02x23 - The Case of Mrs. Bannister

[bunniefuu]

[waves crashing]

[music]

How do you like our new home?

I don't like it, Daddy.

Don't. Why not?

Because I hear things.

Hear things?

What kinds of things?

Things about Mrs. Bannister.

Okay.

Who's Mrs. Bannister?

This is Mrs. Bannister.

So you've named your new doll?

How do you do, Mrs. Bannister?

It's a pleasure to makeyour acquaintance.

-I think I do.-What?

I think I will writeMrs. Bannister to see.

Yes, you do that.

[laugh]

Seems like there'sbeen a new addition to

Pam's collection tomake me be a playmate.

So I heard.

I was just trying toremember if we've ever

known anyone by thename of Mrs. Bannister.

It seems such an unlikelyname for a child. As a girl.

You ought to know bynow that your daughter's

imagination is capableof almost anything.

Yeah.

Look, daddy steppingon swing pie's tail.

I'm sorry, Pam.

Poor sweetie pie.Did Daddy hurt you?

Can.

Sweetie pie may have beeninvisible to Ginny and me

But to Pam,

he was just as real asthe chair she was sitting on.

[music]

That night, she asked to have theMrs. Bannister doll in bed with her.

And she had one other request.

Will you leave mylight on tonight, please?

Honey, I thought youwere getting to be such a big

girl that you weren'tafraid of the dark anymore.

It's only because of Mr. Bannisterthat I want the light on.

So there's a Mr. Bannister, too.

Was he like.

-What's he like?-He's mean, daddy.

Awful,awful, awful mean.

I hate him.

Oh.

Oh, Pam, don't say that word.

Try not to think aboutMr. Bannister, Pam.

He's not real, you know.

He isn't?-Well, of course not.

Are you go to sleepand forget one about it.

Okay.

-Good night, sweetheart.-Good night.

Mommy will leavea light on for you.

Thanks, Daddy.

Well shall I be Papa bear?

Night, sweetie

[door closing]

I guess moving fromthe old apartment

upset her more than I realized.

I wish I could be surethat's all that's bothering her.

what do you mean?

I don't know. I can't put myfinger on it exactly, but

well, the four daysthat we've been

here she seems tohave changed somehow.

Hmm.

But you know how active sheusually is. One other hours on

end where she just sits outon that terrace, hardly moving.

I don't know. Sheseems sort of listless.

Honey, it's probablyjust that fertile

imagination of hersworking overtime.

-That's another thing.-What?

Now always before these.

These imaginarycharacters of hers have

given her a lot offun. But not now.

Look, Mrs. Worrybottom,when I was a kid, I used to

dream with Indians thathave us tied to the stake.

By, the thing wouldbe so real in my mind

that I'd actually feelthe flames on my feet.

Do it huh?

[laugh]

Well, maybe you're right.

I'm always right.

And to sort of arule the household.

Well, that isn't therule that bothers me.

It's the exceptionthat proves the rule.

What time did your plane leave?

-First thing in the morning.-You want me to pack for you?

Oh, no, no. You didthat for me last trip.

I never did find outwhere you hid my socks.

Well, you just didn't lookvery hard. It's all I can say.

-This time I'm goingto pack my way.

-Yeah, alright, sweetie.

[music]

Oh, you already, dear.

Where's Pam?

Oh.

-Oh, she out in the terrace.-Be right back.

Yeah, I thought.

I'm ready to leave, honey.

Daddy.

Hmm.

Wish you were going away daddy.

Scared.

Scared?

There's nothing to be scared of.

Isn't there?

Of course not.

Daddy will be homebefore you know it.

Okay.

-You'll be good girl.-Okay.

Bye bye honey.

There's nothing to be scaredof, Mrs. Banister. It's alright.

This is okay.

These trips away fromhome were an unfortunate,

but none the less essentialpart of my business.

And my wife had grownaccustomed to them.

Her day passed uneventily

Until late in the afternoon.

-Pam.-Yes, mom.

How about you and I having dinnerout here in the terrace tonight?

All alone, just you and I?

I'd rather not, Mommy.

Oh.

Oh, well, wherethen? In the kitchen.

I don't want to eat at all, Mommy.

I'm afraid to eat.

Why, for heaven's sake?

Because of the whitepowder in the food.

The salt, you mean?

No, not the salt.

White powder. Poison powder.

Don't you understand?

No, Pam, I

-I don't.-Mommy.

Come here, honey. Situp here in my lap and tell

me all about it. Now, whatabout this white powder?

Mrs. Bannister eatssome of the white powder.

Who did?

-Mrs. Bannister.-Yes.

-Eat some of the white powder.-Yes.

Made her sick. Awful sick.

Oh, Mommy.

I don't want Mrs.Bannister to be dead.

Honey, she couldn't be dead.She isn't really alive you know.

Honey, come here.

I do feel like you havea little bit of a fever.

I think I might callDr. Gorsen, ask him to

move in and see youafter dinner, all right?

I don't feel good, Mommy.

Well,

Well, maybe you betterhop into bed right now, then,

- Okay?- Okay.

Come on, I'll give you a lift.

There you go.

Nothing to worry aboutthe doctor told my wife

she is a slight virus.

Pam, had a touchof fever, the result of a mild virus

infection. Andjust no doubt it's

stimulated or alwaysactive imagination.

Jesus.

Just give her thepills three times a day,

keep her in bed, andshe'd be fine in no time.

-Alright. Thank you.-Children are that way

Thanks. Good night,Doctor. Thanks for coming.

[door closing]

Pam.

Well, should we get thismedicine over his right now?

Yes, Mommy.

Take one of them.

That's to go.

Pop them

down hatch.

[laugh]

My brave girl. Now, how aboutgoing right off to sleep huh?

Can you leave my light on again?

Sure.

-There you are.-And you won't go to the party?

-Leave me all alone.-What party?

The one you'regoing to be invited to.

Honey, I'm not goingto be invited to any party.

Yes, you are. Somethingterrible may happen.

So promise you won't go.

Honey.

Promise? Please?

Alright. I promise.

Thanks, mom. Now, wouldyou bring Mrs. Bannister in here?

I left her out in theterrace with my other doll.

-You see your praise while I'm gone.-Okay.

Now letting me dance asleep.

I praise it or myself tokeep if I sit down before

awake I praise it on myselfto take good night god.

[music]

I didn't mean to start withyou. Mrs. Vernon, isn't it?

Yes.

Who are you?

Well, my name is Van Zandt. Ihave the adjoining apartment.

Oh.

Of course. I'm sorry. Howdo you do, Mr. Van Zandt?

I didn't mean to creepup on you like that.

What I want to know if youmind moving some of your

youngster's toys off theterrace, just for tonight.

Oh, certainly I wouldn't mind.

I'm afraid I shouldapologize for Pam

monopolizing the place.But, you see, she's very

young and shedoesn't realize that the

terrace is for the tenantsof both apartments.

Ordinarily I wouldn't mind I doubtif I come out here more than two,

three times in a year. But tonightI'm having some friends in and well.

You don't wantthem tripping over her

Doll buggy.Well, I don't blame you.

Well, I'm delighted I havesuch an understanding neighbor.

Perhaps you and your husbandwould like to join us later on.

That way the partynoises won't bother you.

I'm not going to beinvited to any party.

Yes, you are.

Something wrong mrs Vernon?

No.

No, there's nothing wrong.

I'm afraid I won't be ableto come to your party.

You see, my husband's away and mylittle girl isn't feeling very well.

But thank you just the same.

That's too bad. Goodevening, Miss Vernon.

Good evening.

[music]

Something Terrible may happen.

[music]

[screaming]

[music]

Somebody better call an ambulance.

It's Barbara.

I better go down.Oh, it's awful.

We we were standingout here alone, just talking.

And she leaned over to look at theview. She hasn't been well lately.

I guess, I guessshe lost her balance.

Who lost her balance?

One of my guests. Hername was Mrs. Bannister.

floors to the ground.

Poor thing.

Mrs. Bannister.

[music]

Mommy.

-Mommy.-Yes, honey I am right here.

What was that noise?

Well, it's all right,sweetheart. Come

step up I want to talkto you for a minute.

Yes, Mommy.

First of all, I want you to tell meall you know about Mrs. Bannister.

The real Mrs. Bannister,I mean, not your doll.

Yes, Mommy.

Did you ever see her?

No.

But when you were playing outon the terrace you sometimes heard

people in the next departmenttalking about her. Is that right?

Hmm.

-Who were the people?-Two men.

Oh. Did you ever see them?

No.

Did you ever hear their name?

Yes.

One was Mrs.Bannister's husband,

Mr. Bannister. And theother had a funny name.

Like Van Zandt?

I think so.

Tell me, did anyone elseever hear these conversations?

Sweetie Pie and my dog.

Sweetie Pie?Yes.

He hears everything I hear.

After Pam had gone back to sleep.

Ginny put through a callto my hotel in Pittsburgh.

I don't know. Youknow how Pam is. She

might have madethe whole thing up.

But, dear, she must haveheard something.

Else why would she havenamed her doll Mrs. Bannister?

Yeah, and how does she know Iwas going to be invited to a party?

Maybe you're right.

Maybe they figured itwas safer to have you at

the party where theycould keep an eye on you.

That's what I thought.

They certainly wouldn't wantto take a long sh*t chance of.

you accidentally seeing themurder from our own apartment.

What will I do, Ginne?Shall I call the police?

Look, a fine coupleof fools if it turns

out to be some moreof Pam's make believe.

Dear, does that matterif there's the slightest

possibility that Mrs.Bannister was m*rder*d?

No, of course not.

All right. You callheadquarters right away.

Meanwhile, I'll rushdown to the airport

and catch the firsttrain back home.

Alright, darling, buthurry up with you?

I am too Scared.

Alright.

Yeah.

Goodbye.

Won't be necessary tocall the police, Mrs. Vernon.

[putting telephone down]

What do you mean?

I mean that they're here already.

This Detective Sergeant Peters.

-Mrs. Vernon.-Oh.

Not very polite of us tobarge in this way, Mrs.

Vernon but Mr. Van Zandthere has been helping me make

a routine examination onthe terrace and we couldn't

help overhearing yourtelephone conversation.

Your window was open, you see.

Just as mine waswhen your daughter

overheard myconversations with Bannister.

It was at mysuggestion that Sergeant

Peters decided to talk to you.

Mr. Van Zandt wouldlike to clear up this

embarrassing misunderstandingas quickly as possible.

Can't say that I blame him.

Well, no.

Oh.

Won't you sit down.

Thank you.

To be brief, Mrs. Vernon, I'vesatisfied myself that Mr. Van Zandt

here had absolutely nothing todo with Mrs. Bannister's death.

Well, how can yoube sure, Sergeant?

Police are calledin on matters of this

kind I don't know howmany times a month.

After all my yearsin this department,

I'm not half to be mistaken.

And Mr. Bannister? What about him?

Her husband?

Well, three of the otherguests are willing to swear that

Bannister was inside the apartmentat the time of the accident.

Well, Sergeant, what about the

conversations thatmy child overheard?

Do you want me to believe thatthey were all pure imagination?

Mr. Van Zandt andMr. Bannister are radioactors.

They've beengoing over a script in

which a husbandtries to poison his wife.

That fails, he hires anotherman to employ more direct means.

Your child just happenedto listen in on the rehearsal.

Well,

Maybe they're just saying it.

No, Mrs. Vernon, I'veseen the radio script myself.

You can take myword for it. Neither man

had anything to dowith the accident.

Are you convinced?

Yes, I am convinced. But

But right now Ifeel like such an

utter idiot. I don'tknow what to say.

I don't know what to say.

Mommy.

Oh.

Excuse me will you please.

Our voices must have awakened.

Certainly.

Mommy.Yes, baby.

What is it?

I heard you talking to thatman with a funny name.

Van Zandt?

Yes.

Yes, I was. And youknow something, Ben? He

turns out to be avery nice man after all.

Is Mr. Bannister nice, too?

Though I haven't met him yet.

But you have, mommy.

-I hear him talking, to.-No, honey, a mistaken.

And that other man in theliving room is Sergeant Peters.

No, he's not, Mommy. His name isMr. Bannister. I remember his voice.

I think you'd better come backto the living room, Mrs. Vernon.

Everything alright, Mommy?

Yes, everything's fine.

Time to get back into bed.Now, keep going warm.

[music]

The real SergeantPeters left some time ago.

We hope to avoida messy situation by

having Bannisterhere impersonate him.

What do you intend to do?

We'll decide that afteryour husband gets here.

Check with theairport. Find out when

the next flight isdue from Pittsburgh.

And have a seat, Mrs. Vernon.

Looks like we have along night ahead of us.

[music]

Van Zandt was right.

It turned out to be thelongest night of my wife's life.

Her only chance wasto play along in the hope

that something wouldgo wrong with their plan.

[music]

Van

Van.

Keep an eye on her.

I'm going to take a nap.

[music]

The earliest scheduledflight from Pittsburgh

wouldn't get me homeuntil about six in the morning.

So the endlessBennett dragged on.

[music]

[telephone ringing]

Take by telephone Mrs. Vernon.

Go on come on sit down.

[telephone ringing]

Don't do that.

Who'd be calling youat this hour of the night.

I'd advise you to try nomore nonsense, Mrs. vernon.

No. Remember, yourchild's in the next room.

You wouldn't hurt her?

That depends on you.

You understand?

[music]

-Plane landed ahead of schedule.-Yeah.

You don't want yourchild harm, so behave

Ginny, I'm home. Ginny.I'm past the chain of myself.

[door lock opening]

[music]

Alright. Drop yourguns or so help me,

I'll k*ll her rightbefore your eyes.

Please do what they say.

Of Course.

Back up a little.

Come on.

Now then, how didyou know we were here?

I was in such a hurryto get home, I didn't wait

for the scheduledflight. I chartered a plane.

I got to the airport, I phonedmy wife and she didn't answer.

I figured something was wrong,so I phoned police headquarters.

I see. Very clever of you.

Now, I'm going outthat door. I don't want

anyone so much asblinking an eye. You get that?

I'm taking Mrs. Vernon with me asa guarantee of your good behavior.

Your think we'regoing to stand by.

Please Ginne. Please Ginne don't.

Don't take any chance.

You're being verysensible, Mrs. Vernon.

Alright, you stay where you are.

[music]

Ouch.

-Alright?-Alright.

It's Pam I better go into room.

Mommy.

[shouting]

Mommy.

Pam, Yes, I'm here, dear.

It's all a noiseout there, Mommy.

There's nothing on it.Everything's all right now.

Go back to sleep like a good little girl.

Well, all I can sayis the world looks

a lot rosier than itdid a moment ago.

Thanks, Sergeant.

[door closing]

Pam okay?

She's fine.

Look what Bannister tripped over

What?

That's Pam's Mrs. Bannister.

You might say that hetripped over Mrs. Bannister.

Oh, gee.

Aw...

[music]