Alfred Hitchcock Presents s01e16 Episode Script

You Got to Have Luck

Good evening.
The hourglass is a wonderful invention.
But I'm afraid it will never replace the sundial.
Certainly not in my garden.
This one doesn't even work.
I sent it to a jeweler's to be cleaned and he removed all the sand.
Fortunately, the second hand still functions.
Time is very important to the characters in tonight's story.
One of them is doing it.
For another, time seems to be running out.
Time is also very important in television.
We fill it.
We must start on it.
We must finish on it.
And, appropriately enough, we occasionally kill it.
I refer, of course, to my own fumbling efforts.
Certainly not to the stellar entertainment which follows.
It's The Eagle.
I can't talk to them now.
But it's the editor.
He said you might not look quite so silly if you release some kind of a statement of how he got out.
Do they know who it is? Sure.
He knows it's Cobbett.
They have sources in the prison.
They pay for tips.
All right.
Warden Jacobs speaking.
Yes.
That's right.
No.
No.
Of course not.
He wanted to know if we made Sam Cobbett a trustee.
See if we can get Willis in the helicopter.
Bart, contact Willis, helicopter.
Yes, sir.
We haven't been able to see anything so far.
There's 20 miles of road where he could have dropped off the truck and plenty of cover.
If he gets hold of some clothes he'll be hard to catch.
Yes, sir, I will.
Over.
The warden didn't release an all points on this guy before the newspapers could get it, but he'll have to now.
Yeah, here it comes.
All points.
: Sam Cobbett, 26 weight 160 height 5 feet 9 inches brown hair, dark heavy eyebrows sallow complexion.
Escaped state penitentiary approximately 3.
:13 p.
m.
May be heading south on foot.
Cobbett was serving four consecutive 99-year-terms for armed robbery, criminal assault and murder.
He is extremely dangerous has the letters M-A tattooed on the back of his right hand.
No other distinguishing marks.
How did he get out? In a laundry basket.
You want out? I'm letting you out.
Come on, Mike.
Atta dog.
Here.
Let's see.
"Milk, butter.
"B-R-N rice.
" Brn rice? Brown rice, silly.
Oh! Yeah, thought it was burnt rice.
"Vegs.
" I know what that is.
We ought to have a garden of our own.
We really should, I guess.
Then there's "horseradish marmalade!" Now wait a minute.
What's that? Don't be so smart, now.
I see, that's horseradish and marmalade.
Sorry, it was all on the same line.
I got it.
I better be off.
I'm late already.
I should be back by 8:00 this evening.
Well, try to.
Don't worry, I will.
I hate leaving you alone like this.
Why? What could happen? I don't know.
I just worry.
I'd better get Mike back in here for you.
You let him out just a minute ago.
He's probably off chasing rabbits.
Come on, boy.
Hey, Mike.
Here, Mike.
Here, Mike.
Where do you suppose he went? He's up in the hills.
He fancies himself a mighty hunter.
Come on, Mike.
Suppose he ever gets anything? I doubt it.
Now, look, you be careful, will you? I'll be fine.
Bye-bye, sweetie.
Well, how do you do? I knew this was my day.
What do you want? Well, that's an easy question.
But I'm in a little bit of a hurry.
Little bit of a rush.
You're a convict.
I was, but I'm out now.
I'm gonna stay out and you're gonna help me.
You'd better get out of here.
My husband will be back in a few minutes.
Now, you see, you're off to a bad start already.
Your husband won't be back till late.
Now you shouldn't lie to me, chick.
We won't get along so good.
We want to get along real good, don't we? What do you want me to do? That's better.
Now, you just do what I say and we'll get along fine.
I need some clothes.
Answer the phone.
Now, talk natural.
Wait a minute, ain't this a party line? What's your ring? A long, two shorts and a long.
What do you think you're doing? What's the matter with you? I'm sorry.
You told me to answer it.
I told you no tricks, too, didn't I? I was not trying to do anything.
What sort of Chick, you got any idea Whatever What you mean to a guy who' s been in the stir for three years, do you? And here's the 5.
:00 edition of the news.
Sam Cobbett, the killer and bank robber who was serving a sentence of 396 years in the state penitentiary escaped this afternoon and is still at large.
The search for Cobbett, who has been free for two hours has shifted upstate, since motorist Tom Robellos reported a hitchhiker, answering Cobbett's description to whom Robellos had offered a ride had forced him from his automobile at gunpoint and fled northward.
Cobbett is about 5 feet 9 weighs about 160 pounds, with dark heavy eyebrows and a sallow complexion.
In Washington- That does it.
This is my day.
I knew it.
I told you, didn't I? I'm hungry.
Fix me something to eat.
We haven't got much.
Eggs Would eggs be all right? Okay, make me some eggs.
Make it two.
No, you'd better make it three.
Okay.
Now let's you and me get something straight between us.
You know what they could do to me, if I were to kill you or something? No.
Nothing, that's all.
Just nothing.
You see, you don't burn for murder in this state and I'm already up for life.
So anything I could do to you would be for absolutely free.
Do you understand? Yes.
All right, just remember that.
We'll get along fine.
Now put them on the fire.
So they're looking for me upstate? That's fine.
You can bet your sweet life they won't call it off down here right away.
But it's gonna make things a lot easier for me.
Hey, fix me some bacon with those eggs.
You got some bacon? No, the bacon is all gone.
All right, skip the bacon.
You wanna know something, chick? What? You got to have luck.
Yeah, that's all it is.
You got it, you can do anything.
You ain't, and you're dead.
But you gotta know it, see.
That's the thing.
You got to recognize it when the time comes, and you gotta jump.
What, you think it's easy to bust out of that jail? No, it must be very hard.
Chick, it was impossible.
That's all.
But I did it.
Because I knew.
The lid was off this laundry basket, see.
The driver drops his cigarette, he leans down to pick it up.
I got that long to make up my mind.
But I do it.
And I get in, and I'm out.
Then I hit here chow, clothes, a little time even a nice doll, like you.
What's your name? Mary.
I like the way you talk, Mary.
What, are you one of these Italian girls or something? My parents came from Italy.
I like your wrist.
It's just the way I like- You must like your mother very much, I guess.
Yeah.
That's why I got her there, so I can look at her all the time.
I'll get you some butter.
I want some coffee.
What did you say? You got some coffee? Yes, it's already made.
I'll warm it up.
Make some fresh.
I'm not in any rush now.
Go ahead.
Well, we've covered everyplace that he could reach on foot pretty thoroughly if he's still in this area.
Well, I'm afraid we haven't got much of a chance to spot him.
He can hear us before we can see him.
We'll stay up till dark, though.
So you see, a man can't live in a cage.
Stretches him too tight.
So what do you do? You watch, all the time, for a break, night and day, and when it comes You got a rod in the house? A rod? Did you say rod? That's right, a gun, a pistol.
Oh, no.
All right, where's the rifle then? We don't have a rifle.
Okay, shotgun.
Where's your shotgun? We don't have one.
We don't have any guns at all.
Guns are to kill things with.
We don't want to kill anything.
When a fat bank guard draws down on you, then it's different.
It's him or you.
Where's your dough? How much you got? You mean money? That's right, cash, legal tender.
Not much, just what's in my purse.
What about your husband? Where does he keep his? We never have much cash around.
What he has, he's got with him.
I have a little money, though.
You can have that.
$3 and a little change.
It's okay.
Leave it there for now.
You know, you're gonna be a great big help That's yours.
You said a long, two shorts and a long, didn't you? Yes.
Okay, come on.
Now, you're gonna answer it.
But I'm gonna tell you what to say.
Now, don't goof.
Hello.
Mary.
Tell her yes.
Yes.
This is Mother.
Are you all right? Tell her you're fine.
Yes, I'm fine.
Is David there? Tell her David's out.
He won't be back till 8:00.
Tell her where he is.
David is not here.
He was going to pick up some supplies.
He'll be back around 8:00.
I see.
Say goodbye.
Get rid of her.
I'll tell David you called.
Goodbye.
Goodbye, dear.
Hang up.
Okay, you did fine.
You did okay.
Who is it? I said, who is it? My neighbor, Mrs.
Martin, and her little girl.
Don't let her in.
Don't unlatch that screen.
Just get rid of her.
Don't let her get wise to anything.
You understand? Go ahead.
Hi, honey.
How's every little thing? Is Dave home? No? Well, no matter.
I just wanted to see him a minute.
My pullets ain't laying worth a lick.
What's the matter? Let me in.
I've got a cold.
I think Susie might catch it.
Don't worry about that.
She's the healthiest kid ever lived.
You couldn't give her a cold if you tried.
We was on the way to town and I thought I'd stop and have a cup of coffee, see if you need anything.
Really, Maude, I don't think you better come in.
What's the matter, Mary? You really sick? You look okay.
You look fine.
I get it.
Dave went off mad? Let me tell you something.
These little old spats- Please, Maude, I don't want to talk about it.
I want you to go away.
Don't you understand? Well! I was just trying to be neighborly.
Guess I know when I'm not wanted.
Yes, I know.
I'm sorry.
It's just Sure, honey.
Don't worry about it.
I know how it is.
I've been through it myself.
Look, I'll come in- No, no.
Can't you understand? I don't want to talk to you.
You ought to be paddled, you little snip.
Treating your best friend like that.
What's the matter? You crazy or something? Better have your head examined.
Now, take it easy.
Please leave me alone, please.
What are you making a big thing out of this for? There's nothing to be afraid of.
What are you afraid of? This? Look, I'm gonna need some clothes, and I got to get washed up.
Later on we'll take a look for that gun and some more dough, too.
Don't worry, now.
I'm not gonna find it.
At least I hope I'm not.
I don't think you'd lie to me.
I like you.
I don't want nothing to happen to you.
Now, where's the clothes? They're in there.
Get me a shirt, and a nice quiet tie.
Here, hold this.
Wouldn't want to embarrass you.
Couldn't have that.
Over.
Sit here.
Makes everything so easy.
It's just a breeze.
Sure came to the right place.
All right, lieutenant.
All right.
They had to pull the road block off the turnpike.
Traffic piling up too deep.
You think he was the hitchhiker that took that guy's car? No, I don't.
Because if he got a change of clothes that quickly, it had to be a planned deal.
There would have been a car, and he wouldn't have had to hitchhike.
But if it was a spur of the moment thing, the way it looks he's got a problem getting clothes.
He's got to be just fool lucky, and we got a good chance to grab him.
Yeah, you might be right.
It's gonna be dark pretty soon.
Yeah? Yes, it is, you're right.
It's not bad.
Not bad.
What time is it? What time is it? The clock is in the kitchen.
It must be about 6:00.
It's dark.
I'll probably hitchhike over to the turnpike now, all right.
Catch a ride there.
Maybe a bus.
Pick up a car in the city.
Manage that tonight, all right, okay, easy.
You are different.
No, chick, I'm not different.
I just look different but I'm still the same guy.
Better wear a coat.
A coat? Sure, you'll need it.
But I'm not going.
Sure you are, chick.
Look, everything will be easier with you along.
Nobody will be looking for me with a dame.
No, you don't need me.
I'd only be in the way.
Chickie, you don't seem to understand.
It's not just because I need you for a front.
I want you to come.
I like you.
It'll be okay.
You'll see.
But I'd only make a mistake.
Be quiet.
I'd give you away and I'd- I said be quiet! What's the matter? You deaf? I'm sorry, but you got to learn, chick.
When I tell you to do something, do it.
Don't stall.
You got to learn that.
Here, take this.
When we need something, a bus ticket or something, you pay.
And remember, I got a knife.
Please, don't make me come.
I won't say a word.
I will never say you were here, please.
Will you stop it.
Stop it! You don't want to get me upset.
I don't want to get upset, I tell you.
Please.
Now take it easy.
Take it easy.
Take it easy.
Yeah, that's a good girl.
That's a good girl.
Come on, let's go.
Hold it, Cobbett.
Don't move.
Put your hands up.
He has a knife.
Okay, drop it.
Glad to see you, Cobbett.
May we use your telephone? You don't have to talk that way.
I understand.
Go ahead.
Thanks.
Bob, call in that we picked him up right where the lady thought he was and tell headquarters to notify all points.
Tell them to be sure to call the city editor of The Eagle.
My, how you've changed! I want to ask you one question.
Sure, Sammy boy, anything at all.
What is it? How did you know I was here? You told us.
When you made the young lady answer the telephone.
You see, she's been totally deaf ever since she was nine years old.
When she answered the phone and seemed to hear what her mother was saying her mother knew that something was wrong.
Luckily she'd heard the broadcast and she called us.
Let's go.
Well she reads lips pretty good, don't she? You had a little tough luck, Sam.
Just a little tough luck.
Oh, well, back to the old rock pile.
I do think Sam should be congratulated for making such a good try.
Perhaps he'll have better luck next time.
And returning to the subject of time I believe we have just about exhausted that which was allotted to us.
And so, until next time, when we shall return with another story good night.

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