Alfred Hitchcock Presents s04e17 Episode Script

Good evening, friends and critics.
Welcome to Alfred Hitchcock Presents.
I say this for those of you who may be under the impression, you have tuned into a production of Salome with me playing John the Baptist.
I'm sure you're wondering why I, of all people, would be in a steam cabinet.
Actually, I'm having my suit pressed and was too modest to remove it.
We had to hurry that a little.
You see, there's a certain party who wishes to press his suit, a matter he will attend to at once.
If they don't move now, we'll have to give them away.
Well, it's this crazy hot spell, Jan.
Oh, last August it was a cold spell.
I don't remember Henry ever blaming the weather.
Well, he wouldn't have blamed you, either.
You're the best buyer in the market, Jan.
You know how many times Henry said that.
My husband had a good word for everybody.
But having an eye for style is not the same as having a head for business.
Just how bad is it, Jan? Really? Or shouldn't I ask? I can't keep any secrets from you, Evy.
I'm seeing Selwin at the bank this noon.
If I can't get an increase on the loan I don't know how to do these things.
When Henry was alive, he always used to handle it.
There, now let's hope this'll get a bite.
Don't look now, but I think you've hooked something already.
Oh, Mel Reeves? Now what's he doing here? He knows perfectly well I'm not buying anything right now.
Maybe he's interested in selling a different brand of goods.
See what I mean? Oh, Evy! Well, he's cute.
I don't understand you.
Don't you ever intend to look at another man? He's been after you long enough.
Don't be silly.
I'm just a good account.
Is that all? Anyway, he should know better than to walk through the front door with his sample bags.
You know, you girls have the nicest things on the boulevard.
I saw whose legs you were looking at.
I can't see you now, Mel, really.
You should have called me first.
So you could tell me not to come out? As long as I am here I Evy has to go to lunch in 15 minutes and I have an appointment at the bank.
Well, if it's financial advice you're seeking, just remember, I'm yours for free.
Thanks, but I'll manage.
Sure, but anyone starting out with your physical assets ought to be worth a cool million by now.
Oh, Mel.
What's with your boss, Evy? She takes everything I say the wrong way.
Maybe 'cause you came in the wrong way.
Oh! Well, this is just a social call.
I don't know where you get your sales resistance.
Hey, what's this? Oh, I should have come this way before.
"In case of emergency call Mrs.
Manning, New York 40470.
" My number's down there, too.
Oh, yeah, Evy Wilson Poplar 26744.
You're cute.
Mel, you know I have rules, when it comes to mixing business with pleasure.
Oh, so have I, but entertaining accounts is my business.
Evy, I won't be at the bank long.
Mel, I'm afraid I just have to go.
Okay, and don't worry about Evy.
I'll keep her company till you get back.
And don't worry about me.
I'm through for the day.
I have no more calls to make.
Oh, Mel, really, you're wasting both our time.
I have to move some of my stock before I can buy any more.
I'm not surprised.
You were overbought last season.
So, take your line down the street and sell it to Lucille's.
Oh, no, honey child.
As long as you're in Glen Oaks, the line's yours.
Even the boss says so.
You gave us our best runner all season.
Maybe I'm in the wrong end of this business.
Oh, I wouldn't say that.
Anyway, I just dropped by to get your opinion on our new samples.
Oh, you flatter me.
Oh, no.
You've got what it takes when it comes to style.
What was it your husband used to say? "I do the buying, but I let my wife do the picking.
" A real shrewd merchant.
All right, Mel.
You've rubbed it in enough.
No offense.
Anyway, didn't I say that you've got what it takes? You just smile pretty enough at that bank manager and he won't look at your statement.
And if you don't stop needling me, I'm not going to look at your line.
All right, all right, you win.
Now suppose we take the chip off our shoulder.
Mel! Would you turn that off, please? This looks like you're ready to set off a moon rocket.
Isn't it clever? I'm thinking of taking out a patent.
Some gadget.
Oh, Evy calls it my 1:00 whistle.
I'm always forgetting lunch.
At least it reminds me to make tea.
Well, I'll see that you have more than tea today.
I'll take you out to lunch.
I don't know when I'm getting back from the bank.
I'll wait.
Jan, I'm afraid I haven't been a very good friend to you.
Oh, you don't have to apologize, I know you're a busy man.
No excuse.
I should have kept closer tabs on you.
According to this, you've got too much tied up in inventory.
If you don't get into a more liquid position, you'll be in serious trouble.
But that's what I'm trying to do.
If it wasn't for this weather I know.
However, money's gotten tight these days, Jan.
Downtown would never approve an increase in your loan the way things are.
I don't understand I mean, if it was someone who wasn't familiar with the store But you know what it's done.
You know what it can do! Times have changed, Jan.
However, if you need a few more months on your present loan But that's not enough! I need money now to take care of my summer inventory.
Then do what Henry used to do.
Advertise.
Get people in.
Then give them real bargains.
That's the way to move your stock.
I'll be with you in a moment, Mr.
Edwards.
Well, I really must be getting back to the store.
Come in and see me any time, Jan.
I hope you didn't mind my sounding like a Dutch uncle.
Oh.
Not at all.
I appreciate your advice.
Good girl.
Like a shoulder to cry on? Oh, please.
How about that lunch? I couldn't eat a thing.
I've got a better idea, how about a drink? And don't worry about Evy.
I already bought her a sandwich.
Come on.
I ordered doubles.
On an empty stomach? Oh, it'll be good for you.
Here's luck.
I really shouldn't be doing this.
Jan, you're a funny girl.
I'll bet you weren't such a square before you married Henry.
Maybe it's time you had another man around the house.
Now don't start that again.
Well, at least a merchandise man.
Jan, do you know how many dresses you had on that sale rack? Oh, approximately One hundred and forty-six! I counted the sweaters on sale, too.
Well, that wasn't so bad, but when I walked in the back room and saw what you had stacked there.
You should have gone through my books.
Then you could tell me what I have on order.
Anyway, if I were your banker Mel, please, I've had my fill of Dutch uncles.
All right.
All right.
Well, there is a way of solving your problems.
No matter what I do, I can't meet my bills or pay the bank.
It's that bad, huh? You know your stock is worth a lot of money, if you have the right insurance.
Oh, I'm insured, but who'd bother to steal it? Who said steal? There's nothing wrong with your shop that a good fire couldn't cure.
You're serious.
Oh, now, wait a minute.
Going bankrupt is one thing, but going to jail is another.
Not necessarily.
Is that why you're out? Now, do I look like the type who'd go around starting fires? Well, I'm not so sure.
But I know someone who does.
What? Let's have another drink.
So, you say it's his business? But what about the police? What about the insurance company? Isn't it their business, too? Sure, and they're on to all the tricks.
So, how does your friend do it? Interested? No.
Just curious.
Oh, you see? I told you I shouldn't have any more.
We'll fix it then.
You got a bar towel, please? Thank you.
Uh, one more, please.
I'm sorry.
I'm terribly sorry.
It's all right, it could happen to anybody.
It happens all the time.
Now, to get back to your question.
We'll say I have a friend whose store is in trouble.
I call up a certain party, let's call him Al.
Now, the first thing Al asks me is about the alarm system.
I checked yours, very simple.
Then he asks me the location of the skylight.
That's all.
Then, one night, the store is robbed.
Robbed? But I thought that you said All right, now Wait a minute, just let me finish.
A burglar breaks in through the skylight, takes a few things, but he's careless.
A cigarette is dropped in the waste basket, or near the wrapping table, like in my friend's back room.
There's even a bottle of cleaning fluid there.
Very dangerous.
So a fire starts.
A careless burglar starts a fire.
My friend collects a lot of money and Al gets a cut.
And you? I was able to help a friend.
That's all? All right, Jan.
I'll lay it on the line.
I've been on the road for a long time.
And like a lot of the guys, I've got nothing to show for it.
But an interest in a store.
Well, that could be a future! I see.
Jan, with your style sense and my horse sense, we could really go someplace.
Isn't that something to think about? How can I? Everything's all so mixed Thank you.
Do you have a better idea? Oh, I don't know, Mel.
With all the drinks, don't ask me to think.
Let me do the thinking.
Now, look, today is the 10th.
When does your accountant come in? Tomorrow, today All right.
Now, when he does, be sure to tell him to take the books home with him.
The books? Yes.
In case there is a fire, you wouldn't want your records destroyed, would you? Records? Oh, Jan, listen! What did I say? To tell Bernie to take the books home with him.
Right, so you can prove your inventory.
Now, that's why you mustn't forget to tell him.
Tell Bernie to take the books home.
That's right.
Now you're talking.
Jan, I was worried.
Where've you been all afternoon? I just sent your sister looking for you.
Oh, I'm sorry, Evy.
You didn't get the loan? No.
As soon as Susan gets back, you go on home.
I'll close up.
Oh, Evy, what would I ever do without you? No more Jeanette's.
Isn't there anything you can do? Oh, Mel was talking about something.
You see, there are lots of people you can turn to.
The books.
So there you are! Jan's not feeling well.
You take her home.
I'll close up.
She's been awfully worried lately.
The car's in back, Jan.
What did she do? Tie one on? If Bernie comes, tell him to take these home.
I promise.
It's important, Evy.
Mel said so.
It mustn't be left here.
I understand.
You won't forget? I promise.
Jan! Jan, the phone! Who could be calling at this hour? Hello.
Uh, yes, this is Mrs.
Manning.
Yes, I'm the owner of Jeanette's Dress Shop.
What? I'll be right down! What happened? A fire.
The store's on fire! Boy, bring that two and a half inch line over here and put it through that window.
I got the ladder up, chief.
All right, but don't go inside till you play your line in there first.
Right.
Oh, Jim, play your line on the building next door, they don't want this thing to spread.
Mrs.
Manning? Will you come with me, please? Can I come, too? I'm her sister.
Oh, certainly.
I just want to get some information.
Oh, it's awful.
At least you're insured.
Oh, it's pretty well under control now, but I'm afraid your stock and fixtures will be a total loss.
How did it happen? Well, somehow it broke out in the rear of the store.
Now, would you mind answering a few questions, Mrs.
Manning? Well, I Your insurance company? The Great Northern.
Great Northern.
And your landlord? The Guarantee Title and Trust on Main.
Miss Evelyn Wilson.
Was she an employee of yours? Is Evy here? Well, she was.
Apparently, she went into the store to get this.
My records! I don't understand! But before we got here, someone had called her.
Her telephone number was on the door.
She seemed quite upset.
Said that she'd forgotten something, and before any of us could stop her, she went in the building.
What happened? Is she all right? Well, the ambulance got here as fast as they could, but I'm afraid it's third degree burns.
Oh, Evy.
Sorry, Mrs.
Manning, we won't hold you any longer.
Take her home and give her a good sedative.
There's nothing she can do here anyway.
The clean-up crew will take care of anything that's valuable and it will be noon before anybody can go in there.
Thank you.
Come on, Jan.
Get a good night's sleep, Mrs.
Manning.
Jim, get a lot of water on the building next door.
Uh, I'm sorry, ma'am, but no one's allowed in here.
I'm Mrs.
Manning, the owner.
I came to see something.
Okay, sure.
Go ahead.
I suppose congratulations are in order.
Looks like you're clean as a whistle.
Go away.
Well, that's not a friendly attitude to take.
Especially toward a new business partner.
Leave me alone.
Why so upset? Because of Evy? Yeah, I read about it.
I'm sorry, too.
But, accidents will happen.
It's unfortunate.
We'll make it up to her.
Get out of here.
Just get out! I know how you feel.
You'll get over it soon as that check comes in.
Did you hear me? Or do I have to call somebody? All right, all right.
Only, don't stay angry too long.
We've got a lot to talk over, you and I.
Be seeing you.
Oh, I'm sorry.
Mrs.
Manning? Yes.
I'm Frank Voss, The Great Northern Insurance Company.
Care for a cigarette? No, thanks.
Now, it looks like we're going to have quite an extensive claim here.
I was just checking over the figures before I left the office this morning.
Your inventory was rather large, wasn't it? I mean, compared to previous years? When my husband was alive, he was able to handle these things better.
Oh, I wasn't criticizing your business ability, Mrs.
Manning.
But it's just that, well, under these circumstances A fire couldn't have happened at a better time? Mrs.
Manning, I wasn't going to say that at all.
You and your husband have been doing business with our firm far too long for us to jump to a conclusion like that.
In our terms, you're a preferred risk.
I see.
Mrs.
Manning, in my job you have to be able to judge people as well as evidence.
If your answers are acceptable to me, they're acceptable to my company.
That's very kind of you, Mr.
Voss.
I wish that I were the kind of person you think I am.
Oh, what do you mean? Do you really think this fire was an accident? Well, that'd be rather hard to prove one way or another.
Well, it wasn't.
Mrs.
Manning, I must warn you that arson is a criminal offense.
Anything you might tell me I'd have to report to the police.
I'll tell them anything they want to know.
There, you see.
I'm a better judge of character than you thought.
I was hoping that you'd face up to the facts and tell the truth.
I don't know who set the fire, but there's a way you can trace him.
Trace who? The arsonist.
The man who broke through the skylight.
But, Mrs.
Manning, nobody broke through the skylight.
But the glass.
The broken glass.
I saw it.
Oh, a few pieces, perhaps, But most of it is up on the roof.
The heat blew it out.
Well, then he came in another way.
He was supposed to make it look like a robbery.
Mrs.
Manning, there's no use trying to put the blame on somebody else.
I thought you'd decided to tell the truth.
But I am telling you the truth.
Mrs.
Manning, the evidence is all here.
Unfortunately for you, the fire didn't destroy it.
Look.
It happened just the way you planned it.
The clock turned on the hot plate at exactly 1:00 am.
Then the cleaning fluid and the wrapping materials did the rest.
But don't you understand? That's how I make my tea.
It was set for 1:00 pm.
It must have gone on again by accident.
Mrs.
Manning, if you had given me this information before, I might have believed you.
But you yourself just admitted But I am telling you the truth.
I am.
The clock wasn't turned off properly.
It was an accident.
Please, Mrs.
Manning But you've got to believe me.
It was an accident, I tell you.
An accident.
Please.
I can't seem to get out of here.
The certain party I mentioned a short time ago locked me in and is now selling three baseballs for a dime to passersby.
I'm not sure what he has in mind, but I don't like the way they are looking at me.
Fortunately, we had already planned to inject something at this time that may save my life, a more inviting target.
Here it comes now, after which I shall try to rejoin you.
As you see, I managed to escape.
Next week, we shall be back with another story.
Until then Plum pudding.
Good night.