Original subtitles

I'll kill you.

Is dear Norma in trouble.

I think her life is in danger.

Hey.

That's a rough town out there ladies.

That's rough, rough, rough.

MUSIC

You might feel better if we get out of the house.

What do you say to dinner in a movie?

What do you say to just dinner?

A movie?

Say something before this turns into a saloon-like way.

Oh, alright, let's go to dinner.

Come on.

Oh, oh.

Maybe we can talk.

It would help me if I knew what's bothering you.

I don't want to pry.

Well then, don't dear.

You wait here.

I'll go get the car.

Mother!

I'll kill you.

If you come many closer, I'll kill you.

I would listen to me.

The man I saw this morning was not from the police.

Don't make me hurt you.

You're my brother.

Howard, stay away.

Madeline, thrust the knife into the World Walnut desk.

Oh, I did too.

Looks.

I would say so.

Shattering the veneer into glistening fragments.

I'm not going to do that.

I'm not going to do that.

Shattering the veneer into glistening fragments.

Her bluff worked.

Howard stopped.

But Willdemont replaced his rage and fear.

Suddenly, she felt the familiar pity for those faded blue eyes

that could so rarely look into hers directly.

I think, dear, that Howard's eyes were brown in the last chapter.

Oh, well, blue eyes fade better than brown.

Leave them blue.

Where was I?

Let me see.

This is your best chapter yet.

It's masterful. Thank you.

Uh, Madeline's eyes were drawn against her will to the couch

where Gertrude lay sprawled on her back.

Blood!

Sprawled, dear?

Sprawled.

Blood spurted from the slashed breast.

Blood also stained the exposed thigh.

And the gossamer yellow hair was a wildly disheveled mass

over the staring blank eyes.

Was it possible, Madeline wondered,

that Howard could be capable of such violence of murder?

Well, that wraps up chapter eight.

Poor Howard.

I don't think I'm gonna like his being killed.

Why do you think he'll be killed?

Because he's related to your leading character.

And in all your works, you make a point of killing off.

Very close relatives.

Now, G, let's not get into that invalid.

Tires some laborious discussion again.

I'm not killing you.

Howard will be killed.

Yes!

But ingeniously.

Oh, of course.

Shall we go on?

No, that's enough for tonight.

Shall we have a little tipple?

Ooh!

But first, let me read back this.

Make sure I got it right before we stop.

Madeline's eyes were drawn against her will to the couch

where Gertrude still lay sprawled on her back.

Blood spurted from the slashed breast.

Blood too stained the exposed thigh.

And the gossamer...

That's enough.

I don't want to hear anymore.

That's horrid.

Norma, why was he trying to kill you?

You didn't want to go out tonight.

You were frightened.

You've been warned.

Dear, will you go home?

It's that book.

It's something to do with that book.

For books?

For books?

Well, you go home.

Oh, you're a boss of money.

How tall are you anyway?

I always gave the illusion of height on the screen.

Films make most actresses seem heavier,

but somehow I always seem to be taller.

Norma, you're not answering me.

I have answered you.

I said go home.

Don't we call you when I get home?

Not unless you want to wait me.

You make me feel so helpless.

Well, baby, what's the mother for?

I'm not going to go home.

I'm not going to go home.

I'm not going to go home.

I'm not going to go home.

Oh, baby, what's the mother for?

Mariskino Cherry.

Now for the florin' oven.

Oh, gee, let me fix it.

You make such a deal about it.

But that nice waitress in Trasse insists it's the touch of florin' up.

That's enough of a touch.

And the hell will the Mariskina Cherry's?

Who could that be at this hour?

Dear, it's not your killer.

It's a woman.

A woman, how do you know?

Because women ring once.

Men ring twice.

Why? I'm impressed.

Thank you.

It could be a couple.

Be careful.

And don't take the chain off the door.

Here, we don't have a chain on the door.

I don't think we have time to put one on.

I'm just never going to write again after dark.

Oh.

I'm sorry. It's the wrong apartment.

We like it.

May I help you?

Oh, I'm looking for Lieutenant Stephen Ostrowski.

They told me at the police station he'd be here.

It's the right apartment.

He lives here?

No.

He visits here.

And not as often as he should.

I'm his aunt, Gwendolyn.

Oh, how do you do?

I'm Mary Nero.

Please come in.

And this is Stephen's Aunt Ernesta.

Hello.

Don't I know you?

I don't think so, but I do know you.

I've read all your books.

And I saw you on the car accident show the other night.

You have great legs.

Oh, thank you.

Come in.

Stephen isn't here.

Could we help?

I don't think so.

He often confides in us.

Is it a police matter?

No.

No.

I'm not yet.

This doesn't make much sense.

You're apprehensive.

You sense that someone you know is in trouble.

How did you know?

Oh, Ernesta's superbly observant.

True.

Now, who is it that you please sit down?

Your mother.

Yes.

How did you know?

Oh, no, dear.

I'm not that clairvoyant.

You resemble your mother.

Your Norma treats daughter.

The likeness is uncanny.

Oh, do you know her?

No, her.

She was in our play.

Is the Norma in trouble?

I think her life is in danger.

That's something you read in a melodrama, not something you say.

Her life is in danger.

Has she been threatened?

Someone tried to run her down tonight and then threatened her on the phone, I think.

Could you hear what was said?

No, but I saw a reaction.

And the other night at a restaurant,

mother was on the wrong side of several months.

And started talking about her book.

Her book?

Yes, she's about to publish her autobiography.

I haven't seen it, but I think she was indiscreetly explicit about her past.

And if you know, mother...

Oh, the five divorces.

All those leading men.

And the political scandal.

You know, mother.

My sister hasn't missed an issue of Photo Play magazine

since it first came out in 1923.

Go on with your story, dear.

Oh, well, the owner, Alexander.

Alexander Scalamandri?

Yes.

That's a perb, chef.

What about Alexander?

Well, he was at our table, and he said to mother that it was his healthy conjecture

that she would be ill-advised to publish such a book.

Oh, that sounds like dear Alexander.

He does love to play with words, and so often loses.

Where's your mother now?

At home.

Would you feel better if we got her out of the house?

She won't leave.

Well, call her and ask her to dinner.

It's something we've been meaning to do for a long time anyway.

When did you last see mother?

Uh, 1946.

What's the number, dear?

Oh.

Five, five, five, four, seven, two, one.

Five, four, seven, two, one.

She doesn't answer.

But that's impossible.

She's compulsive.

She just pay phones.

Good morning, ladies and girls.

The Missy, Missy, we don't go out at night.

We stay home at night, it looks like snow ladies.

Maybe one of the worst nights of the year now.

We're not going, are we?

We're going.

Mrs. Ron?

Very wrong.

I shouldn't be here, you shouldn't be here, we shouldn't be here.

That's a very natural progression, Barney.

It's wrong.

It's shorter if you turn down the hills then.

No, not.

He's very proud.

He was a patrolman for 20 years.

He has a grid map of the city for a nervous system.

We should have waited for the lieutenant.

Call the police.

But somebody didn't answer their telephone.

Then you call the phone company.

They're less interested than anyone in whose phone is working.

She hit this hour of the night.

It's wrong.

Beneath that rough exterior is an impossible interior.

But beneath that is something well worth discovering.

He's supposed to spy on us for our nephew.

Keep us out of trouble.

And he hates it, so the less he knows,

the less guilty he feels.

The less his ulcer acts up.

Oh, it's the next street on...

I know that.

There's nobody home.

But the lights are on.

But I gotta watch on too, but that doesn't mean it's working.

She probably went to bed.

That's why she didn't answer the phone.

Shall we go home?

Barney, I'm not going to go home.

I'm not going to go home.

You're not going to go home.

Barney.

Watch your step.

That's it, ladies.

Fred Lightly.

Whoops.

She's about to leave the station.

Here we go.

Do you have a key, dear?

No, I don't.

She could have gone out.

She hasn't been out of the house alone for months.

Mr. How do we get in?

I don't know, Gee.

No, no, no.

That's breaking an entry.

A violation of the New York penal code.

It's not like her not to answer the phone and the door.

I know she's home.

All right.

It's wrong. It's dead wrong.

I'm not going to go home.

I'm not going to go home.

I'm not going to go home.

I'm not going to go home.

I'm not going to go home.

Mother?

Mother?

Are you there?

She couldn't possibly have fallen in that position without knocking over one of those

hand-on-handers.

Pretty feeble attempt.

The gun's still in her hand.

We'll run the gun through for fingerprints.

You won't find any, but run it through anyway.

When I get a ballistics test, have the lab call me as soon as they have anything.

Right.

Will this do?

Oh, it's perfect.

Where's Miss Nero?

In the library.

How about your hands?

You look reasonably comfortable.

Have them wait. I want to speak to Miss Nero for it.

Miss Nero?

Miss Mihill?

Help.

I won't be any delayed reaction. I'm feeling what I can feel.

Mm-hmm.

Considering you didn't know your mother very well.

Research?

Observation.

You're right. I didn't know her was a birth certificate relationship.

She left my father in me shortly after I was born.

Cleared out the joint savings account, headed for Hollywood.

How did you and your mother be discover each other?

Was a tender reunion in a taxi.

I... I began seeing her on and off.

I don't know why.

We... we had dinner once, twice a week.

Didn't make much sense. We fought more than we talked.

I regret the absence of tears tonight.

They were used up more than 20 years ago.

I think I could use this now.

Yeah.

Well, if there are more questions, I'd like to go upstairs.

No more. Not just now.

Oh, Miss Nero, there is one... one more question.

Do you have any idea who might have threatened your mother?

No.

Okay.

You see that note now? In a minute, Lieutenant. We're almost finished with it.

Okay.

I'll visit my ass.

Well, I think I'm owed a simple explanation,

although I don't expect to get one.

But how did you get into this house?

Did the killer leave the door open?

Or did I just leave the door open by suggesting that the door was left open?

I let him in.

Well, that explains them. How did you get in?

Oh, Lieutenant, you know how I got in.

What's wrong?

Now, if you need me, I'll be in the car.

My plugs are acting up.

Now, I... Hey.

You getting it cold?

No. It's just such an unusual scent.

Is that a corset? Didn't Norma use it?

No. She always wore Norma.

It was specially made for in Paris.

You wouldn't touch anything else.

Lieutenant? Yes.

They finished with the note.

Oh. Uh... Miss Nero.

Is this your mother's handwriting?

Yes, I think it is.

Would you mind reading it, please? I, uh... I can't find my glasses.

Dear Mary, don't forget to see Mr. Largo

as soon as possible, mother.

What does that mean to you?

Nothing, I... I don't know anyone named Largo.

Check out all the Largo's in Manhattan, Bronx, the Queens, Brooklyn,

and, uh, the entire country is necessary.

I'll get right on it. Right.

Lieutenant, we're finished with that room now.

You could bring the ladies in if you want it.

Well, as long as you're here, you might as well be comfortable.

Thank you, Stephen.

Gino, check out the neighborhood.

Find out if anyone saw a car or taxi coming or going.

It was a car. A white car.

Look for a white car, Gino.

Look, no offense, Lieutenant, but don't you think we should get that confirmed?

When we drove up, there were three cars parked at the curb.

Green, white, and red in that order.

One thought inevitably of the flag of the Irish Republic.

But, Lieutenant...

...out of the front door.

You'll see the white one is gone.

Uh, look for a white car, Gino.

It doesn't necessarily follow that the killer took off.

And that car doesn't people cut it?

Soon after we entered the house, a car drove off.

Mmm!

The speed of acceleration indicated escape.

And at least 400 horsepower.

I would say that the shifting characteristics were those of a foreign sports car.

Gino, look for a white foreign sports car.

Lieutenant,

all the drawers up there are open.

You've got any idea why?

No, I don't.

I think I do.

We think it was a manuscript.

A manuscript?

Norma's autobiography.

Thank you.

Would it have been handwritten or typed?

Probably long hand. I don't think she could type.

A long hand manuscript?

A long hand manuscript? We may have found it in the bedroom.

Okay, where is it, Robert?

It's in the draw here, Lieutenant.

No, they're my poems. I left them here.

Norma wanted to read them.

We'll see that you get these back.

What we're looking for is probably much thicker random.

Would you know if she kept the manuscript in a loosely book, a notebook?

I knew I saw it.

Well, would anyone else have a copy of it?

Not to my knowledge.

The killer might. He could have found him taking them with him.

He was still looking for it when my aunt and company arrived.

If it was ever here, it's still here.

We had to be here. Norma said she was working on it.

Raymond, go over this place thoroughly.

Turn everything upside down.

Or right side up.

I think in those check all the publishers in the morning,

thought I was bringing out the book and more important, who's in it?

Better make another note to pick up my notebook, my glasses and my pen.

The plugs are panging.

Good.

It's time to say good night to the ladies.

There's snooping again.

And an ester.

Should we say good night?

Good night.

Good night.

This is illegal.

That's right. And final.

Barney, straight home. No field trip, gotcha.

I'll see that Miss Niro gets home.

If you can't sleep dear or you want to talk, just call us no matter what the hour.

We never close.

Thank you.

You've both been very kind.

We ready now, ladies?

Ciao.

Ciao.

They are very kind and very dear.

Yeah, they are.

Like this.

It's a little chilly up there, dear Barney.

Would you mind warming the car before we go?

Oh, not at all, ladies.

It promised me one thing.

Stay right here.

Don't move.

I said don't move.

You can learn a lot about a person by the books he owns.

Norma always loved Green.

These books must have come with the house.

If I remember her correctly, of course you do, dear.

Without her, your play would have been a smash.

She was never much of a reader.

Certainly not nature, Schopenhauer.

And Charles Schulz.

And, gee, look.

Twelve books by Melvin.

Melvin Douglas?

Is there only one Melvin for you?

It's just that Melvin Douglas reminds me of dear George so much.

Your late husband bore as much resemblance to Melvin Douglas

as my books due to classical literature.

The Melvin that I was referring to is Melvin Kaplan.

There are twelve books as told to Melvin Kaplan here.

Doesn't that strike you as curious?

Curious.

Curious, yes.

Even Melvin Kaplan doesn't own twelve Melvin Kaplan books.

Have there been any announcements of the book in newspapers or columns?

There must have been.

She must have had a public relations man.

I better make a note to check on that.

Excuse me.

You know, you bear a striking resemblance to my two aunts.

So we've been told.

It's too bad they left.

You might have enjoyed meeting them.

As a matter of fact, you might still be able to catch up with them.

If you leave, right now.

Are we being thrown out?

Thrown out.

That's a very inadequate description for someone of your acquaintance with words.

Are we being thrown out?

Of course, and officially escorted.

All right, Barney.

Oh, boy.

Barney, you moved.

Don't let him out of your sight till you tuck him in bed.

Ladies, our relationship is deteriorating.

All right, ladies.

Out, out.

They go my two best men.

I wonder what they were doing in there.

They are brilliant, you know, in their own way.

Do you know what has suddenly occurred to me?

Yes, dear.

What do you think?

You're right.

Melvin Kaplan must have been collaborating with Norma O'Rourke.

Shouldn't we tell Stephen?

Oh, Melvin would never cooperate with the police.

You remember that time he was subpoenaed.

He went to jail for five days rather than reveal his source.

You're right there.

Melvin would never betray your confidence, except on paper.

As long as we were in the neighborhood, Barney, dear,

we would like to call on the son of an old friend of ours.

Please take us to 563 East 53rd.

I promise to go, Tenna, I take you straight home.

I don't want to go back in my word.

We wouldn't want you to take us home.

I can't. And then take us to 563 East 53rd.

How long were you in the house before we got here?

Oh, 45 minutes.

Not good.

Why?

Well, the killers may think my aunt has found the manuscript.

Well, then they're in danger.

Yeah.

And so are you.

Now, then, how long do you intend to be?

We don't know.

That's too long. I could get into trouble.

We'll rush.

Good girl.

No dues, 218.

Oh!

We're over. I tried to slash my wrist.

No.

I slashed my wrist.

Yeah, no. Go on with the story.

Oh, wasn't that filthy mattress riddled with lads?

Oh, my gosh.

Hello, Melvin.

I don't know if you remember us.

Tinker toys, erector sets, the Snoop Sisters.

A part of my remembered and revered past.

And every Christmas, a uniquely joyous card.

Melvin, we have something to tell you.

The British are coming.

I mean, why else would you be here so close to midnight?

May we come in?

Yeah, come on in.

Listen, forgive the mess.

Where did my maid walk?

The stumbled out of here with my last bottle of sliver bits

and half a leg of lamb.

Make yourself comfortable. Just sit anyplace.

We'll stand here.

The last time we saw you, you were seven.

And you had just received your first fish tank.

I remember that.

You? I have more now.

I would say so.

Yeah?

Feeding time.

After listening to people talk all day long, purge themselves.

The silence of fish must be very welcome.

Yes, and infinitely more interesting.

You know I'm fascinated by these. What do you call them?

They call them piranha.

It's good for their inferiority complex.

Do you want to ask me something?

I'm afraid it's going to be difficult and unpleasant.

Melbourne, no more retreat is dead.

Now tell me what's difficult and unpleasant.

Should she kill herself?

Do you think she will?

She's seen the type.

No, Melbourne.

It was murder.

The police are convinced that the killer was after the manuscript

of her autobiography.

And of course that's why we thought of you.

We noticed all of your books displayed in our library.

And of course then we realized that you had been the one who wrote the book for her.

And the library was the only room in the house that wasn't turned upside down in the search.

We thought perhaps the killer had come to the same conclusion as we have.

In which case it was absolutely imperative that you be warned.

Well thank you.

Well it's really completely unnecessary.

I only met with her once.

Look I have a certain reputation if I may say so in my view.

And what's it based on?

Human appeal.

Sex yes.

The Generacy a must.

You name it.

There's one essential ingredient the women I write about.

Must want to find themselves.

Want to be redeemed.

Redemption is the key word.

I found out that Norma Treet was completely uninterested in being reborn.

So he had a drink and a snack and that was it.

I passed.

You mean you turned her down?

Yes.

And I believe that ends our conversation.

I'm not really set up for entertaining but is there something I could serve you?

No thank you.

I think I've got a sandwich around here someplace.

As you so observantly pointed out before Melvin it is late.

Thank you for seeing us.

And thank you for your concern.

Good night.

Good night G.

Melvin.

Possibly you couldn't see from where you were standing dear.

The tapes with Norma T on them were kind of eminently worth investigating don't you think?

Indeed.

Are you hungry?

I'm hungry dear we've had dinner and it's 11 o'clock at night.

Alexander Scalamandre's restaurant is just around the corner.

I am rather hungry should we take the car?

Let's not wake him.

You should tell him where we're going.

I'll leave a note on him.

I don't know what to do.

I'm not sure what to do.

I'm not sure what to do.

I'm not sure what to do.

I'm not sure what to do.

I'm not sure what to do.

I'm not sure what to do.

I'm not sure what to do.

Well it looks like we're fresh out of our geeks space.

They disappear around five o'clock in this neighborhood.

Why don't you just drop me off?

I've got a better idea.

Why don't I just drive around the block one more time and then if I can't find anything I have a solution.

Would you say that Melbourne was?

Definitely was.

I thought so too.

And if he was involved with Norma that means that he wrote the book.

So question is why do we lie?

And that's for G.

Alex Sander.

I didn't know you were the beard.

Tonight's the night for beard.

My most favorite ladies in the whole world.

What a glorious surprise under to dismal night.

Are you doing my neighborhood and not in my restaurant?

Why do you do your restaurant?

What are you doing outside your restaurant?

This station is raw, it's evil.

Even with such panderers of the paradise eye.

I'm looking for customers.

But at least someone to talk to.

Companionship.

I had no idea things were so bad.

Bad!

Last night there wasn't anybody in my restaurant.

And tonight business isn't quite that good.

You're having supper with me.

Consider yourself hijacked.

Are they really your ads?

Sure.

My mother's systems.

Oh, here we go.

Isn't it illegal to double-farf?

Yeah, I'm glad there isn't a copper out.

Thanks for bringing me home.

Oh, I'd do the same for any suspect.

Suspect?

Sure.

Suspect by definition.

This morning must be pursued.

I heard, I'd love to ask you in.

Go ahead.

I'm exhausted.

Yeah.

And I'm double-parked.

I'll call you tomorrow as soon as we know anything.

My own private stock.

I think it myself.

Nobody else will buy it.

Pass him!

No.

I warned at a time, less than a week ago, that someone will resent that book.

We'll re-know someone dead.

Do you have an idea who that someone might be?

Yes. That someone is everyone.

Without even mentioning your ex-husband's.

Anyone with a slightest claim to celebrity would certainly be crucified

at their horrendous volume.

Knowing Norma, she couldn't have a nice word for anyone.

There is one lone individual in New York, which certainly did not wish any ill.

Who?

My drink to the electable lady is pinky-aller, the only human being in this wide, free world

that will open New York Times tomorrow morning.

We'd shed a slight tear.

Would you get a joint in some crepe?

Oh, thank you, no.

Nothing more.

What a lovely meal it has been there.

Thank you.

Joseph, my compliments to myself.

It was a delightful dinner.

Let me escort you home.

Oh, dear, no. No, no, Alexander.

You stay here.

And Joseph can take you.

No, it's only a short block, and we could use the air and exercise.

Oh, thank you.

But will you be able to get home all right, as we shall?

Oh, yes.

Good night, dear, dear, dear, dear, dear, Alexander.

My fairness, my delectable delight.

Good night.

It's so surprising that the champagne went to Alexander's head when there's so much room in his stomach.

It's not light.

Most of the evening he wasn't like in his surprising and unnecessary defensive pinkie Ellen.

What do you think?

I think he suspects us enormous chaperone her.

Must be quite vicious.

Or else he knows it is.

Then perhaps his warning to Norma was not as impersonal as he led us to the E.

It does make one think.

Well, as long as one is thinking, it would be well to think about the man who is following us.

I thought those footsteps had a progressively relentless sound to them.

Can you see him?

Only a silhouette.

He has a gun.

I'm going to suggest something at the count of three.

What?

One, two, go!

Miss Niro, please.

She went out.

How long ago?

You've been out all week.

Oh, I see.

No. No, no, no messages.

Thank you.

You should tell Stephen about Melvin and Alexander, but there's one thing we really must not mention.

Oh, right here we cannot tell him about the gunman.

It would reflect badly on Barney.

Stephen would blame him for not taking better care of us.

He simply does not realize Barney's age.

Dear boy.

What doesn't have the heart to wake him?

I would suggest that you drive dear, but he has the key in his pocket.

We don't need a key. I have my hat pin.

And ours is a very vulnerable lock.

What's that?

I see you're on the sidewalk, you're jingling.

Wrong.

Oh, the running is excitement.

Your legs hurt as much as mine.

Last year, but then I jog.

Can I borrow your linobent?

Of course it's in the bathroom.

You might be interested in this.

The 1948 issue of photo play, page 36, story and pictures.

Alexander left Norma treat for Pinkie Allen.

It was a torrid desertion.

I never would have recognized Alexander.

He's a quarter of his presence self.

Well, that's before he had a reputation to maintain.

One must be instinctively suspect of a slender gourmet chef.

Oh.

Ernesto.

Do you think the man who shot at us was trying to kill us?

No. It was just a warning shot telling us not to get involved.

Why?

Because we're very good.

Just trying to frighten us off.

Are we frightened?

No. Good.

Have you any idea who our gunman might have been?

Yes, Melvin Kaplan. I thought so.

But if you were sure it was a warning shot,

why did you insist on our adopting the prone position so precipitously?

Well, considering Melvin's eyesight, he might have missed and hit us.

I'm going to have a talk with Barney.

Please don't blame Barney, dear.

He protested. We persevered.

Sure, sir.

Excuse me.

Yeah.

Oh, Raymond.

Yeah, listen, there's been a change in plans.

Yeah, I'm going over to Melvin Kaplan's with you.

Uh-huh. See if I can talk him into playing some normatreat tapes for me.

Yes, I got a tip.

Now, you check into Alexander's Scalamander reform.

Find out anything you can about him.

Where he was early last night.

Look into anything that could tie him in with Norma Drew.

And don't forget Pinky Allen, dear. They still may be of all the do.

And a woman named Pinky Allen.

Right.

Lieutenant, I... Yeah.

Oh, I'm sorry.

Oh, it's okay. You know my ass, anything?

Lynx, there isn't a single publisher in New York who contracted the public study book.

Norma treat approached quite a few, but her terms were too stiff.

Did any of them get a look at it?

She wouldn't even show him an outline.

And her PR man claims he didn't even know about the book.

And no leads on the white sports car.

Mr. Lara Goer married Nero's trip last night.

Thanks, Roberts.

You don't suspect Mary.

I called her last night, too.

Thought you might have gone over there. But she also was home.

She might have slept through the ring.

She might have if she'd been home to sleep through it.

Mestroski?

Yeah?

Well, go over it again.

Right.

No manuscript.

It's just a fault, dear.

But have you checked whether Norma had a safe deposit box?

Mm.

Under all five of her married names.

And under Largo, too.

I even thought Treat might have been her stage name, but it turned out it was her family name.

And you found nothing.

A checking account at First National on 58th Street.

If one has a safety deposit box, it's usually in the same bank with one's checking account.

Mm.

But it's probably under a different name.

I have a court order, but that's not going to help me find the pseudonym.

We'll go now, dear. You're busy.

Yeah?

Mr. Carmen is here, Norma, please publish.

I'll be right out.

Lieutenant Nastroski?

I'm Charles Coleman.

Oh, please do me a chair, won't you come?

These are my aunts.

Mr. Nester Snoop?

And Mrs. Gwendolyn Snoop Nicholson.

How do you do?

How do you do?

You are the Boston Cormans.

But yes, as a matter of fact, the Cormans are.

Your firm published my first and only book of poems.

Really?

I'm sorry, I don't believe I read it.

Nobody did.

One question.

I have a question.

Weren't you just about ready to leave?

Nice meeting you.

Ladies.

Won't you come in, Mr. Cormans?

Oh, thank you.

Well, the next and most important question is...

Excuse me, uh, toast was a bit dry at breakfast.

You do have a copy of Norma Treat's book.

Uh, no.

No, I don't.

Uh, oh, thank you.

You don't?

Well, I had an appointment with Mr. Treat for ten o'clock this morning to take possession of the manuscript.

I saw the papers as I was leaving the hotel.

Hotel?

Uh, yes, I came in from Boston on the night train, checked in blouse this morning.

When I saw the papers, I came directly here.

Won't you sit down, Mr. Cormans?

Oh, thank you.

Two points.

Yeah.

You, uh, you have read an outline of the book.

Not a word, those were her term.

The contracts would be signed, signed, unseen.

With the clause forbidding us to alter a single word.

Is that usual publishing procedure?

Well, certainly not.

But in this case, I personally felt it was worth the gamble.

Was there an advance?

Uh, hefty one.

Mr. Cormans, I must say that, uh, I would say that, uh, the book was a little bit different.

But, uh, I was under the impression your house was, well, quite a serious one.

And that, I'm afraid, may prove to be our downfall.

You see, people don't read books anymore.

Only non-books.

Uh, I'll make no bones about it.

If that book was a verbal bombshell before the murder, think of the impact it could have now.

It could be worth millions.

Mr. Corman?

A man like you might well save Corman in Sun single-handedly.

I intend to.

And now, Lieutenant, with your permission, I'll take possession of the manuscript.

It's legally the property of Corman in Sun's.

I, uh, I have all the required documents, right?

What manuscript?

We couldn't find one in the house.

No manuscript.

But that doesn't seem possible.

Surely the writer that she was working with would have a copy.

How did you know she was working with the writer?

Well, her knowledge of English was that best.

I'm afraid, uh, speaking acquaintance.

Do you know who the writer was?

No.

Oh, Ernesto, let's not go to the bank.

I cannot ask Warren Packer to do me that kind of a fate, darling, considering your past history with Warren.

Oh, Ernesto, that was a long time ago.

But eradicable, dear.

Warren knew Norma.

As president of the bank, he surely must have seen her come in.

And of all people who might know that's certain him, he's the most likely.

And of all people, he's most likely to tell it to.

Well, don't blush.

You said yourself it was long ago.

And after all...

What are you doing?

What are you doing now?

Through away the pride.

Ernesto, why don't you come in with me?

Oh, no, dear.

I'm sure Warren wouldn't give the privileged information if we were together.

I'll just get some air.

Tomo!

Ernesto.

You haven't learned anything.

They gotta hold a big tight.

Or what you're gonna lose it.

Oh!

Barney, put him down. This is Charlie.

Yeah, I know who it is.

A random in 15 years ago for breaking an underwear.

You're messing the suit.

He's my friend, Barney.

Yeah.

Put him down.

Charlie was the prototype, the model for Sparky the safe cracker in...

H.

As an homicide.

I know.

I tore all the lingo, you know, all the technical stuff.

But I'm legit now.

That's my new stand down there.

Oh, Ernesto, I carry all of your books.

You know, could you, could you order grass, some of them for me?

But of course.

I'll be back in a minute.

Ernesto.

Over the rest.

Then hold it tight with the arms in.

Okay?

We'll write, come on.

She has some very strange friends.

L

www.m JULIE

I didn't kill him.

Then why were you running?

Same reason you were chasing me.

There's a dead man back there.

You had to think I killed him.

But he was dead when I got there.

I swear.

What's your name?

I'm innocent.

That's the first name of your last name.

Come on.

Come on.

It's not the Turulei.

Anton, the Turulei.

The Anton, the Turulei.

Huh?

Well in case you haven't guessed it.

The Anton, the Turulei.

I'm not going to do it.

I'm not going to do it.

I'm not going to do it.

I'm not going to do it.

I'm not going to do it.

I'm not going to do it.

I'm not going to do it.

Well in case you haven't guessed it.

The Anton, the Turulei.

You're under arrest.

I'll be back in a minute.

Barney, was that Mary who just went into the bank?

Yeah.

Did she see you?

No, I.

What happens if she sees G in the bank?

What happens?

Barney, you must learn not to pry.

I hope G uses her characteristic ingenuity.

If I could do it for anyone, G, I would do it for you.

But I cannot compromise my position.

What you're asking me to reveal is completely confidential.

Of course, Warren dear.

And you have my word for it.

It will be treated as such.

I'm sorry, G.

It's quite impossible.

I knew if anybody could have done it, you could.

Sorry, I couldn't help.

Goodbye, Warren.

See you again soon.

I can't leave just yet, Warren.

Why?

G, what's wrong?

You're not answering me.

See you again leaves me speechless.

My thought imprisoned in memory may I sit down for a moment.

Of course.

Are you all right?

Oh yes.

This is good for the spine eliminates tension.

Yoga.

Is there anything I can do?

Perhaps some Warren.

Of course.

Oh, could you tell me how to get to the safe deposit vault?

G.

Yes.

Are you all right?

I was just looking for my hearing.

You weren't wearing any hearing.

Oh, that's good.

I didn't find it.

Here's your...

Your water.

I'm sorry, I spilled some of it.

Oh, all right.

I don't need it now. I'm fine.

K-A-N-D-E-R-A-D-E.

Candorave, does it mean anything to you?

Yes, it's Swedish.

It means candy or sweet.

Or treat.

And normal is Swedish.

Remember, we met our father during rehearsals for your play.

So she must have been going to norm a safe deposit box.

What do you think, E.C.A.D.?

A splendid idea.

Simply splendid.

How did you know about the book?

Mm-hmm.

Norma told me about it.

She's a party.

She's a little drunk.

She's a little pretty talk to that.

She's a little drunk.

She's a little pretty talk to that.

I've heard the story.

But you never read the book.

No.

And how did you know what was in it?

I didn't, but it wasn't difficult to guess what Norma would write about me.

Well, our marriage.

We'd done it only lasted for six months,

but what it lacked in being in longevity,

more than made up in animosity.

She's very vindictive, very malicious.

I'm a choreographer.

You could take it from there.

Who told you Kaplan was working on the book?

No, and the Kaplan's the king of those smart confessionals.

One thing about Norma, she always went for the best.

What did you hope to accomplish with Kaplan?

I thought he might have the manuscript everybody's looking for.

I went there to buy it, to buy it, and to bury it.

I was prepared off room $20,000.

That offer still holds, Lieutenant.

I could book you for that alone.

I've changed my mind. I want a lawyer.

Call one who will bring you a dry suit.

Mary, I've got a happy chance.

Hello.

Could we give you a lift wherever you're going?

Oh, that's very sweet of you, but I'm just fine.

Oh, you're both.

You're all right.

I'm fine.

I'm fine.

Go on.

Get down.

Ah!

Hey, Barney.

Come here.

You're under arrest.

Barney, you're not a cop anymore.

Tell her, Mr. Dutters, nothing here except the Norma treats Will.

It seems that a merry mirror was dissolved.

You mean to tell me that you and Anesta planned this whole thing?

That's wrong, Charlie.

Dead wrong.

You're going to get to come up in one of these days.

I hardly felt it.

Just the slightest tongue who poured darling.

No credit cards, I hope.

Ah, success, I believe.

Here it is.

An

interesting thing that you just did was absolutely illegal.

I hope you realize you participated in it.

Wrong.

Barney, you better get going.

Where are we going now?

Not we, you.

Please follow Mary.

See where she's going in such a big hurry.

All right.

All right.

For a melon, we warned him that having seen the books, the killer might come to the same conclusion as we.

Or, or somehow without knowing it, Melvin revealed his involvement with Norma to the killer.

True.

Stephen, did you listen to Norma's tapes?

Yes.

What'd she say?

She said that she found it difficult to talk into a tape.

And she said that for five hours.

No manuscript in the box, Lieutenant.

Thank you.

You're sure that all that Mary took was Norma's will?

Absolutely.

Why are you so sure?

You never did explain how you knew what she took from this vault.

No, dear, we didn't.

Well, that clears that up.

Oh, there's Barney.

Ladies, she went straight.

Lieutenant.

A person had questioned and went straight back to a pub.

I think there was a man inside.

I could hear a conversation.

Couldn't make out the words.

Old building thick walls.

Are you talking about Mary?

Am I talking about Mary?

Yeah, I'm talking about Mary.

Thank you.

Stephen.

Yes, I'll call you as soon as I talk to a person in question.

Anybody's will go to?

Missy, Missy, I'm going to talk to you for a minute.

Something I want to say without any interruptions.

Well?

I thought you'd interrupt.

Mr. Manamantor, what is the ladies' homing?

Now, there's a lot going on around here that I don't know about.

I just want to let you know that I know about.

What I don't like is you two taking off on the streets by yourselves.

You're walking through yesterday, and you could get clobbered by today.

You're remembering what was.

Well, you can't play posse either.

Pitch pennies have played stick ball no more.

That's a rough town out there.

That's rough, rough, rough.

Now, what I want from you, ladies, is an agreement.

Oh, no, Scout's honor.

Let's promise.

No more traipsing around this town by ourselves.

Come on, ladies, do it for me, wouldn't you?

I don't want anything to happen to you.

All I'd have left is my pension.

I can't live on a

street.

Will you think about it?

Time off of good back.

Let's go.

It doesn't make sense.

If the manuscript wasn't in the safe to posse posse,

Mary, I am not going back until it's found.

That's fine.

You were crazy to come here.

Possibly.

Why didn't you call me first?

That would have been the act of a reasonable man that you put on the

call.

I haven't been rational.

You can't end it.

Good morning.

I promised I call.

Yes, but you didn't say in person.

Well, I, uh, I found a parking space.

I'm not going to say anything.

I'm not going to say anything.

I'm not going to say anything.

I'm not going to say anything.

I'm not going to say anything.

I'm not going to say anything.

You can't get in.

I'm not going to say anything.

Well, I, uh, I found a parking space.

Nice apartment.

Oh, yes it is.

I'd, uh, love to ask you in for a cup of coffee,

but I'm just on my way out.

If you want to talk, we can do it while we're walking.

Don't you want to wait for your friend?

Friend?

I think you better come in, Dad.

Ha, ha.

That's all right, Barney.

One second, ladies.

Now, shall I put the car away, ladies?

Who are we going out of here?

Put it away.

We're writing this afternoon.

All right?

You want to work now, or should we have lunch first?

You don't mind cooking while I straighten out my notes.

We can write afterwards.

What are we having for lunch?

Well, I believe we're having cream of tomato soup.

Oh, dear.

I was hoping we'd have something different for a change.

Here, you shop.

If you wanted something different, why didn't you

buy something different?

I meant to.

But one's freedom of selection is so severely limited

by one's preferences.

Mr. G, I just wanted to tell you.

Shh.

What's going on there?

Shh.

I'll stay there.

Shh.

I'll stay there.

Perkins.

Come on.

Get up.

Ladies, I want you to meet my old Perkins and all acquaintance

of mine, and the worst private eye in New York City.

Hello.

What were you looking for anyway?

A manuscript.

Yeah.

Well, how did you think it was here?

His client thought we had it.

Yeah.

Who's your client?

Oh, no.

Come on.

You know I can't tell you anything like that.

Huh?

Yeah, huh?

Breaking and entering with intent to commit a felony.

That's three to five years, Milo.

Barney, I was just trying to make a buck.

My client offered $30,000 for that manuscript.

I thought if I found it, I found it.

You found it, you could pocket the money.

Yeah.

Well, you can understand.

I mean, with the new divorce laws, there's not much work around.

It's really rough out there.

Things are going to get a lot rougher with you.

You don't tell me what you're working for.

No chance.

No chance?

Now, tell Lieutenant Lostrowski.

Come on along with me.

Ladies, I'm taking him down to see the lieutenant.

We'll drive you.

No.

Wrong.

No chance.

I want to get him there.

We'll take a nice, quiet cab ride.

Come on.

Then the sole purpose of your trip was to visit your daughter.

So, of course, you came straight here from the airport last night.

No, I went to the hotel.

He fell asleep.

And, uh, didn't wake up until midnight?

Just about there.

So, when he didn't show up, you naturally went out to dinner with your mother instead?

No.

It wasn't that...

I didn't know that he was coming.

Oh, I see.

A surprise visit.

Yes, I came here and Mary wasn't here, so I left a note.

And when I came in, I found it and went to the hotel to see Dad.

Okay, Mr. Niro.

And exactly what time did you go to visit your former wife last night?

What?

Why would he visit Norma? He hasn't even thought of her for 20 years.

I told you I just came to visit my daughter.

Who spent the first morning of your reunion as Mary Condorati.

Opening Norma Condorati's safe deposit box.

How did you get that key, by the way?

Norma gave it to me about a month ago.

Why?

We were having dinner one night and she told me to meet her.

The next morning, she didn't say why.

When I did, she took me to the bank and signed me in as a code of positor under that name.

Didn't that seem strange to you?

Yes.

But with Norma, everything was strange.

Only what was normal appeared to be different.

Did she give you any explanation?

She just said in case anything happens.

I didn't think about it much at the time, but this morning I suddenly realized...

The manuscript might be there.

That's right.

So the will was a surprise.

The wimp...

Oh, I can't admit.

How did you find out about the...

What is that?

Do you have anything?

I was trying to find the manuscript.

Of course.

To turn it over to the police.

To burn it.

Why should all those people suffer?

Because Norma was a drunken, evil, vindictive.

Did you hate her enough to kill her last night before you went to my answer?

She was alive when I left her.

We only have your word for that.

Lieutenant.

Don't.

Now he's trying to bait you.

Lieutenant, I did visit Norma last night after Mary had left.

Are you saying that to protect your daughter?

Lieutenant, I think you're wise enough to realize it's been the other way around.

Mary didn't want me to tell you that I was there.

My conversation with Norma was unpleasant, but it wasn't murder.

She was alive when I left her around nine o'clock.

Why did you go to visit her?

To talk her out of publishing that book.

It would have hurt a great many people.

One of whom I love very dearly.

You know what you're saying?

I know that if I'm not number one, I'm at least high on the list of your suspects.

I'm the dean of a college.

I can ill afford a scandal.

I was at the house near the time of death.

I have no alibi and I have a motive.

The evasiveness of Howard's answers, the conflict in his attitude,

were not lost upon the inspector and oath.

I couldn't eat and I can't write.

My mind is elsewhere.

Yes.

But what I don't know is...

Neither do I.

Neither do I.

Why would anyone but a publisher offer $30,000 for an unseen manuscript?

And don't forget, Steven was offered an equally overwhelming amount by that choreographer.

Is it possible that they did see the manuscript and this is no more than an old fashioned case of...

Definitely.

Hello?

No, this is G.

Where?

When?

So soon?

So soon?

All right, Alexander.

Alexander Scalamondre.

Yes.

He said Pinky Allen's he wants to see us immediately.

Underline immediately.

Perhaps there will be another awful for that manuscript, which would certainly establish what we were thinking.

That Norma had been practicing blackmail.

Did you bring it first?

No, dear.

Oh, wait a minute. I'll go get mine. We'll need money for a cab.

We'll take the Lincoln.

But Friday has the keys.

I still have my hand in it.

The

village on The

suburbs,

O'

Come on.

Look, tenant, fuck a lifetime.

Doc, that perch.

Make it a house call.

At your aunt's house.

Come on.

Six.

Six.

Black male?

No.

It isn't black male.

Pinkie.

An estan gi.

Black male?

No.

It isn't black male.

Pinkie.

An estan gi can be trusted.

That's why I called him.

It is black male.

Twenty odd years ago when I started all this, my first assignment was designing Norma's clothes.

And I was involved in a bit of a...

In a hell of a scandal.

I thought it was buried, but Norma zoomed it for her book and added a few inaccurate,

but incontestable embellishments.

Quite sordid.

Her price was astronomical.

It certainly undermines an author's ego to realize that there's more money in not being published.

Do you know anyone else who was on Norma's list of contributors?

Yes.

That's why I called you.

I'm Tom de Turole.

Norma's second husband.

I've just been designing the costumes for his new ballet.

Your nephew arrested the Turole.

He's bound to talk.

Implicate us.

Implicate you.

Yes.

We work on spiriters.

We being three.

Yes.

The Turole, Pinkie, and myself.

We just wanted to frighten Norma.

The Turole drove the car.

It almost hit her last night.

Who made the phone call?

Me.

I told her, resorting, I'm sorry to say, to an old-fashioned cliché.

Next time we might not miss.

But of course we never intended a next time.

Well it does fit with the story Mary told us, G.

G?

Oh.

I'm sorry.

I was just noticing all the awards.

They're really, they're hardly pertinent now, dear.

I'm sorry.

It just struck me how inadequate they designed.

They are for design awards if you see what I mean.

Mmm.

Definitely inadequate.

And most irrelevant.

Well, Alexander, we appreciate your taking us into your confidence.

And we will represent your case as ably as we can to our nephew.

Then do it in the best of all possible hands.

Then.

Then.

Then.

I did not remember that Mr. Largo was a motion picture.

I feel as though I'd let photo plate down.

Mmm.

Well, my dear, you were never as mindful of the films as of the chit chat.

You remember who's making it.

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry.

The chit chat.

You remember who's making whom, not who's making what.

True.

Poor Alexander.

Yes.

Oh, the dear man is totally smitten to such an extent that I'm afraid he believes her.

Then you did notice.

Oh, yes.

The think I said perfume.

The same scent that was so strong at Norma's.

That means that Pinky was there that night, doesn't it?

That.

Oh, there's a detective on the force we can't be too sure of.

Eee.

Aah!

Aah!

Aah!

Aah!

Aah!

Eee!

Aah!

Aah!

Aah!

Aah!

Aah!

Aah!

Aah!

Aah!

I'm telling you.

I can't tell you.

Look, I've got a legitimate play and I can't reveal information like that.

Now you could lose your license.

If I tell you what you want, I could lose my business.

The work I do is based on trust.

I didn't know you changed your profession.

Look, lieutenant, I know it's a murder app.

I want to cooperate, but my client is not involved.

You've got my word.

Okay.

Let him go.

What?

Let him go.

Get out of here.

Thanks, lieutenant.

Lieutenant.

Wrong!

Have Johnson's tailor.

First personal contact will be his client.

I want to know who that is.

Right.

Still very wrong.

Aah!

Aah!

Excuse me.

We're looking for someone who can help us locate an old film.

Next to the last door on the left.

If there's anybody knows about the oldies, it's Frank.

Thank you.

All right, stick them up, sweetheart.

One more step and you'll get shot.

All right, stick them up, sweetheart.

One more step and you'll get shot.

My heart is beating quite frantically.

You're a frightened dog.

It's just that marvelous voice of his.

Oh, Frank.

Frank?

Yeah?

You didn't say you were Frank.

I didn't say I wasn't.

I didn't say I wasn't.

I didn't say I wasn't.

I didn't say I wasn't.

I didn't say I wasn't.

I didn't say I wasn't.

I didn't say I wasn't.

We're looking for an old film called Mr. Largo.

You said you could help us.

Largo, Largo.

Oh, yeah.

Portland Productions, 1946,

distributed by Ron Odd Worldwide.

You have a remarkable memory.

Well, I told you, Frank, was special.

No, no.

It's just that someone took it out for a couple of days about a week ago.

Do you remember who?

No.

But I'm not sure.

Who?

No.

But I can find out.

We have records.

Mm-hmm.

Fine.

Okay, Robert.

Senator Johnson just called in.

Perkins said it's straight for the nearest phone booth.

He seemed pretty upset.

Johnson didn't hear the conversation, but he got close enough to see him die.

Here's the phone number.

Want me to check it out?

Not necessary.

I know this number.

Tell Johnson that's all we need.

Right.

Uh, say Lieutenant your answer outside.

No, they're not.

Do you know who this is, dear?

Mr. Largo.

His ashes.

The adventures that Mr. Largo made in 1946, Norma had a bit part in it.

And this will tell us where the manuscript is hidden.

And this will tell us who the murderer is.

Tell him phone number.

The right telephone number, he's come to the same conclusion we did.

It's going to be very hard to prove.

Impossible.

Unless we can persuade the killer to accommodate us with a confession.

Yes.

That's going to take some planning.

And the first order of business is to arrange for a screening.

The second is to get some popcorn.

I never did have lunch.

We're all here because each of us, although for different reasons,

this concern with Norma treats manuscript.

Before she died, Miss T. left a message for her daughter.

It was a brief note, but it contained two key words.

Mr. Largo.

All of us involved in the investigation felt that once we found Mr. Largo,

he interned with lead us to the missing manuscript.

And when we found the manuscript, we would have the instrument we needed

to conclude our homicide investigation,

as well as determining the answers to some puzzling questions

and connections.

Our projectionist is now ready.

We will proceed with our invitational screening of the Adventures of Mr. Largo.

Barney, the lights.

Moby's any afternoon.

It's okay, Tom.

No!

No!

No!

No!

No!

No!

No!

No!

No!

No!

No!

Many actors and actresses keep props from their movies, as mementos.

This one came in handy for Miss Treet.

When she became really frightened,

and decided that she needed a safer hiding place than a locked drawer.

Later, of course, when she heard the murderer in the house,

she left a message for her Mary,

hoping that the killer wouldn't get the clue,

but that sooner or later her daughter would.

If you don't mind, I think I commandeer that.

Alec is under.

It's a shocking, rewritten book.

I assure you.

Melbourne Kaplan's worst effort.

If only for the sake of American letters,

it should be consigned to the flames.

I refuse to be maligned inadequately.

Don't burn it!

You're not in it?

It doesn't even matter.

How did you know that, Mr. Corbin?

Thanks, Corbin, Andre.

No!

I could have done it.

I believe it there.

The gunner, tenant.

Hand your own gun.

Now, back up.

Officer, you're gun on the floor.

All right, now, both of you in the back of the room.

All right, now, I want all your car keys one at a time.

You can let.

My father has won.

I'm not going to let you go.

You can let.

My father has won.

Your keys?

We don't have.

Amy.

We don't have where they are.

Get them!

Hold it!

Stay down!

We're getting from behind.

If we could get to our car and block the drive,

we couldn't get away.

Of course.

Hey!

Hey!

Hey!

Hey!

Now!

Hey!

Hey!

Hey!

Hey!

Hey!

Hey!

Hey!

Oh, of course not.

His board of directors would never allow it.

He saw the black man potentials of the four men.

You're all right.

When Norma first brought it.

Oh!

Mr. Carmen, Praggle gave you a fight.

Give me some justice.

The whole thing in the first place.

Yes, but Norma was frightened and dropping the whole thing.

See the key there, Trento.

He decided to take the manuscript and carry on along.

If I may make a suggestion here, thank you.

And it was a high-level practice phone call that made Stephen suspect Carmen.

Oh, not really, dear.

He was already on to it.

Please.

It was his theory that Coleman was here on the night of the murder

and returned to Boston just to establish an alibi.

MUSIC

You're going the wrong way!

Please, please stop.

Stop, he'll get away.

Never mind him, I want to get away.

If...

...G...

...it's the wrong way!

Hello, Melvin.

Yes, it was a mistake trying to blackmail the blackmailer.

It disturbs me that I didn't realize that Alexander's drunkenness was posed.

Oh, it shouldn't, dear.

This was such an obviously poor portrayal of a drunk.

We had to assume he was drunk.

MUSIC

Oh, that's the thing.

I think it only fair to tell you that I'm getting car sick.

All right, all right.

Who rented the Mr. Largo film? Norma did it.

Norma rented the Mr. Largo film?

I don't care who rented the Mr. Largo.

Would you stop this garlic open and brat?

It's behind us.

Please, a back of us.

Stop! Back up!

Stop!

Stop!

Good!

Stealing's got him.

You can relax now, Barney. We'll drive you home.

Oh, no. No, no.

Fancy cat!

Oh, cat!

I gave Barney the day off tomorrow.

And you know what he said?

Right.

Did you know that you have a couple of gray hairs?

No.

But if I do, I know why I've got them.

This is so poorly written.

Melvin style bewilders me.

Speaking of style here, do you mind a criticism of the dialogue you wrote for Alexander?

Yes, I do.

In a few spots, I think it was over-phrased and broidered, especially that line,

if only for the sake of American letters.

My dear, that was pure Alexander. He strayed from the script.

Of course I should have known. Oh, I'm sorry.

How did you ever get Mr. Scallamandre to play the role?

Blackmail? He wanted to prove Pinky's innocence. He had no choice but to cooperate.

All in all, I think he was quite convincing.

Oh, very convincing. I thought he did it.

Well, I've got the fire going.

This ought to help it along a lot. It's very incendiary.

You know, you surprised me, Anor Nesta.

I thought you might agree to eliminating some of the more libelous passages.

But knowing your commitment to words, I never would have believed you'd burned the whole book.

Well, ordinarily, I don't suppose we would, dear.

But there are personal reasons in this case.

Personal reasons?

Yes, we are chapters nine through eleven.

And we couldn't very well sue for libel.

Or not.

Because it's all true.

.