09x02 - The Case of the Fatal Fortune

[bunniefuu]

I feel like
I'm playing What's My Line?

Miss Kean, astrology, numerology
and chirography are sciences.

Oh, I'm sure they are.

You didn't come here
just for the laughs.

You came looking for answers.

You need a psychiatrist
as much as an astrologer.

You're frustrated, Miss Kean.

Professionally and personally.

Is that why you've been after me
to see you

ever since we saw your act
at the country club?

MARIUS:
You're a challenge.

Now that you're here, I'll give you
a few of the answers you're seeking.

Perhaps we should come back
another time.

No. I'm going to enjoy this.

Besides, I'm getting the services
of a psychiatrist and a seer

for the price of one.

I said you were frustrated,

but relief is in sight.

You'll get a promotion soon.

That should be good news
to an ambitious woman like you.

Now, about your love life...

You're ,

and still deluding yourself that
an apple-cheeked Prince Charming

will come galloping into your life
any day now.

So you've turned down
an older, wiser man.

A man you've known for some time.

A man in his waning years.

You've seen me someplace
with Max.

MARIUS:
If you're wise, you'll listen.

First to me,
then to the man who wants you,

then to wedding bells.

You're a mature woman.

Oh, in time,
Prince Charming will claim you,

but first, you'll wear a bride's white,

then a widow's black.

PAT:
Let's get out of here, Beth.

The usual fee is bucks.

Just drop it in the kitty,
that bowl by the door.

It's been a rare pleasure, ladies.

And by the way, Miss Kean,
watch your step.

Until you decide what to do
with your life, danger will follow you.

- I wish we hadn't come.
- Oh, I'm glad we did.

Didn't he upset you?

He's rude and a fraud, and he knows
no more about the future than I do,

but he made me face up to one thing,
I'm not a chicken anymore.

Besides, we just came for the laughs,
remember?

Yeah.

There's a taxi.

- Taxi. Tax--
BETH: No!

[TIRES SCREECHING]

Crazy fool! He could've k*lled you!

"Danger will follow you."

It's not fair, Max.

I'm not some old shoe
you can just throw out.

If it wasn't for me
you wouldn't be sitting pretty today.

You owe me that.

MAX:
I owe you nothing, Buckley.

We'll see about that.

Sounds as if Max
is being Max again.

Oh.

Oh, Mr. Buckley.

Well, congratulations, Miss Kean.

Thanks. For what?

For nothing, that's what.

Will you tell me how I can run
a department store from a sick bed?

You'd better relax
and listen to your doctor.

Oh, Dr. Fisher? Ha!

I get indigestion,
right away it's a heart att*ck.

He panics.
You know, that's his trouble.

You've given him good reason.

This is your third case of indigestion
in two years.

Baloney.
Do I look like a sick man to you?

You never looked better, Max.

Ah. You hear that? The truth
from the lips of my head buyer.

Pat Kean,
Della Street and Perry Mason.

- Hello.
- Hello.

You're just in time, Miss Kean.

We've finished our business, so we'll
leave Max in your capable hands.

Now you said something.

Without this beautiful young lady,

Armstead's would've been ruined
by now.

As usual, he's exaggerating.

The contracts
will be taken care of immediately, Max.

I'll look in on you tomorrow.

- Thanks, Perry.
- Goodbye, Mr. Armstead.

- Goodbye, Della.
- Goodbye.

I brought you something.

Again?
Every day she brings me something.

Open it.

All right.

A whistle?

Use it when you need
to blow off steam.

Saves wear and tear on my boss.

Is that all I am to you, just a boss?

And a dear friend, of course.

All right, young lady,
just for that I've got something for you.

Starting tomorrow,

you are the new merchandizing
manager of Armstead's.

- What about Dan Buckley?
- He's out.

Oh, Max, you didn't just fire him.

He tries to take over too much.
Like I'm already dead.

Just because he brought me out
from New York

and helped me swing the deal
to buy the store

don't mean that he runs the show.

That's why I want you beside me.

Well, what's the matter?
Aren't you happy?

Oh, of course I am, Max,
it's just that it's all so unexpected.

BETH:
I slaved for him for eight years.

I let him bring me out here
from New York.

And now he says
he doesn't need a secretary any more,

so you've inherited me.

My nameplate on the door
and a confidential secretary.

I feel like an executive at last.

Giddy with power?

Just numb.
I didn't sleep a wink last night.

It's all so spooky.

Spooky?

I mean, Marius' predictions
coming true like this.

Almost being run down last night,
and now this promotion.

Well, it's safe to predict a promotion
for a career woman.

After all, don't forget, I am ambitious.

At least you're frank about it,
Miss Kean.

Oh, don't mind me.
I just came back for my briefcase.

I'm glad you did, Mr. Buckley.
I wanted to say goodbye

- and wish you luck.
- Thank you.

PAT: I'm sorry about all this.
BUCKLEY: Why?

You put up a good fight.

After all, my field is merchandising,
not sex appeal.

But, then, I guess
it isn't all your fault.

Max Armstead doesn't know
the meaning of friendship or gratitude.

Good luck, Miss Kean.

You'll need it.

You can't blame him.
He's really a good man.

I just wish Max could've found
another place for him.

BETH:
Oh, my gosh. Look at the time.

And you've got appointments.

Now, there's Continental Toys
at : ,

Sharyn Ann Fashions at .

The last place I wanted to spend today
was in a wholesale showroom.

Well, I hear there's a new man
showing the line,

and he's a dream.

And this is the last of the line.

B- .

Comes in, uh, beige, dark blue
and pale green.

- Is the scarf included?
- No, that's our accessory.

Pity. It makes the suit.

All right, uh, four each in the beige
and the blue, all sizes.

Fine. Thank you, dear.

- For me?
- We'll never miss it.

Thanks. It's lovely.

A lovely scarf for a lovely lady.

Is that part of the Sharyn Ann line
or your own?

Strictly my own.

Come on.
I'll walk you to the elevator.

You're not the usual
showroom salesman, are you?

Yeah? How's that?

Well, most of the boys come on
like they're giving bossa nova lessons.

[EVANS CHUCKLES]

How about having dinner
with me tonight?

Nope. Sorry, I can't.

How about tomorrow night?

No, really, but thanks.

Don't forget to wear the scarf.

- Oh, yes, thank you.
- Thank you.

Oh--

What time were you thinking
of having dinner?

Why don't I pick you up
about, uh, ?

I'm in the book.

All right, Max,

I'll release you tomorrow
on one condition.

Yeah, I know, I know.

You want me to take it easy, right?

- You told me that before.
- And I meant it.

You're too hot-headed
for your own good.

All right, I'll tell you what, doctor,
from now on I'll use this, huh?

[WHISTLES]

Now, I'm increasing your digitalis
and don't forget to take it.

Beth will remind me, I promise you.

FISHER: A little cooperation
on your part would be appreciated.

As for your promises,

I don't know how good
they are any more.

All right, don't make
with the wisecracks, huh, doctor?

I don't like it.

You're just sore because I'm
making you wait a while, that's all.

Now, I told you, after I'm gone
there'll be something for the clinic.

I just can't give you a lump sum
right now, that's all.

Look, Max, first things first.

Let's get you well.

The clinic's a dream,
and one of these days we'll build it.

Now, believe it or not,
I have other patients.

Excuse me.

Well, you're certainly vitriolic today.

Dr. Fisher has helped you
through these att*cks,

he's sat up with you
night after night--

All right, Beth. I don't need
any more lectures from you.

Now, did you get the gift?

Everything's happening too fast.

It makes my head swim.

Heh, heh. It's the wine.

Somebody recently told me
I was still looking for romance.

Maybe I am.

That's what scares me.

Do I scare you?

Being vulnerable scares me.

I don't even know you, not really.

Sure you do.

I'm Prince Charming
come to wake the sleeping princess.

Oh, Max. Max.

Ha, ha. And they're perfectly matched,
like us.

Oh. You are completely mad,
but I love you for it.

Now, I didn't give you those
because you're such a good employee.

For that, you get a bonus.

These are from me, Max,
to you, Pat.

But they're so extravagant.

Sit down.
I've got something to say to you.

And I don't want you to interrupt me,
like you usually do.

All right, sit, sit.

You know, all the time
I was in the hospital, I kept thinking:

"You're a lonely man, Max.

It's four years since your wife d*ed.

Five years since you saw
that bum of a no good son of yours.

And what have you got?

A good business,
a few investments,

and a lousy heart."

"You're a lonely man," I said,
"you're getting old.

That's why
she keeps turning you down.

She's young.

She could do a lot better,

and she could also do a lot worse.

So why don't you ask her again,
Max?

Maybe this time she'll, uh, say yes."

No, I don't want an answer, not yet.

You've been working very hard.
You're tired.

Go someplace. Rest, relax, enjoy.

And then when you come back,
you can give me your answer.

Oh, Max.

I don't know what to say.

So don't say anything.

But I don't wanna find you
in this office tomorrow.

I can wait.

BETH:
Aren't they the living end?

He still wants me to marry him.

So why don't you?

He's a handful.

I've seen some of his tantrums,

but he's a doll
as far as you're concerned.

That's not what I'm worried about.

Then what is it?

Oh, honey, for heaven's sakes.

Don't let it bother you
because Max is loaded.

I mean, it's no crime
to marry a rich man.

Not even an old rich man.

To him, it's a fair trade.

Here I am, faced with a decision
about Max again,

and in Marius' words

"Prince Charming has showed up."

And I can't make up my mind.

You mean the salesman
from Sharyn Ann Fashions?

Oh, Gordon's fun
and he's handsome.

And let's face it, it feels good
to know you can still attract a whistle.

I vote for Max.

You know, Beth,

I know better than to believe
anything that Marius told me,

and yet, you know,
in away, it's all coming true.

There has to be
some logical explanation.

That's what scares me.

EVANS: Hello.
- Yes, sir?

Gordon Evans. I have a reservation?

Oh, yes,
would you please write it, sir?

Roy.

Bungalow for Mr. Evans.

Oh, could you tell me
if Miss Kean is in her room?

I think you'll find her down at the pool,
Mr. Evans.

Thank you.

- Gordon.
- Hello, Patty.

How did you know
where to find me?

Your secretary, what's her name?

Anyway, I've taken the day off
and you're not going to get rid of me.

Not until I've got you
completely persuaded.

That won't be easy.

Even for a super salesman.

Careful, careful.

I like a challenge.

It brings out the best in me.

Come on, let's take a swim.

You're making waves again.

More coffee?

No.

Now, Gordon,
you've been very good all day.

Now, don't spoil it.

[PHONE RINGS]

Hello?

Yes.

Yes?

Oh, no. When?

How bad is it?

Yes. Yes, of course.
I'll be there as soon as possible.

It's Max. He's had another att*ck.
He's asking for me.

I-- I've got to get back
to Los Angeles.

Look, I'm sorry about the old man,
but don't let this--

Are you going to marry him?

- He needs me.
- I need you.

He's a dear, lonely man
and he isn't well.

He may not have long to live.

Oh, I understand.

I've got nothing and he's a rich man.

It isn't that at all.
You don't understand.

If you feel you must, if that's
what you want, go ahead, marry him.

But remember, sweetheart,
you're still young.

He's old, he's sick.

Gordon, please.

There's no reason that we still can't
go on seeing one another, is there?

He wouldn't know.
We could manage weekends.

What kind of a woman
do you think I am?

Come on, Patty, be realistic.

Get out of here.

Get out!

BUCKLEY: Excuse me,
I'm looking for Patricia Kean.

She just checked out.

You might still catch her
in the parking lot.

Thank you.

PAT:
Max?

Max.

I came as soon as I heard.

I guess it was too much
for the old heart,

all that suspense.

Oh, I was so worried about you.

[MAX CHUCKLES]

So, what's the verdict, huh?

Will she or won't she?

I'm...

I'm terribly fond of you, Max.

You're my friend, my dear friend.

But I'm not in love with you.

Smart and sweet and kind,

I knew you were. But honest?

Imagine, an unmarried woman
who tells a man the truth.

So I don't make you shiver.

And your heart
don't skip a b*at for me.

So who cares?

Marry me, Pat.

[ALL LAUGHING]

WOMAN :
The bouquet.

WOMAN :
Give me! Give me!

[WOMEN GASPING
AND MAX LAUGHING]

[DELLA CLEARS THROAT]

Uh, don't look at me.

Uh, Paul, can you spare a moment?

I see you still got it in this new will
about leaving my son a dollar.

Why should I leave him so much?

In this state,
it's possible for your son

to contest a will
that fails to include him.

The dollar you leave him
will protect Pat from such a contest.

Incidentally,
I should have his present address.

Last I heard he was in South America
someplace, Rio, who knows?

With the rest of the runaway crooks.
That's where he belongs.

You'll never forgive him,
will you, Max?

A boy who steals
from his own father?

An embezzler, a gambler,

a no-good louse
who broke his poor mother's heart?

That was five years ago, Max,
when you were still in New York.

Now, why don't you contact him?

He might have changed.

[LAUGHS]

Him change?
You didn't know him like I know him.

Listen, once a bum, always a bum.

So who needs him?

By tonight, I'll be on my way
to the Bahamas on my honeymoon.

And I've got a whole new life
ahead of me.

As far as I'm concerned,
I haven't got a son.

Now, where do I sign this thing?

- Hi.
- Welcome home, Mrs. Armstead.

Oh, Beth, it's so good to see you.

Will you look at that tan?
Did you love it?

- Every minute. Hated to leave.
- How is Max?

Oh, he's marvelous. Just marvelous.

Dan Buckley's been trying to get you.
He left that note for you.

Oh?

He says he has something
to talk to me about.

Something he'll take to Max
if ll don't see him.

Get him for me, will you, Beth?
I don't want him upsetting Max.

Sure.

Oh, don't you wanna open these first?
They came this morning.

Who are they from?

Gordon Evans.

"I can't wait much longer."

I'm not asking you, Gordon.
I'm telling you.

[EASY LISTENING MUSIC
PLAYING OVER SPEAKERS]

I made my decision.

I married Max
and I'm going to be a good wife.

Now, if he found out I was seeing you,
even this once, he'd be hurt.

And that's the last thing I want.

You're absolutely right.

And I won't be bothering you again.

I just wanted to apologize
for what I said to you in La Jolla.

And to tell you that I love you.

If ever you should need me,
I'll always be there.

Thank you, Gordon.

I'd better get back to the office.

Pat.

Every time I give love,
I get betrayed.

First, my no-good son
and now my wife, Pat.

MASON: You know anyone
who might send you a letter like this?

If I did, would I be here?
It came in the morning mail.

Boy, I feel rotten.
You got any-- You got a little water?

Are you all right?

Yeah, I'm fine,
if everybody would leave me alone.

That Buckley keeps calling me,
wants to see me

and now, this, this letter.

I want you to find out if it's true,
Perry.

- And then?
- Then I'll get rid of her.

I don't need a two-timing gold digger
for a wife.

Have you shown that letter to Pat?

MAX: What good would it do?
She'd only deny it.

She should have that right.

Right, schmite!

My wife is carrying on with some guy
behind my back.

What about my rights?

You go home and talk to Pat.
I'm sure there's a simple explanation.

Look, will you do me a favor?
Will you keep your sermons?

I don't need a preacher.
I need a lawyer!

That--
That's what I'm paying you for!

You pay for advice.

It's time you learn to take some.

Oh, if only I didn't feel so rotten.

Max, would you like me
to call Dr. Fisher?

No, no.

He says I'm all right.

It's not my health
that's bothering me.

It's my life.

So the suspect said to me:

"I'm not gonna stand in any lineup
until you get me a haircut.”

- Call for you, Perry.
- Thanks, Clay.

CLAY:
Hello, judge.

- Hello?
- Perry? It's about Max.

He told me about that letter.

We had a terrible row.

He started shouting like a madman.

Awful things about me,
about his son.

Perry, it's like he's seeing things.

Have you called the doctor?

He wasn't in, but I left word.

Perry, I'm frightened.

I've never seen
this side of Max before.

He's violent.

Can you come right over?

- Where is he?
- Upstairs.

I tried to get him into bed,
but he won't stay.

[DOOR OPENS]

She...

She poisoned me.

[PAT SCREAMS]

DRUMM:
He's dead.

I want you
to release Patricia Armstead.

BURGER: You know I can't release
a m*rder suspect, Perry.

And you know you haven't any proof
to substantiate that accusation.

Oh, don't I?

I have two witnesses who heard
the victim accuse the suspect

of attempted m*rder
just before he d*ed.

One of them happens
to be a lieutenant of the police,

and the other a respected member
of the bar association.

Max Armstead was a very sick man
who suffered a fatal heart att*ck.

That's not the conclusion
of the coroner's office, Perry.

I just received the autopsy report
an hour ago.

Autopsy?

Did you browbeat my client
into granting an autopsy?

I didn't have to browbeat anyone.

I had sufficient cause
and you should know it, Perry.

The victim said he'd been poisoned,
and in your presence.

Turns out he was right too.
Here, look.

Digitalis.

BURGER:
Yes, an overdose,

administered
during a -hour period.

If Max Armstead's dying accusation
isn't enough to bring in an indictment,

your client's motives will be.

I think Mrs. Armstead
m*rder*d her husband.

I think I can prove it too.

I keep thinking

that if I hadn't married him,
all this might not have happened.

I know everybody thinks
it was Max's money,

and I can't deny I considered that.

But I honestly cared for him

and he knew it.

The district attorney is convinced
that he has a case,

and he's not basing it
on Max's accusation

and your apparent motives.

He has stronger evidence.

Probably the capsules.

I don't understand.

No one could have forced Max
to take an overdose.

The question is,
who tampered with the capsules?

Well, Max had enemies,
people that didn't like him,

but why would anybody want
to k*ll him?

Why would anyone wanna send him
that letter

about you and Gordon Evans?

The answers to those questions
could be the basis of your acquittal,

or your conviction.

[CHUCKLES]

It'll be the final irony if I'm convicted.

It's the one thing
Marius didn't predict.

- Marius?
- Marius Stowe,

an astrologer I went to see
about six months ago.

I'd seen him
at the Mesa Country Club.

He called me several times after that
and invited me to come in.

Perry, he foretold everything
that's happened since.

Including Max's death?

In a way, something about
my wearing widow's weeds.

It was uncanny.

One thing after another,
just the way he said.

I wonder.

When was the last you heard
from Mr. Stowe?

Not a word in three weeks.

But he'll be back.

You seem pretty sure?

They always come back
for their clothes.

Especially if they're expensive ones
like these.

Paul, your contact in Rio,
just how reliable is he?

You can count on him any time,
except during carnival weeks.

Well, since carnival
is a long way off,

ask him
to trace Max Armstead's son.

His Rio hotel cabled back.

He'd moved over a year ago
leaving no forwarding address.

I'll cable them to let us know
if they hear from him.

As executor of Max's estate,
I have to find him.

- See what you can do.
DRAKE: I've got men on it.

Perry, what do you make of this?

Found it
on Marius Stowe's telephone pad.

" -D"

Could be : departure time.

And "Mex AL" Mexican Airlines.

The could be flight number.

No, there's no such departure time
and no such flight number.

But I'm checking the Mexican Airlines
passenger list anyway.

Oh, I haven't had any luck
tracing the typewriter

this letter was written on,
but I have tracked down the stationery.

It comes from a very expensive shop
in Beverly Hills.

And as this particular weight and color
isn't too popular,

we only have customers
to screen.

Customer number
was the Mesa Country Club.

What's so interesting about that

is that both Dan Buckley and Dr. Fisher
are members of that club.

I'm still sick about Max's death.

Seems incredible
the way it happened.

When I saw him that last morning
he was terribly upset.

What did you prescribe for him?

I prescribed rest
and a mild sedative.

And I reduced his dosage slightly
to bring down his pulse rate.

But Max never did anything
he didn't want to do.

That morning, Max received a letter
vilifying his wife.

Could that have upset him enough
to affect his condition?

I didn't know about any letter.

Max didn't confide in me.

I know
that he was in a dangerous state

for a man with his medical history.

And that's all I know.

- Hi. Any luck?
MASON: No, not yet.

Everyone agrees
that Pat is a calculating adventuress

who married Max
for his million dollars,

and then k*lled him.

Everyone but you.

And the k*ller.

Well, cheer up.

One break came while you were out.

Marius Stowe's landlady called.

Mr. Stowe turned up
with his back rent,

moved into his old apartment,

and opened for business
bright and early this afternoon.

Disappears for three weeks,
then suddenly materializes solvent.

Della, I want you
to call Marius The Great.

Make an appointment for two.
We're gonna have our fortunes told.

Paul, any luck
on the meaning of -D?

No, not yet.

Sounds like a locker
or a box number.

Locker, of course. Bus stations?

Della, you're a genius.

Yes. Yes, I am.

MASON: Anything else?
- Oh, that's fine, Mr. Drake.

Tells me everything
I wanted to know.

You're a mass of contradictions,
Mr. Drake.

A schizoid personality.

Like two people
split right down the middle.

Your horoscope says one thing
and your handwriting says another.

As a matter of fact,
you are two different people.

That's very interesting.
How do you account for that?

How do you account for it,
Mr. Mason?

- You're very astute.
MARIUS: Not at all.

The district attorney warned me
you'd be coming around.

- You've talked with him?
MARIUS: This morning.

I offered him my full cooperation.

So you're just wasting your time.

I've enjoyed every minute of it.

How much do we owe you,
Mr. Stowe?

Oh, make it and I'll give you
the regular reading, Mr. Mason.

Now that you've pulled yourself
together, that is.

DRAKE:
Perry.

I just got this cable
from my contact in Rio.

Allen Armstead has been living here
in Los Angeles for the past year.

- Do you know where?
- No, not yet.

But Della was right about that locker.
Locker -D is in a bus depot,

two blocks
from Marius Stowe's apartment house.

Come in, Paul.

Della, see if you can locate
Marius Stowe. I wanna talk to him.

DELLA [OVER INTERCOM]: Right.
And there's someone to see you.

Gordon Evans.

Oh, send him in.

Mr. Mason, the district attorney
has subpoenaed me to testify.

Now, I don't know
what he expects me to say,

but I love Pat,
I'll do anything I can to help her.

That's not what the district attorney
has in mind.

Would it help any if...

I were to tell you that my legal name
now is Gordon Evans,

but I'm Allen Armstead?

I'm Max's son.

The State will prove through testimony
of her colleagues and her friends

that the defendant
is an inordinately ambitious woman

who first maneuvered herself
into a high executive position

with Armstead Department Stores

and then married the deceased,
Max Armstead,

in full knowledge
of the precarious state of his health,

hoping, apparently,
that this would lead to his early death,

thus leaving her
a wealthy and powerful widow.

We will show
that the defendant's hopes, in part,

were based on the predictions
of a fortune-teller,

as well as on her knowledge
of the medical opinions and predictions

of Max Armstead's
personal physician.

We shall further prove

that the defendant surely
did not marry the deceased for love

since she already loved
another man.

And that when her husband
learned of this guilty relationship,

his knowledge forced her
to put an end herself

to her own impatient hoping
and waiting,

and an end to his life as well.

For having access, as we shall prove
she did, to the means of k*lling him,

his thr*at to divorce her

drove the defendant finally
to the premeditated act of m*rder.

He pointed a finger at the defendant
and said, "She poisoned me."

BURGER:
Now, lieutenant, you testified

that the vial found in the pocket
of the deceased

and the brown leather case found
in the defendant's medicine cabinet

both contained capsules
which were apparently identical.

Were you yourself present

when the police lab ran tests
on these capsules?

I was.

And what were the findings?

Both the vial and the case

contained a number
of -milligram digitalis capsules.

No, I did not prescribe
-milligram capsules.

That would've been a toxic dosage
far too strong.

Strong enough to prove fatal,
doctor?

Considering Mr. Armstead's condition,
his body weight,

I'd say that although a single capsule
might not cause death,

repeated dosage certainly would.

And, of course,
I concur with the autopsy report.

BURGER:
Thank you, doctor.

Doctor, will you describe the effects
of digitalis poisoning?

The heart would become quicker,
more irregular,

and would produce fibrillation
by toxic dosage.

Breathing becomes difficult,
even convulsive. Death follows.

What are the obvious symptoms?

The kind that would be recognized
by the layman.

Well, nausea, headaches, thirst.

What else, doctor?

Digitalis poisoning
is a fairly rare occurrence.

I don't carry a book on toxicology
around with me.

Doctor, isn't it true
that hallucination is a symptom?

Every case doesn't conform
to the same pattern.

Would you agree delusions
may accompany such a condition?

Yes.

MASON: Delusions and hallucinations,
then, are possible symptoms.

- Is that right?
FISHER: Yeah.

So when Max Armstead appeared
at the top of the stairs,

pointed a finger at his wife
and said, "She poisoned me,"

could he have been hallucinating?

I can't testify to that.

MASON: But I ask you
for your expert medical opinion.

Now, is it possible
that the decedent was hallucinating?

Was suffering from a delusion?

FISHER: It is possible.
MASON: Thank you. That's all.

Just a moment, Dr. Fisher.

Until Mr. Mason put the words
"hallucination and delusion”

into your mouth--

MASON: Objection.
JUDGE: Sustained.

Isn't it a fact, doctor,
that those symptoms are so rare,

that you never even considered
mentioning them?

Your Honor,
the district attorney is attempting

to lead the witness to a conclusion.

Dr. Fisher, why didn't you mention
these symptoms before?

Why?

Well, I suppose
because nobody ever asked me.

She was ambitious and deceitful.

Sure, I knew
she was playing around,

but that was Max Armstead's problem,
not mine.

What exactly do you mean, sir,
by "playing around?"

I was in La Jolla one night
just before she married Max.

And as the room clerk testified,
she was there with a man.

BURGER:
Mr. Mason?

Mr. Buckley, you didn't answer
the district attorney's question

on what you mean
by "playing around.”

I mean seeing other men.

Well, can you name
several of these men

with whom you suggest
the defendant was playing around?

I couldn't rattle off a list.

MASON:
All right. Give me three names.

Two names.

- Just one name.
- Look, I'm not very good at names.

But you've told the court
the defendant was seeing other men.

Your Honor, it seems to me
there's no purpose being served

by having Mr. Mason continue
to harp on the subject.

Mr. Burger,
you opened up this line of questioning.

Objection overruled.

Mr. Buckley,
what were you doing in La Jolla?

Well, I went to see Mrs. Armstead.

I'd been trying to see her
for some time.

MASON:
For what reason?

I hoped she'd talk to Max,
get me back on the job.

You called this woman
ambitious and deceitful,

and yet, you felt she'd be willing
to help you. Why?

Did you intend to thr*aten her,
to tell Mr. Armstead about her?

No.

I wrote her a note,
but she didn't answer.

Every time I tried to see her,
she avoided me.

I thought
if I saw her face to face, I--

Was it your usual practice

as entertainment chairman
of the Mesa Country Club,

to write personal notes
on club stationery?

BUCKLEY:
It just happened I wrote it at the club.

Did you also just happen
to write at the club

a letter to the decedent
vilifying his wife?

BUCKLEY: No!
MASON: Are you certain?

BUCKLEY:
I'm certain.

Your memory's improving.

Now, would you care to try
and name some of these men

with whom the defendant
was allegedly running around?

Perhaps I can help you,
Mr. Buckley.

The fact is, she saw only one man
in La Jolla before her marriage,

and she saw him only once more
in a public place after her marriage.

As the desk clerk testified,
that man was Gordon Evans.

Now, do you understand exactly

why you have been designated
an unfriendly witness?

Yes, sir.

All right, Mr. Evans,
or should I call you Mr. Armstead?

I've had my name legally changed.
It's, uh, Gordon Evans.

Would you mind telling us
why you had it legally changed?

I was trying to make a new start
on my own.

Nobody in Los Angeles knew me.
I just came here from Rio.

I didn't want anything from my father,
not even his name.

Didn't you want his wife?

I was in love with the defendant
before she married my father.

How about after she married him?

EVANS: Your Honor,
do I have to answer that?

JUDGE: Yes, Mr. Evans,
answer the question.

Yes, I loved her, before and after.

I love her now.

She's not capable of m*rder.
She couldn't hurt anyone.

Just answer my questions, please.

Now, Mr. Evans, were you in La Jolla
with the defendant?

Yes, sir.

- Did you take your meals together?
- Yes, sir.

- Did you swim together?
- Yes, sir.

- Did you visit her in her room?
- No.

Yes. But just for a few minutes.

And this was less than a week
before her marriage to your father?

Yes, sir.

You were quite a son to your father,
weren't you, Mr. Evans?

No, Mr. Burger.

I was a rotten son to my father.

Oh, I know how that sounds,
but as heaven is my witness,

we were never alone together
after she married my father.

But can you say as much

for the time when she was planning
to marry an old and wealthy man,

and at the same time, trifling
with a young and disinherited son?

- Objection.
- Were you so circumspect

when she was growing impatient
that the old man might live too long?

- Your Honor!
- I apologize, Your Honor.

I got carried away.

Cross-examine, Mr. Mason.

No questions.

I mean, the same birds
that knock my predictions

read their weight cards
with great interest.

And if some gypsy saw death
in their tea leaves,

they'd be scared sick for a long time.

Everybody believes a little.

Everybody.

BURGER: All right, tell us then,
what you predicted for the defendant?

Well, let's see, like I said,

uh, marriage, uh, promotion
and, uh, danger in her future.

Well, now, those seem like
very routine sort of predictions.

Didn't you predict anything specific,
anything unusual for her?

MARIUS:
Well, I told her to marry an older man,

that she'd be a widow

before her Prince Charming
married her.

Cross-examine, Mr. Mason.

Marius the Great.

Apparently,
by using your supernatural powers,

you've been able to take a woman

whom the district attorney
has characterized

as efficient, ambitious,
clever, capable, brilliant...

You've compelled her to believe
that you can foretell the future.

I'm used to being persecuted
and pushed around

because I can offer a path
to the future.

Oh, now it's Marius the Martyr.

Well, I'm not interested
in your vision of the future.

I wanna know something
about the past.

For instance, did the defendant laugh
at your predictions?

- I don't remember.
MASON: You don't remember?

Come now,
put that sensitive instrument,

that delicate, all-seeing brain of yours
to work.

Your Honor, this sarcastic browbeating
of the witness...

JUDGE:
Mr. Mason, you've made your point.

Let's get on with it.

What's your average weekly income,
Mr. Stowe?

Well, it depends on how things go.

Things must have gone well lately.

You just returned
from three weeks in Acapulco.

You paid your back rent.

And how do you account
for this sudden return to prosperity?

- Just lucky.
- I guess.

Did your good luck begin
after Dan Buckley hired you

to appear
at the Mesa Country Club?

MARIUS: I don't know what you mean.
MASON: I think you do.

That's when the defendant
and her friends first saw you.

Soon after that you called
inviting her to a private reading.

Now, exactly why did you call her?

Well, she seemed interested
that night.

Are you going to tell the court
where the money came from?

Or do you want to add perjury
to your other bunco convictions?

I get the message, counselor, but--

MASON: Who left that money
in the locker for you, Mr. Stowe?

Who bribed you to give a specific
forecast of the defendant's future?

Objection!

JUDGE:
Mr. Burger, you're within your rights,

but, uh, at last, we appear
to be getting someplace.

I'm going to let the witness answer.
Go ahead, Mr. Stowe.

MARIUS:
I don't know.

- You don't know who bribed you?
- That's right.

Then you were bribed?

I thought it was just a gag.

I never saw whoever made the deal.

I got a note. It laid out
what I was supposed to say

and gave me a locker
at the bus station

where I could pick up the thousand.

That's all I know.

Didn't a thousand dollars seem like
a lot of money to spend on a gag?

I guess so. I never thought about it.

I don't know.

Miss Fuller,
did the defendant confide in you

that she was interested
in Gordon Evans?

BETH: Yes, sir.
But that was before she married.

And did she happen to tell you
why she was interested in one man,

but was marrying his father?

BETH:

BURGER: To your knowledge,
did the defendant receive any messages

from Gordon Evans
after the marriage?

He sent her flowers and a note.

Do you happen to recall
what the note said?

It said:

"I can't wait much longer."

Really?
And what do you suppose that meant?

That he couldn't wait much longer
for her to get rid of the old man?

- Objection.
JUDGE: Sustained.

BURGER:
Cross-examine.

Miss Fuller,
as the defendant's good friend,

you probably knew more about her
than anyone else.

- Is that correct?
- Yes, sir.

You knew, for instance, about the
jewelry Mr. Armstead gave her?

Also, that he intended to propose?

Mr. Mason, are you saying
that I told the fortune-teller?

MASON:
I'm not saying that at all, Beth.

But I want you to remember

who might have elicited
this information from you

when you were unaware
that you were giving it.

BETH:
I never told anyone. Really, I didn't.

However,

you did tell Gordon Evans

that the defendant was in La Jolla,
did you not?

BETH: Well, yes, he asked
and Pat hadn't told me not to.

Did you tell anyone else?

Well, Mr. Buckley.
He called for her and I didn't think--

I see what you mean.

And when you and Pat
were at the Mesa Country Club

and saw Marius Stowe,
saw him perform,

did you tell him anything about Pat?

Well, yes.
He asked me some questions,

like where she worked, and--

MASON: Did anyone else
ask you questions about Pat?

Dr. Fisher.

He asked me if Pat
was going to marry Mr. Armstead.

Oh, Mr. Mason, I didn't realize
I've blabbed and blabbed.

Perhaps that explains

how someone obtained the information
used in preparing this vicious scheme.

Your Honor, to reconstruct
what actually happened in this case,

I wish to recall a witness.

Mr. Evans, do you believe
the future can be predicted?

No, sir.

Then what's your theory
on Marius Stowe's predictions?

I don't know. Coincidence, maybe?

No.

No, not coincidence.

The note Marius Stowe received
makes that clear.

Some of the incidents
were known in advance.

The promotion,
repetition of the proposal.

Some were arranged,

such as the car
waiting for the defendant

when she left
Marius Stowe's apartment.

And it appears that some
of the incidents were fortuitous.

Your arrival on the scene,
for instance.

That's one thing no one
could have arranged, Mr. Mason.

It was an intricately-planned
operation.

Whoever is responsible
had to know the defendant well,

had to be present when the defendant
went to the Mesa Country Club,

had to borrow stationery there,

had to know when the defendant
was leaving Marius Stowe's apartment,

had to have access
to the decedent's medicine.

All that worked perfectly.

It sounds awfully complex to me.

But the danger in complexity
is the chance

that some small detail will misfire.

And that's exactly
what happened here.

Your father's death
was to appear to be a heart att*ck,

but instead, the defendant
was accused of m*rder.

And whoever it was who thought up
this awful plan didn't count on that.

Right.

You didn't count on that.

You didn't want your father to die
and leave the entire estate,

yours by birthright,
to Dr. Fisher's clinic, did you?

No!
I wasn't interested in the money.

I wouldn't do anything
to hurt my father.

The plan was to convince
the defendant

she should marry your father.

When she hesitated,
you decided to dramatize the situation.

You had a stranger
suggest certain ideas to her.

Then you increased the pressure

by having his contrived predictions
apparently come true.

Your Honor, I haven't--

He's accusing me!

No, not you alone. There was
too much to be done for one person.

It took two
to play your fantastic game.

You and the person
who knew all the answers.

You and Beth Fuller.

What happened?
Did she become impatient

when her letter didn't k*ll for her?

Was that when you decided
to m*rder your own father?

No! No!

I never meant to harm him.

The whole thing was her plan.

She wrote to me in Rio,
asked me to come.

She told me about Pat.

She came up with the idea
of using Marius.

She put up the thousand dollars.

She arranged for me to meet Pat.
She doctored the capsules.

It wasn't my fault. She did it all!

Allen! You make me sound
like some kind of a monster,

as if it were all my doing!
Well, it wasn't!

When it looked as if his father
might die at any moment,

he decided we had to help Pat
make up her mind to marry Max.

And then after they married,
Max kept on thriving, kept on living,

week after week.
Get your hands off me!

He didn't say no, not even
when he knew what we had to do.

He didn't say, "Don't do it."

She did it all!

I never lifted a finger
to hurt my father!

But you never lifted a finger
to help him, did you?

Beth Fuller led you step by step,
but you chose to follow all the way.

There was so much to lose.

MASON:
No. You two had nothing to lose.

In any case,
you would both be winners.

Well,

you feel like winners now?

PAT:
I was such a fool.

No, Pat.

After all, you chose Max,
not Gordon Evans.

And, uh, if I may be forgiven
justifiable pride,

you also chose Perry to defend you.

I'd call that good judgment.

Good evening.

Are you enjoying yourselves?

Yes. Thank you very much.

Good. Good.

Now, who would like
to have his fortune told

from the tea leaves?

Boy, did you pick the wrong table.

[PERRY & DELLA LAUGH]