The Spiral Staircase Page #3

You're angry because

since I've been home...

...Blanche and I have gotten

to know each other pretty well.

You know, Stephen,

you always did smirk...

...even when you were a child.

It's one of the things

my father disliked about you.

He was my father too.

I'm inclined to think that Father

was disappointed in both of us.

Neither of us fitted his concept

of what a real man should be:

A gun-toting, hard-drinking,

tough-living, God-fearing citizen.

He always used to say:

''The strong survive, the weak die.''

How wrong he was, Albert...

...because you and I...

...the meek...

...have inherited the earth.

I'll be honest with you, Stephen.

I don't like you. I never have.

I have never trusted you.

And you're quite right

when you say that I don't like...

...this interest you have in Blanche.

And I'll tell you something else.

I've had the responsibility

of your mother, not mine...

...for years,

and I'm tired and strained.

Therefore, I think

we should make a decision.

Either you make up your mind

to go away permanently...

...or, if you like,

you stay and let me go.

Helen...

...you look as though

you lost your best friend.

You got nothing to worry about.

If anybody tried any of

their funny business on you...

...I'd soon sock them in the jaw.

Look at it this way, Helen.

Murder's like a million-dollar lottery.

Sure, it is. Listen.

You pick up the newspaper.

You see someone's picture

who's won a million dollars.

You pick up another paper.

There's a picture of someone

who's been murdered.

But it's never me and it's never you.

It's always somebody else, isn't it?

There's safety in numbers, Helen.

There's Oates and me

and the professor and Stephen.

-We'll look after you.

-And there's Carleton too.

Shouldn't count too much on him.

And there's Nurse Barker.

She'd be as good as any man.

In fact, sometimes

I think she is a man.

In case you're interested...

...there's someone

at the front door.

-What do you want?

-I was called to see Mrs. Warren.

It's Dr. Parry. Was he called?

Hello, Helen.

I suppose they called

Dr. Harvey first.

You mean Mrs. Warren

asked for me?

Well, I've got me a patient now.

I'm glad I was called, Helen. I've

wanted to have a long talk with you...

...and I'm going to before I leave.

-How are you, Dr. Parry?

-I'm fine. How are you, Mrs. Warren?

Did you know my husband?

No, I didn't, Mrs. Warren.

Of course not. He died years

before you came here.

You're a little like him.

Firm step, strong hand...

...good eyes.

Thank you. I know

you were very fond of him.

He told me I wasn't as beautiful

as his first wife...

...but I was a much better shot.

The only kind of beauty he had

any respect for was strength.

And he had two sons...

...both weaklings.

They hated guns and hunting.

He used to run away

from them, Dr. Parry.

Well...

...he got his release from a bottle.

And he died as he lived,

happily, extravagantly.

I'm sorry.

Oh, no. You mustn't be.

You mustn't be sorry for him.

You should try to get some rest,

Mrs. Warren.

Yes, I know. I talk too much.

I talk too much.

-Get Helen out of this house.

-Why?

Because I know you love her.

Take her away.

Promise me you'll take her

away from here.

Very well, I promise.

Take her away tonight.

If it's money you need,

I'll get it for you.

Get me the ether, Helen.

Did you get it?

I'll go ask Nurse Barker.

Come in, please, nurse.

Will you get me the ether?

Helen can't find it.

It was used about an hour ago.

Where did you put it?

Let's have another look.

It's gone, and you're the only people

who have been in this room today.

-Unless Mrs. Warren--

-You took the ether, Barker.

Why, I did no such thing.

You always make me sit outside.

Never mind. Maybe

Professor Warren will know about it.

I'll go and see him.

Here, where's my brandy?

I finished it for your own good.

Well, I wish you'd stop

doing things for my own good.

With everything that's happening,

it's better that you keep your wits.

I'm never more witty than

when I've had a little nip.

I see better, I hear better,

and I feel much better.

Oates, would you mind coming out

a moment? Bring your hat and coat.

There it is.

Emma, let's be serious for a minute.

I want you to stay awake

until I get back.

Keep an eye on Helen.

I won't be long.

I could keep a much better eye

on Helen if I'd had a little nip.

I can't understand.

Ether was used

less than two hours ago.

Stephen used it.

He said Helen gave it to him.

Unfortunately,

I have no other supply.

Oates, I'm afraid you'll have to go

into the village for some ether.

It's stormy out.

Does it have to be done?

If it didn't have to be done,

I wouldn't ask.

All right, all right, I'll go.

He won't find any in the village.

I tried to get some.

I have to go to Morristown.

It'll take hours.

I'm sorry, it's an emergency.

We have to have it.

You're sorry, but I have to go.

You should have

some other stimulant at hand.

-Brandy? I'll get a bottle.

-That will do.

-Will you ask Helen to come for it?

-Yeah.

Mrs. Oates.

Yes, sir?

Come along with me

while I get a bottle of brandy.

Yes, sir.

Oh, dear, now I've done it.

-Did you bring a match?

-No, sir.

Oh, well, never mind.

Perhaps I have one.

Here we are.

I think it rolled over there, sir.

I'll take it this time, Mrs. Oates.

Your key, sir.

Oh, my.

Did I put one over on him.

Easy as taking candy from a baby.

Take a tip from me, Helen.

If you carry the candle

to the cellar for the professor...

...and you fancy a bottle

of his fine old brandy...

...just throw the candle to one side.

Accidentally on purpose, of course.

Anything can happen in the dark.

Presto.

Now, I'll just wipe this off...

...and you can take it to Dr. Parry.

Helen.

Come into the den.

I want to talk to you.

Mrs. Warren's asleep.

Professor Warren's with her now.

I've been thinking things over.

And Mrs. Warren's right.

You should come with me tonight.

You can stay at my mother's place...

...until we can make arrangements

to go to Boston.

My mother will like you.

I don't wanna frighten you, but you

heard Mrs. Warren a while ago.

Her mind's growing steadily worse,

and I'm afraid she may become violent.

She seems obsessed by the idea

that you get out of this house.

And there may be

something back of it.

You'll go with me tonight.

There are doctors in Boston

who'll know all about your case.

I want to take you there.

Helen.

When I left you this afternoon,

I dropped in at the Fabers'.

They have a guest visiting them

from your hometown.

A Mrs. Lindstrom.

You know her?

Well...

...she told me a story about a girl.

A girl who was on her way home

from school one day.

She had good news for her parents.

When she wasn't far

from her home...

...she heard a fire engine

rushing down the street.

She started to run,

and when she turned the corner...

...she saw that it was her home

that was in flames.

There was a crowd outside.

Rate this script:5.0 / 1 vote