The Dark Mirror (1946) - full transcript

(Ticks)

- Good morning, Lieutenant.
- Good morning, Temple.

They're all here.
How do you want 'em?

Give me the woman that reported it first.
The cleaning woman.

- Her husband's with her. The janitor.
- All right. Both of them.

- (Door opens)
- (Temple) You and your husband.

Sit down, please.

Oh... what was the man's name?

Dr Frank Peralta.

Dr Frank Peralta.
All right, what happened?

When I went in this morning to clean up,
it was, er... about half-past seven.



There he was, just lying there.

(Lieutenant) You live
at the same address, Mr Benson?

(Benson) That's right. Same floor.

- You saw Dr Peralta last night?
- Around ten o'clock.

He was coming in, I was going out.

- Was he alone?
- No, he had a young lady with him.

- You know the young lady?
- Never saw her before.

- Very pretty. Very nice-looking.
- Remember what she was wearing?

Some kind of a blue suit.
Flowers in her hair.

- Gloves?
- No, I don't think so.

But I don't remember exactly.

They were going in
up to his apartment presumably.

That's what I assumed, of course.

- Mm-hm. That was about ten o'clock?
- Around ten.



Think you'd know her
if you saw her again?

I think so. We met face to face.

I see.

What do you know about her,
Mrs Didriksen?

Well, I live in the apartment
just under Dr Peralta.

About 10:35 last night I heard this thud
on the floor above my ceiling.

- How do you know the time so well?
- I just turned on the 10:30 news.

I heard footsteps on the stairs outside,
so I opened my door a bit and looked out.

(Chuckles) I was curious.

Yes. I'm glad you were.
What'd you see?

A young woman, quite pretty,
past me and went out the front door.

From Dr Peralta's apartment.

Well, I suppose so.

But you didn't actually see her
come out of his door?

Hmm, I'm not sure,
but I don't think so.

Do you think you'd recognize her again
if you saw her?

Oh, yes, yes. I'm sure I would.

I got a very good look at her.
She passed into the light.

I see.

Your Dr Peralta's secretary?

I was.

What do you know about any plans
he had for last night?

He had an engagement for dinner
with a girl named Theresa Collins.

- You didn't care for Miss Collins?
- I know very little about her.

But I couldn't believe that Dr Peralta
was in love with her.

You mean he thought he was?

Oh, sometimes he did
and sometimes he didn't.

But she treated him so wickedly.
She kept him in such a state.

He was going
to propose to her last night, he said.

Theresa Collins.
You know where she lives?

No. But I can tell you
where she works.

She runs a magazine stand
in the lobby of the Medical Building

where Dr Peralta's offices are.

Were.

Mrs Didriksen, you go first.

Just look around.
See if you see anybody you know.

In the middle years,
but not a bad little number at that.

Keep your mind
on what you're doing, will you?

(Switch clicks)

You go out with me
and I'll buy you a steak.

Good enough for me.

- I ain't kidding.
- Neither am I.

Thank you.

When I get out of this monkey suit,
I ain't such a bad-looking guy.

(Switch clicks, lift bell rings)

Now, Benson, you go.

That's the girl, all right.
Behind the counter.

- Are you sure of it?
- Well, pretty sure.

Pretty sure?
Won't you swear to it?

I think so. Still, there's something...
Yes, I'll swear to it.

Well, I hope you'll remember that.

- Don't you remember me?
- Sure, if you want me to.

I remember you, all right.

- Where'd she go?
- How do I know? What about in there?

That's the girl, all right.
Behind the counter.

- You swear to it?
- Yep. On a stack of Bibles a mile high.

OK. Thanks.
We'll get in touch with you later.

Looks pretty good.

- Miss Collins?
- Yes.

I'm from the Police Department.

I, er... I beg your pardon.

Good morning, Doctor.

I wonder if you could show me
something in the line of lemon drops.

- How about lemon drops?
- That's a very good idea.

I don't know
how I can thank you enough.

Nut! (Chuckles)

(Cash register bell dings)

- I'm sorry.
- OK.

Do you mind telling me
how you spent last night?

- Why?
- Do you mind?

- No, but...
- From about eight o'clock on.

- What's it all about?
- Begin at nine.

- Will you tell me then?
- Yeah.

All right. I went for a walk
in Jefferson Park.

- Alone?
- Yes.

How long did that take you?

I got home about 11:30,
quarter to twelve.

For nearly three hours
you walked alone in the park?

Well, not exactly. For about two hours
I was listening to the band concert.

Then I strolled by the lake and sat
listening to the singing over the water.

Then I got chilly,
so I went on home.

In all that time
you never met anybody you knew?

- I didn't say that.
- Anybody who knows you I should say.

My butcher and his wife sat back of me
during the concert.

- Oh. What's his name?
- Mr Peterson.

Vine and 14th.
That's where his shop is.

Uh-huh. You speak to him?

Oh, sure. We're old friends.

- I can check, remember?
- All right, check.

Anyone else?

Yes, the park policeman
down by the lake.

We talked for quite a while.

You know his name and number?

No, but we know each other.
We've talked down there before at night.

What's he? Some kind of sweetheart?

Not till I get his name anyway.

- Well, the truth is...
- And a boy named Nat.

Nat de Groot walked home with me.

Where will I find him?

He works at the Tru-Value shop
at 15th and Vine.

And he actually walked home with you?

Go ask him if you don't believe me.

- I intend to.
- All right. Now what's this all about?

Dr Frank Peralta
was murdered last night.

Murdered?

Stabbed to death.
Straight through the heart.

- Doctor...
- Terry!

Help me.

Terry, what happened?

- Break it up. Break it up.
- Yes, sir. Folks, keep moving.

It's all over, lady. Keep moving.

Well, what do you want?

Hello. Frankie?

OK. She's all right now.

A little shaky, but OK,
the doctor says.

All right. Let her go.

Are you kidding?

'Course I'm not kidding.
It's a free country, isn't it?

You mean with two witnesses
that saw her smack at the place?

Against three
who saw her smack away from it.

Four smacking miles away from it.

I saw them.

Three solid tax-paying,
God-fearing citizens,

who know her and talk to her
all over Jefferson Park last night.

From nine o'clock till 11:35.

- Well, what do you know about that?
- I don't get it. I just don't get it.

Don't make any more sense to me
than Chinese music.

- Second floor front, Lieutenant.
- Thanks.

Can I come in?

- Certainly.
- Thanks.

How are you feeling now?

All right, thanks.

- It sticks, you know.
- It sticks?

The alibi.

Oh. Well, of course.
It's the truth.

That butcher, now.

- He couldn't be in love with you.
- No.

The cop might and the other guy,
but not the butcher I don't think.

Hmm. I don't think so, either.

- Guys fall in love with you, don't they?
- Some.

Peralta?

He was a very dear friend.
Very dear.

Why'd you quarrel with him?
The elevator boy heard you yesterday.

We differed about something.
Rusty never liked him.

Oh, Jealous?
You think Rusty might have killed him?

- Why?
- He was in love with you too, wasn't he?

For a policeman you spend a lot of time
thinking about love.

- Yeah, I'm a romantic type.
- Thanks.

You left-handed?

Excuse me.
Is this visit social or professional?

You gave the doctor his lemon drops
with your right hand.

I was born left-handed.

Most of the things I've learned to do,
I do right-handed.

I didn't like being left-handed.

The medical examiner figures
he was stabbed right-handed.

- What am I supposed to say to that?
- I'm just waiting to see.

- If you don't mind...
- We'll break it, you know.

This alibi. It may take time,
but I'll figure it yet.

For dough.

If you don't mind, I'd like you to leave.

I'm tired and I want to go to bed.
You and your...

(Woman) Oh, Terry?

So that's it?

My sister, Ruth.

Why didn't you tell me?

Excuse me.

(Terry) I was going to,
when the time came.

Everybody knows it, so there wouldn't
have been much use to hide it.

- Not at the Medical Building they don't.
- No, not there.

That was so we could take days off
when we wanted to.

When we didn't have another job.

Do you make a habit
of that kind of monkey business?

All twins do, now and then.

Well.

You're Terry and you're Ruth?

You've no idea
how much this relieves me.

That's nice.

I was beginning to think
I was losing my marbles.

It's not always easy to tell us apart,
that's true.

So I see. Which one now
was in Jefferson Park last night?

- One of us.
- That I know.

Which one is what I asked.

You or you?

Well, now there's no use stalling about it
because I'll get it out of you.

- So...
- How?

Look, you don't wanna make this
any tougher than it is, do you?

So let's have it and get it over with.

Which of you did which last night?

One of us spent the evening
in Jefferson Park.

The other stayed home
and went to bed early.

But how can that one prove that?

And that's all we're going to say.

Were you in Jefferson Park last night?

Are you gonna answer me or not?

I'm not.

It'll be all the harder for you
in the end.

- How?
- You can't get away with a gag like this.

- It's, it's...
- It's what?

Look, will you cut this nonsense out
and be sensible?

A man was murdered, you know.

I'll give you one more chance. This time
let's see if we can get somewhere.

Which one of you
stayed home here last night?

One of us spent the evening
in Jefferson Park and the other...

But what one did which
is what I'm asking.

Which one did which?

OK. I'll just have to run you both in.

- Are you allowed to play the field?
- What do you mean?

Can you throw any number of people
into court

and tell the judge to take his pick?

You're gonna look funny
explaining that even to a lawyer.

What lawyer?

The one that's coming
to the police station

if we're not here
to answer the phone tonight.

- You're pretty smart, aren't you?
- Not dumb.

Well, listen to this. Did you ever hear
of a charge called obstructing justice?

- Yes.
- Would you like to reconsider?

Me or her?

Look, will you tell me one thing?

- One of us.
- Will you cut that out?

Is there no way at all
of telling you two girls apart?

We're identical.
I thought I told you tha...

It's all right, dear.
He's not going to do anything.

You don't think so, huh?

No, I don't. I know what our rights are
and so would a judge.

One is the constitutional right, not
to say anything that might incriminate us.

Constitutional right, she says.

And will you please leave or
do you want me to call our lawyer now?

OK, I'm a policeman, not a lawyer,
so I'll give you this round.

But just one round, remember?
So don't try to duck out or anything

because we're gonna unravel
this thing yet.

The law's never been licked yet
by one of these Rube Goldberg defenses

and it's not gonna start with this one.

Bring a warrant next time
with a name already written in.

Did you read up on this
before you did it?

Never mind telling me.
I don't wanna hear it.

- Er... I forgot to tell you, Lieutenant.
- Yeah?

It's two of 'em. Two twins.
Did you get that?

- Yeah, I got that.
- Look alike the fellow was telling me.

Some people
can't even tell them apart, he said.

- Can't they, really?
- That's the way twins are, you know.

Yeah, thanks. I can see
you got your eyes open, all right.

I try to keep on my toes
as much as possible, Lieutenant.

And don't think
we don't appreciate it, either.

Good night.

Good night, Lieutenant.

Thank you, sir.

It's no use. There isn't even a piece
of print on this handle.

- Gloves?
- Could be.

There ought to be a state law
against the sale of gloves to murderers.

You know what they'd do
in the old days.

That's no good.
Ladies bruise too easy.

- Get me Judge Hill.
- Yes.

Judge Hill.

- Lieutenant, I was just thinking.
- Yeah?

I was just thinking maybe one of these
babies has got a birthmark somewhere

and I was just wondering if it might
not be a good idea if I ran back there

and made a kind of a thorough
examination of both of them?

Just an idea.

If you're through with the comedy relief,
here's a list of witnesses I want.

Have them here at nine o'clock
tomorrow morning, sharp. Got it?

- Got it.
- (Phone rings)

Hello, Judge. Er... Judge Hill,
Lieutenant Stevenson, Detective Bureau.

I want a couple of warrants
for Ruth Collins and Theresa Collins.

That's right.
Charge: suspicion of murder.

Yes, sir. Both of them.

What?

I'm gonna hang numbers on their backs
like football players.

All right. Bring her in.

- (Officer) Where do you live, Collins?
- 492, Kendale Avenue.

(Officer) Have you ever
been arrested before?

- No.
- (Officer) Turn around.

That's her, all right.
No question in the world.

- (Lieutenant) Bring her in.
- Know her in a million. Came to me...

- (Officer) Your name Theresa Collins?
- It is.

(Officer) You two girls
are held in suspicion of murder.

What have you got to say?

Neither one of us intends to say anything
until we've talked to a lawyer.

Well, how do you like that?

Know her in a million, huh?

What do you think, Doc, really?

No idea, Rusty. It's hard to believe
she could've done such a thing.

Oh, she didn't.
I know she didn't.

Those guys are crazy.

Er... you better have a lemon drop.

It's good for the nerves.

- (Buzzer rings)
- (District Attorney) 'Send them in.'

Will you go in, please?

Well, they're not gonna get me
to say one word against her.

I knew her too well.

(Both chuckle)

We're sorry, Rusty.

Dr Elliott, Mr District Attorney.

- Thank you for coming over.
- Not at all, sir.

Sit down, will you?

I don't think this is gonna
take us very long, Rusty.

You told Lieutenant Stevenson
that you saw Dr Peralta and the girl

at the magazine stand
talking and apparently arguing

on the morning of the day
Dr Peralta was killed.

- That right?
- Er... yes, sir.

Can you tell me which girl that was?

- No, sir.
- You're sure of that?

Well, I didn't know
that there were two of 'em.

Quite a coincidence, Doctor.

Er... quite.

Scott Elliott, psychologist.

BA, MD and PhD.

Author of "Twins: A Clinical Study.

"Mental Traits of Identical Twins.
Twins and Siblings."

All published
by the State University Press.

Your own particular field, in fact.

Well, I have devoted quite some time
and study to the subject.

Did you know they were twins
in this case?

No. One at a time twins look
a good deal like, er... like singletons.

Incidentally, is there any foundation
for the old popular belief

that twins are usually penalized
in some way by nature,

either physically or psychically?

No, no. That's a superstition.

Well, that clears that up.

Lieutenant Stevenson reports
that you had a conversation

with Dr Peralta that morning.

Would you mind
repeating what was said?

He asked me if I'd ever come across
a case of split personality.

Go on.

Well, of course I told him I had.

Then he asked if there was
ever any danger in such a case.

He used the word "danger"?

Yes. Or if I thought
all that kind of thing was exaggerated.

To which you replied?

I told him I couldn't say.

Well, I couldn't answer him
with a generality

when it was obvious
he had something specific in mind.

Er... then he said something, er...

Oh, "I had a battle with her this morning
and I'm seeing her tonight.

"It's rather important."
And we separated.

- Seeing whom tonight?
- Miss Collins, I supposed.

Which one?

I have no idea.

Well, then can you tell me now
which one of these girls

was behind the counter
that morning?

No.

That's all. Thank you very much, ladies
and gentlemen, for helping us out here.

- Thank you.
- Thank you.

Take the girls outside for a moment.

(Overlapping conversations)

You see?

You're going to let them
get away with it?

What else can I do?

You haven't a witness
that can tell one girl from the other.

I wouldn't have
a ghost of a chance in court.

A kid just out of law school

could make a monkey out of me
with a setup like that.

I couldn't even get an indictment
from the grand jury.

- They'd want to know which one too.
- But one of them murdered him.

I'm sure of it and you tell me which one.
I'll put her in the chair.

I've as much concern for the proper
operation of the law as you, Lieutenant,

but in this case we're helpless.

If you have no more evidence
than you've shown me,

it would simply be a waste of time
to take it into court.

OK.

Let have them back.

Come in.

(Door closes)

One of you women is a murderess.

You've killed a man in cold blood.

The other is an accomplice.

But the law upholds your refusal to give
any testimony under the circumstances.

It also forbids the indiscriminate
prosecution of more than one person,

in order to make sure of one guilty one.

This protection now enables you

to become parties to an outrageous
and shameful miscarriage of justice.

I have no words adequate

to express my contempt
and abhorrence for both of you.

Now, get out.

We're free?

(District Attorney) You're free.

Goodbye, Lieutenant.

Au revoir, Miss Collins.

(Door opens)

(♪ Classic)

(Buzzer rings)

Remember me? Stevenson.

Of course, Lieutenant.
Come on in.

- Er... sorry, Stokey.
- (Turns music off)

I don't mind ordinary music.
It's the wonderful stuff that bores me.

That's snobbish, you know.

Well, this is an ordinary place.

- Where are the gimmicks?
- Gimmicks?

Don't you witch doctors
treat people with tinker toys?

(Chuckles) They're in the laboratory
at the university.

What about that office
at the Medical Building?

Just a convenient place
to get case histories.

I don't practice, really.
Will you have a lemon drop?

- Er... no, thanks.
- Sit down.

Thank you.

Ever given any thought
to this twin case?

I supposed you'd given that one up.

Uh-uh. No. Not me.

Not me, personally.
This is on my own time.

- You don't look ambitious.
- It's not ambition. I'm just peculiar.

I don't like a perfect crime.
Not even in books.

I don't like to think things
are organized that way,

so somebody can beat a square rap.

Yes, I've thought about it.

I rather like those girls.

Or one of them anyway.
She seemed very nice.

You don't know which one?

Hmm.. no, I'm afraid not. I never
had a chance to talk to them together.

Do you think you'd know if you did?

I imagine so.

You couldn't tell that day
in the D.A.'s office?

No.

You see... the whole thing
just burns me to a crisp.

Why? How do you know
somebody else didn't do it?

I don't. In the meantime I'll play along
with the twins. At least one of them.

One of those girls
could knock off that guy off

on the corner of Broad and Main,
with 50 witnesses

and we still couldn't hang it on her.

No, I guess not.

I could be in that room myself

and see her plant that knife
with my own eyes

and I couldn't make it stick
unless I grabbed her by the wrist

and held on to her
until I had her in solitary.

I just can't bear it, I tell you.
I can't bear it.

- So?
- So... first, tell me this.

You're a twin expert.

Do you know anything whatever
about those two dames

that would give me a chance
to begin to work?

- Well, sure.
- What?

- The crime.
- The crime?

Well, of course. You don't suppose just
anyone can commit a murder, do you?

You're going to have
to be very patient with me.

Just what do you mean by that?

Character, personality.

Not even nature can duplicate character,
even in twins.

I interviewed a pair of twins one time so
alike that dogs got mixed up about them.

Once living 1,000 miles apart,

they both got toothaches
in the same tooth

and each one
had that tooth pulled out.

Do you know
why they were living that far apart?

Why?

Because one was lecturing
at a big eastern university

and the other was serving a stretch
in Leavenworth.

Different characters.

I see.

It's the... It's the same here, I should
say, if you're right about these girls.

One could
and one couldn't commit murder

and... well, that's all there is to it.

Yeah, that's all there is to it.

Constitutional rights.

Oh, well. Another thing.

Do you often interview twins?

Often. But not for the police.

What about the one you've liked?

- What about her?
- Suppose she's innocent?

There's no particular reason to believe
she's in danger if that's what you mean.

Living with a killer?

It's really not my business,
that kind of thing.

If one of them kills that way
with a knife,

don't you think there's a chance
she'd kill again, her sister,

if she ever became nervous about her?

- No doubt about it.
- I'll never ask you the name or proof.

- I'll bet not.
- I swear it. On anything you say.

Someday you call me and say you
found the answer and I'll be satisfied.

- Why?
- I've already told you.

Because then I'll know
there's no such thing as a perfect crime.

The system worked.
You still can't beat a square rap.

Social regularity, huh?

If that's your name for it.

Well, it's out of the question,
the whole idea.

I'm not a detective
and there's no reason whatever

to assume I could be
of the slightest help to her.

Besides, I didn't say
I was in love with the girl.

I simply said I liked her.

How do I know
she wasn't the one who did it?

You can't look at a person
and tell a thing like that.

For all I know she may have been
killing people for years. Both of them.

All I said was
that she was very pleasant, very nice

and it's...
it's not easy to believe that...

Why, Mr Lemon Drops!

- Well, it couldn't be anybody but Terry.
- How are you, Doc? Glad to see you.

- Thanks. You too. Oh, here.
- Thanks.

(Ruth) Still chomping
on that cast-iron candy?

I've told you before,
I don't chomp it.

I wear 'em down.

Well, no wonder I never got it.

Didn't you really?
An expert like you?

No. Obviously,
you were both wonderful.

(Ruth) Oh, I'd almost forgotten
there was such a thing as kidding.

- Things haven't been so good, eh?
- Not so good.

You saw the papers. Those pictures.
We're celebrities now.

- No work you mean?
- One look at our face and pfft!

They don't forget.
Not in this town.

That's a little rugged.

Well, you can't blame them.
You saw what the District Attorney said.

I wish you wouldn't say things like that!

But he knows. He must have
read the papers. Everybody else did.

I know, but...

Well, then maybe my idea,
that is the real reason why I'm here,

maybe it's some good to you
as well as me.

How do you mean?

Well, I'd like to add you two
to my collection.

Of twins.
I'm the old twin student, remember?

And I'd like very much
to add you girls to it.

Well, I'd pay you something,
of course, not much,

but it'd only be an hour or so
each day at your own convenience.

We did that once
when we were kids in Chicago.

Then you know generally what it is.

Physical, verbal, psychological.
The standard stuff.

Are you quite sure
you're not doing this for the police?

I was gathering data on twins
before I ever met a policeman.

I was doing it long before
I laid eyes on either of you girls.

It's been my main preoccupation
in research for years

and I'll probably still be doing it
after you're both married

and settled down
with twins of your own.

Er... which you're very likely
to have, you know.

What exactly is your purpose in this?

The purpose of all research: to learn
as much as possible about the subject.

In this case, to add to my knowledge
of identical twins.

(Terry) And you'd pay us?

25 dollars a week. Apiece.
Well, that's the customary allowance.

And... and for that I'd expect you
to come to the laboratory,

at least three times a week,
separately,

for not more than two hours, anyway,
on each visit.

What do you think?

I don't think we're interested. I don't
like the idea of being a guinea pig.

I don't want to press you
if you're afraid in any way.

We have nothing to be afraid of, Doctor.

Nothing but snoopers.

Well, in that case,
there's nothing more to be said.

I'm sorry if I've given that impression
and I apologize.

- I'm sorry too.
- I think we should do it.

I don't think Dr Elliott's a snooper.

And I know of no other reason why
we shouldn't. We could use the money.

You don't mind being asked
a lot of... personal questions?

Why should I?

Or why should you?

If it's for a good purpose,
I think we should do it

because there's no reason to fear it,
because we do need the money

and because,
well... we've always liked Dr Elliott.

Both of us.

Well, then let's leave it like this.

Talk it over between yourselves
and call me.

I hope you can see things Terry's way,

but if you can't, I'll understand
and no harm done.

- Goodbye now.
- Goodbye.

Goodbye, Terry.
I hope I'll be seeing you both soon.

- Goodbye, Doctor. We'll call you.
- Please do.

What's the matter with you?

Do you think that was very wise?

Why? What are you afraid of?

I'm not afraid. It's...

Don't lie about it,
you are afraid.

You're more and more afraid
every day. Why?

Terry, you know very well what it is.

You think I killed him.
Why don't you admit it?

But I don't. You know I don't.

Then why are you so frightened?

If they knew which one of us
was in his apartment that night,

you know what that would mean.

He proposed to me there and I said yes.
Why should I kill him?

I know that, dear.
I know you didn't do it.

I know it so well
that I'm willing to do anything

to keep them from learning
you were in his apartment that night.

That's the only reason I'm frightened.
Believe me, dear.

Please believe me.

Then is there anything about yourself
that you're afraid for Elliott to learn?

Of course not.

Well, then stop worrying.

There's no need for it.

And besides he's very attractive.

Very good-looking. I like him.

(Terry) You don't think
we could fool you now?

No, not anymore, Terry. I even
have you spotted at the magazine stand.

How do you mean?

I know some of the times
when it was you and when it was Ruth.

Not all of them, of course,
but some.

What was the difference?

I don't know.
Er... meeting I'm not sure yet.

Which one did you like the best?

- Oh, you.
- Really?

Sit over here, will you?

Why?

- Why what?
- Why do you say you like me best?

Because that's always the answer
during office hours.

What's this one?

These are pictures of ink blots.

Actually, the kind you made yourself
when you were a child,

just blobs of ink
and the paper folder over.

What's it for?

It's another way of examining personality.

I'm going to hand them to you
one by one.

And all you have to do
is tell me what you see there.

What it looks like to you.

- Quickly?
- If you see it quickly, sure.

As soon as you make something
out of it, you tell me, that's all.

- You ready?
- Mm-hm.

Face that way, please.

Now what does it look like to you?

It might be a mask. You see?

The blank slanting holes for eyes,
heavy eyebrows and pursed lips

give it a fixed expression.

Anything else?

- May I turn it?
- Any way you wish.

Hmm, this looks the face of a white lamb
with a black nose.

It's got a mark on its forehead.

It looks like a moth
spreading its wings over a butterfly.

Beneath its front paws
are two men, face down,

with their arms outstretched.

It all seems symbolic of something.
The lamb looks so innocent.

But it has two men under its paws.

Symbolic of what?

The lamb of death?

I wonder if you're really as cool
as you pretend.

- Oh, no, I'm not.
- I don't think so, either.

Outside the office I'm, er... Robert Taylor
with jet propulsion.

What do you see in this one?

What does it look like to you, Terry?

These are two men,
back to back,

but they don't seem to be aware
of each other.

Now it's changing
into the full face of a man

with a drooping moustache
and slanting eyes.

Hmm, this is a dancer.
A woman dancing with a puppet.

Now you see the puppet
reaching to pat a cruel rival

that pretends not to see her.

But all the time he's trying to reach
near enough to do her some harm.

May I have a cigarette, please?

By the way,
why did you leave Nebraska, Ruth?

Well, we'd be living on this farm
for about a year

and the farmer's wife
wanted to adopt me legally.

The doctor said
she couldn't have any children,

but they could only afford
to adopt one of us.

Why did they pick you instead of Terry?
Do you know?

Oh, just happened I suppose.
No particular reason.

There's not much choice
between twins, you know,

but Terry was very upset
when she heard about it, naturally.

So we just decided
to pull out, that's all.

What do you see in this one?

Well, these are two people in costume

and they're dancing around a maypole.

They're bending over because
they've just about wound up the ribbons.

- Is that what you want?
- That's it.

Anything else?

Uh, turn it if you wish.

Oh.

Oh, these are two skaters,
like in the ice show,

and they're leaning backward,
one foot high in the air,

and their arms extended.

(Elliott clicks tongue)

Uh, how did Terry find out?
Do you know?

Hm? Oh, the farmer I think.

He never liked her
from the beginning for some reason.

- Was he cranky?
- No, I got along fine with him.

But Terry for some reason...

Uh, what do you see in this one?

Oh, these are two old ladies sitting
back to back in... in an open street car,

like the old cable cars in San Francisco.

And they seem frightened.
They've got...

They're holding on to the arms
of their chairs with their hands

and they've got their feet
under their seats.

And look at those chins.

And this is a drum majorette
with a high bear-skin shako.

And she's very straight
and graceful, light-footed

and she's got her knee
high in the air.

Thank you very much.

(Door closes)

(Ruth) Hello?

Well, it's about time.

(Ruth) Sorry I'm late.

What'd you do? Go through town?

- No. Scott and I just got to talking.
- Talking?

After that ink blot stuff.

Who do you suppose
ever thought that one up?

Talking about what?

Oh, just gabbing.

Chicago. Movies.
When we were kids.

Not about us?

No, mostly about himself. He was awfully
funny about when he went to school.

- He must have been.
- He was, really.

Once he drops that office act
he's really an awful lot of fun.

The way he used to be
around the cigar stand, remember?

Is that his line,
down memory lane?

I don't think it was a line.
He just seemed to want to talk, that's all.

- Nothing romantic?
- (Chuckles) I'm afraid not.

- Dear me, you sound disappointed.
- No.

Not falling for him, are you?

My goodness, Terry, sometimes it seems
as if that's all you ever thought about,

falling for somebody, of course not.

Just don't want to see you
do anything foolish, that's all.

Yes, Mama.

Because I'm not convinced yet that
he's being strictly on the level with us.

I don't know, of course.

Oh, I can't believe it.

Well, perhaps not, but if I were you,
I'd be just a little careful.

Not too friendly. Yeah.

(Sighs)

If only we weren't so...

I know.
It's not very pleasant.

But as long as we are, we'll just have
to be on our guard with everybody.

Particularly him.

Well, it's something I hadn't figured on.

Never even dreamed of.

Well, I'm not gonna ask any questions.
I said I wouldn't and I won't.

All I can do is stand here,
a poor broken-down old policeman,

and wait for whatever
you wanna tell me.

- Well, you know the ink blot test?
- Mm-hm.

I made several other kinds of tests
to check and cross-check.

But in the ink blot test, about 80%
of the people who study the blots

will see generally the same figures,
the same illusions and visions.

What the other 20% see
in the same blots,

reflecting the true secret patterns
of their own minds and personalities,

- is quite illuminating and pretty accurate.
- Uh-huh.

There doesn't seem to be much room
for doubt about one thing.

What?

One of our young ladies is insane.

Very clever, very intelligent,
but insane.

Now this one's called
a free association test

and it's so simple
that even I understand what I'm doing.

If all this is to find out, which of us is
the smarter, I can save you a lot of time.

- It's Terry.
- (Chuckles) Is that official?

It's a funny thing about us.
I'm older than she is.

Seven minutes and 55 seconds.

But that isn't the way it feels.

All our lives she's been the oldest sister,
always helping and protecting me.

Uh, sit over there, please.

And like a mother too actually because
we've been orphans since we were ten.

I wish you'd get it out of your head
that this is a contest.

I'm interested in absolute,
not comparative results.

Yes, Professor.

- You know something?
- What?

- I'm a very pleased man today.
- Good.

Which I haven't been
for, uh... almost a week.

- No?
- Because you haven't seemed happy.

I'm sorry.

I was afraid I'd done something
that offended you.

- Oh, no.
- Well, I didn't mean to. I assure you.

Hm. There was something else.

I was a little worried
about something else.

But it's all right now?

Yes, it's OK now.

Good. That's the way it ought to be.

Well, er... back to cold science.

I'm going to give you some words.
One at a time.

As soon as you hear the word,

you answer with the first word
that comes into your mind.

Not a sentence, just a single word.

And answer as quickly as you can.
That's the important part of it, speed.

- Are you ready?
- Mm-hm.

Table.

Hmm... chair.

You ready? Dark.

Night.

- Moon.
- Beams.

- Knife.
- Scissors.

- White.
- Black.

- Mirror.
- Death.

King.

Queen.

- Blossom.
- Flower.

- River.
- Lake.

But how could you have said it?

How do I know?
It just popped out.

But I don't understand
all this fuss.

What possible harm can it do?

None. None whatever.

I don't give two cents for that fellow
and his kindergarten games.

I can do that stuff 24 hours a day,
seven days a week.

And beat him at it every time.
He doesn't frighten me with that stuff.

But it's you I'm worried about.

But why?

Because it shows your mind's
still on that thing and you can't deny it!

When he said mirror and you said death,
that proved it!

It may not mean a thing to him,
but it does to me.

It's a dead giveaway
that it's still in your mind

and I had something to do with it!

Terry, please!

As I've told you, why do you...?

Why do you keep saying
a thing like that?

- Forget it.
- But you've no right, even to think.

Why do you take
those sleeping pills every night?

Because I can't sleep without them,
of course.

Why can't you?

Because my nerves are still bad.
I haven't gotten over everything yet.

Neither of us has.

Is that all?

What other reason could there be?

Not your conscience perhaps.

My conscience? About what?

Perhaps you're sorry
you didn't tell the police all you know.

Maybe that's what's troubling you.

Maybe you're thinking
you should do it even now.

But that's utterly ridiculous.
Such a thought never entered my head.

Because if you are,
there's the phone right there.

Oh, Terry, stop it.
You're talking nonsense!

- Am I?
- Of course you are.

I hope so.

Because if you ever suspected me...

...I don't know what I'd do.

I really don't.

- Table.
- Chair.

- Moon.
- Stars.

- King.
- Queen.

- Death.
- Mirror.

Girl.

Woman.

Black.

White.

Rose.

Thorn.

I have an idea

you aren't very much impressed
with any of this stuff, are you?

No?
Then why do you think I'm here?

Hmm, just humoring the old professor,
I imagine. (Chuckles)

- That all?
- Or nothing else to do.

Hadn't it ever occurred to you
that I might like seeing you?

No, I hadn't to tell the truth.

Don't you like to see me?

If you knew how anxious I was
for you to get here this afternoon,

you wouldn't have to ask that.

- Honest?
- Very honest.

Then maybe we could see each other
outside the office sometime.

Oh, we will, I'm sure.

- Would you like to?
- Very much.

All right. When?

Soon. Uh, but not until we've finished
with these tests I'm afraid.

What's that got to do with it?

Look, it's hard enough for me
to keep my mind on science as it is.

Please, don't make it
any more difficult for me.

All right.
But the first night afterward.

- It's a date.
- The very next night, remember.

- I'll remember, Terry.
- Good night.

I was really crazy about that boy,
but Terry simply couldn't stand him.

She insisted he wasn't on the level.
That's the way it turned out. He wasn't.

How'd you find out?

He dated her one night
and she told me.

Terry's turned in I guess.

Er...

How many men
have you been crazy about?

(Chuckles) Oh, that was just kids' stuff.

We were about 16 then, I think.

All this autobiography I'm giving you.

Is this for science too?

No. No, this is personal.

The more I know about you,
the more I wanna know.

I wanna know everything about you
that is possible to know.

For myself.

And apparently you will.

- Good night.
- Uh...

When all this business is over

can I call and ask you out
for dinner, dancing or just to talk?

In a purely personal way?

Do you think you'll still want to?

That's what I'm looking forward to.
Do you mind?

No. I'll like it.

You're a wonder.

- Good night.
- Good night.

(Door closes)

It's all right. I'm not asleep.

Don't turn on the light.

I'll undress in the bathroom.

You taking a sleeping pill tonight?

I don't think so.

I slept all right last night.

I think you better take two.

Two? What on earth for?

If you take two maybe you won't be
so troubled in your sleep.

You mean I talk?

Talk, cry.
You scare me half to death sometimes.

Good heavens.

Dreaming I suppose.

No.

You don't remember what you dream?

Well, I don't remember
even dreaming recently.

You don't remember my waking you
last night when you were sobbing?

- No.
- Or what you said to me?

(Snickers) No, what did I say?

Such big deep sobs,
as if you were terrified.

As if you were seeing something
so dreadful you couldn't bear to face it.

You don't remember what it was?

I don't remember anything about it at all.

But I thought you wakened.

No.

(Gasps) Pretty harrowing
for a few minutes.

I can't imagine what it was
to frighten me so.

Has it happened before?

A few times.

One night
you were rather gay for a change.

Quite gay, in fact.

It seems to have been
something about... Scott.

Oh, dear.

You think quite a lot of him, don't you?

I do like him, but...

Does he like you?

Oh, some I imagine.

Ever say anything?

You know... nothing serious.

Just casual things.

Ever kiss you?

Uh-uh.

He may be just trying
to pump you, you know?

Oh, I don't think so.

Don't you want to know
what seemed to be frightening you?

I don't know whether I do or not.

You've talked about it before
in your sleep.

You were worried

about one of us being... crazy.

The old saying, you know, that
one of twins is likely to be abnormal.

But that's not true.

That's a superstition.

You heard Scott
tell the District Attorney that.

I know.

Well, that's an old wives' tale.

We've heard it for years, both of us,
but it's not true.

Didn't you hear Scott say it wasn't?

Yes, I heard him.

Oh.

This is so awful.

It frightens me.

The whole idea of talking
and dreaming and sobbing and...

...remembering nothing about it.

Well, it can't be very pleasant.

But it's not really so important.

Just bad dreams.

I know, but...

...such a thought.

- What's this one?
- Uh, blood pressure, Terry.

And pulse. While we're talking.

- You mean a lie detector?
- (Chuckles) That's the easy name for it.

- Do you mind?
- Why should I?

What do you want me to talk about?

(Elliott) I'll let you know
when we're ready.

(Terry) How much more of this stuff
have we got?

(Elliott) Winding up this week.

Friday afternoon and that's that.

- The whole thing?
- Yeah, the works. Complete.

- Then Saturday night's the night.
- Night?

If you tell me you've forgotten...

Oh, sure.

Remember?

- Yeah, that's right.
- Well?

Oh, I'm afraid I did forget.
I'm terribly sorry.

You mean you can't make it?

Any other night, but...

What a man. And me thinking that
you were simply living for that night.

It's inexcusable, I know, but we finished
so much sooner than I expected.

Who's my rival?

You have no rival,
you know that.

Is that always the answer
during office hours too?

Your memory's too good.

Let's get on with this
and straighten that out later.

Oh, there's nothing to straighten out.
My heart's broken.

Let's have the machine.

Now all I want you to do
is answer a few simple questions.

Not on any forbidden subject,
so you needn't be worried.

Oh, it's all over. The whole thing.
Ask me anything you wish.

(Elliott) Uh, does that go for Ruth too?

That you better ask her.

Oh, y-y-yes, of course.

Well, I hope so, anyway.

You've both been through
a pretty terrible ordeal.

If you've managed to come out of it OK,
that's... that's wonderful.

(Terry) What are you going to ask me?

Oh, you were telling me the other day
about when you lived in Ohio

before you moved to Chicago,
remember?

Anything else interesting along
about that time?

(Terry) Oh, off hand...

(Elliott) Uh, I believe that Ruth
was telling me about a boy

that she went with
that you didn't care very much for.

Oh, Freddie Ekland.

Yes, I-I think that was the name

in, uh... in Dayton.

Why? What did she say?

(Elliott) Uh, she just said
that you told her he wasn't on the level.

And proved it.

- (Terry) Was she complaining?
- Good heavens, no.

She was grateful.
You know how she depends on you.

She was just rambling along
about how you've looked after her,

sort of like an older sister she says.

- Did she tell you that I knew him first?
- No. I don't believe she did.

Well, that's the truth of the matter.

I met him first
and introduced him to her.

He didn't care in the slightest for her
and I knew it.

Then he started going round with her

without her even dreaming
for one second

that it was actually me
that he was interested in.

Terry. Terry!

Hm? Hm...

Oh. What is it, dear?

That light again!

Wake up, dear.
You're dreaming again.

No, no. It wasn't a dream.
Didn't you see it?

There wasn't anything to see, dear.
You're dreaming, I tell you.

It wasn't a dream.
I wasn't asleep.

The whole room lighted up, Terry.

I saw everything in a great flash.

Now you're all right.

There's nothing to be afraid of.

Oh, but I was sure I saw it.

I was sure of it.

It doesn't matter.
It really doesn't.

But what is it?

What do you think it is?

Oh, something's happening to me
and I don't know what it is.

I don't understand.

You're just imagining things.

Your nerves are playing little tricks
on you, that's all.

I'm so scared.

I'm so scared
I don't know what to do.

(Sobs)

It's nothing, really.

(Sobs)

Just remember I'm with you

and I'm always going to be with you.

No matter what.

(Whimpers)

So that's all there is to it.

Yes, that's all there is I'm afraid.

I didn't promise you
a great deal more, remember?

All I can say positively
is that Ruth didn't do it.

She simply isn't capable
of that sort of thing. That I know.

That does narrow it down a bit, though.

And Terry's a paranoiac.

A paranoiac has no more conscience,
no more sense of right and wrong

than a two-year-old.

A paranoiac's capable of anything.

That's something, but not much.

You can't run loonies in
until they've done something.

Broken some kind of law.

If their families
don't see fit to commit them,

you have to wait
till somebody's set on fire.

Unfortunately.

(Sergeant) Pretty tough on Ruth.

You're gonna tell her, aren't you?

I suppose so,
but it's not going to be easy.

Apparently,
she hasn't the ghost of a suspicion.

No? What about that double-alibi?

She could be tricked.
Terry could trick her.

Well...

...much obliged, anyway, Doc.

Yeah, I'm sorry I couldn't have
been more help to you, Lieutenant.

- Good night, Sergeant.
- Good night, Doc.

- Are you gonna see Ruth again soon?
- I expect to.

Tell her. Right away.
No matter how hard it is.

- I will.
- Because it's six, two and even.

The other one's gonna pop off again
before it's over.

It's quite possible.

It's better than that.
Watch out for yourself.

Oh, I don't think I figure very seriously
in her calculations.

She didn't mind these tests.
They were just another challenge to her.

Another opportunity to show the world
what contempt she has for it.

That was the first tip-off I got on her.

Thought you said there was no pattern
to a psychotic's calculations.

- Well, it's...
- Don't be too modest, Doc.

All right. I'll tell her.

When?

Tonight. Tonight if I can.

- Good night.
- Good night.

You know, it might help if Terry came out
and spit on the sidewalk or something.

Then we could pick her up.

(Clicks tongue) If I was that young man,
I'd feel a trifle nervous.

Yeah? Why?

Because from the way he tells it,

he looks very much to me
like the new Peralta.

- Target for tonight, huh?
- Uh-huh.

That's the way it is, you know.

The minute the doctor
falls in love with the patient,

from then on
he's about as useful as a papoose, hm.

(Phone rings)

- Hello?
- Hello. Hello, Ruth?

Hello, Scott. How are you, dear?

Are you alone?

Yes. Why?

Well, I don't want Terry to know.

Do you think I could
see you alone sometime tonight?

'Of course. When?'

Anytime. Whenever you say.

Could I make it rather late?
Around 11?

She'll be asleep by then.

'11 is all right for me.'

Supposing I come to your apartment
at 11 or a little after...

I'll leave the front door unlocked
and you come up the top of the stairs.

I understand.

(Receiver clicks)

(Knocking at door)

Come in.

Do you mind?

Well, no. No.

Well, of course not.
I-I-I couldn't be more pleased.

You know very well there's no one in
the world I'd rather see walk in that door.

I've been walking and I thought perhaps
if you weren't busy for a while...

No, no, no.
I was just wondering what to do next.

Not that it's anything important.

Feeling, uh... feeling depressed?

I guess so. Something like that.

Look, have you had your dinner?
Then what do you say?

Instead of having dinner
with me tomorrow night,

- how about tonight and tomorrow night?
- Oh, I didn't...

And as many other nights
as you can spare too.

But tonight, my dear,
I think we should have it with music.

(♪ Big Band)

(Applause)

Are you sure you don't wanna tell me?

What causes hallucinations?

Hallucinations?

Things you imagine you see or hear.
What causes them?

Oh, bad nerves.

Just nerves.

Or a sick mind.

- May I explain something?
- No, no. Please don't.

I think I'd like to go home now.

Would you get my bag and gloves?

I'll wait for you here
and we'll go out this way.

'Course, dear. I'll be right back.

Er... police headquarters.

Lieutenant Stevenson, please.

Lieutenant, this is Scott Elliott.

What do you think of me
in the role of a human booby-trap?

So you got the picture at last, huh?

It's possible.

Will you still be there at 10:30?

I wanna talk to you about something
that's come up tonight.

Something that may be
a little more in your line than mine.

I'll be right here, partner,
from 10:30 on.

- She loaded again?
- Looks like it.

He's a very smart guy
for a college man.

(♪ Piano)

- Are you ready?
- Thanks.

Oh, come on.
You can do better than that.

(Footsteps approach)

I was worried. Where did you go?

Walk.

- With Scott?
- No.

Haven't you seen him?

He called about seven.

- Who?
- Scott.

I told you I haven't seen him.

You just come in?

No, I'm just going out.

To dance.

I don't know whether I ought
to leave you here alone or not.

Oh, don't be silly. I'm all right.

- Have you been taking your capsules?
- No.

Why not?

They're no good.

Well, maybe you don't take enough.

But be careful.

Don't take too many.

Look, darling.

Try not to worry so much.

No matter what happens
they can't do a thing without my consent.

And I'll never in the world give that,
believe me.

I know, dear.

So don't be too scared.

We'll never be separated.

You and I are going to be together,
as long as we live.

Remember that, darling.

Always.

Good night, dear.

I won't stay out too late.

Goodbye.

(♪ Music box playing)

(Music stops)

(Raps knuckles)

(Knocking at door)

Come in.

Oh, I'm so glad you came.

Oh, I wondered about how you lived.

I apologize for its neatness,

but I have no woman around
to keep it messed up all the time.

I'll hold it.

- Could I get you something to drink?
- No, thanks.

I hope I didn't alarm you
with all that urgency and mystery.

No, I was just puzzled that you felt
you had to have some excuse.

I'd have come anyway.
You know that.

Sit here.

But it wasn't an excuse.
I was quite serious.

It's something
we should discuss right away privately.

- But has it got to be tonight?
- I'm afraid so. It's quite important.

It's about Terry.

You don't like Terry, do you?

Well, of course I like her.

But what?

But... but I love you.

- Why?
- Why do I love you?

Why me and not her?
That's something I'm very curious about.

Why did you choose me instead of her?

We're so much alike.

What was it that you saw in me
that you didn't see in her?

How can I answer that?

All I know is that you're the one
I fell in love with.

What else do I have to know?

Am I better looking that she is?

- Well, to me you are, of course.
- Don't laugh.

I'm serious.

I want to know
what you think the difference is.

For instance, kiss me.

Now do you really believe
you could tell that from one of Terry's?

Or my lips from hers?

I think so.

- Have you ever kissed Terry?
- No.

Well, then how could you possibly know?

How could you even say such a thing?

(Sighs) I'm not sure, but...

But I think I'd know in my heart.

Would you really?

I think so.

Of course I don't believe it
for a second.

But I wanted to ask you anyway
because, well, after all, it's Terry

they usually go for.

She's the one that really sends them.

But that's not true.

Well, of course it's true.

Terry's the smart one.

I've told you that before.

No. No, they don't go for her.

That's the trouble with her.
That's what I wanted to talk to you about.

I don't know what you mean.

Well, it's not an easy thing to tell you,
but I-I feel that I should.

Terry's, uh...

She's not well.
She's sick... inside.

And she needs help from you
and from me if possible.

Sick? How?

She's... twisted inside.

How it got started I don't know.

Some incident when you were babies
I imagine that you've both forgotten.

But there's a natural strong rivalry
between sisters.

And ever since that incident,
whatever it was,

it's grown more and more bitter in her,
until now it's... it's abnormal

and she needs
care and attention right away.

Terry and I have never been rivals.
Never.

Not in the slightest.

All women are rivals, fundamentally,
but it never bothers them

because they automatically
discount the successes of others

and alibi their own failures
in the grounds of circumstances.

Luck they say.

But between sisters
it's a little more serious.

The circumstances
are generally about the same,

so they have fewer excuses
with which to comfort themselves.

That's why sisters can hate each other
with such terrifying intensity.

And as for twins,
especially identical twins,

well, you must have some idea yourself
what agonies of jealousy are possible.

Go on.

People, men, particularly,
find it easy enough to like you.

You're natural and normal.

By the grace of God

you've managed to escape
that poison of rivalry and jealousy.

But not she.

In spite of the truth of what you say

that on the surface there's so little
to choose between you.

That is of course a lie.

I'm sorry, my dear, but it isn't.

It's the whole history of her case
by her word as well as yours.

Why, that boy in Dayton, remember?

And the lawyer in Chicago.

And that family
that want to adopt you, but not her.

It's the same story
over and over and over again.

Whichever they met first
it was you they preferred in the end.

I've never listened
to such utter nonsense in all my life!

And I called you tonight because
I want you to talk to her about this.

I want you,
as the one nearest and dearest to her,

to persuade her to go to a doctor
and put herself under his care

and I want you
to get her to do this at once.

And if I refuse to insult her
with such incredible rot?

I can't tell you how important it is
that she get this care immediately.

And if she refuses?

If you refuse, Terry,

I'm afraid I'll have to tell
who killed Frank Peralta and why.

You can't.

You don't know.

I think I do.

Not that it matters because there's
nothing you'll be able to do about it.

- Whatever you guess...
- Shall I remind you anyway?

If you wish.

Peralta was killed because
the same thing happened to you again.

It was Ruth he really loved

without even knowing she existed.

Oh, it was you he courted,
took to dinner, the movies, to dance,

finally asked to marry him.

He didn't know there were twins.

All he knew was that every now and then
the girl at the counter

brought him a warmth
that he'd missed at other times.

That's what puzzled him.

That's why he asked me
about a split personality.

Nor do I think you were aware of all this
until that night in his apartment

when he spoke of this curious difference
in you from time to time.

Then you knew it had happened again.

It was Ruth he was in love with, not you.

So you made sure that if you couldn't
have his love neither should Ruth.

Who else have you told this to?

I say, who else have you told
this ridiculous story to?

Nobody else so far
and they'll be no need to tell it again

if only you'll do what I suggest.

Now go to your doctor
and be guided holy by what he says.

I see no particular necessity for that.
It's just as I told you.

There's nothing whatever you can do
about it, no matter how strongly you feel.

You don't think so?

No. I'm afraid
you've just been wasting your time.

- Haven't you forgotten Ruth?
- Not at all.

Well, you must have
because I can assure you

she won't take
this ridiculous story so lightly.

I don't suppose so.

She's been behaving so strangely lately
that I wouldn't put anything past her,

but I doubt if anybody
would take seriously the word of a girl

who suffers from hallucinations.

Or hasn't she told you?

Just a minute.
What do you mean by that?

Where is Ruth now?

Look... are you so sure
you know which one you've kissed?

Of course I am.

Look closely. Are you certain?

(Phone rings)

Hello? Speaking.

Have you still got
that Terry there with you?

Well, could you bring her over
or do you want me to send the wagon?

- (Buzzer rings)
- Just a minute.

- Who is that?
- The guy from the hospital.

I'll be with you in a minute.

Sorry, Doc,
but I'm afraid I got bad news for you.

I got nervous after I left you
and I decided to take a look for myself.

I hate to have to tell you this,
but when I got in here...

What?

No.

All right, Stevenson. I'll be right over.

Ruth's dead.

She's killed herself.

Does that surprise you?

(Engine stops)

I'm terribly sorry, Doc, but I...

Oh. I'm terribly sorry, Miss Collins.

Sit here.

Uh, may I go in?

Well, I suppose so if you want to.

The examiner's in there.
You go with him, Franklin.

Can you... tell me what happened?

She took some of this sleeping junk
apparently.

It was empty on the washstand
in the bathroom.

She'd been taking it
for the last two or three months.

Miss Collins...

I hate to have to ask you questions
at a time like this,

but did she have any reason
that you know of?

(Sobs) Yes, I'm afraid she did.

What was it, Miss Collins?

Her conscience.

Oh, yeah?

I don't...

Now take your time, Miss Collins.

I'm not pressing you.
I know it's a tough situation.

I'm all right. It's...

It's just I've been under such a strain
and... and now this.

But she's free now, poor darling.

And I have a right to some peace too.

Of course you have. Make a clean breast
of it now, the whole thing.

You'd be surprised
how much better you feel.

She killed him.

She killed him?

She said she didn't,
but I know she did.

I believed her at first.

I kept on believing her for a long time,
but now I know she did it.

Take this down.

That night, Miss Collins,
what happened?

When I got home from Jefferson Park,
she was already in bed.

I thought asleep.

Then she got me
to promise not to say anything.

because she knew I knew
she'd been out with him.

- You believed her then?
- Yes, but...

There was something
the matter with Terry.

She was sick inside.
She was twisted.

- You mean Ruth?
- No, Terry.

I'm Ruth.

It was a kind of deep bitterness.

Wait a minute.
I thought you were Terry.

No, I'm talking about Terry.

I'm Ruth.

- But didn't y...?
- Didn't I what?

Er... nothing.
I'm just a little, uh... Go on.

Well, then Scott found out about it.

Something in those tests
and he told me tonight.

He told me she was... not right.

She was sick inside.

With jealousy.

That's why she killed him,
Scott says.

He didn't know there were two of us.
All he knew was...

Just a minute.

- What are you trying to pull?
- I'm telling him what you told me, dear.

Just about what you told me,
remember?

But this isn't Ruth.

This is Terry!

Now, Scott,
we've been over all that once tonight.

This is ridiculous. I know this girl
almost as well as I know myself.

- And it's Terry!
- How do you know?

How do I know? I've been studying them
daily for almost two months.

I have more difficulty telling these girls
apart than telling you and me apart!

- Can you prove it?
- Prove it?

She says she's Ruth.
She certainly sounds like Ruth.

- Unless you prove different...
- Shall I go on?

You bet. We're beginning
to get somewhere with this.

The tests only showed
what I'd known for a long time.

That she hated me,
hated me from the bottom of her heart

because men find it easy enough
to like me, but not her.

It was the same story over and over and
over again! Whichever they met first...

I'm sorry, dear.

(Glass shatters)

- You're not sore, are you, Doc?
- Of course not.

The reason I didn't explain to you
what I was gonna do,

I didn't know myself until I got here.

It was only after a Dutch-uncle talk
with Ruth that the idea came to me

and the it was too late,
so I just had to take a chance.

Well, all I can say
is you aged me ten years.

But under the circumstances
I forgive you.

Do you wanna know
why I got nervous?

- Why?
- Psychological reasons.

- Oh?
- They rubbed off on me.

I got to thinking about
what you told me

and it occurred to me that maybe Ruth
was in more danger than you were.

Even a nut can figure out
that it's simpler to get rid of a rival

than to go on knocking over boyfriends
all the rest of her life.

I take back what I said
about the police, Lieutenant.

Thank you, Doc.

(♪ Music box playing)

Fourth floor, novelty department.
9.75, this week only.

(Music stops)

(♪ Music starts)

- Oh...
- (Music stops)

Was the mirror me?

The reflection was.

Well, that's what twins are, you know.
Reflections of each other.

Everything in reverse.

- Will you answer one question for me?
- What?

Under the circumstances you're going
to say it's impossible, but...

...why are you so much more beautiful
than your sister?