Cat People Page #4

I'm terribly sorry.

No, don't go. I'm coming right out.

Sorry to have disturbed you, Alice.

I missed you and Oliver,

and I thought you might know where he is.

We waited for you at the museum.

You'll probably find him at home.

If you don't mind then, I'll run on.

Could I have my robe, please?

- Sure.

Gee whiz, honey, it's torn to ribbons.

Thank you for coming

at so late an hour, Dr. Judd.

I phoned you because I'm troubled.

I think you can help me.

How much do you believe

about the cat people?

The cat people?

The story Mrs. Reed told me?

- Yes.

I believe, my dear Miss Moore,

exactly as I told Mrs. Reed:

The story is a product of her own fear,

her own overworked imagination.

What would you say, Dr. Judd,

if I were to tell you...

...that I believe Irena's story?

- Yes?

Twice I've been followed

by something that was not human...

...something that attempted to take my life.

I believe that was the cat form of Irena.

But why should she wish to harm you?

Because I'm in love with her husband.

My dear Miss Moore...

...this story grows more

and more charming.

Simpler too, all the time.

You're both victims of fear.

Mrs. Reed fears the past,

and you fear the present.

Mrs. Reed has a very strong imagination...

...and you have

an equally strong conscience.

Dr. Judd, the danger that threatened me

was very real.

You disappoint me, Miss Moore.

Here is my robe.

To understand this,

I should first have to hear...

...Mrs. Reed's version of the story myself.

That should be a most

interesting interview.

I shouldn't advise you to see her alone.

Do you think I'm afraid

of so charming a lady?

Dr. Judd, I know you don't believe me,

but you must be careful.

Oh, you want me to carry

some means of protection.

A gun, perhaps, with a silver bullet.

Is that what you mean?

If you are lucky enough to have one.

Of course...

...this isn't silver.

Good night, Miss Moore.

You say you have lapses of memory

for which you cannot account.

They are becoming more frequent,

and you're afraid.

Help me.

I can't help you.

You're not truthful with me.

But I am. I've told you everything.

I have not lied to you.

Do you sincerely believe that

if your husband were to kiss you...

...you would change into a cat

and rend him to bits?

I don't know. I am only afraid.

And if I were to kiss you?

I only know that I should not like

to be kissed by you.

My dear Mrs. Reed,

sometimes in my profession...

...there comes a contest of wills

between the doctor and his patient.

Patients are clever. Very clever.

And they can fool the doctor sometimes.

You are very clever.

And perhaps you enjoy this little game

you are having with me.

But I shall discover your secret.

Dr. Judd, believe me.

I beg you to believe me.

I have no secret. I told you everything.

I have not lied to you.

I need your help.

I can't help you.

But I can warn you.

These hallucinations approach insanity.

This nonsense about Miss Moore

at the park and in the swimming pool...

...it's a deterioration of the mind,

escape into fantasy.

And it's dangerous.

At this moment...

...I could go before a board

and have you put away for observation.

You are that close to real insanity.

I can't help you.

You can only help yourself.

You keep going back

to the mad legends of your birthplace.

Forget them.

You surround yourself

with cat objects, pictures.

Get rid of them. Lead a normal life.

You know, for the first time

you've really helped me.

Maybe it's because you interest me.

Oliver.

I went back to Dr. Judd's office.

I'm no longer afraid.

Believe me, Irena, I'd have been

the happiest man in the world...

...if you told me that a little while ago.

But things have changed.

I had to learn, maybe through

this marriage of ours.

I didn't want to tell you this...

...but now, you see, I have to.

I love Alice.

Irena, it's too late.

Too late.

Well, there seems only one decent thing

for me to do.

I'll give you a divorce.

Believe me, it's better this way.

- Better?

Better for whom?

- Irena, I...

Speak.

You can't speak.

There's nothing you can say.

There's only silence.

But I love silence.

I love loneliness.

And they... They are in me.

Their strength, warmth.

They're soft. They're soft.

Irena, you're talking like an insane woman.

- Please go.

I want you to go, please.

Go.

Go.

Bavarian cream?

Roquefort?

And you get the apple pie.

I have pointed out

two alternatives, Mr. Reed:

Either have her put away

for observation and restraint...

...or have your marriage annulled.

It's tough for Oliver either way, doctor.

As a psychiatrist, I should recommend

that you have her put away.

As your friend, however, I have

much more reasonable advice to offer.

I think you should have

your marriage annulled.

In that way, you are free of responsibility.

You two could marry.

- And if Irena's sent away?

The law is quite explicit.

One cannot divorce an insane person.

If she's not well,

I've got to take care of her.

It's the only right thing, Ollie.

As you will. I'll have

the commitment papers drawn up...

...and arrange an interview

with Mrs. Reed at her apartment tonight.

Shall we say 6:
00?

Let's not play that.

I don't think Irena's coming.

We've waited an hour and a half.

Perhaps it's useless to wait.

I don't think she intends coming.

She's probably walking in the park.

Ollie, let's get back to the office.

We've had a broken-up day...

...and there's lots of work to be done.

- Suits me.

How stupid of me, I left

my walking stick in the apartment.

I'll get it for you.

- No, it's my fault.

Give me the key.

I shall only be a moment.

Five and a half.

Five and a half.

And...

...one and three-eighths.

And one and three-eighths.

There.

I'll get it.

Hello?

Hello?

Hello?

They hung up on me.

That's funny.

- What?

It happened once before like that.

The telephone rang, and I answered.

There was someone

on the other end of the line.

I could almost hear them listening.

And then there was a little click

as they hung up the receiver.

That was the night

I was followed on the transverse.

Ollie...

...let's get out of here. I'm afraid.

That was Irena.

I know it was Irena who called.

She could call from downstairs.

She may be on her way up now.

Get your things.

The door's open. We can see

to get out into the hall.

I'll turn out the table lights.

It's shut now.

Just a minute ago, it was open.

It's locked.

Irena.

Irena.

Leave us, Irena.

In the name of God, leave us in peace.

Come on.

Let's go down the stairs.

Don't, Alice. It's gone.

Everything's all right. Don't be afraid.

I'm not afraid.

Look.

Irena's perfume. Strong. Sweet.

I need a drink.

Yes?

- Dr. Judd.

Miss Moore?

Yes. We've been trying to get you

on the phone, Dr. Judd. I called your hotel.

Yes, I know, that's what

I want to talk about. Are you alone?

You'd better leave then.

She may be on her way back now.

But she is dangerous, Dr. Judd.

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