Witness for the Prosecution Page #4

Chief Inspector? They must think

a lot of you at Scotland Yard.

You're getting the de luxe treatment.

- Oh, in here, Chief Inspector.

- Sorry to disturb you in your chambers.

That's perfectly all right.

I never object to the actions of the police

- except once in a great while in court.

- Yes, sir, I still have the scars.

You know Mr Mayhew, Mr Brogan-Moore.

This is Leonard Vole. You'd better search

him, he may be armed with an eggbeater.

- Is your name Leonard Vole?

- Yes, it is.

I have a warrant for your arrest

on the charge of murdering Emily French.

I must warn you that anything you say

may be taken down and used in evidence.

Well, I'm ready. Must I be handcuffed?

That won't be necessary, sir.

I've never been arrested before,

not even for walking a dog off a lead

- or having a beer after hours.

- There's no disgrace in being arrested.

Kings, prime ministers, archbishops,

even barristers have stood in the dock.

- Somebody better call my wife.

- I will, don't worry.

I'll go too, see you're properly charged.

- You will see to it that he is well-treated?

- We will.

Would you like a cigar? Pardon me.

- That's very kind of you, Sir Wilfrid.

- I'd better not. It would constitute a bribe.

We ought to be going, Mr Vole.

One thing I've learned for sure, never

look in a window with women's hats.

Good day, sir.

Makes a very nice impression,

doesn't he?

- Yes, rather. Give him the monocle test?

- Passed with flying colours.

I hope he does as well in the dock.

This is sticky, you know.

Of course. The prosecution will

blast in with their heaviest artillery.

All you'll have is one little popgun,

an alibi furnished by his wife.

Isn't that an intriguing challenge?

I think I'd like it more if it was less

of a challenge and less intriguing.

Miss Plimsoll has issued an ultimatum.

In bed in one minute or she'll resign.

Splendid. Give her a month's pay

and kick her down the stairs.

Either you take care of yourself

or I, too, shall resign.

This is blackmail.

But you're quite right.

For my first day this has already

been rather hectic. I should be in bed.

I'd better get in touch with Mrs Vole

and have her come over. Will you sit in?

Thank you, no. I'm in no condition to cope

with emotional wives drenched in tears.

Miss Plimsoll, how alluring you look,

waiting like a hangman on the scaffold.

Take me, I'm yours.

Oh!

About Mrs Vole. Handle her gently,

especially when you tell her of the arrest.

Bear in mind she's a foreigner, so prepare

for hysterics, even a fainting spell.

Better have smelling salts ready,

box of tissues and a nip of brandy.

(woman) I do not think

that will be necessary.

I never faint in case I don't fall gracefully,

and I never use smelling salts

because they puff up the eyes.

I'm Christine Vole.

How do you do?

This is Mr Brogan-Moore.

How do you do?

- I am Wilfrid Robarts.

- How do you do?

My dear Mrs Vole, I'm afraid

we have bad news for you.

- Don't be afraid, I'm quite disciplined.

- There's nothing to be alarmed about yet.

Leonard has been arrested

and charged with murder. Is that it?

- Yes.

- I knew he would be, I told him so.

I'm glad you're showing such fortitude.

Call it what you like.

What is the next step?

Your husband will have

to stand trial, I'm afraid.

Will you explain the procedure?

Mr Brogan-Moore will lead the defence.

Oh?

- You will not defend Leonard?

- Regrettably not.

My health, or, rather,

the lack of it, forbids me.

It is regrettable. Mr Mayhew described

you as champion of the hopeless cause.

Is it, perhaps,

that this cause is too hopeless?

I'll have a serious talk with Dr Harrison. It

was a mistake to let you come back here.

I should have taken you

to a rest-home or a resort.

Some place quiet, far off, like Bermuda.

Shut up. You just want

to see me in those nasty shorts.

Come now, Sir Wilfrid,

you must not think of it.

You must get ready for sleep,

think beautiful thoughts.

Now, let's get undressed. Put these on,

tops and bottoms, while I make your bed.

After your rest

we'll have a nice cup of cocoa.

Then perhaps

we'll have a walk around the square.

You know, I feel sorry

for that nice Mr Vole.

And not just because he was arrested,

but that wife of his. She must be German.

That's what happens when we let our

boys cross the Channel. They go crazy.

The government should do something

about foreign wives. Like an embargo.

How else can we take care of our own

surplus. Don't you agree, Sir Wilfrid?

All right. Hop in!

Sir Wilfrid?

Sir Wilfrid!

Come back!

Yes, of course I knew that Leonard had

been seeing Mrs French quite frequently.

Go on.

I knew when he came home with a pair

of green socks she'd knitted for him.

That's quite natural.

I'm sure a jury will find it endearing.

Leonard can be very endearing.

He hates that particular shade of green

and the socks were two sizes too large,

but he wore them just the same

to give her pleasure.

Leonard has a way with women.

I only hope he has an all-woman jury.

They will carry him from court in triumph.

A simple acquittal will do. Now, you know

Mrs French left your husband money?

Yes. A lot of money.

Of course, your husband had

no previous knowledge of this bequest?

Is that what he told you?

Surely you're not suggesting different?

Oh, no, no. I do not suggest anything.

Clearly, she had come to look upon your

husband as a son or favourite nephew.

You think Mrs French looked

upon Leonard as a son? Or a nephew?

I do. An entirely natural

and understandable relationship.

What hypocrites you are in this country.

Pardon me, Brogan-Moore.

- Do you mind if I ask you a question?

- Go right ahead, Sir Wilfrid.

You realise your husband's entire

defence rests on his word and yours?

- I realise that.

- And that the jury will be quite sceptical

of the word of a man accused of murder

when supported only by that of his wife?

- I realise that too.

- Let us, then, at least make sure

- the two are not in conflict.

- By all means, let's.

I assume you want to help your husband?

Of course I want to help Leonard. I want

to help Mr Brogan-Moore and to help you.

There. Isn't that

more comfortable for you?

Now, Mrs Vole. This is very important.

On the night of the murder your husband

came home before 9.30. Correct?

Precisely. Isn't that

what he wants me to say?

Isn't it the truth?

Of course.

But when I told the police,

I do not think they believed me.

Maybe I didn't say it well.

Maybe because of my accent.

My dear Mrs Vole, in our courts

we accept the evidence

of witnesses who speak only Bulgarian

and who must have an interpreter.

We accept the evidence

of deaf-mutes who cannot speak at all,

as long as they tell the truth.

You're aware that when you're

in the witness box you will be sworn

- and you will testify under oath?

- Yes.

Leonard came home at 9.26 precisely

and did not go out again.

The truth, the whole truth

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