Doctor X Page #6

You see, this is the most sensational case

that's broken in six months...

I know. But can't you wait?

Won't you give Father a chance

to find out who's doing it?

What difference does it make to the public

what happens or how he does it

so long as he catches him?

It makes a lot of difference.

The public want to read about it.

The more sensational it is,

the more the son-of-a-guns love it.

Is that all you think about?

Sensationalism?

Don't you ever think

about people's feelings?

Can't you realize what a scandal

would do to my father's institution?

Certainly I can, but don't you realize

that I'm in a hard-boiled racket?

Then, why don't you help us instead

of making it so much more difficult for us?

Aren't we going through enough trouble?

Look at the trouble I've been through

to get this story.

I lay down at the morgue

with a bunch of stiffs.

I looked at a lot of goofy guys.

I let a dumb policeman...

Will you at least stay the rest of the night

and talk it over with Father

in the morning?

I tell you what I'll do.

I'll hold off on this story, and I'll stay,

if you let me have breakfast

with the family in the morning.

I think it can be arranged.

Father usually has breakfast at 7:30.

- And you?

- Oh, I am lazy. I have mine at 9:00.

Oh, you have no idea how lazy I am.

- Could I have mine at 9:00?

- Possibly.

And will you take me

for a swim afterwards?

- A swim?

- At the beach.

If you're so helpless

you can't find the water,

you've no business in it.

But I like the water and...

I am sorry, miss,

I had no intention of disturbing you.

That's okay, Otto.

- There's old man bad luck again.

- I am sorry.

That's all right, Otto. I'm glad you're here.

Mr. Taylor's staying for the night.

I'd like you to prepare a room for him.

I have already done so, miss.

May I suggest that you do not disturb

your father any further tonight?

- He is very tired.

- That's a good idea, Otto.

Are you going swimming with me

in the morning?

No, thanks. Good night.

What will you do if I start to sink

and yell for help?

Throw you an anvil. Good night.

This way, sir.

- Do you sleep very soundly, sir?

- Like a rock.

- I'm sorry to hear that.

- Why?

Because this is a very strange house.

- You're telling me.

- This way, if you please.

Father.

Father.

Father?

Father!

Joanne.

What are you doing here?

Well, dear, I just wanted to be sure

that the incision was made

by a brain scalpel.

Come.

- Professor Haines.

- Haines, why are you here?

I couldn't sleep.

So I came down here to make a more

thorough examination of the body.

Professor, I...

Father, will you please come to bed?

All right, darling, now, you run along,

and I'll be right up.

- Good night.

- Good night, dear.

Professor, since we retired,

this body has been...

- It has been...

- I know, but I don't want her to know.

What are you laughing about?

Oh, I know. This.

"Hate, friendship, love."

I don't blame you. It's so banal.

Like those postcards you buy. You know?

- Yes.

- About "I wish you were here,"

and "Two little doves billing and cooing."

Oh, no, really.

I was just thinking of something.

Of what?

- Come on, let's go in the water, shall we?

- Oh, no, no, no. Oh!

Water and I are not very good friends.

No, listen, when was a little kid,

I was very, very delicate, see?

- But very good looking.

- Yeah?

Yeah, well,

I won a first prize in a beauty parade.

- A baby parade at Asbury Park.

- How sweet.

But my mother was constantly

dunking me in a tub of water,

and I would get soap in my hair

and in my eyes and my thing.

And water and I are not very good friends.

So, let's stay right here, huh?

Why not?

- There's somebody watching us.

- Where?

Look.

Oh, this is a terrible place.

I wish I were away from it.

If you only knew the things

that have happened.

Listen. Forget that I'm a newspaperman.

I wouldn't betray your confidence.

Don't you see the only thing

I'm concerned about is your safety?

Are you worried about your father?

Yes, I am, terribly.

I wouldn't be. He's very tired.

He's working under a terrific strain.

- He's bound to show it.

- I know.

But last night, after everyone went to bed,

I saw my father bending over

Rowitz's body.

I saw... Oh, it's a terrible thought.

Oh, snap out of it.

Let's get dressed, and we'll...

Oh, we'll have breakfast.

That's right.

Well, I'll let you know, your eyes...

Your eyes are so blue,

when I look into them...

That's right, Mamie.

You drink it, and you'll go right to sleep.

Nothing's going to hurt you.

She'll be all right

as soon as this sedative has taken effect.

But the Doctor will be mad

if I can't go through with it.

No, Father knows you're sick.

Of course he won't be angry with you.

Don't you worry about the experiment.

I'm sure the Doctor

will make other arrangements.

I can't do it. I can't.

Something tells me

if I go in that room tonight,

tomorrow I'll be in my coffin.

Now, now. You just be quiet

and forget about everything.

Oh, Miss Joan,

something horrible is gonna happen.

I feel it in my bones.

Last night I dreamed

I was walking up to a casket,

and when I looked inside, it was me.

Here, now, now, now.

You'll be getting hysterical again.

You'll be all right. Just go to sleep.

In the morning you'll feel fine.

I think we'd better

leave her alone, Joanne.

No, Miss Joan, please don't go.

I don't wanna die.

I'm too young to die.

I've got too much to live for.

No.

- How's Mamie?

- She'll be all right. Don't worry.

- Thank you, Dr. Wells.

- It's quite all right.

What's become of that newspaper fellow?

Have you seen him?

Not since dinner.

He went directly to his room.

I've been looking for him everywhere.

I have a feeling that he's sneaked out

and phoned the story of Rowitz's murder

to the papers.

Publicity of that sort

would ruin everything.

I don't think he'd do that.

He gave you his word.

I asked you

not to let him out of your sight, dear.

- Why don't we look in his room?

- Oh, will no one obey me anymore?

Bad luck.

Skull, crossbones.

Death.

Hello?

- Oh, yes.

- Did you find him, dear?

- No, not yet, Dad.

- He's right here, sir.

- For me?

- The Commissioner of Police, sir.

Thank you.

- Hello, Commissioner.

- Look here, Doctor,

I've decided to send an undercover man

up there tonight

when you start your tests.

No, there won't be any tests tonight.

You'll have to give me another 24 hours.

Well, the woman I was depending upon

was taken sick this afternoon,

and it spoils all my plans.

Well, I'm sorry, but if things have

gotten beyond your control,

I'm coming down there right away

to take charge.

I'm in a tough spot.

I've got murder enough already

to explain to the press and public.

- And if you think for a moment...

- One moment, Commissioner.

The 48 hours aren't up yet.

Well, I have to make

some other arrangements.

Hold your men up just a little longer.

Give me one more chance, please.

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