Alfred Hitchcock Presents s02e15 Episode Script

Crackpot

Good evening.
Good evening.
Good evening.
Certain parties have been objecting to my candid remarks.
So, I'm doing tonight's show from this sealed chamber.
It's as quiet as a tomb.
Which is not surprising Good evening.
since it was the only type of structure available that suited our Certain parties have been objecting to my candid remarks.
So, I am doing tonight's show from this sealed chamber.
Which is not surprising.
Are you quite finished? Here, in a moment, is tonight's play.
It is entitled "Crackpot.
" Are you quite finished? Oh, what about that, huh? What about what? You get a honeymoon once in your life, and I have to get a flat tire.
Do you mean me, darling? No, I'll be I'm almost through, here.
You know, they say you learn a lot about people watching them under pressure.
I've had a wonderful day learning about you.
What did you learn about me that you didn't already know? That you're very sweet.
You should've learnt something else, too.
Oh, what? That I love you very much.
You better finish fixing that tire, darling.
We still have a long drive.
Yeah.
We better get that sign off, before we get into Santa Barbara.
Ray, are you sure this is the right road? I think we're lost.
Yeah, I guess I should have gone the way we go every summer with I mean, the way we used to go every summer with Aunt.
Maybe it was too soon.
Maybe we should have waited.
No.
I'm sure it's what Aunt Florence would have wanted.
She never did approve of mourning.
Besides, I couldn't bear being without you any longer.
I couldn't bear it, either.
I only meant how it might look to other people.
Because of all the publicity.
I don't think that's going to come off without a darn good washing, do you? Well, let's leave it there.
I kind of like them knowing.
Let's get out of this heat, can't we, darling? Oh, I'm sorry.
Oh, I mean it.
Let's start our honeymoon.
But let's start it in Santa Barbara.
Oh! Hey! Will you look at that? I told that kid at the garage to check my spare.
Wait a minute, he did check it, didn't he? And he was the one that told us about this shortcut.
Well, I guess there's nothing else to do except to walk to the nearest station.
It can't be too far from the main road.
I just hate having to leave you here.
Oh, I hate it, too.
But you better go.
Only hurry! Don't worry, I will.
Hey! Here comes a car.
You don't expect a car to stop for us in the middle of the country.
Yeah? Well, you just watch.
An old college trick.
It never fails.
Oh, Ray! Stop that! Hiya! Trouble? Yeah, I got a flat.
And my spare's gone down.
Well, now, I'd say you're really having your share! Well, I'd appreciate it if you drop me off at the nearest station with the tire.
Do better than that.
Just pull right up here.
Excuse me, ma'am.
Excuse me, ma'am.
I got this whatchamacallit about a year ago, works like a charm.
I attach this end to my spare here and I take the other end Excuse me.
and put it on your tire, here.
Now the pressures balance out.
See? My spare goes down, your tire goes up.
Not all the way, of course, but enough to get you to the station.
And newlyweds are always in a hurry.
Excuse me, ma'am.
There's nothing on earth as exciting as being newly married.
Well, I guess you're all set to go now.
Yeah, I want to thank you very much for everything, Mr Moon.
Oh, that's all right.
Glad to help.
Just hand me that end there.
Yeah.
If it hadn't been for you, boy, we would Oh, I'm so Oh, gee, I'm awfully sorry.
That was awfully clumsy of me.
You stupid fool.
I'm very sorry.
Sorry? Look, I know that Look, let me take care of the damage, will you? I know a cleaner could get that thing out.
You think you could pay for what you did to me? Look, I said I was sorry! I could kill you for what you did.
Look, I said I was sorry.
I said I could settle this thing up with you.
Yeah.
I could kill you.
He's insane.
He's completely insane.
Let's get out of here.
Please! Yeah, sure.
Darling, I'm sorry, I didn't know about the convention, when I wired for the room.
I guess I should have used Aunt Florence's name.
They don't seem to recognize mine.
We don't get our rooms here, we'll go someplace else.
It's not a great tragedy.
Look, I wanted everything to be just right Mr.
Loomis? Yes, sir.
Would you mind stepping into the manager's office, please? You want to wait here? No, no, I'll come, too.
Right this way, sir.
check with me later.
Good afternoon, Mrs.
Loomis.
Good afternoon.
Mr.
Loomis.
I wired you a good week ago for that suite.
We're here on our honeymoon.
I know.
I'm not the hotel manager.
Sergeant Carpenter.
Detective? Oh, not more questions! We picked up a man in Ventura last night.
His description fits the one you gave us of your aunt's murderer.
He had this bracelet with him.
We thought it might be hers.
Yes.
Yes, that is it, isn't it, Ray? Are you sure, Mrs.
Loomis? I've only seen it a few times, but no, I'm not sure! It's not a bracelet I'd be inclined to forget.
That sort of jewelry is worn to parties, Sergeant.
I was her secretary.
We never met socially.
No, this isn't it.
My aunt's bracelet had 15 emerald cut diamonds in it.
No.
This isn't it.
I know, it was just a chance.
We'll keep trying.
We'll catch up to him one of these days.
Yes? Well, fine.
I'll tell him.
That's the room clerk.
He wants to see you at the desk.
I'm sorry to have disturbed you.
Thank you and good-bye.
Your room is ready now, Mr.
Loomis.
I'm sorry about the mistake.
Your reservation was in order.
That's all right.
I guess you do have your hands full with the convention.
Oh, others are not so considerate.
I hope you enjoy your stay with us.
Thank you.
Luggage.
Show Mr.
and Mrs.
Loomis to Suite 308, please.
This way, please.
Thank you.
You're very welcome.
This is nice.
It's really lovely.
Will there be anything else, sir? No, no.
That's all.
Thank you.
You'll, uh, take care of the other boy, will you? Thank you, sir.
Right.
You know, I wanted to carry you over the threshold but I was afraid the bellboys wouldn't have understood.
They might not have approved.
They'd have understood.
Oh! Sea air smells so fresh and so clean.
Meg.
Meg, I hope you're as happy as I am.
I am, darling.
There's only one thing that can make me any happier.
That's if we had our own place.
Mmm-hmm.
You still don't want to go back to the house? No, I I want to sell it.
We can build a new house, get an apartment, or maybe just travel.
Darling, people have died in hotels, too.
No, it isn't just that.
I've spent too much time in that house, I hate it.
I guess that's just the difference in the way we're brought up.
All my life I've dreamed of having an estate like that.
My folks didn't have much money.
Now, listen, when we got married, we said we're going to forget about the past.
Let's just think about the future.
You know what I'm going to do? No.
I'm going to carry you over the threshold like I planned.
We're going to start this honeymoon off right.
What do you want? Oh, I beg your pardon.
This is the wrong room.
I'm next door in 306.
Next door? The valet did a rush job.
And a very excellent one.
May I recommend him if you have any cleaning, ma'am? See? Not a spot.
I'm I'm glad.
I only wish you'd let me pay for the cleaning.
It was an accident.
See you later, ma'am.
That's a switch! He's a real crackpot! A little touchy, but Oh, but he was nice enough to help us when we needed help.
Looks like that takes care of all of our worries.
I'm going to unpack.
Hey, Meg! You know Hmm? I think I've seen him somewhere before.
That is strange, darling.
You don't see many good Samaritans floating around these days.
I just can't think where.
Well, if he's here for the convention, maybe he's a vet or something that you took the dog to.
No, it couldn't be that.
I never had a dog.
Do you know this was a lovely gift, darling? It's the first luggage I've ever owned.
I always had to use my mother's or my sister's overnight case.
Oh, darn, look how mussed I've gotten everything.
I thought I was such a good packer.
Oh, well, I suppose they'll hang out.
Ray.
Hmm? What? Darling, if If it's all the same with you, I think I'll go and get cleaned up.
Hmm? Oh, yeah.
Yeah, sure.
I'll wait out here.
All right.
Come in! Hey, will you stop that? Hey, stop it, will you? Stop it, huh? Hello! What? That's right, sir.
Mr.
Moon in 306 complained you were pounding on his wall.
I was just trying to get him to stop! No.
No, he's not hammering now.
Well, I should hope so.
Oh! Oh, it's you.
Sorry to have complained but I've had a very long drive.
I've been trying to take a nap.
Take a nap! You've been hammering on the wall.
What is it you want? What are you trying to do? Trying to do? I saw you knocking a hole in that wall.
A hole in Are you out of your mind? I just saw I have a permit to carry this gun.
Man has a right to protect himself.
Now, get out of here and don't come back.
Yes, but I saw Young man, you need a psychiatrist.
Now any more trouble, I'll call the police and have you put away.
Ray! Ray! Is that you, darling? Yes.
Where have you been? What's wrong? He's got a gun.
Who's got a gun? Mr.
Moon.
Remember he said he was going to kill me? I was right about him, Meg.
We've got to get out of here.
Darling, I don't know what you're talking about.
He pulled a gun on me when I found out why he was hammering on the wall.
Hammering on the wall? Yes.
Remember I said I thought I saw him somewhere before? It was on the night of my aunt's death.
Do you mean that he's the Yes, that's why he wants to kill me.
Now do you understand? Because I can identify him.
Oh, darling, if he wanted to kill you, he could've done it back on the road when there was no one around, not wait until we get into a crowded hotel.
Yes, but I was just in his room.
He pulled a gun on me.
He's knocked a hole through the wall.
I don't see a hole.
It's almost through the wall.
But why? I don't know why! Maybe he wants to spy on me.
Maybe he wants to shoot me.
Of course, this way he could shoot me and he wouldn't even have to enter the room.
But it wouldn't work, darling.
They'd find the hole in the room where he was registered.
Oh, I don't know.
Maybe I'm all wrong about Mr.
Moon.
Maybe I never did see him before.
He could be just a crackpot.
But somehow I feel it's dangerous for us to stay here.
Ray.
Ray, darling, maybe you'd feel better, if we moved to another suite.
Hello.
Room clerk? Hello, this is Mr.
Loomis in 308.
I'd like another room.
No, it doesn't matter where.
As long as it's on a different floor.
But the convention, sir.
Remember the trouble we had with your present suite? Right.
Thank you.
No.
There's nothing available.
Not even a broom closet.
You know what we could do, darling? I was just steaming some dresses in the bathroom and as soon as I get them out, you go in and take a good hot shower.
Then I'll order a drink and we'll toast Mr.
Moon as the bad Samaritan.
Oh, please, Meg, don't make a joke of this.
Oh, let's have some champagne.
I think it's depraved to drink champagne in the middle of the day, but If you can't be depraved with your own husband, what's the use of being married? Meg? Just a second, darling.
Meg, come here, quick! Listen! You hear the clock ticking? What? I don't hear anything.
You telling me I'm hearing things? Darling, I'm not telling you anything.
I simply said that I didn't hear anything.
Go on, Ray.
Go and take your shower.
You think I'm out of my mind.
Hello, Room Service, please.
That's what Mr.
Moon said.
Go on, darling, take your shower.
And I'll be ordering some champagne.
Hello.
Hello, Room Service.
This is Mrs.
Loomis in 308.
I'd like to order a bottle of champagne Meg.
Meg.
Come here quick, listen.
Come here.
Just a minute.
I'll call you back.
Come here.
Come here.
Oh, it was ticking just a second ago.
Darling, you're tired.
Let's stop talking about it Oh, please, don't take that tone with me! I know what I heard.
I know what I saw! Don't treat me like a fool! Just let's not fight.
I've loved you from the first moment I ever saw you.
I always wanted to marry you.
Dreamed of this for a long, long time.
I don't want anything to spoil it.
I'm sorry, Meg.
Listen.
It's a bomb! What? Sure, the hole in the wall, the wiring, the clock! It's a time bomb! You don't really think that's possible? Yes, I'm sure it is! We've got to get out of here! But surely he wouldn't blow himself up, just Quite right, ma'am.
I have no intention of being blown up.
I have exactly three minutes.
Time enough to get comfortably down the back stairs and out of the building.
But why? Why should you want to kill us? Why did he tell you, ma'am? Because you killed my aunt.
Now, why did I do that, Mr.
Loomis? She caught you at the safe, you got panicky and you hit her.
That's an accurate description of the murder.
He's answered your question, Mrs.
Loomis.
But my husband wasn't able to identify you.
He spent days going through the police files.
You're safe.
Please let us go.
No sense arguing with him, Meg.
He's insane.
Don't say that! Don't make me shoot you.
Well, it's time to go now.
I'll just take the precaution of locking the door, so you don't miss any of the fun.
Ray! Meg, we got to get out of here! Yes, but we must warn the people in the hotel.
You go ahead.
You go ahead, hurry! But, Ray Please! I've got to get something.
Now, go ahead.
Well.
Very clever! I'll take that case.
Oh, we searched all the luggage, but Mr.
Moon, if you want the jewelry take it.
But let me out of here before that bomb goes off.
Ray! Ray, let's get out of here! Take it easy, ma'am.
Who are you? Detective, Pasadena Police.
What does he mean, Ray? Your husband was in debt, Mrs.
Loomis.
Meant to commit burglary, ended with murder.
Sorry to involve you in this, ma'am.
It's the only thing I could think of to trap him.
That's pretty stupid.
It'll ruin the whole plan.
Forgot to shut off the alarm.
We wanted to withhold the end of that story.
But decided it was better that you learn the truth about Ray Loomis now than later.
I knew it, it's the ITA.
It's futile to try to escape.
We shall be back soon with another play.
Don't you try to escape.
Good night.

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