Sleeping Tiger, The (1954)

[bunniefuu]

[triumphant music playing]

[bell tolling]

[footsteps approaching]

[cat meows]

[suspenseful music playing]

[dramatic music playing]

[man grunts]

[horn honks]

Madam! I'm glad you're back.

Thank you, Sally.

[mysterious music playing]

[woman] Are you waiting

to see Dr. Esmond?

-Yes.

-Oh, I see.

I'm Mrs. Esmond. Won't you sit down?

Why do you leave a patient

in the sitting room, Sally?

He isn't a patient. He's staying here,

in the house.

-Oh. Where?

-In the doctor's room.

Oh, I see.

Yes. And he's to be treated

just like one of the family.

Really?

Of course, it's not for me

to speak against the doctor,

but that man's a thief. He's a criminal!

How do you know?

I heard the doctor

tell Miss Duncan this morning.

He held the doctor up with a g*n.

Instead of being put

in jail, where he belongs,

he's staying in the house

for six months to undergo…

Therapy.

-And you don't approve?

-It's not up to me to approve.

But I'm not staying in the house

with a g*nman. I'm giving in my notice.

When do you leave?

The sooner the better.

[ominous music plays]

Hello, Carol. Is Clive around?

Glenda! We didn't expect you!

-[man] Bye, Doctor.

-Bye, Mr. Edney.

That's fairly obvious.

Glenda!

Hello, Clive.

What happened? Bad weather chase you home?

No, Paris was beautiful, and I was bored.

So was I. Always am when you're away.

This time,

you must have been really bored.

-Oh, then you've heard.

-Yes.

And Sally's given notice.

She doesn't approve of common thieves

as house guests.

I'm not sure I do, either.

Look, Glenda, it's one thing to practice

psychology in a prison ward,

it's something else again to have

your patient in ideal circumstances.

The boy's young. He's intelligent.

If I can find out what makes him tick,

I may be able to straighten him out.

The other way, well, it's a complete waste

of a human being.

If he goes to prison again,

he's finished, I'm sure of that.

"Prison again"?

Yes. He has a record.

I've had Carol on research all morning.

[Glenda] Hm.

-Pretty lurid stuff.

-Oh yes. He's tough enough.

But he's immature and unhappy

and I think frightened

under that hard shell of his.

Frightened? I'd say frightening.

Robbery with violence, as*ault… Robbery.

How are his manners? Is he possible?

Oddly enough, he's no slum product.

Army family, good school.

That's what makes it so interesting.

But if you don't like the idea,

and I'm not at all keen

on your doing the housework,

I'll call it off.

Why? You know you've had your heart

set on something like this for years.

Besides,

we've never had a criminal

for a house guest. [chuckles]

At least one we knew about!

It may be interesting.

It may be dangerous, too.

Don't worry about me.

He doesn't frighten me in the least.

What does frighten me

is the thought of replacing Sally.

Oh, um, a drink before dinner?

I'll be right with you.

-Thank you, darling.

-Don't mention it.

[ominous music playing]

Sorry, Mr. Clemmons, I've been away

and didn't know who you were.

-[Frank] But now you do.

-Yes.

I hope you've been made comfortable.

[Frank] Why?

Why?

Because you're a guest in my home.

A guest?

The doctor and I made a deal,

which is better than going to jail.

Why pretend it's anything else?

I'm not a guest, Mrs. Esmond,

I'm a prisoner.

-Ah, so you've met already?

-Yes. Twice.

Good. Good.

Sherry or… or-or-or whiskey, Frank?

Whiskey and water.

Whiskey and water it is. Been reading?

Hm? Oh, just browsing.

[Clive] Browsing?

You have to read that one.

I've read it.

Do you do much reading?

-Not as much as I used to.

-It's my problem too.

-Uh, do you like sports?

-No.

No sh**ting? No fishing? Too bad.

-Do-do you ride?

-No.

You ought to. Mrs. Esmond's a great rider.

Perhaps Glenda would take you

with her some time. Hm?

Perhaps.

[Clive] Darling, I'd have canceled

this silly lecture like a shot

-if I'd known you were coming back.

-[phone ringing]

[Glenda chuckles]

You never canceled a lecture in your life.

Oh, he did once, Glenda.

Remember the year of the big fog?

Telephone for Mr. Clemmons.

Excuse me.

-[Frank] Hello?

-What a night you've given me.

I followed you there.

Waited around all day.

Took me forever to find out

the phone number. What's happened?

Don't call me here.

A friend of mine.

Somebody you'd like to see?

No, not particularly.

What I meant was,

feel free to bring him here.

-Any of my friends?

-Any of them.

What if one of them should be in trouble?

What sort of trouble?

When your friends are in trouble,

you don't ask why or what. You help them.

[Clive] Ask anybody you like.

For the next six months,

I'd like you to consider this your home.

And what if one of my friends

should be… a woman?

How would Mrs. Esmond feel

if I brought a woman to the house?

Ask anybody you like.

Don't worry. I won't.

[Glenda] Goodbye. Be brilliant.

Am I ever less?

-Sure you'll be all right?

-[Glenda] Of course.

-[dog whines]

-[Clive] Good. Home by 11.

-[Glenda] Or 12.

-Come on. Up.

-Up, up.

-[door clicks open]

[door clicks shut]

[lively piano music playing]

-Very busy man, the doctor.

-Yes.

He lectures.

Writes.

Mm.

I read one of his books this afternoon.

In it, he said that, uh, childhood

is the thing that counts.

Your parents and children.

But he's wrong.

People are born the way they are.

Well… so you do talk after all.

You're an American, aren't you?

Yes.

And you're Little Caesar.

[Glenda] More coffee?

No, thank you.

A gentleman occasionally

lights a lady's cigarette.

And a lady doesn't make

a point of it if he hasn't.

Hurt yourself?

-I sprained my wrist.

-Oh?

[Glenda chuckles]

Of course, Clive's army training.

Unlucky you, you ran into the wrong man.

Because Clive's quite a guy,

even if he does write books.

Congratulations, Mrs. Esmond.

Sure you won't have some more coffee?

Quite sure.

Would you have… used that g*n on Clive

if he hadn't have gotten it away from you?

No.

Then why do you carry it?

Why do you ask?

Does it fascinate you?

No.

It makes me sick.

I despise hoodlums of any kind.

They're not one bit glamorous.

They're just stupid little animals

asking for cages.

I can respect a rebel if it's

intelligent rebellion, but…

I hate stupidity.

Is that all, Mrs. Esmond?

No.

I don't mind this experiment of Clive's,

even though I think it's a waste of time.

If it interests him at all,

that would mean I'll help him all I can,

take you riding or teach you hymns,

but this is my home too,

and there's one thing I won't tolerate,

and that's rudeness.

And the kind you've shown all day

or bad manners of any sort.

I hope that's clear to you, Mr. Clemmons.

Good night.

[music stops]

It's all right. I won't bite you.

-Nice people, the Esmonds.

-Too nice.

Soft in the head, to have you

staying in the house.

[sighs] What do you mean?

You know what I mean.

I know all about you, Mr. Clemmons.

You've seen my picture

in the papers, have you?

Picture in the papers, indeed!

I know why you're here.

You ought to be in jail, right now.

[Frank] Yes, I know I ought, but I'm not.

And I'm beginning to be

rather glad that I'm not.

What about some coffee?

My orders are to tidy up.

I'm a guest in the house.

We're going to see a rather lot

of each other, Sally.

We ought to be friends.

That's what you think.

I've given in my notice.

I'll be out of this house in a week.

Because of me?

[Sally] Yes. Because of you.

Aren't servants rather hard

to get these days?

Yes, very. Madam won't like doing

her own work in the future.

And the likes of you should certainly

wait on themselves.

I don't think so, Sally.

I don't think you'll be leaving at all

because I wouldn't like that.

Now, clear up that mess…

and get me some coffee.

[c*ck crows]

[door clicks shut]

Mrs. Esmond?

Good morning.

Good morning.

I'd like to go riding with you…

if you'd let me.

If you like.

[horse neighs]

You were, um…

seven when your mother died.

[Frank] Yes.

That must have been

a burden on your father.

Yes, but he was used to that. After all,

he was an army man all his life.

We had a good relationship. We were

more like brothers than father and son.

-The athletic type, was he?

-Yes.

Was he disappointed

by your lack of interest in sport?

No, I don't think he cared.

How did you get on with your stepmother?

Fine. She was a fine woman.

[lively music playing]

-[ominous music playing]

-[sighs]

[Clive] What did your father do

when you were kicked out of that school?

Nothing. He…

[sighs]

He was disappointed, but he didn't mind.

-And your stepmother?

-She was a…

She was a good-natured woman.

She left those things to him.

-You really liked her?

-Yes!

I've told you.

I've told you a dozen times. Yes!

So you have.

[lively music playing]

Whoa. Whoa.

[sighs]

That was fine. I enjoyed it.

Yes. You're… coming along.

-That's not necessary, Frank.

-Hm?

What?

Oh, I'm sorry.

I think I'll stop riding for a while.

-Why?

-Oh, tired of it, I suppose.

It's not the riding, is it, Mrs. Esmond?

It's me.

You don't like me, do you?

You don't matter to me at all, Frank.

Not even when you try to paw me

in what you think is

that cute, casual way.

What I don't like is what you stand for.

-And what do I stand for?

-Something sick.

[scoffs] You sound just like your husband.

[chuckles]

Clive thinks you've had a bad childhood.

I don't think that's a good enough excuse.

Lots of people come from

broken homes. I did.

I came from two homes

thousands of miles apart,

and I was a stranger in both of them.

My mother hated me, literally.

But I made a life for myself

just the same.

[handbrake creaks]

All right. You've told me,

now I'll tell you.

You're a phony, Mrs. Esmond.

You're all safe and sound

and smooth on the outside.

You've got everything you want.

That's what you tell yourself.

But inside, you've got nothing.

You're empty. You're hungry.

-Hungry?

-That's what I said.

I know your sort. I know you so well.

You act as if nothing could shake you,

but in actual fact, you're a tight wire…

and it wouldn't take very much

to break you. Not very much at all.

[tense music plays]

[ominous music plays]

[door clicks shut]

[man] Come on, baby.

[woman giggling]

[lively jazz music playing]

[indistinct chattering and laughing]

[musician scatting]

-Harry here?

-Over there.

[woman shrieks] Frank!

-Been good?

-Trying to.

Well, long time no see!

[soft knock on the door]

[knock on door]

[knock on door]

[sighs] Hello?

Are you coming riding today?

Yeah, sure.

Give me five minutes.

I'm curious, Inspector.

How did the police find out

Frank Clemmons was living here?

Oh, we have ways.

Of course. I take it you don't approve.

I wouldn't say that. We know of your

professional interest in these cases.

In view of his record, we thought it might

be a good idea to have a chat about it.

Good. Let's chat.

-Been behaving himself, has he?

-Of course.

-Kept regular hours?

-I've had an eye on him at all times.

That's not what I asked, Doctor.

Look, Inspector,

if I'm to win the boy's confidence,

he's got to be given

a certain amount of freedom.

Don't let's quarrel.

The police don't want to be unfair.

And we like to see cases, uh,

straightened out and made good.

But in our opinion, Clemmons is far

too dangerous a man to be under your roof.

You're entitled to

your opinion, Inspector.

We shan't do anything about it.

We can't, of course.

Unless, of course, it becomes necessary.

That's fair enough. And I hope

you'll forgive my bad temper.

[chuckles] Of course, Doctor.

Don't you want to see Frank?

He'll be here any minute.

No, I just wanted to see you.

[Clive] I'm glad you did.

[door clicks open]

-You don't mind if I don't see you out?

-Not at all.

-Goodbye, Inspector.

-Goodbye, Doctor.

[door clicks shut]

-[Sally] Oh, Inspector!

-Yes?

Good day, sir.

Good day.

Don't look so unhappy, girl.

I'm not unhappy.

But I am worried.

What about?

That policeman.

Frank's sneaking out. Everything.

I don't like it either.

He's not easy. And he's clever.

Sometimes he's like a stone wall.

-Give it up, Clive.

-Give it up?

A friend of yours was here.

Yes, I know.

I saw him.

Simmons.

-Are you going to give it up?

-No.

How was the riding today?

All right.

Glenda keeps telling me

how well you're doing.

But riding four hours a day

and staying out late won't mix.

You know about it.

[sighs]

I'm sorry. I know I shouldn't

have gone out, but…

I was in a mood.

I had to get out or explode.

[Clive] I don't mind.

What I do mind is that you've been

lying to me right along.

-What do you mean?

-You lied about your childhood,

about your relationships

with your father and mother.

She didn't die. She ran away.

I know, I've checked. Now why, Frank?

Why do you lie?

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry, but these aren't things

I like to talk about.

[Clive] Why not?

You hated your father, didn't you?

Yes.

-Yes, all right, I did.

-Why?

-Because he made my mother leave me.

-Leave you?

Leave him and he drove her to it.

How?

Because he was a cheat.

Because he was mean, petty, and cruel.

Because he was a bully

and a pompous hypocrite.

He even had my stepmother

on a string before my mother left.

What was your stepmother like?

Tall, blonde, very smart.

All ice on the outside and rotten inside.

You didn't like her much either, did you?

I hated her.

And she hated me too.

But I got even with them.

How?

That's none of your business.

How did you get even with them, Frank?

It's none of your business!

Leave me alone.

[ominous music playing]

[clock ticking]

[music intensifies]

[engine starts]

Come on.

[chains clanking]

[car revving]

[metal gate falls]

[glass shatters]

[chuckles] Chip.

Here you are. There's a good dog.

-Hi, Carol.

-Oh, I wouldn't go in just now, Glenda.

There's a policeman there

with Clive and Frank.

-[Glenda] I hope I'm not interrupting?

-My wife, Inspector.

Not at all, Mrs. Esmond. I was just

telling Clemmons here how lucky he is.

I didn't know just how

lucky, either. [laughs]

Thank you.

Is there anything else you want to ask me?

Oh, not much.

Oh, uh, I did want to ask you.

Do you know Menzies,

the jewelers in Bilio Street?

No.

Hm.

-Where were you last night?

-Here.

-All night?

-Yes.

Is that correct?

I know nothing to the contrary.

All right. [sighs]

You've got a great chance here, Clemmons.

Don't spoil it.

It might help if you didn't try

to pin it onto me.

Every time somebody breaks into

Menzies or somewhere.

Good day, Doctor.

-[Clive] Good day, Inspector.

-Good day, Mrs. Esmond.

Oh, Clemmons.

I didn't say anything

about Menzies being broken into, did I?

But it was.

[door clicks open]

I didn't do it.

I wouldn't do anything like that to you.

All right, Frank.

[door clicks shut]

-Do you believe him, Clive?

-Do you?

-He couldn't be that stupid.

-I hope not.

What do you think of him, Glenda?

Is he worth saving?

Do you like him?

Yes. He isn't ordinary. He's got courage.

Under that bravado of his,

there's something rather appealing.

Hm.

I don't think he left the house.

Let's forget it.

Let's dine out tonight.

Tonight… Oh, darling.

Darling, I'm terribly sorry,

but I promise you, from next week on...

Yes, I… I know.

[gentle music playing]

[knock on the door]

Be ready in a minute.

Why don't you see what's on?

The evening paper's downstairs.

[Frank] OK.

Find anything?

Nothing special.

There's a new Western, that's all.

-That's all?

-That's all.

[chuckles] It's pretty dull.

I wanted to get out of the house tonight.

[Frank] Yes, I know how you feel.

Do you?

What would you do if you were on your own?

Oh, I don't know.

Go to The Metro, I suppose.

-The Metro, what's that?

-It's a club in Soho.

-Is it fun?

-Yes, I like it.

Would I like it?

No. Some of the men have no manners,

the women are...

Cheap blondes in cheap dresses?

They read Vogue magazine too.

They just don't happen

to have so much money.

I'm sorry.

Expensive dress, cheap remarks.

Take me to the Metro, Frank.

No, you don't mean that.

Yes, I do.

But you may not like it.

I'll tell you if I don't.

All right.

But go upstairs and put on something…

a little cheaper.

[laid-back jazz music playing]

[inaudible]

Poor Frank. Embarrassed, aren't you?

Embarrassed?

-By what?

-Me.

Why should I be?

Well, dancing like this. I…

I've never felt so self-conscious before.

[light chuckle]

Do you always think people

are watching you?

I haven't heard music like this in years.

It's exciting.

Feel more at home now?

[Frank] What do you mean?

[Glenda] Well…

as if you were dancing

with one of your girlfriends?

But you're not one of my girlfriends.

[Glenda] No.

You…

You wouldn't like one like me,

would you, Frank?

[moans]

You're hurting me.

Don't fool around, Glenda.

You were right, Frank. I… I don't

like it here. I… I'd like to leave.

[door clicks shut]

[phone dialing sounds]

Hampstead Gardens.

As soon as possible, please.

[Frank] Are you going somewhere?

Yes.

-Why?

-You know why.

-Because of me?

-Yes.

What a shame.

Poor Mrs. Esmond will have to do

all her own housework now.

Sweeping, dusting… making beds.

What are you doing?

It's not very nice of you, Sally.

Especially when I asked you not to.

You can't stop me. This is a free country.

[tuts] Now, whoever told you that?

[Sally gasps] Oh!

[suspenseful music playing]

I wish I were a man!

[music intensifies]

Some day we ought to run up to Scotland.

No salmon water in the world like it.

You seem to forget our bargain

was for six months.

-Not forever.

-You haven't got much more to go.

-What's the matter, Frank?

-Oh, I don't know.

Maybe I'm not cut out for the home life.

Maybe it gets on my nerves.

It's understandable,

considering the kind of home

your stepmother gave you.

Why do you always bring her into it?

It's almost as if you were implying

there was something between us.

Why do you always pretend

she never existed?

You never stop.

You're worse than the police.

Oh, come on, Frank.

You've got intelligence enough

to know I'm only trying to help you.

Who asked for your help?

I'm here because otherwise,

I'd be in jail,

and right now,

I wouldn't mind being there.

How was the fishing? Frank enjoy it?

No. I didn't expect him to.

Lately, he resists anything

that comes from me.

Why do you say that?

Superficially, I fear I've

taken on the role of his father,

and he doesn't like me very much.

Are you discouraged?

Mm. It's not easy.

Do you think he's been helped any?

I don't know. Maybe it's wrong

to tamper with people.

Maybe he'd solve his own problems

if he were left alone.

You think Frank should be left alone?

How should I know? I'm not God.

Meaning that I think I am?

If the halo fits, put it on.

And don't pretend you don't love

winding people up like little toys.

[ominous music playing]

[light instrumental music playing]

[horse neighs]

[laughing]

Oh!

I must be crazy.

Why? Because you love me?

Do I love you?

-Mm.

-[chuckles]

To make it worse, I'm older than you are.

[chuckles] What's a couple of years?

Even a little older

is too much for a woman.

[Frank chuckles]

Not for you.

Give me a cigarette.

-Frank.

-Mm-hm?

Tell me the truth.

Were you mixed up in that robbery?

No! I've told you a dozen times.

-You wouldn't lie to me, would you?

-Oh, Glenda, don't nag!

I may lie to you about some things, but…

not when I tell you that I love you.

[music intensifies]

[footsteps approaching]

Good morning.

Go away!

Haven't you finished yet?

I thought we could go for a drive.

-I'm busy, Frank.

-Well, do it later!

I can't do it later. Please go away.

-[Frank] Where to?

-Anywhere.

You'll come with me.

I told you no.

I've got a lot of work to do.

All right. I'll stay and I'll help you.

Oh. Frank, stop it!

Will you leave me alone?

Yes. If you let me stay with you.

I want to be with you.

You're incorrigible!

-What do you have to use long words for?

-[sighs]

Frank, I swear if you don't

leave me alone, I'll scream!

All right. Go ahead and scream.

I'd like to hear you.

-You want him to hear?

-Why not let him hear? Go on, scream!

-Oh, Frank, let me go. Get out!

-[Frank chuckles] No.

-[dramatic music plays]

-[footsteps thud]

You're right.

-I was trying to kiss her.

-[Clive] So I gathered.

-Oh, he was just being silly, Clive.

-No, not at all.

You should feel honored, Doctor.

I don't think you're funny, Frank.

I'm sorry.

I'd like an apology.

I apologize, Mrs. Esmond.

Get out, Frank. I'll talk to you later.

[music intensifies]

-[door slams shut]

-[music ends]

Maybe it's time for him to go.

Any time you like.

Has this ever happened before?

No.

What brought it on?

Are you trying to say I encouraged it?

Of course not.

But I would like to know the background.

-You won't like it.

-Just the same, I…

If you must know, he implied

that you were neglecting me,

that there might be something

between you and Carol.

Carol?

He was looking for trouble, asking for it.

Just trying to annoy you through me.

I should think that's perfectly obvious.

Obvious or not, he certainly succeeded.

Well, shall I get rid of him?

That's up to you.

I'd hate to give up on it at this point.

Do anything you want.

I think I'll beg off that hospital

board meeting tonight.

Clive, for heaven's sake,

I can take care of myself.

All right.

[ominous music playing]

-[gentle music playing]

-That can't happen again, Frank.

Why not?

I'd have it out, if you had the nerve

to go through with it.

You really want him to throw you out?

Where would you go? Jail?

-He'd have to catch us first.

-Us?

You don't think I'd go alone, do you?

Can you get out tonight?

-You are an idiot!

-[chuckles] Yes, I know.

But can you get out tonight?

Yes.

[lively jazz music plays]

[indistinct chattering]

[laughing]

-Oh!

-[laughter]

Come on. Eleven o'clock. Time we went.

Absolutely not.

I'm having too good a time.

I'm ready for a showdown any time you are.

[Frank] Glenda!

[Frank] Glenda!

[engine starts]

[engine starts]

[tires screeching]

[police siren ringing]

-All right, you've had it.

-What?

-A police car. You'd better stop.

-[light chuckle] You bore me.

[sobbing]

-Is the doctor in, please?

-These are not consulting hours.

This is private business.

It's to do with Miss Foster.

Will you just wait there?

Someone at the door

to see the doctor about Sally.

-Trouble?

-Yeah, I think so.

-Get Clive.

-All right.

-I'm Mrs. Esmond. Please come in.

-Thank you.

[door clicks shut]

-Mister, uh…

-Bailey.

Bailey.

-You've come about Sally?

-That's right, ma'am.

Perhaps I can help you?

Well, I'd rather wait

until the doctor gets here, ma'am.

If you like.

-How is Sally?

-She's quite well.

-Working?

-Yes, no difficulty about that.

Oh er… this is Mr. Bailey, Clive.

He's a friend of Sally's.

We're going to be married.

-Oh, congratulations!

-Thank you.

-Come and sit down.

-No, thank you.

-Is this Frank Clemmons?

-Yes.

-It's about him and Sally.

-Yes?

I've come here on Sally's behalf.

It's about a certain matter

that's got to be cleared up.

I think you know what I mean.

She was assaulted by this Frank Clemmons

in your house.

I only heard about it yesterday.

-I didn't know that.

-It's true. Sally doesn't lie.

When she told me, my impulse was

to come and knock his block off.

[Frank] Well, here I am.

But I thought, no,

that's too good for him.

And much too risky.

[Bailey] The best way to deal with him

is to put him where he belongs.

I wanted to go to the police.

But you came here instead.

I just wanted you to know

what I decided to do.

Sally wanted to forget about

the whole thing.

She's scared of Clemmons,

but I'm not scared.

I want to see him in jail.

-But what's he supposed to have done?

-Ruined her clothes, knocked her down.

-He wouldn't let her leave here.

-That's a lie!

Sally doesn't lie. She's been terrified

ever since she left here.

Look, Mr. Bailey, there must be

some practical, intelligent...

With all due respect, Doctor...

-Oh, drop it, Bailey! Drop...

-Shut up, Frank!

Go on. Let him go on.

You can see the type he is.

Mr. Bailey, would you come along

to my office for a minute?

All right.

So you see, Mr. Bailey,

all of us are capable of anything,

given the right provocation.

Clemmons had a childhood that drove him

to the verge of k*lling.

I'm trying to destroy

his urge to hate and fight back.

You must see, Mr. Bailey,

that in you, in me,

in the…

dark forests of every

human personality, there's a tiger.

A sleeping tiger.

-Well?

-I, um… persuaded him to forget it.

-Psychology pays off.

-Yeah.

Is the girl telling the truth?

Yes.

Yes, I did push her around.

I don't know what came over me.

I just didn't want Mrs. Esmond

to be stuck with the housework, I suppose.

Commendable! I'm sure she's grateful.

It was a stupid thing to do.

I… I wouldn't do a thing like that now.

I'm glad to hear it.

Well, what's the matter?

Don't look at me as if

I was a juvenile delinquent!

Oh, it's you!

-Who did you think it was?

-For a moment, a burglar.

-What are you doing down here?

-I thought I heard a noise.

You might have swung

this poker at me, or I at you.

Somebody might have been k*lled.

Goodnight, Frank.

-So you took care of Bailey?

-[drawer creaks]

You persuaded him not to go to the police.

Why didn't you tell me it was 100 pounds

you persuaded him with?

I didn't think it mattered.

It does matter. You bribed him!

Not exactly. We owed Sally

something for her trousseau.

You bribed him to bribe me.

I'm your guinea pig and you're trying

to buy my friendship.

I admit there are better tests

of friendship.

That's why I didn't tell you.

Well, you can't buy me, Dr. Esmond.

I'll pay you back with interest!

If you feel that way, Frank.

Turn out the lights when you go, hm?

[upbeat jazz music playing]

[elevator whirs]

[light music playing]

[Frank] I've come to check the telephone.

-Oh, what seems to be the trouble?

-Trouble with the dialing.

[gasps]

Come on. Get over! Come on. Come on!

[woman gasps]

What's in there?

[Frank] Come on.

All right.

Now you open the safe.

Come on. It's not your money.

Don't die for it.

[knock on door]

Come on. Fill it!

Give it up, Clive. Please!

It's not that easy.

Not as hard as going on with it.

It's no good.

An experiment that went wrong.

Call it quits and forget it.

I can't.

Heaven knows I could use a rest.

More time for myself, for Glenda.

I don't give her much of a life.

It's not that I have to

prove how good I am

or that quitting

would be a personal defeat.

I can't quit. I can't let the boy down.

I know there's something there

worth saving.

All right, Clive.

He hates me, you know.

I don't quite know why.

What's the matter?

It's a police car.

Listen, I was with you all day.

-Frank.

-Where were you?

At the butcher's.

-And before that?

-At the hairdresser's.

-I was with you.

-At the hairdresser's? That's ridiculous.

[inaudible]

That's a very interesting story,

Inspector.

Almost as interesting

as your preoccupation with Frank.

I have some comments… but you'd rather

talk to Frank, wouldn't you?

Yes.

[door clicks shut]

Hello, Inspector.

-It's nice to see you again.

-I can't keep away from you, lad.

Usually, I have no feelings on a case,

but you're different.

You've had a chance in a million

and you've spat on it.

So it's going to be a pleasure to get you.

[indistinct chattering in background]

Let me boil the inspector's story down.

At least as far as he's told me.

-Do you mind, Simmons?

-Go ahead.

A manager says he was confronted

by a young man in his twenties.

Perhaps he was wearing a raincoat,

perhaps not.

And perhaps he was wearing glasses.

And he might have been freckled.

And perhaps the manager saw nothing at all

because all he could keep his eyes on

was the revolver staring him in the face.

-Dr. Esmond!

-Would you say I'm being unfair?

Or did you neglect to say

that you had a warrant for his arrest?

I haven't.

I just wanted to ask him to step along

and see the manager.

Are you serious? Are you proposing

an identification parade of one?

How do you know

we didn't take fingerprints?

Because, if you did, you'd have a warrant

in your pocket right now.

No, I was always certain

you didn't have fingerprints.

Oh, why?

How could you?

Frank was with me all afternoon.

Not all afternoon, naturally. He did

spend some time shopping with my wife.

But while I made my rounds early

in the day, he sat in the car and waited.

And for periods not exceeding…

ten minutes.

Hardly time enough to dash down

to Oxford Street and do that job.

-Do you mean that?

-[Clive] I do.

Are you prepared to swear

to that statement?

[Clive] Certainly.

[inspector] I ask you

to withdraw it, Dr. Esmond.

[Clive] No.

[inspector] I think I understand

what you're trying to do.

But have you considered that

a conviction for perjury would ruin you?

For the last time. Are you prepared

to withdraw that statement?

If you do, you need have no fear

that it'll ever be mentioned.

No.

Do you mind if I search the premises?

Without a search warrant?

Let's not start all over again, Inspector.

I'm going to pull no punches, Doctor.

I promise you.

[door clicks shut]

-[car door clicks shut]

-[car drives off]

[sigh of relief]

I need a drink.

How about you, Frank?

[ominous music playing]

No, thanks.

Where's the g*n?

In your desk.

And the money?

I've got some. The rest's in there.

Dig it out and bring it along to

the office. And don't let's waste time.

[Clive] I want you to be clear

about this, Carol.

When I left for the clinic today,

Frank was with me.

-I didn't know.

-Well, you know now.

He was with me all afternoon.

I dropped him on the way home

so he could buy some cigarettes.

Don't let me down.

Here it is.

-[Clive] This all of it?

-No.

We'll put it in a plain package

and send it back.

You'd do that for me?

-Do you wish me to?

-Yes, please.

No, thank you.

Go on, drink it up. We deserve it.

We've been in a tight spot.

[gulps]

It was a tight spot!

Robbery in broad daylight.

That was a tight spot, too.

-Yes.

-[huffs]

It's a wonder you

didn't k*ll that manager.

If he'd made a move,

you'd have done it, wouldn't you?

Yes.

I wanted to k*ll him. I almost did.

Did he remind you of your father?

My father?

No, he didn't.

He didn't look anything like him.

I was…

once in a tight spot like this with him.

You what?

[inhales] It was my money.

I'd saved up to buy a bicycle.

He was keeping it for me. When I asked

him for it, he wouldn't give it to me,

but… it was my money.

So I…

went out and stole one.

[inhales] Then the police came.

[inhales] I was so scared, I… I ran

to him, I begged him to hide me.

You know, anything like a kid

and… he wouldn't. He…

turned me over to them.

[inhales sharply] He made a great speech

about what a good citizen he was.

I suppose they thought

he was really quite a man.

"Justice," he said, "must be done."

I was going to k*ll him. The day I

get out of jail, I was going to k*ll him.

I jumped him! But he… He…

What happened, Frank?

He was too strong.

Too strong.

He just twisted my arm behind my back

and made me… kneel down…

kneel down in front of her.

And then he beat me. [inhales]

I'll always remember the pattern

on that carpet. Blue and yellow.

[heavy breathing]

No wonder you hated them.

Mostly him.

How I hated him!

Then a week later…

he was dead.

And you were left with your stepmother.

The day they buried him…

[heavy breathing] that night…

she-she got drunk.

She started screaming at me.

"You k*lled him! You k*lled him!

You k*lled him! You k*lled him!" [sobbing]

[Clive] Did you?

I prayed for it.

I wanted him to die. I k*lled him!

[sobbing]

What did the doctor write

on the death certificate?

Heart.

[Clive] You hated him.

You wished him dead.

Yes!

-You got your wish.

-Yes.

-He died. You were guilty of m*rder.

-Yes.

-And you deserve to be punished.

-I know!

You didn't k*ll your father.

But when he died, you had to provide

your own punishment,

which you've been trying to do.

All you wanted was to love him,

which he made impossible,

turning it into fear.

Hate, guilt, and fear.

And the guilt and fear making more hatred.

Don't you see, Frank? All your life

you've been following that pattern.

Living that pattern.

Your youth, your strength, your hopes.

All wasted in a lie.

You didn't k*ll your father.

Wasted, wasted, wasted.

I…

I don't know anymore.

[heavy breathing] I don't know anymore.

[dramatic music plays]

[Glenda] Clive?

Clive?

Clive?

Go ahead, Carol.

I won't wait.

[phone ringing]

Hello?

There's a problem about dinner, darling.

It's six o'clock now.

I've got to be at the university at eight.

I don't think there's time to come home.

Oh, I see. Well, then, how many

am I to expect for dinner?

Well, Frank wants to go with me again.

Why don't you join us

and we'll eat together later?

[ominous music plays]

No, you two run along.

I've already fixed something.

I'll be quite happy.

All right. Bye.

[bright music playing]

[inaudible]

[doorbell rings]

[dramatic music playing]

-Hello. Took everything but my keys.

-[gentle music playing]

-How are you, darling?

-Surprised.

I completely forgot

I had an article to do for the journal.

[Clive] Have you a bite

to eat in the house?

Short notice to feed two hungry men.

[Clive] Oh, Frank's not with me.

He's got the fishing bug.

He's decided to stay a few more days.

Is anything the matter?

No.

-Why should there be?

-You haven't said three words in an hour.

I'm just tired, that's all.

I thought with your steady boarder

out of the way…

There's still enough work to do

around the house.

You don't seem to have tried very hard

to replace Sally.

Oh…

It's harder to find someone

than do your own work.

Obviously, you're up to neither.

Glenda, I was going to suggest...

Don't prescribe for me, Clive!

[sighs]

I lost my temper, Clive.

But you nag!

I'm sorry, darling.

I've been under a strain.

If that's any excuse.

You, under a strain?

It's hard to imagine you with nerves.

I don't want to dramatize it,

but a case like Frank's isn't easy.

Wasn't easy.

The things you can't do, Glenda.

You can't show fear,

dislike, weakness of any kind, even…

jealousy.

Jealousy?

But you're the one who's paid for it. I've

neglected you shamefully and I know it.

I couldn't blame you if you just

chucked it all and left.

But I want to make it up to you, darling.

Why don't we go away for a month?

Maybe two.

Not you alone or me, but… together.

It's been a long time.

Well, you…

-You planned a lecture tour.

-I'll cancel it.

[exhales]

What are we going to do with Frank?

He's pretty much on his own now.

He'll manage.

You're the best judge, of course.

[gentle music playing]

[intense ominous music plays]

[Glenda] Mr. Clemmons?

-Room three, madam.

-Thank you.

[sighs]

Now tell me what's wrong?

Nothing.

Then why have you avoided me?

I told you. I can't stand around

that house any longer.

He wants to take me away

on a holiday for months.

Don't worry. I won't go.

I wouldn't go anywhere without you.

Oh, my darling!

You asked me to go away with you.

I was afraid before, but I'm not now.

It would be wonderful, wouldn't it?

We're just alike. We know each other.

We're fighting the same things.

Maybe that's why it had to happen

between us, Frank.

But now I feel we can make it work.

You'd leave Clive?

Yes.

I don't love him.

I don't know if I ever did.

What about those… "creature comforts"?

I've had them.

I want the things I've never had.

[light chuckle]

You'd be miserable in six months.

Try me!

-When?

-Soon.

Very soon.

Now pack your things

and I'll drive you back.

[Frank] I don't think I'd better.

I could drop you just outside town.

I'll get the train.

When?

Sometime tomorrow.

No.

This afternoon.

Call Clive and tell him you've changed

your mind. I'll have dinner for you.

All right.

[somber music playing]

Don't miss the train.

Don't keep me waiting, Frank.

You've never seen me really angry.

I warn you.

You don't know what I'm capable of.

[intense music playing]

[Carol] Was it raining

in the country, Frank?

Yes, it was a little this morning.

[phone ringing]

All right. I'll get it.

I'm expecting a call.

-Hello?

-[man] Clemmons?

[indistinct speech]

-Yes?

-[indistinct speech]

Yes, all right.

I'll be there.

[phone clicks]

A friend of mine.

Oh, don't worry. History

isn't repeating itself again.

Six months ago.

It seems such a short time!

Six months. [inhales] There were times

when I thought it would never end.

-But it has ended, hasn't it?

-Yes, you're free now, Frank.

Yes, I'm free.

Still, I want you to know you can

stay here as long as you like.

That you're more than welcome.

I want you to feel very sure of yourself

before you try to buck the world again.

Yes, thank you.

Glenda and I are planning a long holiday.

We've planned them before, but somehow…

You know, the same old story.

This time, I really want to

follow through. Only…

Frankly, we're worried about you.

Oh, you don't have to worry about me,

you know, because, uh, I'm going away too.

Tonight.

-Tonight?

-Why tonight?

I have to meet Inspector Simmons

at the police station.

[Frank] That was him

on the phone just now.

[Clive] Simmons? But why?

I knew it had to be faced someday,

but… it could have been handled.

You know, this was something

I wanted to talk to you about, but…

Well, I felt it was a decision

I had to make for myself.

You said just now that I was free.

Well, I won't be free till I've… paid off.

Till I'm all square, then I'll be free.

That's why I phoned Simmons

this afternoon.

-I see.

-I wish I did.

I think we'd better have coffee

and talk this over.

Uh, no, thank you, Glenda.

I still have some packing to do.

Glenda, would you and Carol spare me

from the washing up?

I want to talk to Frank.

Certainly.

[Clive] Frank.

Clive.

I've got an awful lot to be grateful

to you for and… a lot to regret.

-Regret?

-Yes. I…

[light chuckles]

Inspector Simmons sent a message to you.

He said he didn't remember

your last conversation.

[Frank chuckles]

Goodbye.

Not yet. I'll drive you over

when you're ready.

Well?

You heard.

But I didn't get it.

It's what it sounded like.

-I thought we were leaving together.

-You know where I'm going.

You must be out of your mind.

But anyway. Clive will be there tomorrow,

pleading for you.

They'll let you off easy.

Then what?

Then I'm never going to see you again.

Why?

Because I can't go on

hurting Clive any longer.

Clive?

What about me?

[sighs] Look.

Be human. Be decent.

I've been sick all my life

and he's cured me.

I couldn't go on living like that

any longer.

You haven't answered my question.

What about me?

It's a little late in the day

for conscience.

Or does conscience always come late…

after you've had your fun?

[Frank] Don't let's quarrel, Glenda.

You're not going to give me notice

like a waitress.

One of your servant friends,

one of your pickups at The Metro.

Don't let's end it like this.

Then it mustn't end.

It has ended.

Frank.

[quietly sobs]

Frank, please!

[sobbing]

Now tell me you're leaving me.

I'm leaving.

[dramatic music playing]

[sobbing]

[door slams shut]

-Glenda!

-[Carol] Glenda, what is it?

[Clive] What happened? Tell me!

Glenda, darling, for God's sake,

tell me what happened!

[heavy breathing] It… It was Frank.

Frank?

Yes, Frank.

Frank.

Your pupil. Your… your guinea pig.

Your reformed character paying off!

Frank.

[Glenda] What are you going to do? [sobs]

Give him a medal?

[dramatic music playing]

[Carol] Clive, don't!

Please!

[music intensifies]

Clive.

[g*nsh*t rings out]

[somber music playing]

-You k*lled him.

-[Clive] Yes.

You k*lled him.

He's dead?

You k*lled him?

That's what you wanted, isn't it?

[sighs] Yes.

[sobbing] No.

He was leaving…

He was leaving me, Clive.

Me!

Not you. Me!

The man who knew everything!

The man who could work miracles

but couldn't keep his wife.

And then he changed. He walked out on you.

[laughing then crying]

[dramatic music playing]

He's dead!

He isn't dead, Glenda. He's gone.

[ominous music playing]

He isn't there. He's gone.

[music intensifies]

I'm not blaming you for anything, Glenda.

All the mistakes were mine.

Glenda, wait a minute.

Where are you going?

Guess.

No, let her go.

It's been wrong between you for years.

You'll never put it right.

Let her go.

[engine starts]

[horn honking]

-[Glenda] Frank, get in quickly.

-What's happened?

Get in!

[tense music playing]

Then I ran from the house.

He was raving and insane.

Look. I can't believe that Clive…

I've got to get back to him.

Oh, you can't! He has your g*n.

-He says he'll k*ll you if he finds you.

-I've got to get back to him.

Oh, you don't understand.

He's crazy. He says

he's going to k*ll you.

-Just turn around!

-No.

-Well, stop the car!

-No!

-Look, pull up and let me out!

-No!

Look out!

[Glenda laughing hysterically]

[loud crash]

-[woman] How many in there?

-[muttering]

[ominous music playing]

We've got to help her.

[man] No help for her, sir.

[somber music playing]

[music intensifies]