02x26 - The Ever-Loving Spouse

[bunniefuu]

(Lively chatter)

- Do you come here often?
- Only at convention time.

I see. Well, thanks. Excuse me.

(Lively chatter continues)

Hey, Pete, look at this.

- How about that?
- Hey! What's going on?

Aw, shucks, Pete, let's go have a drink.

Believe it or not, these guys are
important businessmen.

All year long,
they make million-dollar decisions.

They're proper, crisp,
dignified and efficient.

Then they go on a convention.

And wow!

Oh, they really live it up
and let their hair down.

That is if they have any hair.

Ijust adore bald-headed men,
they're so virile.

See what I mean?

Oh, no, thanks, I'm not a candy maker.

I know. Let me take one anyway,
just for me.

- Why?
- You're the famous Simon Templar.

- (J' Swing playing)
- (Laughter and chatter)

Can I take your picture, sir?

Sure, baby, you can take my picture.

Sir, here's your ticket.

Oh! Sir, please,
I've got to get back to work.

I've got to get back to work. Sir, please...

- (Screaming)
- Are you out of your mind?

- Take your hands off me.
- These guys were mauling you.

Stupid fool!

We may as well turn in, Kingman,
big day tomorrow.

The way these delegates behave, I think
these conventions are a waste of time.

I look at it the other way round -
the more fools they make of each other,

the better opportunities
for the smart ones.

- I hadn't thought about it that way.
- You hadn't been thinking period.

I brought you out here to San Francisco
because I expect great things of you.

This convention is your big chance.

When it comes to selling, I deliver.

I expect you to,
otherwise you wouldn't be here.

Exactly.

- Is Mrs Fennick with you?
- She's home in New York,

she hates conventions.

- She also thinks they're a waste of time.
- I didn't mean it that way.

Never mind. Liane hates everything
about the candy industry,

except the profits.

- I'm sorry.
- So am I.

But I like the profits too
so we have that much in common.

Well, I'd better shove off, my apartment
is in the other end of town.

- See you in the morning.
- Oh, I won't be in till noon,

- I have a customer to see.
- Get a good night's rest.

- You too, Mr Fennick. Good night.
- Good night.

, please.

- There you are, Mr Fennick. Good night.
- Good night.

- No telephone calls.
- No calls , right.

Fennick's left.
Room , you know what to do.

Give me a couple of minutes.

I'll meet you by the elevators
on the th floor.

- (Knock on door)
- What is it?

- (Man) Telegram, sir.
- Put it under the door, please.

- Sorry, sir, you have to sign for it.
- All right.

(Mouths)

(Muffled party sounds)

What do you want, Alec?

- You.
- You've got a funny way of showing it.

I'm sorry, Norma, I blew my top.

But those drunken slobs,
they keep crowding you.

- The way they look at you...
- I don't even see them.

But I do, and it kills me.

You're mine.
You know how I feel about you.

I gotta get back to work. You too.

Norma, I want you to quit this job.

Sure, and go back to slinging hash
in a diner for bucks a week?

We could get married.
I know I'm not loaded, we can make out.

I can see us making out in some dump
the size of this cr*cker box.

- We'd both blow our tops.
- But if we tried...

Alec, let's talk about this later.

What are you wearing?

- Where were you just now?
- It's none of your business!

You've been doing more dirty work
for Vern Balton.

- All right, Norma. I'll find out.
- Alec, you stay away from him.

You tell him to stay away from me,
cos if he comes near me, I'll m*rder him!

I hate to break up this conversation
but my name's Simon Templar.

I'm Otis Q Fennick.

- What are you? Some sort of burglar?
- No.

- A peeping Tom?
- I beg your pardon.

Well, if you're none of those things,
you're a candy cooker.

The Fennick Candy Company.

You must have heard of them.

I'm afraid it's an unforgivable lapse
but I haven't.

So what are you doing? Trying to steal
a secret formula for peppermints?

No.

No, I...

I've been framed.

- Why don't you sit down?
- Thank you.

Now, tell me about it.

Well, I was just getting ready for bed
when there was a tap at the door.

Oh, Mr Templar, I...

I could use a drink.

Sure.

Room service?
No, something from the bar, please.

(Phone ringing)

Bar.

Yeah. Yeah.

Good, I got you. Room .

Right. As soon as the waiter comes in.

Fine, thanks very much.

So you were getting ready for bed
and there was a knock at the door.

Well, I asked who it was
and they said it was a telegram.

- So you opened the door?
- Yes.

And there was a man there and a girl.

The girl took off her coat
and threw it on the floor,

then she threw her arms around me
and the man took a picture.

Don't tell me, let me guess.
You were in your pyjamas.

- How did you know?
- It sort of figures.

- Didn't you try to fight them off?
- Yes, I tried to wreck the camera

but the man hit me
and knocked me unconscious.

When I came to, they'd gone.

So I... Well, I got dressed, and here I am.

Mr Fennick, just one more question.

Why the fire escape?

Well, I wanted to go downstairs
to see if I could find the girl,

I'd seen her - she's the photographer
in the rowdy room.

- You mean the cute chick with the legs.
- Yes.

You still didn't answer the question.
Are you allergic to elevators?

No, no, no, I thought her accomplice
might be in the lobby

and I didn't want him to see me
talking to her.

He'd have seen you in the rowdy room.

No, I wasn't going to do that,
I planned to wait outside the hotel

and talk to her when she came out.

Mr Fennick, could this be one of
those corny convention jokes?

Mr Templar, the man knocked me
unconscious, that isn't a joke.

It's blackmail.

All my wife could need.

- So there is a Mrs Fennick?
- Unfortunately.

- She in San Francisco?
- Back home in New York.

Enjoying the theatre, the ballet
and the mink.

Yes, she likes that too.

She thinks conventions are just
an excuse for men to cut loose and...

Get into the sort of mischief
you were photographed in.

So if you tried to explain the photograph
you'd get a hilarious reception.

She wouldn't believe a word of it.

I'm beginning to understand
your problem.

(Knock on door)

Thanks.

Not the guy who took the photograph?

No, but he has something to do with
the girl. They had a row earlier.

Out of curiosity, what were you planning
to do if you found her?

I figured that someone
must have paid her

so I was going to offer her twice as much
to get it back.

There's nothing wrong
with your analysis except it falls short.

Suppose this chick hadn't gone
for the bid, which could happen,

you'd have shown the ungodly
how scared you are

and bang goes your chance
of bluffing them out of a showdown.

Mr Templar, I've imposed on you
too much already.

This isn't your problem.

Blackmail is, especially
the dirty vicious type like this.

You wait here till I get back.

Why?

You've already been hurt, you're
an amateur in a professional situation.

If you try to get tough
you'll get hurt a lot worse.

Be a good fellow
and stay here till I get back.

- If you say so.
- I do.

Oh, and I shall lock you in. Do you mind?

I guess not. What are you going to do?

Mr Fennick, I'm mad enough
to do anything.

- Where's the girl that takes the pictures?
- Norma? She ain't here.

I was beginning to think
she'd become invisible.

She went home with a headache.

- I need to speak to her.
- Come back tomorrow night.

I'm leaving tomorrow afternoon.
lt is about some pictures.

- Why didn't you say so?
- I tried to.

This says Vern Balton.

Yeah, Norma works for Balton.

What's Norma's other name?

Look, you just go down asking
for the pictures Norma took.

- All right, I will.
- You want a drink?

Yeah. But not here.

- Hi.
- You k*ll that bottle already?

- Actually, I'm looking for Norma.
- Why?

- What do you want?
- I want to see her about some pictures.

You got anything
to do with Vern Balton?

Why? Did he take some pictures too?

Why don't you ask him yourself?

"L simply can't let you bother
with my problems.

"L'll just have to pay up
and make the best of it.

"Please forget the whole thing."

Otis Q Fennick, please.

I'm sorry, sir, Mr Fennick's line
has a do not disturb sign.

- What's his room number?
- I can't give you that information.

He might be annoyed
if you disturbed him.

- What makes you think I'd do that?
- I'm sure you wouldn't,

so you won't need his room number.
Good night.

Invite me to your funeral.

- Who is it?
- It's me, Vern. Liane Fennick.

I'd about given you up.

My plane was three hours late.
Did you get the picture?

I said I would, didn't I?

That's terrific, Vern.
Exactly what I wanted.

- Satisfied?
- Completely.

Then pay me my thousand bucks.

You wouldn't trust your own mother.

- I don't know, I never had one.
- Same old Vern.

- Same old Liane.
- Oh, no, Vern, I've come up in the world.

Have you? You think the fancy clothes
make you any less of a tramp

than when you took pictures for me?

- Where's the negative?
- In a good, safe place.

- It's mine, I want it.
- Sure, you can have it.

- It's late and I'm tired. Give it to me now.
- Oh, no.

Not now. Unless you've got
another ten grand in the purse.

That picture, with the New York
divorce laws and Otis's bankroll,

is worth about
half a million bucks to you.

- Unless...
- Unless what?

Unless I turned up
during the proceedings with a negative.

I could prove collusion and fraud
and get the case tossed out of court.

Careful, Liane, or the price will go up.

I'm not gonna be unreasonable but if you
take Otis for a wad, I want a share of it.

- Aren't you ever afraid, Vern?
- Of what?

That someday somebody'll put a b*llet
through whatever you have for a heart.

- Good night, Liane.
- Ooh, you're dirty. Dirty all through.

Well,

when you're in a dirty business,
you mix with dirty people.

(Door slams)

(Buzzer)

- Liane!
- Brent, darling.

- I can't believe it.
- Well, are you glad to see me?

Sure, course I am
but I thought you were in New York.

- That's what Otis thinks.
- Do you mean he doesn't know?

No. He isn't going to, either -
I'm staying with an old girlfriend.

Why? What happened? What gives?

This.

Otis? With a girl like that?

- Isn't it marvellous?
- Where did you get it?

I arranged it.

You mean you framed him?

- Yes, if you want to put it that way.
- How would you like to put it?

Brent, don't start giving me trouble.
You want me to get a divorce, don't you?

Yeah, but not like this.

It's so...so cheap.

Oh, Brent, don't be so holier-than-thou.

I've been begging Otis for a divorce for
three years, I'm at the end of my rope.

This is collusion, it's... I don't like it.

Well, what would you suggest?

You could go to Reno.

And end up with
a lousy -a-week alimony.

You don't need alimony,
I make , a year.

That's likely to change.

Why?

You won't be working for Otis
after we're married.

Of course not.
The point is, I'm a good salesman,

no matter who I'm working for.

You don't need a big settlement.

- That's not the point.
- What is the point?

I've put up with Otis Fennick
for ten years, I deserve something.

With that picture in a New York divorce
court, I'm going to make him pay.

- Who took that picture?
- A man I used to work for, Vern Balton.

- Can he be trusted?
- No.

That's why I woke you,
I had to talk to you.

- What's wrong?
- He wants $ , for the negative.

- He wants what?
- Brent,

- I'll probably get half a million...
- You're crazy.

We want me to stay with Otis forever,
is that what you want?

- You know it isn't.
- Sure, it's a little messy

but there's no other way.

What if you do get the negative? This
guy will just keep coming back for more.

He could make prints
and bleed you forever.

- Brent, do you really love me?
- You know I do.

Then don't fight me. Help me.

(Knock on door)

- What do you want?
- To talk.

- I'm going home.
- Not yet.

Balton, was Norma in
one of your dirty deals tonight?

- She tell you that?
- No.

She expects me to believe she has a coat
over her slip because of the weather.

- So, what are you, her keeper?
- Balton, I'm crazy about her.

I'm asking you, like a gentleman,
leave her alone.

- You got me wrong.
- No, Balton, I got you taped.

You're a blackmailing creep.

Nobody holds a g*n to Norma's head.
She's in this for the dough.

She's not in it any more. Ever.
You get that?

- That's kind of up to her.
- I'm warning you.

- Are you gonna leave her alone?
- It's a free country.

You sucker.
Norma's as cheap as they come.

Pay her enough, she'd do anything.

Balton, I've been wanting to do this
for a long time.

Mr Templar.

- Mr Fennick.
- I have an apology to make.

I don't think that's necessary.
An explanation might be in order.

Both. I was terribly upset last night

and even your kind offer of help
didn't quite put my mind at rest.

I meant to stay in your room
till you came back but I got so nervous.

How did you get out?
Through the keyhole or under the door.

No, I telephoned down to the desk
and said I'd been locked in.

- I said it was a convention joke.
- That I'd locked you in?

Mr Templar, I've handled this badly.

Last night, I thought the only way to deal
with these people was to pay them off.

You never get rid of blackmailers
with money.

I know. So if you're still willing
to help me, I'd be very grateful

and I'd cooperate in every possible way

and I'd be very happy to pay you
for your services.

Oh, no. In my book, fighting blackmailers
comes under "charity".

- So you will help me?
- Of course I will.

- Where are you going now?
- To my office.

- I'll be there all clay.
- Fine, Mr Fennick. I'll see you later.

- Morning, Miss Grimshaw.
- Morning, Mr Fennick.

- How's the convention going?
- The usual rowdyism.

- I hardly slept last night for the noise.
- I'm sorry.

There's so much to do. The report for the
convention council isn't even started.

So, er, no interruptions
and no phone calls.

If Mr Templar rings, take his number
and say I'll ring back.

Certainly, Mr Fennick.

(Footsteps)

Vern?

Alec.

Alec who?

- Mr Templar.
- Well, Norma, Alec who?

- Nobody.
- The waiter in the rowdy room?

- No.
- He's your boyfriend, isn't he?

- Yes, but he didn't have...
- Has a quick temper.

Hit a man last night.

Yes, but...you don't think
he had anything to do with this, do you?

- He threatened Balton.
- He didn't mean it.

He threatened to k*ll him
and it looks as if he has.

Mr Templar, you're wrong. Believe me.

I don't, and neither will the police.

- Please don't call the police.
- Why not?

Alec's jealous and quick-tempered
but...not m*rder, he couldn't.

- You're in this too.
- In what?

You framed Fennick
and Balton took the picture.

It's a filthy business and Balton's dead.
You're involved.

- I swear I'm not.
- You posed for the picture.

- It wasn't blackmail.
- What was it then?

Fennick's wife is tired of him
and wants a divorce.

- How much were you getting paid?
- $ .

- And you came to collect it.
- Yes.

- (g*nsh*t)
- (Norma screams)

(Shrieks and sobs)

Here, hold this, hold it tight.

OK, sit down, I'll get you an ambulance.

(Norma sobbing)

Ambulance service.

Here's the first part.

- Triple spaced?
- Please.

- Have you heard from Mr Kingman?
- Not yet.

It's a quarter past twelve.

He'll be along soon. Send him right in.

(Ringing)

Hello?

Brent? ls that you?

- I know your reputation, Mr Templar.
- I'm flattered.

I ought to arrest you
for Vern Balton's m*rder right now.

Lieutenant, the autopsy will prove
he was dead at least five hours.

You hope.

I'm positive.

- You just found the body?
- That's all.

How come? You were just passing?

No, I was looking for Balton.

- Why?
- Let's say I wanted some pictures taken.

Templar, I happen to like you.
I'd hate to get tough with you.

I give you my word, I had nothing to do
with Balton's death.

Iwalked in and found him.
Then Norma Upton arrived.

What she wanted, I have no idea.

I heard a noise, I saw a g*n
and pushed her out of the way.

But you didn't quite
push her out of the way.

I pushed her enough to save her life.

OK, Templar, you can go now.

- Don't check out of your hotel.
- Thanks, Lieutenant.

One other thing.

Don't meddle - don't get mixed up
in anything and don't look for trouble.

Lieutenant, I never look for trouble.
It's trouble that looks for me.

- Morning, Miss Grimshaw.
- Morning, Mr Kingman.

- Go right in.
- Thanks.

Morning, Mr Fennick. Sorry I'm late.
The customers took a long time.

I wouldn't want you to neglect
any of our customers for me.

- Have I held you up?
- No, no, no, it's all right.

I've had a most productive morning.

Good. How's the report coming?

Splendidly.

It's full of the most fascinating ideas.

Mr Fennick, is there something wrong?

- You could say so.
- Can I help?

Probably.

You are a very intelligent man,

that is why I made you
head of the West Coast division.

Tell me, Brent,
do you like San Francisco?

Yes, very much.

You're not having
too much of a good thing?

Look, Mr Fennick,

if I've done something wrong, say so,
but stop fooling around.

All right.

Just before you came in here,
I telephoned your apartment.

And who do you think answered?

Nobody.

- My wife.
- That's impossible.

Shall we try again?

Mr Fennick, I'm sorry
but these things do happen.

I didn't set out
to break up your marriage.

Liane and I saw a lot of each other
in New York and we fell in love.

How touching.

And I presume this grand passion
is mutual?

Yes, we want to get married.

Liane is already married.

I wouldn't be standing here

if I didn't know it's been all over
between you for a long time.

- She wants a divorce.
- I know.

She also wants a settlement
of half a million dollars.

- I think I could talk her out of that.
- You could?

Yes. But I'd want something in return.

What?

A ten-year contract
with the Fennick Candy Company.

Kingman...

let me tell you a few hard facts.

You are not only fired but I shall make
sure you don't work anywhere else.

I'll spread it throughout this convention
that you are a fraud, a philanderer,

a drunk, a liar.

- Kingman, you are about to be blitzed!
- You'll be sorry.

I doubt that.

Fennick, Liane's got the goods on you.

She's gonna divorce you
and take you to the cleaners.

If you'd been halfway decent
I'd have tried to talk her out of it

but if it's a fight you want,
you're gonna get it.

- You're a hot-headed man, Misner.
- I guess.

You punched an old man last night.

- He was pawing Norma.
- You hated that.

- Yeah, I hated that.
- I guess I'd hate it too.

If you'd punch a stranger,

what would you do to Balton, who was
getting Norma into something nasty?

- I didn't k*ll him.
- You knew what he was doing.

- He got Norma to do things.
- And you threatened to k*ll him.

I only said it. I didn't mean it.

"If Vern Balton comes anywhere
near me, I'll m*rder him," you said.

- So I said it.
- Then you went and sh*t him.

I've never even had a g*n in my hand.

You hung around because you knew
Norma was coming and you sh*t her.

- What do you mean?
- Oh, knock off this act.

- What are you talking about?
- You don't know?

- What's happened to Norma?
- You think I'm fooled by that act?

- Is she dead?
- Learn a little self-control.

- Is she dead?
- She's got a slug in the shoulder.

- Where's Norma?
- In the hospital.

- But you know that, you sh*t her.
- No.

You were eaten up with jealousy.
You hated Balton and Norma.

I want to see Norma.

- That was a mistake.
- I wanna see Norma!

You're not going anyplace.

Take him down, book him
for the m*rder of Vern Balton.

- Brent. I've been waiting for you.
- Get me a drink.

- What's the matter?
- I've been fired.

- You can't be serious.
- Kicked out as from now.

- What for?
- Because Otis knows, that's why.

- About us?
- Yes.

- And that you're in this apartment.
- He couldn't know that.

Did the phone ring
between and : ?

Yes, but there was nobody on the line.

That's what you think. It was Otis.
He recognised your voice.

I'm gonna take that jerk
for the last dime he's got.

- How?
- Get over to the hotel, quick.

If you're here he could bring
a counter divorce action.

- Go and check in as his wife.
- Why?

Give bucks to the desk clerk

if he'll swear that you checked in
at : and never left.

Right.

That's the last lot.
I'll edit those you've typed.

You're almost as fast in longhand
as I am on the typewriter.

Mr Fennick, I have some news for you.

Er, will you come in here, please,
Mr Templar?

- Have you seen Balton?
- He's no longer with us.

- Pardon?
- He's dead.

Dead? How?

sh*t through the chest.

- I can't believe it.
- Take my word for it.

But who...?

The police have Alec Misner,
Norma Upton's boyfriend.

He was the waiter that brought
the Scotch to my room.

I'm absolutely stunned.

This is terrible.

What's terrible about it?
Blackmailers often get sh*t.

But Mr Templar,
won't the police find the photograph?

- They haven't yet.
- Well, where is it?

I've no idea.

Mr Templar, I think I have.

My wife has it.

But she's in New York.

She flew in a few hours after I arrived.
She's with my West Coast manager.

She made the mistake of answering
his phone when I called.

- I recognised her voice.
- You spoke to her?

I didn't say anything. ljust heard
her say hello and then I hung up.

So she doesn't know that you know
she's here.

She will by now because
lfired Kingman. Mr Templar...

you've got to find my wife
and that picture.

Don't worry, Mr Fennick, I will.

Mr Templar, Alec didn't do it. I don't care
what the police say. I know him.

- (Sobs)
- Norma...

why did get mixed up with Balton
when you knew Alec hated it?

It was crazy, that's all.

I kept trying to change Alec.

I wanted him to be smart and go places.

I didn't want him to settle
forjust being a waiter.

I thought if we had some money
we could start a place of our own.

- Please help him.
- I can only help if you tell me the truth.

- Anything.
- Tell me all about Balton's racket.

Oh. He'd take a compromising
photograph of someone,

sell them the print but hold out
on the negative and keep bleeding them.

- Where did he keep the negatives?
- Never at the office.

- Any idea where he hid them?
- No. Honestly.

I was only with him for six months
and he never told me anything.

- Would anyone else know?
- Liane Fennick might.

- Why?
- She worked with him

before she got married.

That's why she went to him to get
the same deal pulled on her husband.

I'd better have a talk with Liane Fennick.

- Mrs Fennick?
- Yes?

My name's Templar, Simon Templar.

- Is it?
- I'd like to talk to you.

Why not?

- I'm a friend of your husband's.
- We all have bad luck.

I thought you were in New York.

So did Otis
but these new jets are so sudden.

They gave me a key
when I proved I was Mrs Fennick.

You gave the clerk bucks
to swear you registered at am.

How did you know that?

- I gave him .
- Why?

Mrs Fennick, I don't care whether
you're married to your husband,

Brent Kingman
or the chief of the Chippewa tribe.

What I don't like is blackmail.

I haven't the slightest idea
what you're talking about.

I'm talking about the picture
of your husband and a campfire girl.

- How did you know that?
- Vern Balton.

- You do get around.
- You used to work for him.

- A long time ago.
- But you remembered him

and you went to him
to frame your husband.

I've had ten years of Otis Fennick.

Maybe I'm no prize
but at least I'm alive and he isn't.

I have this picture and I'm going through
with this no matter what.

- Have you heard the word "collusion"?
- Nobody can prove that.

- Except Vern Balton.
- Balton will keep quiet.

You made sure of that, didn't you?

- Made sure of it?
- By k*lling him.

- k*lling him?
- It'll be in the afternoon papers.

- But you know now.
- I found the body.

You're lying. It's some sort of a trick.

Now, why don't we stop
clowning around, Mrs Fennick.

Balton was double-crossing you
and you sh*t him.

Mr Templar, I know your reputation

but don't start acting
the district attorney with me.

I had nothing to do with Vern's death

but it couldn't happen
to a more deserving guy.

- If you didn't k*ll him, who did?
- I don't know.

- Who else would be interested?
- I don't know.

With your past association with Balton,
you'd know where he kept the negatives.

I've told you, I don't know.

I thought you might
have had the answer.

Well, I haven't.

Looks like I've been wasting my time.

And mine.

Mrs Fennick, a word of advice -

don't play around too much,
you're liable to get hurt.

Your concern touches me, Mr Templar.
Goodbye.

- We'll meet again.
- I doubt that.

Bayside , please.

Brent, it's me.
Listen, I know where the negative is.

I can't talk on the phone now. Meet me
in the rowdy room in minutes.

It's after three, what if Otis comes back?

We'll just have to risk it.

Please, Brent, don't argue with me,
just come here quickly.

All right.

Goodbye.

- Yes, Mr Fennick?
- That's the last lot for typing.

I think I should get through all right
but no interruptions.

Don't worry, nobody will get past me.

Thank you, Miss Grimshaw.

Give me the reception desk, please.

- 'Reception.'
- This is Mr Fennick, . Any messages?

No, sir, no messages. Oh, except
your wife checked in at : .

Ah, yes, yes, I was expecting her.

- I'll take that.
- Who are you?

I said I'd take the key.

Hello. I'd like to see Mr Fennick, please.

I'm sorry, Mr Templar,
he's not to be disturbed.

This is urgent.

His instructions were no telephone calls
and no interruptions.

- They were, were they?
- Yes.

- He's working on an important report.
- Well, thank you very much.

(Click)

(Typewriter keys clacking)

(Typing continues)

- 'Hello?'
- Room , please.

(Ringing)

- Hello?
- Mrs Fennick? This is Simon Templar.

Don't ask any questions, there isn't time.

You're in great danger.
Go to the rowdy room and wait for me.

- Mr Templar...
- (Click)

- Hello, Liane.
- Well,

for once you've arrived
at an opportune moment.

- Have l, my dear?
- Simon Templar phoned,

- said I was in danger.
- Danger?

- Of what?
- He told me to get out of the room.

- I wonder why.
- I've no idea.

I suppose it's because

I k*lled Vern Balton.

It's true. I did.

Otis!

- You're...you're drunk.
- No, my dear, I'm quite sober.

But you made me very angry, Liane.

I don't mind fighting fair

but what you did was so degrading.

- You're a bad woman.
- Otis, you're wrong.

- Cruel, ruthless, cheap.
- No.

- You hired Balton and that girl.
- I didn't.

They tricked their way into my room,

the girl dropped her coat,
flung her arms around my neck

and Balton took the picture.

- It happened so fast...
- Otis, I swear I had nothing to do with it.

You made me look ridiculous.

And for that, I will never forgive you.

You know,

I had the most wonderful feeling
when I sh*t Balton.

Sometimes, at night,

I put myself to sleep imagining myself
in dramatic situations.

Leading an army
or being head of the FBI.

And when the dream became reality

and I actually sh*t Balton

- it felt good.
- Otis,

let's go downstairs and talk this over.

- You're frightened, aren't you?
- No.

Oh, I'm glad because...

all I've ever wanted of life
was for people to like me.

But you've been so unreasonable, Liane.

If you'd have accepted a fair settlement,
I'd have given you your divorce.

- As it is now...
- What will this solve, Otis?

- Nothing.
- Then why do it?

Because, like so many people
in this world, my life has no purpose.

I'm crippled inside, Liane, I'm dead.

- And you k*lled me.
- l...l could change, Otis.

You couldn't.

- We could go away someplace...
- It's too late.

Help me! Help!

- Otis, don't.
- You're not fit to live, my dear.

Otis...

And no one will ever know.

Miss Grimshaw... (Chuckles)

Miss Grimshaw is absolutely positive
that I am in my office

working on a report.

I can be back there
in five and a half minutes.

I've worked it out very carefully.

- (g*nsh*t)
- Otis, please!

(Sobbing)

Are you all right?

Yes! He's crazy, he's absolutely crazy.

That's for the police to decide.
They're on their way.

Mrs Fennick, I don't think
he's the only one who's crazy.

You can't put all the blame
on your ever-loving spouse.