01x24 - The Case of the Deadly Double

[bunniefuu]

How are you, Tommy?

I'm in conference,
Mr. Vance.

Oh, then I won't disturb you.

Hello, Dave.

Harry, I've been studying
this Anderson thing.

Personally, I don't think
it has any merit.

Are you suggesting
we drop it?

I don't see why
you're pressing the matter.

Because I think it's a rare opportunity.
Well, I don't.

I've had other dealings
with Anderson.

I don't trust him
or his figures.

Well, I do.

Or maybe you think I've been working
with him under the table.

I didn't say that.

[INTERCOM BUZZES]

CORA: Mrs. Reed
and Mr. Crane are here.

One moment.

Harry, you stay here.

Have them come in.

Mom!

Mom!

Helen tells me you've instituted suit
for custody of Tommy.

That's right, Bob.
She's not fit to be his mother.

You've accused my sister
of that before.

You're not going
to do it again.

This time I'll prove it.

You're lying, Reed.

And so help me,

if you do anything to try to take Tommy
away from Helen,

you'll not live
to appear in court.

Let's get out of here.

[WHISTLING]

[PIANO PLAYING]

[PEOPLE CHATTERING]

Hi, Georgie Porgie.
Hi, Georgie Porgie.

Good evening,
Miss Martel.

Give me a double, Georgie.

Hi, Johnny. Hi, honey.

His service is lousy,
as usual.

I want to talk to you,
Joyce.

Talk. Well, well, well.

That'll be interesting
for a change.

Where's my drink?

You're not going to sit at this bar
and lush all night.

Of course not, baby.

As soon as Joyce
has a couple of drinks,

we'll have our little talk.

There's plenty of it
in the office.

Call me when Terry Coogan
gets here.

[GRUNTS]

That dame is poison.

Yeah, and for Johnny,
there ain't no antidote.

Where have you been?

Where have you been?

Cheers, Johnny.

[GLASS SHATTERS]
Oh, Johnny.

Don't be so impatient.

What do you mean, impatient?
I haven't seen you in a week.

Has it been that long?

What's happening to you,
Joyce?

All this double-talk.
Be yourself.

What's so funny?

That's it. That's it.

I haven't been myself.

But, Johnny, tonight,
I am going to be myself.

That's nice.
What about tomorrow night?

Oh, Mr. Crane,
I'm so glad you're here.

How is she, Doctor?

She'll be all right
in a few minutes.

Hiya, Sis.

Hi.

Did you take a little excursion
through nightmare alley?

I don't dare
close my eyes again,

not after that experience.

Do you want to talk about it?

[SIGHS]

It's all so senseless, Bob.

You know
how nightmares are.

There's no beginning
and no end.

Well...

I had a bad headache,
so I went to bed early.

I must've gone to sleep
right away because

suddenly, I was standing
in front of this

big, garish building.

And I had a dress on that,

well, if you saw me in it,
you'd disown me.

ROBERT:
You might've caught cold.

No, hardly.

See, uh,

my shoulders were
covered with mink.

But you're allergic to fur.

I know, I know.
But not in the dream.

And I did a whole lot
of things that I never do.

I never smoke
and I never drink.

I can almost
taste the alcohol now.

And then...

And then
I went into the building

and I went into the apartment

and there,
I saw David's body.

DOCTOR:
Your former husband?

He was...

He was sprawled out
on the floor

and there was a b*llet hole
in his head

and there was a g*n
lying near him.

[CRYING]

We won't talk
about it anymore.

No more. Just lie back.

That's right.

Isn't there anything
that can be done

to alleviate these att*cks,
Doctor?

Mrs. Reed's problem
is emotional, not physical.

I've suggested
psychiatric treatment

and made
several appointments.

She won't keep them.

I don't need
a psychiatrist. I...

You make
another appointment.

I'll see that she keeps it.

Good.

I'll call Dr. Maitland
in the morning.

Thank you.

Do you still have any of the pills
I prescribed for you?

Oh, I don't know.
I don't remember.

Sarah?

Sarah?
They're in my purse, maybe.

This isn't Mrs. Reed's purse.

There are initials on it.
J.M.

What's the matter,
Helen?

That's the purse I carried
in my nightmare.

ROBERT: Mr. Mason,
I'll come right to the point.

My sister and I may require
the services of an attorney.

Now, then, will $2500
be a sufficient retainer?

It would,
if I accept the case.

We aren't sure
that there is a case.

However, we have reason
to believe that David Reed,

my sister's former husband,
has been m*rder*d.

On what do you
base that belief?

On a nightmare.

A nightmare in which
my sister saw David Reed

lying with a b*llet hole
in his head.

Well, this would indicate

that your sister's nightmare
has substance.

ROBERT: My sister's nightmares
have the bizarre faculty

of proving themselves
horribly real.

Suppose it was real?

Suppose it wasn't
a bad dream.

In just what way
would it concern you?

I threatened
to k*ll David Reed.

Why?

ROBERT: He accused
my sister of misconduct

and instituted a suit
to have their son, Tommy,

removed from her custody.

But you didn't k*ll him?

No.

Well, in that case,
I can't accept your retainer.

HELEN: Why not?

A conviction can't be obtained
on the basis of a nightmare.

Even if there is physical evidence
to support it?

What evidence?

My sister carried that purse
in her nightmare.

It doesn't belong to her.

How did this purse happen
to come into your possession?

I don't know.

I never saw that
before last night.

There must be
some explanation.

In any event, it doesn't prove
that David Reed is dead.

One b*llet fired.

Recently.

In her nightmare,

my sister saw that g*n
lying near David Reed's body.

It happens to be my g*n.

Miss Dunbar?
Right there.

Thank you.

Miss Dunbar?
My name is Mason.

I spoke to you
about an appointment.

Oh, yes, Mr. Mason.

I'm sorry, but Mr. Reed
hasn't come in as yet.

Would you care to wait?

Thank you. Oh, may I?

Certainly.

MASON: Mr. Reed?

Yes, it's a perfect likeness.

Has he come in yet?

Not yet, Mr. Vance.
Mr. Mason is waiting for him.

Well, if it concerns Reed Industries,
perhaps I can help.

No.
I've been retained by Mr. Robert Crane

and Mrs. Reed
to act as their attorney.

Oh, yes.
Little Tommy's custody.

Unpleasant business.

Mr. Vance,
I specialize in criminal law.

Surely this matter won't be tried
in a criminal court?

No, but David Reed's
m*rder will.

Are you implying
my partner's dead?

If my information is correct.

Miss Dunbar informed you that
he called only two hours ago.

Obviously, she also
informed you about me.

Yet not more
than two minutes ago,

you acted as though you'd
never heard of me before.

What are you hiding,
Mr. Vance?

[PHONE RINGING]

Reed Industries.

It's for you, Mr. Mason.

Thank you.

Yes?

Perry?
Paul Drake just called.

He wants you to meet him
at 622 South Barry, Brentwood.

Do you have it?

Thank you, Della.

Oh, Mr. Mason.

Just what was the purpose
of your visit?

I wanted to verify
a nightmare.

[DOOR CLOSING]

Perry.

I called my office
while I was waiting for you.

Crane and his sister, Helen Reed,
are at Dr. Maitland's office.

Maitland, he's a psychiatrist,
isn't he?

Mmm-hmm.
One of the best.

What about that?
Her name's Joyce Martel.

She lives in this building,
apartment 310.

Did you get
a description?

Yeah, she's blonde,
beautiful, 5'5".

Lazy hips.
Sounds very interesting.

She is, if the store manager where
she bought this is any judge.

The only problem is
she may not be home.

I believe
there was a key in there.

That's a very expensive bag,
wouldn't you say, Paul?



And I'm sure Miss Martel
would be very grateful to get it back.

We might even get a reward.
Come on.

Reed?

Mmm-hmm.

And Mrs. Reed
just dreamed this?

Homicide won't need a Joseph
to interpret this dream.

Well, put this back
in the purse.

The tipster who called
said it was the third floor, Lieutenant.

All right. Ask the manager
for the key.

Say, why don't you
wait here, Lieutenant?

You know how these
anonymous phone tips are.

Probably nothing to it.

Grant, I see a bright future
for you in the department.

Wait a minute.

This is Mason's car.

PAUL: Nothing in the kitchen,
Perry.

It's as bare as
Mother Hubbard's cupboard.

What about the bathroom?
No. Not even toothpaste.

Just towels,
all monogrammed J.M.

Same as this.
Handkerchief, lingerie,

all with her monogram.

She must have
an inferiority complex.

Miss Martel certainly seems to be trying to
assert her personality.

Yet something's missing.

Well, if this is Joyce Martel,
there is nothing missing.

[DOORBELL BUZZING]

Well, come in, Lieutenant.

We were just
about to phone you.

I'll bet.

What are you doing here?

Calling on Joyce Martel.

Sorry I asked.

I'm shocked, Mason.

A fashion plate like you in the company
of anyone improperly attired.

Well, I see what you mean,
black bag, brown jacket.

Well, some people
just have no taste.

Of course.

No private detective would be
carrying an evening bag

when dressed
for the afternoon.

Not even
an ex-private detective.

Uh, wait a minute,
Lieutenant.

Perry can explain everything.

Yes, I'm sure he can.

What's the idea of trying to remove evidence
from the scene of a crime?

We weren't. We brought
that bag up here with us.

My client found it
and turned it over to me.

Since when did you become
a lost-and-found department?

Well, now,
Lieutenant Tragg,

you above all people
should know

the duties of an attorney
are varied and many.

Who's your client?

I am not at liberty...

Liberty to divulge that
at the moment.

Probably.

But I'd appreciate a look
at the ballistic report.

Oh, of course.
Just drop into my office,

when you visit
your client's cell.

Thanks, I will.

Just as soon as
I find out who my client is.

Coming, Paul?

All right, let them out.

Thanks, Lieutenant.

Perry, we've got to
return this immediately.

Of course.

But the lab address
is on the back

and I'd certainly
like to know

who's on the other
half of this picture.

Well, I'll get right on it.
But what about the g*n?

The minute Tragg
checks the registration,

he'll know it belongs
to Bob Crane.

Yeah,
he moves pretty fast.

But I'm hoping
it'll keep him occupied

long enough for us
to find out

what Helen Reed has up
Joyce Martel's sleeve.

You just passed me.
Is there a connection?

So close, they could share
the same nightmare.

This is Joyce Martel.

Yeah.

And Joyce Martel
is Helen Reed.

And God bless Miss Dunbar

and Mr. Vance and Sarah

and Mother and Daddy.

SARAH: All right, young man,
off to bed.

Good night, darling.

Amen.

Good night, good night.

Now, march right off to bed.

Will you read me a story?
We'll see.

Good night, Mommy.

Good night, Son.

[DOORBELL BUZZING]

Bet you're tickled to death
to see me.

I beg your pardon.

You left this
in my cab last night.

That isn't mine.
Now wait, lady.

Take that thing
away from me, will you?

Well, that thing is mink.
Take it away, get out.

Hey, lady, open up.
You want to get me into trouble?

Come on. I got enough headaches
without you making more.

What's going on?

You got me, mister.
That dame in there,

I dropped her at the
Burgundy Club last night.

Later I picked her up in an apartment
on Barry and drove her here.

She left this stole
in my hack.

Now she says it ain't hers.

I don't know what kind of a racket
she's trying to pull,

but I'm not falling for it.

Excuse me.

Mrs. Reed?
This is Perry Mason.

This gentleman claims you left your mink stole
in his cab last night.

I've already told him
that it doesn't belong to me.

Well, I suppose
I could be wrong.

The lady looked different
last night, but I...

Now I know it's her
for sure.

That other one
opened the door for us.

Okay. You can leave it.

Thanks, mister.

Please, Mr. Mason.

She can become very ill.
She is allergic to fur.

All right.

But that taxi driver
can testify that

Mrs. Reed was wearing
this fur last night

in the vicinity
of David Reed's m*rder.

Oh, no.

No, that was only a nightmare.

It was only a nightmare.

Mrs. Reed, your husband's m*rder
was very likely a nightmare.

But it was no figment
of your imagination.

He is dead.

He was found in the apartment
you occupied under the name of Joyce Martel.

What apartment?

I don't have
any other apartment.

That thing
doesn't belong to me.

I couldn't wear it.

I couldn't wear that.

[GASPS]

Miss Street said
it was urgent.

It certainly is, Mr. Crane.

You'll likely be arrested for David Reed's m*rder
before the night's out.

Then it is true.

I should've known.

Did you know that David Reed was m*rder*d
in Joyce Martel's apartment?

That's impossible.

There is no
Joyce Martel.

There never has been.

Don't you lie to me,
Mr. Crane.

Now, that name is
familiar to you, isn't it?

Well, yes.

Joyce Martel is the name

of an imaginary playmate
of Helen's when we were children.

Go on.

About 25 years ago,
in one of her nightmares,

Helen said
she saw Joyce Martel

try to k*ll me
with a bread Kn*fe.

I used to tease her
about Joyce,

until I found the bread Kn*fe
in my pillow.

[KNOCK ON DOOR]

That must be Paul.

I thought I'd save myself
a few steps.

Oh, I see you found out
who your client is.

Apparently we both did,
Lieutenant Tragg.

Where is, uh,
Joyce Martel?

I don't know anyone
by that name.

Didn't Mr. Mason
introduce you?

He had her purse
with your g*n in it.

Incidentally, I can save you
a trip to my office.

The b*llet that k*lled David Reed
was fired by Crane's g*n

between 9:00 and 11:00
last night.

That doesn't prove Mr. Crane fired it
or that he was even there.

"Dear Mr. Crane,

"Mr. Reed has requested

"that you meet him at
Miss Joyce Martel's apartment,

"622 South Barry,


"Cora Dunbar."

TRAGG: I found that
in one of your suits.

The desk clerk at your hotel said
you picked it up about 10:00.

But I didn't read this.

I picked it up

and just as
I was picking it up,

I was paged.

And then, when I learned of
my sister's illness,

I put it in my pocket.

I never read it.

All right, Crane.

MASON: Mr. Crane.

Please remember
you're not required

to answer any of
Lieutenant Tragg's questions.

As a matter of fact, don't even discuss
the weather with him.

He can be very persuasive.

Mason,
sometimes I wonder

which side of the law
you're on.

That's easy, Tragg.

My client's side.

MASON: What kind
of a place is it?

PAUL: It's a nightspot
on the strip.

The Burgundy Club.
That's Johnny Hale, the owner.

Hale?

Didn't I refuse
to represent him

in some matter,
a sh**ting or something?

His third one.

You weren't interested because
of the unethical aspects.

What about their relationship?

Cozy, from the looks
of this picture.

I didn't have time
to check it,

but it shouldn't be
too difficult.

Well, I think I'll drop around
to the Burgundy Club.

This, uh, this Hale,
does he have a private office?

Yeah. It's just to the right
as you go through the bar.

Good.

[PIANO PLAYING]

[PEOPLE CHATTERING]

HALE: Come in.

Well, Mason,
what brings you here?

Business.

Last time we met,
you didn't want any part of mine.

I still don't.
I want some information.

You came to the wrong place.

We only serve entertainment,
food and drinks.

This was in her bedroom.

Just 15 feet away from
where David Reed's body was found.

This part was missing.

Do the police know this?

Not yet.

Now look, Mason,

you don't frighten me
one little bit.

I've handled
guys like you before.

So?
So,

you want to play rough,
you've got yourself a partner.

Only stay away
from Joyce Martel.

Afraid she'll lead me to you?

You don't get it, do you?

You think I'm worried
about my own skin?

I can take care of myself.

But you are concerned
about Joyce?

I don't know why I should try
to convince you.

But, yes, I'm crazy about her.

She's nothing but trouble
but she's mine.

And it's going
to stay that way.

I mean it.

If you so much
as go near her,

you'll answer to me
personally.

I think you do mean it.

Frankly, I don't care
what you think.

Where did you leave
your allergy?

At home with Helen Reed.

[CHUCKLES]

[DOOR OPENS]

[DOOR CLOSES]

Mr. Mason, I simply cannot violate
the confidence of a patient.

Dr. Maitland,
I appreciate your reluctance.

But Helen Reed's
legal difficulties

must take precedence over
any psychiatric consideration.

I see.

Very well.

Have you met
Joyce Martel?

Yes.

At first, I gathered
that Joyce Martel

was only an assumed
identity for Helen Reed.

Oh, no, Mr. Mason.

It is not
an assumed identity.

Joyce Martel is a distinct
and separate personality

who happens to be sharing
the same body with Helen Reed.

Kind of Jekyll and Hyde?

Well, it's a bit simplified
for psychiatric purposes,

but it will do.

To a degree,
Helen Reed and Joyce Martel

are the living counterparts
of that story,

with one exception.

And that is?

Joyce Martel knows
of this dual personality.

But Helen Reed was quite unaware
of Joyce's existence

until quite recently
when I started treating her.

How do these two women differ?

Oh, in dozens of ways.

Helen Reed is allergic to fur.

She comes in contact with it,

she will wheeze and her eyes
will begin to water.

Fur, on the other hand,

doesn't bother
Joyce Martel at all.

Helen Reed doesn't smoke
or drink.

Joyce does both to excess.

As to their moral outlook,

Helen Reed
is a virtuous woman,

something which amuses
Joyce Martel considerably.

Dr. Maitland,
in your professional opinion,

would Helen Reed
commit m*rder?

No.

But Joyce Martel could.

Miss Ellis, this is the g*n
that k*lled David Reed.

It's a .32 Colt revolver.

Have you ever seen
this w*apon before?

I'm not sure.

Didn't you identify it
in my office?

Yes, sir.

Well, where did you say
that you'd seen it before?

In Mrs. Reed's apartment
on the night of the m*rder.

Shortly after
Mr. Reed had called,

I tried to contact Mr. Crane.

I failed to reach him.

I left a message
with his hotel desk clerk.

Do you know why Mr. Reed wanted
to reach the defendant?

Yes.

He told me he had learned about
his wife's indiscretion

and he intended proving it
to her brother.

Do you know how
he learned this?

Well, he had detectives
watching her.

Do you remember what Mr. Reed said
when he read their report?

Yes. He said,

"I'll show that Bob Crane
what kind of a sister he has.

"I'll take Tommy away
from her.

"I just hope
he tries to stop me

"because I'll blast Helen
in every paper in town."

Thank you.
Your witness, Mr. Mason.

Miss Dunbar.

What is your official position
with Reed Industries?

I was Mr. Reed's
private secretary.

And unofficially?

I don't know
what you mean.

What is your relationship with
Mr. Reed's junior partner, Harry Vance?

Well, I know him.

That's as far as it goes?

Yes.

Didn't Mr. Vance purchase
a plane ticket to Mexico City

for you on April 14th?

He did not.
I paid for that ticket.

How did it happen that
he gave his personal check

to the travel bureau
for that ticket?

Well, I was going to
reimburse him later.

Did you ever inform Mr. Vance

of decisions Mr. Reed had
wished to keep in confidence?

No. They had no secrets
from one another.

Wasn't that your fault?

Didn't you tell Mr. Vance
that Mr. Reed

had decided not to buy
the L.K. Anderson Company?

That's a lie.
Mr. Reed had told Har...

I mean,
Mr. Vance that himself.

That will be all, Miss Dunbar.

Mr. Reed and I were discussing
a business matter

when Mrs. Reed
and Bob Crane entered.

Did you leave the room?

No,
Mr. Reed asked me to stay.

What happened then?

Crane was highly incensed.

He threatened to k*ll Reed if he continued
his suit to regain Tommy's custody.

I see.

Cross-examine.

Mr. Vance, when did you learn
of your partner's death?

VANCE:
The following day.

Mr. Vance, I must remind you
that you're under oath.

Well, uh...

Mr. Reed had an appointment
to meet Crane

at Joyce Martel's apartment.

He asked me to be there
as a witness.

When did you arrive
at Joyce Martel's apartment?



Did you see
the defendant there?

No.

Whom did you see?

David Reed.

Was he alive at that time?

No.

Why didn't you report that
to the police?

I didn't want
to get involved.

But I called them later
from a phone booth.

Isn't it true

that you were negotiating with
the L.K. Anderson Company

and Mr. Reed was
against the deal?

That's not true. Mr. Reed approved.
He even signed the check.

And you realize that
at the report of his death,

the bank would stop
payment on that check?

Yes.

Isn't that why you bought Cora Dunbar
that ticket to Mexico City,

so she wouldn't testify
to that effect?

Yes.

No further questions.

I had to protect myself,
didn't I?

[GAVEL BANGING]

JUDGE: That will do.
The witness may step down.

I call John Davis Hale
to the stand, please.

CLERK: John Davis Hale
to the stand.

Raise your right hand,
please.

Do you solemnly swear the testimony you're
about to give in the cause now pending

in this court to be the truth, the whole truth?
I do.

State your name.
John Davis Hale.

Be seated.

Mr. Hale,

you're the sole proprietor of the Burgundy Club.
Is that correct?

I am.

Do you know Mrs. Helen Reed,
the defendant's sister?

Yes.

How long
have you known her?

About two years.

And under what circumstances
did you meet her?

She came into my club
one night.

I introduced myself.

And how well
did you get to know her?

Your Honor,

I object to this entire
line of questioning.

Mrs. Reed
is not on trial here

nor does her relationship
with Mr. Hale

have any bearing
on this matter.

If it please the court,
it has a definite bearing.

It goes to Mr. Crane's
motive for the m*rder.

You may proceed, Mr. Burger.

Thank you, Your Honor.

How friendly were you
with the defendant's sister?

HALE: Very friendly.

Would you say that if her husband knew
of your conduct with her,

he would have had
suitable grounds

for regaining custody
of the child?

Your Honor, the witness
is no legal authority.

He may or may not know
what are suitable grounds.

The witness will ignore
the question.

But you did visit Mrs. Reed

at her apartment
on Waverly Place?

I did.

How often?

It would depend.

Well, once a week, twice a week,
three times a week?

I don't know exactly.

But you did spend
a great deal of time with her?

Yes.

Cross-examine.

The prosecution keeps referring to
my client's sister

as Mrs. Helen Reed.

Did you actually know her
under that name?

No, I didn't.

Had you any idea
she was married?

None at all.

She was Joyce Martel to me.

Thank you, Mr. Hale.
That will be all.

Your Honor,
it's a well-established fact

that Helen Reed was using
the name Joyce Martel as an alias,

to cover her relationship
with Mr. Hale.

That is not true.

I can produce a dozen witnesses
to prove it is true.

And if it please the court,
I can have them all here tomorrow morning.

Very well.

Court stands adjourned
until 10:00.

[PEOPLE MURMURING]

Now Mr. Johnson, as manager
of the Crest Apartments,

did you personally rent
apartment number 310?

I did, sir.

Would you tell us, please,
the name used by the tenant?

Well, she told me
her name was Joyce Martel.

That's how the lease
was signed.

And do you see her here today?

Yes, sir.

Would you point her
out to us, please?

Let the records show that the witness
pointed to Mrs. Helen Reed.

You may cross-examine.

No questions.

JUDGE: You may step down.

That concludes the case
for the State, Your Honor.

JUDGE: Will you call
your first witness, Mr. Mason?

I call Dr. Daniel Maitland.

CLERK: Dr. Daniel Maitland
to the stand.

Raise your right hand,
please.

Do you solemnly swear
the testimony you're about to
give in the cause now pending

in this court to be
the truth, the whole truth?
I do.

State your name.
Daniel Maitland.

Be seated, please.
Thank you.

Dr. Maitland,

you are a duly qualified
and practicing physician

and surgeon in this state?

I am.

Have you specialized in any particular branch
of your profession?

If it please the court,

since Dr. Maitland's
reputation is so well-known,

we will stipulate to his qualifications
as an expert in psychiatry,

subject to the right
of cross-examination.

Thank you, Counselor.

Dr. Maitland,
do you know Mrs. Helen Reed?

Yes, she's a patient of mine.

In your opinion,
what is her condition?

She's a true schizophrenic.

Would you explain that,
Doctor?

Certainly. Schizophrenia
is a disassociation of psychic function,

commonly referred to as
dual or split personality.

Thank you, Doctor.

Your witness.

No questions
at this time.

You may step down.

Your Honor,
may we approach the bench?

JUDGE: Certainly.

With the court's permission,

I should like to have
the courtroom cleared

before I call my next witness.

Will Counsel
state his reason?

Well, the method necessary
to produce this witness

must be performed before the least possible
people in order to get results.

It will, in effect,
require psychological surgery.

If the court please,
the prosecution

would like to know
the name of this witness.

Joyce Martel.

The prosecution has no objection,
Your Honor.

Permission granted.

The bailiff will clear the courtroom,
except for witnesses.

All right, folks.

The judge has asked that
you leave the courtroom.

Please clear the courtroom.

CLERK: Thank you.

MASON: Mrs. Reed,

you have sat in this courtroom
and heard the prosecution

virtually accuse you
of being an accessory

in the m*rder
of your former husband.

You have heard
the district attorney hint

that in an effort
to shield your brother,

you removed his g*n from the apartment
where David Reed was k*lled.

Now, with your help,

I'd like to try
a little experiment.

Will you take this, please?

I can understand
your reluctance.

You're allergic to fur,
are you not?

Yes, I am.

Nevertheless, will you please
hold on to it?

[SNEEZES]

[COUGHS]

That's enough, isn't it?

Very well.
We'll go a step further.

[COUGHS]

Now, David Reed's body
was found in the apartment

you occupied under the name
of Joyce Martel.

Now, with your cooperation,

I'd like to have Dr. Maitland
produce Joyce Martel.

Dr. Maitland?

I never thought Mason would
put Helen Reed on the stand.

He's out of his mind.

Yes. But he's calling
for Joyce Martel.

But the law doesn't recognize
dual personalities.

He's left himself wide open.

How are you, Mrs. Reed?

I'm all right, I guess.

I imagine all this must be
a little bit frightening for you.

Well, it is
a little difficult, you know,

to be accused of things
that you never did.

That's quite all right.
You're coming along splendidly.

Now,

I want you to relax.

Now there's absolutely
nothing to be afraid of.

We've done this before.

Now just relax.

That's the way. Good.

Now you'll find you're getting
a little bit drowsy.

Your eyelids are getting
heavier and heavier.

It's hard to keep
your eyes open.

That's quite all right.
You can close them.

When you open them again,
you'll feel fine.

How do you feel, Helen?

Fine.

Do you know where you are?

Yes. I'm in the courtroom.

That's very good.

Miss Martel?

Joyce?

Miss Martel?

I want to speak to you.
Open your eyes.

BURGER:
If Your Honor please.

Yes, Mr. Burger.

I'm fully aware
of Dr. Maitland's reputation,

but we have
absolutely no proof

that Mrs. Reed
isn't over-cooperating.

You think she's faking?

BURGER: Well,
she certainly could be.

I'm not impressed with
Mr. Mason's pyrotechnics.

I don't know why he found it necessary
to empty a courtroom

just to prove that Mrs. Reed
is oversensitive to fur.

Many women are.

And while
she may be under hypnosis,

we have absolutely
no guarantee of that.

[LAUGHING]

Oh, thanks a lot, Doc.

Oh.

Oh, you know how I hate
being cooped up.

I thought you'd never
get me out of there.

Johnny. Hi, Johnny.
Did you miss me?

I'll see you later.

Thank you, Doctor.

Miss Martel,
my name is Perry Mason.

Yes, I know.

You're her brother's lawyer.

I'm going to need
your cooperation, Miss Martel.

That's not such a bad idea,
Mr. Mason.

And the name is Joyce.

I was referring to
the m*rder of David Reed.

Uh-uh. Uh-uh.
Not interested.

That's Helen Reed's husband,
not mine.

Miss Martel, the law does not
recognize dual personality.

You and Helen Reed will be
considered the same person.

Now, let's get this straight,
mister.

We may be sharing
the same body,

but we are definitely
not the same woman.

Nevertheless, on occasion,
you did pose as Helen Reed

and it was you who took that g*n from
Robert Crane's apartment.

Sure, it was.

Crane thought
I was his sister, Helen.

I took some other things, too.

You know,
Helen told Bob once

that she saw a picture of herself
with a man in a nightclub.

The man was Johnny.

I tore Johnny
off the picture

and left it
in Helen's apartment.

She couldn't figure out
who it was.

It nearly drove her nuts.

Now, Helen told Crane later
that it was all a dream

and I wanted Crane
to think that she did it.

Your Honor.

The prosecution has so far
refrained from objecting

only out of deference
to this court's decision

to allow the defense counsel
unusual latitude.

JUDGE: Because of
the unusual aspects,

the court has permitted
this irregular procedure.

Nevertheless,
Counsel will use discretion

in availing himself
this opportunity.

Your Honor, the court must be aware
of the extreme prejudice

the witness bears
against Helen Reed,

actually, against herself.

In view of this
unique situation,

I must ask for the court's
further indulgence.

Just what does Counsel
intend to establish?

The fact that
Joyce Martel

was the occupant of Helen Reed's body
at the time of the crime.

That she was present
when it was committed

and that she knows
who the m*rder*r is.

Very well.
Counsel may proceed.

Are you in love
with Johnny Hale?

You bet I am.

He wasn't in my apartment that night, though.
He didn't k*ll Reed.

And you say
you hate Helen Reed?

Now, that's the funniest
line of the year.

Would you like
to see her dead?

With any luck,
could you arrange it?

Well, for your information,
Helen Reed feels the same way about you.

She'd like to get rid
of Joyce Martel once and for all.

And I know how
she can do it.

We'll have Dr. Maitland
bring Helen Reed back.

We'll have Helen Reed tell how she saw you
in the room with the dead body,

how she saw you
pick up that g*n and...

Let her alone!

JUDGE: Let that man
approach the bench.

Did you think
I was gonna sit there

and let you put her
in a gas chamber?

Johnny, don't!

It's all right, baby.
I knew you'd never talk,

but I don't trust
that other dame.

Johnny.

I won't let you
take the rap for me.

Yeah. Yeah, I did it.

I thought she was
playing around with Reed.

I didn't know
he was her husband.

So when I found him
in her apartment, I...

Well, I flipped.

She's the only one
whoever meant anything to me.

Can you b*at it?

She ain't even for real.

Paul,

see that Mr. Crane
gets this, will you?

Perry.

I know I shouldn't ask
embarrassing questions,

but why did
Johnny Hale confess?

I'll let you in
on a secret, Paul.

That wasn't a confession,
that was an extraction.

Come again.

All along, I felt that Johnny
had the strongest motive

and that he was really
in love with Joyce Martel.

So I decided to bluff.

I felt that if it looked to Johnny as though
Joyce were in danger,

he'd leap to her defense.

But Joyce was in no danger
from Helen Reed.

Helen Reed knew
nothing about her.

Fortunately,
Johnny never met Dr. Freud.

So he was unaware
of that little quirk.

Well, what do you suppose
will happen to Mrs. Reed now?

Well, her doctor holds out
great hope for a cure.

Oh, I'm so sorry.

What?

Well, if she remains
Helen Reed all the time,

she'd still be
allergic to fur.

You do know what that means
to a woman?