The Beast with Five Fingers Page #2

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to help you, but...

- Julie! Julie!

- It's Mr Ingram calling.

Oh, I nearly forgot... he wants you

to have dinner with us tonight.

When did you decant

this wine, Antonio?

This afternoon, Signor Ingram.

It's cloudy.

You haven't eaten anything

since this morning, Mr Ingram.

You take good care of me, Julie...

You notice everything.

Everything.

And I don't need food.

You may wonder why I asked you

to have dinner with me tonight.

It's because this is a special occasion.

And a very important one.

Hilary... do you know why

you are here?

No, I don't.

Some anniversary, perhaps?

No, no such thing.

I merely want your testimony...

that I am not insane.

It's very important to me

to be certain

that not one of you thinks

I'm of unsound mind.

Bruce... you are an artist, a musician.

You've been with me a long time.

You've been with me constantly

Therefore you are

in a position to speak.

Are you convinced that

there is nothing wrong with...

...with my mental balance?

Your mental balance

is equal to mine.

And while I consider that a tribute

to your sanity...

there are certain people in San Stefano

who consider me slightly eccentric.

Perhaps they're right.

Hilary... you've been my secretary

for the last 20 years.

Could you testify that I was

always thinking rationally.

There's no question about that.

Julie, you of all people

know me well.

I engaged you to look after me.

And you have become my friend.

Have you ever heard me

say anything irresponsible?

- Think!

- No, Mr Ingram.

If you had to swear to it.

I don't think that question

would ever be asked.

- Answer me!

- Yes, Mr Ingram, I would swear to it.

Mr Duprex...

You've just listened to the people

who have known me best...

Now your testimony

is of the greatest importance.

What's your impression of me?

I've no doubt you're able to think

as clearly as anyone in this room.

None of us have ever doubted

your mental health Mr Ingram.

I'm glad you all agree with me.

Duprex...

Bruce...

Hilary...

I want you to sign this document,

as witnesses.

But what is it? I'd like to read it

before signing.

It's my will.

My last will and testament.

I hope my signature

doesn't spoil its validity.

Will you kindly sign please.

To make a will

is to think of death.

And to think of death

is to anticipate the end.

Don't be alarmed... although I think of it,

I don't anticipate it yet.

Julie will you be kind enough

to take me into the hall.

Yes, Mr Ingram.

Come with me... all of you.

So you're going away, Julie.

Yes... how did you know?

There are 3 kinds of communication...

Telegraph, telephone,

and the Commissario.

The Commissario of course,

is the fastest.

Didn't you want me to know?

Yes, I would have told you,

but until I'd spoken to Francis...

Why speak to Francis?

I don't understand.

Go abruptly, suddenly...

without warning, without goodbyes.

I couldn't do that...

it isn't fair.

"Fair"? Has he been fair to you?

Yes, he's been fair.

But that isn't why I'm leaving.

I know Julie... you're afraid.

He's holding you with his pain

and his helplessness.

He draws his energy

from your life.

He'll never let you go.

But I MUST go!

But I can't leave

without telling him.

It's your only chance.

He's had his life.

You have a right to yours.

But I thought you were

his friend.

Yes... But I'm thinking of you.

For him I have only pity.

For you, something quite different.

You might not even believe me.

Tell me.

I love you Julie.

Why shouldn't I believe you?

Perhaps because I don't

believe in myself.

And because I'm urging you to go...

away from him and away from me.

And you'd stay here.

When I first heard Francis Ingram

in his New York recitals...

...long before I ever

came to know him...

He'd sit down and play through the

compositions and the audience would cheer.

Then I found out

that you'd written them.

It was YOU I was listening to.

It's you I hear now,

when Francis plays your music.

There's genius in it.

Genius... all I did was transcribe Bach.

Gave him a chance to play again

Gave him new hope.

But it was a trick, a stunt,

for a one-handed pianist.

Don't say that.

It's beautiful... it's inspired.

Then it must have been

my last inspiration.

I haven't been able to write

anything since.

What had I become?

Court jester to a cripple,

dependent upon his charity.

A dealer in modern antiques.

You'll find yourself again.

You say that you love me, yet you

want me to go away alone.

I do love you Julie.

But what have I to offer you?

Have I asked for anything?

I've something to offer you.

Hope.

Courage... devotion.

A new life.

Julie!

Julie!

Julie!

Did you call, Mr Ingram.

Anything I can do?

Julie... I want Julie

Where is she?

Don't you know?

I know where she is.

Well tell me... where is she?

She's in the garden.

She's not alone.

Mr Conrad is with her.

- Bruce? - Yes.

I think Mr Ingram...

they're going away together.

I'm afraid she will leave you.

Hilary... why do you lie to me?

I'm not lying.

- I'm telling you the truth.

- No!...

The truth is that you don't want

anybody around here, close to me.

I heard what they said

in the garden.

I couldnt help but hear them.

- You are a liar!

- I am not a liar!

- You're afraid to hear the truth.

- Go away... I won't listen to you.

You must listen to me.

I even remember what they said.

He said:
"He's had his life.

You have the right to yours. "

And she said:
"Yes I'll have to go. "

He took her in his arms.

And he kissed her!

He kissed her!

Do you hear? He kissed her!

Julie!... Julie!

Help!

She can't hear you, Hilary.

She's out in the garden,

isn't she?

She's out in the garden

with Bruce Conrad.

She couldnt hear ME!

So how could she possibly

hear YOU?

Mr Ingram... Mr Ingram...

Mr Ingram!

Get out of my house!

I never want to

see you again!

Get out!

Thank you, Antonio.

I think you can go to bed now.

He seems to be resting quietly.

Good night, signorina.

I had to wait 'til Mr Ingram

fell asleep.

He really did hurt you.

His fingers are like claws.

I'm sure if you hadn't come,

he would have killed me.

How did it happen?

I don't know...

He asked for you, and I said

you were in the garden...

So he started choking me.

I'm told to get out

of his house.

He didn't mean what he said.

I'll talk to him in the morning.

Julie!

Julie!

Julie!

Julie!

Julie.

Ah... my old friend the Commissario.

Are you on guard against illegal sales

or is this an expression

of your unofficial sympathy,

This is no time for jests,

Signor Conrad.

It was a dreadful accident,

entirely unexpected.

Yes, accidents usually are.

Will you join me

in a bit of marsala?

Merely to appease our mutual grief.

Oh, one glass,

if you don't mind.

A la sant!

And, Signor Conrad,

in a case like this...

Whom does one condole?

To whom does one express

his grief and sympathy?

To me.

I made a very fair living

playing chess and gambling with him.

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