Christina (1974)

Christine Christine Not Price, Bryce with a B. With a B. Simon Sebastian Bryce. Oh, here it is. Simon Sebastian Bryce? And you're in aircraft design. Was. Last year I was in the aircraft design. This year I'm out of work. Seems like a very long time, Simon. We were available for work, of course. Well, I don't know about uh you, Charles, but I have This is not a joking matter, Simon. This is very serious. Now, we put a put a down payment. Oh, just like that? Well, then could you stamp my card, authorize my check, and I'll pass on my check? Simon, I want you to understand Name is Bryce. Mr. Bryce to you. Now, you're you're finished. Would you stamp my card? Your check will be mailed out to you. Thank you very much. Some people. Excuse me, Mr. Bryce. I need to talk to you. Well, I am in no mood to talk to you or I want to talk to you about money. Well, I've I've been out of a job for over a year. I haven't got a dollar. If you'll just listen to me and hear what I have to say. Psychiatrists are for listening. I'm just an engineer. Mr. Bryce, I simply wish to discuss a business matter with you. My car's right outside. Would you mind if I give you a lift? What the hell? I've had worse offers in my life. You can drop me off in front of Mayne. I was rude to you back there. I'm sorry. Accepted, Mr. Bryce. It was rather awkward. That's the third time you've mentioned me by name. What are you, some kind of a lady cop? No. I'm Christina Faith. Miss. I know a great deal more about you than your name. Interesting. You're 35 years old. Bachelor by choice. You're an aeronautical engineer by profession, specializing in supersonics. And you have very little time left to live if I don't get out of this car right away. Perhaps we should go somewhere quiet to talk. Amen. And after driving an Indian so long, it's impossible to adjust. Which brings us back to the here and now. Why does a young, beautiful, and wealthy woman want to waste her time with an out-of-work engineer? A temporary setback, I'm sure. Well, I I hope you're right. And what is this business deal you want to talk about? Simon Bryce. You're an American. A bachelor. And you need money. Which narrows it down to me and about 5 million other men. Now, what else you Well, you see, Simon, I have a problem, and it's uh it's something you could help me with if you will. I'm listening. Would you marry me? If you insist. I'm not joking. I mean it. If I give you $25,000, would you marry me? You are serious. Of course I am. It would be very temporary, a business arrangement. A business arrangement? Ah, I understand. Um quiet little wedding, quick divorce, I get $25,000, and you get that. I get an American passport and the right to remain in this country. You're not American? I was born in Morocco, my mother French, my father English. He had a bank there. Hm. Well, obviously you've tried the normal methods of getting what you want. My visitor's visa has been renewed twice, and they won't do it again. It runs out next week. Oh, why um why me? Why $25,000? The money is not important. And the US Immigration Department are not fools. I must have a man I can rely on, so that if there should be an inquiry, he'll keep his word no matter what. And you think I'm that man? Hm. That's why I selected you. I believe you would. Will you do it, Simon? Will you help me? Christine, I've been out of work for over a year. Hm? I've sold everything I ever owned. Only clothes I have are the ones that I have on right now. It just it just won't work. It can work, Simon. It can work for both of us. I'm out of my mind. And you oh, you've got to be out of yours. Ah, this will be fine. Thank you. Tomorrow afternoon, then. 3:00 at the Justice of the Peace. You'll pick me up right here at 2:00. See you then. Bye-bye. I'm along with you here. I have no wish to become further involved with her. Indeed, my dear. If one sups with the devil, one must use a long spoon. We'll go somewhere where our services will be really appreciated. A talk would be better for her, I think. Her and that weirdo sister of hers shut away upstairs. Hm, you're right, my dear. Christina? Is that you? I brought you something. I don't want food. What time is it? What time is it? Please tell me what time it is. It's time for your medicine if you behave and eat your food. I'll eat it. You haven't been in all day. Is it Sunday again? No, it's not Sunday yet, but if you do as you're told, I might give you a treat. Thank you, Christina. I'll be good. I promise I will. You're right on time. Of course. Not going to be late for my own wedding. It's bad luck. Now, if the groom will place the ring upon the bride's finger. Ring. I forgot it. I can't find I pronounce you man and wife. You may now kiss the bride. Now, if you sign the register and see the cashier. That could very easily get to be a habit. Let's not overdo it. I want to get the certificate and apply for my passport. Simon. That was very sweet. What? The ring. You must let me Yeah. Not a chance. Shall we go, Mrs. Bryce? Well, let me see. I was born in Idaho. Boys grow up great balls. That's enough about me. What about you? Everything is lovely, Simon. I can't thank you enough. They're going to have my passport ready first thing in the morning. I told them I needed it for my honeymoon. Too bad there won't be one. It just might have been fantastic. Simon, you do understand about the money. You'll have it first thing tomorrow, I promise. Money's not the only thing. I have a whole new outlook on life. Before you came along, I was just about ready to quit. Now, everything seems worthwhile again. Like I've known you for 2 years and not just 2 days. I even heard about a job possibility this morning. Mhm. Well, you see your luck has changed. From now on, it'll be good. I hope you're right. I think that's cause for a celebration. Your future, my luck, and our marriage. Our business arrangement. I keep forgetting. It is that, Simon. If you weren't so pretty, I'd almost think you were camera shy. It's not the cameras, it's the flash bulbs. They're blinding me. Have some more wine. Hope it isn't too heavy for you. I'd better watch out because the floor is beginning to move. Oh, that's not the wine. That's the dancers. We're all going to be in the basement pretty soon. Sounds like that would be cool. I was concentrating. On what? On my wife. She's a very beautiful woman. Tell me about this new job you might get. She's got great, big, wonderful, dark brown eyes. Is it in aircraft design? It's almost as if she were afraid of something. Are you afraid, Christina? Be silly. She does look lovely. Why not? It's a wedding. Simon, you're not sorry, are you? I mean, when I leave, you'll be all right. I'd hate to think that I'd hurt you. I'd like to feel that we're still friends. To friendship. The ridiculous part about the whole thing is that I think that I'm I can't let too much drink. It is very warm. All right, that sounds like an executive if ever I've heard one. May I see you home, madam? After all, I should know where we live, just in case there is an inquiry. Inquiry? The immigration service. You said it yourself, they're not fools. Only see them, I see what you mean. I'll get your coat. Nice place. It is. Expensive. Mhm. Quiet, too, aren't you? Mhm. Look, Christina. It's our wedding night. And it's a it's still early. Yes. I'd like to come up for a while. For a little while. Anyway, it uh turned out nobody wanted to go that fast. So, they canceled the uh entire project. And it was out on your backside, Mrs. Bryce. Poor Simon. I'll drink to that. Well, what are you going to do now? The money ought to help. Mhm, money will make a difference. Meeting you has made a lot more. Simon. I'm very grateful, but Hey, what What is it, Christina? Is there somebody else? Of course not. It must be getting late. I suppose that means that it is time for me to leave. You'll never get a taxi. Never. Could take a bus. Mhm, no, the buses stopped running hours ago. Oh. Well, I I guess we better go to bed then. Yeah. I think under the circumstances that is the sensible thing to do. With you in here and me in there. Good night, Simon. Oh, I sort of blew it. I guess the time has come for me to go. Oh, but before I I do go, there is one thing. Um I would like to carry my bride across the threshold. Simon. Uh may I have the wedding waltz, madam? Sit down. Stop the merry-go-round and we all I better get you some blankets. No. You know, I could become very fond of you, Mrs. Bryce. You're crazy. I know. And you. Morning. Dinner? Hey, Simon. Husband. I hope that coffee is hot. No, I won't expect breakfast in bed. I'm Miss Cooper. Oh, you've got to give in the nicest way tidy. Oh, my word, things are looking up, Mr. Bryce. It seems so, Miss Cooper. You didn't think I was going to be able to pay you this back rent. Oh, don't you worry about that. I know when you can afford it, I'll get it. We shall always get gentlemen like you. They wouldn't be bankrupt. Oh, don't you worry about that. I didn't go halfway round the world and bury two husbands rest their souls for nothing. When that gentleman likes to ask, he'll find that I've got him nice thick put aside. Why, Miss Cooper, I didn't think of you as the marrying kind. Oh, I fatten them up in moments. Don't let that miss fool you. It's just there so that those who might be interested will know I'm still in the market, if you see what I mean. Oh, nearly forgot. Lady brought this for you this morning. Oh, mink and Chanel 5, she looked. Good news, I hope. Yes, I am. And I suppose it is. Looks like you'll get your back rent after all, Miss Cooper. You got a job? No. I think I just lost one. No, Mr. Bryce, your wife definitely picked up her passport this morning. She listed a new address and and here's the receipt for it here. I remember I know how much those penthouse apartments rent for. Sorry to bother you. No, see, Mr. Bryce, it's the same address your wife gave when she opened the account. She said you could be contacted there. Thank you. Coming in, Mr. Bryce? ARE YOU COMING IN? JUST A MINUTE. OKAY, YOU CAN COME IN. THE DOOR'S OPEN. She left those letters. Recognize the smell? That's the third, isn't it? Mhm. That's one a week for the last 3 weeks. Oh, now you must be needing to make a nice cup of tea, keep man. Oh, I'm afraid not, Miss Cooper. And I think that this will be the last from your perfuming lady. Oh, well, send him off fishing, we'll see how it goes. Oh, I sent those old trousers of yours to the cleaners yesterday. There was a lot of junk in the pockets. Yeah, I just put it over there on the table. That's your ticket. What? Her parking Her parking ticket. Miss Cooper, you're solid gold. Oh. Oh, Mr. Bryce. So, I understand you're wanting to know the address of the owner. That's it. Might I be so bold as to ask why? She's my wife. Oh. Now I understand. And no doubt you'll be wanting a full report on all her goings-on, so to speak. No, just the address. Indeed now. Well, you should be careful. These things need to be handled by an expert. A little spent on proper evidence can save a fortune in alimony. The only thing I need, Mr. Murphy, is her address. How soon can you get it? $25 and you'll have it first thing in the morning. $50 and I want it right after lunch. Done. You're a man after me own heart. Give me half now in advance, if you please. So, I'd call you around 2:30? In that case, it's the whole $50 you need to be giving me now. 2:30 sharp. You have the word of Timothy Murphy on it. Simon. Yeah. Murphy. What? All right. Hammer, what can I do for you this time? It's a real easy one, me boy. Find me the owner's address on a Cadillac. H A C 1 5 8. It belongs to a Mrs. Christina Bryce. I need it quick. What you got going, Murph? Oh, sure, and it looks like a shady horse. But you might just as well see if you have anything on Mrs. Bryce. You never know what's going to pop up. Now, Murph, I I think you'd put your own mother on a lineup if you thought you could get away with it. I'll call you back, all right? Thanks, Murphy. That'll be fine. No. No, you gave me everything I need. If I want anything else, I'll call you. Hello. Anybody home? State your business, please. Uh I want to talk to Mrs. Bryce. Normal terms are not adequate. Whom shall I say is calling? Tell her it's her husband. Indeed, sir. But a gentleman whom I am well informed has been dead for some years. I must say you sound extremely hearty. Dead hell, go tell Mrs. Bryce that I'm here. Mrs. Bryce does not wish to be disturbed. Good afternoon. Oh, wait a minute. Look. Hey, hello. Hey! Christine? You going to It's me, Simon. Is that you, Christine? Hello. I was there. Look, I'm not a burglar. I've come to see Mrs. Bryce, Mrs. Christina Bryce. Is she here? I'd like to talk to her. No. I'm back. No. No. Christina. Christina. Well, Mr. Bryce, to what do we owe this honor? I saw somebody just bash in your door with a steel hammer. Behave like a commoner, you must expect to be treated like one. My security man saw you and thought you were a burglar. He might have asked. You're lucky he didn't shoot first. Now, what do you want here? I came to see you. You make a habit of breaking into the houses of the people you visit? You were found upstairs in my sister's apartment. What were you doing there? Did you get a drink? I need a drink. Thank you. I feel all What time is it? That dress looks great. Wasn't $25,000 enough? The blackmail, perhaps. How much do you think you can get, Mr. Bryce? 50,000? 100,000? Half a million, maybe? Uh wait. Christina, I uh came by this afternoon to see you, and your butler wouldn't tell you that I was here. So, I waited for him to leave tonight, and then I climbed over the wall. And then broke into my house. No, I didn't break in. I came in through the garage. The door was open. That wing of the house is never used. Mhm. I noticed. Then you had no right to be there. All right. I'm sorry. You still haven't told me what it is you want. You don't listen very well, do you? I came here to see you. To talk to you. Ever since you walked out You don't listen, either. Now, we had a business arrangement. It's ended. You um usually go to bed with your business associates. That had nothing to do with our agreement. I paid you. What more do you want? You going to have a drink? I'll find For God's sake, Christina. I came here tonight to tell you how I feel. I wanted to make our marriage a real marriage. Last few weeks, that's all I've been able to think about. That that job I told you about. Can't you see that I love you? A business arrangement. It's all, Mr. Bryce. A business arrangement. Simon. I'm sorry. I stepped out of line. I made an ass of myself. I apologize for that. I'll call for a cab. No. No. I uh I have my own car. Thank you. I'll open the gates for you then. Is there anything I can do? He seem okay now. I think I'll take him home with me tonight. I'm going to get the whole R29 project to final check. What are you trying to do? Get to the top in 1 month? Don't you ever do anything but work? I've been resting for years. Nice to have the opportunity to work. Besides, it keeps my mind occupied. That's what you need, eh? Busy, busy, busy, so that you can forget I'm just fine, thank you. Auto, I am just fine. Oh, I know you're not, eh? Like it or not, tonight you're going with us to No. We leave. I have to check over all of this stuff. After supper, you can check, check, check all night. Now, this is the place. A very fine restaurant and the food is wonderful. You have a seven shot Auto. But don't forget. I won't. I'll meet you there. Thank you very much. Here's a Mr. Murphy on the telephone for you. He says a Mrs. Cooper gave him the number and that you know him. Murphy Ambrose. All right, I'll take it. Hello. Hello to you, Mr. Bryce. It's Timothy Murphy here. Would you be bringing me to mine? Yes, Mr. Murphy. How are you? Very good now. And yourself? I'm fine, thank you. I'll tell you why I was calling. Did you ever find your wife with that address I gave you? Yes, I did. Ah, that's good. Is that all right then? Fine. Why do you ask? Well, you see, I might have some more information about your wife that would be worth a few dollars to you. Could you stop by the office? Well, I I do have a dinner engagement tonight at the Casa D'Italia. I suppose I could drop by afterwards. No, no, not tonight. I'd like to have a proper report for you. Why don't you come by about 10:00 in the morning, say? All right, fine. Thank you. I'll be there. I'm looking forward to it. It's a shrewd old fox you are, Timmy, boy. He hasn't seen the papers yet, so it's all nice and straight forward. He should be there about 9:30, I say. Don't be late, Archie. It's all settled. We'll take care of it tonight. You ever see a finer place? Did you ever have better Italian? Auto, it is absolutely fantastic. Ah, Mr. Bryce, you came back again. I have a phone message for you. Oh, thank you. You've been here before, Simon? Why didn't you say? Because you never give anyone a chance to say, Father. Mr. Bryce was here the night my daughter got married. Did I show you the pictures? No? I'll show you. Is it important, Simon? No. The message is from Mrs. Cooper, my ex-landlady. She She's having a problem with this property she owns. I'll drop by and see her after dinner. She's very good to me once. Tony loves to show his picture. It is only daughter's wedding. Are you married, Mr. Bryce? Uh no. Not exactly. That means Well, I I was married once. But very, very briefly. Mario, bring some more wine for my friend. Oh, he's trying to get us drunk. Here's a picture of Simon at the table, Father. What a beautiful girl. You must introduce me, Simon. There's even a better picture of her. She really is beautiful. Tony, this is This is very nice. Would you mind if I had a copy of this? Sure, keep it. I think your friend Simon is in love, Father. The memory. I was a real flesh-and-blood girl, but uh I'd like to have some dinner with me sometime. I just want to forget. You see, Mother, we take pity on a lonely man and he tries to steal our daughter. It seems my parents are matchmaking for me again, Simon. Nevertheless, I think dinner might be fun. HELLO. MRS. COOPER. HELLO. MR. BRYCE. I ALREADY TOLD YOU. My ex-landlady, Mrs. Cooper, Max Come on, get Cooper. My father doesn't check out. We called in the poor old lady. Hasn't heard from you since you moved. Talk it over. Look, a man I have never seen before just tried to kill me. I dropped a note when I knew he fell from the fifth story of that building. If you look around, you'll find it over there in the in the rubble someplace. Why should I lie? I'm the man who called the police, remember? So, you're smart enough to stick around. That doesn't mean you didn't push him, and sure as hell you knew the whole story about dead men tell no tales. The coroner says he fell about half an hour ago, broke his neck. He was killed instantly. He would, wouldn't he? Name was Archie Lucas. A small-time ex-con, done time in five different places, turned police informer, been running some weirdo joint down on Front Street. What can you tell me something I don't know? Well, we found this hanging from the back of the door up there. Like a hell of a party. Just like I told you, huh? And I'll bet if you went to the trouble of looking around over there Well, you just might find that note I dropped. Cool your act, Mr. Bryce. We'll find it. Did you check the restaurant? Yes, sir. He was there tonight, and he got a note. Well, it look like you're smelling the roses, Mr. Bryce. You can go. Thanks. I suppose you'll find out why that man tried to kill my wife. If someone tried to kill you, Mr. Bryce, we'll find him. Can we move the body now? Yes. Make sure you pick up all the little pieces. Uh yeah, Westgate Times, could I speak to somebody about a back issue, please? Thanks. Yes, sir, maybe you can help me. Uh I've misplaced a a cutting from your Monday edition. Yeah, it's it's only uh bottom of page one, columns four and five. I wonder if you could tell me what that story was. Uh let's see now. Yeah. Monday's edition page four bottom of column three. Yeah, here it is. Mrs. Christina Bryce got herself killed. The funeral's today in Meadowview. Do you want me to send you the story? There's a picture of Mrs. Bryce, too. Um No. No, no. Thank you. Um where did you say the the funeral was? Meadowview. It's a nice little place up the coast. Sort of a private cemetery. Christina? I'm Christina's sister, Kay. You must be Simon Bryce, her husband. She told me about you. I understand you once came to the house when I was here. Mr. Bryce? I'm sorry. For a moment I was stunned. You look I understand. My sister and I have been mistaken for each other many times. I would have been here sooner. I didn't know. Saw the local newspaper I saw it by accident. It's difficult to believe she's dead. You must have been very fond of her. Strange. I thought it was some sort of business thing you had with her. It was. But I fell in love with her. Your uh sister found me at a very bad time in my life. After I met her, everything was different. I know what you mean. Happens that way sometimes. The night I came to the house, I tried to tell her then. Everything went wrong. I planned to leave it alone for a while, let things settle down. Try again. Now. How did it happen? She was coming back from the city. It was late at night on the coast road. Her car must have skidded. Went over the cliff. Was it foggy, rainy, or something? No. Well, then why? Why did it happen? The police say she was under the influence of drugs at the time. Drugs? I don't believe that. Mr. Bryce, my sister was a drug addict. An addict? Started some years ago. She went the whole rotten trip. She tried everything. She seemed so normal. She was when she got what she wanted. Couldn't anyone help her? We tried everything. Everything money could buy. Full-time nursing. We changed the staff every month. That room upstairs you saw me? I'd had a nervous breakdown. The stories she told me when she We were all fools to Christina, Mr. Bryce. Even the police. She'd been caught. They threatened to deport her. That's why she needed to change her name to give herself a new identity. But now she's dead. That's the end of it. Not quite. What do you mean? Well, somebody had to supply her with those drugs. And I'm going to try to find out who. That could be a very dangerous task, Mr. Bryce. And what good would it do now? You can't bring her back. It just might give me some satisfaction. I'm sorry that we met under these circumstances. Goodbye. Bye. Mr. Bryce. Take my advice. Forget this affair. There's been enough grief and misery already. Forget my sister. Please. Well, Mr. Bryce, you do show up in the damndest places. Can I see Murphy? That makes two of us. You were supposed to meet me here yesterday morning. You didn't show up. Oh, you are that Mr. Bryce. The parking ticket guy. Murphy told me something about you. Were you uh a friend of his? Well, let's just say occasionally I help him out. And where is he? Your guess is as good as mine. Well, when he gets back, would you have him give me a call, please? If he gets back, Mr. Bryce, I will be more than happy to do that for you. Now, what is that supposed to mean? You know, you are a lethal man, Mr. Bryce. People around you seem to be what they call accident-prone. For instance, I even hear that your wife is dead. That's right. She died in a car crash. A high fall. If you're so damn smart, why don't you go out and find out who fed the junk, huh? Mr. Bryce, you know Westgate's out of my territory. But you're not. Go to hell. Glad one of you did. We'll keep in touch now. My shoulder my it hurts. Hey, something wrong here? What you come for anyway? Uh well I I was I was told that you might do I was hoping you would give me some stuff. Wife gives man, you're no junkie. I I need you for a friend. Yeah, your sick mother I suppose could laugh. Hey, look lady. I'll be honest with you. I I need I need some information. About a girl. About this girl. But she's in trouble. I need to find the guy who supplies her. More of a chance the fuzz will find you floating face down in the river. I can pay you for the information. You already owe me 25 bucks for the massage. I'll give you a hundred dollars if you can lead me to the man I want to find. Nope. Never seen you before. Anyways, how do I know you're not a cop? What do I look like, a cop? Look. There's a place called Queenie's Bar. It's down on the old waterfront. The barman's a client of mine. He might be able to give you a lead. Just uh don't mention I sent you. Thank you. See? They're kind of cute. Thanks a lot. How much is that one? Half a buck. Love it. Quite a mixed group down here. Average. Is that so? You want something, fella? Yeah, I'm looking for a man. Yeah, you look the type. Funny guy. Very funny. Man I'm looking for is a supplier. You take care of this girl. She's in trouble. So what? So I was told that you might be able to help me. I don't know what you're talking about. Does that help? You see the picture? Name is Bryce. Christina Bryce. Could have been Christina Bett. Don't you know? She got married. Some chick. You seen her around here? You know anyone who might have? Look, Mr. Bryce, there's no work here, eh? You might talk to Suzy over there. Blonde and black. Thank you. Suzy. Ma'am, could I talk to you for a couple of minutes? The bartender said you might be able to help. Sweetheart, you certainly can. Uh hello. I want to ask you a couple of questions. Are you a cop? No. Uh this won't take very long. If you sit over at that table. Well, just a two-minute break, dear. You two girls play over here. I'm trying to help that girl. She's in trouble. I need to contact her supplier. The bartender said you might know something. I can pay for any information you give me. Just see she's wearing the dress. I don't never mind that, man. Can you help me? Well, I don't know her myself. It seems to me the guy you want to speak to is Barney. The bookshop. Barney? Barney. At the bookshop. On 4th. You buy a 50 cent token usable on any purchase made in the store. What's that? I said you buy a 50 cent token usable on any purchase made in the store. Oh, I see. Uh I'd like to talk to Barney. Is he around? Friend of his? No. No. Suzy said I should talk to him. Suzy from Queenie's place? Oh, why didn't you say so? Wasting my time coming in here. Uh around this time you'll find Barney down at the theater. Thanks. What theater? Where's it at? Golden [ __ ] It's on Oak Street. You can't miss it. [ __ ] Hey. Don't go off with my token. I need it. Sorry about that. Well, can't you read? No refunds. Heard you was looking for Barney. That's right. He's waiting for you. Where? COME ON. HEY! HEY! HI. I DON'T SUPPOSE EITHER ONE OF YOU ARE BARNEY. LOOK, WHY don't why don't we talk about this? A couple of minutes. You've done enough rapping, bud. YOU'RE DAMN NOSY. YOU MIGHT TALK TO WELL. SIMON Sebastian Bryce. Here we are again. I see you're really pushing it, boy. Oh, thanks, sister. Whole lot. Hey, you got a handkerchief? Wish you got here a little sooner. And that is gratitude for you. What the hell are you doing here anyway? Come on. We better go someplace where we can have a little chat. Just in case your pal decide he want to come back with reinforcements. And look, the word's out on you, boy. You're snooping and they don't like it. These people will shut you up permanently. You don't go around this town asking for the names and addresses of the top pushers. Believe me, sooner or later these people get you. You know they're going to get you. Well, I have to start somewhere. Because I'm going to get the man who supplied Christina with drugs. And on the one way I just might find out why that guy was going to push me out of the building. Okay, Mrs. Bryce. She had a certain something special. Class, would you say? To her fingertips. And the way she looked and dressed, divine. To the nines. All the time. I mean, she's not likely to go in Queenie's bar or any other place being unknown. I guess you're right. So, where do the beautiful, classy chicks go out doing their thing and wanting to pick up stuff and looking well? I don't know. Oh, well. When a woman want to go out and get herself fixed up and looking good and everything, where would she go? Beauty parlor, I guess. And and if you were in the business of pushing dope Beauty parlor? Right. I see, like I said, I don't want to involve the department. Not just can't anyway. And since neither you nor I look anything like Miss America what is needed is a girl who knows how to take care of herself. What do you know, Simon? Super. When do you want me to start? Now, just hold it. Things could get a little tricky. Oh, no. Not the male supremacy bit, Simon. You want to ruin the whole evening? Freddy, you could get yourself hurt. I can handle my girlfriend and I want to probably better than you can. Hey, hey, steady on there. Oh, it's beauty parlors, not barber shops that you're going to check. There. You see, as soon as a woman starts to assert herself and someone challenges her femininity. Well, someone would have to be blind. Well, I am feminine. And I do like sex. Not if it means I have to wear a mental chastity belt for the rest of my life. All right. All right, no chastity belt. But you will be careful. Of course I'll be careful. I'm not a fool. Donovan has found out about three places where Christina used to go. Only one with any kind of regularity. We'll start there tomorrow morning. What about your job? I've worked every weekend since I started. I'm going to take a few days off. This means very much to you, doesn't it? Yes, it does. It's a It's something I have to do. I owe that much. You must have loved her very much. Loved her? I suppose so. There really wasn't much time to find out. Couple of days and she was gone. Two days or two years, what's the difference if you really have found someone to care about? A little happiness or a lot of misery, what's best? Um, do you think that you could tell me Well, took you so long. We're just going to get to the Temple of Beauty if we hurry. Oh, no need. Huh? What did you say? I said there's no need, thank heaven. Madame Concordia, she reads tea leaves and knows about everything, if you know what I mean. A clever lady. Where does this um Madame what's-her-name live? On the outskirts of town, the other way. Oh my god, they ruined my hair. The other way. Super. Hang on. No, no, my dear. Turn it upside down in the saucer. You must keep both your hands upon it. Close your eyes. Drift now. Float free. Do you want to let go of the cup yet? Relax, my dear. Open your thoughts to me. Is um this how you did it for Mrs. Bryce? Who? What are you talking about? If you don't cooperate, I can't help you. Well, we're interested in finding out about Mrs. Bryce. Mrs. Christina Bryce. Has she ever been here? I don't recall the name. What about Christina Faith? What's the meaning of this? Who are you two come bursting in here firing questions at me? They gave me your name at the beauty parlor. They said that you could put me in touch with a supplier. I tell fortunes with cards. Read teacups. All I supply is information. Well, that's what we're buying. Information. This is a a picture of Mrs. Bryce. Have you ever seen her before? You say this is a picture of Mrs. Bryce. Are you sure? Yes, I am sure. I married her a few months ago. I see. And you are Mr. Bryce. Well, I'm afraid I can't help you. I've never seen that woman in my life. But just now you were saying that Thank you, Madame Concordia. I'm uh Sorry to bother you. Let's go, Brian. Simon, I'm sure she was lying about that picture. Through her teeth. What now? We stay right here. Unless I miss my guess, Madame Mumbo Jumbo is going to lead us right to our man. I bet the phone lines are burning up right now. Do you think she supplied Christina with drugs? I'll give you odds she knows who did. Should you call the police? It's not a bad idea. I noticed a phone booth about a half a mile back. Why don't Why don't you go back there, call Donovan, tell him what happened and where we are. I'll stay here and watch the house. Half a mile in these shoes. Got a dime, mister? I'd do it myself. But uh if she splits, I don't want to follow. Great. When I get back, what if you're gone? What do I do? Walk home? Wait for Donovan. He'll bring you home. I'll call you there. Oh, walk for miles and then stand around on a lonely street. Honestly, man. Oh, you can always thumb a ride. Oh, thanks. Hey. You're a super lady. How did I ever get involved in detective games? Huh? Just lucky, I guess. Yeah. Terrific. You don't know what I did. I want to I'm being very generous. And you're in no position to refuse. You're a blackmailer. And you're an embezzler, and an impostor, and a cold-blooded murderer. To say nothing of a few little goodies I'm sure the police could come up with. Now, shall we stop slinging mud and talk sensibly? I'll see you in hell. You certainly will, my dear. So, let's be friends before we get there. Suppose we start by getting the facts straight. It was you supplying the stupid [ __ ] with her drugs. It must have been pretty easy for you to gain control. You got rid of everyone. Sort of nursed her into her grave. You simply supplied the means. No. You supplied the means long before I came onto the scene. After her husband was killed, it was you who fed her drugs. You who doped her up putting her in touch with her dear departed Mr. Bryce. So, you were the angel of mercy. The trusted nurse she called on in her hour of need. So, you shut her up in her own house, robbed and murdered her. It wasn't like that. It wasn't like that at all. I tried to help her. For months I tried to do my duty, but she had dope stashed all over the place. First I thought it was the staff, so I fired them. Then I had a special suite converted where she could be watched and I could try gradual withdrawal. But she was like a madman. She was frightened of doctors. She wouldn't allow them in the house. But she trusted you. It was more than just drugs. She didn't want to live. She wasn't mad. After her husband's accident, she closed up that part of the house. No one was ever allowed in. It was like a mausoleum. Sometimes she'd go and sit there by herself and talk to the ghosts. When she didn't have crazy. She attacked me on Once she nearly killed me, I had to give her what she wanted. After the first time, it was easy. From then on, Mrs. Bryce got what she wanted and for me life was bearable. I employed the help and every few weeks I fired them. It got so as I was in charge of everything. As long as she got her fix, she gave me no trouble. She signed what I told her and did what I ordered. I was the head of Kent house. One day someone called me Mrs. Bryce. And I suddenly realized how wonderful it would be if I really was rich. If I really was Mrs. Bryce. She didn't care anymore. Her life was over. Mine was just beginning. She had everything and I had nothing. I could have everything. After a little while it got so I believed I was really Mrs. Bryce. I disciplined her. I looked after her myself. No one was ever allowed in her soundproof room. They all believed she was my poor demented sister. I suppose it could have gone on indefinitely like that. Then the letter came from Morocco. Her father had died and Mrs. Bryce was the heir to $5 million. I was Mrs. Bryce. All I had to do was prove it. What did I need? A birth certificate, a passport with my photo on it, or first names were the same. All I had to find was a husband who could give me the name Bryce. Hm. It was easy. I laid out a few dollars and found a bachelor with the right name. He was out of work and needed money. I paid him well. We got married and I got a passport that proved I was Mrs. Christine Bryce. I knew Mrs. Bryce hadn't talked to her father since she was a child when he divorced her mother. There were no recent photographs. Anyway, I'd made myself look sufficiently like her to pass. Not that I needed to worry. The lawyers that came were local agents of the Morocco firm. Their main interest was to get themselves retained to represent my money. Hm. I found it easier to steal $5 million than to sneak a ride on the subway. Only Simon Sebastian Bryce gave me any trouble. The idiot fell in love with me. One night he broke into the house. He was halfway up the stairs before I saw him. When he got into her room, I knocked him over the head, and then doped him up. I thought it was blackmail. It was only love. I sent him away with a broken heart. Poor Simon. He was so sweet, really. Men are such All I had to do now was hang on for a couple of more weeks, enough time to get the bulk of my inheritance into one of those lovely Swiss numbered accounts. Then Bryce got into the cabinet and gave herself an overdose of dope. She went on a trip and stayed that way for a week. I watched her. She was going to die. Suddenly, everything fitted. Everything was complete. With my money safe in Switzerland. Mrs. Bryce would die, and I would once more become Christine Faithfull. And now I would be rich. Rich enough to have anything in the world I wanted. Of course, her death would be an accident. She was killed in the accident while driving under the influence of drugs. I identified the body. Me. Her poor, sick half sister, Kay. It was perfect. Then up popped Simon Sebastian Bryce again. My veil helped. I managed to convince him I was her sister. The meddling fool went off in his Charger to find out who had got his dear Christine the drugs. He got a picture of me from someone. And now I'm stuck here since you knew the real Mrs. Bryce. You also knew I was her nurse. You put two and two together and made four. Not four, my dear. Two. Two million. You don't think I was able to transfer it all to Switzerland, do you? There's a little over two million in that account, and that is all. Christine. I'm not greedy. Half will do me nicely, thank you. One million, two million. What difference does it make? You'll never know. I'll never miss it. Cuz you're never going to get it. No. OH. SHE'S DEAD. WHY? YOU MUST HAVE HEARD SHE WAS TRYING TO blackmail me. Anyway, it's your fault. You gave him my picture. What next? Kill me, too? One more isn't going to make any difference. But you're my husband, Simon. I'm a rich woman. I really do like you. Don't you realize what you've done? What a pity you're so weak. Don't you understand in this world it's dog eat dog. If I hadn't have gotten them, they'd have gotten me. Her, Mrs. Bryce, your detective friend Murphy. He made a deal to kill you, Simon, but I wouldn't let him. I killed him first. He tried to blackmail me, too. They all deserve to die. Christine, you've killed Shut up. You're a born loser. Now move. And take her with you. No, I'm not going to help her. Do as you're told, Simon. I don't play games. Move. You're a fool. Please. All of you did. Do you hear? I'll kill all of you. I WILL BURN. WHERE? APARTMENT. HE'S THERE. WHERE ARE ALL OF YOU GOING? SIMON. NO. HELP ME, PLEASE. HELP ME. HELP ME. HELP ME. HEY. HEY.