Laura Page #7

you can cook.

My mother always listened sympathetically

to my dreams of a career...

and then taught me

another recipe.

Shh! Don't move.

It's all right, Bessie.

It's all right, Bessie.

She's alive.

It's all been

a mistake, Bessie.

I'm not a ghost. Really.

I found you,

and you were dead.

It was Miss Redfern's

body you found.

How about

taking over here-

fixing us some

coffee and eggs.

But I- I saw it

with my own eyes.

I- I don't

understand it.

Have you ever

heard a ghost ask for eggs?

No, miss.

You'll be all right,

Bessie.

Somebody should have warned her.

Poor Bessie.

By the way, I've asked Waldo Lydecker

to come here this morning.

- Did you tell him?

- No.

Why not?

It's brutal.

I'm not doing it for fun.

Why did you break your promise

and go out and see Shelby last night?

You forced me

to give you my word.

I never have been and I

never will be bound by anything...

I don't do

of my own free will.

Redfern was in love

with Carpenter.

You admitted that

last night.

- May I have a match, please?

- Oh, I'm sorry.

I also told you that

he wasn't in love with her.

Just sit still.

Hello, Lieutenant.

- Morning, my darling.

- Hello, dear.

Ah. Thank you.

Oh. It's on again.

Do I have to get a permit from the police

department to kiss my fiance good morning?

So he made you

change your mind.

Speaking of changing one's mind,

Mr. McPherson...

I have just come

from my lawyer.

Yeah? Did he tell you how much

you'll get off for good behavior?

No, but he told me that anything

I may have said last night...

was said under duress

and can't be used against me.

Besides, none of it was true.

Smart lawyer you've got. Maybe he told you

how that scotch got up here Friday night...

after you'd bought it

at Mosconi's.

Maybe it was the lawyer

who brought Diane Redfern up here.

Maybe-

Well, McPherson...

have you thought over

the deal I suggested?

Waldo.

Waldo.

Right-hand pocket.

You want a doctor?

Right-hand pocket.

We'd better take him

into the bedroom.

- What-

- Don't try and say anything, dear.

Just be quiet.

I think this is

carrying things too far.

Your methods are vicious.

There ought to be a law against it.

- Yeah?

- How does he feel now?

It was a terrible shock.

Poor darling.

Don't tell me you're in love

with him too.

Look here, fella. You're not to talk

that way to Miss Hunt.

Shut up. Why do you cover up

for a guy like him?

- Don't answer him, Laura.

- What story did he tell you last night?

- Don't answer him. Let him talk to our lawyer.

- Our lawyer?

- So now you're covering up for each other.

- Look at him, Laura.

He's beginning to crack up.

He'd use anything to make an arrest...

just so he can be a big shot

in the headlines.

I've got enough on you

to arrest you right now.

Quick, McPherson,

the handcuffs.

- Trundle him off to the hoosegow.

- You keep out of this.

- You'll look nice in bracelets.

- Why don't you get down on all fours again, Waldo?

It's the only time you've ever

kept your mouth shut.

I hope you'll forgive

my wee touch of epilepsy, my dear.

It's an old family custom.

Well, McPherson, what does

Laura's resurrection do to you?

Too bad Diane Redfern

can't be resurrected.

I'm afraid I've interrupted

what you call "a pinch.''

Do your duty, McPherson.

You know, Lydecker,

you've made me change my mind.

- For the moment.

- Well, in that case...

we'll have time

for a little get-together.

- You'd better order some liquor and some food, Laura.

- What for?

People are coming

to celebrate your return.

Ann and Bullitt and Corey.

Everybody.

- Who asked them to come?

- I did, when I was in there.

I phoned my man,

and he's calling everyone.

- Why did you do that, Waldo?

- A sense of the fitness of things, my dear.

Perhaps our friend can weave all the

loose ends into a noose. Eh, McPherson?

Sorry you went to all that trouble.

I've already called them.

You're working yourself

to death, darling.

- I haven't had a moment with you all day.

- It's a very thirsty crowd.

Oh, after all,

it isn't your homecoming.

Aren't you being

a little bit nasty, Ann?

I feel nasty

when I don't see you.

Well, you look very sweet. That's

a completely wonderful hat, darling.

Now, if you'll forgive me,

Laura wants a cocktail.

- So do I.

- Well, here you go.

Shelby, why don't you

come to your senses?

You know it's all over between you

and Laura, or it soon will be.

But you haven't lost me.

Why don't we get married now?

- Ann, dear, you don't seem to realize the situation.

- Yes, but I do.

That's why you need me. We'll get

the best lawyer that money can buy.

When it's all over, we'll go away- anywhere

you want- and forget about all this.

Thanks, Ann, but you see,

Laura needs me. Sorry.

Uh-uh.

- Laura.

- Thanks.

If you don't mind,

I'd like a word with Miss Hunt.

I don't mind.

Talk to her as much as you like.

- I see he's taking a new tack.

- What do you mean?

Trying to make you like him

to make you talk.

Shelby, tell me,

why did you go to-

Excuse me.

Why did you go

to the cottage last night?

But don't you know?

I was afraid...

you wouldn't think

of hiding that shotgun.

- What shotgun?

- The one I gave you.

You don't have to lie

to me, darling.

I'll stand by you.

What's the matter,

Laura?

Oh, I guess I'm just nervous.

That's all.

So am I.

McPherson suspects Shelby.

He seems to suspect me too.

And so do

some of my friends.

You?

Don't be absurd.

- You could never do a thing like that.

- And Shelby?

Oh, I don't think

he did it.

But he's capable of it.

Are you as interested in McPherson

as he is in you?

But, Ann, I only

met him last night.

That's more than

long enough sometimes.

Anyway, he's better for you

than Shelby. Anybody is.

- Shelby's better for me.

- Why?

Because I can afford him,

and I understand him.

He's no good,

but he's what I want.

I'm not a nice person,

Laura. Neither is he.

He knows I know he's...

just what he is.

He also knows

that I don't care.

We belong together because we're

both weak and can't seem to help it.

That's why I know

he's capable of murder.

He's like me.

No, dear, I didn't...

but I thought of it.

Hello? Yes. Yes.

Oh, it's for you, Lieutenant.

Thank you, Bessie.

McPherson.

Yeah, I know.

Don't worry.

I told you I'd bring in

the killer today.

Yeah. I was just gonna

make the arrest when you called.

No, I can't tell you now.

I'm not alone.

You'll see when I come in.

Right. See you later.

All right. Let's go.

- You mean-

- Yeah.

Oh, no.!

No. No, no.

Not Miss Hunt.

Please!

Thank you, Bessie.

Thank you.

Now will you please be good enough

to go and get me my things?

- Yes, miss.

- Laura.

Don't worry, darling.

Let them accuse you.

We'll fight them.

I have every weapon-

money, connections, prestige.

And my column. Every day, millions will

read about you and rally to your defense.

You talk as if you wanted

to see her tried for murder.

Rate this script:5.0 / 2 votes