Original subtitles

(calm music)

(dramatic music)

(dinging)

- Seems to take forever, doesn't it?

- It's not exactly the Orient Express.

- Oh, you're American.

Tourist?

- [Nicola] No, I work here.

- Oh.

- [Nicola] At the embassy.

- Oh?

- It's nothing grand or diplomatic,

I'm just a stenographer,

but it's fun being in England.

- Yes, it's a funny old place, but we like it.

Where are you going now then?

- To spend the weekend with some friends at Salford.

- Salford?

That's the station just beyond mine.

Have you been there before?

- No, they've just moved in.

- It's a pretty little village.

You'll like it.

Your friends are meeting you?

- [Nicola] Yes.

- That's good, sensible.

I only live half a minute from the station

but my husband's meeting me.

After all, one never knows, does one?

And they haven't caught him yet.

There's a bit about it in today's paper.

- I'm not sure I understand what you're talking about.

- Rape, my dear.

Three girls have assaulted on this line in as many months.

One he nearly killed.

That's why I hate traveling at this hour.

Still, if you're being met,

there's nothing to worry about.

- Rape?

- They'll catch him sooner or later.

They've got a description at last, you see?

They're looking for a man with short blond hair.

I know it's not much,

but the police are so clever, still.

Nevertheless, I insist on being met.

Although I suppose if it happened to me at my age,

I could take it as a compliment.

Ah.

That's my stop.

It's been nice talking to you, my dear.

I hope you enjoy your weekend.

Goodbye.

(ominous music)

(dramatic music)

(clicking)

(ominous music)

(clock ticking)

(gasps)

- Miss Stevens?

- Yes.

- Your friends called me.

- What?

- Mr. and Mrs. Holt.

They were on their way back to town

and their car broke down,

so they'll be delayed

so they want you to go on and let yourself in.

The key's under the mat.

It isn't very far, miss.

Turn right out of the station

and it's the first house you see.

About a quarter of a mile.

Everything alright, miss?

- Oh, yes, thank you.

(ominous music)

- Just a minute!

Can I have your ticket, please?

(ominous music)

(ominous music)

(screaming)

- She'll be furious.

Absolutely furious.

- Well, darling, it wasn't our fault.

We didn't do it on purpose, it wasn't anybody's fault.

- It's your car.

Men are supposed to look after their cars,

make sure they don't break down.

Poor Nicola.

We were supposed to meet her at nine

and now look at it, it's tomorrow!

- She probably made herself some supper

and went quietly to bed.

- Yes, while I had to sit by the roadside

and freeze all night.

- Just who are you worried about, Nicola or yourself?

- Both of us, of course.

Both of us had an absolutely beastly night.

All because of your wretched car.

- But you love me.

- Maybe.

Jeff!

(dramatic music)

Nicky.

Nicky! - Nicky!

Nicky!

Nicky! - Nicky!

(crying)

(sirens blaring)

- Oh, surely just one minute.

- I'm sorry, Inspector, the answer must be no.

- Half a minute then.

- No.

- Look, you're doing your job, Doctor,

I'm just trying to do mine.

She saw the man, she must have.

Maybe she can give us an accurate description.

- Not now, please.

- Look, just a minute, Doctor.

We don't catch him, he'll do it again!

- Potential victims are your concern, mine is that girl.

- I'll be back tomorrow then.

- Inspector.

Don't rely on anything.

You do understand it's her mind which is so badly affected?

The state she's in now, she may never make sense.

- I'll be back tomorrow.

(ominous music)

- The man.

Take the man away.

Please, take him away.

No.

- Sister.

No male staff, no (mumbles).

Tell the matron.

- Take him away, take the bad man away.

Mother!

(vacuum whirring)

(phone ringing)

- [Jeff] Hello?

Yes?

I see.

Thank you for ringing.

It's the hospital.

No change.

- Miss Stevens?

Miss Stevens?

Look, I just want to find the man.

I want to find that bad man you've been talking about.

And you are gonna help me find him, aren't you?

Miss Stevens, you don't have to be frightened of me.

I'm a police officer.

See?

(ominous music)

(screaming)

- We're moving her to Corby Hall.

- You haven't found it yet.

- No.

The ax, nor him.

Funny though,

I thought we would have found him.

Well, judging from her injuries,

he didn't use the ax on her.

I sort of assumed she took it to defend herself.

- Well, if she did, it didn't do much good.

- Now.

Probably put his prints on it during the struggle.

He did, well, what he did.

Ran out through here, remembered the ax,

and climbed back for it.

- Well, how do you know that?

- Well, I don't, just guessing.

But there's mud on this carpet.

I wonder why he didn't kill her.

- He might as well have.

They've taken her to Corby Hall.

- I know.

- Well, she's not mad, is she?

- Well, very disturbed.

No wonder, after what happened to her.

But as a woman, you must understand that.

- When I think of poor Nicky in a place like--

- Now, darling, it isn't a place like that.

- No, Mrs. Holt.

Corby Hall's the best in the country.

The most expensive.

- The Americans are showing their customary generosity.

The embassy is paying all the bills.

- Yes, but poor Nicky--

- They'll make her well again, Mrs. Holt.

Well enough, I hope, to have her talk to me.

Then I'll nail him.

- [Doctor] I understand she has no family.

- [Jeff] None to speak of.

Couple distant aunts in the States.

- I think we're the nearest thing to family she has.

- Then I hope you will visit her often.

It's important she does not feel alone there, isolated--

- Yes, of course we will.

Come every weekend.

- Can I go and talk to her?

- Yes, but only bright feelings, please.

Not you, Mr. Holt.

If you don't mind.

For the time being, it's best she has only female contact.

- Dr. Ward.

How long is this going to take?

- Her progress is slow

but over the next few months, I hope that she may--

- Few months?

- I'd say six at least.

- But then she will be completely well again.

- Well, the experience she's been through,

there must be scars of course.

But she will be a perfectly normal

and healthy young woman again.

(knocking)

- Come in!

- [Woman] Detective Constable Wallis, sir.

- Oh, good.

Need your help.

Bit dangerous, oh.

Not that dangerous, not if these reports on you

are anything to go by.

Well now, Constable Wallis.

What I want from you is...

Why don't you sit down?

- I'm very pleased with you, Nicola.

Very pleased indeed.

You see, cure is a two way process.

We can lead, offer, direct, but ultimately,

it must come from you.

The need to be cured must be of your own volition

and there is no doubt

that you are meeting us more than halfway.

You're doing very well.

(gasps)

But perhaps the most important factor of all is time.

Time to forget.

Time to readjust.

- I'm sure it's going to be good news.

- [Jeff] Don't build any hopes.

- They said be prepared for a surprise.

- I know but don't build any...

- Don't build any hopes, yes, I know.

You've already said that about half a dozen times.

Really, darling, you're beginning to sound

like a needle stuck in a groove.

- Well, that doesn't outdate you.

But then, I always did go for the older woman.

- I'm sure we're going to see a great change in Nicky.

(thumping)

(sighs) She nearly ran me off my feet!

- Nicola's making commendable progress.

- I said we'd ask her out for dinner.

Oh.

- I think that would be a splendid idea.

Why don't you tell her, Mr. Holt?

- Me?

- I told you she was making commendable progress.

(laughs)

- Doctor, when can she leave?

Jeff and I want to take her home with us,

sort of convalescence.

When can it be?

- Not yet.

- But it's been nearly four months.

- [Doctor] I'll tell you when, Mrs. Holt.

You mustn't feel responsible, you know.

If you'd been home that night.

It wasn't really your fault.

- But I do feel responsible.

And I want her out of here, back home with us.

- She's not ready yet.

- But she's--

- You only see her during the day, Mrs. Holt.

We see her at night.

(ominous music)

(screaming)

(ominous music)

(gasps)

- [Man] Inspector.

- Well.

Well, well.

You've been tangling with our Miss Wallis, have you?

Well, she's taller than me, more prepossessing, prettier.

But me, I'm much nastier.

- I'm sorry, Inspector, I think it's out of the question.

- But Dr. Ward, I have the man, I've got him!

Now obviously he denies everything

but if Miss Stevens were to make a positive identification--

- Inspector, the most terrifying thing

that can happen to a woman has happened to her.

And we have spent nearly six long months trying

to eradicate it from her mind so that she can forget it

and begin again.

And now you want to make her remember.

I can't stop you, I can't forbid you,

but the responsibility will be yours.

The mind is tough, Inspector.

It is resilient but it is also extremely delicate.

Like everything else, it will take so much

and then it snaps.

The responsibility must be yours.

- Well, I'll have to see what I can do without her.

After all, he was arrested attempting assault.

I'll (mumbles).

- Thank you, Inspector.

- Doctor.

- Get me Mrs. Holt.

(dinging)

- How do you feel?

- About to go stark staring mad.

You have asked me that at least a dozen times.

- Sorry, I'm concerned about you, that's all.

- Well, you don't have to be, I'm fine.

I'm just fine, I absolutely promise.

- We're nearly there.

Jeff's meeting us at the station

and he's threatened to cook dinner,

(laughs) so that means we'll probably have to eat out.

Would it worry you?

I mean, being suddenly pushed amongst people again.

- It wasn't people that put me away, Virna.

Just one man.

- Well, you don't have to worry about him.

They've caught him.

- Caught him?

- [Virna] Forget it.

- But you said--

- My big mouth, as usual.

Dr. Ward said you weren't to be reminded of it.

- Well, why not?

It happened.

It happened to me.

So they've caught him.

- Look, Nicky, they've caught a man.

Nothing's been proved yet.

It might not even be the man.

If it is, all he'll get is a few years behind bars.

That's British justice for you.

American too, I suppose.

- No.

In some states, you might still get the gas chamber

or the electric chair.

- Look, Nicky, I think Dr. Ward was right.

Let's forget it, eh?

- Why don't you and Jeff have a baby?

You're married, you're in love, it's the perfect way.

- Well, we plan to eventually.

- Well, don't wait.

I mean, don't leave it till it's too late.

- No.

We're there.

(ominous music)

Are you okay?

Jeff!

Jeff!

- Nicky!

You look great.

Doesn't she?

Off we go.

- Everything alright at home?

- Everything is beautiful, madam.

A treat awaits you.

(ominous music)

- Oh, you've redecorated.

- We were going to anyway.

- Anyway?

Oh, this was Dr. Ward's idea, wasn't it?

- Yes. - No.

- Now Ward said we'll be perfectly honest,

answer all questions with total honesty,

so yes, it was his idea.

And we were going to do it anyway.

See, we got in a clever stick.

It was a fine idea for you to be coming to stay with us

but a bad idea for you to--

- To come back to where it happened.

Well, I think it's an improvement.

I mean, your colors are so much brighter.

And your rearrangement of furniture.

It's all so much better.

- Well, you'll get some drinks, will you, darling?

I have spaghetti bolognese to attend to.

- (laughs) Oh god.

- Oh, wasn't that just about the best bolognese

you ever tasted?

- It was the best today, I can promise you that.

- I'd an idea.

I thought I might take a few days off,

drive you around a bit, buy you lunch.

Oh, and there's a race meeting over (mumbles).

Would you like to go?

- Well, I certainly would.

It would give me an excuse for buying a new hat.

I'm sure Nicky would enjoy it.

- Of course she would.

And if the weather's fine, we can bring a picnic lunch.

- One condition.

That I prepare the food.

- I don't think they've caught him.

He's too clever.

- Nicky, of course they've caught him.

- Was in the papers.

- No.

- [Virna] I promise you, they've caught him.

- Well, they can't have, because I've just seen him.

On the train, he was on the train.

(phone ringing)

- Hello, Charles here.

Oh, yes, Mr. Holt.

What?

Yes, I see.

Be over right away.

- I saw him as clear as I'm seeing you now, the same man.

- But you didn't mention it to Mrs. Holt here.

In fact, you didn't mention it at all.

Well, until much, much later.

- I was confused, I wasn't sure.

- Ah, you weren't sure.

- Yes.

But, well, Jeff and Virna have been so kind to me

and I didn't want to make a fuss.

- Well, this was the man who attacked you, Miss Stevens!

- I didn't want to make a fuss.

- My mistake.

I will look into it, you can be sure of that.

- Inspector?

You think she made a mistake?

- Well, perhaps not a mistake exactly.

Mrs. Holt, the man who attacked those women,

who attacked Miss Stevens, is in my office now.

He's being formally charged.

- Well, then surely--

- He's made a full confession.

- He's admitted to attacking Nicky?

- Well, funny enough, no, he denies that,

but the other women, yes.

He's made a confession and I'm satisfied.

- But Nicky--

- Mrs. Holt, if I came here, I telephoned Dr. Ward.

- What?

- Miss Stevens is better, much better.

She's still not completely herself.

Delusional, disturbed.

It's to be expected.

- [Virna] You sound so sure.

- I'm sorry, I can't act on (mumbles)

or give any credence to what she may say.

That's part of the reason I don't intend calling her

at the trial.

Part of me'd like to.

The other part says beware, hold on,

she could lose you the whole case.

The testimony of a woman who's--

- [Virna] She's not mad.

- Technically no,

but a good defense counsel would tear her to shreds!

Look, you take it from me.

The man who attacked her is safely under lock and key.

Good night, Mrs. Holt, sir.

- Good night, Inspector, thank you for coming.

(ominous music)

(screaming)

- Nicky.

Darling, it's alright.

There, come on, it's alright.

♪ Doo dah, doo dah ♪

♪ The Camptown racetrack's five mile long ♪

♪ Oh, doo dah day ♪

♪ Goin' to run all night ♪

♪ Goin' to run all day ♪

♪ I'll bet my money on a bob-tail nag ♪

♪ Somebody bet on the bay ♪

♪ I came down there with me hat caved in, doo dah, doo dah ♪

♪ I went back home with a pocket full of tin ♪

♪ Doo dah, doo dah day ♪

- Well, it's a great day, innit?

Well, I'll tell you something.

I'm glad we didn't back any winners.

Anybody can back winners.

Takes real skill to pack a card full of losers.

- Well, that's a talent we certainly have.

- Well, I think we got value of our money

with 100 of hooves, the sunshine, the excitement,

and quite a nice picnic.

- [Virna] Which I prepared.

- Which you prepared

and for which I forgot to kiss you.

(kisses)

♪ Doo dah day, doo dah day ♪

♪ I'll bet my money on thee bob-tail nag ♪

♪ Somebody bet on the bay ♪

(humming)

(ominous music)

(screaming)

- You've no idea what triggered the attack?

I know she has nightmares at night

but this was during the day?

Yes.

Well, make sure she has her sedation

and let me know if it happens again.

Special measures?

No, Mrs. Holt, just continue to treat her gently

and humor her little whims where necessary.

- Yes, we will.

Thank you, Doctor.

Goodbye.

- Well?

- He said to humor her.

- I'm sorry.

I ruined a wonderful day.

- Oh, don't be silly!

Would you like a drink?

- [Virna] Nicky, have you any idea why?

- It was just something I imagined.

- What did you imagine?

- You know, I think I will have that drink now.

And please, can we drop it?

I mean, it's not fair.

You've been so kind

and I all I do is spread gloom and alarm.

- Don't be foolish, it's why you're here,

so that we can look after you.

We want you to lean on us.

- Thank you.

You're the two nicest people I ever met.

I'd like to toast to that.

Jeff and Virna.

- Cheers.

- Fresh eggs daily.

- What?

- Where's Stowford?

Is it near here?

- Well...

- It's about 10 miles, I think.

There's nothing much there.

Couple of farms, that's all.

Why?

- I don't know, I saw the name somewhere and I wondered.

Do you think I could ask a special favor?

- Of course.

- Whatever.

- Well, I want to start trying to be independent again

and tomorrow I thought I'd go out on my own

and face the world for a while.

- That's a good idea.

- But I do need to be able to retreat quickly,

be encased in my own little world.

So I wondered if I might borrow your car.

- [Jeff] It's yours anytime.

(ominous music)

(chickens clucking)

- [Virna] He won't get but a few years behind bars.

That's British justice for you.

- [Nicola] No.

In some states, you might still get the gas chamber

or the electric chair.

(ominous music)

(screams)

(splats)

- [Jeff] It's nothing, it's the tiniest dent.

- I feel so stupid.

My first drive and in someone else's car.

- Nicola, darling, it's so minor

I'm not even going to bother with a paint job.

It's a pretty sturdy car, you know.

I think you could nearly crash it into a brick wall

and hardly scratch it.

- Apart from that, how was the rest of the day?

- Oh, very good.

I got something out of my system.

- You take it again tomorrow.

- No.

I won't need it anymore.

I think I'll go to bed.

- I hope you sleep well.

- Oh, I shall.

I shall now.

Night.

(vacuum whirring)

I'll do that.

- Nearly finished!

- Well, something.

Wash the dishes, scrub up the kitchen, something.

- You're a ball of energy this morning.

- Yes, well, I want to be useful.

- Oh, you may be sorry you said that.

Well, I've just made up my mind

that I must do something about the back garden.

It's a mass of mud and we've hardly touched it

since we've been here, so if you'd like to grab hold of--

- No.

I think I prefer something a little more domestic.

I know, let me fix tonight's dinner, I'd like that.

- Alright.

- [Nicola] Okay.

- Whatever you say.

- That was some meal.

Darling, you excelled yourself.

I think you've been spying on me and picking up hints.

- (laughs) All the credit goes to Nicky.

- Hm?

- Well, she cooked dinner.

- Oh.

Well, I don't think my wife will mind.

(kisses)

You really are sitting up

and taking notice again, aren't you?

- Since yesterday.

I don't know what it is

but it's as if there's some great burden's

been lifted from you.

- You could say that.

- Well, whatever it is, my stomach's had the benefit.

It was a marvelous meal.

- It's not finished yet, the dessert.

No, no, I'll get it.

You sit down, you've done enough running around

after me already.

Both of you.

- You should be proud of both of us.

We've both been working like pack horses all day.

Nicky in the kitchen and me in the garden.

- Now the garden is a man's work, you leave that to me.

I'll get 'round to it.

- Someday.

- That's right.

- Oh, anyway, it wasn't all that difficult.

Some of it had been dug up already.

(knocking)

- I'll get it!

(ominous music)

- Who is it?

Nicky?

Can I help you?

- [Man] Yes, I hope so.

My car has got in a twist.

I wondered if I might use the telephone.

- [Jeff] Yes, of course, come in.

- Thank you.

You look as though you'd seen a ghost.

- This is Nicky, Nicky Stevens.

She hasn't been well but she's alright now, hm?

You make your phone call

and then come and have a drink.

- Yes, thank you.

- It's Good Samaritan time.

Chap whose car's broken down.

Using phone.

Oh, that looks delicious.

You're not going to deny us a taste are you?

- [Virna] No, of course she isn't.

But I think you deserve the honor of serving it, Nicky.

- Thank you.

- Thank you.

- [Man] The garage is sending a man around.

- [Jeff] No, that's alright.

What would you like, glass of wine?

- [Man] Oh, yes, thank you.

- [Jeff] Oh, this is my wife Virna.

Nicola you've met.

- Hello, yes.

I'm sorry for bursting in on you like this but--

- Oh, we know all about defective motorcars.

- Sit down, would you?

- Thank you.

There, if you don't mind.

My leg's a bit...

- Oh, of course.

How did you get that?

- Skiing?

- No, nothing so exciting.

It was just an accident.

Stupid accident.

- [Jeff] Here you go.

- Thank you.

- Do you live near here?

- Um, not so far away.

- If I know anything about the garages in this area,

you might as well prepare yourself for a long wait.

- [Man] Do you mind if I smoke?

- [Virna] No, of course not.

- Anything else on this hit and run at Stowford, sir?

- [Charles] Not a thing.

- [Man] Nasty.

- Life's nasty.

- Well, you'll feel better, sir,

once you've got a scotch inside you.

- [Charles] You bet.

- By the way, sir.

- Yeah?

- [Man] There was a telephone call for you.

- Who from?

- [Man] Hamburg, Germany.

- What'd they want?

- [Man] An interpreter.

(laughs)

But what I could make out,

there's someone coming to see you.

Don't know when or why.

(ominous music)

- [Virna] I hope you get home alright.

- [Man] Thank you.

- And drop in any time you're passing,

you're always welcome.

- Do.

- That's very kind of you.

Yes, I will.

- [Virna] Good night.

- [Man] Good night.

- [Jeff] Very pleasant chap.

- Yes.

She didn't say a word the whole time.

She seemed absolutely terrified of him.

- Well, that's understandable.

He is a man.

So am I.

(kissing)

- Oh, I'm glad you rung, sir.

Good morning, sir.

Yes, I know, sir.

I just got back from the court.

Well, I agree.

Five years isn't much after what he put those girls through.

Yeah, I wish now I'd got the Stevens girl to testify.

Stevens.

Nicola Stevens.

Yeah, the American girl.

Well, if she'd appeared for the prosecution,

might have been a different story.

Still, that's modern justice.

Yes, sir.

Yeah.

Yeah, good...

Good...

Bye, sir.

Well, I think you did a darn good job, you up there.

- Thank you, sir.

- Go and get you a coffee now.

- Thank you sir, I will.

(sighs)

- He's here, sir.

- Who is it?

- [Man] A chap from Germany.

- Private?

Well, private can wait.

- [Man] Yes sir.

- You're sure you're going to be alright?

- Of course, I'm not a child.

Yes, I know I've been behaving like one

but I can take care of myself, better than you know.

- [Jeff] It's lunch we're invited to, not dinner.

- Just making sure that Nicky's going to be okay.

- Of course she'll be okay, won't you?

- We should be back by about seven.

- Not unless we go now.

- And you know where we are if you want us--

- Darling, you are behaving like a mother hen.

Now Nicola has assured us she doesn't mind.

Now you mustn't ruin her confidence.

- Oh, alright!

See you soon, darling.

(kisses)

The number's on-- - Come on!

- I'm coming!

The number's on the table if you want it.

- Yes, I know, now go on.

- [Virna] Bye.

- Have fun.

(ominous music)

(clicking)

- The Inspector's busy, sir.

Hey, sir!

Sir.

The Inspector is still very busy, sir.

- It is only because I am a private detective.

I am used to it.

A certain indignation.

Usually I allow an hour for such,

but I have now been waiting two.

- Well, I am busy.

- I can see that.

I'll just sit here.

So that you don't forget me.

Don't let me disturb you.

(ominous music)

- Alright, now, Mr...

- Balsam.

Conrad Balsam.

This is merely a courtesy visit

because I wish to make some inquires in this area

and I do not wish to tread on your official toes.

- Inquiries?

- I am trying to find a man, a German citizen

who came to this country more than six months ago

and has not been seen since.

- Oh, (mumbles) official inquiries.

- Please, you wouldn't.

The purpose of his visit took him to London

and it is there where the inquiries are concentrated.

- Why come here?

- Because he once met a girl on holiday

and she lives here in Salford.

- Simple then.

Go and ask her.

- Not so simple.

All I know is her name is Sarah and she lives in Salford.

I don't think he knew any more than that

but it is possible that he thought,

Salford being a small town...

- Break his journey, ask around, find her.

- Exactly.

- What do you want from me?

- Your official blessing.

The opportunity to sniff around, ask a few questions.

- Who is this man?

- He would stand out like a sore thumb.

Good appearance, well set up.

- I always need to thaw out afterwards.

There's a pub across the way.

I'll stand you a scotch.

- Thank you, Inspector,

but I think I should pursue my inquiries

with all possible speed.

- That's a change.

Most of the private fellows I know are always keen

to stretch the case out, pushing up the expenses.

- Yes, but I have a small vested interest.

- Oh?

- Yes, very small.

About that high.

Blonde, she lives in Munich.

- (laughs) I see.

(ominous music)

(clinks)

- Hello.

Um...

Well, you were so kind to me the other evening, I thought...

Oh, I rang the bell.

Several times, but...

Sorry if I frightened you.

- I'm not frightened.

- Oh, the leg is better now.

It wasn't as bad as I thought.

Stupid accident.

You are frightened.

Oh, I see.

They're out.

Mr. and Mrs. Holt, they're out and you're all on your own.

- No.

They're in the garden.

- I didn't see them.

- Yes, they're there.

Behind the shed, they are there.

(ominous music)

- Well, you must be mistaken.

They're certainly not...

(door closes)

No!

(smacks)

(tapping)

- Excuse me.

I wonder if you ever remember seeing this man.

It would be a remarkable feat of memory if you did.

More than six months ago, last February,

possibly alighting from the London train.

- Sorry.

- Please, do study it again.

A man alone.

He may have seemed uncertain, lost?

- Yes.

Chap with the ticket.

- What chap?

- Well, first, I thought he was trying to get past me

without a ticket.

- And then you discovered he just did not understand you.

- That's right.

How did you know that?

- Oh, when one puts two and two together, my friend,

it inevitably makes four.

(ominous music)

(clicking)

(rustling)

(ominous music)

(screams)

(screaming)

(groans)

- Nicky, it's Jeff!

Nicky!

It's Jeff!

It's Jeff!

(breathing heavily)

Nicky?

(groans)

Oh, darling.

Oh no.

Oh, my love.

Oh my god.

Oh no.

(crying)

She didn't mean it.

We didn't think she'd hear us come back.

He'd been drinking too much and they wouldn't let him drive.

She didn't mean it.

- You better get the police.

- No. - No.

My wife is right, she must have been surprised.

I must have startled her.

I'll be alright.

(thumping)

(groans)

- He's dead.

He's dead at last.

- [Virna] That's the man whose car broke down.

- Do you know this man?

- Very slightly.

He used the phone the other evening when his car broke.

(ominous music)

- The police.

- Two men attacked, two dead.

Well, at least the chap we arrested was the right man.

- But she didn't even see him.

- All she saw was a newspaper report

about a fair-haired man.

- And along came my man, a foreigner,

trying to find his way.

- He just happened to have fair hair.

He just happened to fit her fantasies.

- A fantasy.

A terrible delusion.

After the imagined assault,

she began to see the man she imagined had attacked her

in every man.

To see his face in every face.

- But why?

- An imagined assault?

- Fear.

- Of what?

- Some childhood incident, a half forgotten experience.

Imagination.

The human brain can torture

and torment itself to destruction.

I doubt we shall ever know.

(ominous music)

(screaming)

(dramatic music)