03x18 - The Case of the Singing Skirt

[bunniefuu]

( noirish jazz theme playing )

( upbeat theme playing )

MAN:
Here's you change, Mr. Anclitas.

ANCLITAS:
Keep it!

I'll get your bags
out of the taxi, Mr. Anclitas.

I'll take care
of everything, sir.

Now, don't you waste
your time on me, sonny.

Save it for
the paying customers.

Oh, thank you, sir,
and welcome back.

Welcome back
to Rowena.

Mr. Anclitas. Gee--

Now, now, now, now, you'd think
I'd been gone for a whole month.

How's your mother's hip,
Sadie?

Oh, Mother's back
at the circus, already.

Maybe she's not riding
elephants yet,

but after all those special
treatments you paid for--

Sadie.

In the Big Barn I like everyone
to be happy, that's all.

Here happiness is legal.

( laughs )

Eeenie, meenie, minie, mo.

All right, Mr. Marcus,
I call you.

Two kings.

That's it, gorgeous,
just lead me quietly away

to the fountain pen.

I'm sorry, Manning.

Better luck
next time, sir.

rivate
game in the office, hey, Slim?

I didn't expect you
back from Vegas.

Yes, just a few regulars.

The other gentlemen
drifted away.

All but Mr. Manning Ennis III.

My little house
is honored, sir.

And now
it's endowed.

Oh, a little
bad luck, maybe.

At least in the Big Barn nobody
gets too badly burned.

Hm.

Well, buy the gentleman
a drink, Slim.

You get the courtesy
of the house, sir.

For a thousand years.

( Anclitas chuckling )

The name is
Betty Roberts, hey?

Oh, yes, sir.

I'm a friend of Sadie's,

the new girl that you hired just
before you went away.

Oh, sure, sure, I know.

The skirt who wanted
to be a singer, huh?

Well, uh, here's your chance.

I don't understand.

Well, you just seen
a man lose $,.

How does it happen?

Well, he-- He wasn't having
very good cards.

( chuckles )

Well, I see you're
a special friend

of my manager Slim Marcus,
maybe, huh? Is that it?

Oh, no, the only reason I was
in here was because Manning--

I mean, Mr. Ennis said
he wanted some cigarettes

and then he just
asked me to stay.

He thought I might
bring him some luck.

Mm-mm. So much luck.

You don't know my club
there's a $, limit?

But you do know I like
everyone to be very happy.

Please, Mr. Anclitas.

Well, that goes
for me too.

Oh!

So now, uh,

how did it happen?

Sing a little.

Hm?

( dramatic theme playing )

Betty.

Honey, what's wrong?

( door opening )

( door closes )
Well, hello, George.

I just heard
you were back.

Well, well, if it isn't
the Rowena police force.

Joe, be happy.

How's the wife's
gallbladder?

What did you tell him?

He asked you questions,
didn't he?

I-- I guess he thought there
might be something dishonest

about the poker game.

What did you say?

Hurry.
Well, what could I tell him?

I-- I don't know anything
about cards.

I wasn't really watching
the game.

Thanks a lot.

Oh, no, I mean--

Well, of course I told him
there was nothing dishonest.

WOMAN ( over intercom ):
Mr. Marcus, please.

Mr. Marcus to the office.

Was there?

Frank, I need a carton.

Why did you bet
all that money?

Famous last question.

Manning, please.

You don't think there was
anything wrong in there, do you?

( chuckles )

Just in here,
that's the only place.

No, no, gorgeous,
don't you worry about a thing.

Not you.

I'm awfully sorry it happened.

Take it easy, my wife has
friends under every toadstool.

I'm scared, Manning.

I'm gonna quit this job
just as soon as they'll let me.

Forget it, will you?

Forget about me too.

What are you
talking about?

Manning, what's
the matter with you?

Not a thing.

I'm finally going
to be free, that's all.

This is it, gorgeous.

Two kings
and it's all over with.

Finis.

The end.

You always got it straight about
my $, rule,

didn't you, Slim?

Nobody in my club plays for more
without I say so myself.

It came up in a hurry.

You were supposed
to be out of town.

But I knew you'd approve,
all right.

He's good for it.

Oh, sure, sure.

And if I hadn't got here,

you would have told me
about it, I guess.

How much money you won.

Well, sure.

Mm.

What about the girl
seeing the game, George?

Oh, now, Slim, you don't
have to worry about her.

I'll attend to her
in the usual way.

In fact, I tell you.

If there's no trouble
with her

or the check tomorrow
or anybody else.

Who knows?

Maybe you don't even have
to worry about yourself.

Sixty thousand dollars!

To Mr. Anclitas?

It's just not possible.

Not in one card game.

Why, that's all that you
had left in your account.

Mm-hm.

And who told you that,
my old friend Gowrie?

Yeah, there's a sweetheart too.

Kiss him goodbye for me.

Manning, where do you think
you're going?

Fishing.

For fish.

Oh, you're drunk.

You must be.

That's been one of my troubles
ever since I married you.

Vivian,

the money is gone,
do you understand?

Sixty thousand dollars was all
there was left in any account.

It's all that was left of me.
I'll stop the check.

You can't.
It's my account.

But a gambler's debt.

Now, there is nothing wrong
with gambling.

Remember?

You started it all.

You started a lot of things.

Who were you out
with tonight, by the way?

Oh, so that's what's
bothering you, is it?

No.

I don't even care anymore.

The bottle.

The cards.

And now you.

The idea is to get the whole
thing out of my system at once.

Goodbye.

I'll get
that money back.

I am warning you,
I'll get back every penny of it.

( dramatic theme playing )

( door opens )

( phone rings )

Yes, hello?

This is Mrs. Manning Ennis.

I'd like to see you right away.

But, Mrs. Ennis, I--

My dear, I realize
how late it is,

but I can meet you
anywhere you say.

Well, why?

What do you want me for?

Of course, I'll make
it worth your while.

If you'll just tell me about
the card game, how they did it?

Oh, no, please.

He said you were there,
the girl named Betty.

How many times
do I have to say it?

There's nothing to tell.

Nothing, nothing, nothing!

Nothing you know about, that is.

( phone rings )

Excuse me.

Yes?

Yes, Della.

That's right, it's also
in pacific second.

Mm-hm, right away.

Nothing you know about
or saw or realized you saw.

Oh, he could have been cheated
in a dozen ways,

I suppose, but--

Mr. Mason, why does everybody
keep coming after me?

Well, I suspect it's this:

In the township of Rowena,

in that one little section
in the midst of Los Angeles,

it's quite within the law to
lose your money playing poker.

So if it could be proved that
there was something wrong

about that
poker game last night,

then it's possible Mr. Ennis'
money could be recovered

through legal channels.

Naturally, this would
worry the gamblers.

It's funny but Manning--

Mr. Ennis, didn't seem
to mind losing very much.

Maybe he feels
differently today.

Now, you say Mr. Anclitas
was particularly curious

about, uh,
how the poker game started.

Mr. Mason, he hit me.

He touched me and backed me up
against a door

and then he slapped me.

We can certainly do something
about that, Miss Roberts.

Last year Sadie told me
there was a girl

who made those gamblers mad

and they chased her
clear out of the state.

She hadn't done a thing.

And they planted marijuana
cigarettes in her room

and even a g*n
in her purse.

All right, Betty, suppose you
tell me all of why you're here.

Whose is it?

Oh, the club has several.

You know, in the safe,
next to the cash register,

places like that.

Anyway, I take
this hatbox with me

so that I can change
right after work.

But last night I was so anxious
to get out of there, that--

That I didn't even bother
to pick it up.

And when I went to get my things
this morning--

You, uh, found this
g*n in the hatbox?

I felt under the cash register

and that's the g*n that belongs
there. I'm sure it is.

I was afraid to put it back.
The cleaning women were there.

By, uh, any chance
were you wearing gloves

when you felt
under the cash register?

Oh, I'd already handled
the register.

Last night I made
some change for a man

after the regular woman
had locked the cash drawer.

You opened it?

How?

Mr. Anclitas asked me to.

He-- He gave me a key.
( door opens )

Excuse me.

Here are the books
you asked for.

Oh, good.

Um, there's a Mr. Gowrie
on the phone for you.

Can't it wait?

He, uh, mentioned
Miss Roberts' name.

He seemed very anxious
to find her.

Who is it?

Put him on, Gerdie.

Hello?

What's on your mind,
Mr. Gowrie?

Yes, well, uh, last night,
the, uh, wife of an old friend,

one of my investment clients,
got me out of bed.

She was terribly upset,
and, uh--

Well, since you represent
Betty Roberts--

What makes you think I do?

Well, a woman called Sadie

told me that Miss Roberts
was consulting you.

Well, never mind that now,
Mr. Mason, you'll--

You'll know
what I'm talking about,

when I tell you we intend to get
every cent of that money back.

"We" intend to?

Yes, Vivian Ennis and I.

Mr. Gowrie,
since it's after :, why--?

Well, why do you think
I'm calling?

The bank just informed me
that they cashed the check.

Vivian will really
blow her top now.

Look, Mr. Mason, I thought that
perhaps you and I

could get together
with Betty Roberts,

and sort of work
this thing out some way.

Look here, Gowrie, why don't
you use the Novo decision?

The what?

Novo v.Hotel Del Rio,
May th, .

An appellate court held
that a husband has no right

to gamble
with the community property.

A wife can follow
the community funds

and recover them
from the gambler who won them.

Wait a minute,
wait just a minute.

Uh, where can I find all that?

And tell your lawyer to look
in California Appellate,

second at page .

It's in pacific second,
uh, .

I've got it, thanks.

Thanks a lot, Mason.

What was all that?

Smokescreen.

But it may keep everyone from
chasing after you for a while.

Now, if you'll excuse me
for a moment,

I have another call
to make.

Um, just sit there.
We'll make it from the library.

Della, put it
through for me, will you?

Excuse me.

Betty.

You have no reason to believe
that this g*n has ever been

used in any sort of crime,
have you?

No, of course not.

No, of course not.

Colt . Super.

Della, several
of our clients

have left g*ns here,
haven't they?

Mm-hm, they're
in the safe.

Open it,
will you, please?

What are you going to do?

I just don't like to see
a little girl

being pushed around
by a big gambler.

Does that include little girls
who tell big stories?

( chuckles )

Just because she's pretty.

This is the same type.

You already have the serial
number, don't you?

Mm.

Perry?

Trading g*ns is tampering
with evidence.

Evidence of what?

Oh, don't worry,
I'll take precaution.

But think how surprised
someone will be

if they try
to catch Betty

with a hatbox that contains
a certain stolen g*n.

I think you should
keep this for a while.

Right in your hatbox.

Now, we better move you from
your apartment in Rowena

to a safer place.

There's a little motel out in
Oakridge I think you might like.

You want
a ballistic check?

Oh, check
the registration first.

I definitely want to know
who owns the g*n.

Then you can turn it over
to your expert friend, Halstead.

Okay.

Now, you said
there were two things

you wanted
to see me about.

I have a new client,
a young woman.

She seems to have antagonized

the powers that be
out in Rowena.

That's not to smart.

She left there
in rather a hurry.

She needs some things
from her apartment, um--

Here's the address.

She worked in the, uh, Big Barn.

Said some of the other employees
in the Big Barn

also live
at her apartment house.

I'd prefer you not being seen.

Maybe I'd better wait
till late this afternoon

when they've all
gone to work.

And while you're there,

see if there's anything
unusual in the apartment.

Out of line,
you know.

Like illegal,
maybe?

Okay, I'll search
the joint for you.

Um, how do you want me
to get in?

Down the chimney
or sh**t my way in?

( chuckles )

You're entirely
too suspicious, Paul.

She, uh, gave us
the key voluntarily.

What's the connection
between the girl and this g*n

and what am I getting
into, anyway?

You're gonna help us find
that out.

( dramatic theme playing )

( knock at door )
MAN: Hello, anybody home?

Hello.

( knocking )

Say, what do you think
you're doing there?

She ain't home.

Los Angeles Police,
young lady.

We're looking
for Miss Betty Roberts.

Oh, well, she's gone out
to Oakridge or someplace.

TRAGG:
Well, uh,

perhaps you wouldn't mind
stepping inside here a moment.

She's not here,
lieutenant.

( suspenseful theme playing )

( dramatic theme playing )

( knock at door )

Who is it?

MASON:
Perry Mason.

Is something wrong?

Betty, I'd like you
to sign this.

Just like that?

Go ahead and sign it.

Oh, looks like you've
been doing a little reading.

Oh, yes, I've just been
loafing all day.

Then you haven't been
out of here all day?

Well, I did go to the restaurant
for some coffee

after I first got here

and then later for lunch,
but that's all.

And I haven't spoken
to a single soul.

( knock )

Here, now sign it.

TRAGG:
It's the police, open up.

Now, don't worry, Betty.

Just do
what I tell you to do.

Well, well,
hello, lieutenant.

You. What do you think
you're doing here?

Well, I'm suing
George Anclitas.

Miss Roberts has certain
claims against him.

He slapped her,

used abusive,
threatening language.

Now, isn't that
a likely story.

Oh.

Well, we want
to look around a little.

What are you
looking for?

The m*rder w*apon,
in case you didn't know.

m*rder?
Who's dead?

Mr. Mason, what's h--?

Now, I'll ask all
the questions, young lady.

But first I wonder if you'd
let me have your thumbprints.

It's all right.

Oh, uh, lieutenant.

Well, well,
would you look at that.

Oh, but-- But that g*n
was just put there.

It was in my hatbox when
I went to get it at the club.

When was that?

Now, let's not answer any
questions about that g*n.

Tragg, I think you'll find
that particular w*apon

has little
or no significance.

What do you mean
by that?

I'm just giving you a personal,
friendly tip, that's all.

Well, thanks.

I could hardly hold down my job

without your friendly,
personal tips, Perry.

Miss Roberts, um, how well have
you known Mr. Manning Ennis?

Manning?

Well, we've talked
a number of times.

He used to come into
the Big Barn quite often.

You ever been out with him?

Two or three times, maybe.

Why?

Have you gone to visit him
at his house, for instance?

No, no, I wouldn't.

Well, Miss Roberts, if you
never been in that house,

how can you explain the presence
of your fingerprints

on glassware, furniture,

even on an inside doorhandle
of Mrs. Ennis' car?

The same car that was driven
off the canyon road

to their place last night

with Vivian Ennis'
dead body inside it.

Miss Roberts, did you fire
the b*ll*ts that k*lled her?

Did you then push her car?

No, no, I didn't, no.

All right, Betty.

Don't answer
any more questions.

I'm taking her down
to headquarters.

And you're not going along,
Perry.

Furthermore, when we
fire test b*ll*ts

from that g*n of hers over
there, and they turn out

to be the same as the b*ll*ts
that k*lled Mrs. Ennis--

When they find out
those b*ll*ts aren't the same,

they'll have to release you,
Betty.

Now, that g*n didn't k*ll
anyone last night.

Please try to believe me.

Even if the lieutenant won't.

( dramatic theme playing )

( tires screech)

Well, well, well,
you are him, huh?

Mr. Mason.

Uh, this is Mr. Anclitas.
My name is Marcus.

We didn't mean
to scare you.

Well, back at the motel there
are too many policemen

to talk in front of.

Mr. Mason, I get
right to the point.

The what?

What do you mean?

( chuckles )

I didn't really think he knew
anything about it.

This Gowrie, he waves
your name around

like the cavalry was coming.

Gowrie?

Oh, that community
property business.

So he talked to you about that.

Well, you know, starting
a rumor like that

can cause a lot of trouble,
Mr. Mason.

I'm delighted to hear that
you've been inconvenienced.

But I didn't think Gowrie
would pursue the subject

after discovering that his
client had been m*rder*d.

( chuckles )

This Gowrie would pursue
wild dragons,

if he thought there
were dollars inside.

The Novo decision was based upon
the idea that a man

can't dispose of community funds

without receiving
some consideration.

I suppose it might be argued
that, uh,

in a place like Rowena,

where gambling is legal,
there actually is consideration.

( laughs )

Already, you see.

He's already thinking.

Uh, Mr. Mason, I am prepared to
offer you a handsome retainer.

And in return you'd expect me

to drop my interest
in Miss Roberts?

No, why should I do that?

In particular, if they say she
might have committed a m*rder.

Did you know Vivian Ennis?

She came to the club
fairly often.

Once or twice with this man
Gowrie, in fact.

Yes, but not last night.

Why should we waste so much time
on other people's murders?

Look here, Anclitas,
I might give some thought

to your proposition,
if you'd tell me who planted

those marijuana cigarettes
in Betty Roberts' apartment.

What?

My telephone number's
in the book, gentlemen.

( engine starting )

( suspenseful theme playing )

There was $ missing

from one of the cash registers
this morning too.

But I didn't
plant those things.

I don't even know
what you're talking about.

But we got nothing to do
about nothing.

You hear me?

Vivian said the money was hers

and she was going
to get it back.

Then she slammed out the door.

That was about a.m.,
I guess.

Mr. Ennis,
was that money hers?

No, originally it was
my grandfather's.

And that inheritance
was what you lost gambling?

Mm-hm.

Then it wasn't community
property after all.

Did Mr. Gowrie know that?

Sure, why?

Hm.

After your wife left here last
night, where did you go?

The police have practically
drawn pictures of it, Mr. Mason.

I went to Newport,
I have a little boat there.

The doctors seem to think that
your wife died about a.m.

I was down at the boat then.

All right.

Tell me about you
and Betty Roberts.

There isn't much.

All in the mind, I guess.

She's--

She's so much different
than Vivian.

When did you bring
her to the house?

A couple of nights ago.

Just to show her the place,
that's all.

By any chance, uh,

were you using your wife's car
that night?

Yes, as a matter of fact, I was.

We'd switched that day.

That would explain
the fingerprints.

It might help Betty quite a bit.

I'd like to help her,
Mr. Mason.

All I possibly can.

You really hated your wife,
didn't you, Mr. Ennis?

Yes, I did.

Enough to k*ll her?

( dramatic theme playing )

Hello.
Hi, Perry.

Della, any word
from downtown?

Not from Betty.

Perry, that, uh, ballistic
expert friend of mine, Holstead,

he's all upset.
Oh?

He heard this afternoon
that the police are looking

for a m*rder w*apon
of the same type you gave me.

A . Super.

All right, Paul.

Tell him to turn it in.

I don't want to see
any other people in trouble.

Well, as a matter of fact,
he's checking right now.

Confidentially, that is, with
one of the boys at headquarters.

( ringing )

Yes?

It's your office, Paul.

Oh, thanks.

Yeah?

He did?

That's a relief.

But are they sure?

Okay, thanks a lot,
I got it.

Relief?

Maybe not for your client.

It seems they already found
the g*n they want.

Where?

It's the one they took
out of Betty Roberts' hatbox

at the motel when
they picked her up.

Remember?
You were there.

That just couldn't be.
That g*n--

They say it matches
with a b*llet

taken from the body, Perry.

So it's got to be the g*n
that did the k*lling.

( suspenseful theme playing )

I found that two b*ll*ts
had entered the chest cavity,

slightly above and to one
side of the heart,

causing intensive hematoma
and tissue destruction.

The paths of the b*ll*ts were,
generally speaking, parallel.

And had the b*ll*ts passed

entirely through the body,
doctor?

Uh, one had been deflected.
It was embedded in bone.

The other was found in the outer
clothing of the decedent,

where her coat
had fallen down behind her,

next to the automobile seat.

Doctor, did you find
anything at all to suggest

that Mrs. Ennis' death
was caused by the car

plunging into that gully?

Oh, no, sir.

The car hadn't
overturned.

There were hardly
even any bruises.

Death was unquestionably caused
by the b*ll*ts, not the wreck.

I think that'll
be all, doctor.

Thank you very much.
Your witness.

Doctor, you said there
were two b*ll*ts.

That's right.

How far apart?

About an inch and a half
at the point of entrance.

Which one
was fired first?

Really, I have
no way of knowing.

There was extensive
tissue destruction.

Well, let me
put it this way:

Would the b*ll*ts
have been instantly fatal?

SURGEON: Yes, sir.
MASON: Which one?

SURGEON:
Well, both of the b*ll*ts

instantaneously inflicted
a mortal wound.

MASON:
But which one
was the cause of death?

I have just said that both
were the cause of death.

Doctor, do you mean
that it's possible

for a person to die twice?

I mean that either
of those b*ll*ts

could have caused the death
of Mrs. Vivian Ennis.

And I cannot be sure
which one it was.

Thank you, doctor.

That'll be all.

( spectators murmur )
( gavel bangs )

No, hold those.

Joseph Marcus, please.

Yes, I'd say Miss Roberts
was quite upset

over Mr. Ennis'
loss that night.

In fact, when he left her--

When he left the club,
she seemed to be crying.

Well, did Betty Roberts
often display

emotion in your establishment?

I mean, in connection
with Mr. Ennis?

MARCUS:
It was fairly impossible

for anyone not to notice
how she felt about him,

if that's what you mean.
Including Mrs. Ennis.

I'd say she sought out
the man's company

every time
he entered the club.

Your Honor, I object
to this leading of the witness

into unwarranted
conclusions.

Objection sustained.

Please confine yourself to more
direct questioning, Mr. Burger.

Mr. Marcus,
on the previous night,

that is the night
before the night of the m*rder,

did you see Miss Roberts
and Mr. Ennis together?

Yes, I did.

BURGER:
Under what circumstances?

It was in the parking lot
after closing time.

I saw Miss Roberts
go out there.

Mr. Ennis was waiting for her.

And what was the manner
of their greeting?

They kissed each other.

BURGER:
That'll be all.

Counselor.

Mr. Marcus,
do you recall telling me

that you were personally
acquainted

with the deceased, Vivian Ennis?

She came to the club
fairly often.

To gamble?

Sometimes. Sometimes she'd
just sit and drink.

Gossip with friends.

With a friend like you,
Mr. Marcus?

Sometimes.

MASON:
Did you ever take her out

to other places?

Places where you wouldn't
be quite so conspicuous?

Well, Mrs. Ennis was
a very attractive woman.

How many times did you take
her out, Mr. Marcus?

When you'd meet her, Mr. Marcus,

what was your manner
of greeting?

Your Honor, I object.

I'll withdraw the question.

That'll be all, thank you.

Well, Vivian Ennis was fit
to be tied.

She said her husband had lost
$, playing poker

and she intended to get
every cent of it back.

Then she slammed down the phone.

That was about : a.m.

Mr. Gowrie, you've
testified that Mrs. Ennis

told you she was going
to contact the defendant.

Did she also tell you
that she thought the poker game

might have been dishonest
in some way? Fixed?

Well, as I said, Mrs. Ennis
was terribly upset.

Personally I've never had any
reason to even remotely suspect

a game at the Big Barn.

BURGER:
Thank you, Mr. Gowrie,
that'll be all.

Your witness.

Mr. Gowrie, concerning
your own gambling.

My own what, sir?

Well, you've just testified
as to the honesty

of Mr. Anclitas' establishment.

Well, I've only really been
there a few times myself.

With whom? Mr. Ennis?

GOWRIE:
No, with Vivian Ennis

as a matter of fact.

Have you ever been employed
by Mr. Anclitas?

Of course not. I've never
taken a penny from him.

And I don't know what
you're talking about.

MASON:
No further questions.

And what happened the next
morning, Miss Bradford,

the morning
after the m*rder?

The next morning
when I tapped on Betty's door,

she wasn't in.

Then later, when I went out
for breakfast,

she came banging into me
on the sidewalk.

She came from the club,
I guess.

She was white as a sheet.

BURGER:
Did she say anything to you?

She said something
awful had happened

and she'd call me later.

She was going to see a lawyer.

Then she got in the taxi
and drove off.

BURGER:
And did she call you later?

Yeah.

She said she was going out
to some place in Oakridge.

She was going to hide
for a while.

BURGER:
I see.

Your witness.

No questions.

In the Big Barn
I want everyone to be happy.

Even a man whose just lost
$, dollars in one sitting?

Oh, he wanted to play.
It was his idea.

There was nothing wrong
about it.

I only wish
I had lost the money myself.

Yes, just answer
the questions, please.

Now, Mr. Anclitas,
would you tell us--?

Your Honor, may I be excused
for a moment?

You may, Mr. Burger.

Thank you, Your Honor.

( whispering )

Mr. Mason, what are they
all trying to do to me?

With the court's permission,
I'd like to ask this witness

to stand aside temporarily.

For what reason, Mr. Burger?

Earlier testimony
of the doctor made us anxious

to double-check certain
facts about the m*rder w*apon.

This has now been done.

And I would like to call to the
stand at this time, Mr. Wilton,

our top police expert
on ballistics.

How do you feel about this,
Mr. Mason?

Reserving my right to
cross-examine this witness,

I have no objection,
Your Honor.

You may step down, sir.

I said you may
step down, sir.

BURGER:
Now, Mr. Wilton, to repeat,

you say that this b*llet,
which has been identified

as one of the two b*ll*ts
which k*lled Vivian Ennis,

was definitely fired
from this g*n

which is marked
People's Exhibit E.

Yes, sir,
that's correct, sir.

It's a Colt . Super.

And that's the same g*n
that Lieutenant Tragg found

in the defendant's hatbox at
the time that she was arrested.

That's it.

That's the g*n
that fired that b*llet.

BURGER:
Now, here is a second b*llet,

marked People's Exhibit C.

This was also removed
from the victim's body.

Have you ever seen
this b*llet before?

I have.

It's the same type and caliber
as the other slug,

but we ran a ballistics check
on it too.

Well, we didn't think it
necessary at first but,

well, then we did.

And was this b*llet, this second
b*llet, fired from this g*n?

No, sir, it was not.

You mean that the two fatal
b*ll*ts were fired

from two different g*ns?

That's it, sir.

Mr. Wilton,
I show you this second g*n

of the same make
and type as the other

and I ask
if you recognize this.

Yes, sir, I do.
It has my mark on it.

If it please the court,

I should like this second
.-caliber Colt Super a*t*matic

entered in evidence for the
people and marked Exhibit F.

Mr. Mason?

I have no objection,
Your Honor.

Mr. Wilton,
will you tell us, please,

if you checked that second g*n
ballistically?

Yes, sir,
that second g*n,

Exhibit F, is the g*n
that fired that second b*llet.

Now, just a moment.

Mr. Burger, it seems
to me you may be giving defense

grounds for requesting
a dismissal.

The doctor stated it was
impossible to tell

which b*llet had k*lled
Mrs. Ennis,

so unless you actually intend
to link

the accused to both
of these g*ns--

That's exactly what we intend,
Your Honor.

Proceed.

Mr. Wilton, will you please
tell us how that second g*n

first came to your attention?

Well, it was shown
to me confidentially

by another g*n expert.

He does work for private parties
mostly. His name is Halstead.

BURGER:
Now, Mr. Halstead,

what was the name of the man
who brought you this g*n?

His name is Paul Drake.
He's a private investigator.

And did Mr. Drake give you any
reason why he wanted this g*n

to be test-fired by you?

HALSTEAD:
He just said it was being done
for a lawyer.

BURGER:
Did he say what lawyer?

HALSTEAD:
Mr. Perry Mason.

Thank you, sir.
Your witness.

No questions.

Well, so much for g*n
number two, Exhibit F.

I now call George Ranger
to the stand.

Mr. Ranger,
I show you now Exhibit E.

This is the first g*n.

The one that was taken from
the defendant's hatbox

at the time of her arrest.

I ask you
if this is your g*n.

Oh, I really
couldn't tell that.

Well, I suggest that you compare
the serial number on the g*n

with the number
on your g*n permit.

RANGER:
They seem to be the same.

BURGER:
Well, would you say then

that this is your g*n?

RANGER:
I guess it must be.

BURGER:
And would you tell us, please,

when you last saw it?

About, uh,
six months ago.

I was involved
in a civil suit.

My lawyer didn't think
I should be carrying a w*apon,

so he locked the g*n
in his safe.

And what was
your lawyer's name?

Perry Mason.

BURGER:
Really.

Thank you.

Your witness.

No questions.

Your Honor, at this time
I have no alternative

except to call Perry Mason
to the stand.

Just a moment, Mr. Burger.
Your Honor--

Your Honor I realize that this
is a very irregular request.

But I'm faced with a shocking
situation in which the counsel

for the defense had personal
possession of both g*ns

that fired both b*ll*ts.

May it please the court,
it's after :.

Your Honor.

( rapping )

Mr. Burger, I'm just as curious
and concerned as you are,

but the point of Mr. Mason's
interruption is well taken.

It is after .

Court adjourned
until p.m.

Mr. Mason, I'm so sorry.

Now you're in almost as bad
trouble as I am.

Never mind all that.

Just try to think.

Try to remember.

Well, Mr. Anclitas walked
in on the poker game.

Slim Marcus had raked in
all the cards that were face-up.

And then he reached
for the check, but--

But Mr. Anclitas
took it out of his hand.

Betty what do you mean all
the cards that were face-up?

Well, the last two
poker hands, that's all.

You know, four cards up
and one down.

( knocks )

Excuse me.

Did you reach
the doctor?

Uh-huh, he said either one
of those b*ll*ts

could have been fired after
Vivian Ennis was already dead.

How long after?
Mm, several hours.

Had to be that,
at least.

Well, I should hope so.

If one of those g*ns didn't
leave the safe in your office

until : that morning,

five hours after
Vivian Ennis was k*lled...

Paul, do you know Section
of the State Penal Code?

Huh?

It defines illegal
games of chance

when the code was written
in .

It did not include draw poker.

Later, when the code
was amended,

it did include stud poker.

Playing a game of stud poker
is a misdemeanor,

even in Rowena.

( dramatic theme playing )

The inference here is obvious,
Your Honor.

The defendant, Betty Roberts,
came to Perry Mason with a g*n

which had fired a fatal b*llet
into the body of Vivian Ennis.

Somehow that g*n then left her
possession and in its place,

she obtained another g*n which
could only have been given her

by her counsel,
that same Perry Mason.

JUDGE:
Very well, Mr. Burger.

I've only allowed you to make
these statements

since this is a hearing,
without jury.

Your Honor, I found it necessary
to make my point very clear

because we have here a strong
inference that this defendant

was actually instructed
by her attorney

to return to the scene
of the crime

and to fire a second b*llet
from a second g*n

into the body
of the victim.

It's one thing
for counsel to advise

a person accused
of a crime,

but it's quite another thing
for an attorney himself

to become an accessory
to m*rder.

JUDGE:
I agree, sir.

Mr. Mason, you'll now take the
stand and be sworn as a witness.

Your Honor, I'm still
representing the defendant

and I'm entitled to pursue
this case in an orderly manner.

As I remember,

when the district attorney

started calling witnesses
out of their proper order,

he hadn't quite finished
his examination

of Mr. George Anclitas.

That makes no difference,
Your Honor,

I have no more questions
of Mr. Anclitas.

Then I insist upon conducting
my cross-examination

of Mr. Anclitas, Your Honor.

Mr. Mason is just stalling
for time, Your Honor.

Counsel is within his rights,
Mr. Burger.

Mr. Anclitas will return to
the stand for cross-examination.

Concerning the legal ownership
of this first g*n, Mr. Anclitas,

Exhibit E, I believe
it has been established

that it belonged
to the Big Barn.

Well, that's right. That g*n
belongs by my cash register.

Hm, now tell us how many other
g*ns you keep at the club

for, uh, which you
hold permits.

Uh, let me see, uh,
two in the bar,

one at each cashier.

Uh, there are five g*ns,
I think.

And you account for every one
of the five g*ns?

Your Honor, I object.

This is a familiar trick
of Mr. Mason's.

He's trying to get us so tangled
up in immaterial g*ns--

I'll watch my step, Mr. Burger.

But I suggest if you have a
point, you make it, Mr. Mason.

Now, Mr. Anclitas, how do you
account for this particular g*n

getting into the possession
of the defendant?

Did she steal it?

Oh, steal
is a big word.

m*rder is a bigger one.

On the same morning this g*n
was found to be missing,

did you cause the cash drawers
at your club

to be double-checked?

Yes.
And you found what?

One of them
was short $.

And then did you ask
the Rowena Police

to look for that missing money
and did they find it?

Your Honor, I'll object to that.
That's an improper question.

Uh, Your Honor,

I, uh, know the prosecution
hasn't decided

when to reveal all this,

but the subject
has been introduced.

My question is quite
in order.

Objection overruled.

Continue, Mr. Mason.

Mr. Anclitas, was that $
found, and if so, where?

In her apartment,
Miss Betty Roberts.

MASON:
Along with what else,

Mr. Anclitas?

Well, just a few smokes
the police said. Marijuana.

It's funny,
I didn't think it of her.

Now, let's go back
to the night before.

When you walked in on that poker
game, Miss Roberts was there.

Isn't that correct?
Yes.

The sole witness to a game
in which $, changed hands.

Now, suppose there was something
peculiar about that game.

Suppose they'd been playing
stud poker, for instance.

Stud poker, instead of
the more legal draw poker.

No, no, no, no.

Not even if the customers
ask for it.

Not in my club.

Isn't it true that last year
you got rid of a female employee

by planting incriminating items
in her possession?

Certain items such as, uh, a
stolen p*stol, money, marijuana.

Objection, Your Honor.

JUDGE:
Sustained.

All right, Mr. Anclitas.

Isn't it true that after
the $, poker game

you decided to get rid
of Miss Betty Roberts?

Isn't it true
that you took money

from one of your cash drawers
to be placed

in Miss Roberts' apartment?

No.

Isn't it true that you planted
marijuana cigarettes

in Miss Roberts' apartment?

Of course not.
I never touch the stuff.

She's no good, that girl.

He's lying.

I did it. I put
those things there.

He made me do it.

He paid my bills.

He paid my mother's hospital.

He wanted everybody should
be happy, he said.

And when did you plant the g*n
in Betty Roberts' possession?

Early the next morning.

I went over to the club

and I noticed her hatbox
was still there,

so I put the g*n in it.

Betty, honey,
I'm so awful sorry.

Your Honor, in the light
of these new developments,

I would like to recall another
witness: Mr. William Gowrie.

Mr. Burger?

No objection, Your Honor.

The money then belonged
to Mr. Ennis.

It was not community
property.

That's right.

Did you at any time
help Vivian Ennis

to get control of that money,
legally that is,

perhaps by juggling
investments?

Now, there's no need for me to
answer that sort of a question.

Why? Because her husband
knew what you were up to?

I wasn't up to anything
I tell you.

MASON:
But you were seeing

Mrs. Ennis socially,
were you not?

Well, that's different.

Had you proposed marriage,
Mr. Gowrie,

in the event
of their divorce?

Well, what of it?

She refused me.

Why?

Because you hadn't
been successful

in getting the money for her?

Well, how should I know?

She threw me over,
don't you understand?

MASON:
She threw you over for whom,

Mr. Gowrie?

How should I know?

The, uh, different times you
took her to the Big Barn,

whom did she
go there to meet?

Don't you think it
most probable, Mr. Gowrie,

that Vivian Ennis had become
interested in someone

who could get the money for her

and perhaps get it quite easily?

Now look, I'm not gonna commit
myself in any way.

Why not, Mr. Gowrie?

Surely you couldn't have known
all the things

Mrs. Ennis' m*rder*r
must have known

about that g*n, for instance.

Where it was kept.

About Mr. Anclitas' intention
in planting money and marijuana

in order to incriminate
Miss Roberts.

About Mr. Anclitas'
rage that night

over a poker game which had been
carefully kept secret from him.

You.

You pig.

For $,.

I'll k*ll you.

Shut up, George.

Get your hands off me!
Leave me alone!

You ruined my business.

You ruined my club,
my reputation.

Get him off of me!

I'll tell everything.
Get him away from me.

I'll tell you
how I k*lled her!

( dramatic theme playing )

To begin with, Marcus took
every penny he could get

from Mr. Ennis
in that poker game.

Vivian and her new
boyfriend, Marcus,

intended to split
the winnings.

But then Anclitas walked in and,
uh, took the whole pot instead.

Well, that's what made Vivian
so terribly upset, of course.

Sure.

After closing time,
she came after Marcus,

threatened to expose him
to his boss.

That's when they fought
and he k*lled her.

But what about the g*ns?

Well, he used
the cash register g*n.

That's what
he k*lled her with.

Afterwards, he took the g*n
right back to the club

where he put it
away again,

knowing that Sadie
would then plant the g*n on you.

DELLA:
That's just exactly
what happened too.

MASON:
Only I switched the g*ns.

While you were in the restaurant
having coffee,

Marcus checked in your room
and found you had a g*n

with the wrong serial number.

That's when he got panicky.

All he could think was

Sadie had put the wrong g*n
in the hatbox.

So he gilded the lily.

He took the g*n out,

put another shot
through the body,

later returned the g*n
while you were out having lunch.

Just to make me look guilty.

Well, by that time
he was committed. He had to.

ENNIS:
Oh, excuse me.

Did you send for me,
Mr. Mason?

( upbeat theme playing )

I like everybody
to be happy.

( noirish jazz theme playing )