Original subtitles

Good evening.

How do you do? I've just been promoted.

The office hasn't been occupied for some time, and the carpet hasn't been

properly kept up.

This area near the water cooler will have to be completely reseeded.

I see the former occupant was partial to gentle.

rolling landscape.

On the other hand, I have the feeling that this may be the former occupant

himself. I find this quite upsetting. They told me he had left. To be precise,

they said, he is no longer with us.

I assumed he left the normal way one does in the business world, by leaping

out of the window.

While I contemplate this dilemma of the organization man,

I invite you to observe the machinations of an extremely well-organized man.

It is the story of a traveling salesman with an intriguing design for living.

And now, speaking of salesmen...

Mrs. Brown?

Yes? Your husband asked me to look you up.

Have we met?

No, no, I'm from Baltimore.

Robert never mentioned anybody was coming by.

Oh, well, he should have. I've flown in just to see you.

No, not a word.

Oh, honestly, I do know him. He works for the cosmetics firm. I even know he's

coming home tomorrow.

Oh, well, I didn't doubt you. Of course. If anyone came to my door with the kind

of information I just gave you, I'd be pretty wary, too.

Well, I'm sorry. Please, come in.

Thank you.

Oh, forgive this place. I'm a terrible housekeeper when my husband isn't

around. Well, even when he is.

It's difficult to care when your husband's gone so much.

Oh, well, won't you sit down?

I didn't even ask your name.

Mrs. Brown.

Mrs. Brown?

Mrs. Raymond Brown.

We're kind of related.

Well, it's reassuring to know I belong to such a large family.

Tremendous. I'm just astonished at how many relatives keep showing up in

Baltimore. Are you here on a pleasure trip, Mrs. Brown?

Oh, that sounds like I'm talking to myself.

My name is Marion.

Bernice.

Well, it's sort of on business for all of us.

But your husband said that for any big investment, both of you have to agree.

Oh, no, not always.

I mean, since the money is really yours.

He told you that.

Well, it's true, isn't it?

Well, in a way, when we were married, he needed some extra money and I had some,

but then husbands and wives share, don't they?

Oh, yes.

Always.

Everything.

You say that so pointedly.

My dear, the Browns are famous for getting to the point.

You're not related, are you?

There's something in back of this, Mrs. Brown.

What is it?

You're not remotely related to my husband.

That's right.

It's more than remotely. I don't understand.

I'm related directly to your husband. How?

By a previous marriage.

You're his ex-wife?

His present wife.

He's my husband, too.

You're lying.

You just look at this.

There now. It's my marriage certificate.

And a photograph of us in our honeymoon.

How could he?

How could he?

By being selfish.

He was kind.

He married both of us. There may be others.

He loved me.

I know it hurts, but you must realize what he is.

How can you be so unemotional about it?

I've had my tears.

What do you intend to do?

Have my marriage annulled, if you do.

And then?

Send him to prison.

I need a drink.

So vindictive towards someone you love.

So vengeful.

I will not forgive him.

Now we can help each other. We can strengthen each other, you and I.

Could I have a drink, please?

With ice?

Oh, yes.

Yes.

I need one, too.

Scotch, I'll get some ice.

Do you have any soda?

I think so.

Never mind the soda.

I'm so nervous I just want it straight.

With a little ice.

I don't know what I'll say to him tomorrow morning.

I'm flying back to Baltimore.

You just let me handle it.

You are a beautiful woman, Bernice.

You'll have no trouble at all finding a new husband.

But a woman my age, now I would have a problem.

What a beautiful morning, darling.

Oh, I love you. And I love you. Oh, look how you make me dizzy.

I like the way you make me dizzy.

I'd better hurry.

I could only find a job for you here in Baltimore.

Once a traveling man, always a traveling man.

I shouldn't ask for that. I'm not being fair.

You're always fair, darling.

You're more than fair.

You're understanding, you're considerate, you never complain.

Forty-year-old women are grateful.

In Europe, forty-year-old women are considered just coming into their own.

The beautiful age.

You do love me?

Devotedly. You think about me when you're gone?

Always.

When you're not busy, you mean.

Oh, come on, honey. What is it? This isn't about you.

About Europe.

What's in Europe?

That attitude toward 40-year-old women.

I'm a man with European ideas.

And if business keeps getting better, we might take a trip there soon.

Really? Honest? I'll be back in exactly 12 days.

You call me from each city? Don't I always?

Each one.

Newark, then Hartford, then Boston.

I'm the phone company's favorite.

Now, let's see.

We discussed getting the car fixed.

The doctor's bill.

Home three days and I haven't even seen the way they finished the new fuel tank

in the basement.

Oh, they didn't finish.

Why not?

I forgot to call them.

But they promised.

I didn't want to do without you being here.

I was here three days.

They couldn't make it then.

Well, it certainly won't decay.

I'll phone them to come out. We gotta get this larger tank in by winter.

If anything goes wrong, you'll blame me.

Am I such an ogre?

It's just that I want you here all the time.

Always.

Take your

hand

off that handle! Take it off!

What handle? Take it off, you'll drop the tank!

There's got to be an easier way to keep a house warm.

See, I do bungle everything.

Well, it could have been worse if you'd pulled that lever.

Wait till you get back.

Yeah. I guess you'd better.

Stay here.

You mean not go out to work at all?

I have an awful feeling something... I don't know.

Just because of this little accident.

I have to go.

There's a man waiting to meet me in Newark in three hours.

Morning, Mr. Brown. Good morning, Mr. Bleeker.

You almost hit a daily double.

I'm satisfied with my winnings at the track as they are.

Any instructions?

Yes, I want to add another 2,000 to that bet I made in Boston.

All right.

And I want you to meet me there.

Usual place?

Oh, yes, indeed.

I'm a creature of habit. Mind if I ask you a question?

Well, that depends.

Nothing about your work or what business you're in. You want to hire me to make

bets for you? Okay, that's your business.

I mean some...

personal advice.

That also depends.

You married?

I sure am.

Happy?

Ecstatic.

Sometimes so happy I can't stand it.

You know, this is my third time up. I got two kids, you know. You got kids?

It's getting late. I could have married a very nice widow this last time.

Showgirl, I know. She was loaded.

But she didn't appeal.

I marry this one.

Younger than me, but with appeal.

Not money.

Appeal. Beautiful.

But now we fight all the time.

She was nuts about me.

Why?

You think you must marry for love or money.

When you can just as easily marry for love and money.

Oh No, no It

can't be she's dead my wife is dead

That police officer, Mr. Brown, he turned stubborn.

She can't be dead.

She can't. Mr. Brown, does your wife have any reason to commit suicide?

Suicide?

Did she?

Well, that's impossible.

Why?

It's ridiculous.

I don't mean your question. It's perfectly logical for you to ask such a

question, but... Well, then how can you be so sure?

She bought a new cookbook.

A very expensive gourmet one. Yeah, we saw it lying on the table. That's what I

mean. Well, that's hardly proof of anything.

Well, she wanted to be an excellent cook.

Cooks commit suicide.

But she wanted to please me to be a good cook because I like fine cooking.

You told her she couldn't cook?

No, I told her anything she did was all right with me.

She was a beautiful woman.

Wonderful.

I loved her.

When you love a woman, you...

Forgive so much.

Was there much to forgive?

Well, I didn't mean it that way. What way?

Stop twisting what I say.

What are you trying to imply?

Imply? Nothing. I'm trying to get information, to get a picture, a feeling

about this, about our relationships.

Did she leave a note?

No.

I need a drink.

Put that down, please.

What's wrong with having a drink? It's my own house. Your wife died from

cyanide in the scotch. A soluble cyanide powder.

Where could she get anything like that?

That's what we were wondering.

Why don't you reach for the scotch?

I don't drink scotch.

Oh.

That's a good reason.

Now can I have a drink? Not until we test all the liquor.

You don't really think it was suicide, do you? We take care of first things

first.

It smells all right.

You know the smell of cyanide?

Well, I guess not, but when you tell me that something is poisoned... You've

been gone a lot, Mr. Brown.

Travel. I represent a restaurant supply company in Boston.

Yeah, but you've been gone half the time, at least.

How did you know?

We talked to the neighbors.

Are you accusing me of something?

I don't think so.

I loved her.

Ask the neighbors about that.

Your wife was killed late yesterday afternoon.

Where were you? Ask him if they ever heard us fight or argue once in four

years. Where were you, Mr. Brown?

Baltimore! Can you prove it?

I phoned her long distance. They'd have a record.

I spoke to her about 3 p.m.

Okay.

You could make up that one.

I could, but I'd be a fool to.

You have a good mind for facts.

Now, will you please leave me alone?

One more thing.

Was there anyone who hated your wife for any special reason known to you?

No, no one. She didn't have an enemy in the world.

There wasn't anyone who wanted her out of the way?

No one, no one, no one. I told you. My wife is dead. Let me alone, please.

Certainly.

Oh, uh, don't leave this city unless you check with us first, hmm?

Why store the furniture in a warehouse?

I don't want reminders.

You want to forget my sister and you just buried her.

Not forget her.

Forget the terrible circumstances of her dying.

Well, I want reminders.

She was so lonely.

I know.

So terribly lonely.

I won't want to forget.

It gets lonely on the road traveling all the time, too.

She cried a lot when you were gone. In this very room, in these very chairs.

I called her every day.

Do you want the rest of these chairs?

Yes.

She wanted you to get a job in Newark.

I tried.

There's a bedroom rug, too.

No, that'd have to be redyed, and that's too expensive.

She just died of loneliness.

I did everything I could.

That's why she's dead.

Will you pay for fixing up the bedroom rug?

All right, I'll pay for it.

Don't you get huffy with me, and don't get on your high horse. She told us

about your independence, your coming and going, as you please.

Take it all!

All of it! The refrigerator, the extra bed, and go away!

Because you know you killed her.

Get out!

Perhaps not directly.

I know you could sue me if I said it and couldn't prove it. But you did just as

surely as though you had poured that poison.

I envy you.

Was your wife anything like her sister?

Exact opposites. Complete opposites. Good.

Otherwise, you'd have had a clear motive for killing your wife, and that could

have meant a lot of trouble for you.

Where would you be living now?

In hotels.

I gave your assistant the names of the hotels in Hartford and Boston.

Just phone in. Yes, sir.

Long distance?

I want to make a collect call to Mrs. Brown in Hartford, Connecticut.

527-5399.

Yes.

Her husband.

Hello, Lucille?

Yes.

I'm sorry, I was delayed.

A little difficulty with one business deal.

Oh, but darling, I miss you terribly.

Well, not a minute longer.

Yes.

Yes, I love you.

No, no, everything's fine now that you're coming home.

All right, darling.

And dinner will be wonderful.

I'm preparing a real gourmet's menu.

I love you.

Bye-bye.

Coming.

Mrs. Brown?

Yes.

You are beautiful.

I thank you very much.

But who are you?

Why did you do it? Why?

Do what?

Why did you marry my husband?

You're Mrs.

Brown, too?

You stole my husband.

Please don't shout in the hall. Come inside.

Don't scream.

But can't we talk this over?

I mean, let's talk it over.

If you scream, I might shoot, and I haven't decided if I'm going to kill

you.

But I haven't done anything wrong.

You married him.

Well, but you want his happiness, don't you?

Well, I wouldn't be here if I didn't.

Well, for five years, I've been a considerate wife, and I've tried to make

him happy.

Only him.

How long did you say you'd been married to him?

Five years.

I stole him from you.

Put the gun away.

I've only been married to him for three years.

Please, put the gun away.

We must talk this over like two civilized women.

The gun.

Yes,

of course.

I'm the husband stealer.

Well, you didn't know.

Neither did you.

Why?

Now, why should he do such a thing?

It isn't love when a man does that.

But he was happy.

Then why did he marry me?

Well, he seemed happy.

He pretended so much, how could you tell?

Tomorrow's our anniversary.

When I talked to him, he was so loving.

So very loving.

A man is what he does, not what he says.

But he kept coming back to me.

Every three weeks.

How do you know?

You want to forgive him?

I would, if I could find a way.

Where do you think he was during those three weeks?

Not with you.

How can you be sure?

But he always called from different cities.

Why should I protect you? Why should I spare your feelings?

We are not his only wives.

Oh, no.

Now, he must be punished.

He was considerate.

So considerate.

How much money did you have when he married you?

Why, is that important?

I happen to know his other wives had sums ranging from $18,000 to $40,000.

I was the $18,000.

His prices went up with inflation.

Mine was the 40,000.

What a man.

You admire him?

I admire any man who can get along with so many women.

Even now, even when you know all this?

What an amazing man.

An astounding one.

A hero.

Maybe. But he wasn't showing the same interest.

He was in me.

Not me.

That's when I began to suspect.

Not me.

I'm turning gray.

I'm the oldest one.

The richest one, but the oldest one.

Why don't you have your marriage annulled?

Well, it becomes an annulment.

But the charge of bigamy would send him to jail.

Then divorce him.

Why should I subject myself to all this agony?

And if I love him and I do love him, I can't destroy him.

I hope you mean that.

I do, absolutely.

And the other two wives will be your problem.

Will you help me?

Sure, why not?

You know, you're a wonderful woman.

I wish we were friends.

We're even related.

I do need a drink now, a strong one. Oh, so do I. Okay, now this has all been a

shock to you. You just sit right back there.

I'll be happy to make the drinks.

You just tell me what to do.

The liquor's in the kitchen in the lower right-hand cabinet.

You know, you're a most thoughtful woman.

I'll bet you're a good cook.

Superb. No wonder he married you.

Do you want it on the rocks?

No, mix something in it.

What did you say I said mix something in it delighted

Are you Mr. Brown?

Was that my wife?

Death by suicide, I'm sorry.

You are Mr. Brown.

But she didn't kill herself.

Well, there's no evidence of anyone else having been with her.

It's only one glass. No other fingerprints on that bottle except your

wife's. The cyanide was in the bottle.

She loved life too much.

She was too happy to commit suicide.

We found the container of cyanide in her jewelry box.

Impossible.

Insane.

Out of the question.

By the way, Mr. Brown, what were you doing while all of this was happening?

In any office, the most important moment is the break.

It is on television, too.

For the local stations, that is.

Here they come now.

Following our break, we shall all get back to work again.

Are you sure you want to go traveling right now?

I have to meet customers in Boston, Newark, places like that.

Well, it would look better if you stayed a few days.

Are you ordering me to? No.

No, there's nothing to book you on.

But... But what?

Well, I'm convinced of your story, see. But there's some fellas at headquarters

that just double-check everything. You know what I mean?

I have to get to my business meetings.

All right, but for your own good.

Not my doing, understand? I'm convinced.

But call every day from whatever city you're in, okay?

Yes, sir.

Get me Marion Brown in Baltimore, Maryland.

Collect 235-9987.

Hello?

Oh, hello, darling.

Why, love, what a wonderful surprise.

Oh, I always call.

Yes, but not this early. It is just a little early.

I've had a change in plans.

In what way?

Is something wrong?

No, nothing's wrong.

You sound estranged. You're all right.

Just fine.

I'm leaving Hartford sooner than I expected.

You're coming home?

No, Boston first, remember?

I miss you terribly.

But I have to go to Boston.

Why? Well, you know why.

Business.

Can't I meet you there?

No, no, of course not. I'll be busy on appointments.

Please. I won't get in the way, I promise.

It's terrible being here all alone.

But Marion... All right.

Sorry I asked. I'll never ask again.

Never.

All right. Come ahead.

I know the flights.

I've checked them for three years, just hoping we could be together in one of

those cities.

All right, darling.

Bye-bye.

Bye.

Wonderful day this has been.

I don't know when I've had such a good time. Oh, well, I'm glad you enjoyed it,

dear.

Enjoyed it? I'm ecstatic.

Oh, the shops and restaurants.

The food in any city is good if you know the right places.

And you know them.

You know the city as well as you do Baltimore.

Oh, unzip this, honey.

Oh, no, stop.

Why? Let's find one of those all-night spots. There must be one in the city

this size.

Well, isn't that a little wild for people like us?

Oh, Mr.

Puritan, really.

Don't you think a woman of my age is entitled to be giddy just once before

middle age settles over her?

Why must I always reassure you, my little darling?

Do you think I would have married you if I hadn't found you so attractive?

I'm sorry.

I complain too much, way too much.

I'm a chronic grouch, and you're so good to me.

It's getting late.

You have all those appointments tomorrow.

But I wanted the time with you.

Selfish of me. I didn't give you time to keep any appointments.

Well, um, I do have one later tonight.

With whom?

No one you know.

Tell me, please tell me. You know I'm interested in everything you do.

It's a Mr.

Bleeker.

What a wonderful name.

Bleeker the baker or bleeker the beekeeper or bleeker the pucker.

Why did you say that?

Baker the beekeeper or the booker? Or booker the baker?

You're charming.

It won't take long.

It always does.

Mr. Bleeker insisted on seeing me. He's leaving town in the morning.

Your wife has been a pest.

I'll be back in an hour. A real pest. Maybe less time than that.

I haven't gone back home tonight.

But that's not necessary.

Now you just go see your Mr. Vlika and don't think a thing about it.

But wait till morning.

Then you'll have to take me to the airport.

I don't mind.

I can go by myself.

You're so determined.

I've had a wonderful day and a lovely evening, just lovely.

And I know you'll be coming home in a few days.

That's true.

You go to your Mr. Bleeker.

You won't think I'm neglecting you?

Darling, love, you never neglected me.

And I know I'm becoming more important in your life every day.

More than you realize.

No briefcase to exchange.

We lost in the last race.

I'm closing up shop for a while anyway.

But you've been breaking better than even.

I've had some other rather serious financial reverses.

You in another business?

Oh, several.

Four, to be exact.

I couldn't understand how a guy like you could finance a racetrack operation.

I had partners who had money.

And you brought the know-how.

I'd say that's a reasonable definition of my other business relationships.

You mean we're out for good? No more betting at all? Well, at least not until

I can replace the financial backers I've lost.

Well, easy come, easy go.

Well, that isn't quite the way it worked in my case, but I've no time to quibble

over definitions.

I'll call you when I'm recapitalized.

Are you Mr. Brown?

Is that your wife?

you

What do you think you did to me?

Why did you yell at me like that?

Well, you were lying there, so motionless, so still.

I couldn't sleep last night.

Actually, I did go to sleep, but then I woke up at 4 a.m., and I couldn't go

back.

I missed you.

So I took a sleeping pill, but it didn't seem to work, and I thought it wouldn't,

so I got up.

I got dressed, read the newspapers, and had breakfast.

Huge breakfast. Then I stretched out here and I completely forgot about the

sleeping pill. And wham!

What time is it?

5.30.

Wonderful. It's exactly the right time.

You planned something special.

Just for us. We can have a cocktail before dinner.

Well, I thought you didn't drink.

I do now.

I thought maybe I've been missing something.

So I forced myself to experiment with a cocktail here and there these last few

days.

Here and there?

Lately.

I found I enjoyed it.

Where's the harm?

I drink now and then, never hurt anybody.

At least not me.

I've turned over a new leaf.

Sounds like you've turned over a whole new tree.

You are delicious.

What will you have, an old-fashioned, a sour, you name it?

You're quite an expert, and so quickly.

I read a book.

One can find out how to do so many technical things from books.

It's a do-it-yourself year.

Now, you just sit right there. Now, let me serve you.

But I want to watch you.

Let me be a dutiful wife.

I want to see how good you are at making them.

You might make me nervous. I'm not that good.

Please just sit back there and let me bring it to you.

Let me show you I can do something efficiently by myself.

Be right there.

What in the world are we doing down in the cellar?

Where's the fuel tank?

I had them take it away.

I hope you like your drink.

Why?

Well, because it was just a waste of money. That old one is plenty big

enough. I thought you wanted me to make that decision.

Darling, what difference does it make?

Why didn't you have them fill up the hole?

Well, I thought they had.

To leave a gaping thing like that?

Why?

To you, my wonderful husband.

Oh, yes.

To me.

To you.

You look upset.

Not at all, really.

Something happened on that trip.

Very uneventful.

Dullest trip I ever took.

Well, then stop acting like a fugitive from justice.

Why did you say that?

Well, because you do.

So the police had you linked with some terrible crime and they were looking for

you everywhere.

Out with it!

Out with what?

Say it and get it over with.

You are getting to be a jigsaw puzzle, darling.

And there are more pieces missing every time I try to put you together.

And you have tried.

Your way.

Because of that job of yours.

Traveling, I mean.

That company asks too much, expecting you to cover so much territory.

Now, I think you should tell them that you're going to concentrate on this

area. Our area.

Don't you think so?

What for?

Because I'd love having you with me all the time.

Well, what if I don't like it? You don't have to like it. Just accept it.

Then it's true.

You did it.

All of them. Have a drink.

You killed them.

You afraid to drink yours?

And you got to Helen while I was talking to Bleeker.

I'll drink yours and you drink mine. I'll never give in to you.

Well, what if I drink a little of each?

There, see?

A marital bond, a tie of love.

The police will find out.

Whatever the police discover, they'll only find out that you had a motive.

No one else.

Only you.

Just you.

Isn't that true, darling?

And where the man is, here is... What are you doing?

Get me the police.

I'll accuse you. I'll destroy you.

My name is Brown.

Raymond Brown. Raymond Richard Reynolds Robert Brown. Stop that.

It's a joke. A little joke.

Four times.

You are a bigamist four times. Now you can stay alive with me or be dead away

from me.

One moment, please.

The police accepted my explanations.

Explanation singular.

One murder, yes.

Two, maybe.

Three.

One moment more, please.

You wouldn't.

I will see you executed for murder if you leave me.

Um, yes, my wife thought that she'd lost something valuable, but she

found it again.

Thank you.

It's being logical. That makes sense.

Come have a drink.

I was a happy man.

An unhappy man. A very unhappy man.

Ecstatically happy.

A dream.

A nightmare, a false happiness.

I will cure you of it.

Now, you'll see.

Everything's going to be fine.

Your job, our life together.

And if you decide differently, anytime you want, you can change your mind.

And if I do?

Well, if not the police, there's always the hole in the cellar.

Whatever you want.

It's up to you.

This idyllic situation was not destined to last.

The police don't like to leave their books unbalanced for any length of time.

They eventually stumbled onto the puzzle of Richard's private life and moved in

just in time to save him for themselves.

Richard was not only guilty of simple bigamy, in his case it was more like

trigonometry. He is now in a well-known federal prison.

You see, the law took the position that he must be punished, as though having

four wives were not punishment enough.

Incidentally, this turned out not to be the former occupant. I knew you'd be

pleased to know it was his wife.

Next week we shall bring you another twisted tale, scenes of which will be on

view in a trice.