Secrets of Three Hungry Wives (1978) - full transcript

[music playing]

TAXI DRIVER: Walker's Terrace
is that new place, isn't it,

just off of Fifth?

I remember when they
opened that place.

It's pretty fancy.

You know somebody
that lives there?

You picked a good time of day.

Another hour and
you couldn't get

through here with a bulldozer.

OK.

That's, uh, $2.80.



Yeah.

Thanks a lot.

[music playing]

MARK POWERS: If you're finished
dressing in there, I'll wait

and we'll settle that
other detail, hmm?

[music playing]

Gotta tell you, though,
in the long run,

you're not gonna like it.

[phone ringing]

Myrtle?

[gunshots]

[gasp]

MARIE: It's just one of
those days, you know?

I've had two cancellations,
and everybody else is late.



You mean me?

MARIE: No.

Oh, here comes your
late friend, Mrs. Wood.

What's with you people today?

[phone ringing]

Oh hi, Lynn.

Marie, I'm sorry.

I've been running all
over town with a client.

Must have shown
him a dozen houses.

Nothing pleased him.

MARIE: Well, at
least you're here.

I'll get Florence to do you.

She'll be free in a minute.

CHRISTINA WOOD: Thanks a lot.

I'm running a little
late myself today.

I had to go into the City.

Lord, my nails are set.

I wish I had time
for a manicure.

Oh, yeah.

If you don't hurry,
you'll miss Larry's train.

No.

Actually, I told
him to take a taxi.

I just don't feel up to
meeting trains today.

You don't?

MARIE: Florence can
take you now, Mrs. Wood.

Oh, thanks.

Thanks a lot.

Well, you will be
at the club tonight.

I-- we'll see.

Oh.

You've got to.

It's Friday night, Lynn.

We never miss.

FLORENCE: Mrs. Wood!

Please.

Mrs. Wood!

MYRTLE HOLLANDER: It's
just so incredible.

I mean, why, not two
hours ago-- oh, thank you.

Oh.

My hands are still shaking.

DETECTIVE BENNETT: Take
your time, Miss Hollander.

Relax.

We've got plenty of time.

And I mean we're more
interested now in what happened

after you found the body.

Did you see--

SHAFFER: Good
afternoon, Inspector.

DETECTIVE BENNETT: Have some
more tea, Miss Hollander.

Excuse me just a minute.

Shaffer, take over
a minute, will ya?

Twice through the
chest with a .357.

Second shot was a
waste of ammunition.

GEORGE DONAHUE:
Close range, huh?

DETECTIVE BENNETT:
Two, three feet, tops.

GEORGE DONAHUE: Well,
it's obvious the door

was closed when he was shot.

DETECTIVE BENNETT: Yeah.

Oh, yeah.

GEORGE DONAHUE: He had
to be on the other side

when it happened.

DETECTIVE BENNETT: Worked
up quite a sweat, right?

GEORGE DONAHUE: Sure did.

But was it worth the price?

By the way, do we have
anything on the gun?

DETECTIVE BENNETT:
Just that it was his.

Suspect dropped
it on the way out.

They're still
dusting for prints.

GEORGE DONAHUE: Well, tell
them to hurry with the results.

I'll be waiting.
DETECTIVE BENNETT: Check.

Just as soon as they finish.

GEORGE DONAHUE: Who's with her?

DETECTIVE BENNETT: Shaffer.

Thank you, Shaffer.

DETECTIVE BENNETT: This
is Miss Myrtle Hollander

here I was telling you about.

Inspector George Oliver Donahue.

GEORGE DONAHUE: How do
you do, Miss Hollander?

MYRTLE HOLLANDER: Hello.

GEORGE DONAHUE: Is
your tea all right?

MYRTLE HOLLANDER: Oh, yes.

It's fine, thank you.

DETECTIVE BENNETT: I was
just telling him you're

the deceased's secretary.

MYRTLE HOLLANDER: Well, I
just worked for him part-time,

you understand.

It was just a few days a week.

I typed up some letters
and I ran errands.

I was out on an errand
when this happened.

I was telling Mr. Bennett that.

And I really don't
know what else

there is to tell you, really.

Miss Hollander, Miss
Hollander, I wonder if you could

tell me who the woman was.

MYRTLE HOLLANDER: No.

I-- I already left when
she must have arrived.

And I would have no way of
knowing which one it was.

There were a few of them.

Mr. Powers called them-- that
really wouldn't interest you.

GEORGE DONAHUE: Called
them what, Miss Hollander?

Well, he called them
the hungry wives.

It was just an expression.

you understand.

Miss Hollander, I'm
wondering if you could

tell us their names
and perhaps give

us a description of each one.

Well, I-- yes, I think I can.

But you realize this was
just a part-time job for me,

you understand.

I really don't know
much about anything

that was going on here.

GEORGE DONAHUE:
Yes, I understand.

And I'm sure you'll
do the best you can.

MYRTLE HOLLANDER: Well,
there is an appointment

book on the desk in there.

And I'm sure all those
names would be in there.

GEORGE DONAHUE: Would
you please show me?

MYRTLE HOLLANDER: Oh.

That's funny.

There's something missing.

I didn't notice that before.

GEORGE DONAHUE: What's
that, Miss Hollander?

MYRTLE HOLLANDER: Well, there
were two plain white envelopes.

And each one had a woman's
name written on it.

Well, do you remember the name?

No.

But I'm sure they were both, you
know, two of the hungry wives.

I know.

I know.

I'm late, and I'm
sorry so let's go.

Where's Larry and Lynn?

A woman's place, right?

Where were you today, again?

Didn't Larry make the train?

Where's Lynn.

Never mind that.

He took a cab.

Lynn didn't show.

I have been calling
you all afternoon.

But Lynn never misses.

They're coming to the
club tonight, aren't they?

Oh, cut it out.

What do you want from me?

I want to know where
you were all afternoon.

There's a blonde on your coat.

Huh?

Hair, that is.

Must be Marcia's.

Probably got it in
the coat closet.

Odd place to take your
secretary, isn't it?

Very funny.

You still haven't told
me where you were today.

Oh, for gosh sake.

I got Joey off to
school and then

I went to the beauty parlor.

I did some shopping.

And then I went to the
club for some tennis.

This is a tennis outfit,
in case you hadn't noticed.

Whatever.

Karen, I-- I told the agency
I was thinking of cutting

back on my new business trips.

Let a young account man
take over that endeavor.

What's that supposed to mean?

Well, after all, I'll be
50 in a couple of months.

Casanova was 60, if that's
what you're talking about.

RADIO REPORTER: In neighboring
New York City today,

police answered a call at the--

Listen.

RADIO REPORTER:
--Apartments, where

the body of financier
socialite Markus Trajan Powers

was found shot to death.

His killer is still unknown--

That's Mark Powers.

RADIO REPORTER: --but
police are looking

for a woman believed to
have been in the apartment

at the time.

Well, doesn't that shock you?

RADIO REPORTER: Powers was 40
years old and leaves no family.

In Washington--

Someone we know well has been
murdered, for heaven's sakes.

Haven't you anything to say?

[music playing]

TELEVISION REPORTER: Police
are remaining comparatively

tight-lipped about the
Mark Powers murder,

but insiders predict
developments within 24 hours.

[phone ringing]

CHRISTINA WOOD:
Vicki, the telephone!

VICKI WOOD: Mother, you
just missed the news.

Somebody shot your boyfriend,
twice, with his own gun.

Or is that news to you?

Hello?

Hello!

Flake hung up.

CHRISTINA WOOD: Vicki, how
would you like to visit

your father in Florida?

VICKI WOOD: Wait a minute.

Why now after I've been begging
you for years to let me go?

CHRISTINA WOOD: Well,
I called his office.

VICKI WOOD: Why now?
I want an answer.

CHRISTINA WOOD:
I left a message.

I'll call him again.

I think we need a
rest from each other.

I know I do.

VICKI WOOD: I'll
call him myself.

CHRISTINA WOOD: He'll
put you off again.

VICKI WOOD: You put me off.

[phone ringing]

That creep again.

If he breathes, blow
a whistle in his ear.

CHRISTINA WOOD: Hello?

It's me.
Now, wait, wait.

Wait a minute.

Wait a minute.

Don't blow up.

Don't say a word.

Is she still in the room?

CHRISTINA WOOD: Yes.

All right.

Get her out.

I heard you come in.

I gotta talk to you.

Chris.

Please.

Honey, it's a date.

Is she gone?

CHRISTINA WOOD: Yes.

Why didn't you talk to here?

What do you mean, why
didn't I talk to her?

I didn't have anything
to say to her.

Chris.

Chris, what is this crazy
message you left here?

You can't be serious.

CHRISTINA WOOD: I need
to send Vicki down

to visit you for a while, Carl.

No.

It's impossible.
You can't.

My wife would have a convulsion.

I told you.

She's jealous.

I am not getting
unnecessarily emotional.

All right.

I'm listening.

Carl, I just can't!

That's Daddy.

You lied to me.

Daddy?

Daddy?

Sweetheart.

How's my little girl?

I hear you blossomed into a
raving beauty over the summer.

I'm going to take a bath.

Hey, listen honey.

Now, you got to promise
us, one of these days

real soon you come down here
and meet your new stepmother.

She'll love you.

She keeps talking
about meeting you.

Only one thing.

You got to give us just
a little bit of warning,

because then we can
get a chance to roll

out the red carpet for you.

But you gotta promise now.

One of these days.

I will.

Yeah.

I knew that.

I told her.

I know you do.

I do too.

It's her.

[music playing]

CHRISTINA WOOD
[VOICEOVER]: The house

is on Briar Drive,
Mr. Powers, if you're

familiar with the area.

Otherwise you can
come to my office

and we can drive over together.

MARK POWERS [VOICEOVER]: No,
I'd rather meet you there.

What's the address?

CHRISTINA WOOD
[VOICEOVER]: 128 Briar.

I'll meet you there
at 12 o'clock.

[music playing]

MARK POWERS: I'm late.

CHRISTINA WOOD: Yes, you are.

[music playing]

You said on the phone you
wanted the best we had to offer,

Mr. Powers.
This is it.

MARK POWERS: What's upstairs?

CHRISTINA WOOD: Five bedrooms,
each with its own bath.

Come on, I'll show you.

MARK POWERS: No, that
won't be necessary.

Rest of the house furnished?

CHRISTINA WOOD:
Well, yes, of course.

You sure you don't
want to see it?

With a living room like this,
I doubt the rest of the house

would be Salvation
Army, Mrs. Wood.

CHRISTINA WOOD:
Then you like it?

MARK POWERS: I did
tell you, didn't I,

it would be for only six months?

Oh, yes.

That's perfectly acceptable.

MARK POWERS: Of
course, it could be

longer, depending on business.

No problem.

When would you like to move in?

MARK POWERS: Tomorrow.

Fine.

I'll have the papers
ready in the morning.

My office, promptly at 10:00?

You place great value on your
time, don't you, Mrs. Wood?

I'll try not to
waste a minute of it.

Mr. Powers.

You didn't ask what the rent is.

MARK POWERS: Would
you like to tell me?

$4,000 a month.

Thank you.

And I'll see you in the morning.

[music playing]

I was with him just an hour ago.

And when I told
him $4,000 a month,

he never even blinked an eye.

Can you imagine what it must be
like to have money like that?

KAREN MCCLURE: I
imagine nothing else.

OK.

So what do we have so far?

Mark Powers seems to
be indecently rich,

business unknown, but
obviously profitable, eligible,

a possibility.

So what are you
doing about it, lady?

CHRISTINA WOOD: Not a thing.

I'm not interested.

Since the divorce,
my husband's work.

Who's talking about a husband?

Then I give him to you.

With the Surgeon
General's blessing,

he can be hazardous
to your health.

[laughter]

I accept the hazard.

Oh, not a minute too soon.

Getting a little
drunk out, isn't it?

Karen, you wouldn't, would you?

Wouldn't what?

Cheat on your husband.

Me?

Cheat?

When my husband takes his
secretary on his business trips

and not his wife?

Well, that doesn't
necessarily mean

he's having an affair with her.

Oh, darlin'.

It's a mess.

It's OK.

You go on ahead.

I'm sorry.

I've got to stop home
and check about Vicki.

KAREN MCCLURE: Oh, you don't
have to go home to do that.

I just left her at
the tennis court.

Are you kidding?

She promised me
faithfully she'd stay home

and clean up her room today.

Just remember, you can get
more with a kind word and a club

than just a kind word.

See ya.

KAREN MCCLURE: Bye.

So I promised.

So what right did
you have snapping

on me in front of my friends?

Why should I have to
clean my room anyway?

We can afford a maid
more than once a week!

Why don't you hire
a full-time girl

and get the heck off my case?

Don't you dare
talk to me that way.

VICKI WOOD: I'd rather
not talk to you at all!

I'd rather talk to my father!

There's the phone.

I'll ask him definitely
this time to take me away.

You know the number.

You won't let him, will you?

You always tell him not to.

That's not true.

You've always kept us apart.

Anyone I love you
always take from me!

You're jealous!

[music playing]

CHRISTINA WOOD: Mr.
Powers, good morning.

MARK POWERS: Good morning.

CHRISTINA WOOD:
Please have a seat.

MARK POWERS: Thank you.

CHRISTINA WOOD: I have
the papers all ready.

Perhaps you'd like to read
them over before you sign them.

MARK POWERS: Oh, that
won't be necessary.

CHRISTINA WOOD: If
there's anything

you need to know about the house
or if something goes wrong,

please feel free to call me
or have your wife call me.

MARK POWERS: Oh, I'm
not married, Mrs. Wood.

Oh.

I guess I'd just
assumed you might be.

Well, that's where
you and I differ.

You see, I never
assume anything.

I always check when
I'm interested.

You've been divorced
for five years.

You have one daughter,
Victoria, 15 years old.

And you are the best
agent in this office.

Now, would you have dinner
with me this evening?

Oh.

I'm afraid I can't.

You see, I'm having
dinner with some friends

at our country club here.

It's a Friday night tradition.

No is sufficient, Mrs. Wood.

All right.

Now here's a check for the
first two months' rent.

And that should
take care of that.

Oh, may I have the keys?

Oh.

Oh, sure.

Thank you.

[laughter]

And it's a charity bazaar.

You know, different booths
and games, with gambling.

Oh, maybe a fortune teller, huh?

BILL MCCLURE: Just so it's not
another one of those dances.

Me and my slipped disco.

The table will be
ready in 10 minutes.

LYNN BRISKIN: Oh, good.

Then we've got 10
minutes to decide.

KAREN MCCLURE: Is that him?

He hasn't lost much time.

LYNN BRISKIN: If everybody
will just give me

a definite maybe on the bazaar.

KAREN MCCLURE: He's gorgeous.

Who's gorgeous?

It's a new edition.

His name is Mark Powers, and he
just rented the Corbett house.

HARRY BRISKIN: When?

KAREN MCCLURE: Yesterday.

HARRY BRISKIN: He
must be loaded.

Don't just sit there, Chris.

Go ask him to join us.

I will not.

LYNN BRISKIN: If he's that rich,
I'll invite him to the bazaar.

Now everybody bear witness.

It's a bazaar.

Come on, Chris.

Be nice.

He obviously
doesn't know a soul.

HARRY BRISKIN: Oh,
why not, Chris?

Middlegate hospitality
and all that.

Well, all right.

I'll ask him.

But don't be surprised
if he says no.

He's not the politest
person I ever met.

LYNN BRISKIN: He'll come.

MARK POWERS: Oh, enjoying
yourself, Mrs. Wood?

CHRISTINA WOOD: My
friends want to know

if you'd like to join us.

How do you feel about it?

Oh, I agree, of course.

I don't think so.

You mean you'd rather not?

No.

No, I mean I think
you'd rather I not.

But, never could turn down
a challenge, Mrs. Wood.

CHRISTINA WOOD: Everybody,
this is Mark Powers.

The Briskins, the McClures.

MARK POWERS: How do you do?

LARRY BRISKIN: Nice to meet you.

MARK POWERS: You
know, I thought I

was going to have to face an
evening of absolute solitude.

This is much more pleasant.

LARRY BRISKIN: What would you
like to drink, Mr. Powers?

MARK POWERS: Ah, no.
Let me, please.

LARRY BRISKIN: Oh, no.
No.

You're our guest this time.

MARK POWERS: No, I insist.

Visitor's privilege.

LARRY BRISKIN: Thank you.

MARK POWERS: Waiter,
another round, please.

Do you play tennis, Mr. Powers?

Well, they also serve
who sit and watch.

[laughter]

Actually, I'm considering it.

Oh!

There's a very good
instructor here at the club.

Or I could teach you.

I'm here almost every afternoon.

I'll vouch for that.

Mrs. Briskin, have
you lived here long?

Oh, Lynn, please.

And we moved here seven
years and two kids ago.

Don't get her started on
the kids, whatever you do.

LYNN BRISKIN: It
embarrasses him to admit it,

but we happen to have two
of the most beautiful,

intelligent, and
talented little girls

on Earth, Misty 5 Lorraine 7.

Would you like to hear all
of the remarkable things

they said and did today?

If you're taking a vote, no.

Don't let my wife fool you.

We have a son.

And she loves him more than
anything else in this world.

Oh, but that's different.

He just happens to
be one of the most

handsome, intelligent,
talented little kids on Earth.

Now Mrs. Woods, you have
a daughter, don't you?

Yes.

I have a daughter at home
and an ex-husband in Florida.

It's known as divorce.

Bitter as all that?

I'm sure you've checked.

LYNN BRISKIN: You
know, I wonder who

spreads all those romantic
lies about divorce.

Oh, women who are married
for keeps, of course.

I mean, divorce is the
last romantic dream left

to the happily married woman.

I remember the first
time I dreamed of divorce.

It was on my honeymoon.

WAITER: Excuse me.

Your table's ready.

[music playing]

VICKI WOOD: Would I?

Are you putting me on?

It's my main group.

I've got every one
of their albums!

Mom!

Oh!
I love you!

Oh!

You'll never guess what.

CHRISTINA WOOD: What?
Tell me.

I'll never guess.

The Stones are coming to
town and Mark is getting

me press section seats free!

CHRISTINA WOOD: Oh.

VICKI WOOD: Oh, I love you.

And I'm sorry.

I'll never snap on you again
and I'll clean up my room.

Oh my gosh.

I gotta call Beverly.

She'll drop a brick.

CHRISTINA WOOD: Well, hello.

MARK POWERS: Hello.

CHRISTINA WOOD: That
was real nice of you.

MARK POWERS: Well, now, Mrs.
Wood, I do know how to be nice.

Look, I'm about to throw
something together for dinner.

Would you like to stay?

No, I'd rather not.

You see, I have a somewhat
previous engagement and I--

No is sufficient, Mr. Powers.

Actually, the reason I've
come, Mrs. Wood, I'm having

a small party Friday night.

And it's at my
apartment in the City.

I'd like you to be my hostess.

Oh, then you didn't just
come to my daughter tickets?

No, no.

Only as a means of ingratiating
myself with her mother.

You see, it came to
me as an inspiration.

I thought that if I could--

No thanks.

I think I told you
about Friday nights.

Oh, yes.

Country club night.

What a pity.

Well, then perhaps--
perhaps Mrs. McClure.

She seems less of a
traditionalist than you.

Well, Karen isn't free either.

You see, she's part of our--

MARK POWERS: Ah, but
she feels she is.

Well then, nice seeing
you again, Mrs. Wood.

CHRISTINA WOOD: You're
going to ask Karen?

MARK POWERS: Will you come?

CHRISTINA WOOD: No.

And neither will she, not
if it means lying to Bill

about where she's going.

MARK POWERS: Oh.

Didn't you know?

Bill's in Chicago
this week, business.

[music playing]

CHRISTINA WOOD: Hi there.
How are you?

LYNN BRISKIN: Oh, hi Chris.
LARRY BRISKIN: Oh, Chris.

LYNN BRISKIN: Oh,
you look beautiful.

CHRISTINA WOOD: Thanks.
So do you.

LARRY BRISKIN: Here you go.

CHRISTINA WOOD: Thanks.

WAITER: Good evening.
CHRISTINA WOOD: Hi.

WAITER: How are you?

CHRISTINA WOOD: I'll
have my martini, natch.

WAITER: And I'll be back
later for your dinner order.

LARRY BRISKIN: Thank you.

LYNN BRISKIN: OK.

CHRISTINA WOOD:
Well, where's Karen?

LYNN BRISKIN: Oh.

She called at the last minute.

She's in the City.

Ran into an old school
friend or something.

CHRISTINA WOOD: Oh.

LARRY BRISKIN: And you
knew Bill is in Chicago.

I asked Mark to join us, but
he couldn't make it either.

Oh, and Chris, I had the most
marvelous experience with him.

I was just telling
Larry about it.

This guy is a gem, Chris.

It was in the car
with the children.

I don't think I want to hear.

You don't?

But you don't even know
what I'm going to say.

Whatever.

You all right, Chris?

Look, both of you.

I just wish you wouldn't
encourage him, Lynn.

He's not what you think he is.

That's not fair, Chris.

It is fair.

I know him.

This is difficult. I think he
really wants to hurt you, Lynn.

Or no, all of us.

I mean it.

I think he's cruel and
sadistic and he'd run a spear

through any one of
us if it could hurt

the others, particularly me.

Totally paranoid, right?

What?

Or a little jealous, maybe?

Is that what he says?

You better tell me.

No, it's just--
well, he did say

that he wasn't like attracted
to you the way you are to him.

He warned that you might-- oh,
Chris, let's not talk about it.

Oh, he is cunning.

Uh, listen, if you ladies
would like to discuss this.

No.

Stay, please.

Stay.

Let's not talk about it.

Let's just order
dinner and I'll try

to smother this primal
scream I'm repressing.

WAITER: Your martini.

May I take your
dinner order now?

Yes, uh--

[phone ringing]

CHRISTINA WOOD: Hello?

MARK POWERS: Christina?

I need you to come over.

It's urgent.

CHRISTINA WOOD: Mark?

MARK POWERS: It's
terribly important.

CHRISTINA WOOD: Well,
I just can't-- um.

Wait a minute.

What a time is it?

MARK POWERS: It's
1:00 AM Tuesday.

It's quite late.
Please.

I need you.

[music playing]

Well, well, well.

Hello!

Drink?

CHRISTINA WOOD: Uh, no.

I thought you said
it was urgent.

MARK POWERS: To me.

You see, I've been fantasizing.

I don't believe in fantasy.

I believe it urgent that
the fantastic be realized.

CHRISTINA WOOD: What
are you talking about?

MARK POWERS: I want
to make love to you.

It was my understanding that
I didn't attract you at all.

MARK POWERS: [laughter] You've
been talking to Lynn, huh?

Well, I told her
that to protect you,

in case you wanted to
keep our affair secret.

I wouldn't have
an affair with you

if you were the
last man on Earth.

MARK POWERS: Why not?

Why not, because
you don't love me?

Hell, you don't even like me.

What's that got to do with it?

I mean, hatred could be reason
enough, or, uh, curiosity.

And you are curious, aren't you?

Haven't you ever wondered
what it would be like,

us together, my mouth on
yours, bodies touching?

Well, I have, all night.

CHRISTINA WOOD: Why
don't you leave us alone?

MARK POWERS: Why don't you stay?

CHRISTINA WOOD: Find another
place and leave us alone.

MARK POWERS: Why?

Your friends don't
feel that way.

CHRISTINA WOOD: My
friends don't know you.

Well, Lynn thinks she does.

You stay away from Lynn.

She has Larry.

There's nothing she
needs or wants from you.

MARK POWERS: Oh, no, no.

That would mean that
she was invulnerable.

And we both know there's
always a flaw, vulnerability.

One simply has to find it.

Why?

Are you sure you won't stay?

Why, for goodness' sake?

Why do you have to discover
people's weaknesses?

To reach you.

Oh, and by the way, I've already
found your vulnerability.

[music playing]

DEALER: Same lucky shooter.

Hey, Ace.

Here it goes!

Hi.

Hi, Chris.

Well, that's a nice donation.

This?

Oh.

Don't tell Larry.

This is my second $10 bill.

But I can't help it.

I'm having such a good
time at the gambling table.

Maybe I'll try the dice
and save $5 for blackjack.

CHRISTINA WOOD: Go get 'em!

LYNN BRISKIN: OK.

KAREN MCCLURE: That looks good.

What is it?

CHRISTINA WOOD: Some
kind of pate, I think.

It's delicious.

You realize I haven't
seen you in weeks?

KAREN MCCLURE: Really?

Has it been that long?

CHRISTINA WOOD:
Everything all right?

KAREN MCCLURE: Of course.

How else should it be?

Life is a bazaar.

BILL MCCLURE: Where
have you been?

You send me for a drink
and suddenly you disappear?

KAREN MCCLURE: Didn't you
see the trail of breadcrumbs,

darling?

Exactly what in the hell
is that supposed to mean?

Everything I say--

Come on Bill.

The dealers look so lonely.

Karen, you don't mind if
I borrow your husband?

BILL MCCLURE: Mind?

She doesn't care if you buy,
sell, or use him as bait.

I've already played
blackjack twice today.

CHRISTINA WOOD: Well,
you didn't play with me.

Now, be a grump, will ya?

BILL MCCLURE: Maybe you'll
bring me some luck, Chris.

We got chips?
CHRISTINA WOOD: Mm-hmm.

Here's for you.
Here's for me.

BILL MCCLURE: Well,
I'll put my bet here.

CHRISTINA WOOD: Would
you look at her?

I never realized before tonight
what a gambler Lynn was.

BILL MCCLURE: Got
married, didn't she?

Stay.

CHRISTINA WOOD: Hmm?

BILL MCCLURE: Take it.

Come on.

Here we go!

[car horn honking]

Vicki!

Vicki?

Vicki?

Where is she, for
heaven's sakes?

Vicki!

[phone ringing]

Hello?

MARK POWERS: Oh, that's
not very friendly.

What do you want?

I'm at my apartment
in the, uh, City.

I think you better come in.

Oh, really.

Just drop everything,
hop a train?

Yeah.

As soon as you can.

It's important, Christina.

Like the last time?

No, no.

No, this time it's
important to you.

Game's ending, Christina.

And you are the last play.

There's a train at, uh, 1:17.

You can't afford to miss it.

[music playing]

Ah, right on time.

Come in.

Come in.

Drink?

CHRISTINA WOOD: No thanks.

MARK POWERS: I'm, uh,
leaving for Europe

at the end of the week,
so actually I won't

be needing the house anymore.

CHRISTINA WOOD:
I'm not surprised.

Is that why you
had me come down?

You're not?

Not surprised?

Funny, I assumed you would be.

That's where we differ.

I never assume anything anymore.

I check when I'm interested.

Your application for the
public land has fallen through.

Our state has
decided not to sell.

One of the conditions
of the land transfer

was that only
residents of the state

would have been
eligible to participate.

That's why you moved to our town
and why your residency is now

superfluous.
Mm-hmm.

I'm not surprised.

Magnificent.

Magnificent!

Well, at any rate,
there's a check

on the desk over there for
the balance of the six months.

CHRISTINA WOOD: What are
they, those envelopes?

MARK POWERS: These?
Ah.

These are a test
of your morality.

What if I told you that what's
in these envelopes could

ruin your friends, could
split their lives apart?

Furthermore, what if I
told you that-- that you,

you are responsible
for their condition?

Me?

Yes.

They are the victims of-- oh,
how shall I say-- a game hunter

who's really hunting you.

CHRISTINA WOOD: What
are you getting at?

MARK POWERS: What I'm
getting at is what

would you do to redeem these?

Hmm?

CHRISTINA WOOD: You really
hate women, don't you?

It's your twisted ideal
in one form or another

to turn all of us
into hustlers for you.

--[laughter] You know, I really
do keep underestimating you.

I do.

You-- you have no
idea how, um, shall

I say intimately right you are.

OK.

So now you know.

So what?

Get dressed.

VICKI WOOD: Not
unless he tells me.

And if you're thinking of
making trouble for him,

forget it, because I'll deny
whatever you say, Mother dear.

You understand me?

Leave him alone.

Just leave him alone.

All right, Victoria.
All right.

Go on now.
You do as your mother says.

You get dressed.

MARK POWERS: I'll be leaving
here on Saturday morning,

so you'll have until Friday
to collect these envelopes.

Last day of the game.

If you don't, my
lawyer will know

what to do after I've left.

[music playing]

[phone ringing]

CHRISTINA WOOD: Hello?

Oh, Lynn.

I'm sorry.

I was in the tub.

Oh, Vicki?

I guess she's in her room.

We had a little scene and
she's probably not answering

the phone to spite me.

Well, now wait a minute.

I thought we settled
that at Marie's.

You can't cancel.

You've got to be there tonight.

Thanks, honey.

I appreciate it.

I'll see you tonight.

Bye.

So, guess it all points to
our hungry wives, doesn't it?

GEORGE DONAHUE: A little
peek under the bed

sheets of the American dream.

Huh?

Yes, it does.

It all points to
our hungry wives.

From is notes in
his calendar here,

this being his last
scheduled day in the States,

I'd guess that at
least three of them

decided to pay him a visit.

Two of them made it.

Two?

What do you mean?

There were two women
there when he was shot?

It's the only way I can
figure it, one on the inside,

one on the outside
of the bedroom.

What I can't figure,
I really can't

figure out what is the
connection between the two

of them, if any?

By the way, you didn't release
any information on that gun,

did you?

DETECTIVE BENNETT: No.

You said just that
it was a .357.

We didn't say whose.

GEORGE DONAHUE: All right.

Well, we're finished here.

Listen, why don't
you get started,

make the arrangements
with the police

facilities at Middlegate.

Get their permission
to [inaudible]

suspects alone, if possible.

DETECTIVE BENNETT: Check.

First thing in the
morning, right?

GEORGE DONAHUE: Ah,
first thing tonight.

CHRISTINA WOOD: What
happened to the lighting?

LARRY BRISKIN: Hi, Chris.

They've gone into
mourning over Mark Powers.

I don't think
that's funny, Larry.

There's some kind
of a power failure.

They're working on it.

Power.

[laughter]

Karen?

Chris.

Hi.

Hi.

I'm sorry.

I, I guess I was somewhere else.

All night?

Having a wonderful time.

Wish you were here.

I'm glad you could come
and bring some female life

to the proceedings.

Our women are fading on us.

Any more on the news?

Just that they're pretty
sure it was a woman.

LARRY BRISKIN: Yeah, we
heard that on the 6 o'clock.

I think they probably
know who she is.

They just dont' want to--

KAREN MCCLURE [VOICEOVER]: Do
you play tennis, Mr. Powers?

MARK POWERS [VOICEOVER]:
Actually, I'm considering it.

KAREN MCCLURE [VOICEOVER]: Oh!

There's a very good
instructor here at the club.

Or I could teach you.

I'm here almost every afternoon.

[music playing]

KAREN MCCLURE: Oh, great!

Oh.

Let's take five.

MARK POWERS: Well, it's nice
of you to break up your game.

KAREN MCCLURE: Oh.

Only for a minute.

They'll be coming after me.

Do you wanna sit down?

MARK POWERS: My
thought precisely.

Do you come here
often, Mrs. McClure?

KAREN MCCLURE: Karen.

MARK POWERS: Karen.

KAREN MCCLURE: Uh, well,
during the daytime, yes.

Helps keep my mind
off the nighttime.

Oh, I didn't mean that
the way it sounds.

I mean like, uh, dinner
and cooking and cleaning.

Well, say the drag
of 400 meals a year,

the small terrors
of married life

you don't read about
in "Bride" magazine.

MARK POWERS: I took the liberty.

KAREN MCCLURE: Oh, thank you.

Oh, you remembered what I drink.

MARK POWERS: Cheers.

KAREN MCCLURE: Cheers.

Well, except for our Friday
nights here at the club,

we seldom go out to dinner.

Bill's very much a
homebody, when he's home.

I mean, he travels a lot.

Client trips, mostly.

He's in the advertising
business and he-- this

must be very boring for you.

Will he be taking
another client trip soon?

Uh, yes.

As a matter of fact, he'll
be leaving for Chicago

on Wednesday for a week.

MAN: Hey, Karen.

Sounds like interesting work.

MAN: Karen!

I'm coming!

My people.

Well, I have your
number, Karen.

KAREN MCCLURE: Blasted traffic.

BILL MCCLURE: Is
something bothering you?

KAREN MCCLURE: Oh, it's
always a bottleneck here.

Well, no.

It's-- that's
Christina's office.

I'm sure she sees us.

BILL MCCLURE: Oh, really.

Is that Christina's office?

[car horn honking]

Does it bother you
if she sees us?

Well, no, I guess not.

Because I should warn you.

It would really bother her.

Chris?

Yeah.

At the risk of sounding like
the last remake of Don Juan,

Christina has a certain feeling
for me, which unfortunately I

can't reciprocate.

And as a result, I'm
afraid she's been

making things a bit difficult.

Wow.

That doesn't sound like Chris.

Spreading alarms.

Oh, I'm sure that among
women, she's-- well,

no, actually I prefer someone
with a shade more brio, daring.

[music playing]

KAREN MCCLURE: Oh no.

MARK POWERS: Who do you see now?

KAREN MCCLURE: I think
he's going out the door.

I-- I think that
was Peter O'Toole.

MARK POWERS: Well, he's
been known to come in here.

You really are enjoying
yourself, aren't you?

I don't think I've ever felt
so inside in all my life.

This?

Ah, this is only the keyhole.

Listen, I'm giving a
cocktail party Friday.

Why don't you and Bill come?

I'll show you the show
beyond the keyhole.

Well, of course.

Why didn't I think of it before?

5:30.

I can't.

My apartment right in the City.

Bill's leaving for
Chicago tomorrow.

He won't be back by Friday.

Oh, that's too bad.

That's right, you told me.

Well, why don't you come?

Of course, you
come, be my hostess.

Help me greet my friends,
keep their cups running over.

I don't think-- I don't know.

Well,why not?

You'd enjoy it, wouldn't you?

Oh, yes.

Of course I'd enjoy it.

It's just that--
well, for one thing,

I don't have anything to
wear to such an occasion.

To wear?

Now, let's see, um, size 6.

I'll have something
fantastic for you.

You're making it awfully
difficult to say no.

Then say yes.

In your own time.

Sleep on it.

You don't have to give me
your answer 'til tomorrow.

[music playing]

BILL MCCLURE: What--
what's all this?

Bill, I've never--

BILL MCCLURE: Now Karen--

KAREN MCCLURE: Please, Bill?

I've never pleaded
with you before.

BILL MCCLURE: I told
you I-- well, I'm tired.

I've got that long business trip
tomorrow and I just don't feel

up-- well, I don't feel well.

KAREN MCCLURE: All right.

Then take me on
the trip with you.

Please, Bill?

BILL MCCLURE: Karen--

KAREN MCCLURE: Don't
argue with me, Bill.

Just do it.

Take me along out
of town, please.

BILL MCCLURE: Karen!

We've been through
this a thousand times.

You don't make any sense.

Who's going to
take care of Joey?

KAREN MCCLURE: I
could find someone.

Besides, it's a business
trip and I wouldn't have

any time to spend with you.

I could just be there.

Yeah, be there.

With who?

You don't even get
along with my secretary.

I'm not going to be
with your secretary.

And on top of that,
the agency would

never allow for the expense.

It's just-- it's utter insanity.

Now forget it!

Let's get some sleep.

Yes, I know it's late.

That's why I'm calling.

No, no, no.

That's just the point, Lynn.

I won't be able to make
it to the club tonight.

I'm still in the City.

Well, uh, actually I ran
into an old school friend

I haven't seen in years, so--
so we decided to make an evening

of it, a movie, whatever.

OK.

Make my apologies
for me, will you?

Thanks a lot, sweetheart.

Sensational.

You'll be the
queen of the tribe.

[doorbell ringing]

---champion of the oligarch.

And then she said,
yes, but as an actor,

he was truly underpowered.

GUEST: Ernest knew it.

I'm sure he did.

He know if he ran just a little
faster than he possibly could,

he'd just fail to make it
to the end of his life.

GUEST: Darling, it isn't
enough to be simply arrogant.

He's also got to be [inaudible].

[laughter]

I like your new pony.

MARK POWERS: Well, I thought she
might appeal to you, Willard.

Green to the
pasture, isn't she?

Her favorite color.

And does she wear
your silks exclusively?

Willard the Oblique.

No, no.

As you know, one of
my deals has forced

me to establish a six-month
residence out of state.

Oh, yes.

The land project.

And in the deadly interim,
I've been amusing myself,

playing out of hand.

Karen is, so to speak,
one of the hole cards.

At stake is one Christina Wood.

Someone a bit more
glacial, I presume.

MARK POWERS: And you know
how I feel about glaciers.

The only peaks worth scaling.

GUEST: I had so much fun.

KAREN MCCLURE: Thank you.

GUEST: Thanks for having us.

I'm afraid I'll have
a headache tomorrow.

Bye bye.

MARK POWERS: Don't forget.

KAREN MCCLURE: I won't.

I'll call you if
I change my mind.

Thanks again.

Good bye.

Can you believe it?

He thought I was an actress.

He wants to represent me!

Oh, it's incredible.

It's incredible!

This whole day has been--

[music playing]

I can't believe so much has
happened, all in one day.

MARK POWERS: $500.

You earned it.

Yes indeed, every penny.

I'll arrange for a
car to take you home.

[music playing]

KAREN MCCLURE: Don't
forget your handkerchief

is in your back pocket!

And use it!

Good morning.

What do you want?

I'm in a hurry.

-Get in.
-No.

Would you rather talk
out there in the street?

You remember Willard Durrell.

Uh, yes.

MARK POWERS: He called me last
night to tell me he's going

to be in town this afternoon.

He is desperate to see you.

If you don't mind--

MARK POWERS: Would you
rather your husband--

You wouldn't.

Ah, I mean, it'd be so
middle class, wouldn't it,

his finding out
about Friday night?

No, of course I wouldn't.

That won't-- won't be necessary.

Come on.

Cheer up, my love.

It's not the inferno.

It's just an afternoon
out of your life.

And it's $600.

I'm not a prostitute.

I'd hope not.

I'd hardly send a prostitute
over to entertain a fellow

as decadent as Willard Durrell.

He's my closest
friend, you know.

All right now.

2 o'clock, my apartment.

Look your best, huh?

Don't be late.

He despises tardiness.

[music playing]

[doorbell ringing]

Oh, Mark said you'd be on time.

DEALER: Seven.

CHRISTINA WOOD: Hi.

LYNN BRISKIN: Oh, hi, Chris.

BILL MCCLURE: How are you?

Karen, don't give me that
suffering Madonna bit.

You're never home anymore.

Where in the hell do you go?

KAREN MCCLURE: For god's
sake, leave me alone.

I went to the beauty
parlor and then

I was at the needlepoint shop.

You want an affidavit?

BILL MCCLURE: I want a wife.

KAREN MCCLURE: Do you?

BILL MCCLURE: I want a drink.

That's what I want.

KAREN MCCLURE: Makes two of us.

A double.

MARK POWERS: Ah well, the
family that drinks together.

What do you want?

I need you Thursday.

No.

No more.
-Mid-afternoon.

No more.

I'm done with it.

Bill is starting to
question every move.

3 o'clock.

You don't care about your
marriage, not worth a damn,

and you know it.

I'm not going.

You care only about yourself.

And if Bill found out, he'd take
the boy from you in a minute.

[doorbell ringing]

MARK POWERS: Oh, come in.

You're early.

He's not here yet.

It doesn't matter.

I'm not staying.

That's really all
I've come to say.

I'm not staying and I'm
not coming back, ever.

You can tell Bill
anything you want.

I'll deny it.

It'll be your word against mine.

MARK POWERS: Names,
dates, amounts.

It's all here, darling.

You know, it's amazing,
amazing how many dates coincide

with Bill's trips out of
town and the telephone

messages he left when
he couldn't reach you.

Harry Sheldon, Tom
Keller, Burt Fielding.

Oh, oh.

Burt.

Bill Middler.

Willard Durrell.

Oh, he's going to be
in town next week.

He's very anxious to see you.

Please, Mark.

Please let me stop.

What difference
could it make to you?

What possible satisfaction?

[doorbell ringing]

MARK POWERS: Charlie!

Come in.

Come in.

How are you?

This is Charlie.

Yes, sir.

Best mechanic in my garage.

Be very nice to him, hmm?

[music playing]

LARRY BRISKIN: Karen.

Karen?

I'm sorry.

I guess I was thinking.

LARRY BRISKIN: We were wondering
if you knew where Powers

got his money originally.

Well, I for one don't care.

I've had enough of this subject.

I'm going to the ladies
room and get an aspirin.

An aspirin?

Honey, are you-- are you OK?

Just a headache.

I'll be right back.

[music playing]

LYNN BRISKIN [VOICEOVER]:
I asked Mark to join us,

but he couldn't make it either.

Oh, Chris, I had the most
marvelous experience with him.

I was just telling
Larry about it.

LARRY BRISKIN [VOICEOVER]:
This guy is a gem, Chris.

LYNN BRISKIN [VOICEOVER]: It
was the car with the children.

[children chattering]

LYNN BRISKIN: Now be
careful, children.

Don't go too far!

Stay where I can see you!

Lorraine, hold
your sister's hand!

Oh, I don't know what we'd have
done if you hadn't come along.

I still don't understand it.

The darn engine in my wagon
just wouldn't turn over.

MARK POWERS: Well, now
suppose I told you that I

had sand put in the ignition.

LYNN BRISKIN: [laughter] Oh.

I've been planning this Indian
picnic for about a month.

Larry's got all the
children absolutely hooked,

hunting for Indian arrowheads.

Larry says the Algonquins were--

Oh dear.
I think Lorraine needs me.

Would you excuse me?

I'll be right back.

MARK POWERS: I'll wait.

LYNN BRISKIN:
Misty, now you have

to watch more carefully, OK?

Stay in this area.

There are plenty of
arrowheads right around here.

This really isn't your
cup of tea, is it?

MARK POWERS: Well, tea
isn't even my cup of tea.

No, to be absolutely
honest with you,

I don't have a paternal
bone in my body.

Matter of fact,
neither did my father.

And fortunately, my mother
had enough for both of us.

My mother was the
most possessively

neglectful woman I ever knew.

And I think you're the
second nicest man I've met.

Next to your husband?

Next to my husband.

You're very happily
married, aren't you?

I think I just might be the
most happily married woman

in the United States.

MARK POWERS: And
you're wondering

why I never got married.

Is it that obvious?

MARK POWERS: Well, I've learned.

I've learned.

Every happily married woman is a
closet missionary to the unwed.

LYNN BRISKIN: Well,
why haven't you?

There's still time, you know?

Well, I'm not really
sure yet the kind of woman

I want to marry.

I'm only just
beginning to find out

the kind I don't want to marry.

That's a beginning.

I-- I don't want a woman
who's vindictive or jealous,

possessive.

Well, Christina
is a fair example.

Chris?

Yes.

Somehow Christina has
got it in her mind

that I made some sort of
emotional compact with her.

And she keeps pushing
it with a kind of--

Please.

I don't want to hear.

---a kind of paranoia, speaking
badly about me to others,

denying that--

Please.

Oh, I-- I'm sorry.

You're not only a
star-grade mother

and wife, you're also
an Olympic-class friend,

aren't you?

Don't you have a single
personal weakness?

Oh, damn!

Just when I was going so well.

Honey--

LARRY BRISKIN: Oh, now darling.

LYNN BRISKIN: Just $5 more.

After all, it's for charity.

LARRY BRISKIN: And
we're going to need

charity if you don't quit.

LYNN BRISKIN: Please?

LARRY BRISKIN: All right.

This is all I've got left,
so make it last, huh?

LYNN BRISKIN: Oh, you cheat!

LARRY BRISKIN: Now promise,
don't bet the children.

I'll be in the bar.

OK.

Get outta here.

OK.

Here we go.

All right.

Damn, not again.

How are you doing?

Oh.

Oh, hello.

Not too well, I'm afraid.

I keep running out of chips.
-Oh.

Well, we can't have that.

Here let's both play this, huh?

DEALER: We have a new
shooter coming out.

Good lord.

That's got to be
$100 worth at least.

And if you don't
help me lose it,

we'll be here 'til Christmas.

Well, what if we win?

Merry Christmas!

OK.

All right, seven.

Come on, seven, seven.

All right!

DEALER: Seven.
Seven wins.

OK!
All right.

Let's do that again, all right?

There we go.

My tab, please.

Thank you.

LYNN BRISKIN: There he is.

Hi.

LARRY BRISKIN: Oh, you
did it, didn't you?

Bet the kids.

Ah, only the baby.

Darling, something great.

We've been talking about you.

About me, I--

Oh, Mark.

Tell him.

It was her idea, actually.

See, I told her I'm considering
an entire new schedule

of insurance.

And I told him about this
gifted and beautiful insurance

agent I just happen
to be married to.

Oh.

Well, I thought if we could get
together somewhere informally,

I could spell out my
exact requirements.

Oh, sure.

Fine.

Just name the time.

Well, how about Saturday night?

A little business and pleasure.

Dinner at my country club.

While you and I talk, Lynn
can enjoy the entertainment.

Oh, fantastic.

Saturday then.

Saturday night, then.

Thank you.

MARK POWERS: Good night.

LYNN BRISKIN: Bye bye.

MARK POWERS: This
is really keeping up

with the darn Joneses, isn't it?

A private dining
room of our own.

I feel like Cyrus K. Vanderbilt.

LYNN BRISKIN: I've never
feasted so royally in my life.

MARK POWERS: Well, I am pleased.

Now, if you're ready,
the entertainment.

LYNN BRISKIN: Oh.

Send in the clowns.

MARK POWERS: No, no.

Better than that.

Why don't Lynn get
settled in the other room

and then I'll come
back in here and we

can get down to business.

LARRY BRISKIN: Fine.
Fine.

MARK POWERS: Lynn?

LYNN BRISKIN: OK.
Bye.

LARRY BRISKIN: Bye, sweetheart.

LYNN BRISKIN: This
is so nice of you.

I can't tell you how
much I appreciate

what you're doing for Larry.

MARK POWERS: It's my pleasure.

LYNN BRISKIN: Really, I
can't thank you enough.

MARK POWERS: I have
something there that I

think you're going to enjoy.

LYNN BRISKIN: This
place is incredible.

I had no idea.

MARK POWERS: Oh, yes.

Yes.

Cards, dice, maybe perversity.

But unlike your public
casinos, this one is

private, discreet, and illegal.

DEALER: Place your bets.

Place your bets,
ladies and gentlemen.

All best down.

No more bets, please.

Hold the bets.

7 black.

Odd's the winner.

LYNN BRISKIN: Why
didn't you tell me?

I've only got five silly dollars
with me for my mad money.

MARTIN: Mr. Powers,
how good to see you.

MARK POWERS: Ah,
thank you, Martin.

Thank you.

This is Mrs. Briskin, a very
dear and personal friend

of mine.

I'd like her to have an, oh,
$2,000 line to play with.

MARTIN: Of course, Mr. Powers.

I'll take care of it right now.
MARK POWERS: Thank you.

LYNN BRISKIN: $2,000?

Oh, no.

I just-- I mean, we haven't got
that kind of money to spend.

MARK POWERS: No, no, no.

This has nothing to
do with your money.

I have an account here.

I want you to have
a pleasant time.

No, but $2,000.

Mark, I just--

Listen.

Listen.

This is my mad money
that we spend here.

Expense account money that
I either have to get rid of

or pay taxes on.

I'd much rather please
you than the government.

Well, maybe $100.

All right.

Maybe $100.

But listen, you have $2,000, so
please, take advantage of it.

Now, what would you like
to start with, roulette?

Oh, yes.
Fine.

Sure.

Oh, Martin.

She'll start off with $100.

MARTIN: Certainly, sir.

Now, take good care
of her, will you?

You have a glorious time.

I will.

MARTIN: This is for our persona
records, you understand.

Oh.

Yes, certainly.

$100, please.

DEALER: $100.

All bets down.

No more bets, please.

MARTIN: Good luck.

LYNN BRISKIN: Thank you.

[music playing]

DEALER: Three up.

MARK POWERS: Sound program.

I like it.

LARRY BRISKIN: Yes.

And then those
commercial properties.

We've got a new term
policy that gives you

just the protection you're
talking about at half

the premium you're paying now.

I'd like to outline it for you.

[music playing]

Oh!

Very nice.

Very nice, indeed.

Very creative package.

I tell you what.

Give me a week, say,
10 days to digest it

and I'll get back to you.

I'm very impressed.

LARRY BRISKIN: Take
all the time you need.

MARK POWERS: Speaking
of time, I think

we better redeem your wife.

LARRY BRISKIN: Oh, she'll be
all right, watching a show.

MARK POWERS: Show?

LARRY BRISKIN: You did say
entertainment, didn't you?

MARK POWERS: Oh, that's right,
I did say entertainment.

But she's not watching a show.

She's gambling.

LARRY BRISKIN: Gambling?

MARK POWERS: Yeah.

LARRY BRISKIN: Lynn?

Oh no.

LYNN BRISKIN: I mean, I
added their ages together

and I got 12 and I won $600.

Cut it out, Lynn.

It was blind luck.

No, but that's it.
I'm lucky.

Don't you realize?

Think of it!

I won $650.

Just five nights like tonight
and we could pay off all

those bills we're drowning in.

We could maybe even have--

Lynn, stop.

As it is, I won nearly
enough to pay off the car.

That means--
-That means you're hooked.

That means I won!

And the next time you'll
lose, or the time after.

Then you've caught a disease.

Kill it now, quick.

Up to now your
gambling's been a joke.

The joke is over.

You don't understand.

They said I was good,
I was a natural.

I believe it.

Larry, I never felt anything
like that in my life.

It was almost too
exciting to breathe.

If I go back, I
know that I can--

Lynn!

No!

No!

Let's go to sleep.

Turn off the light.

[music playing]

DEALER: No more bets.

All bets down.

Ah, Mrs. Briskin.

I see you've made
use of the passkey.

I do hope you're winning.

Well, I'm not.

As a matter of fact, I just
lost what I won the other night.

Ah, that's too bad.

But there's the still
the $2,000, you know.

What?

Oh, yes.

Mr. Powers insisted that
amount remain at your disposal.

DEALER: Seven black.

Well, maybe a few hundred.

I'll get it for
you, Mrs. Briskin.

Thank you.

DEALER: Place your bets.

[music playing]

30 red.

[music playing]

30 red.

[music playing]

33 black, and odd.

I'm sorry about
your bad run today.

But there'll be other days.

Never.

Not for me, ever.

I'm finished gambling.

Oh?

In that case, then
I assume we can

expect your check in the mail.

My check?

For what?

The amount you
signed for, $2,000.

You see, Mrs. Briskin,
Mr. Powers' name

isn't there, just yours.

But I-- but I was standing
right there when he told you

to give me $2,000 to play with.

He was asking me to extend
that much of a line to you,

a line of credit
to you because you

were a stranger to the club.

And as a courtesy to
Mr. Powers, we did.

VOICE ON TV: You're
lazy, you remember?

And you were good, I
told you, remember?

BILL MCCLURE: That's silly.

[phone ringing]

Oh, I'll get it.
-Oh, no.

I'll get it.

VOICE ON TV: Only
you'll do it on the air,

on Captain Parson's show.

What do you think, Shari?

Shari.

Hello?

MARK POWERS: Lynn?
This is Mark.

Where have you been?

I've been trying to reach
your for three days.

Yes.

I just heard.

Listen, I've cleared
up that club problem.

You don't owe them a penny.

Can you come and see me?

I'll explain.

Yes, of course I can.

Yes.

When?

Uh, right now.

Uh--

I'm at my Middlegate house.

Make some excuse.

I think the sooner we ease
your uncertainty, the better.

LYNN BRISKIN: Mark,
you can't imagine

how frightened I've been.

$2,000.

I had no idea where to get it.

We spent every penny we'd saved
last year when business fell

off and everything went wrong.

I was terrified.

It could have
ruined our marriage.

I wouldn't know what to
do if I had to tell Larry.

Really, I think I'd rather die.

Would you like me to tell him?

What?

MARK POWERS: Well,
I could tell Larry.

Tell what?

You said I didn't
owe them a penny.

MARK POWERS: Oh, that's right.

I haven't explained
it to you yet.

You see, I bought you markers,
so you owe the money to me now.

To you?

Yes.

But you-- I thought--
Mark, I'm all confused.

You led me to
believe that it was

your money all along, somehow
that you'd given it to me.

MARK POWERS: Oh dear.

I have no control over what you
choose to believe now, have I?

No, no.

You see, the point
is I'll be leaving

for Europe in a few days.

And you see, it's kind
of a fetish with me.

I never leave things unfinished.

So you will have the money
for me before I leave.

Until then--

LYNN BRISKIN: Before-- Europe?

But Larry's insurance proposals?

Well, until then, I'll be
spending most of my time

at my City address.

Oh, Larry, yes.

You see, business deals work
out and sometimes they don't.

Larry's just didn't.

Oh.

Here, um, here are the
markers, your markers.

And, uh, they'll
be waiting for you

in the desk drawer
of my City apartment

when you bring the money.

Well, I would presume to suggest
that you get busy, because you

only have a few days.

I mean, that's all.

[music playing]

Why bother?

Just going home to bed.

And to my husband, that means
TV and a bad night's sleep.

I feel rotten.

You know, I've
suddenly discovered

it's not his business
trips I resent anymore.

It's his staying home I resent.

And I--

Oh, why don't you stop, Karen?

Stop what?

Just stop whining
and complaining

about your miserable life.

If it's so miserable,
then for God's sakes,

do something about it.

You're not in prison.

No law says you have to die if
you can do something about it.

I'm sorry, Karen.

I-- I'm just tired and upset.

I'm a fine one to
be spouting advice.

VICKI WOOD: Uh, listen.

Before the party ends up in
here, I'm saying good night.

I have a stop to make.

I won't be leaving with you.

Oh.

You never did tell
me why you wanted me

to be sure and be here tonight.

It's not important anymore.

We've had some good times
together, we three, haven't we?

Good night, my friends.

LYNN BRISKIN: Night, Chris.

Where's my bag?

KAREN MCCLURE:
Outside, next to mine.

I'll be all right.

[music playing]

BILL MCCLURE: Trouble is
you've had too much time

on your hands, which has
been partly my fault.

So, well, I've decided.

Definitely no more
out-of-town trips.

I'm going to stay home with you,
give some form to your life,

give you some things to do.

Oh, we could redo the house.

You could do more
entertaining at home.

Hey, we could even build
a play room on the house.

That way you could cut out on
that tennis hassle of yours.

Get one of those
video tape machines.

Put it in the bedroom.

See your favorite program day
or night while lying in bed.

How 'bout that?

[music playing]

What's that?

LYNN BRISKIN: Nothing.

Nothing that matters.

The only thing that
does matter now is I

don't love you anymore.

And I've learned that it can be
murder, literally murder living

with someone you don't love.

A new game room isn't
going to help anything.

And, uh, a new
toy in our bedroom

isn't going to fix it either.

I don't want anything
from you at all, Bill.

Except I want a divorce.

[music playing]

Well, I was sitting there and
I was watching the 5 o'clock

news.

And then-- then when I
heard it was Mark, I--

DETECTIVE BENNETT: Mark?

Did you know him personally?

VICKI WOOD: Of course I did.

When did you first--

GEORGE DONAHUE: Uh, excuse me.

You knew him personally.

Now, would you say
you knew him well?

I'd say.

Would you say that
you knew him very well?

What are you-- what?

LYNN BRISKIN: Larry.

LARRY BRISKIN: Mm-hmm.

LYNN BRISKIN: There's a very
good chance the police might

want to talk to me about Mark.

You?

Sure you don't mean Missy?

LYNN BRISKIN: I-- I did see
him a few times, you know.

And-- well, we went
with him to that club,

remember, the Garrett?
-Yeah.

Oh, yeah.

It very nearly cost the
company double indemnity.

Lucky that deal broke down.

LYNN BRISKIN: No, but, uh--
well, so, when the police start

looking for motives,
they're liable

to find something among Mark's
papers that might make me--

Honey, would you
light my cigarette?

LARRY BRISKIN: Hey.

LYNN BRISKIN: What?

Oh, uh, um, a cigarette, right.

[laughter]

You drunk, woman?

[laughter]

LARRY BRISKIN: You
sure you're not drunk?

Yes.

I am higher than a balloon.

I love you, Larry.

[music playing]

Listen.

What I mean is,
well, we understand.

We're just trying to get
to the truth, that's all.

We're not blaming anyone.

What I-- did your mother
really know that you knew him,

well, like that, so to speak?

VICKI WOOD: Well, I mean, it
wasn't just me that liked him.

Everybody liked him.

He was like your father.

Even Momma, especially Mom.

CHRISTINA WOOD: Vicki?

VICKI WOOD: But she'll tell
you she didn't like him,

so don't believe her.

GEORGE DONAHUE: Mrs. Wood.

CHRISTINA WOOD: Yes?

GEORGE DONAHUE: I'm
Inspector Donahue.

This is Detective Bennett.

VICKI WOOD: They want to talk
to you about Mark, so tell them.

CHRISTINA WOOD: Well, all right.

But I'm not sure
what happened to him.

VICKI WOOD: Tell them
how much you liked him.

They want to know everything.
Go on.

Tell them.

Well, ask her the
questions you asked me.

GEORGE DONAHUE: Perhaps we could
talk in private, Mrs. Wood.

CHRISTINA WOOD: Yes
VICKI WOOD: No!

I've got a right to
hear what she says.

Vicki, what's the
matter with you?

I want to hear you admit
you went to bed with him.

Vicki!

She was with him
today, you know?

So don't believe her
if she tells you she's

been making time with a client.
She

Wasn't.

She was in the city
in his apartment.

Weren't your, Mom?

Admit it.

You see, she was jealous.

She was jealous of me.

That's why she went to bed with
him to get him away from me.

So she went there
to his apartment

and she made out
with him and then

she shot him with his own gun.

Tell the policeman the truth.

What's wrong with you?

My god.

GEORGE DONAHUE: Mrs. Wood,
have you ever made such

a confession to your daughter?

No!

Vicki, why don't
you tell me again

just how you think it happened.

Well, it's all so up front.

I mean it's right there
for everybody to see.

She went to his apartment and
then she tricked him into bed.

And then she went and got
the gun from the desk drawer

and she shot him.

She killed him
because he loved me,

just like she killed my father
away because he loved me too.

Everybody I love she
kills away from me!

She takes them all away from me!

GEORGE DONAHUE: I understand.

I understand.

Look, why don't you got
outside with Detective Bennett

and just relax.

Get some air.

We'll all be out in a minute.

You do that for me
like a good girl, huh?

OK.

[music playing]

CHRISTINA WOOD: What's happened?

What's wrong with her?

GEORGE DONAHUE: Obviously
she's not responsible.

But I'm sure they'll
take into consideration.

CHRISTINA WOOD: Well,
what do you mean?

I'm afraid I'm going to take
her in for the murder of Mark

Powers.

No.

No, you can't.

What she said was true.

I was there this afternoon.

I was in bed with him.

I made a bargain with him.

I can't tell you about it.

GEORGE DONAHUE: Please.

I'm really not interested.

We know you were there.

In your panic, you attracted
a great deal of notice

from the doorman.

He described you right down to
your shoes, and the cab driver

who let you off at the station.

Well, what more do you want?

Something you can't give us.

Something that only Vicki knew.

Powers was killed
with his own gun.

We never released
that information.

But Vicki knew.

We knew there were
two women there.

Obviously Vicki was one of them.

And what she was
describing just now

was her jealousy, not yours.

And the man, Mrs. Wood,
Powers, was a real sickie.

He's what our report called
a pathological misogynist.

Mrs. Wood?

Mrs. Wood.

I want to go with her.

GEORGE DONAHUE: Well, of course.

Why don't you call your
lawyer and have him meet us?

I'll wait for you outside.

[music playing]

DETECTIVE BENNETT: Fell asleep.

GEORGE DONAHUE:
Well, now we know

what happens to hungry wives.

DETECTIVE BENNETT: What's that?

GEORGE DONAHUE: They
raise hungry children.

[music playing]