04x17 - Total Loss

[bunniefuu]

Good evening, friends

and critics.

Welcome to
Alfred Hitchcock Presents.

I say this for those of you
who may be under the impression,

you have tuned into
a production of Salome

with me playing
John the Baptist.

I'm sure you're wondering why I, of
all people, would be in a steam cabinet.

Actually, I'm having
my suit pressed

and was too modest
to remove it.

We had to hurry
that a little.

You see, there's a
certain party who wishes to

press his suit,

a matter he will
attend to at once.

If they don't move now,
we'll have to give them away.

Well, it's this
crazy hot spell, Jan.

Oh, last August
it was a cold spell.

I don't remember Henry
ever blaming the weather.

Well, he wouldn't have
blamed you, either.

You're the best buyer
in the market, Jan.

You know how many times
Henry said that.

My husband had a good
word for everybody.

But having an eye for
style is not the same as

having a head
for business.

Just how bad is it, Jan?
Really? Or shouldn't I ask?

I can't keep any
secrets from you, Evy.

I'm seeing Selwin at the bank this noon.
If I can't get an increase on the loan...

I don't know how
to do these things.

When Henry was alive, he
always used to handle it.

There, now let's hope
this'll get a bite.

Don't look now, but I think
you've hooked something already.

Oh, Mel Reeves?

Now what's
he doing here?

He knows perfectly well I'm
not buying anything right now.

Maybe he's interested in selling
a different brand of goods.

See what I mean?

Oh, Evy!
Well, he's cute.

I don't understand you. Don't you
ever intend to look at another man?

He's been after you long
enough. Don't be silly.

I'm just a
good account.

Is that all?

Anyway, he should know better than to walk
through the front door with his sample bags.

You know, you girls have the
nicest things on the boulevard.

I saw whose legs
you were looking at.

I can't see you now, Mel, really.
You should have called me first.

So you could tell
me not to come out?

As long as
I am here I...

Evy has to go to
lunch in minutes

and I have an
appointment at the bank.

Well, if it's financial advice you're
seeking, just remember, I'm yours for free.

Thanks, but
I'll manage.

Sure, but anyone starting
out with your physical assets

ought to be worth a
cool million by now.

Oh, Mel.

What's with
your boss, Evy?

She takes everything
I say the wrong way.

Maybe 'cause you
came in the wrong way.

Oh! Well, this is
just a social call.

I don't know where you
get your sales resistance.

Hey, what's this?

Oh, I should have
come this way before.

"In case of emergency call
Mrs. Manning, New York ."

My number's
down there, too.

Oh, yeah,
Evy Wilson...

Poplar .

You're cute.

Mel, you know I have rules, when it
comes to mixing business with pleasure.

Oh, so have I, but entertaining
accounts is my business.

Evy, I won't be
at the bank long.

Mel, I'm afraid
I just have to go.

Okay, and don't
worry about Evy.

I'll keep her company
till you get back.

And don't worry about me.
I'm through for the day.

I have no more
calls to make.

Oh, Mel, really, you're
wasting both our time.

I have to move some of my
stock before I can buy any more.

I'm not surprised. You
were overbought last season.

So, take your line down the
street and sell it to Lucille's.

Oh, no, honey child.

As long as you're in Glen
Oaks, the line's yours.

Even the boss
says so.

You gave us our best
runner all season.

Maybe I'm in the wrong
end of this business.

Oh, I wouldn't
say that.

Anyway, I just dropped by to get
your opinion on our new samples.

Oh, you flatter me.
Oh, no.

You've got what it takes
when it comes to style.

What was it your
husband used to say?

"I do the buying, but I let my wife do
the picking. " A real shrewd merchant.

All right, Mel. You've
rubbed it in enough.

No offense.

Anyway, didn't I say that
you've got what it takes?

You just smile pretty
enough at that bank manager

and he won't look
at your statement.

And if you don't stop needling me,
I'm not going to look at your line.

All right, all right, you win.

Now suppose we take the
chip off our shoulder. Mel!

Would you turn
that off, please?

This looks like you're ready
to set off a moon rocket.

Isn't it clever? I'm thinking
of taking out a patent.

Some gadget.

Oh, Evy calls it
my : whistle.

I'm always
forgetting lunch.

At least it reminds
me to make tea.

Well, I'll see that you
have more than tea today.

I'll take you
out to lunch.

I don't know when I'm
getting back from the bank.

I'll wait.

Jan, I'm afraid I haven't
been a very good friend to you.

Oh, you don't have to apologize,
I know you're a busy man.

No excuse. I should have
kept closer tabs on you.

According to this, you've got
too much tied up in inventory.

If you don't get into
a more liquid position,

you'll be in
serious trouble.

But that's what
I'm trying to do.

If it wasn't for this
weather... I know.

However, money's gotten
tight these days, Jan.

Downtown would never approve an
increase in your loan the way things are.

I don't understand...

I mean, if it was someone who
wasn't familiar with the store...

But you know what it's done.
You know what it can do!

Times have
changed, Jan.

However, if you need a few more
months on your present loan...

But that's not enough! I need money
now to take care of my summer inventory.

Then do what
Henry used to do.

Advertise. Get people in.
Then give them real bargains.

That's the way to
move your stock.

I'll be with you in
a moment, Mr. Edwards.

Well, I really must be
getting back to the store.

Come in and see me
any time, Jan.

I hope you didn't mind my
sounding like a Dutch uncle.

Oh. Not at all. I
appreciate your advice.

Good girl.

Like a shoulder
to cry on?

Oh, please.
How about that lunch?

I couldn't eat a thing.

I've got a better
idea, how about a drink?

And don't worry about Evy. I already
bought her a sandwich. Come on.

I ordered doubles.
On an empty stomach?

Oh, it'll be good
for you. Here's luck.

I really shouldn't
be doing this.

Jan, you're
a funny girl.

I'll bet you weren't such a
square before you married Henry.

Maybe it's time you had
another man around the house.

Now don't start
that again.

Well, at least
a merchandise man.

Jan, do you know how many
dresses you had on that sale rack?

Oh, approximately... One
hundred and forty-six!

I counted the
sweaters on sale, too.

Well, that wasn't so bad, but
when I walked in the back room

and saw what you
had stacked there.

You should have
gone through my books.

Then you could tell me
what I have on order.

Anyway, if I were
your banker...

Mel, please, I've had
my fill of Dutch uncles.

All right.
All right.

Well, there is a way of
solving your problems.

No matter what I do, I can't
meet my bills or pay the bank.

It's that bad, huh?

You know your stock
is worth a lot of money,

if you have the
right insurance.

Oh, I'm insured, but
who'd bother to steal it?

Who said steal?

There's nothing wrong with your
shop that a good fire couldn't cure.

You're serious.

Oh, now,
wait a minute.

Going bankrupt is one thing,
but going to jail is another.

Not necessarily.
Is that why you're out?

Now, do I look like the type
who'd go around starting fires?

Well, I'm not so sure.

But I know
someone who does.

What?

Let's have
another drink.

So, you say
it's his business?

But what about the police? What
about the insurance company?

Isn't it their
business, too?

Sure, and they're on
to all the tricks.

So, how does
your friend do it?

Interested?

No. Just curious.

Oh, you see? I told you
I shouldn't have any more.

We'll fix it then.

You got a bar towel,
please? Thank you.

Uh, one more,
please.

I'm sorry.
I'm terribly sorry.

It's all right, it
could happen to anybody.

It happens all
the time.

Now, to get back
to your question.

We'll say I have a friend
whose store is in trouble.

I call up a certain
party, let's call him Al.

Now, the first thing Al asks
me is about the alarm system.

I checked yours,
very simple.

Then he asks me the
location of the skylight.

That's all. Then, one
night, the store is robbed.

Robbed? But I thought that
you said... All right, now...

Wait a minute,
just let me finish.

A burglar breaks in
through the skylight,

takes a few things,
but he's careless.

A cigarette is dropped
in the waste basket,

or near the wrapping table,
like in my friend's back room.

There's even a bottle of cleaning
fluid there. Very dangerous.

So a fire starts. A careless
burglar starts a fire.

My friend collects a lot
of money and Al gets a cut.

And you?

I was able to
help a friend.

That's all?

All right, Jan. I'll
lay it on the line.

I've been on the road
for a long time.

And like a lot of the guys,
I've got nothing to show for it.

But an interest in a store.
Well, that could be a future!

I see.

Jan, with your style
sense and my horse sense,

we could really
go someplace.

Isn't that something
to think about?

How can I? Everything's
all so mixed...

Thank you.

Do you have a better idea?

Oh, I don't know, Mel. With all
the drinks, don't ask me to think.

Let me do
the thinking.

Now, look,
today is the th.

When does your
accountant come in?

Tomorrow, today...
All right.

Now, when he does,

be sure to tell him to take
the books home with him.

The books?
Yes.

In case there
is a fire,

you wouldn't want your
records destroyed, would you?

Records?
Oh, Jan, listen!

What did I say?

To tell Bernie to take
the books home with him.

Right, so you can
prove your inventory.

Now, that's why you
mustn't forget to tell him.

Tell Bernie to
take the books home.

That's right.

Now you're talking.

Jan, I was worried. Where've
you been all afternoon?

I just sent your
sister looking for you.

Oh, I'm sorry, Evy.

You didn't get
the loan?

No.

As soon as Susan gets back,
you go on home. I'll close up.

Oh, Evy, what would
I ever do without you?

No more Jeanette's.

Isn't there
anything you can do?

Oh, Mel was talking
about something.

You see, there are lots
of people you can turn to.

The books.

So there you are!

Jan's not feeling well. You
take her home. I'll close up.

She's been awfully
worried lately.

The car's in
back, Jan.

What did she do?
Tie one on?

If Bernie comes, tell
him to take these home.

I promise.

It's important, Evy.
Mel said so.

It mustn't be
left here.

I understand.

You won't forget?

I promise.

Jan! Jan,
the phone!

Who could be calling
at this hour?

Hello.

Uh, yes, this is
Mrs. Manning.

Yes, I'm the owner
of Jeanette's Dress Shop.

What? I'll be
right down!

What happened?

A fire.
The store's on fire!

Boy, bring that two and
a half inch line over here

and put it through
that window.

I got the
ladder up, chief.

All right, but don't go inside till
you play your line in there first.

Right.

Oh, Jim, play your line
on the building next door,

they don't want
this thing to spread.

Mrs. Manning? Will you
come with me, please?

Can I come, too?
I'm her sister.

Oh, certainly. I just want
to get some information.

Oh, it's awful.

At least
you're insured.

Oh, it's pretty well
under control now,

but I'm afraid your stock and
fixtures will be a total loss.

How did it happen?

Well, somehow it broke out
in the rear of the store.

Now, would you mind answering
a few questions, Mrs. Manning?

Well, I... Your
insurance company?

The Great Northern.

Great Northern.

And your landlord?

The Guarantee Title
and Trust on Main.

Miss Evelyn Wilson. Was
she an employee of yours?

Is Evy here?
Well, she was.

Apparently, she went into
the store to get this.

My records!
I don't understand!

But before we got here,
someone had called her.

Her telephone number
was on the door.

She seemed quite upset.

Said that she'd
forgotten something,

and before any of us could stop
her, she went in the building.

What happened?
Is she all right?

Well, the ambulance got here
as fast as they could, but

I'm afraid it's
third degree burns.

Oh, Evy.

Sorry, Mrs. Manning, we
won't hold you any longer.

Take her home and give
her a good sedative.

There's nothing she
can do here anyway.

The clean-up crew will take
care of anything that's valuable

and it will be noon before
anybody can go in there.

Thank you.
Come on, Jan.

Get a good night's
sleep, Mrs. Manning.

Jim, get a lot of water
on the building next door.

Uh, I'm sorry, ma'am, but
no one's allowed in here.

I'm Mrs. Manning, the owner.
I came to see something.

Okay, sure.
Go ahead.

I suppose congratulations
are in order.

Looks like you're
clean as a whistle.

Go away.

Well, that's not a
friendly attitude to take.

Especially toward
a new business partner.

Leave me alone.

Why so upset?
Because of Evy?

Yeah, I read about it.
I'm sorry, too.

But, accidents will
happen. It's unfortunate.

We'll make it
up to her.

Get out of here.
Just get out!

I know how you feel.

You'll get over it soon
as that check comes in.

Did you hear me? Or do
I have to call somebody?

All right, all right.

Only, don't stay
angry too long.

We've got a lot to
talk over, you and I.

Be seeing you.

Oh, I'm sorry.
Mrs. Manning? Yes.

I'm Frank Voss, The Great
Northern Insurance Company.

Care for a cigarette?
No, thanks.

Now, it looks like we're going to
have quite an extensive claim here.

I was just checking over the figures
before I left the office this morning.

Your inventory was
rather large, wasn't it?

I mean, compared to
previous years?

When my husband was alive, he was
able to handle these things better.

Oh, I wasn't criticizing your
business ability, Mrs. Manning.

But it's just that, well,
under these circumstances...

A fire couldn't have
happened at a better time?

Mrs. Manning, I wasn't
going to say that at all.

You and your husband have been doing
business with our firm far too long

for us to jump to
a conclusion like that.

In our terms,
you're a preferred risk.

I see.

Mrs. Manning, in my job you
have to be able to judge people

as well as evidence.

If your answers are acceptable to
me, they're acceptable to my company.

That's very kind
of you, Mr. Voss.

I wish that I were the kind
of person you think I am.

Oh, what do you mean?

Do you really think this
fire was an accident?

Well, that'd be rather hard
to prove one way or another.

Well, it wasn't.

Mrs. Manning, I must warn you
that arson is a criminal offense.

Anything you might tell me I'd
have to report to the police.

I'll tell them anything
they want to know.

There, you see. I'm a better judge
of character than you thought.

I was hoping that you'd face up
to the facts and tell the truth.

I don't know
who set the fire,

but there's a way
you can trace him.

Trace who?

The arsonist. The man who
broke through the skylight.

But, Mrs. Manning, nobody
broke through the skylight.

But the glass. The
broken glass. I saw it.

Oh, a few pieces, perhaps, But most of it
is up on the roof. The heat blew it out.

Well, then he came
in another way.

He was supposed to make
it look like a robbery.

Mrs. Manning, there's no use trying
to put the blame on somebody else.

I thought you'd decided
to tell the truth.

But I am telling
you the truth.

Mrs. Manning, the
evidence is all here.

Unfortunately for you,
the fire didn't destroy it.

Look. It happened just
the way you planned it.

The clock turned on the hot
plate at exactly : am.

Then the cleaning fluid and the
wrapping materials did the rest.

But don't you understand?
That's how I make my tea.

It was set for : pm.

It must have gone
on again by accident.

Mrs. Manning, if
you had given me this

information before, I
might have believed you.

But you yourself
just admitted...

But I am telling
you the truth. I am.

The clock wasn't turned off
properly. It was an accident.

Please,
Mrs. Manning...

But you've got
to believe me.

It was an accident,
I tell you. An accident.

Please.

I can't seem to
get out of here.

The certain party I
mentioned a short time ago

locked me in and is now selling
three baseballs for a dime

to passersby.

I'm not sure what
he has in mind,

but I don't like the way
they are looking at me.

Fortunately, we had already planned
to inject something at this time

that may save my life,

a more inviting target.

Here it comes now,

after which I shall
try to rejoin you.

As you see, I
managed to escape.

Next week, we shall be
back with another story.

Until then...

Plum pudding.

Good night.