The Running Man (1963) - full transcript

Hard up and with a grudge against insurance companies, Rex Black feigns his death and meets up with his wife and the money in Malaga when things seemed to have quietened down. But when the insurance investigator from the claim also turns up Rex starts a game of cat-and-mouse.

The good die young.

I think we can find
some consolation in that,

when we think
of our late friend Rex Black,

for whose memorial service
we are gathered here today.

Flying was Rex's religion.

I saw him often from my study window,

driving to the airport
in his little open car.

Too fast, perhaps, occasionally.

And I thought,
"That young man has everything.

"Youth, enthusiasm, the work he loves,

"the devotion and comfort
of a Christian marriage."



I'm afraid I'm a rotten hostess.

- Rex would be pouring you all drinks.
- Not for me, Stella.

"Well, my old darlings, happy landings."
Remember?

You've said it every evening
when he came into the Airmen's Arms.

You all laughed at me, but I knew that day
something awful was going to happen.

- I knew it when I woke up.
- Here, take this.

We'd just been to Brighton.
I went there to get my hand read.

Rex laughed when I told him about that.

"Expect a great sadness,"
that's what my hand had in it.

- What is that, Doctor?
- You'll sleep well.

There are ways and ways
of telling us about the future.

Those gliders of yours are
dangerous things with no engines.

Stands to reason you can't control them
with no engines.

- Had he been gliding long?
- No.



No, but he said it was wonderful.

I don't know,
I never went up with him.

- Well, goodbye, darling.
- Goodbye.

- Hope you don't go back to America.
- Oh, no, I can't leave here.

You ought to get away,
get away to the sea air.

The old man's right, Stella.
Go to Brighton. Get your hand read!

Who knows, you might find
a handsome millionaire waiting for you.

- Bye, Stella.
- Goodbye.

- Thank you all for coming.
- I'll see them out.

I thought only generals and poets
and things had a memorial service.

But then,
old Rex always did things in style.

I'll push off, Stella.

Beautiful service, wasn't it?

Oh, yes, and I thought
the vicar did it very well.

- How is she off financially?
- Oh, Rex was well insured.

- Anyone coming to the Airmen's Arms?
- Now, there's a good idea!

Oh!

Oh!

- Oh, I nearly died!
- I promised you, didn't I?

Three months dead and I said
I'd be right back after the service.

- And Rex, nothing went wrong.
- No?

- Did they give me a good character?
- No, no, they said, er...

They said you weren't good in
a conventional way and you drove too fast.

They said that, did they?

I'm not going to all the trouble of dying
just to be told that.

- Oh, I've been so lonely.
- So have I, darling.

I can't tell you how dreary it was
living in a boarding house by the sea,

never daring to go out during the day,
living on pies and chips...

Oh, you got a new nice lampshade.

- And being Mr. Erskine.
- Who's Mr. Erskine?

Well, I was.

An unsuccessful shoe salesman,
suffering from a nervous breakdown.

Oh, my poor darling.

- I hope to do better next time you see me.
- Yes, love.

Oh, Stella, you look so wonderful.

And I'm so happy
to be back home again.

You know, I got to hate that Mr. Erskine.

Well, he hardly had any money
and no sex life at all.

- Honestly?
- Mm-mm.

- He was getting very nervous.
- You know, I was getting nervous, too.

- Are you expecting anyone?
- No.

- Who is it?
- I don't know.

Don't let us bother about him now.

- Mrs. Black?
- The flat upstairs.

Oh, thank you.

Stay here. I'll go.

- Mrs. Black?
- Yes.

I'm from the Excelsior Insurance Company.

May I have a few words with you?

Oh... Er...

Well, I hope it's a convenient moment,
Mrs. Black.

- If you've someone here...
- No, no, no.

There's no one here at all.
Come in.

I'm afraid it's not very tidy.

I had a few people here
after the service.

- The service?
- Er... for Rex, my husband.

Oh, I didn't know.
Perhaps I ought to leave you.

No, no, I'd just as soon get it over.
Please sit down.

The head office thought it might be as well
if we had a little personal chat.

Oh, they did?

Not that they're worried
about anything in particular,

but this isn't the usual type of claim,
I'm sure you appreciate that.

- No, I suppose not.
- Not exactly... run-of-the-mill.

Shall we put it that way?

If you like.

I mean, they never actually
found the body, did they?

No.

The coastguard says
he had the glider under observation

before it actually hit the sea,
and that it broke up very soon afterwards.

Now, presumably,
the body was washed away.

- But you've heard all this before.
- Yes, I know it by heart.

You can't think of any reason
why he should want to end his life?

Rex? No.
He loved life, you could ask anyone.

I see there was an earlier claim
on an insurance

for a Dove aeroplane that
your husband took out for charter flying.

- That was last year.
- Yes.

The plane was written off totally.

Does that mean he was out of a job?

Well, in a way, yes.

Did you find him moody,
difficult to live with?

I'm sorry, I have to ask you this.

Oh, no, no. He was quite happy.
He began to write books.

Oh...

What sort of things? Thrillers?

- Yes, as a matter of fact.
- Well, there's money in that, I suppose.

Oh, Rex never made much money
while he was alive.

- Er... would you sign this?
- What is it?

Just a simple declaration,
that to your knowledge,

your husband never said
anything to you about suicide.

Oh, I can sign that.

I see this insurance was made

only three months
before your husband was lost.

Does that matter?

No, no, I just meant it was lucky.

Lucky?

I mean, you're young,
you'll be very well off.

You have a new life ahead of you,
Mrs. Black.

Well, if you don't think I'd...

I'd give every penny of that insurance
to have him back.

I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said that.

Er... Mr. Maddox,
how long will all this take?

I, er... I want to go abroad.

I want to go away from this flat
and everyone we knew.

Well, there shouldn't be
any delays from us.

- Oh, my hat. Where did I put it?
- Oh, it's in here.

Thank you.

When you go abroad, Mrs. Black,
have you thought of going far?

- No, I haven't made any plans.
- No, well, er...

I don't suppose
you've had a chance to, have you?

Goodnight.

Stella! Stella!
Here, come on, let's celebrate.

Rex... that man...
was from the insurance company.

Yes, I know, I know. Just routine.

But he said you took out the insurance
just three months before the accident.

Well, what about it?

Well, he said it was lucky.

Well, of course we're lucky.
We're just terribly lucky.

But after he said it, he looked...
I don't know... sort of guilty.

And so he should.

All insurance men should look guilty
and haunted by ghosts.

Now, darling,
there's nothing to worry about.

- He said it was all fixed, didn't he?
- Yeah. I guess he did.

Well, we did it.

We finally made them pay.

What is it, Stella?

I don't know, I'm just so sleepy.

Doctor gave me something to sleep.

Then that awful service,
just as if you were really dead.

And all those questions
I didn't know how to answer.

You know, darling,
I loved it when you said,

"I'll give every penny of that miserable
insurance to have him back."

It nearly brought tears to my eyes
in the kitchen.

He asked so many questions about
insurance on the plane, I got so frightened.

- Now, darling, there's no need to worry.
- Oh...

Please don't worry.

Oh, Rex...

Oh... it's crazy, isn't it,
what we are doing? It's just crazy.

No, it isn't crazy at all.

We're only getting what they owe us,
what they really owe us for that old Dove.

I'm sorry, darling, I'm so sleepy.
That silly doctor...

But, Stella... Stella, no...

Please don't.
Not now, not tonight.

I'm leaving in a few hours.

I got to get up the first thing
in the morning.

Stella? Stella, wake up.

Stella?

You won't make much out of this cargo.

Oh, just trundling a load of foundation
garments to the women of Hamburg.

Apart from a million pounds worth of dope
stuck in the cleavage of those bras!

You know, in a one-man operation,
you gotta take what you can get.

- Right, here's the clearance.
- Thank you.

- Everything all right, Sam?
- Fine.

- Bye, darling. See you for dinner.
- Uh-huh.

Hello, Hamburg?

Hamburg, I've been trying to get you
for the last 10 minutes.

Hello. Hello, is that you, Hamburg?

'Insurance...
I tell you, it's a wonderful thing.'

I mean, you have a crash,
a disaster, something like that,

and you're better off
than you were before.

A new aeroplane! I always thought we could
do with something bigger than that Dove.

I'll tell you, it pays to crash.
It literally pays to crash.

- Don't make a habit of it, will you?
- He'll see you now, Mr. Black.

Oh, thank you.

- Mr. Black?
- Yes. This is my wife.

- How do you do? Please take a seat.
- Thank you.

- Do you smoke?
- No, no, thank you.

If we are going to take 20,000 off Excelsior,
at least I needn't pinch their cigarettes.

Now, Mr. Jenkins, the reason
I wanted to see you so quickly was...

I mean, without that form-filling
and all that jazz...

We wanted to see you, Mr. Black,
but didn't want to worry you in hospital.

Worry me? You could worry me
with 20,000 any time of the day or night.

Well, after all, what have I lost?

A load of bras,
a couple of two-way stretchers,

a bit of the right kneecap,
and what are we going to get?

What?

Shall we tell him?

We're going to get a super-powered,
twin-engined Viking,

that I can fly passengers in
all over the world.

It's going to be start
of the Black Elephant Lines.

That's what we're going to call it.
Does the name appeal to you?

Please, please.

I've been over your file very carefully,
Mr. Black.

Now you must understand
this is an insurance company...

Yes, we guessed that.

And we must have certain rules.

One of them is: if the cover isn't paid,
the insurance lapses.

What do you mean?

You crashed on the 3rd of October,
your cover expired on the 1st.

But I...

Well, I must've sent the check.

I'm afraid not, Mr. Black.

What happened?

Well... I suppose I must've forgotten.

The money was in the bank.
Damn it, it was there.

Look...

Please, please phone the bank.
And ask them.

I'm afraid that's not the point,
Mr. Black.

Look, the matter has already been
before my board.

You got a check regularly from me
on the first of each month.

- You could trust me.
- But it was only two days.

No extension is ever given
when insurance is on a monthly basis.

We have a duty to our shareholders.

What do they know
about flying aeroplanes?

- Are they going to miss one meal?
- We're not a charity, you know.

Well, I thought you were. I thought
you existed to help people who'd...

...well, had a bit of bad luck.

But because of your rules and regulations,
we're going to go broke!

With your experience,
you'll find a job, Mr. Black.

I don't want a job.
The hell with working for other people.

I want my own aeroplane,
and I'll tell you, I'm going to get one.

But it was only two days.
Surely you could stretch a point?

Look at him. He looks
as if he couldn't stretch anything.

I really don't think it necessary
to talk like that.

You know what I am going to do?

If I have to put myself in hock
for the rest of my life,

I'm going to get the best lawyer
and sue the Excelsior!

Come on, darling.
So tell that to your board!

You'll be hearing from my lawyer!

You see, in law, the insurance company
were perfectly entitled to refuse payment.

I can't advise you to sue.
You'll only be throwing good money away.

That's what the law says?

I've told you, Mr. Black, not once
but several times.

And is this your idea of justice?

If that's the attitude you wish to take,
I'm hardly the person to come to, am I?

I'm sorry. You might find
another firm to take your case.

- There are such lawyers.
- Yes, I know, I've tried them.

They'd only do it for the costs
they could get out of you.

- Well, that's the law, is it?
- Until you can get it changed.

Hey, Rex! I'll be ready for you
in a couple of minutes!

Er... well, let's think it over again, Rex.

Shh, darling.

We've got to do it today.
The wind's right, everything's right.

- We've waited long enough.
- I don't think I can do it.

Of course you can.

Just wait.

Well, try and look a little bit miserable.

Well, that won't be difficult.

Stella, baby, I...

You know I wouldn't ask you
to do this, but...

Well, we're only getting back
what they really owe us.

We can't let them get away
with it now, can we?

No, no, I suppose not.

Right, Rex?

Be right with you!

Come on, sweetheart.

Come on.

You will be careful, won't you?

You don't think I'm not coming back
to spend that 50,000, do you?

Not for any silly reason
like being dead?

When are you going up with him,
my dear?

You know my wife,
she's got a terrible head for heights.

Too bad. Are you going away
on a weekend or something?

- Yes, I thought I'd try for Brighton.
- Brighton?

Well, you'll have a nice day for it.
Remember all I taught you.

- You alright there?
- OK.

I'll call you from Brighton!

You know what it is about this gliding?

It's dead opposed
to our materialistic civilization.

I mean, you can't imagine
anybody doing it for money.

- Rex, are you ready yet?
- Cable on.

Cable on.

All clear above and behind?

All clear above and behind.

Take up slack!

All out!

Stand by!

- What's all the fuss about?
- There's been a plane crash.

Oh, really?

I believe you have a room for me.
My name's Erskine.

Darling?

Darling! Stella!

Stella!

Stella, wake up.

Wake up, darling.

- Darling, concentrate.
- Uh...

Look, it's getting light.
I have to get that plane to Paris.

Now listen to me carefully.

When they pay you the money,

I want you to go to the bank
and tell them that you're emigrating.

- Which is true.
- Yes.

Now, I want you to get that money
transferred to the bank in Málaga.

- Málaga?
- Málaga in Spain.

- Right?
- OK.

Now, when that's fixed,

I want you take an ad
in the Daily Telegraph, personal column.

Here, I've got it written out for you.

"Short elderly American diplomat

"wishes to dispose of dress suit,
good as new, offers."

- OK.
- Good.

Now, when that's in, three days later,

I want you to get on a plane
and go to Málaga.

- Then I'll tell you what to do.
- Will you meet me?

Of course I'll meet you.
I must go now, babe.

Rex... Rex...

When this is all over,
we'll be ordinary, won't we?

Wherever we have to go,
we'll be just like we were before?

Of course. Only richer.

France-Soir! English newspapers!

Paris-Midi! France-Soir!

English newspapers!

Paris-Midi!

Paris-Midi! France-Soir!

English newspapers!

- You know what these are?
- Sheep.

Yeah. Like I told you, I got
half a million of them in South Australia.

You know why I'm going back to 'em?

Because they respect me!

Oh, that lousy Sheila, she...

Hey, d'you know what I told her?

I told her I got half a million sheep,

I told her
I got a million pounds Australian,

I told her I got three farms
big as the whole of Wales!

And d'you know what she said?

"How boring."

Did you ever know a woman
that you told her

you got a million pounds Australian,
and they say, "How boring"?

Seems unnatural.

- She's gone...
- Come on.

Hey...

Hey, look, look...

If you're ever in Wambong,
South Australia,

I just want you to look me up,
just ask for me, Jim Jerome,

because I want to buy you a drink!

Hey, don't forget! Jim Jerome!

Sheila!

Is that the advertising department
of the Daily Telegraph?

Well, I like to place an ad, please,
in tomorrow's newspaper. Ready?

"Short elderly American diplomat..."

'Your attention, please.
All passengers from Málaga to Tangiers...'

Hey, un momento,
one moment, please.

La señora Black? Si?
Mrs. Black?

- Yes, who are you?
- Para usted, flores.

- Que? Habla usted español?
- No, do you speak English?

You... go... Whish!...me.

Parlez-vous français?

- Oui. Vous parlez français?
- Oui, je... Ah, oui...

No, Mrs... No, Mrs. Black!

- Party.
- No.

Si, very typical.
Con twist y toreadores, eh?

Come.

Sit down, Mrs. Black.

Sit down, Mrs. Black!

No, por favor!

Finish, arrivato.

Hey!

I'll be right down!

Please.

- I'm Madge Penderby.
- Oh.

Of course, you must be Stella.
What a pretty girl.

- Jim certainly knows how to pick them.
- Jim?

Of course, dear, the Australian
with half a million sheep.

Anyway, he was most anxious
for you to come right away.

You know how those millionaires are.
I hope you're not too tired.

Stella, Ricardo, Juan...

- How do you do?
- Where's Jim?

Jim?

- ...you wouldn't believe it!
- Jim!

I've got her for you.

Hello, Mrs. Black.
You remember me, don't you?

- Jim Jerome. We met in London.
- Oh, yes, I, er... I think I remember.

- I'm sorry about your husband.
- Oh, are you?

- Yes, I liked him a lot.
- Oh, so did I.

I hope you can stay a while.

This is a marvelous place
to forget all your problems.

Well, it seems to have
worked for you, doesn't it?

Yes, well...

Isn't it a charming house?
You really must see the terrace.

Come on, Mrs. Black,
you can see all over Málaga.

Excuse me, Madge.

- Is this your first time in Spain?
- Yes.

But, er... I'm beginning to feel
like a native already.

- Did you get it?
- The flowers? Yes, thank you very much.

Good.

- No, I mean the money.
- Oh, that? Yes, they paid me.

And, er... you got it transferred?

Oh, dear, I was hoping
that was a shadow.

Don't you like it?
I thought it made me look reliable.

- And your voice!
- The sound of the outback.

I'm starting to lose it now
in this civilized community.

Oh, it is that what they are?

You've been marvelous, darling,
absolutely marvelous.

- There's nothing more to worry about.
- Nothing to worry about?

First I have a husband,
and then he disappears,

and back comes a nervous
little shoe salesman called Erskine.

I got one night out of him, just one night,
and then he is off again,

and now I'm told he's Jim Jerome
and he's got half a million sheep.

- Shh! Please!
- I won't!

I just wanna know who I'm married to,
that's all, it's not much to ask.

Well, no one at the moment.
Of course, you might get a proposal.

Oh? From whom?

This Jerome character.
Attractive man, don't you think?

- Oh, you're gonna ask me to marry him?
- When you've known him a bit longer.

It's ridiculous, you can't keep
on marrying the same person.

- Who is she?
- I don't know.

Some widow he met in London.

- Where do you live?
- Oh, er... here.

Oh...

Madge picked me up in a restaurant.
She asked me to stay.

It's much easier being a millionaire
in somebody else's house.

- And who is that girl?
- Which?

- That there?
- That? That's Madge's daughter, Dianne.

- Does she stay here, too?
- Well, of course.

- What about me? Do I get to join you?
- Not tonight, darling.

After all, we've only just met.
It's very comfortable at the hotel.

- I'll see you tomorrow for lunch.
- Oh, thank you very much.

Oh, now, Stella, darling.
Be reasonable. Stella, please.

We've done all the worst part.

All you need is a new name
and we'll be off to South America.

Do a bit of charter flying
and we'll be just...

What did you say? Ordinary people.

- That's all.
- You didn't even meet me at the airport.

I couldn't, darling.
We have to do it this way.

Now cheer up.

- We'll be together.
- When?

Tomorrow. Lunch.

- Jim?
- Hmm?

The Gonzales are here.
They're asking for you.

Be right with you, Madge!

- See you later.
- They're over there.

Thank you.

Have you been a widow long, dear?

- Tres, cuatro. 200,000 pesetas.
- That's the petty cash.

Now, we'd like our joint account turned
into a draft that we can cash anywhere.

Anywhere in the world,
do you understand?

We're going abroad.
Now, how long will that take?

Well, the balance stands
at seven million pesetas.

Excuse me a second, Mr. Jerome.

Of course, it's nothing like that
in English money,

but do you know what I am?

A peseta millionaire.

After all, I did die for it.

- Glad to see you two getting on so well.
- Oh, hello, Madge.

I was just showing Mrs. Black the sights.

Yes, he was just showing me the sights.

And that price, they should be
well worth seeing.

The draft will be ready
in one week's time, sir.

There are certain arrangements
to be made, you understand.

Yes, yes, of course. Thank you.
We'll be back in a week.

Come on, darling.

Well, it tastes like lemonade anyway.

White wine should be served cold.
It's the only way not to taste it!

Now, please, would you bring me
bucket of ice?

You understand?
Put this wine in a bucket of ice!

Clumsy clod! Can't you see?

You know, France is the only place
where you can get a decent white wine!

- You never did that before.
- What?

Talk like that to waiters.

Well, someone's got to.
I mean, they'd never learn!

Oh, wouldn't they?

Shoe shine?

Well... places like these have got
to give us some value for our money

now that we're...

Rich?
Is that you were going to say?

So now we're going to have a lifetime
of shouting at waiters?

- Not at all.
- Shoe shine?

No.

Well, I'm sorry,
but I don't like Mr. Jerome.

You don't?

No, I don't.

I'm so glad you said that, darling.

I'm getting a bit bored of him, too.

What do you say we get rid of him?

You mean it?

Poor old Jerome's been feeling
a little under the weather lately.

His heart, you know.

Yes, that's what it is,
it's his poor old ticker.

I'm glad he's going.

So am I.

As long as he's insured.

Now, what would you like to eat?
Er... let me see.

Entremeses? Hors d'oeuvres?

What do you say we get stuck
into the hors d'oeuvres?

- Rex, you're not...?
- Waiter!

Very well, Mr. Jerome, you seem
to be in a good state of health,

as far as I can make out,
very good indeed.

- No immediate danger of dying, huh?
- Not that I can see.

I will be getting in touch
with your insurance company.

- Will you sign here please?
- Yes, with pleasure.

You know, I work here
for many American and English,

if ever you have need of a doctor.

I don't think I will,
not after what you've told me.

I hope not, but none of us
can foresee the future, señor.

You're absolutely right, Doctor.

That's why I was so anxious
to get this fixed up.

- We are all in the hands of God.
- Yes, so we are.

Still, there's no harm in taking out
a little insurance now, is there?

Sorry, old darling, I had a lot to do.

- I just hired this car. Like it?
- It must've cost a fortune.

Now, Stella,
we're not in Croydon anymore.

Isn't it a bit ridiculous?

That's what I like,
and that's the way we're going to live.

Oh, I've been for a check-up
at the doctor's.

- Are you ill or something?
- No, not me, old Jerome.

I told you his heart wasn't
all it should be.

- Rex, you're not...?
- Never mind, old darling.

Just leave it all to Rex.

I've, er..
I've bought you a present.

Oh, they're... they're beautiful.

An engagement present.
It's about time we made it legal.

I've got to get a paper,
see how the old pound's doing.

Got to watch that now, you know,
movement of currencies, stocks.

Get me a Bloody Mary, would you?

Oh, may I have a Bloody Mary
and a coffee, please?

Bloody Maria and coffee. Muy bien.

Isn't it Mrs. Black?

It is Mrs. Black, isn't it?

Well, yes. Yes, it is.

- May I join you?
- Yes.

I... I so often hoped
I might see you again.

It's extraordinary, isn't it, how one runs
into people one knows abroad?

Oh, you don't remember.

Yes, of course, I do.
I... I just can't remember where.

Never mind. It's fine.

You're on holiday, I suppose?

- Yes. Are you?
- Yes.

You're on your own?
Er... travelling on your own?

Yes, I am.

Jim! Come and join us.

Er... you did say
you are on your own.

Yes, I did.

Er... would you excuse me a moment?
I'll be right back.

Yes.

Hello, darling. I was wondering
when you were going to show up.

Pull up a chair, sit down.

Er... there's a man out there
sitting at our table...

- Yes, I know.
- But he called me Mrs. Black.

Oh? What about him?

Well, I don't know,
but I think I've seen him. He's English.

- Did he say anything about me?
- No, but...

Don't get excited.
Just try and find out about him.

Take the car.
See you back at the hotel later.

Hmm! They're pretty, aren't they?

Did you order this for me?

Oh, yes, yes.
I thought you might like it.

It is not as innocent as it looks, is it?

- They use vodka in it, don't they?
- Mm-hmm.

It's very kind of you.

Er... did you know Sam,
by any chance?

- Sam?
- Sam Crewdson.

I thought, perhaps, we'd met
at one of his parties.

- I don't think...
- He was a friend of my husband's.

You never met my husband?

Well, no, I hardly would, would I?

Mrs. Black, I don't quite know
how to say this, but...

But what?

It's my birthday.

Oh, many happy returns.

No, what I meant was,
would you have dinner with me tonight?

We could eat here.

No, no, I'm afraid I can't.

Well, look then, you suggest a time,

because I'm quite free really...

I, er... I mean...

I've got nothing planned, and er...

You're staying at the Miramar, I expect?

Er... I have some places here.
Somebody gave them to me in London...

Let's see, now, we could go to...

Of course, it's Mr... Er?

Er... Maddox.

I came about the insurance,
and I wasn't very tactful, I'm afraid.

Yes, I... I remember.

You said I was lucky that, er...

that my husband had died and
I was going to get an insurance policy.

I hoped you wouldn't remember that.

And I remember you said
I should be celebrating.

I've got nothing to be happy about,
I can assure you.

Nothing at all.

- Goodbye, Mr. Maddox.
- Goodbye.

It's a nice car.

- You realize we'll have to leave.
- You think so?

I can't risk meeting him.

But I don't think he wanted to.

Alright, what did you think he wanted?

Well, he wanted to take me out to dinner.
I thought that was quite nice of him.

Now look, if he's after us,

your nice little insurance friend's
going to get us 10 years in jail.

Well, I... I didn't think.
He was...

Well, start thinking now.

You're in this every bit as much
as I am, my sweet little darling.

How was he when you left him?

He didn't seem to want to say goodbye,
but other than that, he seemed alright.

Every time I ask you a question,
all you do is give me impressions.

Now, please tell me exactly
what he said.

I can't remember.

Well, try and remember!

I'm not supposed to be
a bloody mind-reader!

You know, you have changed
since you became Mr. Jerome.

I'm not being him much longer.

Can you really stop?

Darling...

Darling, I'm sorry, I...
I shouldn't have said any of that.

I'm making too much of it anyway.

We'll go down the coast,
find somewhere to stay.

Well, just till the money's fixed.
Then it's all over.

Alright?

You know, they make a fortune,
these bullfighters.

Thousands and thousands of pounds.
Hey!

You know what?
They don't do it for the money.

They do it to show all these stupid people
that they don't care. Hey, hey!

They just don't care.

You know, I'm not doing
this new trick just for the money.

We can't waste
a marvelous character like Jerome.

He was born to be insured.
Now, come on, let's have a drink.

There's no need for you
to look so sad all the time.

Let's see if we can find a room
in that hotel.

Alright.

Now, Stella, what's the matter?

Anyway, darling,
I haven't signed anything.

Besides, I can't finalize anything
without you.

Insurance companies
are doing well, as usual.

The old pound's holding up so far.

You know, it's been two days
and you've hardly said a word?

I'm sorry.

I mean, after all, I've brought you
to this beautiful place.

There's the sun out there,
fresh air, flowers.

A sea that actually wouldn't freeze you
to death if you put your bottom into it.

Oh, and these clothes.

I bought you these exquisite dresses
which you could at least...

Well... can't you be just
a little bit grateful?

Oh, is that what you want?

If you ever decide to enjoy yourself,
I'll be downstairs having a drink.

Bloody Mary, please.

- No entiendo.
- A Bloody Mary.

Don't you know what that is?

Señor quiere una vodka
con tomate, limón, sal y pimienta.

Lo siento, pero no tengo vodka.

I'm afraid he has no vodka.

Alright, I'll have a whisky.

Ah, una whisky
y un jerez para mi.

- Ah, sí!
- Por favor.

Thank you.

It's quite useful knowing a little bit
of the language, you know.

It's only commercial Spanish,
but it gets me by.

Are you staying here?

Yes.

Your car?

- She goes well, does she?
- Like a bomb.

You've got the power there, you know,
you've certainly got the power.

Doesn't it come from Málaga?
From the garage on the...?

- Calle del Lario?
- Yes.

Yes, I thought of getting
one of these myself,

and then in the end I decided
they looked a bit like getaway cars.

Oh?

You know in gangster films,
the cars they used to escape in.

Hello.

You don't seem to be able
to get rid of me.

No.

It's terribly hot, isn't it?

Perhaps we'd better all meet.

Oh, er... Mr. Maddox,
this is Jim Jerome.

Yes, we were just talking.
Pleased to meet you.

So you're the man
from the Prudential?

Well, sit down, sport.

- Won't you join us, Mrs. Black?
- Thank you.

- What would you like to drink, Mrs. Black?
- Oh, coffee, please.

- Er...
- Café con leche.

A-ha!

Didn't you tell me that Mr. Maddox
came to see you about your insurance?

- Oh, yes.
- That's how we met.

I never thought I'd see Mrs. Black again.

- It's all quite a coincidence.
- Yes.

I was telling Mr. Jerome how I noticed
the car. I thought it might've been yours.

Oh, no, no, it's Jim's.

- He was driving me.
- I see.

- And you just happened to stop?
- Hm-mm.

As a matter of fact, I have to find
somewhere to stay for tonight.

Well, why not here?

- Oh, but I...
- No, please do.

Mrs. Black and I, well,
we've just about run out of conversation.

You'll be something new
for us to talk about.

- Do you mind?
- No, no.

Well, I'll just go in and see about a room.

Good sport.
Why don't you do just that?

Alright.

Why did you ask him to stay here?

We can't spend the rest of our lives
running away.

We've got to find out
just how much he knows.

What do we do? Ask him?

No.

No, we're going to be very nice to him.

We're going to treat him
like our long-lost brother.

Sooner or later, he'll give himself away.

And if he does, what do we do?

We'll decide upon that
when the time comes.

...and it was a professor.

And he claimed
that he burned his trousers

standing in front of the fire
giving lectures.

Do you know, he got three new suits
out of the company for that,

before anybody spotted that.

- Three new suits.
- Now, look, Stephen...

It's just fantastic how insurance
brings out the very worst in people...

Stephen, here we are, on a hot
Spanish night, listening to these gypsies,

and all you can talk about is insurance.

Gypsies with televisions!

Will you dance?

Oh, yes.

- Do you mind if we dance?
- Please. No, please, be my guest.

- You known him long, Jim?
- Oh, yes.

Well, not... not very long, I mean.

I, er... met him once in London
and then of course here.

- He's very charming.
- Yes, he is.

He's Australian, isn't he?

- Mm-hmm.
- And rich?

Well, yes, he seems to have
an awful lot of sheep.

I hope you don't mind me saying this,
but you seem very worried about something.

Are you?

Well, you know,
the last few months haven't been...

Yes, I'm sorry.

I suppose you still miss him very much.

Er... yes, I do.

Do you fly?

Why?

I thought all Australian farmers flew
to cover distances.

Oh, yes. Yes, of course.

How many sheep
did you say you have?

I didn't.

I only count them at night
when I can't sleep.

Is that often?

My, but you ask a lot of questions.

You know, it comes
from being on holiday alone.

Every evening, for the past week,
I'd put on a clean white shirt,

and I've sat in front
of some café or other,

and I've been looking for a big adventure,
and nobody's spoken to me.

- Nobody at all.
- How strange.

So now that I've met you two,
I can't stop talking.

All those white shirts, it's very sad.

You know, the answer is
you shouldn't go on holiday alone.

- But you did, didn't you?
- Hmm?

I thought you met Stella
when you were on holiday by yourself.

Or isn't this a holiday at all?
Are you on some kind of business?

I never go anywhere
unless it's on business. Big business.

Excuse me.

Oh, incidentally, I had to get you
another room.

Oh?

Unofficially, we're not married as yet.

Besides, he might open up with you
if he thinks he's got a chance.

You know that book
I told you about?

- Is that your diary?
- Yes.

You know, I had a diary once
when I was a child.

I used to write:
"Got up, had breakfast, rainy day."

- I bet yours is more sensational.
- No, it isn't.

- Come on, Stephen, let me have a look.
- No, it's private.

- Is there anything in there about us?
- There's some reference to you, naturally.

Stephen, Stella, come on!
Have a drink!

What's the matter?

I'm frightened.

You know, I don't think
he's so sure about us.

I'm not so sure either.

I just don't like being alone
all night, that's all.

You didn't seem to want me
when I was in there with you.

But I want you now.

Now look, we're not supposed
to be married.

Now, we didn't have to be married,
don't you remember?

I'm sorry, darling.

But just now you have to be an honest,
respectful and heartbroken widow.

You love it, don't you?

I mean, you love taking risks

and teasing him because
you think he's trying to catch you.

Please, quiet!

You think you're too clever for him and
everyone in the world and you like that.

It's much more interesting
than just us being together.

Now, please be patient.
It'll only be another few days.

You know what I've really got
to be worried about?

In another few days,
you may have forgotten who you are.

Goodnight.

It's a pity it's all got to end, isn't it?

What's got to end?

Well, I...

I can't always go on pretending, can I?

Pretending what?

That I'm a rich millionaire
with no work to do.

- Where's Jim?
- I don't know. He was...

Stella thought you'd drowned
or something.

He doesn't seem to like us.

Race you to the beach!

I didn't bring it with me today.

- What, cigarettes?
- Oh!

- It's that what you're looking for?
- Yes, I was looking for some cigarettes.

Well, let's pinch some of Stella's, OK?

There we are.

Thank you.

Oh!

Do you see what he's doing now?

What do you take with that thing?
Wild game over the Essex marshes?

- No, I take everything.
- Yes, I bet you do.

Now, here we go.
Jim... Jim, don't be bashful.

Now, turn round, hold it, ready.

Marvelous!

Here, let me. Come on,
I'll take one of you and Stella.

Then you can have it enlarged and look at it
through the long, wet, lonely summer!

Now come on, now.

Now, Stephen...
Stephen, get a bit closer to her.

Now put your arm around her.

That's better, now come on.
Look at each other.

Now let's see those happy smiling faces.

Hold it... Oh!

I'm terribly sorry.

- That's a pity, that was a good camera...
- Never mind, we'll get you a new one.

Stephen, that was very stupid of me.

Was it?

♪ And I waited till my billy boiled...

♪ Come a-waltzing Matilda with me

- ♪ Waltzing Matilda... ♪
- That's an Australian song, isn't it?

Ah, clever of you to guess.
You're a sharp old sport, aren't you?

You're being very Australian this evening.

I can't help it, it's the drink, you know.

- Puts me in mind of home!
- I'm tired, I'm going up.

- Coming?
- That sounds like an invitation.

Now didn't that sound like
an invitation, Stephen?

- Oh, goodnight.
- Goodnight, dear Mrs. Black.

You know, I wish
she meant it that way.

- Charming woman, Mrs. Black.
- Yes. Wonderful.

It's a shame about her husband.

I met him once.

- Did you?
- No, never.

- What was he like?
- Oh...

He was a nice enough sort of chap,
but hopeless at business.

You know how it is.
No sense about money.

I bet she does better in the future.

Of course, she still misses him terribly.

Oh, I don't know.

I think she'll forget about him.
Eventually.

Well, I think I'll go in now.

- Goodnight.
- Goodnight.

You know, it's awfully good of you
to ask me out tonight.

It's a pleasure.

I didn't want to be
a nuisance to you at all.

Not at all. Why do you say that?

Well, I wouldn't want to interfere
with any of your plans.

You won't interfere with them,
old sport.

Happy dreams.

Goodnight.

See you in the morning. Mañana!

Sleep well.

Rex?

- Come up here.
- Get inside.

Oh, oh!

- I got him!
- Thank you.

Oh, good shot!

When I was a child, we used to have traps
for wasps all over our garden.

Horrible little pots full of jam and water.
They used to fall in and drown.

- Would you like me to make you a trap?
- No, thank you.

I've got to go to Málaga
Can you two take care of each other?

We'll find something to do.

Yes, I'm sure you will. I envy you both.

- What's the business today, Jim?
- Sheep, what else?

I've just had a letter from the bank,
everything's been finally fixed.

What do you want me
to do with him all day?

Try and get a look
at that little notebook of his.

You'll find a way,
you clever little old darling.

Oh, I'll get those earrings
insured for you, their full value.

Do you want to light one of these?

- Why?
- For a wish.

Something like that.

Will it make it come true?

No harm in trying.

Alright.

Well, if it doesn't work,
they'll be pretty anyway.

- Cuánto por...
- 50, señorito.

Gracias.

- Here's a present for you.
- Oh!

Oh, my, that makes me feel...

- ...rather grand and unapproachable.
- Oh, I'm sorry.

- Like a great duchess or something.
- I didn't mean it like that.

You know, Jim would never
spend a day like this.

He hates museums and hates the smell
of churches and things.

Were you married in a church?

- Married?
- To Mr. Black.

- But...
- I'm just curious.

Well, no.

As a matter of fact, we married
in the Croydon Registrar's Office

one rainy afternoon.

I remember Rex was just
flying off some place,

so we just picked up
two witnesses off the street.

I told you,
he hated the smell of churches.

I thought you said that about Jim.

Well, they're rather alike.

Oh...

I suppose, if you got married again,
you'd be very rich with all those sheep.

Well, I'm not particularly
attracted by them.

Stella, you can't go on like this,
can you?

I mean, you may enjoy it for a little while,
but you can't really go on this way.

What do you mean?

Well, drifting round the world,
spending insurance money.

Some time you've got to stop.

Look, there's something
I've got to say to you.

- No, please don't.
- Why?

Well, I...

I just... can't bear it, that's all.
I mean...

Whenever anybody says,
"There's something I've got to say,"

I don't know why,
but I never want to hear it.

Please don't say it yet.

Alright.

- Guess we'd better be getting back, huh?
- Hmm.

I don't know when I've had
such a lovely day.

Thank you.

What are you doing here?

Don't you know?

Well, there is the draft.

You can cash it now
anywhere in the world.

- I don't have to stay here any longer?
- No. No, sir.

But when you wish to draw,

please allow a few days so the bank
can notify us and we can clear it.

By the way, I'd like you
to do something else for me.

I've bought a pair of earrings,
and I wonder if you'd mind insuring them.

- Of course.
- There's the bill.

Yes, I'll, er...

Our insurance department
will take care of that, yeah.

Thank you.

The white shirt...

It worked at last.

I guess that was it.

It wasn't just something
that happened on a holiday, was it?

I know these things do happen
on holidays.

Not that they've ever happened
on my holidays before.

Was it just that?

You know, I've been thinking
all this time

that you must been in love with him.

I'm not an airman or a sheep farmer.

There's nothing strange or romantic
about working in paint.

Working in what?

Paint.

You don't.

I'm sorry, I work for the new
Quick Dry Paint company.

The insurance company...

I got a better offer from the paint people
just after I met you.

They gave me this holiday
before I started.

- I've been so lucky.
- Lucky?

Yes, well, seeing your car
when I was driving to Gibraltar.

Er... what do you keep writing

in that little book of yours?

My little insurance book?
I kept it.

Oh, places, things, restaurants.

A lot of nonsense about you.

- You want to read it?
- Mmm...

What?

Paint!

- What? Did you think I was wrong?
- Oh, no.

Insurance is safer. Do you think so?

Oh, no, I love you being in paint!

I think it's a wonderful job for you.
Stay in paint!

Please stay...

Is that Rex?

It's just a maid.

Why do you say Rex?

Oh, I meant Jim.
Of course I meant Jim.

- Poor Jim.
- Yes...

- Hello, Stephen.
- You could do with a drink.

- Yes, thank you.
- What will you have?

Well, er... Oh.

Cerveza.

- And you?
- Scotch, please.

- How were the sheep?
- Fine, fine. Closed the deal.

- Well, what have you been up to all day?
- Oh, we went around.

Did you see the bullring?

Er... no.

Then I had to write letters, reports,
telephone calls...

Took me ages to get through.

Where to?

Er... London. Head office.

That was a bit extravagant of you,
wasn't it?

Well, I reversed the charges.
It was urgent.

What was it about?

Just something they wanted me
to find out for them while I was in Spain.

- Cheers.
- Cheers.

Rex...

What?

- There's something that I felt...
- Who did you say?

Jim. Of course, I meant Jim.

It's just that I felt I wanted...

- Hello there, Stella.
- Hi.

Would you excuse us, please, Stephen?

- Yes.
- Thank you.

Well, he's finally given himself away.
He called me Rex.

Oh, that's rather a good name for you,
don't you think?

Did you know that he's been
telephoning London all afternoon?

Oh... yes.

Obviously talking about the case
of the late Rex Black.

Well, that's put an end
to a perfectly sound bit of business.

The future death and disappearance
of James Jerome.

Now listen, Rex, let me tell you...

You mean... you're not going
to do another trick?

Look, I got the draft today.

I want you to keep it.
Put it in your bag.

Before he tries to get us arrested,
he's going to keep right up with us.

We're leaving first thing in the morning,
before he gets up.

We'll get across the border at Gibraltar
and get lost in North Africa.

Now, wait a minute,
you mean to say that...

that you're not gonna do any more tricks,
not for Jim Jerome or anything?

How can we, now that they're onto us?

Oh, what were you going to tell me?

Oh, er... nothing.

I'm going upstairs
to start getting some things together.

Oh!

For the last two weeks,
you haven't been able to eat a thing.

Now I'm hungry.

Suddenly you're eating everything.
Why is that?

I don't know really, I don't know.

Excuse me, I'm going inside a minute.

Stella!

We should tell him.

Oh, er... no.

Well, he's bound to find out sometime.

I wish we could just go.

- I've only got a small flat.
- Stephen...

It's like the place you used to have
when I first came to see you.

Listen, er...

Stop dreaming.

I mean...

I mean, just don't count on anything.

He shouldn't have done it.

- What?
- Married her. I mean, look at mum.

That's what she is going to turn into
in no time at all!

Blasted fools.

Why do you always get so angry in cars?

What's going on here?

I... I did tell you
not to count on anything.

You didn't even leave a message.

Well, I know.

This is what you really want, isn't it?
A big car and lots of money.

Please.

It's alright, I haven't come
to make a scene.

I thought you'd better have this back.

I didn't think you'd want to explain
why you lost it.

Stephen!

We left a message for you at the hotel.
Didn't you get it?

No.

Er... no. That's why I'm here
to say goodbye to you.

Well, that was very thoughtful of you.

Won't you join us for a drink
further up in the mountains? Follow me.

Yes, I'll follow you there.

Rex, no!

Stop it, please!

Rex!

Stop!

- You killed him...
- He shouldn't have got in my way!

Stop being hysterical!
We'll be at the frontier in a minute!

Is that draft still in your bag?

Passports.

Gracias.

Un coche blanco americano...

Espere un momento.

Sightseeing, my old darling?

Go away.

Doesn't it choke you,
the smell of these places?

- Horrible old powdered bones.
- Leave me alone.

You were so pure, weren't you?

You were way above a sordid little trick
to make a quick 40,000.

Now you've got your hands on that money,
you might get a little bit greedy.

Come on, hand it over.
It's old Rex's hard-earned cash.

It's what he's been saving up
for his old age.

I'll shout it out, I'll tell them
you killed him, I'll tell them.

Give it to me, Stella, it's my money!

Nobody can cash it
unless they wanna be tried for murder!

Why not?

- You insured my earrings at that bank?
- Right.

Well, one's in Stephen's pocket.

They'll find that and they'll know
you're the one who killed him.

If you try to cash that draft anywhere
in the world, they'd catch you.

- How did he get it?
- I lost it.

- Where?
- In his bed!

All the time, he was just after me.

He'd left insurance
and he worked in paint!

He was just a nice man
trying to be kind.

Why, you...

You filthy...

Por favor, venga conmigo.

Un momento...

Will we be delayed here long?

No, the plane'll take off
in a couple of minutes.

You can't go over there, come back!

How did he find out?

I-I-I told him.

Well, it's alright to be jealous,
but he needn't have gone mad with it.

I always thought he was watching me.

Perdón, señora...
Please, madam.

It seems that you were in the car which
was the cause of the so-called accident.

Perhaps you can help us.

I was too close behind them.
We had no quarrel at all.

Mr. Jerome, why should he wish
to cause my death?

He'd just invited me to a picnic.

So you wish to make no complaint
against Mr. Jerome?

You don't kill someone
when you've just invited them to a picnic.

Very well.
I shall accept your explanation.

They'll have to put up
the insurance premiums

on anyone that wants
to make love to you.

You're an occupational risk,
that's what you are.

Señora, Mr. Jerome has been found.

This is the place to go to.
You may use that car.

You better not go without this.

Take care of it.

What a pity...

...Jim Jerome...

...isn't insured.

James Jerome.
An Australian citizen.

Had you known this person a long time?

He was just a man I... met on holiday.

I'm sorry.