Original subtitles

(triumphant music)

(relaxing music)

(church bells ringing)

- Well, I'm going to mass.

- Okay.

- Michael?

- Uh, me?

(laughs) No thanks.

Thank you very much.

- But you don't have to take part, just be there with me.

- Sit and admire the church, you mean?

I doubt you forget, that's the first place I visited

the day we arrived here.

You're gonna be late.

- Once you would have.

- Oh, no, that was a long time ago.

I've seen the light, but from your point of view, the dark.

Besides I promised George I'd give him a little time.

- George?

- George Newton, you know the young fella's taking

his finals this year?

- Isn't it enough that you work six days a week,

now Sundays as well?

- Now, darling, you always go to church on Sundays,

I always stay home alone doing nothing.

There isn't any harm giving George some of that free time.

Now make up for my absence by singing extra loud.

(knocking on door)

Come in.

Hello George, darling.

(dramatic music)

- Afternoon Mrs. Lane, is the professor home yet?

- No, not yet.

- Any idea how long he'll be?

- No.

Well he might have stopped in to see the dean.

Yes, I think he said he was going to do that.

- Oh, no, that makes things difficult.

- Oh, can I help?

- I left some papers here the other day,

I need to work on them.

- Oh, you're George Newton, aren't you?

- That's right.

- Well the papers would be on his desk somewhere,

why don't you come in, have a look.

- Thank you very much.

- Did you get much work done yesterday?

- Not a thing.

- Oh?

There you are, help yourself.

- Thank you.

- I suppose my husband got to talking yesterday,

and forgot about tutoring altogether, hm?

- I really wouldn't know about that.

- But did you forget, or oversleep?

- [George] Forget what?

- Your session with the professor yesterday.

- Sunday?

I have a golden rule, keep away from academics on Sundays.

- Yeah, but he said you were expected.

- Not me, maybe somebody else, but not me.

- No, he, he distinctly said--

- Maybe he's going the way of all professors,

getting absent-minded.

That's the legend isn't it?

- Yes, I suppose it is.

- What do you think that's gonna grow up to be?

- [Michael] Well, what do you think you're doing?

- Oh, I'm sorry sir,

I was looking for the notes on my thesis.

- Hello, darling.

I said it would be all right.

- Yeah, of course it is, you're looking in the wrong place.

There you are, George.

- Thanks.

- Are you rediscovering the wheel, Professor,

on making a bomb?

- Oh, it's just a little practical problem I set myself.

- Well thanks again, Mrs. Lane.

I'll see myself out.

- Bye, George. - Bye.

- I thought you said he came here yesterday.

- Hmm?

- Newton, you, you said that he was coming

here for extra tuition.

- Did I say Newton?

I, uh, I met Wilson of course.

- (chuckles) I'll make some tea.

- Right.

(metallic rattling)

I forgot to tell you,

I'm seeing the Petersons Thursday night.

I said I'm seeing Marjorie and John Thursday night.

- Yes, darling I, I do know who the Petersons are.

- [Michael] Any messages for them?

- They just live around the corner.

- Well we rarely see them, you hardly ever.

I thought you might want me to say something.

- Say something, like what?

- Well, like give my regards to Marjorie.

- (chuckles) Give my regards to Marjorie.

- Oh now, you can be more sincere than that.

- Give Marjorie my regards.

Tell her I hope to see you soon.

Satisfied?

- Yes.

(mumbles)

(mysterious music)

- Rarely see them hardly ever.

I, I thought maybe you might want me to say something.

- [Elizabeth] Say something, like what?

- Well, like give Marjorie my regards.

- [Elizabeth] By all means, give Marjorie my regards.

- Oh now, you can be more sincere than that.

- [Elizabeth] Give Marjorie my regards.

Tell her I hope to see you soon.

Satisfied?

- Yes.

(paper rustling)

(glass shattering)

(electronic whining)

(glass shattering)

(glass tinkling)

(mysterious music)

(electronic beeping)

- [Elizabeth] Give Marjorie my regards.

Tell her I hope to see her soon.

(glass shattering)

(electronic whining)

(intense music)

- Oh no, Mike, please,

it's over, I can't go on like this.

- Oh no, Stella, no darling, no.

- She'll never divorce you.

- You love me, don't you?

- You know I do.

- Well then trust me, trust me just

for a while longer, will you?

Just for awhile longer.

- But meeting like this.

- Things are going to be different, I know they are.

- I do love you.

I do.

Oh, I must go.

- I'll drive you to the car.

I'll walk.

- Really, I prefer to.

(birds chirping)

(car engine revving)

- What will you do?

- Hmm, oh, have an early night.

I've got a good book.

- Ah, not expecting anyone then?

- No.

Will you be late?

- Oh ah, moderately, uh, the whole object

is to discuss the new curriculum,

that's why I said there was no need to invite you.

- Ah.

- You know how Peterson goes on,

and you've been through it before,

so well, it puts me off,

seeing you get more and more bored and tired.

Um, early night will do you good.

(lips smacking)

See you later?

- Mm-hm.

- Night.

(lock clicking)

(dramatic music)

- [Michael] Elizabeth?

Elizabeth!

- What have you forgotten now?

What is it?

- Did you move those papers?

- [Elizabeth] What papers?

- I left them on my desk.

- [Elizabeth] well then they're still there.

- I can't find it.

- Well, I haven't moved anything.

Oh. (scoffs)

Obviously, darling, I don't know how you expect me

to find your things.

(drawer rattling)

Mess here.

(dramatic music)

(object thumps)

(glass shattering)

(timer ticking)

(papers rustling)

(intense music)

- I sent Marjorie off to her bridge circle

so we can really get down to some serious chat.

- Thank you.

(timer ticking)

- Well as I look at it, Mike,

it's all very well the students being in charge

of their own destiny, that sort of thing.

But we must retain the right to set the curriculum,

otherwise before we know where we are, we'll be redundant.

Dodos.

Do you have to leave soon?

- Oh, I'm, I'm sorry John,

I'm expecting a call from Elizabeth.

She worries, you know.

Even at the shorter distance, she'll want to know

if I've arrived okay.

I, I agree with you about the curriculum.

We set it, but maybe we could pay lip service

by asking for their approval.

- Hmm, it's a compromise, of course.

- Well most of life is, except for those brave

few prepared to go for broke.

(timer buzzes)

(dial ratcheting)

(phone rings)

No, I'll get it, that'll be Elizabeth.

Hello?

Oh hello, yes hello darling.

Hey fine, fine, yes, yes, John is taking very good care

of me, even broke out the 10 year old scotch.

Told you he wasn't that mean.

What?

Uh yes, yes it does look like

it's gonna be a long hard evening.

Hmm?

Well of course I do.

I can't actually say it.

- [John] Oh for Pete's sake,

are you two newly wed or something?

- (chuckles) Now look, John is pressuring me

to get back to work so uh, don't wait up for me all right?

(phone beeps)

What?

Oh, she wants a word with you.

Hold on.

- Hello Elizabeth, what can I do for you?

- [Elizabeth] Give Marjorie my regards,

tell her I hope to see her soon.

- Well indeed, thank you very much, I'll do--

(glass shatters)

Elizabeth?

Elizabeth?

That's strange.

- Darling, darling?

(switchhook rattles)

(chuckles) Line seems to have gone dead.

- Mike, I heard glass breaking.

- Oh?

Well she probably broke something on my desk.

John, maybe I, I better go around there.

- [John] Yes, would you like me to come with you?

- Oh no, no no, that's all right.

- Well uh, shall I call the police or something?

- No, no, no, I'll be there in a couple of minutes,

I'd feel like such a fool.

I'll be right back.

(items clattering)

(electronic whining)

- [Elizabeth] Give Marjorie my regards,

tell her I hope to see her soon.

(glass shattering)

(wood snapping)

(buttons clicking)

(intense music)

(glasses clicking)

(dial ratcheting)

- Police.

- Hi.

That's about it, Professor.

He obviously didn't get upstairs.

Broke straight in here.

If only your wife hadn't been here.

Or if he'd known she was in here.

- She probably didn't bother to turn the lights on.

- Yes, it's a panicky thing he did.

We don't have much to go on, you understand.

If only he'd taken something, stolen goods,

a lead, you see, but he encountered your wife.

No time to take anything at all.

The only thing is we can place the time exactly,

from the moment she spoke to you

and your friend, Peterson.

Can place it within half a minute.

That's unusual.

Pathologists can usually place the time,

well they can only be accurate to around an hour or so,

never this accurate.

It may help.

- It won't help her. (cries quietly)

- No I see what you mean.

It's a pity he didn't take anything, though.

Mint?

- No.

- Trying to give up smoking, 10 years, still trying.

Moments of stress.

I'll probably get run over by a car.

You Catholic, are you?

- She was, I'm not.

Not for a long time, anyway.

- She was, though?

- Yes, is that important?

- Not to everyone.

Well sir, we'll let you know.

I'm very sorry, sir.

(laughs)

(birds chirping)

- That'll be all for today.

Ah, Miss Mason, could I just see you?

- Oh Michael, I'm so sorry.

You said something would happen,

but I never thought that this would.

- I have to see you tonight,

at my place.

- Oh, must it be there?

- It's, it's better, it's more discreet.

- [Stella] This is where it happened, isn't it?

- Mm-hm.

- I didn't like or dislike her, I never thought--

- Oh now, shh, Stella, Stella.

- Do you believe in God, Michael?

(laughs)

- What, in the conventional sense you mean?

Benevolent chap in the sky with the beard and all that,

is that what you mean?

- Well in fate, then.

- I believe a man's own destiny

depends on how he manipulates it.

- But what about your wife,

you couldn't possibly foresee that.

- No, of course not.

Well, I suppose I believe in fate of some kind.

- It was meant then, to leave the way clear for us.

- Yeah, it was meant.

- When will we get married?

- Well I think we should wait a little while,

or a respectable period.

- Why?

- Well, I think it's best,

otherwise the suspicious tongues will start wagging.

- Suspicious?

- (laughs) Did I say suspicious?

I meant malicious, of course.

(paper tearing)

(dramatic music)

- See the stresses can be equated, measured,

dealt with before actual construction begins,

so that they can be practiced.

Every unknown quantity can be practiced.

Don't you agree, Professor?

- What?

- Look, I can see you're very preoccupied at the moment,

if there's anything I can do to help

I'd be very pleased-- - Oh, oh no,

thanks, thanks for that, no, no George.

Let me have your papers, please.

That'll be all today, sorry.

- Stella, are you coming into town

and help me choose that sweater?

- I'll meet you there.

Darling.

- Help you choose a sweater?

- George is just--

- He just said you're gonna choose a sweater.

- Darling, are you sure you're okay?

- I'm sorry.

I don't know what it is.

I'll uh, I'll, I'll, I'll see you tonight, 'kay?

(dramatic music)

(liquid squirting)

- I'm glad you came by, Mike.

I was going to ask you to,

but I thought that in the circumstances

I better let you make the first move.

Another?

- Yes, oh no, no, I, I better keep a clear head.

- For what?

Look, honestly Mike, I don't advocate alcohol as a cure-all,

but, well, it might help.

- I feel better, I, I, I just had

to get someplace safe for a while.

- Safe?

- I mean away from the house.

- Yes.

- Have you considered moving at all, Mike?

- I don't know, I don't know.

I really ought to be going.

- Oh really, are you sure?

- [Michael] Yes John, I--

- Well, you're welcome to stay and share dinner with us.

- I know I am.

- Whatever you say.

But Mike, it goes without saying,

if you ever get lonely and need to talk, anytime or night.

- I know, John, thanks, thanks very much.

(paper crinkling)

- What, Mike?

- Oh, it's a letter a student gave me to mail off,

I forgot completely about it.

Goodbye, John.

(door closes)

What do you want?

(phone rings)

Hello?

Huh?

Oh, oh Stella.

Yeah, what?

Well of course I'm disappointed.

You can make it tomorrow night, can't you?

Mm.

No, it's all right, an early night will do me good.

I'm, I'm perfectly all right.

Yeah.

Yeah, I promise.

All right, all right, you too, darling.

Good night.

(paper crinkles)

(fire crackles)

(mysterious music)

(water splashes)

(doorbell rings)

- Oh, good morning sir.

- Sorry, but uh, come in, come in won't you?

- Thank You.

- I was just about to make some coffee,

will you join me?

- Thank you, sir.

My peppermints and coffee set up

a terrible conflict for my taste buds.

Thank you, sir.

- Now that my mind is de-addled, if that's the word,

what can I do for you, Inspector?

- Not very much, I shouldn't think.

We are not getting very far with your wife's murder,

so I've decided to try a new tack.

- Oh?

- It's a bit wild, but it might lead somewhere.

Suppose whoever killed your wife wasn't a burglar.

- But there was evidence of a break-in.

- But a broken window, oh no, that's easily faked.

No no no, suppose it wasn't a burglar.

- Well then who?

- Well quite frankly, sir,

if your alibi weren't so totally watertight

you'd be in the running.

- (laughs) Oh, really?

- But you're not in the running,

so we won't waste any time on that one.

- Well, what're you getting at?

- Suppose your wife knew her killer.

There are plenty of young men around this town,

your wife is it a funny age.

Is it at all possible that she had a lover?

- What?

(chuckles) Oh forgive me, Inspector, but well,

the idea of Elizabeth, if you knew her.

- Staunch church girl?

- Devout.

- Nevertheless it's not unheard of,

the passion for God with the passions of the flesh.

- I know, but well as far as Elizabeth

is concerned, it's quite ridiculous.

- Yes.

I thought you'd say that, but it was worth a try.

I hope you don't mind, sir.

- No, no, of course not, you have

to explore every avenue, right?

- Nice of you to understand that.

Thank you for the coffee, I'll see myself out.

Quite forgot, I met the postman on the way in.

Bye sir.

(paper tearing)

(intense music)

- [Michael] Turn left at the fork.

This is where Stella and I...

(chain clicking)

(spokes whirring)

- Missed ya by a whisker.

This morning I came over to your place

just in time to see you driving off.

- [Michael] Oh yes, that's right.

- I know what you did,

at least I think I do.

Went for a spin in the country, eh?

Blow away the cobwebs.

Well anyway, I'll tell you why I was looking for you.

Ah, Marjorie and I thought if you were free tonight,

what about some dinner?

- Oh, thanks John, but I've got some extra tutoring to do.

- [John] It would be foolish to overdo it, Michael.

- Well I, I promised, I like it,

it keeps my mind off other things, you see.

- Yes well, I understand that.

Well why don't you come along after, you'd be very welcome.

- I can't, really.

- Well, look I mean you can't work all night,

and what are you going to eat, anyway?

- I'll grab a sandwich someplace,

don't worry about me. - You just aren't grabbing

sandwiches-- - Can't you take no.

I'm, I'm sorry John, I'm just, I'm edgy, all right?

Sorry.

- Yes.

Look Mike, we're old friends,

now if there's anything I can do,

anything you'd like to talk over with a friend?

- I'll remember that.

Well they'll be piling in here soon.

- Yeah, okay.

Oh, by the way, this was left at the gate for you.

- Michael.

Where were you, we waited for you.

The lecture this afternoon, you missed it.

Oh, darling, what's wrong, what's the matter?

- Of course the Greeks realized

the infinite possibilities of this system

way ahead of any other comparable civilization.

At least any civilization that we know of.

Well with the advanced techniques,

we could unearth...

Uh, we, we, we could unearth another civilization.

That's not probable but it's not impossible either.

Take for instance the recently advanced theory

that all the manifestations of God

are, are, well ah, that they're evidence

of the fact that we may have been visited

in a long distant past by another race.

Another race altogether, from another planet

or even another galaxy.

I'm digressing and I'm also keeping you after time,

so that'll be all.

Yes, Troy?

- Here's the notes on the construction theory,

if you've got any comments I'd like to hear them.

- Notes?

- [Troy] They're all there, I've checked.

- Oh I'll be glad, be glad to read them.

George, it must be George.

(mysterious music)

All right, that's all.

I'll collect the papers, get some fresh air, everybody.

George.

- This is very good of you, Professor.

- Oh nonsense, now you are one of my best students,

if I can't take the time with you, would you like a drink?

- Thanks, yeah.

- You didn't mind the cloak-and-dagger stuff?

- No, not at all.

- It effects the other students adversely, see.

If anyone ever thought, well if they knew

that was giving you extra time.

- It'll be our secret.

- Yes,

along with the other things, eh George?

Soda?

- Yes, please.

- You didn't tell anyone, then?

- No, not a soul.

- Not even Stella?

- Not even Stella.

- She's a very pretty girl, Stella.

Very pretty.

- Seems we both know that.

- Yes.

Well, cheers George.

- Cheers.

Where would you like to start?

- Hmm?

- The tutorial, you want to thresh through dynamics first,

I got some pretty avant garde theories.

- I bet you do.

No no, let's don't rush, just finish your drink.

And have another.

- I really don't think I could--

- I insist.

No, it relaxes the mind, then we can get

in those deep, uncluttered spots of the brain,

be surprised what lurks there.

- If you say so.

Personally, too much alcohol makes me sick.

- Not this one, it's too fine, it's too aged.

- Cheers.

- Professor, do you mind if I ask you a personal question?

- Not at all, any last requests?

- Sorry?

- Go ahead.

- You and Stella, what I mean is, I like her too, but

if I thought there was anything going on between you two

I'd gladly step aside, you understand?

- Oh, that's, that's really that's very big of you,

George, but you don't have to step aside,

you're being swept aside, under the carpet

where all the best dirt ends up.

- What?

- See, you didn't break me, George,

though I'll admit the first couple letters shook me,

but I have this capacity for fighting back,

for shaping my own destiny.

(coughs)

- Professor, what is happening?

- Happening, George?

I'm killing you, George.

See eight's the fatal dose, and you've had 10.

(chokes)

Bye-bye, George.

(car engine revs)

It's so hard to believe.

George, he is one of my best students.

- He never confided any worries to you?

- No, no all students worry regardless their ability.

They worry about passing exams,

getting a degree, the right job.

George, just never thought he'd kill himself.

- Funny way to do it, too.

Well most people do it at home, quietly.

Especially if they're gonna take an overdose.

Usually they get into bed,

last comfort before they go to meet their maker.

They don't usually get onto a bike

and cycle out into the country.

- Hmm, he was obviously very disturbed.

- Could there, could there be a connection?

Connection?

- Between this death and your wife's.

- In what way?

- We discussed it before, Professor,

the possibility of your wife being involved

with someone else.

- George?

- That's what I was thinking.

- Well she knew him, but not that well.

- [Rush] As far as you know.

- Yes, as far as I know.

- I'll keep an open mind.

You see, from our inquiries so far,

George Newton had no reason at all to kill himself,

unless it was guilt.

If he was involved with your wife, killed her, it would fit.

There's another factor, it may be coincidence,

but the pills he took, your wife had exactly

the same kind on prescription,

a month or two ago.

- You're very thorough.

- Ever see a dog with a bone, Professor,

it worries away at it until finally it cracks

and he gets to the juicy marrow inside.

(chuckles)

Thanks for your help, sir.

- That'll be all.

Ah, eh, before you go,

I'd like to ah, mention George Newton.

I know we all feel his death deeply.

What I wanna say is that we're all under unbearable stress

at times, particularly people like you,

who are trying to achieve something,

and fearing failure, and, well.

Just remember that a problem shared is a problem lessened.

Now, if George had come to me,

or, well I, I just want you to know that I'm here,

don't hesitate to call on me at any time.

That's all.

You haven't forgotten?

(dramatic music)

(grunts)

- Michael, fancy a drink?

You're very quiet today, what is it?

That student of yours, George, whatever his name was?

Terrible mistake.

- Mistake?

- [John] Yes, well, when youth, especially promising youth,

is snuffed out like that, yes, it's always a mistake.

Makes you wonder what God's up to, sometimes.

- God didn't kill him, a handful of pills did.

- Yes, I keep forgetting you're a converted agnostic.

Well you think what you like,

I'm pretty certain God had a hand in it.

- Only God, John?

- Hmm?

I don't follow, what'd you mean?

- What'd you make of Elizabeth's murder?

- Make of it?

Well, I was stunned of course, aghast of it.

- You didn't form any conclusions of your own, then?

- Well I'm forming one now.

You're overwrought, Mike,

why don't you take a few weeks off?

- Now come on, come on now, you must have thought something,

where do your suspicions lie?

- Look, Michael--

- Well come on, come on, I can take it,

if you've worked out some theory of your own.

- No, I've thought nothing of it at all, Mike,

except it's effect on you.

And if I did think more, well you know me.

I'd come straight out into the open and say it, wouldn't I?

- Yes.

You were never one to pussyfoot around.

Sorry, John, I'm not making much sense.

- Well, that's perfectly understandable.

- I've got to be going.

- Look, if you're worried about something, Mike,

and you need a Father Confessor--

- Confessor?

I don't need a Confessor.

(grunts)

(doorbell chimes)

- Did you know tonight was the first night

I walked through the front door?

Oh, darling, you look tired,

and you're drinking too much.

(Michael chuckles)

Oh, you deserve it.

I'll have one too.

Thanks.

(liquid trickles)

(Michael sighs)

Why didn't you tell the police George came here?

The night he died, he was coming to see you,

he told me but you didn't tell anyone.

- Well he never got here, he didn't arrive,

so I, I, well I didn't bother to call to find out why.

- By why didn't you tell the police that he was expected?

- How'd you know that?

- They questioned me.

A man called Rush.

- Rush questioned you?

- Well he questioned all of us, to find out,

well, George's state of mind.

- Ah, of course you told him that George wanted to see me.

- No.

- Why not?

- Well, because I thought if you hadn't told him

you must have had a reason.

- (chuckles) Yes, well, a simple one, yes.

These past couple of weeks there's been

so many cops and questions.

- Oh, darling.

Mike--

- Darling, no more questions, please.

- All right.

(lips smacking)

- What time is it?

God, I'm going to be locked out.

- (chuckles) Yes, you will.

It'll be so nice in a couple weeks not to have to hide.

- Mmm.

- Thanks.

- [Stella] Good night.

- Night.

Stella!

(dramatic music)

Stella.

(birds chirping)

(mysterious music)

(door creaks)

- I'm sorry I'm late.

(door creaks)

(dial ratcheting)

- Stella?

- You still haven't told me why,

and at this time of night.

- Trust me.

- Here?

(lips smacking)

- I did it for you.

I killed her for you.

- What?

- Oh, don't pretend you don't understand.

Elizabeth, I did it so we could be together.

But you betrayed me, didn't you?

You and George, the two of you,

you're in it together, weren't you?

- Michael--

- No, I was a fool not to have seen it, you and George.

(intense music)

(church bells ringing)

John, do you mind if I--

- Hello, Mike.

No, help yourself.

- Has he been snooping around your class?

- Who?

- That copper, Rush.

- No, I haven't seen him.

- I see.

- [John] Well why should he,

there's nothing wrong, is there?

- Not that I know of.

- Well, he might still be probing

into young Newton's suicide, or Elizabeth's death.

- I thought there might be something else.

- Like what?

- Well it's probably nothing, but,

well a student of mine didn't show up today, Stella Mason.

- Oh yes, I know her, a very pretty girl.

- He didn't mention her to you, did he?

- Mike, I keep telling you,

I haven't seen hide nor hair of Rush.

- Yes.

Yes.

- Mike?

Mike!

(dramatic music)

(church bells ringing)

(sighs)

(intense music)

- I know what you did.

- You.

It was you.

- Yes, I put it there for you to see,

but I didn't write it if that's what you mean.

No, I've been getting something like this every day

since your wife was murdered,

something like this, anonymous.

So have you.

- Yes, but...

If it wasn't you, then who?

- You wrote them, Professor.

I don't know what the psychiatrists will make of it.

Guilt, insanity, but I'd say it was a need to confess,

to be caught and punished, absolved.

When you're ready, Professor.

(cries)

- Do you think we should, sir?

- Hmm?

- Leave him alone.

- Where would he run to?

- Well I wasn't thinking of that sir, but,

well he might kill himself.

- Not him.

Not anymore.

(intense music)