Dial M for Murder

Let me get you another drink.

Mark, before Tony comes,

I ought to explain something.

Yes, I've been waiting for that.

I haven't told him anything about us.

That's not surprising.

It's a tough thing to do.

When you telephoned this morning,

I simply said you wrote crime stories.

And I'd met you once

when you were here before.

That has a pretty guilty ring to it.

I'd never use it in one of my stories.

Mark, I know you think it's silly.

When you get to know Tony,

you'll understand why I said that.

Darling, I understand now.

That doesn't stop me from loving you.

It's not as simple as that.

-Tony's changed.

-Thanks.

He's a completely different person

to the one I used to tell you about.

Really?. When did all this happen?.

That night I came to say goodbye.

When I left your apartment,

I came back here.

I sat down on the sofa

and had a good cry.

And then I fell asleep.

When I woke up...

...there was Tony standing in the hall

with his bags and tennis rackets.

He just said he decided to give up tennis

and settle down to a job.

-Just like that?.

-Just like that.

Of course, I didn't believe him at first,

but he meant it, all right.

But he's been wonderful ever since.

I suppose that's when

you stopped writing me.

Margot, is it?.

Do you remember the letters

you wrote to me?.

Yes, I remember.

After I read them, I burned them.

I thought it best.

All except one.

You probably know

the one I mean.

Yes, I think I do.

What about it?.

It was stolen.

Tony and I were going to spend

the weekend in the country with friends.

While waiting on the platform,

I noticed my handbag was missing.

And the letter was inside.

-Where was this?.

-Victoria Station.

I thought I'd left it in the restaurant,

but when I went back, it had gone.

You mean you never found it?.

I recovered the handbag

about two weeks later...

...from the lost and found,

but the letter wasn't there.

Then about a week afterwards,

I received a note.

It told me what I had to do

to get the letter back.

Yes. Go ahead.

Go on.

I was to draw 50

from my bank in 5 notes...

...and then change them

for used 1 notes.

It said that if I went to the police

or told anyone else...

...he would show the letter

to my husband.

You still have the note?.

Printed, all capitals.

-Anyone could've done this.

-Two days later...

-...I got this one.

-Both mailed in Brixton.

"Throw half the money in a package

and mail to John S. King.

Brixton SW9.

You'll get your letter by return."

It's a little shop.

People use it as a forwarding address.

You didn't mail the money.

Yes, but the letter was never returned.

So after waiting about

two weeks, I went there.

Said they had never heard

of a man by that name.

The parcel was still there.

It had never been opened.

That's something, I suppose.

May I keep these?.

-Yes, if you like.

-I can't understand why you didn't tell me.

There wasn't anything

you could do.

You probably would have

made me tell Tony and the police.

It was only 50, I thought

I'd pay and have done with it.

I'm gonna tell Tony

about us tonight.

No, Mark, please,

you musn't.

You don't understand.

Tony's changed.

Please.

I wish it was a year ago,

when you came to say goodbye.

We were in the kitchen. I said,

"I can't go through with this.

Let's find Tony and

tell him all about it."

I believe you'd

have done it then.

Well, I can see this is

gonna be a rough evening.

All of us saying

nice things to each other.

Look, there's only one thing

you haven't explained.

Why didn't you burn

that letter too?.

There you are. We thought

you were never coming.

-What have you been up to?.

-I'm sorry. The boss blew in...

-...just as I was leaving.

-Tony, this is Mark Halliday.

-Mark.

-Tony.

I'm terribly sorry

to be so late.

-How do you like it over here, Mark?.

-Well, fine. Just fine, Tony.

Is this your first visit to London?.

No, no. I was here

a year ago for vacation.

Oh, yes, that's right.

Margot told me.

-You write for the radio, don't you?.

-No, television, for my sins.

-Darling, did you reserve a table?.

-Yes, 7:
:00.

-Come on, then--

-Darling, a slight alteration in plans.

-Now, don't say you can't go.

-I'm afraid so.

Old man Burgess is flying

to Brussels on Sunday.

And I have to get my monthly

report in by tomorrow.

Can't you do it when

we get back?.

I'm afraid not.

It'll take hours.

I shall have to fake

half of it as it is.

Could you join us after the theater?.

We might go somewhere.

Give me a ring in intermission.

-lf I'm inspired, I might make it.

-Well, do try.

I'll just get my things, Mark.

-Here are the tickets.

-Thanks, Tony.

I'm afraid this is

terribly rude of me.

Not at all. I'm just sorry

you can't come.

-You must come to dinner.

-I'd like that.

What are you doing tomorrow night?.

Saturday?.

Nothing I know of.

Would you like to

join a stag party?.

-A stag party?.

-Yes.

Some Americans have been playing

tennis all over the continent.

We're giving them

a farewell dinner.

-I'm not much of a tennis player.

-Doesn't matter.

You know New York and all that.

-Mark's coming to the party tomorrow night.

-Good.

You better drop in here first

and have a drink.

-That's the idea.

-Yes. All right.

-I'll try and get a taxi.

-No, we can usually pick one up.

So long, darling.

Enjoy yourself.

-So long, Tony.

-Good night.

-Oh, Mark.

-Yes?.

Sell the extra ticket

and have a drink on the proceeds.

-All right. We'll try.

-Have a good time.

Thanks. Good night.

-Hello.

-Hello. Hampstead 78-double-9?.

-Yes.

-Could I speak to Captain Lesgate?.

-Speaking.

-Good evening.

You don't know me.

My name is Fisher.

I understand you have

a car for sale.

-Yes, an American car.

-Yes, I saw it at your garage.

-How much are you asking?.

-Eleven hundred.

Eleven hundred?. I see. It certainly looks

just the job for me.

I don't like that price much.

I didn't like it when I bought it.

-Now, when can we meet?.

-Well, now, how about tomorrow afternoon?

I'm afraid I can't manage that.

No, I can't, and I'm going

to Liverpool on Sunday.

I was rather hoping--

-You couldn't come to my flat tonight?.

-Where is it?

Maida Vale. I'd call on you,

only I've twisted my knee rather badly.

I'm sorry. Well, what's your address?

-61 A Charrington Gardens.

-Harrington?

No. Charrington.

Turn left at the underground.

-It' s a two minutes' walk.

-I'll be there in an hour.

That's extremely good of you.

By the way, will you bring the car?.

-I'm afraid I can 't.

-Doesn't matter. I had a good look at it.

You might bring the registration book

and any necessary papers.

-Yes, of course.

-We can settle this...

...here and now, provided you

drop the price sufficiently.

I'm afraid that's out of the question.

Well, we'll see what

a couple of drinks can do.

-Well, goodbye.

-Goodbye.

-Mr. Fisher?.

-Captain Lesgate?.

-Yes.

-Won't you come in?.

Thank you.

It's very good of you.

Let me have your coat.

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