain,
isn't he, David?

Yes.

I don't know, is he?

What have you been up to, David?
Another sixty in a thirty-mile zone?

Thank you.

What?

Yes, I'll tell her.

- It's your draw, Mother.
- Oh.

Ellen, can you come here a minute?
I can't find my briefcase.

Undoubtedly right
under his nose.

Would you
get me a cigarette, David?

Now, what is it?
Oh, Howard!

If you'd only let me
have Bertha tidy this place up

just once in a while, you...

Howard.

What is it?
Is it David again?

No, no, it's Art.

Ellen, he's been killed.

Oh, Howard!

Was it an accident?

- He was murdered.
- Mur...

They found his body
outside the tavern.

Oh, Howard.

What will Sybil do?

When they called her house,
the maid said she was over here.

They want to see her
down at headquarters.

We'll have to tell her,
one of us.

You want me to do it?

Oh, yes, yes.
I'd rather do anything than...

No.

It'll be better if I do.

David, Art's been so different lately.
Do you know what it is?

I don't know what you mean.

Of course you do.
He's so gloomy sometimes.

Hates his job,
won't quit it,

and I know he's been drinking more,
too much more.

I'd better dump this.

I don't want to pry, David.
You know that.

But if there was something
I could do to help him.

He'll snap out of it.

David.

Your father wants you
to help him for a minute.

All right.

Don't worry, pal.
Whatever it is, I'm on your side.

Thanks.

You want me?

Your mother wanted
to talk to Sybil alone.

She had to tell her
Art was killed tonight.

Art was Killed?

Did you get hold of Dr Reynolds?

- He'll be there.
- Good night, Mrs Bradley.

- Good night.
- Good night, Inspector.

Ellen's right, Sybil. It's much better
for you to stay here tonight.

Yes, dear. Her room is all ready,
isn't it, Bertha?

Oh, yes, ma'am. I put out
one of your nightgowns.

- Will someone bring my bag up, please?
- Yes, Doctor, of course.

Do you have a hot water bottle?

Why, I already filled it.
It's on the bed.

Will there be
anything else you need, Doctor?

- I think not.
- Right in here.

She'll be all right.
Steve'll give her a sedative.

She held up a lot better than
I would have thought at that.

It must have been
a terrible ordeal for her.

She had to identify him.

- Think I'll take a drink.
- I'll fix it.

Thanks.

Dad, did you see him?

Yes.

Oh, they found his knife.

You remember those
big pocket knives

I gave you and Art
first time you went hunting?

With the long blades that
snap open? It was that one.

It was open.

He tried to defend himself,
apparently, and wasn't able to.

Or he was too late.

He was hit on the head
with a rock.

It must have been
a blow of great force.

A man of unusual strength.

They haven't any idea
who did it.

Could they tell if Art
was drunk?

Oh, yes. Thanks.

Took a blood sample.

Why, was he in the habit of
fighting when he was drinking?

- I don't know.
- Thank you, Doctor.

- It was good of you to come so late.
- I guess so.

- Some. Here they are.
- Keep those yellow pills handy.

And give her another
if she wakes up.

How is she, Steve?

She'll sleep all right, but I
wouldn't leave her alone too long.

Well, I guess I'll turn in.
Good night, Dr Reynolds, Mom, Dad.

It'd be a good idea for
someone to check on her now and then,

in case she happens
to wake up.

Good night.

Good night, Steve.

Did I really think
Dad hadn't noticed anything?

Maybe someone who
didn't know me as well,

or somebody not as sharp.

But not Dad.

You knew Art had been killed
before I told you tonight.

What made you say that?

The way you reacted
when I told you.

The way you've been
behaving all evening.

On edge, under pressure.

I'm not asking you
to tell me anything.

I know you must have
a good reason if you don't.

Might even justify your
not telling anyone at all.

But I want to urge you to
think about it very seriously.

Understand?

Yes.

Only the most unusual
circumstances, if any,

can justify your withholding
information from the police.

Did you see Art tonight?

I killed him.

David...

It was an accident!

I went out to the tavern.

My date had to go home early.

And, when I started in, Art was
coming through the parking lot, alone.

He was drunk.

He and Vera had
been quarrelling. He...

He called me a lot of things.
He was jealous about Vera.

That's the girl he was with.

He... He just started swinging.
I had to knock him down.

I was going in to get Vera
and drive them home when he...

He threw that knife at me.

Then he grabbed it
and started. He...

He'd been bad before,
but never like this. He...

He was gonna kill me.

I was scared,
then I was mad.

I don't remember. I...

Suddenly, we were
rolling around in the dark.

I found the rock.

I hit him.

But, I...
I didn't mean to Kill him.

He was my best friend. I...

I couldn't have
meant to Kill him.

- Dad, could I?
- 'Course not.

No, I couldn't, I couldn't.
No!

Poor David.

Poor, unhappy Art.

It's fortunate George Redman
is District Attorney.

He's a good man,
a good friend of ours.

At least he'll know you're telling
the truth and consider it.

You think I should tell?

Well, I simply assumed...

Well, were you
considering not telling?

[... I don't know.

I don't know.
I just seemed so...

If you want my opinion,
I'd say

go to the police
or George Redman immediately.

Whatever you do,
you must decide for yourself.

Of course, I have no doubt
about what you'll do eventually.

I guess so.

I guess it's the thing to do.

Okay.

Don't worry.
I'll see Redman with you.

Howard, David.

Yes?

I thought I heard you two.

What's the matter?

- Nothing, Mother.
- There is. What is it?

- She'll have to know.
- Why does she have to?

It's about Art.

He was Killed in a fight
he started with a friend.

With David.

- David, David, David...
- Wasn't his fault. Art had a knife.

- He tried to kill David.
- Oh, no, no!

But they
don't know who did it.

Not yet.

Did anybody see you?

No, I...
I never went inside.

You washed your car?

Well, there was some mud
on it from out there.

Just thought I'd wash it.

Then no-one could know.
No-one could ever find out.

Ellen, what are you saying?

It's wasn't his fault.
Art was responsible.

Why should David's life be ruined
because Art got drunk?

Why should he tell?
What good would it do?

It won't bring back Art.
It won't help Sybil.

But he can't ignore all responsibility
for something as serious as this.

Why not? You've said
it wasn't his fault.

If it weren't for Art,
it never would have happened.

And, if he tells...

You don't know what they might do.
They might even...

I know George Redman.
I know he'll be fair.

But you don't know
what they might do, do you?

You can't say they
wouldn't send him to prison.

Can you?

Maybe for a long time.

Maybe for life.

At least, let him make up
his own mind about it.

At least, do that.

He has.

But why, David?

Why?

I know how you feel, dear.

Believe me, I feel
the same way.

This is the only thing to do.

You want to call
Redman now?

Won't the morning
be soon enough?

Yes, let him sleep on it.

Let him be sure.

That's the gal
was with him last night.

I'm Vera Stone.

Stone...

Oh, good.

Won't you just sit down?
I don't think it'll be very long.

Do I have any choice?

I'm sure it won't be
very long.

"You see, Arthur Bradley was..."

What was that again?

He wasn't going to marry me.
And now, he's dead.

What can I do about it?

Well, what were you gonna do about it
if he hadn't been killed?

Nothing.
That's what I'm telling you.

He wasn't going to marry me.

Well, if you weren't gonna
do anything about it

before he was killed,

how do you expect to now?

Yeah, that's right.

How?

Miss, the man for you to see
is Lieutenant Royce.

His office is on the floor above this.

Just tell him I sent you.

All right.

Goodbye.

Well, the screwball parade
has started.

Life would be dull
without the lunatic fringe.

- Royce is gonna love you for that.
- It'll do him good.

There'll be flocks of 'em on this case
coming in to confess everything.

What do you suppose
they get out of it?

I never understand.

Oh, good morning, Mr Clark.

Both Mr Clarks.
Won't you come in?

Mr Redman busy?

Yes, he is, but just a minute
and I'll see how long he'll be.

Mr Howard and David Clark
are here.

Yes.

Yes.

Would you wait a few minutes,
gentlemen? He'll be right out.

- Hello.
- Hello.

Good morning, Mr Clark.

Isn't it tragic?

- Poor Mrs Bradley.
- Yes.

Is she all right?

As well as we can hope for.

You weren't out there
last night.

Thought you might be,
I looked for you.

No, I...

I went home early.

Oh, you're lucky.
I wish I hadn't been there.

Yeah.

Yes, sir.

Uh-huh. Right.

Yes, sir. Right away.

Wants Blaine and Roberts.
Looks like something hot.

The whole night was wrong.

He kept making cracks
about us.

About you.

Asking questions.

Calling me a liar when I said
I hadn't seen you for months.

Got so drunk, I told him to go out
and breathe the fresh air.

Didn't breathe it long.

Have you told them about it?

Sure. I told it all to
the police last night.

I don't see why I have to
talk to this individual again.

About us?

About his being jealous?

Don't be silly. Why should 1?
You didn't kill him.

Can't thank you enough, Mr Sims.

You've been a great help.
We'll get in touch with you.

Miss Martin, will you get Mr Sims'
phone number and address, please.

- Oh, Howard, sorry to keep you waiting.
- It's all right.

Go on in.
I thought David was with you.

Oh, there you are.
Good morning, David.

Go right on in. I'll be with you
in just a second.

- Well, goodbye, Mr Redman.
- Goodbye, sir, and thanks again.

Not at all, sir.
Glad to be of any assistance.

I'll see you folks
in just a few minutes.

Should have brought a lunch.

Sit down. Sit down.

David, how are you?
Are you practising yet?

No, sir, I...

I'm in the offices, sir, but I still
have another year of law school.

Want to try a year or two
in this office when you finish?

Lot of work, no money,
but wonderful experience.

Well, think about it.
No hurry.

Howard, what's on your mind?

- David wanted to see you, George.
- Good.

Anything I can do.
Anything at all.

Oh, excuse me a minute.

Miller, be sure to get the clothes
he wore last night.

If they've already left,
send somebody after them.

That's right.

Well, David, what can
I do for you?

Well, Art was my best friend,
you know, and I...

I just wondered if there...

if there might be anything
I could do to help.

Ordinarily, it might
be extremely valuable.

But that gentlemen
who just left, a Mr Sims,

has just presented me
with Art Bradley's murderer.

That's right.
A man named Joe Elsner.

Character I'm glad to get
my hands on for other reasons.

He's a bookie, I know that,
maybe a fence.

Yeah, I know him.

I defended a partner
of his a long time ago.

Well, anyhow,
Sims was at the tavern last night.

He heard Elsner and Art Bradley
have a violent quarrel.

The boy owed him
a lot of money.

He heard Elsner tell the boy
to come outside

and have his brains beaten out.

Apparently, poor Art was drunk
enough to accept the invitation.

That was just before
they found his body.

Car One-Seven reporting.

Tell that man that
we have Joe Elsner.

Let's go.

But, darling, can't you understand,
Art attacked him.

- It wasn't David's fault.
- That's not for us to say.

If it were, then anyone who committed
a crime could judge himself.

If you think you should
tell Redman, go ahead.

I won't even ask you not to.

Of course he's not going to.

All right, then, forget it.
It's my responsibility.

You two just go on
as if nothing had happened.

That's right, before long
we'll forget all about it,

and everything will be
just the way it used to be.

Darling, don't you understand
it'll never be the same again?

This isn't over now.
It never will be.

Why?

You said yourself there was
no real evidence against David.

All we have to do is
not say anything.

What's difficult about that?

It's difficult because we're
the kind of people we are.

We never had to hide anything.
Never wanted to.

Because all this goes against
our deepest instincts.

Now, hush.
We'll go on as always.

Easy and natural.

"Easy and natural."”

You understand that,
if Elsner is convicted...

Well, of course!

You don't think I'd let anything
happen to an innocent man, do you?

Right now, I'm not sure
what I think.

All right, you can
still tell Redman.

David, please.

I have an appointment
in twenty minutes with Judge Horner.

Yes, you shouldn't be late.
It might look as if...

I've been late in the past
and no-one's thought it suspicious.

"Easy and natural."”

Of course, Howard,
of course, but...

We mustn't be careless
either, you know that.

Oh, no, not too careful
and not too careless.

Coming, David?

I guess so.

Bye, Mom.

Be careful, David.

- Good morning.
- Good morning, Cora.

Clark and Muir. Yes.

Morning, Howard.

Donald, I'm sorry, I'm late.
I'll be with you in a minute.

- Are you ready to go?
- Yes, er...

but would you like me
to call Judge Horner?

I'm sure he'd be willing
to postpone the appointment.

No, we might as well go on.

Er... How's Sybil?
Is there anything I can do?

I wonder if there's anything
anybody can do to help her, really.

I suppose not.

Here are your appointments
for the rest of the day, Mr Clark.

I completely forgot about
the luncheon engagement.

Meeting at the bank...

I probably won't be back
at all today.

- You'll need this at the bank.
- Thanks.

Don't forget to tell Lee
about tonight.

- I won't.
- Mr Clark, er...

Could I speak to you a moment?
I'm Mrs Joe Elsner.

Sorry, but I'm late
for an appointment.

If you'll speak with
Miss French...

- What did you say your name was?
- Mrs Joe Elsner.

My husband is in
bad trouble, Mr Clark.

They just arrested him,

and he told me to get in
touch with you, right away.

Well, I'm afraid there isn't
anything I can do to help, but,

if you must see me, Miss French
will make an appointment.

I'm sorry, but I'm late right now.
Will you excuse me?

What's the soonest
I can see Mr Clark?

Three-thirty, Friday.

But that's two days.

It's absolutely the first time
he has free.

Well, put it down.

Okay.

Hello, Irresistible.

Hello, Immovable.

It was terrible about Art.

I'm sorry.

We all are.

I suppose it would be
too much to expect you

to put your cigarettes out,
or flick your ashes

somewhere in the
vicinity of an ashtray?

Why should I?

With your neurotic passion
for neatness, you'll do it.

"Neurotic passion for neatness"?

Just because I don't want to
wade ankle-deep in cigarette butts.

Oh, by the way...
Some of the harem called today.

Let's see, it's getting so I don't even
have to write them down anymore.

Frances Kent called.

"Would I be so good as to
have you call her back at home?"

And Louise Norman "just happened
to be coming downtown this morning,

"and she thought she might
let you take her to lunch.

"That is, if you're free."

Gwen Sterling.

"Someone called last night but
the maid didn't get the message.

"And she thought it might possibly,
just possibly, have been you.

"Er, you haven't called
in ever so long, you know.

"Her number, in case
you forget, is Barker 1823."

Thanks.

Oh, have you got
a date tonight?

I thought we'd covered
that subject.

I don't want one.

Dad said to bring
you home to dinner.

He's hours behind schedule
and loaded with stuff to dictate.

Well, that's different.
I don't have a date.

Good, I'll drive you
home after work.

Don't bother.
I have my own car.

- All right.
- All right.

Would you like
another cup of coffee?

Thank you, Larry.
I'm through here now.

Maybe I'll have one later.

Oh, it's not real
crying anymore.

It's just sometimes for a minute
or two, then I'm all right.

- Of course.
- I'd better go home.

There's no need
to inflict this on you.

- Please don't go.
- Oh, you're sweet, but I'd better, really.

Howard, did David go out?

- No, don't bother. I don't need anyone.
- Oh. He's upstairs, I think.

Here it is, Mr Clark.

I didn't proof it, so you
may find some typos.

No, that's fine.
Don't worry about that.

Will there be any more?

No, but if you wouldn't mind staying
till I've had a chance to read this,

just to see if what
I dictated makes sense.

I'll call you first thing
in the morning.

- Good night, Howard. I'm running along.
- Good night, Sybil.

- Good night, Miss Pearson.
- Good night, Mrs Bradley.

- I'll walk you over.
- Oh, thank you, David.

You don't have to do that.

Of course I don't, but it's
all right if I want to, isn't it?

Yes.
Good night, dear.

Good night.

Why don't you come along?

You look as if you could use
a little exercise.

I do, huh?

Just in spots.

It's nice to be able to walk
back and forth so easily.

The tennis court used to be
right over there, really,

half of it on each lot.

It's almost like two houses
on the same piece of property.

- In a way.
- Yes, and it was so much safer

than having to cross streets
when the boys were little.

There's the North Star.

I know that one because
there's the Dipper pointing to it.

Yeah?

You know, one time when Dad
and I were on a hunting trip,

we were camping out,
and it was night.

Dad had read somewhere once
how to tell time by the stars.

So we tried it.

Do you want
to sit here awhile?

All right.

- Did he do it?
- Yeah.

But it took him about
twenty minutes to figure it out,

because he had to compensate
for the time of year, or latitude,

and all that kind of stuff.

He was doing it all
in his head.

When he finally came up with the
answer and looked at his watch,

he was only three minutes off.

And when we got back to town,

it turned out he hit it
right on the nose,

"cause his watch was slow.

I'm not surprised.

He has a wonderful mind.

Yeah, he should have passed
some of it along to me.

He did. You have
a very good mind.

Well, thanks.

Say, this is a new experience
for me, a compliment from you.

Don't worry, I'm not going
to join the harem.

All right, they're nuts.
But why aren't you, too?

You see, they're only
interested in what you have.

I demand more.

Oh, now, wait a minute.
Let's be reasonable, at least.

I'm not rich, you know.
A long ways from it.

Money is just a part.

You have smooth manners,

when you want to.

A nice family,

wonderful family.

Background, education,
and so on, and so on.

It's all been handed to you.

Are you comfortable here
or would you like a soapbox?

When you fell, there was always
someone to pick you up.

When you wanted something,
always someone to pay for it.

You take all that for granted.
It never occurred to you

that maybe you should
do something for what you get

besides just be David Clark.

See?

I could only be interested
in what you are.

And you aren't anything.

Do you give yourself a pep talk
like that against me very often?

Don't be silly.

You're not that
important to me.

You're sweet, Lee.

I'm not kidding, now.

You're thoughtful
and smart and, well...

If you know all of that,

you should know how I feel
about the sly approach.

What do you mean?

Your arm.

Am I supposed to think it's just
more comfortable for you there?

If you want to make passes,
why don't you make them,

and get the question
out in the open?

Maybe you've got something.

And that's another thing.

The kiss on the neck.

"What pretty little ears
you have."

The kiss on the ears.

"And your rosy cheeks."

Kiss.

"And your cute little nose,"

right in the middle
of your face, of all places.

Then the big, hot surprise.

The kiss on the lips.

So dull.

The kiss?

Not...

necessarily.

The build-up.

Why not get to the point?

You know, we've reached
an area of agreement.

Is that any better?

I refuse to answer.

Well, who are you?

That's Banjo.

He's Art's dog.

Oh, the poor, little lamb.

Here, boy!
Here, Banjo!

Come here, baby.
Come here, Banjo.

He doesn't know
Art isn't coming back.

Maybe he's lucky not to know.

Maybe.

Maybe he is.

Let's go in.

All right.

Anything more tonight,
Mrs Clark?

I'll think not, Larry.
Thank you.

Is everything all right?

This'll be fine, Lee.

I may make a few
changes in pencil,

but I won't need you
anymore tonight.

Thank you, sir. I'll see you
in the morning, then.

David, why don't you
drive her home?

Oh, she has her own car.
Doesn't trust me.

It's just that I didn't bring
my brass knuckles.

- I'll carry your machinery out.
- Thanks.

Good night, Mrs Clark, and thank you
very much for a lovely dinner.

Good night, Lee.

What is this?

It was a hot rod,

but it's cooled down
considerably.

Quite a bargain, I hope.

Where's the handle?

Oh, we never have handles.

- See?
- The wonders of science.

Well, good night, Irresistible.

And get some sleep,
do you hear?

It's been a bad day
for you, I know.

But it'll ease off in time.

I guess.

You'll never get it
off the ground!

Just watch!

May I help you?

Oh, I was just going to ring.

Is this the Clark home?

Yes, I'm David Clark.

Oh, you were
at the office this morning.

Yeah. I'm Mrs Joe Elsner.

Is your father home?

Well, I...
I'm not sure. I'll...

Please, if I could see
him for just a minute.

Dad, that Mrs Elsner's here.
Do you want to see her?

I know I shouldn't
come here, Mr Clark,

but I simply couldn't wait
two days.

I'm... I'm awfully sorry,
but you understand.

I'm afraid I don't.

If I could just talk to you
for a minute, Mr Clark.

What is it?

We want you to defend
my husband.

I'm sorry, but I gave up
criminal practice years ago.

I know,

but you could make an exception,
just this once.

You've got to, Mr Clark.
Joe's innocent.

And he always said, if he was
in bad trouble, he wanted you.

He was a friend of
Eddie Hames, Mr Clark.

The... The time
you saved Eddie from...

Oh, that was ten years ago.

...I appreciate your husband's
opinion of my ability,

but it's impossible.

But Joe's a sick man
and he's counting on you.

He has a heart condition
and the strain could Kill him

if he doesn't have you.
If he's worrying because...

But there are any number of lawyers
in town that could defend him.

But they aren't you,
Mr Clark.

They aren't as good
as you, and...

and Joe wouldn't
have faith in them.

You know what they'll do to him
because of the business he's in.

You know what it'll be like
when George Redman starts on him!

Mrs Elsner, it's no use.

Please, think it over.

Mrs Clark, you talk to him!

This is not
Mrs Clark's problem.

I Know.

I'm sorry.

It's only that we...

We haven't any children, or...

anybody but each other, and...

And, if Joe...

We have money.

It doesn't matter
what it costs!

Let me know if you want me
to recommend a lawyer.

You just don't care,
that's all!

It doesn't matter to you
if an innocent man suffers!

It can't touch you!

You're safe!

Howard, are you sure,
you shouldn't take the case?

Yes, then we wouldn't have to worry
about his being convicted.

- He's right, Howard.
- It's out of the question.

For one thing,
what about Sybil?

What would she think?

Besides, I tell ya, there are
any number of lawyers in town

who could defend him
as well as I, or better.

Do you really believe that?

I don't.

But there's no use
talking to him about it.

He gave up criminal practice.

I hadn't thought about Sybil.

Yet, after all, it shouldn't be
too difficult to explain to her.

Elsner begged you
to defend him.

You were convinced
of his innocence.

After all, that's the truth!

The truth?

What is it?

Nothing. I'm just depressed.

I suppose I didn't realise quite
how much my life would become

centred on David.

How proud I wanted
to be of him.

But, darling,
you mustn't blame David.

Really, it wasn't his fault.

Maybe that's true.
Maybe it wasn't at that.

We're his parents.
Maybe it's our fault.

I think I'll go to bed.

Howard?

Would it hurt anything,
if you did defend Elsner?

I'm beat. Let's go home.

What for?

Don't you have to be
at the office tomorrow?

In an hour or so?

Could be.

Can I ask you a question?

Why is your father defending
this Elsner guy?

He's sorry for him.

Sorry?

Convinced he's innocent.

Dad's the old-fashioned type,

against electrocuting
innocent people.

His heart bleeds
for suffering humanity.

See?

Your dad's a swell person.

Let's go.

Go? Go where?

We started home
five different times,

and ended up in another
dive each time.

And they're not getting
much nicer, either, I might add.

You don't know
what you want to do.

Okay, okay, let's dance.

She was right, of course.

I was so keyed up inside,
I didn't know what I wanted to do.

Nothing suited me anymore.

When I stayed home, I...
I didn't like that either.

But by the time I got around
to deciding I wanted a date,

all the girls anybody
would want to go out with

were dated already,

or something.

Oh, David!
Why'd you have to wait till tonight?

If only you'd called
last night.

I have this perfectly
wretched cold.

I'm sorry
you're not feeling well.

I'll call you next week.

So I'd wind up
talking to myself,

or as a fifth at bridge.

I was always on edge,
and I wasn't the only one.

Mother hardly went out
of the house anymore.

We'd had a birthday party for her
every year since I could remember.

But, this year,
she didn't want one.

It doesn't seem
sensible this year.

It will come right
in the midst of the trial.

Um, Howard will be busy
and-and-and tired.

You're just doing it because of me,
and I wish you wouldn't.

Besides, I won't even be here.

Oh, then you really
are going to Jane's?

Yes, Dr Reynolds thinks
I should get away for a while.

So I'm visiting my sister
in Honolulu.

Sounds like a good idea.

This bridge game isn't
distracting you ladies, is it?

Oh, I'm so sorry, Howard.
Is it my play?

Dad could still
crack jokes, in spite of the fact

that he hated
what we were doing.

But he never
let it show anywhere,

at home,
or later in the court.

The trial didn't seem
very important at first.

More or less routine.

Everybody, including the judge,
took it casually.

There were a few mild fireworks
when the State finished

direct examination of
his first witness,

the coroner.

Dad tried to outsmart Redman,

and got more or less
outsmarted himself.

But it never occurred to us that
there might be any serious trouble

with getting Elsner acquitted.

- That's all.
- Thank you, Dr Black.

Cross-examine?

If the court pleases.

Er... Dr Black,

in testifying as to the manner
and cause of Arthur Bradley's death,

you stated it was from a blow
upon the head by a rock,

or other such object.

That's right.

From your examination
of the skull,

is it possible to determine
the amount of force

with which the blow was struck?

Within limits, yes.

Could you say, positively,

whether or not it was a blow
of great force?

I can say, positively, it was.

A blow of very great force?

Yes.

A blow, such as
could have been struck

only by a man of very
unusual physical strength?

Yes.

That's all.

We've all heard
of the unusual strength

insane people
sometimes exhibit.

Do otherwise normal people
ever exhibit strength

far out of proportion
to their physique?

Why, yes, they do.

Can you illustrate how much
beyond normal this might be?

Well, women, who normally would
have trouble lifting a hundred pounds,

have been known to lift
something as heavy

as the front end
of an automobile

to save a child.

Are these cases rare?

Oh, no. Happen all the time.

In varying degrees, of course.

Dr Black,

under what circumstances does
this unusual strength come into play?

Under stress of any sudden,
strong emotion.

Panic, fear.

Anger?

Yes, anger.

When the accused bought
the cigarettes from you,

do you remember
what he was wearing?

Well, clothes.

Do you remember
what kind of clothes?

Well, a suit.

Do you remember
what kind of a suit?

Yeah, that one right
there on the desk.

Did you perform the test
you've just described upon this suit?

I did.

From these tests,
can you say, positively,

whether parts of the suit
had been washed

shortly before
your examination, or not?

- I can.
- Had they?

They had.

Did traces of anything still remain
in those washed portions?

Yes.

Traces of what?

"Coffee, sugar,
cream and blood."

Thank you.

Miss Stone, you stated
in your direct examination

that you were
with Arthur Bradley

since approximately eight o'clock
on the night he was killed.

Yes, sir.

- Continuously?
- Yes, sir.

When you came into
the tavern with Bradley,

do you remember seeing
the defendant, Elsner?

Yes, sir. He, er...

happened to be
sitting at a table near us.

If the court pleases, I don't see
where all this is getting us.

Yes, er...

Where is this getting us,
Mr Clark?

May I assure the court,
and my learned opponent,

that I'm not questioning
this witness merely for practice.

All right, Mr Clark.

Now, at any time while
you were with young Bradley,

did Elsner threaten him?

No.

By a word, or a look,
or a gesture,

did he imply antagonism,
latent or overt?

Did he what?

Could I suggest your rephrasing
the question, Mr Clark?

Er... Did Elsner seem
angry with Bradley?

- Oh, no.
- Thank you, Miss Stone.

Your Honour.

At any time during the evening,
did Bradley leave your table?

Er... Yes.

Approximately thirty-five minutes
after you sat down at the table?

Um... Yes.

Did you know where he went?

Do I have to answer that?

Answer the question, please.

Well, I, er...

I didn't know positively,
but, er...

I guessed.

You didn't accompany him?

Well, of course not!

Object to this entire line
of questioning.

I'm merely trying
to establish the fact

that the witness was not
with the deceased continuously

from the time
they entered the tavern

to the time he met his death.

Overruled.

Gradually, the case
against Elsner built into something

much stronger than seemed
possible at first.

But it was when the State called Sims
that we began to sweat.

The others had supported
Redman's case.

Sims was it.

Did you observe any encounter between
Art Bradley and the accused that night?

Yes, sir, I did.

Will you describe this
encounter in your own words?

Well, I was en route
from my table to the washroom.

It's at the end of a passage,

and I was about to turn
into this passage

as I saw young Bradley
coming along it towards me.

I paused to let him pass.

At this moment, a man,
whom I later learned was Elsner,

came up from the other direction
and spoke to Bradley.

With the deepest sarcasm,

Elsner said he hoped Bradley
was enjoying himself,

since it was on his money,
and he'd hate to see it wasted.

He said Bradley could not

- welsh on him and get away with it.
- He's letter perfect.

Sounds coached.

Yes. I didn't think
Redman would do that.

And, by this time, I had...

Maybe he didn't.

However, I could hear Elsner,
as he continued, quite distinctly,

up to the time I went
into the washroom.

Elsner's tone was so menacing
that his exact words stuck in my mind.

They were,

"Either I get the money
you owe me

"or come outside
and get your brains beat out.”

When I returned
to my table presently,

Bradley was nowhere to be seen,

and Elsner was at the table
with his wife.

She seemed to be trying to
stop him from doing something.

A moment later, he rose
and left the table and the room.

And then, at a period of time

I should judge to be less
than ten minutes,

he returned.

He seemed very upset this time,
and, almost immediately,

he and his wife left.

Shortly after, I should say,
between five and ten minutes,

the lifeless body of young Bradley
was discovered.

Thank you.

Your witness.

Mr Sims, I believe you said
you moved here

from New Bedford, Massachusetts,
about five years ago.

Yes, sir, we moved
out here after I retired.

I see.

How long had you
lived there before that?

Nineteen years, sir.

I had a machine
tool factory there.

And, all this time, you lived there
under the name of Henry Archer Sims?

- Why, certainly, sir, I...
- Objection!

Your Honour, the State objects
to this question as tending...

Withdraw the question.
That's all.

There'll be a recess
until one-thirty.

I admonish the jury
not to discuss this case

with each other or anyone else
during adjournment.

Say, you and Grace haven't forgotten
about the party tonight, have you?

Not a chance.
We'll be there.

I'd sort of looked
forward to Mother's birthday party.

I thought of it as
a few hours' escape

back into the familiar,
reassuring world of the past.

A few hours' release from
the pressures and tensions

and horrors of the world
I was living in now.

That's all right. I can fly.
It's only a few feet.

Isn't it a little early for
that kind of thing, Mr Clark?

Perhaps, you're right.
Having a good time, Lee?

Oh, yes.

Are you gonna get
a conviction, George?

Off the record.

It doesn't have to be
off the record.

Unless Howard produces some
evidence I don't know about.

Yes, I think we are,
definitely.

I guess you're lucky
to have this Sims.

Could've been an unsolved case
without him, couldn't it?

Oh, no. I don't think so.

Just have meant
a lot more investigation, that's all.

Now, don't make poor George
talk about the trial.

Little you know my husband!
Try and stop him.

Suppose Elsner's proved innocent?

- It's possible, isn't it?
- Sure.

Anything's possible.

The police would simply have to
start at the beginning again.

Start with the people
closest to young Bradley.

His mother.

And David here.

Work out from there.

Talk to everybody or anybody who
ever had anything to do with him.

Sooner or later, somebody
would tell us something

that would point the way.

Sims probably saved us
a lot of tough, dull digging,

but we'd have got the murderer
without him.

This kind of case...

Let me get you a chair, Mother.
It's your birthday.

...you should
never fail to get your man.

But, if the Killer is insane,

there actually is no reason
for what's he's done,

you end up
against a blank wall.

We were the wrong kind of
people to keep such a secret, Dad said.

For the first time,
I realised what he meant.

Oh, he did keep it, all right.

And I?

Maybe.

But Mother?

Not a chance.

Once they started
questioning her,

started prying,
we were Sunk.

And they'd start soon enough
if Elsner were free.

But, if Elsner were convicted,

that would ruin me, too.

So, where was I?

I couldn't win.

Well, I was at the punch bowl.

And I never got
too far away after that.

I had to do something
to drown the worry

that was gnawing
at my insides.

Oh, Cora, have you seen Lee?

I saw her
go into the living room.

Oh, there she is,
by the window.

Thanks.

I thought I'd lost you.

David, I told you,
I didn't want any more punch.

I'll drink it for you.

You might as well.
You drank the last three.

Do you like books?
Come with me.

I don't like them that well.

Oh, but these are
very unusual books.

Maybe I'd better scream for help.

I don't need any help, darling.

I'll show you books of such
shapes and sizes you've never seen.

With covers to match.

Magnificent.

Very impressive.

- Now, let's get back...
- Wait.

I believe this calls for
routine number three.

Now, under that routine,
the girl sits here.

And he edges in beside her.

And she edges away.

That's right,
and he edges after.

This couch isn't long enough.

That's what I like about
routine number three.

Then, when she's confronted
by the necessity

of crawling into the fireplace

or responding to his
tender embrace,

he takes her in his manly arms.

Then, with a demure glance,
she twists lightly from his...

grasp.

And, with an elusive smile,

she slips from his...

David!

Stop!

...I guess I should have
tried routine number two.

- Excuse me.
- David.

You're a little bit past the
gay sparkle stage, aren't you?

Sir, Attorney for the Offence,

Father.

Deponent wishes to depone
he is not as sober,

perhaps, as Judge Williams.

This is quite true.

But not surprising, because
deponent didn't intend to be.

Well, deponent better get himself

outside of about
six cups of coffee, real quick.

And try not
to let your mother see you.

Six? Considerable coffee.

But maybe not a bad idea,
with a little brandy to weaken it.

Good evening.

Well, looky there! Vera!

Excuse me, Dad,
my hostly duties.

Vera, Vera, Vera! You're late.

You, too, Morton.

Well, I told her we were gonna be,
but you know how women are.

If he doesn't, nobody does.

Well, thanks.

Mmm, must be even later
than I thought.

Well, there's punch.
Let me direct you to the source.

Go on, I'll join you in a second.
I want to speak to Dr Barnes.

Then I'll direct Vera
to the source.

Happy birthday, Mrs Clark.
It's a lovely party.

Well, thank you, Vera.

Do you two know each other?
Lee, this is Vera Stone. Lee Pearson.

- How do you do?
- How do you do?

Er... My name's Clark.

- And I... I guess you know yours.
- True.

Current's off.

Well, I promised to direct Vera
to the source of the punch.

Excuse me.

Oh, I almost forgot.
We gotta go to the kitchen.

Dad thinks I should drink
six cups of coffee.

It sounds like
a lot of coffee,

but the kitchen seems like
a good idea. Don't you think so?

Well, I haven't had time
to think about it yet.

- Oh, excuse me.
- Thank you, Bertha.

Well, what about Morton?

Mmm. He'll find us.

Yes, I'm afraid he will.

Sly old Morton.

Coffee!

Plenty of coffee,
unfortunately.

I wonder
how it'd go with punch?

How about some punch?

Thank you.
Two, please.

We've just had
the kitchen done over.

- You like it?
- Very much.

New electric stove.

Everything's electric.

Including me.

Er... Darling, I think
we'd better go back in there.

Oh, it's too noisy in there, and...

it's so quiet at your place.

- Don't you think so?
- Well, we shouldn't really, you know.

- Your mother'll think I'm terrible.
- Well, aren't you?

Maybe I am.

Oh, but, Morton...

Exactly.

That sly old Morton'll be breathing
down our necks in about two seconds

- unless we do something drastic.
- Oh!

That's right, he will.

But, remember,
just for a little while.

Sure. Sure. We'll be back before
anybody even knows we're gone.

Civilisation!

I'm worried about David.

About his driving.

Do you think
he could've had an accident?

No, no.
We would have heard.

- I suppose we'd better go to bed.
- Yes, I suppose so.

How could he do such a thing?

I don't know,
but it was disgraceful.

David!

I didn't hear you drive in.

Where's your car?

I had a flat just down
at the corner. Left it.

Is Lee here?

What'd she do?

Morton drove her home.

Did she say anything?

Nothing you'd care to hear.

- Good morning, David.
- Morning.

Like this. See?

David, you fool.

I'm a fool, all right.

If that was just all
that was wrong with me.

Don't!

- What?
- You're just wasting staples,

and you make me nervous.

Oh, yeah, I guess so.

Aren't you going
to court today?

I suppose I might as well.

If those brass knuckles don't fit,
I can take 'em back.

They have 'em in all sizes.

They have 'em in silver
and black enamel, too,

if you'd like something
a little more dressy.

That won't be necessary.

The need for them
isn't going to come up again.

I don't blame you.

Hello.

Yes, he is.

Just a minute, please.

Howard, it's for you.
New Bedford calling.

Hello?

Yeah, this is Clark.
What have you got for me?

Do you know what it is?

It's a detective agency
in New Bedford.

We had them investigate
Sims back there.

Thought he was too good
a witness.

That's excellent.

No, that won't be necessary.

Just send me the bill.

Yeah. Goodbye.

Did they dig up something?

He was convicted of perjury
in a bank robbery case.

Instead of being
sent to prison,

he was committed to a sanitarium.
Spent three years there.

He's insane?

Charter member
of the lunatic fringe.

Why do people do such things?

I don't know, they're lonely, I guess.
Or just plain crazy.

Anything to attract attention.

This will win your case
for you?

Sure.
Elsner's as good as free.

Almost, I'd say.

He was on the stand
when we adjourned yesterday.

After Redman cross-examines him,
I'll put Sims back on.

And when I've established this,
I'll move for dismissal.

Oh, dear!

That means there'll be
detectives here. Right away.

Asking questions, prying.

Just as George said at the party.

Well, what did you expect?

I know, but it seems
so much more difficult now.

Worse than ever.

I told you I'd never
let Elsner be convicted.

- Naturally.
- Well, what do you want me to do?

Suppress the evidence?
Deliberately lose the case?

Of course
you can't do that.

No, of course not. It's great.
And you're a miracle man.

And Elsner's free. Okay, fine.

But it doesn't help me any,
does it?

I don't have to celebrate,
do I?

Hello, Frank?
This is Howard Clark.

Will you have Elsner over to court
a little early this morning?

I have some news for him.

Thanks.

David!

Don't you want some breakfast?
Coffee's ready.

I don't want any.

All I wanted was
to get away from that house.

Before, my troubles
had been remote.

In the future.

After the trial.

Now, they were
right in front of me.

On top of me.

Even the traffic
got on my nerves,

though I wasn't
going anywhere.

Just going.

And, when I parked my car
and started walking,

it was the same thing.

No place to go.

Nothing to do but wait for
the police to come looking for me.

And that would be soon enough.

So I ended up at the office,
which was no better than home.

If only Mother
had never known.

But she did.

I was stuck.

Helpless.

Suddenly, without ever deciding
to do it, I was on my way again.

I don't know, Mr Muir,
I just got here.

I'll look it up
and call you back. Goodbye.

Well, what are you doing here
so early?

I'm just leaving.

Hey, Cora, how much is there
in the petty cash?

- Why?
- Never mind why. How much?

I think about sixty-five dollars,

but you still owe me fifteen
from last week.

I paid it back.

I'm sorry, you didn't.

I told him to take it
out of my cheque.

He didn't do it.

Then it's not my fault.

Sixty-eight dollars.

But, David,
this cleans me out.

What am I going
to charge it to?

You'll think of something.

What are you up to now?

I'm buying a rabbit farm
in Australia.

It's the first payment.
Thanks, Cora.

Good morning.

Hello.

Lee...

I'm leaving. I...

I just thought
I'd say goodbye.

You mean I'm not ever
going to see you again

until tomorrow?

It'll be a little longer
than that.

Then you really
are leaving town.

That's right.

Isn't it sort of sudden?

I guess so, in a way.

David, is anything the matter?

Oh, no, nothing.
I'm just fed up.

Town, the job, law school...

It's not for me.
I need a change.

I know how you feel.

Sometimes things
don't make much sense.

It would be nice to be able to
walk away when you're bored.

I envy you.

Well, good luck.

Lee, come with me.

If you're not joking,
you're crazy.

Or you must think I am.

Look, all we have to do
is do it.

Just come down and get in
the car with me and drive,

and then keep on driving.
That's all.

I'd take care of you, Lee.
Such care.

David, what is it?

What's wrong?
What's bothering you?

Don't you know you can never
get away from anything by running?

Nothing's bothering me.

I'm leaving town because
I don't like it. That's all.

I asked you to come with me
because I want you to.

I want you to very much.

But I didn't ask for any
pearls of wisdom or motherly advice.

I just asked
if you wanted to come too.

Do you?

Who was I kidding?

By the time
she was out of sight,

I knew I wasn't
going anywhere.

Not for her reasons,
but for mine.

And she was it.

I knew I wasn't going
any place without her.

Well, maybe I could still
get by with it.

Maybe some kind of miracle
would happen in court,

and postpone the inevitable.

Anyhow, I came to see them
free Elsner from the trap

that would soon close on me.

By the time I got there,
Dad had finished with Elsner

and Redman had just started
to cross-examine him.

Mr Elsner, I'd like to review
a few points in your version

of the events surrounding
Art Bradley's murder.

Now, am I to understand that,
although he owed you money,

nevertheless, he was the one
that started the argument, not you?

That's right.

He was drunk
and trying to pick a fight.

I suppose you didn't even
mention the money, then?

Well...

Oh, I might have asked him

if he had any idea
when he could pay me.

That's all.

I see. And you didn't
threaten to beat his brains out?

No. He threatened
to beat my brains out.

When I realised
how drunk he was,

all I wanted to do
was get away from him.

I see. You were trying
to get away from him.

Yet, ten minutes later,
you followed him outside.

No, I did not
follow him outside.

I didn't even know
he was there.

I just went outside
to bring the car around

so that my wife
wouldn't get mud on her shoes,

the way she did
when we came in.

You were merely
going to get your car

with no idea in the world
where Bradley might be,

and you stumbled over his body
in the dark?

That's right.

But you didn't cry out
or call anybody?

No.

I was scared.

What good would it do?
He was dead.

And I knew what would happen to me
if I got mixed up in it.

How did you know
he was dead?

Well, I... just...

I just knew, I guess.

He felt dead. I shook him.

I just thought he was dead,
that's all.

I could see his head
in a little patch of moonlight.

So you simply left this
murdered man alone there,

brought your car around from the lot,
got your wife and went home?

I shouldn't have.
My wife said so when I told her.

But we were
on the way home then.

You were in a hurry
to get home

and wash the blood spots
from your clothes?

I told you, we didn't know
they were blood.

My wife just happened
to see these spots.

Then, we thought,
"Well, maybe they're blood."

So we washed them.
That's all.

Yes.

You had no idea
Bradley was outside.

Yet, you went out at exactly the
right time to stumble over his body.

You were completely innocent
of any connection with this crime,

and nobody had any reason
to suspect you.

Yet, you sneaked away
in the night

to wash some spots
from your clothes.

Blood spots,

which you didn't even know
were blood.

Mr Elsner,
do you have any hope

the jury can possibly
believe this?

I told you why I did it.

My business is an illegal one.
I was scared.

I knew that if I got
mixed up in it at all,

just what's happening
right now, would happen.

Why are you so eager to admit
your illegal occupation?

I haven't asked
if you were a bookie.

- Objection.
- Overruled.

Answer the question.

Because it's why I acted
the way I did that night.

What do you expect?

Wouldn't you rather tell the truth,
and go to jail for something you did,

than die for something
you didn't do?

Yes.

Perhaps I would.

And perhaps I'd rather lie than go
to the electric chair for murder.

Wouldn't you?

Your Honour, I object!

That's an outrageous question.

Just a moment.
Don't answer.

I instruct the jury
to disregard that question.

Are you ill?

No, Judge, I...

- Perhaps if I can have a glass of water?
- Well, certainly.

Do you feel able to go on?

Would you like
to lie down for a while?

I don't know. I...
I think I'll be all right.

Perhaps just for a minute.

There'll be a recess
until one o'clock.

Bring him into my chambers
and call a doctor.

Yes, sir.

Don't you understand
what I told you?

Don't let them upset you.
Stop worrying.

We're gonna win this case.

Joe. Joe, darling. Joe.

- Call the doctor.
- Joe, darling.

I practically had a
confession out of him.

Well, I'm not through
with him.

- Where's his wife?
- In there.

- Did Redman get here yet?
- Somebody went after him.

I think we ought
to get a statement

from both him and Clark.

Hey, Dave!

Where's your dad?

- Here's the D.A.
- Here's in there.

- How about this, Mr Redman?
- How about a statement?

Did you know he had a heart condition
when the trial started?

It was completely unexpected,
of course.

I regret the manner
of his death,

and if the trial in any way
hastened it.

Nevertheless, I'm sure
he would have been proved guilty.

Then would you say that
Providence had only done now

what the state
would have done later?

I'll have to ask you
to excuse me now.

And, as far
as you're concerned,

this winds up the question
of Bradley's murder?

That's right.

Case is closed.

There's his wife.

They killed him.

They killed him.

Is that what I think?
You could have cleared him?

Is this an ironic
quirk of fate?

It's ironic and very tragic.

He would unquestionably
have been cleared.

How'd you figure that?

Everything up to now
has been just the other way.

Dad, I just took
a phone call for you.

They said it was urgent.

- Who are they?
- Excuse me.

What possible good could it do
to tell them now?

They'll just open the case
and start them after me.

They killed him.

At least
you know he's innocent.

And we know it.
Even if no-one else does.

What a strange afternoon
that was, when the trial ended.

Larry and Bertha were off.

Just the three of us,
alone in the house.

We were free and clear
for the first time since Art's death.

But another man had died
to make it possible.

A weird afternoon.

Mother crying
and not able to stop.

Not crying about anything.

Or else, perhaps about everything.
She didn't know.

It was a long time before
she got herself under control.

All right.

All right, I should have
told Redman in the first place.

I know that now.

But I can't go back
and do it over, can I?

Of course not.

There's no use
sitting here brooding.

It's driving me crazy.

I'm going out.

What about Donald?

He knows about Sims,
doesn't he?

If we just do nothing,
won't he suspect?

He wasn't at court
this morning.

But he knows you
investigated Sims, doesn't he?

It seemed like such a wild chance,
I didn't tell him.

We're in luck.

No, thanks.

It tortures you, doesn't it,

not being able to clear
Elsner's name?

That's part of it, of course,

but it's too late
to do anything about that now.

I got David into this mess.
I can't just abandon him.

You got him into it?

We did. Mostly me.

We made him
the kind of person he is.

What did we do?

Just because we gave him
all the advantages we could afford?

Helped him
as much as we could.

Why shouldn't we?

We never gave him
a chance to grow up.

We kept everything unpleasant
away from him.

He never had to suffer
for any of his mistakes.

We made him into a thoughtless,
irresponsible boy, not a man.

Darling, you're upset now.

It isn't as bad as all that.

He'll be different now.
I'm sure we all will.

And Elsner won't be
quite as dead, perhaps?

Quick trip.

I'm a fast man.

What's this? You want me
to drop you some place?

I wanna talk to you.

Go ahead.

Well, not here.
This'll take a little while.

How about dinner?

Sorry, I've got too much
to do tonight.

This is very important.

Please, I'll take you any place
you say. Just name it.

Well, we might try
the Emerald Room.

The Emerald Room?
Where's that?

It's out near my house.
I'll show you.

It was tragic about Mr Elsner, wasn't it?

I bet your father
would have cleared him, too.

I bet he would.

The Emerald Room, huh?

Yes. Are you impressed?

Well, I guess we were lucky to
get the table without a reservation.

- Hello, Miss Pearson. How are you?
- Hello, Charlie.

Well, what are you
gonna have tonight?

Well, I...

Hi, Marvin! What's for you?

Mom wants a pint
of potato salad.

Okay, Mom will get it.

You're sure this is where
you wanna have dinner?

Positive.

I've got to get home early
and wash my hair.

Two toasted ham and cheese
and two milks.

Okay, comin' right up.

Well, suppose I don't want
a ham and cheese sandwich?

Oh, you'll love it.
It's a speciality of the house.

This isn't exactly
what I had in mind.

Well?

Well, I had to kinda
lead up to this.

"Cause everything's so different
from this morning.

At least,
I see things differently.

I guess it started
that night in the back yard

when you told me
a few home truths.

I thought I wasn't
paying any attention,

but something
must have registered

because it's been coming
back at me ever since.

Excuse me. The sandwiches
will be ready any minute.

- Fine, Charlie.
- Fine.

You said everything
I had was just handed to me.

There was always somebody else
to pay for it if I made a mistake.

Well, that was true.

It was none of my business.

I let some people pay for things
I wish I hadn't now.

I was too fresh.

No, you were right.

You see, that's the thing.

You were right about
my whole attitude.

It's no good. No good at all.

David, what are you
driving at?

I'm trying to tell you
that I'm a changed character.

Why should you explain
anything to me?

Because I want you
to marry me.

David, you must be crazy.

- This morning, you...
- I don't mean now.

I wanted to tell you now,
but I...

I didn't expect you to say
"yes" or anything.

If only you won't say "no".

In a little while, maybe, or...
or however long you want.

You can see
if I really have changed.

But I guess there still
wouldn't be much reason

for you to marry me even then.

Even if I do everything
I mean to.

But now...

Well, now, there's none at all.

None at all...

except that I love you.

I'll bet you folks thought
I was never going to get here.

The sandwiches are coming right up.

Do you absolutely, beyond any question,
have to go right in?

I still have to wash my hair.

Besides, I'll see you
in the morning, you know.

That's not near soon enough.

Do you want me
to put this in the garage?

This is the garage.

Okay.

- How will you get home?
- Float.

- Silly.
- Not me. You're the silly one.

You're taking an awful
chance, you know.

Maybe.

But I don't think so.

I think I've always known the
kind of guy you really are inside.

It's just that
you didn't know it, I guess.

But, now, you do.

And, at least, you've
always been honest.

You've never tried to pass
for something you aren't.

You've never tried
to hide anything.

What's the matter?

Nothing, I...

I should have kept
my mouth shut, I guess.

Good night, darling.

Here.

Engagement present.

Then it hit me.

I suddenly knew I'd never
be able to face life with her

on this kind of a false basis.

I'd started living
another big lie

that had to be wiped out
right then and there.

While I still had
the guts to do it.

Other people
get to wash their hair.

But it looks like
fate is against me.

Whatever you want now,
the answer is "no".

Lee, we can't do it.

I can't marry you.

Forget it. You'll have to
forget it, because...

I killed Art.

You see, I killed him.

Oh, David.

Now, I understand what's been
the matter with you.

Everything.

This morning,
I didn't leave town

because I didn't
wanna lose you.

So now, I do anyway.

I just can't hide
anymore, Lee.

"Lose me"!

Come in.

Heard the music.
I thought you were asleep.

Too loud?

No.

Oh, the tripe girls write!

How's Mother?

She's better. She's sleeping.

But you're not.

Do you mind?

Have you thought about
what you wanna do now?

You wanna go back
to school, or what?

Would you like to
take a trip somewhere

to get this
out of your system?

Go to Europe or South America
for a couple of months?

No, thanks.

I'm going to see Redman
first thing in the morning.

What decided you?

Nothing.

Everything.

I just suddenly knew
I had to do it.

So I'm going to, that's all.

I'm gonna say
something silly.

Why not?
It doesn't cost any extra.

I'm proud of you.

Yeah, I'm a noble character.

Are you sure
you don't want me to stay?

I'm sure.

And you'll phone me
as soon as you know anything?

Of course, I will.

Good morning, Mr Clark.

Morning.
Is Mr Redman here?

No, he's not yet but
he shouldn't be long.

- You wanna wait?
- Thank you.

Care to see the newspaper?

Thank you.

Well, David, you're up
before breakfast, aren't you?

- Sir, if you have a minute, I...
- Sure. Sure. Come on in.

- Good morning, boss.
- Good morning.

- Good morning!
- Good morning!

Mr Redman, you wanna do
anything about this?

- Thank you.
- I'll take care of it.

Thanks.

- How's your dad this morning?
- All right.

- David!
- It's all right.

Take it easy.

Hal, do you have to?

Well, okay.
You can have about ten minutes.

Thanks. Thanks very much.

You all right now?

Well...

What?

Nothing for sure yet.

Looks like about two years.
Maybe less.

- Two years?
- It'll pass.

Of course it will.

Funny thing.

Here I am, headed
for the penitentiary.

And, for the first time
since Art's death, I...

I feel kinda peaceful inside.

Kinda good.

Does that make sense?

Makes a lot of sense.

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