Framed (1947)

[bunniefuu]

That's our truck. Yeah.

Bus drivers think they own the road.

Look at that fender.

They'll pay for that fender. Pay for it?

I saw what happened. We don't pay you a nickel.

That's right. You own this truck, don't you?

Yes. It's our truck but we are not paying you one red cent.

I got witnesses.

I can get twice as many witnesses.

In the first place you got no right parking here.

In the second place you didn't stick your hand out.

We can sue you. That's right.

You're paying me for my fender.

Pay the man.

Who are you?

I never saw you before.

What are you doing driving one of our trucks?

Well, your Flagstaff office needed a driver in a hurry.

They didn't tell me this truck here had no brakes.

Go on, pay the man for his damages.

We pay nothing. That's right.

I get fifteen dollars for this run. I'll take it now.

See the cashier in the morning.

I'll take it now.

As straight shot.

All whiskey?

How is it?

Malt whiskey.

A whiskey.

It's awful.

Why drink it?

Do you like to clean glasses?

I don't mind.

What is going on up there? A little gambling.

I thought it was ill*gal in this state.

So is spitting on the floor.

Can anybody go up there? Nope.

Only a select group.

Who do I have to know?

It's not who you know. It is what you can show.

Well.

What is it worth?

21 jewel movement. The case happens to be pure gold.

Ten dollars.

It's worth 60. I'll take 50.

Kinda a warm, isn't it.

That's him, officer. That's him. The one sitting at the bar.

What's your name?

Lambert.

What's the trouble?

Your full name.

Michael Lambert. L-A-M-B-E-R-T.

Let's have your driver's license.

This expired three months ago.

Gee, that's right.

Well, I have been out of the country. Driving trucks?

There is nothing wrong with driving trucks but it's not my business.

So it seems.

I just wanted to get down into this town.

Why? Do you know anybody here?

No.

I'm looking for a job. I'm a mining engineer.

Suppose you tell me what's the trouble?

We'll let the judge tell you.

I wouldn't have time to read all the charges against you.

Let's go.

Come on, let's go. Alright. Alright.

Reckless driving.

Driving through a boulevard stop.

Driving without a license.

Plead guilty?

Yes, sir.

It's not as simple as that though.

Fifty dollars or ten days? Pay the clerk.

I haven't got fifty dollars.

That's the man that ought to be fined.

What man? The trucking foreman.

He knows that truck had no brakes.

What about that?

Your Honor, they hall have excuses when they break the law.

No man works for our outfit ..

Unless he agrees to full responsibility for any traffic violations.

We got to do that Judge, or them drivers would bankrupt the company.

Did you agree to this?

I suppose so.

I needed the money.

Then they hand me a truck without any brakes.

I fought that truck for seven hours coming down into this cheap town.

Fifty dollars or ten days?

I told you I haven't got it.

Ten days.

That's alright. Ten days is all I wanted of this town.

I'll play the fine.

For this man? Yes.

Pay the clerk.

The case is closed. You are free to go.

Name?

Always the same.

Always the same.

Same old pair.

Women and ..

And you know whose fault it is?

A woman? Yeah.

It is mine.

But not anymore. I am going to ..

Settle down and I am going to be a success.

A success. That's me.

Sure. I know.

Well, this is the pay-off.

Bailed out by a woman.

She is waiting for you. Well, let her wait.

I am through with all that. I am going to settle down. I'm going to make good.

I am going to make good.

I am going to make good.

That's right.

Make good.

I'm going to make good.

It isn't the money, Julio.

Because we can stretch and give you a little more.

No. I am just tired and I want to quit.

His clothes?

Yes.

Well, when a girl like you wants something.

She is going to get it.

Come on, Mike.

Come on.

A pretty girl.

You are beautiful, Paula.

Yes, Mike.

I've found him.

What does he look like?

The same height as you.

Same build.

Face?

Not like you at all.

It doesn't matter.

We'll fix that.

Are you upset?

No.

Excited?

A little.

But you, darling.

You must be exhausted.

All evening on your feet in that crowded smoky place.

I shouldn't have let you do it.

You couldn't do it and it had to be done.

Five weeks .. of looking ..

Waiting and looking.

Sometimes I felt it wasn't worth it.

Not even for a quarter of a million dollars.

If it weren't for this place.

To come here in my free time and relax and feel like a human being.

I don't know what I would have done.

Paula.

Do you think it was wise to quit?

Quit the La Paloma? Yeah.

Why not?

We're ready.

That's true.

Better to quit now than ..

Disappear without a word.

This way it is finished.

You sure he is the man?

Of course.

And he knows no-one in town?

No relatives, no connections?

No-one but me.

We've got to make sure he doesn't make any other friends.

I'll make sure.

Steve.

It's wonderful luck.

He is very much like you.

Really?

Not really.

You remember the day I met you?

That first day, two years ago almost.

How could I forget.

I was modelling furs for a living.

You were standing on the steps being photographed ..

And that Chicago wind was blowing through your hair.

You looked like and angel in furs.

Someone else's furs.

You were beautiful.

Steve.

Do you have the card for the safety deposit box?

Of course.

It is all filled out.

You just sign it.

What about the keys?

Keys?

To the safety deposit box.

Oh. I have got them.

I'll have to keep them with me.

In case anything goes wrong I can put the money back in a hurry.

Steve.

How soon?

A week. 4 days, 3 days.

I've got a lot of things to take care of.

The sooner the better.

Yes.

It is late. We'd better go.

I'll turn the car around.

I'll be right down.

Don't worry.

I'm sure it will work.

It has to work.

Why, Beth.

Are you still up?

I couldn't sleep.

What is the matter, Beth?

Alright. So, I've stayed out all night again.

Would you like an accounting?

I didn't ask you where you had been.

I don't particularly want to know.

It's your own business.

Of course, dear.

And if I did tell you I'm sure you would take it for granted I was lying.

Please Stephen, please. I am not trying to make a scene.

Don't you think it is time we thrashed this out like two sane people?

Yes, yes. I know, Beth.

You'll say all the things you've been saying for weeks now.

"Something has been happening to us".

Hasn't it?

I've told you repeatedly you imagine all these things.

Stephen, no woman imagines it when she ceases to feel like a wife.

Now what are you talking about?

About the way you avoid the issue.

You have a quaint and childish way of admitting all your sins.

I'm not asking you to admit them. I am asking you to do something about them.

I'm sorry, Beth. But I am a little too old to change.

I'm not a hypocrite.

No. I suppose you are not.

It is a strange thing.

We've been married nine years.

I still don't know exactly what you are.

I am exactly what you wanted me to be.

I am a respected vice president of the respected Empire Trust and Savings Bank.

All thanks to you, Beth.

All that I am and hope to be.

I owe to my angel wife.

You talk as though you didn't want it.

On the contrary. It is exactly what I do want.

My father described you pretty accurately before we were married.

An opportunist?

He was quite right, Beth.

But even he admitted I was an intelligent one.

I had a good education and made no use of it.

I had manners and a fine disposition.

So you married me and made me respectable.

You wanted to know what I am.

I told you.

Now, do whatever you like about it.

Thanks for telling me what I bought and paid for.

What time have you got?

There is clock right up there.

Were you on duty last night?

Yep.

Did you see me come in?

Yep.

How did I get here?

A lady brought you in.

A lady?

What lady?

She didn't say.

Just brought you in.

How much for the room?

We collect in advance.

Who did you collect from, me?

Nope.

The lady.

Uhuh.

Hey.

The phone booth is over there.

Thanks.

Where can I get some coffee round here?

Across the street. Down about a block.

Put your sample down there. I have no sample.

Opening up any new mines?

I might be. I do every once in a while.

Well, I am ..

I'm a mining engineer.

Is that so? Got a regular degree?

Sure I have.

I don't want to see your credentials.

I ain't going to hire you.

Do you know anybody who might?

I am ..

A pretty fair man in my field.

Had experience? Plenty.

I tell you what, son.

There was a man that came in yesterday with a sample that looked pretty good.

Assayed pretty good too.

I got the report all ready for him.

What is it?

Well, I am not supposed to say.

Silver. And that stays pretty high too.

Is that so?

I might be able to use you.

If I were you I'd stick around.

An awful nice fellow too.

The old codger has been trying and trying.

Looks pretty good, eh?

You sit right down there and wait for this fellow.

He should be in right about now.

Thanks a lot for the tip.

Then I'll wait.

Of course I wouldn't take a job like that no matter what they paid me.

Tracking up them trails when there's no trails at all.

A rotten bunkhouse, cold at night and ..

Bitter cold in the day.

Live off beans and coffee.

Boiled in the same pot most likely.

Hello, Sandy.

Hello Jeff. How are you?

Want anything special?

Now don't kid me, Sandy. Have you got that assay for me or not?

Well, I might have it. I might have it.

Let's see. I put it somewhere.

Come on, hurry it up.

Ah yes. Here it is.

I don't know. Am I reading right?

A great assay, according to form.

Looks good. Is good.

I knew I had something. I was dead sure of fit.

Look Sandy. Don't that say ..

121 ounces per ton.

That's right. Maybe I struck her this time.

Maybe I struck her.

They said it was all worked out.

Gee, Sandy. I'm going to open up that mine in two weeks. You see if I don't.

Jeff. Want a man to work with you?

You? Me?

Not me you old fool.

A mining engineer. A college graduate.

He might be a good man for you.

Hey, engineer.

This is the miner I was telling you about.

How are you?

Hey. Don't I know you?

Sure. You're the fellow that ran into my car yesterday.

That's right. Glad to see you.

Sandy, this here is an honest man.

What did I tell you?

You are a mining engineer, huh?

I am a lot better at that than I am at driving trucks.

He is a good man.

Think you can use me?

Come on, man. Come on, let's celebrate first.

I'd do better with something a bit more solid in here if it's alright with you.

Sure. Gosh I am glad I met you this way.

So long, Sandy.

Red mountain.

Here.

And here is the old shaft.

And the tunnel heads right up this way.

And right here is where the vein ran out.

They thought.

They missed it by just that far.

And pretty?

Man, you should see it. What's the condition of the tunnel?

Not bad. Timbers are in pretty good shape.

Water nearby?

Yeah. We got a mountain stream right up here. Solid in the winter.

Dry in the summer and flooded in spring.

Far from here?

Man it is ten thousand up and fifty miles from the nearest house.

Does that bother you any? Oh no. That's good.

Man .. when we get going.

I guess I got to buy myself a new hat.

This one has been snowed on, spit on and chewed on by mountain squirrels.

It brought you luck, though, Huh?

Not for the last three years it hasn't.

But here we go her now.

We can cut five hundred a day out of that vein.

Say, I want to sign a contract with you.

Whatever you say.

Ten percent of the silver that you cut out of that mountain.

Fair enough?

Fair? That's ten percent more than I figured on.

All I wanted was a job.

That's the way I want it. It's your money.

I'll get it out of you. You'll work all the harder.

Go ahead. Finish your breakfast. I'm going to go buy a new hat.

And get to the Empire Bank before noon. Are you on good terms with the bank?

With a report like this?

Man, this is money.

Is it a deal? Do we go to work? Sure.

Good. It's a deal.

You pack and be over at the assay office at 2 o'clock.

Right.

Gee, I forgot your name again.

Oh. It is Mike Lambert.

Jeff Cunningham.

Come in.

You didn't call so I just dropped in to see if you were alright.

You were in a bad way last night.

Yeah?

You act as though you wish I hadn't come.

No, I just got a lot of things on my mind. That's all.

I noticed that last night.

What do you mean?

Well, you kept running away from liquor and women.

Or was it a woman?

Don't count on anything I said last night.

Liquor blanks me out.

Oh.

I am sorry about that.

Why?

You said I was beautiful.

I told you I never remember what I do after I've had a couple of drinks.

You handle everything just like a man.

Going somewhere?

Uhuh.

What are you running away from this time?

I have got a job out of town.

Don't go worrying about your money. You will get it back.

You know I am not worried about the money.

You make more sense when you are drunk.

Maybe.

You are afraid.

Of what?

That is to show you how wrong you are, lady.

Paula is the name.

I came here to get a job. That's all. Now I got it.

Better, the owner has cut me in on 10% of all the silver I get out of the mine.

The first break I've had in a long time and now nobody is going to spoil it.

Not even me.

I am sorry. I didn't mean to interfere.

It's alright.

Forget it.

Where is the mine?

About fifty miles from here.

Who owns it?

A fellow named Cunningham.

When do you leave?

This afternoon at 2 o'clock if there is no hitch.

How could there be a hitch? You said it was all set.

Not in my deal. I mean in the money arrangements.

Cunningham is at the Empire Bank now negotiating a loan.

It takes dough to get that silver out.

I see.

You know, I wish you all the luck you deserve, Mike.

Thanks.

If you ever need another button sewed on ..

The address is 211 Clark Street.

Goodbye, Mike. Good luck.

It looks alright, Cunningham.

Mr Price, you never said a truer word.

You know, I never felt that hill had anything left it in it but rocks.

We'll have to send one of our men out tomorrow to look at the property.

That suits me fine.

Now what you estimate ..

Excuse me, Cunningham.

Yes?

Helen Bailey on the phone.

I'll call her later.

She says it's very important.

Alright.

Hello.

Steve.

Are you alone?

No.

Then just listen.

There is a miner named Cunningham on his way to see you.

Maybe he is there already.

Yes.

He has offered our man a job.

I don't know how he made the connection but he did.

I see.

Yes. That is a very sound idea. Thank you.

Goodbye.

Now Cunningham, what did you estimate the loan should be?

Well.

My rough figuring comes to thirty thousand.

Huh?

How does that sound?

Well, frankly it sounds like far too much.

Well I don't know.

I suppose we could scrape through with five thousand there.

That is still too much.

I don't figure it that way.

Cunningham, you realize the bank can't afford to gamble on a big sum like that.

Why not? I've paid back every red cent I ever borrowed and paid it on time.

This bank knows me.

You can't do business on sentiment, Cunningham.

This is not sentiment.

Now, here is what I suggest.

A short-term note, say three months.

Short term.

For five thousand dollars.

What?

That wouldn't even pay for the tool shack.

What you're doing is turning me down. I wouldn't say that, Cunningham.

I've done business with this bank for fifteen years.

Since long before you came here.

Long before you married your money and long before you sat in that chair.

You give me a lot of greasy talk and then you turn me down.

I'm sorry.

You're not sorry, but you will be.

You got lots of time now. What's wrong?

No loan.

What .. what happened?

I don't know exactly.

That no-good vice president of the bank.

The deal was all set and then suddenly ..

I just don't understand it. There's another bank in town, right?

There is, sure. But they won't touch a mining investment.

No. I'll go out of town and see my old partner Walt Donovan.

He may be able to dig me up a couple of thousand, maybe more.

Well, what about our deal? Is it still going?

Sure, man. Sure it does, Mike.

You know how things look.

If I'm not back in 2 or 3 days.

Maybe you'd better get yourself another job.

Good luck to you, Jeff.

You got a new hat out of it anyway, huh?

It is kinda pretty, ain't it.

The same?

No.

What will you have?

You got a match?

Thanks.

Looking for someone in particular?

She quit last night.

Good for her.

[ Buzzer ]

Come in.

Mike.

Expecting somebody?

Certainly not you.

I thought you were on your way.

I was.

The deal fell through.

Oh, I am sorry.

So am I.

Maybe I shouldn't be.

Sit down, Mike.

I just left the La Paloma.

See anything interesting?

I heard you quit your job.

I hope it wasn't because you got mixed up in my troubles.

Oh no.

I was just tired.

You are a strange girl.

Working in a 2-bit café and yet you look like ..

Like what?

I am trying to decide.

Mike.

Yeah?

There is a bottle of rye in the kitchen.

No thanks.

Sure? I don't need it.

What happened? Did you swear off liquor and women?

Maybe.

The deal meant an awful lot to you didn't it.

Some.

You don't want to talk about that.

It depends on how you tell it.

Oh, it is a very short story.

Money.

How much?

More than the bank wanted to risk.

What are your plans?

I don't know any plans.

Maybe I will hang around a couple of days. Just sort of ..

What?

Catch up on things.

And then?

Vancouver.

Then Alaska.

Still running away?

Not yet.

I can see several good reasons why I should stay.

Put it in the garage, Paula.

What has happened? Nothing to be alarmed about.

It is hardly five o'clock. We've never come here this early.

What's the trouble?

There's no trouble.

It is just that the bank examiners are coming the day after tomorrow.

Then there is trouble.

No. It is quite the usual thing.

But when they arrive they work about two weeks.

I don't want a delay. I think it is dangerous.

I agree.

We cannot wait that long.

How about your car? Plenty of gas in it?

Yes, Steve.

Alright. We'll leave it here in the garage. It will only be for the night.

But darling. What about the money?

You think I'd forget that?

Of course not, Steve. But there are so many things.

It's in your safe deposit box.

All of it?

Two hundred and fifty thousand.

They will be searching for that money from here to Los Angeles.

And all the while it will be right under their noses.

In my own bank, in your name.

Now, Paula.

Under that robe you will find a wrench.

Now. About your friend Lambert.

I'll get him here. But remember.

It's your place, not mine.

He still thinks I am a waitress.

I want to go over this from beginning to end.

That sign. Dangerous curve on the right.

That is where I stop and where you .. I know.

Steve.

Yes?

I am worried about one thing.

What's that?

What if they find something? To identify him.

Well, when there's an accident there is usually a fire.

Suppose there isn't?

There will be.

There will be nothing left to identify.

Then Lambert becomes Price.

Yes, Steve.

A just end for an embezzler.

Let's take a look.

For the first time I really believe it's going to happen.

Tomorrow night.

Tomorrow night.

The club open? Yep.

That's yours for ten bucks.

It's the same watch.

That still runs.

Is it a deal?

Okay.

Drink? No.

One nine.

One nine.

On the winner.

Place your bets early, gentlemen.

Craps seven eleven. A seven.

Four. The number is four.

The highway, Joe.

Ten he comes.

Four.

Lose. Seven lost it.

Player.

Put them down early now.

For number.

Win seven.

sh**t it.

Win seven. You win some more.

Coming right out for number now.

sh**t it.

One eleven. Another winner.

I'll take the money.

What? You quit?

You plenty hot.

Don't be loco.

Craps seven eleven.

Hey.

I'll buy that watch back or twenty bucks.

Come on, come on.

Expecting me?

Of course.

You are so good.

What's the matter?

I came to pay of my debt.

Forty.

Fifty.

That is for the fine.

Three dollars for room number 7.

And five dollars you gave me. That's what the five dollars is for.

And here.

That is for your trouble.

Mike, you are insulting.

I couldn't insult you. That wouldn't be possible.

You are drunk.

I wish I were.

Now this is beginning to make sense.

A waitress that doesn't look like a waitress.

Quitting her job.

Why?

Because she is tired?

Expensive perfume.

Plenty of money. Money to throw away on a guy like me.

Pay his fine. Getting him a room.

What for, a laugh?

Are you through?

Yes. I'm through and getting out of here.

You're getting out of here but first you are going to tell me.

I've got nothing to tell you.

What is the matter with you?

I was standing at the corner of 5th and Clark Street about an hour ago.

You fool.

A car stopped at the curb.

You know who that was? Don't want to know.

You've got to know. It was Price.

Who happens to be Vice President of the Empire Bank.

Congratulations.

I didn't go for my sake. I went for yours.

That's great.

Doesn't the Cunningham deal mean anything to you anymore?

Well, what about it?

I persuaded Price to reconsider the loan.

He is going with us tomorrow to look at Cunningham's property.

Do you understand, Mike? You've got the deal.

Yeah?

You don't have to believe it. You have the appointment. See for yourself.

What did you do to persuade him?

What's the difference now? A lot of difference.

I don't want a woman fronting for me.

I wanted you to get the job.

I couldn't let you drift away.

Pick up the money, Mike.

How does a ..

A waitress at the La Paloma come to know the vice president of a bank?

A lot of people come to La Paloma.

So I have noticed.

One way or another ..

A smart girl gets to know in which closet they keep the family skeleton.

When she rattles that skeleton ..

Bingo.

Where is the skeleton in the ..

Price family?

Mrs Price.

But it's a long story.

Are you going to stay to hear it?

Where are your cigarettes?

The same place.

As they were last night.

Have you finished those letters? No, Mr Price. These estimates ..

Never mind. I will sign them tomorrow.

I am driving out to look at the Cunningham holdings.

Cancel all my appointments for today. Yes, Mr Price.

Oh.

I want to see the examiners when they arrive first thing in the morning.

Been in our city long, Mr Lambert?

A couple of days.

Say, aren't you going to have one of your engineers look the place over?

A banker Mr Lambert has to know a little about almost everything.

I happen to have a mining degree.

Good enough.

We'll take these samples back and have a new assay run on them for confirmation.

Suit yourself. It will give us a clearer picture.

Just a second. I'll get somebody to carry them in.

Everything working out, Mr Price? I imagine so.

It must seem a boring trip. On the contrary.

I had to dump out Cunningham's laundry but he won't mind.

You know, Mr Lambert. I think I may have been too hasty yesterday.

Cunningham of course was a little rude.

I got angry, naturally.

I don't think Cunningham meant to be.

Well, looks good to me.

In fact I think we stand to make a little money.

Well .. that calls for a celebration.

Not a bad idea.

Where would you like to stop?

I don't know this section at all.

I tell you what, we might turn off to my place.

I've got a little shack up there.

I'm sure we can find the fixings.

I need something to arm me up.

Personally, I am off liquor.

Well, one drink won't shorten a man's life appreciably now will it.

Oh, what a lovely place.

It is quite a shack. Come on in.

Make yourselves comfortable.

Mr Lambert.

Let me take your hat. Thanks.

I'll fix some drinks. Wonderful.

How would you like it, Miss Craig?

Water? Soda?

Some sherry. Sherry?

Whiskey, Lambert?

Alright.

Just a short one though.

You know, Cunningham is going to be mighty happy when he hears about it.

Yes. I think we do business.

Here is to luck.

And a little extra.

To all of us.

Is anyone else hungry? I am famished.

Let's go. There must to be a diner on the road somewhere.

Nonsense. I have all the staples in the refrigerator.

Eggs, bacon. The usual things.

And perhaps Miss Craig would ..

Fine. Where is the frying pan? Right out here.

Your coat.

Where can I wash my hands?

Right up the head of the stairs.

So far, so good.

Stall for time.

It is still too early.

Find everything, Lambert?

Yeah.

What's got into you?

Why are you drinking?

To you.

Won't you join us in the kitchen, Lambert?

I like it better out here.

Something is the matter with him. I know.

He saw your robe upstairs.

My robe?

He is in love with you.

What do we do?

Let him drink.

It will make it that much easier.

He has passed out. You will have to carry him.

Come on, Mike.

Come on.

Paula.

Banker k*lled in accident. Read all about it.

All about the auto crash. Banker k*lled in auto crash.

Here you are, Read all about it.

All about the auto crash.

Banker k*lled in auto crash.

How do you feel?

What happened to me?

Don't you remember?

No.

The only thing I remember is a ..

A white robe.

Mike.

Let's not pretend anymore.

No. Let's not.

I did lie to you.

About Price.

But that's over. That is passed.

That was before I .. Before what?

Before I met you.

Do you see, Mike? Price never meant .. I don't care what he meant to you.

I'm pulling out of this.

Mike.

Have you seen this?

"Stephen Price k*lled .."

Well, that is impossible.

We were with him.

It says here he was ..

"Alone in his car."

Have you been to the police? The accident.

We can't go to the police.

Why not?

It wasn't that kind of an accident.

What do you mean?

You k*lled him, Mike.

Don't you remember?

I? Yes.

You're out of your mind.

I tried to stop you.

You were drunk.

You accused him of making advances.

When he called off the deal, you got angry and hit him.

He fell against the fireplace. Hitting his head.

I didn't k*ll him.

No.

It was just an accident. Where are you going?

To the police.

You can't.

He's dead.

And as far as everyone was concerned it was an accident.

Listen to me.

If you go to the police, you will hang.

You came into this town a dr*fter.

They will never believe that you didn't mean to k*ll him.

Does it matter?

I will hang too.

I helped to cover for you.

To make it look like an accident.

And I thought I had something this time.

Go and pack your things.

We are going to leave town. Tomorrow.

I am right back where I started.

Nowhere.

Paper, mister?

Hey.

"Auto accident proved m*rder."

How do they know it was m*rder?

It says so right here in the paper.

"A blow on the back of the head with a blunt instrument."

"Causing severe cerebral haemorrhage."

Why, that is awful. Have they got the m*rder*r?

Oh, they got him alright.

Five minutes. That's all.

How are you, Jeff?

Bad. How would you feel with charges like this against you?

Mike, you know I didn't do it. I couldn't k*ll anybody.

I didn't like him, but ..

I wouldn't k*ll him.

Take it easy, Jeff. Of course you didn't do it.

They must prove it before they can convict you.

Sorry, Mike. I didn't mean to fly off the handle.

I'm in a tough spot.

You have your alibi. You went out to see your friend Donovan.

That's just it. He wasn't there. I stayed in his shack overnight.

When he didn't show up the next day I came on back to town.

They claim that you threatened Price.

I did no such thing.

I went to see him about the loan.

At first he says: "Yes, Cunningham. Fine Cunningham".

I think the deal is all set.

Then we were interrupted. He talked on the phone.

When he finished his call he wouldn't hear of a deal.

He offered me five thousand.

I didn't threaten him.

I told him off and walked out.

Sit down.

I know you didn't do it.

Yeah, sure.

They say my laundry bag was in the wrecked car.

Mike, I swear I don't know how he got it.

I wasn't with him.

Jeff.

I was the last man with Price.

You?

Yeah. We drove up to the mine.

He changed his mind about your deal.

He wanted to go through with it?

Yep.

Then he backed out again.

That is when I may have k*lled him.

Don't you know?

No, I don't.

I had a few drinks.

Mike.

You didn't m*rder anybody, no more than me.

I don't know.

There's something loco about this man Price.

He changes his mind and then he changes sit again.

I don't get it.

He wasn't crazy. Not Price.

But wait a minute, Jeff.

You say that when you went into his office he got a phone call?

That's right. He did.

What did he say?

Nothing. Just yes/no, yes/no.

Yeah, but who was he talking to?

I didn't pay any attention.

Just a phone call. None of my business.

Maybe that is something.

Maybe it's nothing but it's all we've got.

The police ought to know.

They'd only throw me in jail.

Time is up.

Look, Jeff. I think I have an idea who might have done it.

But what I don't know is why. I need time to find out.

But I promise you you're not going to be in here more than 24 hours.

Another day won't make no difference.

Mike.

Don't get in no trouble on account of me.

It's alright, Jeff.

Can't you read?

I'm looking for Mr Price's secretary.

Who?

Mr Price's secretary.

Well, she is not here. I know that.

What is her name? I don't know her name.

What do you want to know for? I have got to see her. I am a ..

I'm a changes reporter.

Can you find out?

I'd like to see Miss Woodworth. She is retired for the night.

Wait. Is she the lady that worked for Mr Price?

I'm her husband. What do you want with her?

I am a reporter for The Chronicle. Look.

Every cop in town has been questioning my wife.

The phone rings all day long.

They talk to her until she don't know what she says.

Why not give her a break and return tomorrow?

Mister, this is important. There is a man in jail.

He'll be in jail tomorrow too.

It may mean this man's life ..

And all I want is one minute of Mrs Woodworth's time.

Let him come in, Jack.

Mrs Woodworth, I will be very brief. It is about Jeff Cunningham.

You say you overheard a quarrel.

That is right.

He was shouting insults at Mr Price.

While Cunningham was in Mr Price's office Mr Price got a phone call, right?

He had a dozen calls.

Didn't you ring Mr Price on the intercom while Cunningham was there?

Yes, I did.

Is that important? It might prove vital.

Who was it who called?

Let me think.

Try to remember.

You don't have to answer him if you don't want to.

He's not the police. It's my job.

Was it a man or a woman who called?

Oh .. it was a woman.

What was her name?

Try to think. I have got to know.

Why? What is the hurry?

I've got to make the morning edition.

Look. Your wife is trying to cooperate. Why shouldn't you?

Whittier .. Beltson?

Carlson?

Barkley.

Gee. It is right on the tip of my tongue.

You never sent a reporter? Is that it?

That's what I figured.

No. You send for the police.

I'll hold him here.

Yeah. It will be a pleasure.

Oh, I know. Of course.

Helen Bailey.

That is the name: Helen Bailey.

Did you ever see her?

No. But she called three or four times a week.

Helen Bailey. Of course.

Thanks.

You have helped a lot.

How about a cup of coffee before you leave?

No thanks. I'm in a hurry. No need to hurry.

The Chronicle has no morning edition.

It never did.

Sit down.

Sorry.

"When you hear the tone the time will be 9:15."

[ Buzzer ]

Mike.

I am so glad. Hello, Paula.

I was frantic all night worrying. Where were you? What have you been doing?

Thinking.

Oh don't.

Don't think about it.

There is nothing we can do.

We'll leave this town in a couple of hours.

I'll fix you some coffee.

I went to see Cunningham yesterday.

He is in a bad spot.

Oh, he'll get out of it.

After all he is innocent.

Proving it is something else.

There is nothing you can do.

I can confess.

No, Mike. I can't let you.

We've got to think of us.

Paula.

Yes, darling?

You know this town pretty well.

Some.

Do you know a woman named ..

Helen Bailey?

No.

No. I do not recall her name.

Why do you ask about her?

Who? Helen Bailey.

No reason.

Except that she was a friend of Price's.

How do you know?

It was in the paper this morning.

Price's secretary talked to Miss Bailey many times but claims she never saw her.

Darling.

I have to go to the La Paloma and pick up my last check.

We'll need every cent of the money.

Mike. I am sorry.

I'll get another.

You run along.

I'll be right back.

Now, don't run away again.

I won't.

Open it, Paula.

Open it.

You would let me go on believing that I k*lled him.

I had to hold you.

You k*lled him.

For that.

It was either Price or you.

He wanted to k*ll you.

Let you burn.

So they would think it was him.

It would have hurt less that way.

I couldn't tell you before, Mike.

I was afraid I'd lose you.

I didn't care what you were or what you did before we met.

Listen to me.

We met by luck.

We had a few hours.

We belong to each other, Mike. You know that.

Sure.

I wanted it that way more than anything in the world.

But it is no good, Paula.

Mike.

Mike. Listen to me.

We can go away .. anywhere.

All that money is ours.

We can do anything we want.

What about Cunningham?

Would you let him die for something he didn't do?

We could get him a good lawyer.

It is no good, Paula.

I can't let this go.

I waited too long, Mike.

You don't know what it is to wear someone else's clothes.

To have to smile when you don't want to.

0h, Mike.

If I'd only known you before I met Price.

Then this is goodbye, Mike.

Mike.

Help me.

I'm scared, Mike.

They are out there.

You told them.

You'll get a big reward for this.

You keep it.