Mirage (1965) - full transcript

[♫]

What happened?
MAN 1: Press the door button.

MAN 2:
I think the electricity's off.

[CHATTERING]

WOMAN: Where ya going, Louise?
LOUISE: I don't know, I just had to get out of there.

Mr. Haddock is grabby enough
when the lights are on.

Hey, I could go in there,
and he'd think he was you.

MAN: This'll probably make
me late for the theatre.

MAN 2: What are you seeing? Benefit.
The whole thing. Deductible.

MAN 2: Yeah, I know, but
what are you seeing?

MAN 1: You know, that thing
with what's-her-name.



Hey, there's a live one.
Go ahead, ask him.

Oh, you ask him.

Everybody's going to
the boardroom in 2709...

The one with no windows?

We're having a party. Want to come?
Tell him what kind!

[GIGGLES]
It's a Braille party.

- A what?
- Braille. Get it?

The touch system.
Oh! Well, um... Thanks, but...

David? [LAUGHS] Hey!
Don't do that!

Who is it?
Josephson.

I just got a call to
come up to C.C.'s office.

With all that inner holy light His
Eminence is radiating these days,

he may not have noticed
the blackout.

Stick around. It won't be long we
have a drinkie! Oh, no chance.



I've already passed
on one orgy. I have to go.

Not me. We're marooned
on a mountain, bubi.

Whoever pulled that plug gave me
a foolproof excuse for the wife.

Well, then, that lets
me out, bubi baby.

I haven't anyone to cheat. I heard
you were in the mood, sweetheart.

Well, don't take any
wooden Indians. Ciao.

[CHATTERING BY STRANDED PEOPLE]

GIRL: You know, I could be
in a whole lot of trouble.

GIRL 2: How come? I was using
that new machine, you know,

the one I could never figure out?
Did you break it?

That wouldn't be so bad. I'm
scared I broke the whole building!

[CLOSES DOOR]

WOMAN:
Would you help me, please?

It was foolish of me to start
down alone in the dark.

It's like being buried alive.

I promise to behave myself!
[CHUCKLING]

Don't worry.
I can always scream for help.

Well, isn't it though?
What?

A small world.
I heard you were back.

I really am very glad
to see you!

If I could see you, that is.
Well, slow down a minute.

You wouldn't happen to know
why he did it, would you?

Cut off the electricity, I mean.

If it were anyone else,
I'd say it was a practical joke,

but not the Major,
he never would have...

Don't you ever stop
to take a breath?

Look, I'm sorry, but
I haven't been away.

I don't know any Major, and I'm afraid
I've never seen you before, either.

Believe me, I'd remember.

But your voice! I tho...
That's all right.

After 27 flights of stairs, we
may wind up being old friends.

We better get started.
I don't trust this light.

[FOOTSTEPS]

I think the entire
building's gone mad.

Everyone's running around
trying to rescind

the Ten Commandments.

WOMAN: I've never understood why most
people will do things in the dark...

that they'd never think
of doing in the light.

I'd explain it to you, but I'm afraid
the lights might come back on.

[LAUGHS]
Well, I'm serious!

If we can lie, cheat, steal
and kill in broad daylight,

and have to wait till
it's dark to make love,

something's wrong somewhere.

I'm beginning to wish
I were that friend of yours.

What happened to 13? I
don't think there is one.

The natives are superstitious.
And you're not superstitious.

No, I'm bushed. Couldn't
we stop and rest a minute?

Oh, don't be a sissy. I'm a girl.
I'm supposed to be a sissy.

Ah, one of us should
have counted the steps.

Maybe we'd qualify for the Olympics.
[MAN CHUCKLES]

Boy, let's just say we climbed
it because it was there.

[SIGHS]

[LAUGHS] I'm not as
horrible as all that.

I knew it was you.

That was a stupid joke.

I don't know
what you're talking about.

Look, my name's David Stillwell.

What's yours?

[RAPID FOOTSTEPS]
Wait a minute!

What did I say?

Wait!

Wait a minute!

Where are you going?

[♫]

[SIREN WAILS]

[CROWD CHATTERING]

Dead?
Who is it,
do you know?

I can't see.
A man or a women?

WOMAN: Did you see him jump?
No, I always miss those things.

POLICE OFFICER: Did you notice which window?
MAN: No, but I...

POLICE OFFICER: Which floor then?
I don't know.

MAN 2: What's the matter?
Couldn't he wait for the elevator?

Just stand back.
MAN: It's the worst way to go.

The worst. If I had the guts
to step out of that window,

I'd have had the guts
to go on living.

[WOMAN LAUGHING]

[SIREN WAILS]

DRINKER: Been a lot of suicide lately.
Two in our building already this year.

DRINKER 2: I got smashed last
summer, and dropped a watermelon

out of our living room window.

We're on the 14th floor.
[DRINKER 3] What on earth for?

DRINKER 2: Haven't you ever wondered
what a watermelon would sound like,

from 14 floors up? [DRINKER 3]
Okay, what'd it sound like?

DRINKER 2:
About like he did.

Hello, Eddy.
Usual, I guess.

The usual?
Scotch and lemon peel.

Give me some change, will you, Eddy?
Yeah.

Haven't seen much of you lately.

Yeah, I uh, skipped lunch.

Hey! What are you
doin' here?

I thought it was you.

I knew it was you.

That'll be 90 cents.

I said, that'll be 90 cents.

Sorry.

♫ [JAZZ CORNET]

[MACHINERY WHIRRING]

Could you tell me where
the stairs are? Louder!

Could you tell me
where the stairs are?

The ones that lead down to the sub-basement.
There aren't any!

There aren't any what?
Stairs!

Or sub-basements.
This is it!

But I was just down there!
A few minutes ago!

Not in this building you weren't, and
you're not even supposed to be here.

Now beat it, I'm busy!

[BOILERS ROARING]

Evening, Mr. Turtle.

Oh, don't tell me.
Your name is Mister, um...

Mr... Stillwell, right?
Well, I'm glad you found it.

The way it's been going,
I'm not too sure myself.

I know you on account of you're the
only man in this whole building

who can say my name without
makin' it sound like a joke.

Know what I mean?

You work with
Mr. Josephson, don't you?

Do you know what
he calls me? Sweetheart.

You're losing touch. Sweetheart's what
they call total strangers these days.

Oh yeah? He says it
next time and I'll sock him.

You can call me Joe.

The man who jumped. You
know who he was? Mm-mm.

It was a big one,
I can tell you that.

Look here. The mayor...

went up five minutes ago, shortly
after the lights came back on.

First jumper we've ever had
that rated the mayor.

Joe, do you know
why the lights went out?

Oh, it was someone upstairs
playing God, most likely.

A man living that high up
gets aspirations, you know.

Hmm.
Well, thanks, Joe.
Okay.

[SUBWAY SOUND CONTINUES]

Evening, Benny. Mr. Stillwell.
Long time, no see.

Well...
No, not you, too.

FEMALE VOICE: Press your
floor button, please.

Going up!

Thanks very much. Would
you push seven, please?

[CHUCKLES]
I just did.

Stand back from the doors, please,
and face the front of the car.

Don't these things just kill ya?

I kind of miss the old guys
who used to run 'em.

I tell ya, it's beginning to look like
people are on their way out altogether.

Well, maybe the machines will keep
us around for pets. [CHUCKLES]

FEMALE VOICE: Seventh floor.
Please wait until the doors

have completely opened
before stepping from the car.

What are you doing for dinner tonight, honey?
Watch your step, please.

Say, I wonder if you'd have
a few minutes you could spare?

Sorry, but it's been
quite a da...

Wha... What do you want?

Inside.

Quite a day.

All right, move!
[CLOSES DOOR]

I don't keep
a lot of cash around.

Nice!

It's even nicer when there's
no-one holding a gun in it.

They got wrestling coming
in from Chicago. [CLICKS]

I know it's supposed to be fixed,
but so is everything else.

Why don't you just
take this set?

Ah, now that all the westerns
have gone psycho,

this is the only place left
where you can tell for sure

who the bad guys are.

The uh...
The Major wants to see you.

If it were anyone else,
I'd say it was practical joke,

but not the Major.

WRESTLING ANNOUNCER: The Arab
forcing Lord Percy into the ropes.

Major who?
Ah, now, look at that!

The Arab's got the rope
around Lord Percy's neck!

Come on, Percy! Slip out
of it, will ya, fella?

[CROWD OOHS AND AHHS]

...and jumps his man
for the press. One...

You better pack a bag,
Mr. Stillwell.

Your plane leaves Kennedy
in less than two hours.

Leaves where? Idlewild.
They changed the name.

Where have you been?

I'm beginning to wonder.

W-Well, why the airport?

Isn't the Major in New York?

Well, sure.
Sure, he's here.

But he doesn't want to see you
here, he wants to see you there.

In Barbados.
You're lucky.

I hear the weather
is gorgeous in Barbados.

I wish you'd stop looking
as if I'm supposed to know

what you're talking about.
Look out with the hat!

Into the ropes he goes.
Up and over he goes again.

Time for the press.
One, two... look out.

I can't just leave the country.

I have a job.
They'll ask questions.

There won't be any questions.

Well, I have one.

Suppose I refuse to go?

Well, that's up to you.

You see that?
Now that case of yours

goes to Barbados tonight,
with you or without you.

Now the Major would like it
if you'd bring it yourself,

but you, uh, can't be
live in Barbados

and dead in New York
the same time! [CHUCKLING]

...back to the headlock, Percy. I
have the feeling that you don't care

which way it turns out.

No. I care, all right.

If you're too dead to go,
I'll be in Barbados tonight,

and I hear the weather is gorgeous.
Yes. Weather is gorgeous.

I know. Forearm smash to
the back by the Arab.

Another one. One more.
And a fist to the ear.

And there's another one.
What's supposed to be in here?

Now, look. No questions...

[CROWD CHEERING] Here's
another whip by Lord Percy!

[BOOING, JEERING]
Well, that slowed him down.

[CHEERING]

Percy with a body slam.

He's heading for
the top of the rope!

And one... two...
three and it's over.

Boy, the Arab
never knew what hit him.

WRESTLING ANNOUNCER: Here's the
time: time, ladies and gentlemen,

eight minutes and 25 seconds.

The winner is Lord Percy.

The Arab is now saying
something to one of the fans.

"You come up here
and see how you like it."

Something to that effect.
[CROWD BOOING]

Percy turning back after him,
when he gave him both fingers

to the eyes once more.

Now, we'll see if
the Arab's going about it...

[♫] ...we don't want you to
miss any of the action here.

Well, I guess that's it.

Well, as we just
heard in the match,

the winner in one fall
is Lord Percy.

Say fans, I'd like to remind you again
about the wrestling stars for next week.

Last week, you'll recall, I
promised to announce those stars.

Here it is,
a real super-duper.

Swami battles Hiro Sebuto.

Also, there'll be Farmer Frank,
and Angel Flatfeet.

Buffalo Bill Baker
will be on hand.

You'll want to pick up
your tickets early

for next week.

Well, we're about ready
for the next bout.

A one-fall match between
the Hayseed and Carl Von Strut.

And it should be a lulu.

This pair have been feuding since Carl
bit the Hayseed's ear last February.

Judging by the crowd...
[CLICKS THE REMOTE]

...place on Lower Broadway.

Among those who rushed
to Calvin's office

in the Unidyne Building
were the Mayor,

the Police Commissioner,
and the F.B.I.

Mrs. Charles Calvin hurried downtown
from their 5th Avenue home,

but remained inside her husband's
office only ten minutes.

She was accompanied
by Crawford Gilcuddy,

Charles Calvin's close friend
and president of Unidyne.

Our reporter was there
when these questions

were put to Mrs. Calvin. Mrs. Calvin,
can you give any reason whatsoever

why your husband might have
taken his own life? No, I...

Are the police convinced
it was suicide, Mrs. Calvin?

I have no idea what the police think.
Do you believe it was suicide?

Can't you see that Mrs.
Calvin's had a terrible shock?

Mrs. Calvin, could your
husband have been ill?

I'm sure I would have been the first to know.
Did he seem depressed?

Well, he was discouraged...
Why is that, Mrs. Calvin?

My husband worked very hard
for world peace! But no-one...

Mrs. Calvin, do you think...
GILCUDDY: You're not letting her answer!

You've got to give her a chance.
No-one else seemed to care!

No-one did anything!
Now, that's enough!

Mrs. Calvin...
Mrs. Calvin, one more question:

No man in America today is
regarded in just the same manner

as was Charles Stewart Calvin,

holding himself aloof
from political ties

and therefore
from political office,

Calvin was courted by
conservative and liberal alike.

But in his own words
from a speech filmed

less than two months ago...

"The only political philosophy
I recognize is...

world peace."
[TEPID APPLAUSE]

Lookit here: a beautiful,
brand-new kitchen.

Larry, let's show her, shall we?

First, this automatic
time range,

all built in
for your convenience.

And I know you like to cook.

And over in the corner here
Larry, too, and Mrs. Lewis,

a self-defrosting
refrigerator.

Right next to that,
an automatic washer and dryer...

All in matching colors...
And that's not all.

A "sanitarized" dishwasher,
for you too, Mrs. Lewis.

This automatic mixer,
juicer and blender,

and a 10-cup coffee maker... and it's all
yours with our compliments, Mrs. Lewis.

Take it from us...
Right, audience?

[CLICKS]

[OPERATOR'S VOICE]
I'm sor...

...not in service
at this time.

The number you have reached
is not in service at this time.

This is a recording. I'm sorry,
the number you have reached

is not in service at this time.

[TELEPHONE RINGING]

[RINGING]

Yes?
David.

It's me, Josephson.

[CHUCKLES] Well, I was
just trying to call you,

but the phone was
disconnected or something.

You sure? What number
did you call?

Digby 4-4762. Digby? We haven't
used Digby in almost two years now.

They switched us to Hanover.

What'd you do, cookie?
Forget?

[LAUGHS]
Yes, I-I guess so.

Not enough beddy-bye,
if you ask me.

Too much would be
more like it. I overslept.

That's why I'm late.
Late? Late for what?

I heard you wouldn't be
in at all for a few days.

You're supposed to be taking a
cruise to the islands or something.

There won't be any questions.

Hey, Dave... are you
still there, baby?

Yes. Yes, I'm still here.

Josephson, if you heard I was
taking a cruise to the islands,

why did you call?

I didn't know what time
you'd be leaving.

And I didn't want you to go
without saying aloha, bubi.

Well, save it,
bubi-baby-sweetie.

I'm not going.
Well, that's too bad.

I hear the weather
is gorgeous down there.

[PHONES RINGING]

The uh, desk sergeant
said that I should see you.

You makin' a complaint?
That's right.

Mm-hmm. Have a seat.

Look at that. Would you believe I
made all-city guard in high school?

Football?
Oh, fun-ny!

[CLEARS THROAT]
I'm Lieutenant Franklin.

I'm David Stil... Hold it. You'll
only have to tell me again.

O-kay... shoot.

I'm David Stillwell.
Double-L, double-L?

That's right.

Address? It's 140 E. 56th
Street, Apartment 7G.

[CLACKING]

Phone?
It's, uh...

It's Murray Hill...
something.

Well, it's the something part we're
interested in, Mr. Stillwell.

Care to make a stab at it?

Well, you see, I...
I live alone,

so there's no reason
for me to call it.

It's in the book.
Okay, I'll track it down.

Date and uh, place of birth.

Tell me, how many more of these
questions do I have to answer?

Just a couple. But you don't even
know what my complaint is yet.

And it's killin' me!

But let's both of us try to contain
ourselves a little longer,

until we get this finished, huh?

Now, how about it?
Date and place of birth?

Someone threatened to kill me
unless I left the country.

Oops.
There, you've done it.

Don't you want to play
by the rules, Mr. Stillwell?

Now, look, I wasn't all-city
anything in high school.

All I know is that somebody's
trying to kill me.

And you want us
to do something, right?

Well, I think that's why I came in
here, if I can remember that far back.

Fine. And we will do
something, I promise.

Just as soon as we finish answering
these few, simple questions.

Like date and place
of birth, for instance.

Forget it.

Forget the whole thing.

You'll enjoy that.
It's eminently readable.

Stuck for the lot of them, huh?

I'll take it.
You won't regret it!

It gave me tons
of fresh insight.

Would it be possible to see
Dr. Broden right away?

It's quite urgent.

Who recommended you to this office, Mr.
Stillwell?

Dr. Ellman.
Max Ellman.

Just a moment, please.

Mr. Stillwell, the doctor
can see you in 40 minutes.

Thank you. If I came over now,
could I wait in the office?

Well, we're so close to
the park. Why not try that?

Many of the doctor's patients
find it very relaxing.

[BARKING]

[BARKING CONTINUES]

If it isn't Our Lady
of the Stairways.

Hello, David.

Why did you run away from me?

I wanted to talk to you.

What did you want to say?

Tell you how sorry I was
that I frightened you.

You're still
frightening me, David.

Where did you go?

I just ran.
I followed you.

And I called.
Didn't you hear me?

I heard you.

I followed you down
four flights of stairs,

but I couldn't find them
when the lights came back on.

I think you're mistaken.

Someone's gone to a great deal of
trouble to make me think so, too.

Are you following me?

Not at the moment.
You're following me.

What did the police say?

Nothing.

You left this
in the phone booth.

You can have it. It's
uh... "eminently readable."

I don't need my head
examined, David.

You read that wrong. "Don't
need my head examined, David."

Who did you call?

Whom!
Objective case.

There's my trouble right there.
I never could be...

very objective.

Have you got
something to tell me?

[GROWLING]

And you only wanted to look.

The way you're looking at him.

We both seem to be
having pronoun trouble.

It's a "her."

I don't usually
make that mistake.

[LOW GROWLING]

Have you noticed how they use
every inch of space in the cage?

She's making it
as large as she can.

She's looking for a way out.

No.

Not anymore.
She's just waiting.

For what?

Her keeper.

[GROWLING]

I really don't know you.
I wish you'd believe that.

I believe it.

Who's the Major?

If you don't know, my telling
you isn't going to help.

Be careful, David.

[SNARLING]

I'm Mr. Stillwell.
I called.

Oh. Go right in, Mr. Stillwell.
Doctor's expecting you.

You won't find a couch,
Mr. Stillwell.

I'm a consulting psychiatrist,
not an analyst.

Didn't Dr. Ellman
tell you that?

Uh, no, he didn't.

Well, I...

I don't wonder. Ellman's
been dead for 12 years.

Yeah, well, maybe that's why
he didn't say very much.

Why did you agree
to see me, then?

Well, why not?

You picked both our names
from that foolish book.

That's the only connection
Ellman and I ever had.

He was a Freudian.

I, on the other hand,
am a genius.

There, you see? I now longer
suppress my outrageous egotism.

Now, what do you want to know?

Whether or not I'm insane.

Ah. "Insanity" is
a legal term, you understand.

Not a medical one.

If you know the difference
between right and wrong,

the law considers you sane.

Do you know that difference?
Between right and wrong?

Well, they're hardly
constant factors, doctor.

I can probably give you
five minutes on good and evil.

Now those aren't
legal or medical terms.

"Good" and "evil"
are theological concepts.

The only thing that matters
in psychiatry, Mr. Stillwell,

is behavior.

Could you tell me of any behavior which
might make you doubt your rationality?

Well, among other things,

I've walked down four flights
of stairs which weren't there.

[LAUGHS]
Good, marvelous!

Had you been drinking?
No.

Taking drugs?
No.

Ah! Then, either
the stairs were there,

or you didn't walk
down them... you see my point?

Vividly.

Tell me something,
Mr. Stillwell.

Why did you have to look through
a book to find a psychiatrist?

Why didn't you ask
your regular doctor?

No, I don't have a doctor.

Oh? Well, you could have
asked a friend, certainly.

You have friends, I presume?

Well, everyone has friends,
Mr. Stillwell.

I think you'd better tell me
something about yourself.

It isn't every day I meet
a man with no friends.

What would you like to know?

Well, who you are, what you do,
where you come from.

Date and place of birth?

Well, Mr. Stillwell?

[CHUCKLES]

There are some things that this,
uh, data processing can't help.

Why are you afraid of
questions, Mr. Stillwell?

Police wouldn't help me either,
unless I answered all of theirs.

The police? Then the trouble isn't
totally in the mind, is it?

Now what do you do,
Mr. Stillwell?

Cost accounting.
Oh, why is that?

Why not?

I ask you why,
and you ask me why not.

Philosophical, perhaps,
but hardly productive.

There are many reasons why I can't
think of you as a cost accountant.

So I'm curious as to how
and when you became one.

It was two years ago.

I went to Garrison, Ltd.,
downtown in the Unidyne Building.

I was interviewed by a Mr. Josephson,
and he found me acceptable.

What did you do before that?

I don't know!

I don't think I understand.

You don't know what you were
doing two years ago?

Yeah. I haven't thought
much about it. Lately...

Oh, now, now, now,
come, Mr. Stillwell.

Two years isn't
such a long time.

Uh, what were you doing
the day before you got the job?

- I don't know.
- The week before, then.

- I don't know.
- The year before!

I can't remember.

I see. Why didn't you come right
out and say so in the first place?

Well, I... I don't think
that I actually...

realized it until just now.

Are you trying to tell me you've been
suffering from amnesia for two years,

and never suspected that fact
until this very minute?

Yeah.

Yes, it rather looks
that way, doesn't it?

Well, I'm sorry, doctor. I don't
like it any more than you do.

Mr. Stillwell, I'd appreciate
it if you'd leave my office.

Right now!
Well, wha... what?

What is this, some sort
of a new shock treatment?

It's good-bye treatment,
Mr. Stillwell.

I don't know what your game is,
and I'm not very anxious to play.

You're obviously in some sort
of trouble with the police,

and you've come to me
to establish a tricky defense!

Now just a minute.
Will you please just...

There is no such thing as the
sort of amnesia you describe.

There never has been,
and there never will be.

Surely in some cases...
Never!

Unconscious amnesia can
exist for an hour or two.

Sometimes, on rare
occasions, a day or two.

But two years?
Impossible!

Uh... will you please listen?
I'm through listening!

You come recommended by a dead
man, and you invent amnesia.

Well, I'm not going to help you
trick the police or anyone else.

Now, good-bye.

Save your money,
Mr. Stillwell.

If that's your name.

You'll be needing a lawyer now.

To hell with you, Doctor.

To hell with you too,
Mr. Stillwell.

Now, what were you doing
the day before you got the job?

Or the week before, then?

The year before?

It isn't every day
I meet a man with no friends.

[HORN HONKING]

Yeah?

Yes, sir?
AAA Detective Agency?

Triple-A, that's right. Puts
me first in the yellow pages.

Until somebody comes along with
four A's, anyway. [LAUGHS]

You're sellin' something?

No. You are.

Oh!

You want any?
Can we talk about it?

Sure, sure.
Come on in.

The secretary's out to lunch,

and my partner's on a case...
My name is Caselle.

Who recommended you to this office, Mr...
Stillwell. David Stillwell.

I saw the sign. Oh! Sit down.
Sit down, please.

[CLEARING THROAT NOISILY]

Like a smoke?
No thanks.

Now then, sir.
What can I do for ya?

For openers, you can
find out who I am.

Sure.
You're David Stillwell.

That'll be uh, ten bucks.

Maybe I'd better
wait for your partner.

Now wait a minute.
Relax, Mr. Stillwell.

That's what is known
as "breaking the ice."

Well, I don't want a date,
Mr. Caselle. I need some help.

I'm willing to pay in advance.

Cash?

What else? A sack of flour
and some colored beads?

I don't take
any postdated checks.

How much?

Five hundred dollars,
plus 25 a day expenses?

We'll have to go to my bank. What
are we dawdling around here for?

But... Don't you want
to hear about it first?

Sure, in the taxi.

Well, uh... What about your secretary?
Don't you want to

leave her a note?
or something?

I'll tell you the truth, Stillwell.
I don't have a secretary.

There isn't any partner, either.

As a matter of fact,
sir, you're my first case.

Terrific.

One hundred, 2, 3, 350, 4,

55, 50, 70, 90...
600.

Thank you, Mr. Stillwell.

Five hundred, plus 50
for two days' expenses.

I think you better keep it.
The deal's off.

[MUMBLING]
What happened to you?

I been thinkin' about what you told me.
I been trying to decide

whether you're lying
or you're just crazy.

That cabbage there
tells me you're crazy,

so I can't help ya.

Listen, Caselle.

For the past two years...
I've been completely alone.

Eating alone, spending
my nights and weekends alone,

and I never questioned it.

Not once in two years.

I have to know why.

Make listening noises, will ya? Nod
your head or grunt or something?

All right.
Give me the money.

I'll earn this.
I got a sneaky feeling,

even if I don't do anything,
I'll still earn it.

Here. I'll take half of that.
I'm not in the 5-C class yet.

Incredible, the way you
fill a man with confidence.

Come on.
A deal's a deal.

Considering that
I'm your first case,

maybe you'd like me
to have the money framed!

Don't bother. I'm hungrier
than I am sentimental.

Where should we start?
Your place.

We ought to be able to
tell something about you,

just from seein'
the way you live.

You know, when I was
repairing refrigerators,

I found out that I could
read a man's character

pretty well, just by seeing
what he's got in his icebox.

[LAUGHS]

What's so funny?
[CHUCKLING]

DAVID: Take a look. My
whole life's in there.

Looks like a pretty
full life, if you ask me.

But it was empty, Caselle. I
swear there was nothing in it.

You could at least look
like you believe me.

I'm tryin', pal.
I'm tryin'.

Hey, what about the stuff
that Chubby left behind?

The, uh, the hat and the gun.

Can I take a look at those?

Maybe this is
not your apartment.

Nice try.

I tell you one thing, it's kinda scary.
[CHUCKLES]

You don't even talk
like a detective.

Hey, Stillwell.

Who else knows
about your amnesia?

No-one, except you
and Dr. Broden.

No-one else?

Well, I just realized
it myself, how could any...

If you really don't know,

my telling you
isn't going to help.

She knows. The girl
I told you about.

That's why she followed me
today, to make sure.

Yeah, well, if she knows,
then anybody could know...

Including the Major.

What about your dispatch case?

[LAUGHING] Well, maybe the
brownies came in during the night.

Well, if this thing really
was empty... It was empty.

The question is, why
did they fill it up again?

Maybe they did it
for my benefit.

Stillwell: what if they fixed it so's
I'm not supposed to believe you?

What-What if I'm supposed to write
you off as a nut and walk away?

What if someone wants you
playin' this thing all alone,

without any help?

What if I am a nut?

No, I don't think you're
nuts enough to imagine

that big fellow that's been following
us ever since we left the bank.

I didn't see anyone.

You're not being paid to.

Wouldn't it be hilarious if you
did know what you're doing?

Yeah. Then how come
I don't know what to do next?

Well, uh...
Pretend your James Bond.

He always knows. Hey, maybe we
ought to get something to eat.

I'm dyin' for
a peanut butter sandwich.

Forget James Bond. Then we could
take a look at your office.

What's the name of that place?

Garrison, Limited.

Tell you one thing: I'm
beginning to wish I had a gun.

You're kidding! Ah, the filthy
things, I can't stand 'em.

You have one, and sure as
shootin, ' you end up usin' it.

Beautiful.

Well, it's just
around the corner.

Hey!
Charles Calvin?

Hey, you didn't tell me
about that?

So?
Did you know Calvin?

No! What do you think
happened to him?

Look, you can start on his case as
soon as you're finished with mine.

Do you want to see my office or not?
Okay! Okay.

Right there, huh?
Yeah.

That wall doesn't look like it
was built recently, Stillwell.

Looks like it's been
there a long time.

I tell ya, there was a door there. I
passed through it thousands of times.

Take is easy.
Take it easy, will ya?

Are you sure you got the right floor?
Yes, I'm sure.

Somebody's changed it.
Why?

I don't know? What do
you think I hired you for?

Conversation, you said.
Then, let's hear some.

I tell you, there
was an office there.

I worked in it for two years.

I left it less
than 24 hours ago.

Face it, will ya, Stillwell?
There's no door there,

and there hasn't been one
for a lot longer than 24 hours.

[SIGHS] I don't need a detective.
I need a keeper.

You better get out of here, Caselle.
This is my own private nightmare!

Ah, if I quit now, I'll start
dreamin' about it myself.

Come on, let's look into
those four flights of stairs

that aren't there either.

Here.

Where'd you meet that maintenance man?
Right through there.

Tell me some more about him.

Well, he wore...
steel-rim glasses.

He weighed about... The man who's been
following us wears steel-rim glasses.

[BOILERS WHIRRING]

Yo! Stillwell!
Stand over there.

I'm jumpin' off to the left,
you go off the other side.

I said "Move!"
Go!

[GUNSHOT]

For God's sakes,
Stillwell, jump!

[GRUNTS]

[GUNSHOTS]

[GUNSHOTS]

[THUMPING]

Why didn't you jump?

I'll tell you one thing:
this is no private nightmare.

This guy is real.
And so is this gun.

Let's see what else
he's carryin'.

What do you you
think that means?

♫ [SINISTER]

Mind if I keep it?
No, no. I don't mind.

He's not objecting either.
Let's get out of here

before he does.

Turtle.
Where?

Joe Turtle.

All right, I'll play:
Peter Cottontail.

No. That man over there.
His name is Joe Turtle.

You know, every time
I decide you're sane,

you come up with
something like that.

He knows me.
He knows I work here.

Joe?

Could you use a drink?
Easy.

♫ [COCKTAIL JAZZ]

Good evening.
Hi.

The Scotch and lemon peel.
Thank you.

Uh, I'll have
a Dr. Pepper.

That figures.

Stillwell, what does
a cost accountant do?

I don't know.

There are many reasons why I can't
think of you as a cost accountant.

I don't know what
a cost accountant does.

Haven't the faintest idea.

You don't look very surprised.

Why? Because for
the past two years,

you've been doing something
you don't know anything about

in an office that doesn't exist?

What's there to be
surprised about?

Thank you.

Now what do we do now?

Start diggin'.

I'm kind of curious about
Charles Calvin, for instance,

and why he went
through that window.

Why Calvin?
I didn't even know him.

Maybe not. But your nightmare
began at almost the exact moment

his ended.

No, wasting your time.

I don't mind.
You're payin' for it.

And listen, while
I'm getting rich,

you can go and find
Joe, um, Turtle,

or whatever his name is.

Well, suppose he's a dream too?

Never mind. Just find him.
And call me in my office

in about two hours, huh?

Would you...
like to have a drink?

No.

Then let's go.

Thank you.
Good afternoon, sir.

♫ [SOFT JAZZ]

Feel like talking?
Not just yet.

Let me know.

Do you really think it's
the city's fault? What?

What happens...

to people, what
it does to them...

Or have they done it
to themselves?

What's your name?
Shela.

Shela what?

Against the rules, huh?
Mm-hmm.

You'd think that I'd remember
someone like you.

You'd think.

How long has it been?

Two years...

How did it end?

Gracefully. You were much too
polite to call me names.

Did you deserve them?

I'd just as soon
you didn't remember.

I can't remember anything.
Yes, I know.

Shela, do you know
a man named Joe Turtle?

No more questions, David.
Why?

What do you think would happen
if you told me something?

You'd turn into a frog?
Let's not take the chance.

Shela! Who are you?

You've forgotten how
to be polite, too.

David! Give it
to me, please!

Shela... I don't know
who I am.

I don't know who you are,
or who the Major is!

I'm confused and frightened.

Mustn't be upset when
I do things you don't like,

even if you do say please.

You belong to
the Major, don't you?

[CHUCKLING]

People don't belong
to people, David.

They go quietly, on their own.

Shela, you've got
to tell me who he is,

and what he wants!

He can't have it both ways!

How can I give him anything if
I can't remember what it is?

Be grateful for that. Not
remembering is the only thing

that's keeping you alive!
But why?

Because...

you know something
you shouldn't about him.

But also, you have
something he needs.

That's why
he's taking a chance...

on keeping you alive
a little longer.

Have to write him
a thank you note.

That's why you're
here, isn't it?

You're riding scout,
keeping tabs on my progress.

All right, Major,
as of 7:30 tonight,

he's still a vegetable.
I don't want you killed!

Oh yes, of course,
you're doing it all for me.

And when I remember...

what will you do for me then,
when the shooting starts?

Stand in front of you.

Shela, help me now!
Now!

But how can I?
Help me find Joe Turtle.

He knows me. He knows where I work.
But for God's sake, David,

leave him alone!

Look, what-what good will
knowing do you if you're dead?

Is this any different
from being dead?

All right, David. I'll take
you where you want to go.

[HORN BLARING]

Incubator.

Have you lived here?

Name of the street's
different, that's all.

It's right in there.

I'll wait here for you.

[FEET ON STAIRCASE]

[KNOCKING]

MAN:
It's open.

Mr. Turtle?

TURTLE: Now isn't that the
silliest name you ever heard?

You hit too hard,
Mr. Stillwell.

I'm gonna have quite a
dentist bill because of you.

See that?

Where's Joe Turtle?

Search me.

But there's no point in both of
us waiting for him, is there?

So I'll just run along now.
What's Turtle got to do...

Stay away from me, Stillwell!

If you touch me again, I'll...

Isn't temper an awful thing?

If, uh, you get bored
waiting, Mr. Stillwell,

try the bed...
not bad.

Better take this.
You might need it.

Be good now.

[WATER RUNNING]

What if someone wants you
playing this thing all alone,

without any help?

David?

You knew he was dead.

Why didn't you say so?

You said you were
the same as dead.

But you're not, David!

The way he is,
that's what dead is,

and that's what you'll
look like if you don't stop!

All right.
I've seen it.

But you haven't, Shela.
Come on take a look.

The police are coming! That's why
I came up... No, come on and look.

I want you to see a portrait
of the man you belong to:

"By the work,
you know the artist."

We've got to get out of here!
I said, a look!

Oh, no David, please!

That thing in there
used to be somebody.

Somebody who wasn't
any part of this,

except that he knew me and
would have said so. David!

He probably didn't even know
why it was happening to him!

You did it! There was nothing
I could do to stop it!

David, the police!
Please...

[SIRENS BLARING]
I said, look!

No, please!

[GASPS]
Now, look.

[DISTANT SIREN]
Ohh...

[WHIMPERING]

Where is he?
Where's the Major?

Where is he? The police.
They'll find you here.

You'll never be able to explain.
That's what he wants!

He wants!
Isn't that what you wanted?

You brought me here.
You set me up.

I could have left. I didn't
have to come up here.

[SIREN, CLOSER]

[SIREN, NEAR]

COP'S VOICE:
Right up there.

[KNOCKING]

OLDER WOMAN:
Yes?

There's been some trouble downstairs.
We had nothing to do with it...

I can't see or hear anything, mister.
I'm deaf and blind.

[DOOR SLAMS]

[SOFTLY] Where are your
mother and father?

Working.

What's your name?

Irene.

[FOOTSTEPS IN THE HALL]

[KNOCKING ON DOOR]

[KNOCKING HARDER]

[CONTINUES]

POLICEMAN: Trouble downstairs, ma'am.
You hear anything?

WOMAN:
Sorry, I'm deaf and blind.

[SIGHS] [SOFTLY] Oh, God. It
was stupid to bring you here.

I should have known
what he wanted to do.

That's why he let me come.

Why would he want me arrested?

Because he knows you couldn't
explain your way out,

that you'd have to go
to him for help.

Mm.

Then I'd belong to him, too.

Is that how it was with you?

Were you in trouble?

Is that how you got to him?

A smart girl like me?

I found the way all by myself.

[CROWD CLAMORING]

Coffee?

Well, you shouldn't
have bothered, Irene.

Glad she did.

I could use it.

[WHISPERS]
Thank you.

Thank you.

Where did you learn
to make such good coffee?

On television. It's the
best coffee I ever tasted.

It's "coffeeier coffee."
Aren't you having any?

I'm too young to drink coffee.

SHELA:
That's right.

Have you ever
been married, Shela?

I don't know.
Does playing house count?

Depends on how old you were.

About her age.

Doesn't count.

Maybe a little older.

Well, I think
we'd better be going.

Getting a little sleepy now?
Mm.

Irene...
What are you doing?

Well, thought I'd give
her a little something.

Tip, you mean?

Gratitude.

Then say thank you.

All right.

Thank you, Irene.
You're welcome.

Okay, young lady,
today is all over with.

[SIGHS]

Let's take your shoes off.

Come on, silly.
Crawl into bed, now.

[RINGING]

[RINGING]

SHELA:
David, don't answer it.

[CLOSES DOOR]
[RING]

Hello?

Hello?

Hello?

Probably Caselle.
Not very likely.

I was worried
when you didn't call.

Besides, I don't get a chance
to work on many locks.

Shela, this is Caselle,
boy detective.

I don't know his first name.

This is Shela...

I don't know her last name.

I'm sure the two of you
will be very happy.

Hiya. Ted Caselle.
Glad to meet ya.

Hey, did you find
your friend Turtle?

We found him. His head was beaten
in by the handle of a pistol.

How did you do?

I'll fix some coffee. You could
probably use the real thing this time.

Right in there. Yes,
I know where it is.

Hey, Stillwell.

Went to the 42nd Street Library,
and I looked up Garrison.

Hey, Stillwell. Are you listening to me?
Yeah. Sorry.

Went to the 42nd Street Library,
looked up Garrison, Ltd.

No such place. Not in the whole city.
Not in the whole country.

Never was.
Well, that's crazy.

Who's been paying my salary every
week for the past two years?

How do I know? Listen. Have
you ever been to California?

Uh, all you've got
is instant, okay?

Yeah! Instant, fine.

I live in New York.
I work in New York.

Why ask about California?

Caselle, what about California?

[LOW TONES] I found
a "Garrison Laboratories,"

in Brewster, California.

It's part of the Charles Calvin
Peace Foundation.

That's a non-profit organization
dedicated to world peace.

Rings no bell whatsoever.

No bell, huh?

How about this...

The head of Garrison Labs
is a man named Josephson.

Before taking over at Garrison,
Mr. Sylvester Josephson

was the head of
the Physiochemistry Division

at Unidyne.

Ding-dong?

Detectives don't have
to be funny, Caselle.

No matter what
it says in the handbook.

Can't help it. I'm
excessively happy-go-lucky.

Well, you better start practicing
some happy unemployment jokes.

I must have come
pretty close, huh?

Now what's that
supposed to mean?

You don't really want to
remember anything, do you?

Now look, if I want a psychiatrist,
I'll get one with a diploma.

Okay. Drop around tomorrow, pal,
and pick up your 500 bucks.

Oh, never mind that. You earned it.
Earned it?

Doin' what?

I want to tell you
something, Stillwell.

I woulda gone all the way to
the end of this thing with ya

because you were all alone
and needed help.

But I'm beginning to think
you're all alone for a reason.

You want to be.

Now, when you get tired
of it, let me know.

No, no. Wait, Caselle.

Uh... Listen
forget what I said.

It's been a rotten day.

Let's talk it over
in the morning.

Okay.

Where's your friend?

Oh, uh...

He was just being polite.

Hates instant coffee.

I can't say I blame him.

They might have included some
instant taste in along with it.

♫ [PEACEFUL, ROMANTIC]

How many times have
you been here, Shela?

A few.

Hey, you're staring.

Was I in love with you?

Or what?

"Or what," I suppose.

At least you never said so.

[SHOES HIT FLOOR]

Well, what did
we used to talk about?

The future, sometimes.
And the past.

Wasn't there any present?
Not much.

You're something
of a perfectionist, David,

and our present
wasn't exactly perfect.

Oh, was that my fault? Mm. Couldn't
help your attitude, I guess,

any more than I could
change what I believed in.

Which was what?
Survival.

[LAUGHS] You know, better
well-fed than dead?

And my attitude?
Hmm, disapproval.

Indignation,
something like that.

You could look very
stern when you wanted to.

Huh. A stern,
indignant perfectionist.

It sounds awful. I haven't come to the
charming, amusing, brilliant part yet.

Hardly wait.

Or the stubborn part, either.

[SIGHS] Oh, we're a pair of
mules, David, both of us.

The harder we pulled on
each other, the harder

we dug our heels in.

You wanted me to commit
first, without promises,

out of... principle.

I wanted the promises first.

Togetherness is just dandy, but I'd
just as soon have foreverness.

Is that what you think
you have with the Major?

The only kind of foreverness he hands
out is the kind Joe Turtle got.

Maybe Turtle believed
in survival, too.

I'm sure he did.

Well, I'm not impressed.

We were old-fashioned...
Turtle and I...

We don't exactly approve of our
murderer tucking you in at night.

Well, what do you know about it?

David, when you're
caught in quicksand,

you grab the first hand
that's held out to you,

and maybe you can't see how...

dirty the hand is, and
maybe you don't care, either.

And what do you want here?

Do you really think
that keeping me alive

will help buy back your soul?

Don't you know
why I'm here, David?

[SIGHS]

I only know
where you've come from.

It's not easy to change sides.

Help me to do it, please help?

I can't even help myself.

Love me, David.

Promise you'll love me.

Promise!

How can I make any promises when
I don't even know who I am?

All right, David.

You don't have to sign anything.

Let's just say
we're... we're in escrow.

What's wrong?
Don't you want me?

[KNOCKING]
Shela?

Love me, David. Promise
you'll love me. Promise.

FEMALE VOICE:
Watch your step, please.

Willard, the alley!

[TIRES SCREECHING]

LESTER: Go ahead,
Mr. Stillwell. Try it.

You'll be dead before
you hit the bottom.

Lester, why don't we tell the
Major that he tried it anyway?

Hear that, Mr. Stillwell?

Even Willard doesn't
like you very much.

Mr. Stillwell!
Are you all...

Oh!

[GRUNTS]

[CHOKES]

Get out of here
or I'll kill him!

I'll save you the trouble.

[SCREAMS]

[GUNSHOT]

[STARTS ENGINE]

[TIRES SQUEAL]

[HONKING]

[HONKING]

[CROWD YELLING, CHATTERING]

Excuse me.

Excuse me.

Why don't you stand here while I'm
listening to the traffic report.

Would you please move?
I'd like to go upstairs.

You're sure damn snotty.
I'm twice your age.

And I know a hell of a lot
more that you ever will,

even if you live to be my age.

Which you don't strike me
you ever will.

Look, I didn't ask
for your references.

All I want is for you to move!

Ahh!

Caselle?

[WHISPERS]
Caselle.

We're goin' across
the street, son.

Both of us.
Don't look so surprised.

There ain't any social security
in this line of work.

Git goin'.

You start something,
and I have to kill you

right here on this street, and that'll
cause a heap of trouble for me.

Suppose I don't care.
You care.

If I'm still scratchin' around
to keep alive at my age,

I figure you care
a lot at yours.

Besides, you wouldn't want
to cause no trouble

for one of our senior
citizens, would you, son?

We'll wait right here.

Willard'll be along with
the car pretty soon now.

All right, men.

See that tall fellow there
with yellow leaves?

BOYS: Yes! Who do
you think he is?

Cottonwood?

Excellent reasoning, Harold.

But unfortunately,
you're very much mistaken.

This is our
old friend, the Ginkgo.

Ginkgo.
Never heard of it.

On of the few trees
that can breathe

our dirty city air.

[BOYS LAUGHING] Maybe we'd
better wait over there.

Do you want it right here
with an audience?

All right, men.
Onward and upward!

You didn't grow old
in this business

taking those kind of chances.

Don't try me, son.

That was very interesting,
what you told the boys.

Of course,
occupation-wise,

Mother Nature offers
no real benefit

to their future as, uh, competitors
in society's marketplace.

[INHALES DEEPLY]
Smell that air, would you?

You'd never suspect that each year,
over 486,000 tons of impurities...

[HORNS BLARING]

[ECHOING]
David!

Who is it?

Josephson!

What do you want?

I'm sorry you're
having trouble, baby.

You deserved better. And you
don't have to worry about me.

Killing isn't my job. There are
plenty of people to do that.

What is your job?
Following instructions.

Please believe me, David. Sometimes
I don't like my instructions,

but I follow them.
Why?

The "M-a-j-o-r" pays me
three times what I'm worth.

You can understand that,
can't you?

What do you want?

We've looked everywhere for it.
You know that, David.

Looked for what?

Empty your pockets.
I'll stay right here.

Put everything on the ground
and then turn and walk away.

Suppose it's not in my pocket!

It doesn't matter.
You're all alone, David!

There's no-one to help you.
No-one you can talk to.

We'll find you again!

[GUNSHOT, RICOCHET]

There's nowhere to go, David!

You almost got me!
So?

[BRAKES SQUEAL]

[SCREAMING]

[NO AUDIBLE DIALOGUE]

Unconscious amnesia can
exist for an hour or two.

Sometimes, on rare occasions,
for a day or two!

But two years, impossible!

[BUZZER]

Didn't I make it clear that I
never wanted to see you again?

If there was anyone
else I could talk to,

I wouldn't be here.

Well. It appears I've decided to
grant you a few minutes of my time.

Very well, Mr. Stillwell.

What's on your mind?
What causes amnesia?

A severe shock, Mr. Stillwell.

Either physical or mental.

Mostly, we cause it ourselves.

We're afraid to remember
something, and therefore we don't.

Dr. Broden, I don't think I've
had amnesia for two years.

I don't think I've had it
for more than two days.

What makes you think so?

I remembered something.

Something that happened
less than two years ago.

Whoa-ho, bravo, bravo!
With amnesia, you must remember.

First it's a block,
then it begins to crumble,

bit by bit.

Two years without knowing it,
that was impossible.

But two days,
why that's something else.

But couldn't a genius like you
have seen that yesterday?

A medical man has to be very
careful these days, Mr. Stillwell.

Do you know that a doctor can't afford
to stop at a street accident anymore?

If we stop to treat
a seriously-injured man,

we are legally responsible...

and therefore
we must let that man

bleed to death on the street.

So you see, in today's
complicated world,

right becomes wrong
and wrong becomes right.

But in your case...
All right, Mr. Stillwell,

sometimes I do
something foolish.

There, you see? I can be humble.
[CHUCKLES]

Now. What do you remember?

I was standing under a tree...

in the country someplace,
not New York.

I was talking to a man...

Someone I'd forgotten
that I knew.

But now you remember him.

It was Charles Calvin.

Oh?

And this was less
that two years ago?

Yes.

Where was this tree,
Mr. Stillwell?

I'm not quite sure.

Close your eyes, please.

I want you to look
at that tree in your mind.

Can you see it?

Yes.

Now look around,
Mr. Stilwell.

What do you see?

It's the lab.

Garrison Laboratories.

Where?

It's in California.
It's a radiation lab.

Most of it's built underground.

And what does that mean to you?

I've been working there
for the past two years.

Well, what was a cost accountant
doing in a radiation lab?

I'm not a cost accountant.
I'm a physiochemist.

[SOFTLY]
I was working there.

On the fourth level.

The fourth level underground?
Yes.

Mr. Stillwell,

could those have been
the "stairs you couldn't find"

here in New York?

Go on.

[SOFTLY]
I can't.

What did you do
on the fourth level?

I don't know.

If you were there for two years,
when did you get back to New York?

The day before yesterday.

Now, where did you get
your apartment?

That's mine, I own it.

Then you lived in New York
before you went to California.

- Yes!
- Where did you work?

At Unidyne!

As a phsyiochemist?

Yes!

Doing what, specifically?

I don't know.

- Why did you go to California?
- I don't know!

Why did you come back
to New York?

I don't know!
Why do you go on asking

me these stupid questions?

What's wrong, Mr. Stillwell?

Don't you want to remember?

You don't really want
to remember anything, do you?

Yes I do, I do.

Of course I do!

I want to remember.

No, Mr. Stillwell.

No, you do not want to remember.

That's why you blacked it out.

Doctor, how sick am I?

You're not sick,
Mr. Stillwell.

You've been bruised.

When you bump your toe
in the dark, you're not sick.

But you do put a bandage on it,
in order to protect it

from further injury
while it heals.

Now, you've stubbed
your conscious mind.

And you've put a bandage
of forgetfulness on it,

until it recovers.

But you will remember
in spite of yourself.

It's the nature of the beast.

You are compelled
to pick at the scab

you've grown over the bruise until
you succeed in pulling it off.

But why did I think that I
remembered the past two years?

You didn't remember them.
You merely pretended to.

That was the bandage
you applied.

You created it in order to replace the
time you didn't want to remember.

The two years
in California, perhaps.

Why? Why?

These are strange times,
Mr. Stillwell.

From here on, you'll begin
to remember everything.

Bits and pieces
will fall into place

with increasing frequency.

If you have the courage
to face that terrible thing

that made you forget.

But whatever it is, I don't
want to know about it.

Good-bye, Mr. Stillwell.

You're a brilliant man, Broden,
and no doubt a good scientist.

But you're not much of a doctor.

Or a human being, either.

God knows.

Has the doctor made another
appointment with you, Mr. Stillwell?

You're late, David.

Terribly late.

Frances, I'm so sorry.
Yes, David. I know.

It's too bad
you missed the funeral.

It was lovely!

The governor came down
from Albany.

There was even a wire
from the president...

Everyone was there!

Everyone except David Stillwell.

I'm sorry I couldn't come.

The coffin was closed, you know?

Charles used to be
quite handsome.

But there was
nothing they could do.

After all, he did fall 27 floors.
Frances, stop it.

You know how much I'll miss him.

Will you?
You know what he meant to me.

It's all right, David.

I know what Charles was.

And so do you.

What do you mean?

Isn't that why you killed him?

What are you talking about?

Where were you that afternoon?

Why... I was in
my office, of course.

At Garrison.

What are you
talking about, David?

Garrison's in California.

You were in Charles's
office here, in New York.

I just had a call to come up
to C.C.'s office.

"C.C.'s Office."

There was no-one in Charles's
office when Josephson got there.

Not even Charles.

Just an open window.

That's impossible.

That's impossible!

But your nightmare began
at almost the exact moment

his ended!

No. I couldn't have
done anything to him!

I adored the man, Frances,
you know I did.

For God's sake, David,
what are you doing?

I loved him,
more than my own father!

David! Don't do it!

I would have done anything
he asked! Anything!

[SCREAMING]

You mustn't think
I blame you, David.

It was his face.

You didn't have to know who
Charles Calvin was...

to know the magnificent work
the man who wore that face

was capable of doing.

Where did this come from?

Well, Crawford
gave it to Charles.

Crawford?
Who's Crawford?

Crawford Gilcuddy.

You were there at the dinner, the
night he presented it to Charles.

What does it mean?

It's the motto of Unidyne.

Crawford's the president.

He knows!
He knows what happened!

Crawford?
Yes. The Major.

That's why I want you
to meet Crawford.

Unidyne will give you
greater opportunities

to work for world peace.

Greater than teaching
at the university.

The more scientists like you

that I can place with
organizations like Unidyne,

the greater the chances of one
day achieving a victory...

over human misery.

MAN:
David!

Why did you come here? You were right.
I had nowhere else to go.

It was foolish, bubi.
Very foolish.

And then some.

Uh...
I owe you some pain.

Mr. Will...
[GRUNTS]

California isn't the end
of the earth, David.

The foundation wants
to find a way...

to neutralize atomic radiation.

To make the peaceful uses
of nuclear energy

safer, for industry
and medicine.

I can get Crawford to give
you a leave of absence.

Please... stop!

Hello, Charles?
I'm sorry to disturb you.

I think I've found what
we've been looking for.

And if I'm right
about it, well...

why don't I fly back to New
York right away and see you.

You're the only one
I can talk to.

MAN:
Willard, that's enough.

I said that's enough.

I owe him!

[BLOWS LANDING]
Leave him alone!

[GUNSHOT, GLASS TINKLES]

Now, Josephson, get me a
cloth, would you please?

It was generous
of you to come, David.

I'll try not to hurt you, David.

Violence is something
new to you, isn't it?

Well, I can't say that I care
very much for it myself.

But, uh, more and more,
people seem to be...

Be craving it
as part of their lives.

Don't you think so?

Yes. That belonged
to poor Charles.

I had to come back, Charles.

I didn't know how to
handle something like this.

It's too big.
You're quite right, David.

It is too big.

That's why I want
Crawford to hear it.

I don't understand what
he's got to do with this.

Listen to him, David.

It's not gonna hurt you to listen to him.
[KNOCKING]

Ah, David!

This is a surprise! When did you get back?
This afternoon.

Sit down, Crawford.

David has made
a very interesting discovery.

He wants to tell you about it.

Of course, it's...
just the beginning.

But David assures me
that it checks out so far.

I don't suppose that
you can make anything more

out of that equation
than I have.

Where is it, David?

It wasn't in Charles' office,

after he was killed,
so I know that you have it.

Where is it?

Don't be foolish, David.
Tell him.

He's not going
to steal it, you know.

Are you, Major?
[CHUCKLES]

David has discovered
a method of neutralizing

nuclear radiation at the source.

The danger of radiation
will no longer exist.

Is that right, David?

I think so.

Are you talking about fallout?

Well, fallout is a term that applies
only to nuclear explosions.

Eliminating fallout would have a
great strategic value, David.

Yes, by making a clean bomb
that would be safer to use.

That's right!

But you know that you'd also
be making them easier to use.

Relax, David.

Missing the point, David. What you're talking
about has nothing to do with reality.

What I'm talking about is
saving lives, not taking them.

Or isn't there enough money
in peace these days?

You'd better have copies
made of this right away.

I want my physiochemistry
division to...

Put that down!

I don't work
for Unidyne anymore.

Or do I?

Why don't you
leave us alone, Major?

I think I can work
this out with David.

I want this settled,
before he leaves the building.

I'll do it my way.

And remember, David is
a very close friend of mine.

MAJOR: He was the best
friend you ever had.

He dragged you out of
that ivy-covered crypt

you'd buried yourself in, and
handed you a brilliant career.

And you repaid him, didn't you?

Damn you. Damn you,
you murdered him!

SHELA:
Major!

Leave him alone.

Shela dear, you... you mustn't
interfere where you're not concerned.

And when did you start
calling me "Major"?

I'm Crawford to my friends.

You never used
to call him "Major"!

I thought only his employees
called him that.

It's just an old habit.

Don't forget, we were
in the Army together.

Charles, tell me the truth.
Does your Peace Foundation

have any connection
with Unidyne?

Why would that
interest you, David?

Well, because a foundation doing business
with a profit-making organization

is illegal!

I can't respect any legality
that would impede progress.

We're being turned into statistics,
case histories and percentage points!

All in the name of progress!

Whatever happened
to human beings?

Is that what you want
to see, David?

Human beings?

Come here, David.

Look at them!

Do they look like human beings?

Or ants?

You're quite right, David.
They are statistics.

But I didn't do it to them.

I'm not responsible.
Maybe you are, Charles.

You're one of the leaders.

You have the power
to control progress,

and to protect human dignity.

Now what's this? Crawford's
way of keeping me

in the building until
you can soften me up?

Don't you see what he is, Charles?
Miss Paxton? Can you hear me?

Those people down there
aren't even ants to him.

They're articles of commerce.

That man computes human lives
in terms of dollars and cents!

He's made you
his prize salesman.

And I'm the cost accountant,
trying to cut down his overhead

with what you and he
call progress!

I won't let you
have this, Charles.

I'm tired of you, David. Just give me the
piece of paper and get the hell out of here.

How far would I get?
A block? Two?

I know about the connection between
Unidyne and the Foundation.

Which is a damn sight more than
Joe Turtle or Caselle knew.

At least I'll know
why I'm being murdered.

I want that paper.
Ah, I don't have it anymore.

[SNAPS FINGERS]
Pencil and paper.

You know what was
on the paper, David.

Write it down.

Willard?

Give me your gun, Willard.

I have removed
all of the bullets...

except one.

All right, Willard.
Slowly. One at a time.

Pick up the pen, David.

Willard?

[CLICKS]

I'm not impressed, David.

You're a scientist. You knew the odds
were in your favor for the first one.

But no-one is bluffing.

Not you. Not me.

And certainly not Willard.

Pick up the pen.

Willard?

For God's sake, David,
what are you doing?

Don't do it!

David, don't do it!

[SCREAMS]
Charles!

[SCREAMS]

[IMPACT]

DAVID:
I didn't kill him, Crawford.

You did!

You're still confused, David.

I wasn't there.
You were.

You were there, Crawford.
Your sickness was inside him.

You're a carrier.

You infected him
and he died from it.

And now it's your turn.

Unless you're interested
in staying alive.

No?

Willard?

Wait...
[GUNSHOT]

You... idiot!

You... damned idiot!

You just won't learn not to
interfere, will you, Shela?

You always were too extravagant,

but this time you're
going to pay the bill.

For once in your life,
you've chosen the wrong side!

Now then, David, you were
about to say something.

David, please give him
what he wants!

Is that what you want?

I want you alive.

You're wasting time, David.

What's wrong, Major?

You look nervous.

Why should I be?

That's what I want to know.

Josephson?

Hmm?

Is that who you're
worried about, Major?

Why should he worry about me?

Because, I'm not
on the hook anymore.

You are.

What are you talking about?

You've got the gun.

I... don't know anything
about killing, Major.

It won't be murder, Josephson.

David's intent
on committing suicide.

No good, Josephson.
There's no-one else.

He's alone except for you.

For once in your life,
you've got power.

Use it!

How?

He ordered two men killed.
That's first-degree murder.

We can get him, Josephson!

You and I!

Don't be an idiot, Josephson.

You'll have a job with Unidyne

for as long as you live.

[LAUGHS] And how long do
you think that'll be?

You've hesitated too long.

He'll remember that.

One phone call, Josephson,

and you're a wealthy man
for the rest of your life.

One phone call,
and it'll be too late.

You won't be alone anymore.
Don't, Major.

Please don't.

All right, Josephson.

You think about it.
[SETS PHONE IN CRADLE]

You think about it carefully.

Commit, Josephson!

If you're not committed to anything,
you're just taking up space!

Kill him.

If you can't, I will.

[BOTH SIGHING]

Are they making it tough for you?
No, I'm all right.

How about you?

Is Humpty-Dumpty
back together again?

I think so. All the
pieces seem to fit now.

Do you know...
why it happened?

I believed in
Charles Calvin so much

that I... I forgot

he was only a human being.

What are you going to do now?

Go back to work, I guess.

I don't suppose
you could use any help?

Who do you have in mind?

Well, you could run an ad
in the Times.

"Wanted: Extremely
lonely young lady...

"with a fairly low
opinion of herself,

"due to many mistakes...

willing to work
long, hard hours."

Think I'd get any answers?

You might.

Oh, David...

help me, please help me...

We'll help each other.

That's really what
it's all about anyway.

[♫]