Alfred Hitchcock Presents s02e17 Episode Script

Good evening.
I firmly believe that everyone should indulge now and then in some form of athletic sport, don't you? Personally, I don't require much exercise, since I lead a very Spartan existence.
But when I do, I find my needs are adequately filled by such sports as riding or reading the less violent portions of the Sunday papers.
Of course, for a true test of bodily coordination, I think there's nothing better than lying in a hammock, but I suppose that would only appeal to those of you who enjoy living dangerously.
As for tonight's play, it is called "My Brother, Richard" and it begins in a country club.
By the way, golf is one game I've never cared much for.
I don't like the paperwork.
I find adding up my strokes too fatiguing.
If you keep stuffing papers in that case, Martin, you won't have room for a clean shirt.
It's just the notes for tonight's speech, hon.
You can't expect me to ad-lib my way into the Governor's mansion.
Isn't that how you became district attorney? A little more respect, please.
Yes, sir.
Well, now, what's this for? Just in case I get lonely.
Well, you'll only be away 24 hours.
Besides, I thought you saw my face in your dreams.
Supposing I get insomnia.
Well, that'll be the night.
Now, Martin, you'll be late.
Where is everybody? We're in here, Richard.
Greetings.
Hello, Richard.
Hello.
You almost missed me.
I'm on my way to the State Committee dinner in Bridgetown.
Oh? For my favorite sister-in-law.
Hmm.
Oh, you spoil me.
But, of course.
Why bother with Bridgetown? It really isn't necessary.
It is, if I want the nomination.
Everything counts.
You'll have the nomination.
That's what I've come to tell you.
There you go with that crystal ball of yours again.
But thanks for the confidence.
You two admire each other and I'll get dressed.
Are you coming to the station with us, Richard? I hope to persuade Martin not to go.
And waste that case full of speech he's prepared? Never.
Truthfully, Richard, I've made a few too many speeches of late.
I wouldn't mind skipping a few.
I wish you'd try my tailor, Martin.
I can't afford him.
I'm a public servant, not the owner of a successful construction company.
The Governor of the State will be able to afford my tailor.
There you go calling the shots again.
But aren't you forgetting my worthy opponent? If you're referring to Burton Reeves, you don't have to worry.
Oh, he is just one of the most important men in our party.
Fine record in state politics, third-term member of the legislature and I Well, I'm your brother.
My brother happens to be a man who can't lose.
All right, if you say so.
I'm going to send you a case of my vermouth, Martin, it's so much drier.
I promise you, Richard, that if I win the nomination I shall drink your vermouth and I'll go to your tailor.
I'll even recommend you as a fortuneteller, but right now I'm on my way to Bridgetown.
Martin, Burton Reeves is dead.
What? Dead? Yes, dead.
When did it happen? About half an hour ago.
I killed him.
I did it for you.
I should say, "Us.
" At any rate, Mr.
Reeves has conceded the nomination with my assistance.
You killed Reeves? You couldn't I must say that I was very pleased to find that I could.
See how that suits your taste.
Oh, I forgot you don't take an olive.
About half an hour ago, in the shower room at the club.
I very neatly and nicely shot Mr.
Reeves in the back of the head.
No one saw me come in, no one saw me leave, so no one will ever know.
Come, Martin, stop behaving as though I'd committed a crime.
Burton Reeves meant nothing to me.
He was in the way.
You wanted to be Governor, I wanted you to be Governor.
Now you will be.
We both know that whoever wins the nomination wins the election.
I made sure that it was you.
Kill a man to win an election? Perfectly acceptable motive for murder.
Answer it, Martin.
Hello? Yes, it is.
Sheriff Briggs, I Reeves? How did it happen? I see, I I'll have to call you back.
Well? It happened exactly as you said it did.
I'll have to resign.
But you needn't worry, Richard, I'll defend you.
Don't be so melodramatic, Martin.
Sometimes that halo of yours gets a bit tiresome.
Of course you don't have to resign.
You certainly don't have to defend me.
All you have to do is to find yourself another murderer.
No one will know that it was I.
Find someone else, that's all.
Anyone.
There must be half-a-dozen of our fellow club members who had something against Burton Reeves.
Pick the most likely one, build your case, and at the proper moment, they'll find this in his possession.
Exhibit A in the State's case.
This conviction will get you more votes than a hundred speeches in Bridgetown, I can tell you that.
Go to it, Governor.
Only remember, I get all of the construction work in the State from now on.
I always knew you were ambitious, Richard, but I never realized it was a disease.
Now, look, I went to a great deal of trouble for you and you don't appear to be very cooperative.
Now, do as I say.
You calmly announce that you've murdered a man and ask me to find someone else to take the blame.
And then you expect me to say, "Congratulations, brother, well done"? Why not? It was well done.
I'm the District Attorney, Richard.
I can't go around framing people.
It's insane! I'm ready.
Oh my, doesn't she look lovely, Martin? You'd better do as I say, if you want her to stay alive.
You've been doing a lot of thinking, Martin.
I hope it's been productive.
I'm just remembering, Richard.
When you started in the construction business, you had a partner.
Whatever became of him? I didn't kill him, if that's what you mean.
Not with a gun perhaps, but I remember you said that he wasn't aggressive and that his ideas weren't big enough to suit you.
So you taught him.
You taught him how to live, how to dress, how to spend.
And you taught him so well that he wound up exactly where you wanted him.
Up to his ears in debt.
And you were the noble friend who bought him out, at your price.
You didn't kill him, Richard, you ruined him.
That was only good business.
Yes, it was good business to ruin a man, it was good business to kill a man, but what good is it going to do to kill Laura? I can't listen to this anymore, I don't want to hear it again.
Laura darling, please.
Now, Laura is upset and there is no need for it.
Just do what I told you to.
You know perfectly well I am not going to allow an innocent person to take the blame for your crime.
And I know your threats against Laura are just that, threats! How do you know? How can you be sure? My sister-in-law seems to understand me better than you do.
I'm very fond of you, Laura, really I am.
I always have been.
I hate seeing you upset like this.
Perhaps if I left you two alone, you could persuade Martin that the only way for all of us is my way.
Let's get this unpleasant business over and begin behaving normally again.
I won't be far away, I promise.
I advise you to listen to Laura and don't use the phone.
No, don't use the phone.
Can't you see he really means it? He'll kill me.
No, sweetheart, he won't.
What would be the point? He can't get away with it.
Even he knows that.
But I'm afraid that he will.
Darling, that's exactly what he wants, to frighten you into forcing me to go along with him, but there's no logic to his plan.
It might take weeks, even months to find a patsy for him.
And he can't hold you, not even for 24 hours.
He has to fall asleep sometime.
Can't you see how insane the whole thing is? Yes, exactly, because Richard is insane, now that's why I'm afraid.
Laura, look.
We're going to leave here now, together.
No.
No, Martin, he's probably waiting for us outside in the hall.
He's not going to do anything, you trust me.
No, Martin.
Laura, trust me.
Laura! Laura.
She's only frightened, the poor darling.
I didn't hit her.
Not this time.
Are you all right, Laura? Answer it.
Answer it.
Hello? Yes, it is.
Sheriff Briggs? Who? I'll be right down.
It's Briggs.
He says he has the murderer of Burton Reeves in his office right now.
Oh, by all means, send him in.
It's the DA.
I guess you'll start talking now.
Martin, sorry to have bothered you at home.
Hello, Jim.
But we've got this kid dead to rights.
It's all down here, he just has to sign it.
Hello, Tommy.
You know him? One of the best caddies I ever had.
Will you tell him he's nuts, Mr.
Ross? Will you stop? That's all he keeps on saying.
Now here are the facts, Martin.
This kid had an argument with Burton Reeves less than an hour before the poor guy was found with a bullet in his head.
What was the argument about, Tommy? Reeves said that he stole his wallet.
From the size of that guy's tips, I'd never know he had a wallet.
All right, so you didn't steal it.
We're not accusing you of stealing anything.
Yeah, thanks for nothing.
Here's the way I got it figured.
When Reeves threatened to have this boy arrested, he panicked because he'd been in trouble with the law before.
Now, he catches Reeves alone in the locker room, waits until he gets in the shower, and while the water is running, he shoots him and walks out.
Sure, the perfect crime.
All you have to do is sign the confession.
I ain't signing nothing.
I'd like to talk to him alone, Jim.
All right, Martin.
If you need me, I'll be outside.
Thank you.
Hey, Mr.
Ross, you don't think I did it? Sit down, Tommy.
You needn't be frightened.
Nobody is going to hurt you.
How's your ball club? Pretty good, I guess.
You the pitcher? No, sir, shortstop.
I bet you're pretty good.
Look, Mr.
Ross, what's going to happen to me? The Sheriff keeps telling me I killed this guy.
A thing like this could be serious.
It is serious, Tommy, that's why I wanted to talk to you.
I need your help.
My help? I want you to sign that confession.
You're just like all the rest of them.
Just because I got into trouble once when I was a kid, everybody wants to blame me for everything that happens in this town.
What kind of trouble, Tommy? Look, I've never been in jail or anything.
One time these kids borrowed a car, without asking.
I went along for the ride.
Boy, was I a dope.
And you've never been a dope like that again? I'll say I haven't.
I haven't been in trouble since.
Look, I made the ball team.
I got myself a swell job down at the club caddying.
I At least it was a swell job until this guy Reeves gets himself bumped off.
Now I'm right back where I started.
Tommy, how would you like to help me catch the man that killed Mr.
Reeves? The man Then you don't think I did it.
I know you didn't do it.
But I want you to pretend that you did, just for a little while.
It's very important.
You mean, you want me to take the rap? Then you're going to start looking for some other guy? I don't get it.
I'm afraid I don't have to look, Tommy.
I know where he is and who he is.
He's a very sick man and a dangerous one.
Will you help me? Gee, I I don't know.
How do I know this just isn't a trick? I'm asking a lot, Tommy.
You just have to trust me.
If we can make him believe that you've confessed to the crime, we can throw him off guard and prevent another murder, and put him where he won't do any more harm.
And you'd be the one who made it possible.
Will you do it? Yeah, I guess so, if you're really sure it's going to help.
Thank you, Tommy.
Mr.
Ross, could I tell my mother? See, she's kind of nervous.
She worries about me a lot.
It'll have to be a secret between us, but it won't be for long, I promise.
Okay.
Sure hope I'm not signing my life away.
Laura.
Hello? Hello, Laura.
You all right? Yes, Martin, I'm all right but please come home.
I'm on my way, darling.
You can tell Richard to put that gun away.
Tommy Kopeck has confessed to the murder of Burton Reeves.
Tommy Kopeck.
It was very accommodating of that caddy to pop up like that just when we needed him, wasn't it, Laura, dear? I've seen Tommy at the clubhouse.
Rather surly fellow.
Not overly bright I imagine.
I never cared for him very much.
There must be more-likely suspects.
Still, I suppose Martin knows what he's doing.
After all, time is of the essence, isn't it? I hope Martin hurries.
I'm eager to know the details.
Do you know, Laura, all one really needs for success is a worthwhile plan and the courage to follow through.
Have a drink with me, my dear.
We do have something to celebrate.
Oh, come now.
That's a strange attitude for you to take.
Now, think what's in store for you.
You're going to be the wife of a governor, and perhaps, someday, even the wife of a president, yes.
That's not beyond the realm of possibility.
Martin, President of the United States.
I think we'd all enjoy that very much, except, of course, for Tommy Kopeck.
It's not true about Tommy.
I don't believe it.
What isn't true, my dear? Martin wouldn't force someone to confess to a murder they didn't commit.
He couldn't do that.
Not even to save your life? No, not even to save my life.
Oh, such noble sentiments.
I'm afraid you're wrong, my dear.
My brother is a bit more realistic, also ambitious.
I don't think his conscience will trouble him too much.
We're really very much alike.
Oh, if I believed that, I don't know what I'd do.
Poor little Laura, with her head in the clouds.
I'm afraid you have quite a shock coming.
Well, he'll find some other way.
I know he will.
There is no other way.
Martin.
Very sensible of you, Martin.
I'm trying Darling, I was so afraid.
Everything's going to be all right, Laura.
Of course it is.
You had no trouble getting his confession, did you? It wasn't easy, Richard.
I had to talk to him about circumstantial evidence, his past record, and because he trusted me, he admitted to everything I asked for.
The verdict will have to be guilty.
Martin, you're not going through with it? What else can I do? Richard's made me a proposition.
Your life or Tommy's.
It's just a simple matter of an exchange.
From now on, there'll be no gun necessary, right? Right.
May I have the confession? After I have the gun, Richard.
That was our deal.
You can trust me.
I'm afraid I can't afford that luxury.
Confession, please.
Martin.
Now get out of here.
Of course.
Ready, Laura? Laura? You don't expect me just to go conveniently off like that, alone? Afraid I can't trust that conscience of yours, Martin.
It might tempt you to confide in the police.
But if Laura is with me Oh, no, you can't take her! Of course I can take her! Sit down! Sit down.
I give you my word.
The day that Tommy Kopeck is executed, I'll bring her back.
Come, Laura dear, we have a long trip ahead of us tonight.
Martin.
Martin! You were right, Laura.
He's not like me at all.
All my trouble was wasted.
I'm sorry, Laura.
We won't be taking that trip together, after all.
We'll answer that together.
You are Mr.
Martin Ross? He's Laura.
Who are you? Do you see what they say about my son? It is a lie, a terrible lie.
It's the truth, Mrs.
Kop Laura.
Your son has made a full confession.
No, he couldn't, they made him do it.
Tommy is a good boy, a little fresh sometimes maybe, but he could not kill! It's impossible! Your faith in him is very touching.
The facts are that your son committed a particularly cruel and senseless crime and he must pay for it.
You do not believe this.
You are a good man, Mr.
Ross.
Tommy has told me this.
You would know my son could not kill.
You will stop this terrible thing.
Please, Mrs.
Kopeck, I wouldn't think of obstructing justice.
Justice? It's only some bad mistake.
You will tell them and they will let Tommy go, please! I simply cannot abide sniveling women.
Show her out, please, Laura.
I am poor, I can give very little, but I know how to sew.
That's how I make my living.
I could come to your house many times.
I would make many beautiful dresses for you.
You don't understand, Mrs.
Kopeck Are you suggesting a bribe? Please, Mr.
Ross! I've heard enough.
There is nothing I can do for your son.
The law must take its course.
And what is this course? It's very simple.
He'll be hanged.
He is only 18.
In the eyes of the law, he is a man.
Now, if you will excuse us.
Laura.
I only did it to make my boy safe.
Only to make him safe.
Laura.
Martin.
Laura.
Your boy is safe now, Mrs.
Kopeck.
We all are, because of you.
That'll be our defense.
Yours and mine.
Thus ends "My Brother, Richard.
" Needless to say, Mrs.
Grant was brought to trial, but fortunately, the jury took into account many of the circumstances which we saw reenacted tonight.
On our next program, we shall present another story, and I will also be back to provide the marginalia.
Until then, good night.