When Strangers Marry

---

Yes, Mr. Prescott.

I know, you're the king of the jungle.

Oh, everybody knows me.

You can't have any fun around here.

What'll it be?

Bourbon, straight bourbon for everybody.

I'm king of the jungle.

That'll be a dollar, Mr. Prescott.

And it's closing time.

Don't rush me.

That's a lot of money

to be carrying around, Mr. Prescott.

Only ten grand.

I carry ten times more than that

without losing a dime.

I don't believe in banks.

I tried them, you see.

I'm gonna paint the town red tonight,

yes, siree.

And when Sam Prescott paints the town...

Oh, much obliged...

And when Sam Prescott

paints the town red...

he won't get home until morning.

I won't get home until morning.

I won't...

Maybe I won't get home at all.

Here's your chance, mister. Ask him.

What is it, friend, what's on your mind?

The town's full of conventions.

The guy can't get a room.

Who says he can't? He can use mine.

Any friend of Sam Prescott's

is a friend of mine.

Follow me, friend, just follow me.

I'm king of the jungle.

That's right.

Now take a deep breath.

Ready?

Now, no fair cheating.

A deep breath, I said.

That's right, inhale...

Exhale. Now, don't you feel much better?

We're all set.

Bend, stretch, bend, stretch.

Touch your toes, bend, stretch.

Touch your toes, now.

Ah, you can do it. That's better.

Bend, tretch. Bend, stretch.

Bend, stretch...

Bend...

Look now, I've got 26 rooms to clean

and I can't upset my schedule.

Please, Mr. Prescott, don't be difficult.

Mr. Prescott.

Pardon me.

Excuse me, sir.

Come in.

Excuse me, folks.

The train's crowded. I wonder

if a young lady could sit here for a spell.

Oh, I guess so.

Thank you, sir.

This way, Miss.

Are you married?

This is my first trip to New York.

I was just married, too.

I mean...

You folks know what I mean.

Yeah.

So you were just married.

Uh-huh.

I guess it's pretty obvious.

Well, go on, tell us all about it.

Where did you first meet him?

I was working in a little restaurant

in Grantsville, Ohio...

That's where I live.

One day he just came in.

Love at first sight, eh?

No, I didn't even pay much attention to him.

It was strange.

I remember our first date.

I didn't want to go, but...

Somehow that night I just found myself

waiting for him.

We just walked. He didn't say much.

It's hard to explain, but...

I felt that same strangeness.

You mean you only met this man

3 times and then married him?

Huh-huh.

What's he do for a living?

He sells something or other,

I really don't know.

And he left you right after

you were married.

He was called away on business.

It's almost as if you had married

a stranger, isn't it?

Call for Mr. King.

Call for Mr. King.

Call for Mr. King.

Call for Mr. King.

Good morning.

Good morning.

I'm Mrs. Baxter.

Yes, Mrs. Baxter.

My husband reserved a room.

Excuse me, I'll see.

That's right.

He called in yesterday afternoon.

Room 1210.

Mr. Baxter didn't get here yet?

No, he didn't.

Oh...

Junior!

Millie.

Fred.

Thank you.

Don't, Fred, please.

What's the matter, Millie?

Just don't know how to tell you.

Tell me what?

What are you doing here?

You got my letter.

What letter?

Well, why are you here?

My husband sent for me.

Your husband?

I'm married, Fred... I didn't...

Do I know him?

I don't think so.

His name is Paul Baxter.

When were you married?

A month ago, in Grantsville.

What are you doing here at the Sherwin?

This is a salesmen's hotel.

Paul's a salesman.

So am I, remember?

That's the reason you wouldn't marry me.

Paul apparently was a better salesman.

Congratulations.

Thank you.

Fred.

What did you write in that letter?

Oh, it doesn't matter now.

Yes?

Yes, Mrs. Baxter.

No, Mrs. Baxter.

Yes, I'll put all calls through,

no matter how late.

Anything for me, Charlie?

No, sorry, not a thing.

Hey, Charlie, take a look at this,

will you?

Hello?

Who?

I'm sorry, I can't hear you.

Who?

Paul?

Oh.

Oh, Fred.

No, I've heard nothing from him.

Thanks for calling, Fred.

I said thanks for calling.

Good night.

Good morning.

Good morning.

Sleep well?

Not very.

Any word?

No.

Well, you better have some breakfast.

Good morning. Your order, please.

No, Fred, please, I couldn't.

Oh, come on, have some coffee

or something.

No, thank you.

I'm terribly worried about Paul.

You're sure he knew you

were coming.

He sent me this telegram.

I've been making calls all morning.

I even checked the hospitals.

It was sent from Philadelphia. That's only

a few hours from here by train.

I know.

I wish there were something I could do.

Well, there's the police.

Police?

The Bureau of Missing Persons.

How do I get there?

Come on.

But I don't want to take you

from your work, Fred.

Oh, that'll keep.

Come on.

Homicide squad.

He wanted me to meet him here

yesterday morning and he hasn't shown up.

Well you got the wrong department.

This is homicide.

The Missing Persons Bureau

is down the hall to your left.

Can't you help us?

All right, I'll take the information.

Bill.

Name?

Mildred Baxter.

Husband's name?

Paul Baxter.

Address?

The Sherwin Hotel.

When was the last time you saw

your husband?

The day we were married.

A month and four days ago.

Where was this?

In Grantsville, Ohio.

Under what circumstances

did he leave you?

He had to come back to New York on business.

Who does he work for?

I don't know.

Well, you know what sort of business

he's in?

Oh, yes, he's a salesman.

How did you meet him?

He used to come in to the restaurant

where I worked.

How long did you know him

before you were married?

Four months.

And how many times during these

four months did you actually see him?

Three times.

You mean you only saw this man 3 times

then married him?

Yes.

Do you have a photo?

No.

Can you describe him?

Oh, yes, he's 34 and...

about six feet tall, dark hair

and dark eyes.

Any distinguishing marks such as scars,

moles, birthmarks?

I don't know, I don't think so.

How was he dressed

the last time you saw him?

He was wearing a dark suit with a white shirt

and sort of a dark tie.

Anything else you can tell me?

You will find him, won't you?

We'll do our best. But you've practically

married a stranger.

Thank you, Lieutenant.

Do you want me to turn this over

to the Missing Persons Bureau?

I'll handle it.

You?

The telegram was sent from Philadelphia.

The night of the Convention murder.

You think maybe...

I don't think anything.

Check Western Union, Philadelphia.

Excuse me.

You can go, Fred.

Hm?

Go on, go ahead, you don't have

to stay here with me.

I have no place to go.

I know you better.

This is like old times back in Grantsville.

I don't know what I'm gonna do, Fred.

I can't go back to Grantsville.

You don't have to, Millie.

New York's a big place.

I can't stay here.

I'd be looking for him every place I go.

The places are all alike, Millie.

You can't run away from yourself.

Hello?

Oh, Paul.

Oh, darling, it's so good to hear

your voice.

Rate this script:0.0 / 0 votes