Eyes in the Night Page #4

I heard the taxi pull up, and I

- Yes, yes, yes.

Well, does your uncle Mac

get a kiss or doesn't he?!

Of course, uncle Mac.

Where's that educated butler of yours?

He's right here. Well, send him away.

I haven't seen you for two years.

I don't want servants skulking

in on a family reunion.

That will be all, Hansen.

Shall we go in the

living room, uncle Mac?

Rooms don't bother me...

just so they have a door.

Two steps down here.

Mac, what did you find?

Shh!

There's a piano in here, isn't there?

We have an organ.

Uh-Huh. It's over here.

Lie down, Friday.

Now, listen carefully

to what I have to say.

Mac! Shh!

Who was in this house

a couple of hours ago?

Why, Hansen, myself, and

the upstairs maid, Vera.

Where does Vera come from?

Barbara engaged her and the

butler about two months ago.

Uh-Huh. You know anything about them?

No, but I could find out.

No! No!

Anybody else at home now?

No, Barbara's at the

theater, rehearsing.

Rehearsing?

This hour of the night?

It was an emergency rehearsal.

Ohh.

Oh, Mac, what is going on?

Don't ask any questions now.

Keep your eyes open, your

mouth shut, and take orders.

Have the maid, Vera,

show me up to my room.

Vera's probably asleep by now.

You heard what I said

about taking orders.

Vera, I very distinctly warned you

About trying to leave this house.

Please, I want to go look for Gabriel!

I know something has happened!

Watch her.

Vera, remember what I said.

Hansen, will you please ask Vera

To show Mr. McClain to

the second guest room?

Excuse me, madam, but I'm quite

sure that Vera has retired.

May I show the gentleman to his room?

I want the maid!

A button came off my shirt,

and I-I want her to sew it on.

Well, if you'll pardon me, sir,

I'm rather good at

sewing on buttons myself,

And, if it comes to a

pinch, can even darn socks.

I'd be happy to do the job for you.

- Oh, horse collar!

- It's quite true, sir, really.

Can you do a crow's foot?

A what, sir?

Ha! I thought so.

Don't even know the fundamentals.

It's a design you make

when you sew a button on!

I bet you can't even

hemstitch, can you?!

Of course you can't!

You'd better get her, Hansen.

Of course, get her!

And if she's asleep, wake her up!

She'll be grateful.

Sleep is a form of

unconsciousness, anyway.

Yes, sir.

Come in.

I'm Vera, the maid, sir.

Oh, well, Vera...

will you turn the coverings

down on my bed, please?

Yes, sir.

What's your last name, Vera?

Hoffman, sir.

Mm-Hmm. You got a husband, Vera?

Vera?

Yes, sir?

Come here a moment, will you, please?

I've got a little job I want you to do.

I want you to sew a

button on that shirt.

Now, there's the needle and thread.

It's all threaded. Did it myself.

Pretty good for a blind

man, don't you think?

I warn you, I want my buttons just so.

You

- You sew like a boilermaker!

I could do better myself!

Go on! Get out of here!

Sorry, sir. You should be!

Good night, sir.

Good night!

Well, maybe now we can get a few

of these pieces to fit, old pal.

Well, Mrs. Lawry

should be asleep by now,

And the blind uncle won't be awake long.

He had to pick this

night to come visiting.

If it's all right, I

think I'll go to bed now.

You may be excused, Vera.

Good night.

Well, Friday, I guess

this is the greenhouse.

Shh! Friday, quiet, quiet.

You can't say you weren't warned, Vera.

I'm sorry, Vera,

But our job is bigger than

you or Gabriel or anybody else.

But he's my hus-

She's dead.

Pick her up and put her in the car.

Who's there?

It's Hansen, the butler, sir.

All right.

What are you doing up

this hour of the night?

I thought I heard a noise, sir,

and I got up to investigate.

Oh, I heard nothing.

Nothing but the crickets.

Say, do you know you can tell

the temperature of the air

By counting the number of

cricket chirps per minute?

Oh, really, sir?

Yes.

Uh, is there anything wrong, sir?

I mean, your being up so late?

No, no.

And don't worry about me

moseying around at night.

I'm somewhat of a night owl. Insomnia.

Oh, I'm terribly sorry, sir.

Perhaps if I might be so bold, sir,

A sip of brandy might help you sleep.

Now, my good friend Hansen,

you're cooking with alcohol.

What, sir?

I mean, you're the perfect butler -

Always considerate,

watchful, and attentive.

I'll hound my niece until

she gives you a raise.

Thank you, sir.

Oh, and getting back to the brandy -

One of the few things

I like to get back to.

Do you suppose you could spare a bottle

And put it beside my bed in

case I get restless later?

Why, yes, sir, I think

that could be arranged.

Oh, thank you.

I'll remember you in my will.

Thank you, sir.

Come on, Friday.

What's the matter with you, Friday?

Are you liverish or something? Come on!

Friday, that nose of yours

Is going to get us both

into trouble someday.

I know he hit Vera.

What do you want to do,

draw a blueprint for him?

Come in.

Your brandy, sir.

Ahh, a welcome messenger!

Where is it? Where is it?

Here, sir.

Divine broth.

Ohh, haute-Garonne 1904,

if I'm not mistaken.

Ahh, a monumental vintage.

Your dog seems to have

taken a dislike to me, sir.

Oh, no. He's a bit crotchety.

He hasn't been getting his exercise.

Well, good night, Hansen.

I think I'll go to bed.

And, Hansen, turn out

the light, will you?

I think I'll read awhile.

What, sir?

Why, sure, I read with my fingers.

That's the blind man's advantage.

He can read in the

bed with the lights out

Or even under the

covers if he gets cold.

Oh, I

- I see, sir.

Good night, sir.

Good night.

He flatters me, Friday.

There's enough sodium amytal in this

To put three men to sleep.

Who's there?! Shh!

Don't be frightened,

baby. It's your uncle Mac.

I want to talk to you.

Keep your voice down.

What did you find out?

Turn that light out.

What is there in this house

that somebody might want?

Nothing that I know of.

Norma, I don't think

you're telling me the truth.

Now, come on, tell me.

Well, you're forcing me to tell

you some very unpleasant news.

Oh, Mac! Shh!

Sorry, Mac. What is it?

Vera is dead.

She was killed because she knew too much

About the Gerente murder

and was going to talk.

Two people have been killed.

Their deaths are linked up in some way

With something that is in this house.

Now, come on, tell me.

It's in the safe in the library.

It's the formula of

Stephen's new invention -

The one he's trying out tonight.

If it works, he's going to

turn it over to the government.

It's so important,

Stephen didn't even give

me the new combination.

I'm gonna get the police.

No! That's the worst

thing you can do right now.

Well, why? If we go to the police now,

They'll get the gang downstairs, yes,

But there are others, and

they're following your husband.

Oh, Mac, what are we going to do?

There's nothing we can do but stall -

Stall until Stephen gets home.

Then we'll send for some help.

Until then, well...

they can pull the switch

anytime they want to.

Rate this script:0.0 / 0 votes