The Letter Page #5

Your birthday was about then, wasn't it?

Yes, that's right. End of April.

In the excitement,

she forgot about the letter...

...and then later on was afraid to say

she'd made a mistake.

That isn't like Leslie.

She's not afraid of anything.

This was a pretty serious mistake...

...and she realized it.

Who has the letter?

Hammond's widow.

And she threatens to turn it over

to the prosecution.

Well, what if she does?

Leslie can explain it in court

just as she explained it to you.

Well, yes...

...but don't you see, Bob, it might alter

things a good deal in the minds of the jury...

...if Hammond came to your house

by invitation.

What's to be done about it?

Well...

...I think we must get hold

of that letter.

I want you to authorize me to buy it.

Well, I'll do whatever you think is right.

I don't think it's right...

...but I think it's expedient.

Juries can sometimes be very stupid.

It's just as well not to worry them...

...with more evidence than they can

conveniently deal with.

Howard, I don't pretend to understand.

Do as you think best.

-I'll pay back whatever it costs.

-Good.

Now put the matter out of your mind.

Too bad rubber won't grow

in a civilized climate, sir.

Mix me another one, Jerry.

Another, sir?

Yes, another.

Yes, sir.

"Mr. and Mrs. Howard Joyce request

the pleasure of your company...

-...at a party to be given at their home--"

-"Residence." It sounds more impressive.

Residence.

"On Friday, May 1 6th, in honor of their

guests Mr. and Mrs. Robert Crosbie."

Dorothy, don't you think

it might be more appropriate...

-...if you wrote invitations after the trial?

-Oh, do stop fussing.

I won't send them out

until tomorrow evening, of course.

Let's decide about the party

after the trial, shall we?

Nonsense. We're having the party,

and you're going to stay.

Leslie, don't tell me

that's the same tiny piece of work...

...you were doing at the Fergusons' .

How do you go so fast?

Well, I haven't had anything else

much to do this past month.

What's it going to be?

-It's too fine for a tablecloth, surely.

-It's a coverlet for our bed.

It's lovely.

Does anyone feel like bridge?

Or what would be nice?

Leslie, what would you like to do?

You mustn't go on doing that out here.

You'll ruin your eyes.

I'm sorry, but Leslie and I have

some work to do tonight.

I'm putting her in the witness box

tomorrow...

...and I want to prepare her

for cross-examination.

Bob, why don't you take the girls

to a picture?

-We don't need to be entertained.

-We can find something to do.

-Will it take all evening?

-There's a lot to go over.

There's no point in you hanging around.

You'd much better see a good film.

Yes, darling, why don't you.

Take your mind off tomorrow.

I want you to.

All right, then.

Well, I guess we'd better be off.

-Shall we want wraps?

-You're likely to, coming home.

-Sorry you can't come.

-I'm not allowed off the premises.

-See you later, darling.

-Goodbye, darling.

Goodbye. Have a good time.

Where do we have to go?

Chinese Quarter.

Ong Chi Seng will take us.

He'll be along soon.

I've always wanted to visit

the Chinese Quarter. I hear it's a bit creepy.

Of course, I'd have chosen

other circumstances.

Be flippant about your own crimes if you

want to, but don't be flippant about mine.

Oh, I'm sorry, Howard.

I didn't mean to be flippant.

Really, I didn't.

Maybe it's my own sense of guilt,

but I have an unpleasant feeling...

...I'm going to be made to pay the piper

for what I'm doing tonight.

I'm jeopardizing my whole career,

and I have to rely on your discretion.

Well, whatever else I am...

...I'm not ungrateful.

Forget what I said.

When did you first start

doing lace work, Leslie?

A few years ago.

How did you happen to take it up?

I had nothing else to do.

It appealed to me.

It must take enormous concentration...

...and patience.

I find it soothing.

You mean it takes your mind

off other things?

Is that a legal question?

You're not an ordinary client, Leslie.

-You've been watching me all evening.

-I'm responsible for you to the court.

No, that isn't it.

You've been....

What?

Trying to read my thoughts?

I'm trying to understand you.

Why?

Because I'm so...

...so evil.

That's it, isn't it?

Time we were starting.

I think we had better not drive up, sir.

All right, Ong.

Will you follow me, please?

Please wait here.

I shall return in just a moment.

Please wait here for a minute...

...please.

Mr. Chung Hi seems to have

a little of everything to sell.

Very good.

Is very good work.

Very good.

Pardon me, please.

My friend is ready.

Will you follow me, please?

This is my friend Chung Hi.

Does he speak English?

Me speak very good English.

How do you do?

-Please have a chair.

-No, thanks.

We'll only stay a few minutes.

Chung Hi, I suppose you know

what we've come for.

Have you got this letter?

-Woman have got.

-Where is she?

She come, she come.

Why isn't she here?

She here all right.

She wait till you come.

Lady...

...please have chair.

Thank you.

The air's very bad in here.

Would you mind opening a window?

She speaks only Malay and Chinese.

Ask her if she has the letter.

Well, where is it? What's she waiting for?

I regret, Mrs. Crosbie...

...but Mrs. Hammond requests that

you remove the shawl from your head.

Mrs. Crosbie...

...Mrs. Hammond has a further request.

She wishes you to walk over to her.

-Now, look here, Ong Chi Seng--

-No, Howard. Please.

Thank you.

No complicating motives.

No possible premeditation.

The jury is aware of the facts.

And I'm convinced there's no need

for eloquence.

If ever there was a simple,

uncomplicated case, it's this one.

Mrs. Crosbie killed a man, yes...

...but under circumstances

where no courageous...

...self-respecting woman would hesitate

for one instant to do the same thing.

Nor is there need for me to extol

Mrs. Crosbie's character.

Her own testimony in the witness box...

...her bearing throughout this ordeal...

...stamp the character

of this remarkable woman...

...more than any words of mine

could possibly do.

As for the prosecution's case...

...not one whit of evidence

has been produced...

...to refute the defendant's testimony.

No.

Because such evidence couldn't exist...

...in the light of truth.

Gentlemen...

...in full faith and confidence,

I place Leslie Crosbie's fate in your hands...

...in the sure knowledge that...

...justice will be done.

Silence! Silence!

Is there any reply from the prosecution?

-The prosecution waives the right of reply.

-Nice work, Howard.

Gentlemen of the jury...

...you heard the evidence

of the prosecution and the defense.

It is not necessary to give you

any further charge in this case.

You may retire to the jury room

to consider your verdict.

-Recess, my lord?

-Yes, recess.

The court is adjourned,

pending the return of the jury.

Will you tell me what they could be doing

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