"Open it." "Don't." " We've got to see if " " I know." "But not just yet." "Let's stay this way for a minute." "Phillip, we don't have too much time." "It's the darkness that's got you down." "Nobody feels really safe in the dark." "Nobody who's ever a child, that is." "I'll open these, alright?" "There." "That's much better." "What a lovely evening." "Pity we couldn't have done it with the curtains open in the bright sunlight." "Well..." "We can't have everything, can we?" "We did do it in daytime." "Alright now, Phillip?" " Yes." " Good." "You better put those away in my chequebook drawer behind the box." "Now..." "It's a museum piece now." "We really should preserve it for posterity, except, it's such good crystal and I'd hate to break up the set." "Out of this, David Kentley had his last drink." "It should have been ginger ale, or even beer." "It was out of character for David to drink anything as corrupt as whiskey." "Out of character for him to be murdered, too." "Yes, wasn't it?" "Good Americans usually die young on the battlefield." "Well, the Davids of this world merely occupy space, which is why he was the perfect victim for the perfect murder." "'Course, he was a Harvard undergraduate." "That might make it justifiable homicide." "He's dead and we've killed him." "But he's still here." "In less than eight hours he'll be resting at the bottom of a lake." "Meanwhile, he's here." " What are you doing?" " It's not locked." "All the better." "It's more dangerous." "And the lock's too old." "It won't work." "I wish it would." "I wish we had him out of here." "I wish it were somebody else." "It's a trifle late for that, don't you think?" "Whom would you have preferred, Kenneth?" "I don't know, I suppose anyone was as good... or as bad as any other." "You, perhaps." "You frighten me." "You always have, from that very first day in prep school." "Part of your charm, I suppose." "I'm only kidding, Brandon." "I obviously can't take it as well as you, so I'm turning on you a little." " That's rather foolish, isn't it?" " Yes, very." "May I have a drink now?" "By all means." "This is an occasion." "It calls for champagne." " Champagne?" " I put some in the icebox." " When did you put it there?" " Just before David arrived." " You knew it would work." " Of course." "You know I never did anything unless I did it perfectly." "I've always wished for more artistic talent." "Well, murder can be an art too." "The power to kill can be just as satisfying as the power to create." "Phillip, do you realise we've actually done it, exactly as we planned?" "And not a single thing has gone wrong." "It was perfect." " Yes." " An immaculate murder!" "We've killed for the sake of danger and for the sake of killing." "We're alive, truly and wonderfully alive." "Champagne can't equal us, or the occasion." "I'll take it, though." "You aren't frightened any more, are you?" "Neither of us can have fear." "That's the difference between us and them." "They talk about committing the perfect crime but don't do it." "Nobody commits a murder just for..." "the experiment of committing it." "Nobody except us." " You're not frightened still, are you?" " No." "Not even of me?" " No." " That's good." "You just astound me, as always." "That's even better." "To David, of course." " Brandon, how did you feel?" " When?" "During it." "I don't know, really." "I don't remember feeling very much of anything, until his body went limp and I knew it was over." " And then?" " Then I felt tremendously exhilarated." "H-How did you feel?" "Oh, I..." "I..." " You don't think the party's a mistake?" " No, it's the finishing touch to our work." "It's more." "It's the signature of the artists." "Not having it would be like, uh..." "Painting the picture and not hanging it?" "That's not a good choice of words." "It may end up too choice, thanks to the party." "Oh, rot." "This party will be the most exciting ever given." " With these people?" " Oh, they're a dull crew." "The Kentleys couldn't be duller if they tried, but we did have to have them." "After all, they are David's mother and father." "That doesn't make them any easier to talk to." "Don't worry." "Janet'll be buttering them up, poor girl." "She's banked everything on hooking David." "Somehow, I don't think she's going to succeed." " Do you?" " No, somehow I don't." "Well, she can switch back to Kenneth tonight." "You must admit, it was most considerate of me in view of recent events to..." " Phillip?" " What?" " Take the other one." " What for?" "Never mind." "Come with me." " What's this all about?" " You'll see." "It's brilliant." "What the devil are you doing?" "Making our work of art a masterpiece." " Brandon, you're going too far." " Why?" "What do you mean?" "I just thought it'd be nice to have supper in here... on this." "Isn't it a good idea?" "Well, at least this way no one will try to open it." "I don't think you appreciate me, Phillip." "I'm beginning to, Brandon." "Come on, we don't have much time." "Mrs Wilson will be back soon." "Did you forget to borrow her key?" "I might've known " "I didn't forget." "I have her key." " Oh, good." " How are you going to explain this?" " I'm not." " We've got to have some excuse." " We can't leave our guest alone." " We must have an excuse for the others." "Let me think." "Really, you get much too upset much too easily, Phillip." "We have a very simple excuse right here." "What are you worrying about, Phillip?" "Mr Kentley's coming mainly to look at books." "What could be better than having them on the dining room table where the poor old man can easily get at them." "Considerate, aren't we?" "Hello?" "Oh, of course." " You start on the books " " Who is it?" "Mrs Wilson." "Brandon?" "Brandon!" "What the devil?" "Don't you have any more sense than to..." "What is it?" " Well, go on, yank it out." " I can't." "If Mrs Wilson were here, she'd yank it out for you." "A stupid display like that in front of others will be as good as a confession." "Take these and get ahold of yourself." "If you'd let me keep the light on, I would have seen it." "Alright!" "You're perfect." "We have to be, Phillip." "We agreed there was only one crime we could commit, that of making a mistake." " Being weak is a mistake." " Because it's being human?" "Because it's being ordinary." "I won't let either of us do " "You owe me $2.40 for taxis, including the tip." "If it weren't for the traffic, I'd have been here a half hour ago." "It's just as well." "We didn't expect you back until now." "I went to five stores for the special pâté we like." "But the prices!" "I couldn't see any reason for throwing away good money." "So, I went downtown to that little delicatessen where Mr Cadell goes." "But I tell ya, the next time we give a party, I'm only going to " "Good evening, Mrs Wilson." "What, may I ask, is happening to my table?" "We're just moving the things in here." "Well..." "I personally thought my table was quite lovely." "Oh, it was quite lovely." "But Mr Kentley is coming to look at these old books I had in the chest." "You wouldn't want the poor old man to have to get on his knees to see them?" "Well, I think it looks downright peculiar." " Peculiar?" " Very." "Particularly those candlesticks." "They don't belong there at all." "On the contrary, I think they suggest a..." "a ceremonial altar, which you can heap with the foods for our sacrificial feast." "Hmph, heap is right." "Isn't enough room for me to set things out properly, is there, Mr Phillip?" "Oh, you can make it do." "You two'll be the death of me." "What's to be done with the books?" "We'll lay them out on the dining room table." "A crazy idea, if you ask me." "Well, I have too much to do to discuss this thoroughly, dear." "I still think it's peculiar." " What on earth is the matter?" " I was sure she'd notice." " Notice what?" " The rope, of course." "Brandon, we've got to hide it." " Why?" " Why?" "Yes, why?" "It's only a piece of rope, an ordinary household article." "Why hide it?" "It belongs in the kitchen drawer." " Mrs Wilson?" " Yes?" "There's champagne in the icebox." " We're not giving them champagne?" " We are." "Oh, it's going to be that kind of party." "I'd better doll up a little." "We only serve champagne at Mr Cadell's on very high occasions." "Matter of fact, he and I once had a glass together on my birthday." "Tonight, Mrs Wilson, you'll have an opportunity to renew that romance." "May I?" "Mr Cadell's coming." "Oh, my." "Oh, Mr Cadell is terribly nice." " Rupert's coming?" " Yes, I thought I told you." "No, you didn't." "Some people say he's a little peculiar, but I always thi..." "Well, you might let me finish." "I thought you liked Rupert." " I do." " Well, then?" "Of all the people on this Earth, Rupert Cadell is the one man likely to suspect." "He's the one man who might appreciate this from our angle, the artistic one." " That's what's exciting." " I'm glad it excites you." "It frightens me." "I suggest you keep your voice down." "It would have been too easy with the others, Phillip, and too dull." "As for Rupert, I once thought of inviting him to join us." " Why didn't you?" "The more the merrier." " He hasn't the nerve." "Oh, intellectually, he could've come along." "He's brilliant." "But he's a little too fastidious." "He could've invented and admired but he never could have acted." "That's where we're superior." "We have courage." "Rupert doesn't." "Mr Cadell got a bad leg in the war for his courage." "You've got your sleeve in the celery." "They're here." "Are we ready?" "As ready as we'll ever be." "Don't you be so busy at that piano that you don't eat." "You're getting too thin." "And don't you let them gobble up that pâté before you have any." "Let's hope it's a success." "Oh, my tray." "Take it in the kitchen." "I'll answer the door." "There wouldn't be this last minute hustle bustle if you'd kept my table..." "Now the fun begins." " Hello, come in." " How are you, Brandon?" " Fine." "Just put your hat there." " Thank you." "It's been quite a while." "Yes, that's why I sounded so stupid on the phone." "Surprised, I guess." " Hello, Kenneth." "Good to see you." " You too." " Been up to much lately?" " Oh, nothing to speak of." "You?" "Trying to get ready for exams." "I have to start cramming before everyone else." " Am I the first?" " You are." "Why is it I'm always too early at parties?" "Probably because you're always on time." "Mrs Wilson, champagne." "Oh." "It..." "It isn't someone's birthday, is it?" "Don't look so worried, Kenneth." "It's really almost the opposite." "The opposite?" "Phillip's bidding the world a temporary farewell." "I'm driving him to Connecticut." "Oh." "Where are you going?" "To Brandon's mother's place for a few weeks." " I'm to be locked up." " What?" "To make sure he practices six hours a day." " I've finally wrangled a debut for him." " Town Hall, at that." "That's wonderful." "I hope you knock 'em dead." "Thank you." "Mmm." "Most decorative." "Think so?" " Hey." " What is it?" " I feel pretty honoured." " Oh, why?" "Well, it looks like a pretty small farewell party." "Well, we're really killing two birds with one stone." "The party's also for Mr Kentley." " David's father?" " Yes." "Oh." "Is..." "David going to be here?" " Of course." " Who else is coming?" "No one you don't know, if that's what's bothering you." " The Kentleys, Janet Walker " " Janet?" "Yes." "I thought you'd be glad to see her." "Won't you be?" "Brandon, Janet and I are all washed up." " Didn't you know?" " I'm sorry, I didn't." "Well, you knew, Phillip?" "Oh, I'd heard vague rumours, but I never pay attention to that sort of thing." "I wish you had." " Why?" " Well, Janet and David are " "Hello, Mrs Wilson." " May I?" " Help yourself." "Cheer up." "I have a feeling your chances with the lady are better than you think." " What do you mean?" " Janet." "Hello, ducks." "Angel!" "Be careful of my hair." "It took hours." " You smell dreamy." "What is it?" " That swill you gave me last Christmas." " I knew I had good taste." " You do." "You look lovely." "I won't by the time it's all paid for." "Was that funny?" "I never know when I'm being funny." "Whenever I try to be, I lay the bomb of all time." " Phillip, sweet." " Hello." "What's this rumour I hear about you and Town Hall?" "I bet you're going to play a foul trick on all of us and become... horribly famous." "I believe you've met." " Hello, Ken." " Hello, Jan." "That was fascinating, wasn't it?" "I seem to have run down." "What would you say to some champagne?" "'Hello, champagne.'" "You see what I mean about trying to be funny?" " How've you been, Ken?" " Fine, thanks." " How's the new job?" " What are you doing?" "Writing that same dreary column on how to keep the body beautiful." " For whom this time?" " An untidy little magazine called Allure." "Thanks, chum." " Oh, isn't that painting new?" " Yes it is." "Do you like it?" " Well, what is it?" " New Young American Primitive." "I have a new young American sister." "She's three and her stuff is really primitive." "You dirty dog." " Why?" " Didn't I notice another one in the foyer?" "I don't think so." "Which?" "This." " I could really strangle you, Brandon." " What have I done now?" "At times, your sense of humour is a little too malicious, chum." "What are you chattering about?" " Why did you invite Kenneth?" " Well, why not?" "You know perfectly well why not." "We called it quits ages ago and I'm practically engaged to his best friend." " David?" " Yes, David." "Which makes everything just ginger-peachy." "I'm terribly sorry, but it is difficult trying to keep up with your romances." "After me came Kenneth, and now it's David." "Why the switch from Kenneth to David, anyway?" " Obviously, I think he's nicer." " Well, he's certainly richer." "That's a new low even for you, chum." " Gave me a 'D' in conduct." " How's your drink doing?" "How many years has it been since I said, 'Oh, it tickles'?" "And don't you tell me." " I hear Rupert's coming." " He was invited, but you never know." " I hope he does." "How is he?" " Who is he?" "Rupert Cadell was our housemaster in prep school." "Housemaster for you three little dears?" "Four little dears." "He tried valiantly to teach David, too." "Rupert's a publisher now, isn't he?" "Successful?" "Maybe he can give me a job." "Rupert only publishes books he likes, usually philosophy." "Oh." "Small print, big words, no sales." " Right." " Rupert's extremely radical." "Do you know that he selects his books on the assumption that people not only can read but actually can think." " Curious fellow, but I like him." " You always did." "Golly, those bull sessions you and Rupert used to have in school." "Brandon would sit up till all hours at the master's feet." "Brandon at someone's feet!" "Who is this Rupert?" " He used to tell you the weirdest things." " Really?" "What sort of things?" "I suppose Kenneth means Rupert's impatience with social conventions." "For example, he thinks murder is a crime for most men, but " " A privilege for the few." " Yes." "It's alright, Mrs Wilson, I'll answer the door." " Mr Kentley." "So glad you could come." " Thank you, Brandon." "Mrs Kentley isn't well, so I took the liberty of bringing my sister-in-law," "Mrs Atwater, who's staying with us." " Delighted to have you." " Delighted to come, dear boy." "I've been in New York two weeks." "Alice has been ill almost the whole time." "Henry is forever cataloging his library." "Oh, no, Anita." "Occasionally, I even read one of my books." "But I'm on a visit." "This is just my second party." " I suppose it's only fair " " Let me take your things." " I'm sorry to hear Mrs Kentley's so ill." " Oh, it's just a cold." "Colds can be very dangerous this time of the year." "I hope Mrs Kentley's staying in bed with lots of fruit juice." " She is, thank you." " Well, that'll do the trick." "Colds dangerous, in this heat?" "I don't understand that at all." "Exactly two years ago this summer I had one myself." "I was down for three weeks." "The doctors " "Excuse me." "This way, Mrs Atwater." "...particularly at parties." "This is over my head." "David!" "Oh, I'm so sorry." "That's alright, Anita." "Kenneth is often mistaken for David even by people who aren't nearsighted." "We haven't had much opportunity to observe the resemblance lately, my boy." " Haven't been studying, have you?" " I've been trying to, sir." "Oh, dear." "The resemblance is only physical." "I believe you both know Miss Walker." "Janet, my dear." "I finished working out your horoscope just before we came." " Oh, tell." " The stars are very kind." "They indicate a marriage very soon." "to a tall, fair-haired young man with a very lovely father." " Oh, Anita, I told you that a week ago." " Oh, well, I suppose you did." " But the stars confirm it." " Wonderful." "Mrs Atwater, may I present Mr Phillip Morgan?" " How do you do?" " Oh, you've hurt your hand." " Oh, it's nothing, just a little cut." " What happened?" "Nothing." "The glass was cracked and it broke." "That's all." " May I get you some champagne?" " Oh, I should adore some." "Daddy used to have a glass every morning at eleven." "But of course, Henry doesn't like it." "Mr Kentley, may I get you some?" "I'd prefer a little Scotch with a lot of water, if you don't mind." "Is David here?" "I expected him to come with you." "He called and said that he'd meet us here." " Where did he call from?" " Our maid spoke to him." "He was at the club, studying for his examinations..." "In tennis." "The trouble with David is, he doesn't have to study." "He's too bright." " David does alright, very much so." " Thank you." " How's Mrs Kentley?" " As usual." "It's a cold this time." "I hope David arrives soon." "She wants him to call her." "David's her only child, Mr Kentley." "He's my only child too, but I'm willing to let him grow up." "Why don't I call and tell her he's been detained." " No, you mustn't pamper her." " David might have stopped to see her." " Mr Kentley?" " May I use the phone?" " Of course." "It's in the bedroom." " How cosy." " Aren't you ready for another?" " I will be." "I am, thank you." "What a charming young man." "I wish David saw more of him." "Yes." "I'll go and call." "Kenneth, there's too much air in your glass." " Mine's fine, thanks." " Would you mind taking this in to Janet?" "Sure." "Why?" "No particular reason." "I thought you'd like to take it to her." "She's in the bedroom." " Then you'd like David to walk in." " No, that'd be too much of a shock." " When were you born?" " July 14." " Can you really tell my future from that?" " I'm only an amateur astrologer." " I'm sure you're very good." " I do my best." "I suppose you want to know if your concert will be a success." " Yes, I do." " Let me see now." "You were born on the 14th of July." "You're Cancer, the crab." "You're a moon child." "You're very much influenced by the moon." "May I see your hand?" "You don't remember the hour of your birth, by any chance?" "No." "Good fingers, strong, artistic." "What about the concert?" "These hands will bring you great fame." "Well, I consider myself a very fortunate man today." " I'm on hand for the grand opening." " Of what?" " Of your collection, so to speak." " Oh yes, of course." "Are you going to play?" "How lovely." " Your wife sends her love." " David wasn't there ?" "No." "He'll probably be here in a minute, though." " Your touch has improved, Phillip." " Rupert!" "I..." "I was beginning to think you weren't going to show." "You know me better than that." "Mrs Atwater, may I present Mr Rupert Cadell." " Delighted." " Thank you." " Mr Kentley." " How do you do, Mr Kentley?" "Rupert Cadell, the housemaster at Somerville?" " I used to be." " You must have taught my son, David." " You flatter me." "How do you do?" " Hello, chum." " Oh, Miss Walker." " How'd you know?" " Brandon spoke of you." " Did he do me justice?" "Do you deserve justice?" "Well!" "Well, little Kenneth Lawrence, how you've grown." " Hello, er..." " Kenneth, school's out." "You can say it." "Rupert, you're the same as ever." "It's awfully good to see you again." " Why?" " Uh, well..." "Don't mind me." "Very pleased to see you again." "And that bears a curious resemblance to champagne." " It is." " Very good champagne." " What's the occasion?" " I told you on the phone." "It began as a little party for Mr Kentley so he could look over the first editions." "Then it turned out Phillip and I were going to the country " "Yes, you told me that too, Brandon." " Did I?" " Yeah." "Well, I thought I'd make it sort of a farewell for Phillip." " Therefore, champagne." " Yes." " I see." " Well, it's true." "You always did stutter when you were excited." "Well, l-l guess I'm always excited when I give a party." " Really?" " Mr Cadell." "Oh, Mrs Wilson." "Well, what have we here?" " I don't like it anymore." " Oh, no!" "No, I'm just teasing, just teasing." " You're awful." " Thank you." "Thank you." "You'd better get along with the carving." "The rest of the things'll be here in two shakes." "Oh, Mr Brandon, I found it." "I haven't the least notion what it was she lost." "Wonderful Mrs Wilson." "I may marry her." "It looks heavenly." "I hope David gets here soon." " Yes, where is David?" " I haven't the faintest idea." "But he's so late, Mr Kentley's getting annoyed." " And you?" " Me?" "I'm hungry?" "Brandon, exactly what is this?" " A cassone I got in Italy." " No, I mean why are we eating off it?" "Oh, I've turned the dining room into a library." "Trust you to find a new use for a chest." "One was always turning up in the bedtime stories he told in prep school." ""The Mistletoe Bough," that was your favourite tale, wasn't it?" " What was that one about?" " I don't quite remember how it started." " It was about a lovely, young girl " " She was a bride-to-be." "On her wedding day, she playfully hid herself in a chest." " Yes, that's right." " Unfortunately, it had a spring lock." "Fifty years later, they found her skeleton." " I don't think I'll get that playful." " Would you all please help yourselves?" "Talking of skeletons, have you seen that new thing at the Strand?" " Yes, I adored it." " Did you?" "Good." "I didn't like the new girl much." "Definitely Scorpio." "No, I didn't like her either, but her clothes were fabulous." " Simply divine!" " Absolute heaven!" " I must see it." " I have a passion for James Mason." " Is he good?" " Absolutely terrific." "So attractively sinister!" "Taurus, the bull, you know." " Very obstinate." " Really?" "But I have a confession to make." "Do you know, I think I like Mason as much as Errol Flynn?" " I'll take Cary Grant, myself." " Oh, so will I." "Capricorn, the goat." "He leaps, divine!" " So much "oomph."" " Yes." " Absolutely." " He was thrilling with Bergman." "What was it called?" ""Something of the something."" "No, that's the other one." "This was just plain "Something."" "You know, it was sort of, you know." "It was right on the tip of my tongue." "Mine too." "It was just plain "Something" I'm sure." "I adored it." " And Bergman!" " She's the Virgo type!" " Like all these, you know." " Oh, I think she's lovely." "I once went to the movies." "I saw Mary Pickford." "I was mad about her!" "Didn't you love her?" "Well, the Virgo type, like all of these." " What did you see her in?" " I don't quite recall." ""The Something Something."" "Or was it just plain "Something"?" "Something rather like that." "I don't believe you ever went." "If I were you, I'd go easy on the pâté, dear - calories." "Phillip, would you mind helping Mrs Atwater?" "I'd be glad to." "Sit down, Mrs Atwater." "I'll bring it to you." "Thank you so much, dear boy." "I must apologise for David." "I can't think what's keeping him." "He's only in town for the weekend and David is very popular." " Here, let me help." "White or dark?" " A little of both on this for Mrs Atwater." " What about you?" " I don't eat it." "How queer!" "I never heard of anyone who didn't eat chicken." "Did you, Brandon?" "Oh, you probably did." " Why don't you eat it, Phillip?" " I just don't." "There must be a reason." "Freud says there's a reason for everything, even me." "There's no reason, Janet." "As I remember, you have a very funny reason." " Doesn't he, Brandon?" " Yes." " I knew there had to be one." "What is it?" " It's nothing too much." " It's fascinating." " Come on, Brandon, please." "Well, it happened about three years ago in Connecticut." "Mother has a place there, you know." "We were going to have chicken so we walked over to the farm." "It was a lovely Sunday morning in late Spring." "Across the valley, the church bells were ringing." "In the yard, Phillip was doing likewise to the necks of two or three chickens." "Oh, dear!" "It was a task he usually performed very competently." "But on this particular morning, his touch was, perhaps, a trifle too delicate." "because one of the subjects for our dinner table suddenly rebelled." " Like Lazarus, he rose " " That's a lie!" "That's not true." "I never strangled a chicken in my life!" " Now look here, Phillip " "I never strangled a chicken, and you know it." "Forgive me, but it just seemed very funny, you two being so intense about an old, dead chicken." "Sorry." "We were ridiculous and very rude." "I apologise for both of us and the story." "Well!" " Is it all over?" " I'm afraid so, Rupert." "Oh, what a pity." "In a moment, you might have strangled each other instead of a chicken." " Mr Cadell, really." " But a man's honour was at stake." "And personally, I think a chicken is as good a reason for murder as a blonde, a mattress full of dollar bills, or any of the customary, unimaginative reasons." "Now, you don't really approve of murder, Rupert, if I may." "You may, and I do." "Think of the problems it would solve - unemployment, poverty, standing in line for theatre tickets." "I must say, I've had a perfectly dreadful time getting tickets for that new musical, what's it called?" " You know." " "Something" with what's-her-name?" "My dear Mrs Atwater, careful application of the trigger finger and a pair of seats in the first row is yours for the shooting." "And have you had any difficulty getting into our velvet rope restaurants?" " Frightful!" " A very simple matter." "A flick of the knife, madam, and if you'll kindly step this way " "Oh, no, step over the head waiter's body." "Thank you, and here's your table." "There's a hotel clerk I could cheerfully flick a knife at." "Oh, no, sorry." "Knives may not be used on hotel employees." "They are in the "death by slow torture" category, along with bird lovers, small children and tap-dancers." "Landlords, of course, are another matter." "You seeking an apartment?" "Call on our Miss Sash Weight of the blunt instrument department." "What a divine idea!" "If it suits your purpose, merely..." " But we'd all be murdering each other." " Oh no." "Oh no." "After all, murder is, or should be, an art." "Not one of the seven lively, perhaps, but an art, nevertheless." "As such, the privilege of committing it should be reserved for those few who are really superior individuals." "And the victims - inferior beings whose lives are unimportant anyway." "Obviously." "Now mind you, I don't hold with the extremists who feel there should be open season for murder all year round." "No, personally, I would prefer to have..." ""Cut a Throat Week."" "Or "Strangulation Day."" "Probably a symptom of approaching senility, but I must confess I really don't appreciate this morbid humour." " The humour was unintentional." " You're not serious about these theories." " Of course he is." " You're both pulling my leg." "No." "Why do you think that?" "The notion that murder is an art which superior beings should practice - ln season!" " Now I know you're not serious." " I'm a very serious fellow." "Then may I ask who is to decide if a human being is inferior, and is therefore a suitable victim for murder?" " The privileged few who commit it." " And just who might they be?" "Oh, myself, Phillip... possibly Rupert." "I'm sorry, Kenneth, you're out." " Gentlemen, I'm serious." " And so are we, Mr Kentley." "The few are those men of such intellectual and cultural superiority that they're above the traditional moral concepts." "Good and evil, right and wrong were invented for the ordinary average man, the inferior man, because he needs them." "So you agree with Nietzsche and his theory of the superman." " Yes, I do." " So did Hitler." "Hitler was a paranoid savage." "His supermen, all fascist supermen were brainless murderers." "I'd hang any who were left." "But then, you see, I'd hang them first for being stupid." "I'd hang all incompetents and fools." "There are far too many in the world." "Then hang me." "I must be stupid, because I don't know if you're serious or not." "In any case, I'd rather not hear any more of your, forgive me, contempt, for humanity, and for the standards of a world that I believe is civilised." " Civilised?" " Yes." "Perhaps what is called "Civilisation" is hypocrisy." "Well, I'm sure Rupert, fortunately, has the intelligence and imagination " "Please, Brandon, we've had had just about enough." "Phillip, where did you put those books you set out for Mr Kentley?" " I'd like to see them myself, if I may." " They're in the dining room." "Mr Kentley, wouldn't you like to see the books now?" "I apologise, sir." "Again, I'm afraid I let myself get carried away." "Oh, that's quite alright, my boy." "I think it's a good collection, the first editions, I mean." "Yes, I'd like to see them." "May I use the telephone first?" "I'd like to talk to my wife." "She may have some word of David." " Of course, it's this way." " Oh, dear, oh, dear " " Uh, Brandon?" " Yes." "You were pushing your point rather hard." "You aren't planning to do away with a few inferiors, by any chance?" " I'm a creature of whim." "Who knows?" " I see." "Bringing us back together with sweet music." "Don't let it get you." "He's always doing something like this." " I'm going in the other room." " To see the books?" "No, to let Brandon see me." " Do you care what he thinks?" " I know what he thinks." "He thinks I threw you over because David has a bigger bank account." "Then, why do you go?" "Because..." "Because I'm embarrassed at being here with you." "Oh, Janet!" "Never thought I could be, did you?" "Honestly?" "No." "Well, I am and I don't like it one bit." "I should think you'd have the decency to be embarrassed yourself." " Why?" " Well..." "You threw me over, chum, remember?" "My, wouldn't friend Brandon love to know that?" " What's the matter?" " Nothing." "I'm just thinking." " What about?" " Female vanity." "Well, I'm also embarrassed because..." "Go on." "Well, you and David used to be such good friends." "You're not now and it's my fault." " I'm such an idiot girl." " No, you're not." "Then I'm certainly giving a good imitation of one." "Why must I try and be so smart with everyone but David?" "Don't you kid with David too?" "I relax with David, thanks to you." " To me?" " Yes." "That..." "That grim Sunday at Harvard, when you called it quits," "David took me for a walk." "My chin was about an inch from the ground." "I just couldn't be the gay girl." "I just relaxed and let everything pour out." "The real, real me stuff." "Did you hear that phrase?" "I hear myself saying things like that..." "Oh, where's David?" "You know, I'm not very smart." "Why?" "I never realised you were..." "He's really impossible." "As a matter of fact, I'm beginning to miss him myself." "Aren't we all?" " Two desserts, Mr Cadell?" " One for you and one for me, my love." "The others don't seem to be in the mood for ice cream." "No, well, they could all do with a little cooling off." "My, it's a peculiar party, not that that surprises me." " Why not?" " I could have predicted it this morning." "Both of them must have got up out of the wrong side of the bed." "They've been in a state all day!" "Mr Brandon says he's always in a state when he gives a party." "First time I've seen it." "Usually, he lets me prepare everything my own way." "But, look at this, the chicken's hardly been touched." " What was so different today?" " What wasn't?" "Mr Brandon was in the maddest rush for me to clean up and get the table set." "And, oh, it looked so lovely!" "But when I was whisking out to do shopping, he suddenly told me to take the whole afternoon for it." "The whole afternoon, after that mad rush in the morning." " Did he say why?" " No, just a whim, I suppose." "But when I came back, he and Mr Phillip were going at it hammer and tongs." "Oh." "What about?" "Now, Mr Cadell, even if I did know, do you think I'd tell?" " Well, I hope so." " Not me." "I'm like the grave." "Look at this mess!" "Just makes double the work." "After I have this cleaned off," "I have to clear all those books off the dining room table, bring them here, put them back in the chest, which is where they were in the first place." " Why did you serve from here, anyway?" " It wasn't my idea." "I had everything laid out in the dining room and it was just beautiful." "On this thing, it doesn't have..." "No, brandy." " I heard you." " This alright?" " Thank you." " I want you to have them." " It's extremely generous of you, Brandon." "I don't " "Please, I know you appreciate first editions more than I, Mr Kentley." " It's very nice of you." " What's wrong?" " You must come to dinner..." " What's wrong now, Phillip?" "Don't you want Mr Kentley to have the books?" " No." "I don't care if he has them, I just " " What?" "What?" "I think it's a clumsy way of tying them up, that's all." "David's never had trouble taking care of himself." "I know but I cannot understand this." "Whenever he's been detained before, he's telephoned us." "Isn't that so, Janet?" "Oh yes." "He's always been after me to be more punctual." "And well he might." "You wouldn't know me these days." "I'm a new woman, punctual as a clock." "Perhaps, but I prefer manners to femininity." " Excuse me, sir." "There's a lady phoning for either Mr Kentley or Mrs Atwater." " It must be Alice." "I'll talk to her, Henry." " Alright." "Down the hall to your left, dear." " Thank you." " The first bedroom." "Mr Kentley, do you suppose David could be home?" "I don't know." "I hope so." "I hate to throw a damper, but if David was home, I think he'd be calling instead of Mrs Kentley." " Wouldn't you say so, Brandon?" " I wouldn't know." "The David I remember was polite as well as punctual." "He hasn't changed." "Of course, if he's not home, where could he be?" "Don't ask me." "I don't know." "He might be at any number of places." " Such as?" " The club, or Bradley's party." " Maybe he went down to Janet's." " Why?" "Perhaps he decided to pick her up, after all." "I phoned my place after I spoke to Mrs Kentley." " He wasn't there ?" " No." "I left a message in case." "We might have a better chance of finding out where he is now if we knew where he was this afternoon." "What do you think, Brandon?" "I haven't the least idea where he was this afternoon." "Don't you think It would help if we found out where he was?" "I suppose so." "I know he went to the club this afternoon to play tennis." " I know he got there." " Why?" "Someone phoned with a message that David would meet us here." " Do you know who?" " No." "Obviously, David ran into someone at the club and changed plans." "You weren't there this afternoon, were you, Kenneth?" "No." "I wish I had been." "I don't suppose you or Brandon were, Phillip ?" "No." "Hardly, we had our hands full getting ready for the party." "Oh, there was a lot to be done this afternoon?" " You know." " Yes, I see." "You didn't speak to David at all today?" "No." "Why do you ask?" "I thought he might have have called to say he'd be late or something." "He didn't." "Neither Phillip nor I have talked to David since we invited him to the party." " That's odd." " What do you mean?" "I thought I heard David on the phone to Phillip yesterday morning." "Yes, you did." "I'd forgotten." "Oh?" "What were you talking about?" "Did he call about the party?" "Yes, he wanted to make sure about the time." "That was all." "Here, I'll help you with that." "Oh, thank you, Mr Cadell." "That's alright, Mrs Wilson." "You can put the books back when you come to clean in the morning." "I didn't have any idea of coming in in the morning." "I'm afraid you'll have to." "Just let the books go for now." "Well, alright." "Henry, Alice hasn't had a word from David." "She's frantic." " I better talk to her." " She hung up." "She began to cry so badly." "Oh, Henry, I'm worried." "What did she say?" "She's called every place he might be, not once, but several times." "And now, Henry, she thinks he may have had an accident." " She wants you to call the police." " The police?" "Oh, no, Anita, I don't think that's necessary." "David's no longer a child." "I'm quite sure he's alright." "I " "Brandon, I think I'd better go home." "My wife needs me." " This isn't like David." "He " " No, of course, I understand." " May I go with you, Mr Kentley?" " Thank you, Janet." " I'll get your things." " Thank you." " Oh, Mr Kentley, your books." " Oh!" "Oh, yes." "I can't tell you how sorry I am." "Would you call me as soon as you hear from David?" "I'm sure the dear boy will turn up somehow." " Janet?" " Yes?" "This is hardly the time, but I'm very glad we had that talk." "So am I, and David will be too." "Good." " Well " " Kenneth, why don't you come with us?" " Oh, I don't " " Please." " Thanks." " This yours, Janet?" "Yes, I'll just carry it." "Oh, thanks." " I'll get my hat." " Oh, going with Janet?" " Yes, we're all going together." " What did I predict?" "Good night, Mr Kentley." "I hope Mrs Kentley feels better soon." "Thank you." "You will call me the moment you hear from David?" "I will." "Say good night to Phillip for us." "Mrs Atwater, thank you so much for coming." "Good night." " Oh, that's not yours." " Oh." "Oh." "I'm very sorry we had to spoil it." "You couldn't possibly spoil it, Mr Kentley." "I meant by leaving so early." "Good night." "Be careful of those stairs, Anita." " Thank you, Mrs Wilson." " Good night, Mr Cadell." " Oh, you going too?" " Yes, I must." "Good night." "Good night." "May I help you with those books, Mr Kentley?" "Thank you for a lovely evening." "Good night." "It's been charming." "Who's that?" " Brandon, who's that?" " Probably the garage man." "Answer it." "There hasn't been time for him to get here." "Then maybe Mrs Wilson forgot something." "Answer it." "Brandon..." "Brandon, couldn't we pretend we're not home?" "With all these lights on?" "Answer it, Phillip." " Sorry to bother you, Brandon." " It's no bother." "Come in." "I knew you were leaving tonight." "I didn't want to be left without my case." " Hello, Phillip." " Hello." "I didn't mean to alarm you before." "You didn't alarm him." "I'm afraid Phillip's a little antisocial tonight." " Oh?" "I thought perhaps " " Any idea where you left the case?" "No." "No, not at all." "Completely unlike me to forget it, isn't it?" "I suppose a psychoanalyst would say that I didn't really forget it at all." "I unconsciously left it because I wanted to come back." "But, uh..." " Why should I want to come back?" " Yes, why?" "For the pleasure of our company or another drink." "That's a good idea." "May I have one for the road?" "Of course." "A short one?" "No, I'd prefer a long one, if you don't mind." "Not at all." "Phillip, will you fix Rupert a drink?" "Now let me see, the last I remember having the case was when I was there." "I was just going to open the chest for Mrs Wilson, when you came over." "And then what?" "I think I, uh " "Wonder where it could be." "Oh, well, here it is, right where I left it." "Gentlemen, I beg your pardon." "I'm very sorry." "I, uh " "Well, may I have that drink anyway?" "Of course." " You really don't mind?" " No." "Why should we?" " Well, you might be " " What?" " Tired." "You're sure it's alright?" " He said you could have it!" " Thank you." " Don't mind Phillip." " I'm afraid he's had a few too many." " Well, why not?" "Why not?" "After all, it was a party." "Well, it's very pleasant to sit here with a good drink and good company." "I'm glad." " Please don't let me be in the way." " Of what?" " I know you have things to do." " What do you mean?" "Packing, last-minute odds and ends." "You are driving to Connecticut tonight, aren't you?" " Yes, but we're all packed." " Oh, I see." "All ready." "All except one guest, who must be gotten rid of." "Well, I'll be off as." ".. uh... as soon as I finish my drink." "There's no need to hurry, Rupert." "Thank you." "I, uh... would like to stay a bit." "Perhaps even see you off." "I always hate to leave a party, especially when the evening has been unusually stimulating, or strange, like this evening." "What do you mean, 'strange'?" "Did I say 'strange, ' Brandon?" "You often pick words for sound rather than meaning." "I don't exactly know what I meant, unless I was thinking about David." " What was strange about David?" " His not showing up." "You don't think anything really did happen to him, do you?" " What could have?" " He could have been run over or held up." " In broad daylight?" " That's right, I'd forgotten." "Yes, it must have been broad daylight when it happened." "When, uh..." "what happened?" "When whatever did happen to David." "Nothing, probably." "Still..." "where is he?" " What's your theory?" " Mine?" "I was considering Janet's for the moment." " Oh?" "I didn't know she had one." " Yes, you do." "I couldn't help overhearing Janet." "She thinks you kidnapped David, or did something to prevent him from coming." "I'm not interested in Janet's prattle, but you always interest me, Rupert." "Do you think I, uh.." ". 'kidnapped' David?" "It's the sort of mischief that would have appealed to you in school, for the experience, the excitement, the danger." "But it would be slightly more difficult to pull off now, though, don't you think?" " Ah, you'd find a way." " How?" "I mean, suppose you were l." "How would you get David out of the way?" "You're much better at this sort of thing than I am." "What would you do if you were l?" "Well... if I wanted to get rid of David," "I'd invite him for a drink at the club or some quiet bar." "or better still, I'd invite him here." " Then no one would see us together." " That's good." "And no witnesses?" " Yes, that's right." " Then what?" "Well..." "Well, let me see." " Yes?" "I'd try to make it all very pleasant, you understand?" "Phillip would probably play the piano." "Now, as I recall, David was quite strong." "He'd have to be knocked out." "So I'd move quietly behind the chair and hit him on the head with something." "His body would fall forward on the floor." "Well, uh..." "Well, let me see." "Well, I think I'd get Phillip to help me carry him out of the room, down the back stairs, and the two of us would put him in the car." " You'd be seen." " What?" "Well, you said yourself that if anything did happen, it must have happened in broad daylight." "Oh, that's right." "I'd forgotten." "I'd have to find someplace to hide the body until dark." "Yes, you would, but where, Rupert?" "Yes." "Yes, where?" " Cat and mouse!" "Cat and mouse!" " Phillip!" " Which is the cat and which the mouse?" " That's enough of that." " Mind your own business." " That's enough, Phillip!" "I told you before, mind your own business!" "It really isn't any of my business." "I'm not his keeper." "With him in this condition, though there doesn't seem to be much point in your staying, Rupert." "That is... unless you came back to find something besides your cigarette case." "You mean, for example, to find if you really got rid of David?" " Yes, that's what I mean." " Oh, you're as romantic as Janet." "I don't think for a moment that you kidnapped David." "I'll admit Janet put the notion in my head, but I never would have mentioned it, if it weren't that you seem to be carrying fear of discovery in your pocket." " What?" " That's a gun, isn't it?" " Alright." "Did you hear what Rupert said about the gun?" "He thought..." "It's odd the way one can pyramid simple facts into wild fantasies, isn't it?" " We all do, don't we, Phillip ?" " Yeah." "Particularly after a few drinks." "How is yours, Rupert?" "I think I'll be running along." "Phillip, you'll feel much better once you get out in the open air." "I don't think there'll be much traffic and we ought to make good time." "It's a lovely night and you'll be driving up in good weather." "I almost wish I were going with you." "It might be rather exciting." "Driving at night always is, but driving with you and Phillip now... might have an additional element of, uh... suspense." "You were right, Phillip." "Those books were tied clumsily." " He's got it." "He's got it!" " Phillip." "He knows." "He knows." "He knows." " Alright, easy." "I'll take care of it." " No, you won't." "I'd just as soon kill you as kill him" " Sooner." "This is what you wanted, somebody else to know." "Somebody else to see how brilliant you are, just like in school." "I told you he'd find out, but you had to have him here." " Now we're done for!" " Shut up!" "You made me do it and I hate both of you." "I was " " Rupert " " I couldn't believe it was true." " Rupert, please " " Please what?" "Listen to me." "Let me explain." "Explain?" "Do you think you can explain that?" " Yes, to you, because you'll understand." " Understand?" "Rupert, remember the discussion we had before with Mr Kentley?" "Remember we said, 'the lives of inferior beings are unimportant'?" "Remember we said, we've always said, you and I, that moral concepts of good and evil and right and wrong don't hold for the intellectually superior." " Remember, Rupert?" " Yes, I remember." "That's all we've done." "That's all Phillip and I have done." "He and I have lived what you and I have talked." "I knew you'd understand, because, don't you see, you have to." "Brandon " "Brandon, till this very moment, this world and the people in it have always been dark and incomprehensible to me." "I've tried to clear my way with logic and superior intellect." "And you've thrown my own words right back in my face, Brandon." "You were right, too." "If nothing else, a man should stand by his words." "But you've given my words a meaning that I never dreamed of!" "And you've tried to twist them into a cold, logical excuse for your ugly murder!" "Well, they never were that, Brandon, and you can't make them that." "There must have been something deep inside you from the very start that let you do this thing, but there's always been something deep inside me that would never let me do it," " and would never let me be a party to it." " What do you mean?" "I mean that tonight you've made me ashamed of every concept I ever had of superior or inferior beings." "But I thank you for that shame, because now I know that we are each of us a separate human being, Brandon, with the right to live and work and think as individuals, but with an obligation to the society we live in." "By what right do you dare say that there's a superior few to which you belong?" "By what right did you dare decide that that boy in there was inferior and therefore could be killed?" "Did you think you were God, Brandon?" "Is that what you thought when you choked the life out of him?" "Is that what you thought when you served food from his grave?" "I don't know what you thought, but I know what you've done." "You've murdered!" "You've strangled a fellow human being who could live and love as you never could." " And never will again." " What are you doing?" "It's what society's going to do." "I don't know what that will be." "I can guess." "And I can help." "You're going to die, Brandon, both of you!" "You're going to die." "There were shots fired!" "I think that somebody better call the police." "Did any of you hear any shots fired?" "Somebody better call a squad car." "Can I use your phone?" "I'm not going up to look." "There might be a mad man up there!" "Here comes a squad car now." "They're coming."