The Secret Beyond the Door

-WOMAN:

-I remember -

long ago, I read a book.

It told the meaning of dreams.

It said that if a girl dreams of a boat or a ship,

she will reach a safe harbour.

But if she dreams of daffodils...

..she is in great danger.

But this is no time for me to think of danger.

This is my wedding day.

"Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue."

"Something old" is this church - four centuries old.

Mark says it's a felicitous structure...

..it's vaultings, pilasters, walls,

its altars, its chandeliers,

tuned to a perfect harmony - built so that here, only events of joy can happen.

400 years of joy!

"Something new" is Mark himself,

and love is new for me.

My heart is pounding so.

The sound of it drowns out everything.

It's said that when you drown, your whole life passes before you.

Here it is, in 12-point bold. My sister breaks another engagement.

Darling, I never dreamed of marrying him.

Trombone player! Heaven forbid!

-I'd sooner see you marry that witch-doctor of yours.

-Curtis? He's a brilliant psychoanalyst.

-What are you holding out for?

-I still have time, Rick. Why should I tie myself down?

I'm not rushing you, but being mother and father and cheque-signer for you has its worrisome moments.

-New York's a bull market for you in good, eligible men.

-As good as you, Rick?

I wasn't proposing a miracle, but I won't be around as long as you.

They don't make spare parts for this, and mine has a lot of mileage on it.

Ahem! >

I'm sorry, Rick. Your secretary said I could...

Come in, Bob. This is strictly legal!

Speak of the devil, Celia! Here's a thoroughly eligible man. A top-flight lawyer, Bob Dwight. My sister Celia.

'My brother Rick. That was the last time we were close. And when you died, Rick, life was lonely.'

Rick was a cagey investor. It's your money now and I've set up a trust fund.

-Unless you revoke it, not even your husband can touch the capital.

-Has a fortune-hunting husband popped up?

-The woodwork is crawling with them. You know that.

-I wasn't looking.

I...I like you very much, Celia.

When you're settled, I'm going to ask you to marry me.

Bob, I'm settled now. I'm tired of being the darling of the stag-night.

I don't want an answer now, Celia.

-You're depressed about Rick, and I want you to be sure.

-But I...

-Why don't you go to Mexico with the Potters?

-Will you come too?

-No, but I'll be here when you come back.

-It's awfully commercial.

-My dear, it's perfect for Bob!

-All right. The initials are RD.

I nearly married a man like Bob, but he broke it off when he found out... WOMAN SCREAMS

Celia, let's get out of here. I don't want to be an innocent bystander. Come on! What's wrong with you?

'There was nothing wrong with me, but I was strangely held.

'I'd seen fights before - night-club brawls over the cigarette-girls.

'When one man was knocked down, the fight was over. This was different.

'A woman, and two men who may have known her an hour or less, fighting for her with naked knives.

'Death was in that street, and I felt how proud she must be.

'Suddenly I felt that someone was watching me.

'There was a tingling at the nape of my neck, as if the air had turned cool.

'I felt eyes touching me...

'..like fingers.

'A current flowed between us,

'warm and sweet, but frightening too.

'He saw, behind my make-up, what no-one had ever seen,

'something I didn't know was there.'

Let's go!

-You looked as though you'd seen Death himself!

-That's not how he looks.

-What?

-Oh...

-Weren't you going to phone the hotel about Arthur?

-Oh, good heavens, yes! One drink too many, and he's a beast!

Waiter, where's the telephone? Alla, senorita.

Thanks. I'll have the bellhop put him to bed, otherwise...!

I'd sent Edith away because I'd planned my strategy.

I wanted to meet him on my own ground...not his.

-The fight finished just after you left.

-How did it end?

-The big gypsy had the knife.

-What did the woman do?

To the victor belong the spoils.

When I last saw her, she was hanging on his arm. By the way, I don't think RD will like that wallet -

not if he's anything like me.

-He's not a bit like you.

-And YOU aren't what you seem to be.

There's something in your face I saw once before - in South Dakota, wheat country, in cyclone weather.

Just before the cyclone, the air has a...stillness,

a flat, gold... shimmering stillness.

It's in your face - the same hush before a storm. And when you smile,

it's like the first breath of wind.

I know that there is a turbulence behind that smile.

'I heard his voice, and then I didn't hear it any more. The beating of my blood was louder.

'This was what I'd hunted for in New York.

'I knew before I heard his name or touched his hand.

'For an endless moment, I seemed to float

'like a feather in a place where time had stopped.

'Strange.

'I thought then of daffodils.'

You were living that fight. You soaked up the love, hate, passion.

You've been starved of feelings, any real feelings.

I thought, "She's Sleeping Beauty,

"a wealthy American girl who's been wrapped in cotton wool.

"But...she wants to wake up.

"Maybe she can."

Is it as hard as all that?

Most people are asleep.

-My dear...!

-I'm Mark Lamphere.

-How do you do? Arthur went berserk after his 12th bourbon.

He chased the chambermaid! He only wanted to pinch. Then he bathed in the patio fountain.

-Sit down, I'm not as poisonous as I look. What did you say your name is?

-Mark Lamphere.

-He's been saying I'm a Sleeping Beauty.

-An original approach(!)

I suppose you, Prince Charming, will kill the dragon, cut through the hedge and give her the magic kiss?

I'd forgotten the dragon...and I think the hedge is only camouflage.

-Darling, shouldn't you be with Arthur?

-No.

Oh, yes. Yes, of course. Arthur will be touched by your concern(!) The dragon is routed, Mr Lamphere.

'The next days, we were together 24 hours a day.

'The third night, we stopped at the little wishing well.'

Celia, when are you going back to New York?

-We'll be on the noon plane tomorrow. I wasn't going to tell you.

-I wanted you to know me much better.

I know you fairly well. You're a successful architect. You publish a magazine on modern architecture.

That's the factual Mark, but there's another Mark I wanted you to know.

Mm-hm.

Mark, I want to be honest with you.

Something these past three days - something in you - threw me off my course.

I'm afraid I'll close the door to a quiet, familiar room that's safe.

-There's a warm fire burning on the hearth, and...

-And RD?

Yes.

-Want to make a wish?

-Do you believe in it?

There's probably a man who rakes the centavos out and blesses the credulous fools who throw them in.

Well...to be on the safe side...

What did you wish?

Celia!

I need you! I need you more than...

'One door closed.

'Another opened wide, and I went through.

'Wind was there, and space, and sun and storm - everything was beyond that door.

'That night, I wrote to Bob.

'Suddenly, I am afraid.

'I am marrying a stranger - a man I don't know at all.

'I could leave. I could run away, there's still time.

'But what would people say? I can't leave. It just isn't done. But I'm afraid.'

MEXICAN ACCENT: My dear friends,

you are about to enter a union of which God is author.

With this ring I thee wed, and I plight unto thee my troth.

'Maybe I should have followed the dark voice in my heart.

'Maybe I should have run away. It started on our honeymoon.

'The Hacienda Dos Encantos. The famous fountain.

'Legend says that if lovers drink from it, they will always speak from their hearts,

'and will keep no secrets from each other.

'Their two hearts will become truly...one.'

Mmm...don't go.

SQUAWK!

The doorways, the grille-work, the walls - distilled romance. It's built into the place.

-D'you know what I think?

-Don't think.

-Just feel.

-I might have known. No woman CAN think.

-Now wait!

-No woman should even try. Thinking is the prerogative of men.

-Oh?

Women are nearer to nature. They don't think, they feel.

Men think for hours. Women reach the same conclusions by instinct.

A poet said, "Women are happy, and children, and animals, but we human beings? We are not."

Was that from your heart? Darn the fountain.

But it's true, my gentle dove(!)

As intelligence improves, instinct withers away. We become inhibited.

"Inhibited" isn't the word for you!

Thank you.

No. You stay away.

I'd have needed months of research to find a place like this - so felicitous, so inviting for love.

It IS a happy place.

You know, I have a hobby.

I collect rooms - felicitous rooms.

-For felicitous people?

-Right. That's why I run this magazine - so that I can discuss my theories.

I think the way a place is built determines what happens in it.

For instance, here's a church in Austria, where miracles happen. The lame walk, the blind see.

There's a room near Williamsburg

that jinxes lovers.

A girl refused George Washington there.

Later, Jefferson proposed and was turned down cold in the same room.

Certain rooms cause violence, even murders.

Mark, my sweet, you're crazy!

Yes. Maybe I am.

Come here, darling.

That fountain's done enough damage.

Complaints! Do I talk too much?

Right now, I'd settle for a little less talk.

< Senora! Senora! Come!

Your bath!

-Paquita's timing needs adjustment. I was just going to mix you a drink.

-I'll bet!

Come up as soon as she leaves me. I'll take a raincheck on that drink.

Ow!

Today, 200 strokes.

You're plotting to make me late.

Senora, in marriage,

where one is wise, two are happy.

A woman has patience,

a man...none.

Shush!

Senora,

-let him wait.

-Get out!

200 strokes.

Oh, Mark!

Mark, where are you?

Mark, you sweet dope!

Mark!

You can't get away from me. Oh darling, I love you so much.

-Pray we won't be separated long.

-What?

-If I start now, I can get the midnight plane to Mexico City.

-What are you talking about?

The Stanton Company -

the New York publishers - have always wanted to buy my magazine.

Their offer only holds for two more days.

-You want to sell it?

-Who said "want"? It's losing money.

-I have money!

-I know, but that's not why I married you.

-Why give up something you have your heart in?

-I'm glad their offer is big enough to force me to decide.

Shall we have a drink?

What made you decide so suddenly?

I had a telegram an hour ago. I'll send the car back for you, with the driver.

You can meet me at Levender Falls.

Not...in New York?

No. The Lampheres have lived at Levender Falls since 1698.

It's the other side of the river - an hour's drive from New York.

Well - our first "so long".

Mark...didn't you come upstairs just now?

No.

To be honest, I was too upset when I got that telegram.

But...I saw the door handle move.

Mark, you're hurt!

Nothing important.

Just the perfect ending to a beautiful day(?)

Well! Till Levender Falls!

'His kiss was cold. In an hour he was gone,

'and I was alone.'

Senora?

I won't want anything, thank you, Paquita.

Senora.

Yes, Paquita?

Senora, I am an old, married woman. Of pain I know much.

Paquita...

Better you know it now, senora. There was no telegram.

Here, no telegram can come.

Thank you, Paquita, but you must be mistaken.

Si, senora.

Of course there was no telegram.

But when Paquita told me, the pain started.

Why had he gone? Why had he lied?

It was agony.

I tried not to think any more...

..but my mind was on a treadmill.

Why had he lied? Why had he gone? Why had he lied, why had he gone?

Because I locked the door?

He said he hadn't come up, but he had.

I knew it was Mark who tried the door. I knew it all the time.

Surely my childish prank hadn't changed his love for me? So why had he gone? Why had he lied?

Why had he gone? Why had he lied?

I couldn't stand it any longer. I had to try to sleep.

Maybe Paquita was wrong.

Maybe the telegram came by mail.

But Paquita wasn't wrong.

There WAS no telegram.

For some impossible reason, he'd lied to me.

I lay there for hours...

..or so it seemed to me.

I couldn't sleep.

Over and over and over, the one thought -

why doesn't he love me any more?

Finally I must have fallen into a kind of half-sleep.

I dreamed I heard the car coming back.

It came closer and closer and stopped in front of the hacienda.

Mark was in it. He'd come back,

but I wasn't glad.

I was afraid, and my fear woke me up.

KNOCKING

Yes?

Senora, the car came back.

The driver say I must give this to you, pronto.

The letter is good? Si?

Oh Paquita, I've been such a fool!

Such a silly, stupid fool!

Five long days later, my train pulled in to Levender Falls.

Train for Hartsville,

Vincent,

Germanville!

'I was looking for Mark.

'I saw no sign of him. But I found myself being kissed by a stranger.'

Celia? Mark said you were beautiful. I'm Caroline - Carrie, Mark's sister.

-Of course!

-I'm glad he's mentioned me. He forgets details! Is this yours?

Part of it.

-I've got some trunks.

-Give me the checks and I'll have them picked up tomorrow.

Thank you.

-I wired Mark.

-He was delayed. He'll be here tomorrow. It's beastly of him!

-Jim, put these bags in my car, please.

-Yes, Miss Lamphere.

It's a twelve-mile drive.

Mark works at the house. He thought of moving his office there when rents became simply criminal.

But he finally decided he needed the New York front.

We're rather short on servants. We've only one old couple.

That's probably David,

-sizing you up.

-David?

Yes - Mark's son.

Andy!

Andy and Sarah are slow as molasses.

ANDY!

Andy!

-Yes, ma'am?

-Didn't you hear the car?

-No, ma'am.

-This is Mrs Lamphere.

-How do you do?

-Her luggage is in the car.

-Yes, ma'am.

-I'll show you to your room.

'Why didn't Mark tell me that he'd been married? That he has a son?

'I want to have Mark's children - but not another woman's child.'

The masks were collected by my great-grandfather. Hideous, aren't they?

I suppose...David loves them.

Not any more.

Strange. I should think any boy would.

David is a strange boy.

This is one of the newer wings.

Father started it and Mark did the rest when he needed more space for his workroom.

-I think you'll be comfortable here.

-I'm sure of it, Carrie.

-I imagine you'll want a day or two to adjust before you take over.

-What? Sorry. I was wool-gathering.

Oh, just put them anywhere.

I asked when you wanted to start managing the house.

I'm bone-lazy, Carrie. I sleep till ll o'clock.

I'm not even conscious until I've had three coffees. Won't you do it?

Just as you say. I was managing the house even before Mother died.

-I'll need time to make friends with David.

-That will take time.

I told Sarah to heat some water for your bath. I'll run it for you.

-What does he like?

-Who?

-David.

Oh...books.

-Is that all?

-He's very difficult since his mother died. Didn't Mark warn you?

-Oh, yes, he did.

-This is the bedroom.

-It's lovely.

Mark got the wallpaper at an auction in Paris. The candlesticks too.

-It's really dreamy.

-I've always liked this room. Eleanor had a flair for decoration.

-Mark didn't tell you?

-I'd forgotten her name.

-So you're not jealous?

That would be rather foolish of me.

You're very sensible. Eleanor had a certain charm, but it was enamelled and aloof.

Are you hungry? What would you like?

-I eat everything.

-I'll fix a tray while you have your bath.

-Thank you.

-Carrie!

-DOOR BANGS

SHE KNOCKS

Carrie!

I was...looking for Miss Lamphere.

I'm Miss Robey, Mr Lamphere's secretary.

May I help you?

I'm Celia Barrett... I mean, Mrs Lamphere. I saw you at the window.

-It was you I saw?

-No.

-It was rather dark. Caroline thought it was David.

-Very likely.

-I'm looking forward to meeting him.

-He's not well. Since this afternoon.

-I suppose that's because of me.

-He loved his mother.

-I see that makes him difficult.

He isn't difficult. Only someone who doesn't care to know him would think that.

He's a fine boy -

nervous, maybe, and sensitive - he resents domination.

That's ridiculous, Miss Robey. He's spoiled.

-We nearly had a flood, my dear.

-Good heavens! The tub!

-I turned it off in time. Your supper's waiting.

-Good night, Miss Robey.

-Good night, Mrs Lamphere.

I wish she'd mind her own business.

Domination(!) I know what David needs - love of course, but a firm hand.

I suppose he misses his mother.

Eleanor pampered him. She and Mark were completely estranged.

The break was final when he came back from the war. He moved into the room near the study.

Eleanor became ill and shut herself off from everybody - except David.

I noticed Mark's things weren't in there. I was going to protest!

They came this afternoon. Sarah kept them in the refrigerator until you got here.

The rat!

-They're from Mark.

-So I imagined.

-And now I could eat a horse.

-Everything was raised here - even the milk. We keep a Jersey.

She's very good-looking.

Who?

-Miss Robey.

-Oh. She used to be. When David was four, the summerhouse caught fire. She saved his life.

-Her face was burned.

-I wondered why she was wearing that scarf.

It's a pity for a woman to be disfigured,

but she uses it. I think gratitude has its limits, but you know Mark.

-He should be old enough to know these things.

-Men don't live to be THAT old! What time will he arrive?

-The middle of the night for you - 8am!

-Good grief! How could he?

But I'll fix him. I'll be there.

-Cheers, we made it!

-Yes, ma'am, with a minute to spare by the clock.

TRAIN WHISTLES

Mark! Mark!

Oh, darling Mark!

Your heart is beating so fast.

I'm flesh and blood. I can feel your heart too.

-I'm tired.

-You look tired, darling.

Efficiently tired! Has it been bad?

-Not good.

-Didn't the sale go through?

When they found out I needed the money, they got cagey and withdrew the offer.

-I must see Townsend at the bank.

-On our first day?

Tell Andy to pick me up at about five. I'll see you at dinner.

-When does the next train leave for New York?

-4.40, ma'am.

-Thank you.

-Yes, ma'am.

-Good morning, Mrs Lamphere. Should Andy take your trunks now?

-No, leave them here.

Home.

Home! Where is home?

Not with Mark. Not any more.

It was a gamble, and I lost. Period.

I'm going back to New York.

Back to what? To the empty life I led before?

Before Mark?

If only Rick were alive, I could go home to Rick. But what would he say?

He'd say, "Do you love him, or don't you? Forget your pride and hurt feelings."

Andy, would you please go back to the station for my trunks?

How do you do? I'm David.

How do you do, David?

-I'm glad you're feeling better.

-Thank you.

Am I disturbing you?

Thanks. I'm happy to meet you. Miss Robey's told me nice things about you.

-I like Miss Robey.

-Aunt Caroline wouldn't agree with you.

What are you interested in, David?

-In what way?

-In becoming? An architect too, I suppose?

-NO!

What are you reading?

I appreciate that you're trying to make friends.

-Yes, I am.

-But there are things I'm afraid you won't understand.

-I won't try to take your mother's place.

You couldn't.

Let's leave it this way. Apparently you're honest. That's unusual in this house.

I was prepared to dislike you, but I find I have nothing against you.

I shall call you Mrs Lamphere.

Fair enough. I hope that later...

CAR APPROACHES It's Father.

Excuse me, would you, David?

D'you want me to carry you over the threshold?

-You're not angry?

-I've buttered my bread - now I have to lie on it.

No - I choose the weapons and the battleground. Come upstairs.

-Was there a cyclone?

-I'd call it an earthquake.

The ground's been shaking under my feet ever since I got here.

Lamphere skeletons come rattling out of every closet.

Mark, why didn't you tell me you'd been married?

Darling, you must have seen it when we got the marriage licence.

It was tactful of you not to mention it.

Rick told me to read everything - including the fine print - but you never mentioned David, or...

It seemed so far away, so unrelated to you.

After you left me at the station, I wanted to go back to New York.

Then I conjured Rick up and he read me the riot act.

-Finally, he asked me one question, and the answer was yes.

-Yes what?

Yes, I love you. But I can't help wondering if...you love me.

You're...talking about Eleanor.

Celia,

she was a...gentle person,

not cold, but...

..I couldn't give her love. I blame myself, but it wasn't a marriage.

But you had a son.

I was never close to him either. He blamed me for her unhappiness.

-Was she very unhappy?

-I didn't understand her and I couldn't make her understand me.

Let's not make the same mistake.

I CAN understand - if you don't shut me out.

What about this morning?

-It's no excuse, but I was worried about the magazine.

-What happened at the bank?

I couldn't ask for a loan. The Lampheres have been looked up to for so many years.

I'll have to sell, that's all.

Now listen, and don't interrupt.

-You've been awfully stuffy about this, but I have money.

-No, Celia, please!

-I'm your wife. I'm more than the babe you whistled at.

-I whistled?

You whistled with your eyes.

-I want to share your life.

-No, I'd feel ashamed. Let's not discuss it.

You're like a turtle!

One wrong word, and I'm talking to a shell THAT thick!

Family characteristic. It comes from old Snapper Lamphere, the swamp king(!)

Now, may I go and change my shell for dinner?

One more thing -

I want to collect on that raincheck you gave me in Mexico.

I can see that this is the day that all my sins have found me out.

'We had passed our first test.'

A week later, we had our house-warming.

It was perfect. Everyone talked, nobody listened, and everybody took offence.

THUNDER RUMBLES

Then Nature joined the conversation. Suddenly, there was unanimous agreement.

GENERAL HUBBUB

Bless the rain! When it began, I was in the clutches of a local hayseed.

Look!

Cuddlesome, isn't he?

-There's nothing I don't know now about lamb chops(!)

-On the hoof?

< I like mine medium rare.

-Bob! But doesn't Mark have the decency to be jealous?

-No.

Did you just get here? No, I saw you yacking on the lawn.

-I was getting rid of gallons of repressed poison.

-Paging Mr Freud!

Darling, my subconscious is a booby-trap.

Behave, you two.

Is she happy? Punch-drunk.

He's broke. He hasn't a sou, except for what his magazine brings in.

All this is mortgaged to the hilt.

-I've watched you every minute.

-I too.

-I've missed you.

-You'd better!

How much longer... oh.

Mind if I intrude on your pink cloud?

-Come aboard.

-Celia's letter from Mexico didn't make me jump for joy.

-I hope not!

-I can't promise to make her as happy as I am, but...

-Oh, stop, you two!

Mark, will you show some of the guests your rooms?

-I don't know... Celia, I told you about them.

-I'd love to see them!

-I'll suggest games to the others.

-Let's see how many customers we have.

Rooms?

Mark's hobby is to collect rooms that are somehow connected with happy events. He has a theory...

..that a room can influence the actions of people living in it.

The first room you will see

is the salon of a French comtesse. It was sealed by her husband on the morning of August 25th, 1572.

-MANY VOICES: Gorgeous! Beautiful!

-It started my collection.

-It must have cost a lot to copy it.

-This isn't a copy.

These are the original rooms.

-I bet there's a love story.

-Not...exactly.

-What happened?

-Murder, my dear.

It was the eve of St Bartholomew's Day. The count's family, the Guises,

planned to murder all the Huguenots in Paris.

The count was a religious bigot.

When he discovered that his beloved wife was secretly a Huguenot,

she was nothing to him any more - a thing without a soul.

She was lying on the chaise-longue, reading, when he came in.

-Did he poison her?

-Why? Oh, the glass.

No, that was wine.

But if you notice the handkerchief - there's a little blood.

It was a rapier thrust.

THIS weapon was more unusual. The killer used the floods of 1913.

This was the cellar of a house in Missouri. The floods were severe.

-He was a sordid little rat.

-Who was the victim?

-His mother.

-It's rare for a son to murder his mother.

- She's a Brain-Psych major. - The murder of women often has its motive in hatred for the mother.

I think the motive was as common as dirt. The old lady was insured.

He tied her to that chair.

The waters were rising.

You can see how high they rose.

Don Ignacio couldn't stand the sight of blood. He was a cultivated man.

Even in the wilderness of Paraguay, surrounded by desolate pampas, he lived a cosmopolitan life.

He'd been educated in Paris.

To Don Ignacio, murder, like love, was a fine art.

In both, he was a perfectionist. Constancia, Maria, Isabella -

they were all girls of flawless beauty.

At his execution, he swore that he never intended to murder -

what he hoped for was an ultimate and lasting love.

But something - he spoke of an unholy emanation from this room -

-drove him inevitably to kill.

-Pretty far-fetched!

-To him it seemed most apt.

-A pity for him that in his day nothing was known about psychoanalysis.

The room had nothing to do with it?

It did. Something happened to him here in childhood. Perhaps he resolved to kill.

-His conscious mind forgot...

-But he killed?

Naturally! But he didn't know why, he just had to.

If he'd told someone what happened here, he wouldn't have had to murder.

Unless his love for his victims made it necessary.

Our next murderer was a blundering amateur.

Didn't you say "happy events"?

I'm sure that's what Mark said. I must have misunderstood, or...?

Mark wouldn't lie to me.

Celia, Rick left me with certain responsibilities, and... FOOTSTEPS APPROACH

I may not be alone with you again.

You've signed a power of attorney. Do you realise that gives Mark complete control over all your money?

-It's for his magazine.

-The magazine makes good money.

-You're jealous!

-If you feel that way...

-Sorry.

-Mark wouldn't do anything unfair.

-LAUGHTER

WOMAN: And they say women are canny! MAN: Mark's a lucky fellow!

MAN: His first wife's money runs out, and she dies. The second wife has plenty too. Nice work!

-Don't make a scene.

-It's vicious.

-It's gossip. Ignore it.

-You tell me to ignore it, but YOU believe it!

Celia!

But there's not a male in the lot!

I know we women can be provoking, but there must be some way short of murder to show male exasperation!

From Eve till today, women are our greatest temptation. That's the last of the rooms, ladies and gentlemen.

Oh...we haven't seen this one, have we?

No.

Isn't it complete?

Yes.

Then don't let's skip it.

It's locked! This must be tops in gruesomeness. Open up, Mark!

A man must have some secrets.

Danger, darling. Never trust a man with secrets.

-Doesn't your husband have any?

-Naturally! It's instinctive for Arthur to hide things from me.

-Arthur!

-What is it, darling?

-When the rain... Oh, heavens!

-What is it?

He was sleeping in one of those chairs in the garden, and I forgot him.

He must be drowned by now.

-It's good to be alone with you at last, darling. Nightcap?

-Mm-hm.

-Mark.

-Hm?

Didn't you say in Mexico that you collected happy rooms?

Happy? No.

-Do you mean felicitous?

-Mm.

-Felicitous doesn't mean happy, darling.

It means...happy in effect. Apt.

I use it to describe architecture that fits the events that happen in it.

But why only murder-rooms, Mark?

-Murder comes from strong emotion. It's a clear demonstration of my theory.

-I was rather shocked.

By the stories? Yes, they're pretty potent.

No, it wasn't that. It was you.

-Somehow I felt as I did that night in Mexico, and when I met you at the station.

-What are you talking about?

It was the way you... immersed yourself in those stories,

as if you were happy about their deaths.

Mark...

..what's in the seventh room?

It will never be shown to anyone,

-not even to you.

-Oh, Mark! What do you mean by never?

-What would I mean?

-I'm not just curious, darling. I don't mean to pry. I want to understand you.

I have to live my own life! I've always been hemmed in by women -

Caroline, Eleanor and now you!

-The room's not worth quarrelling about.

-I don't want to discuss it.

The room is locked and stays locked!

-Good morning.

-Good morning, ma'am.

-I thought you never woke before 11.

-I couldn't sleep.

-Butterflies?

No, a little headache.

-What are you planting?

-Carnations.

I like carnations -

-deep red ones...and lilacs.

-She liked lilacs too -

Mr Mark's mother. This side of the house was a solid bank of it, white and purple, and that fuzzy kind.

What happened to them?

-They was dug up when Mr Mark came home from school.

-He had them taken up the summer after Mother died.

So long ago. Oh, Andy,

-the bone-meal is on your work bench.

-Yes, ma'am.

Only after dinner.

Celia, I've been trying to tell you for days - I'm glad you're here.

Thank you, Carrie.

-I blame myself for Mark's first marriage.

-But...

-I picked Eleanor for Mark.

He was wild and unsettled. I made up my mind - and his - that he had to be married for his own good.

I think I'll have that cigarette.

I watched Mark at the party yesterday. He must love you very much.

Thank you, Carrie.

As a child, Mark was very like David - emotional, over-sensitive.

Once, when he was ten, I locked him in his room - just to tease him.

When he was let out, he was beside himself - screaming and crying with rage.

-<

-Are you deaf? Answer! I won't put up with your snooping. What did you think you'd find in my room?

WHAT DID YOU THINK YOU'D FIND?

Take that smirk off your face, and answer me!

What are you afraid I COULD find?

-You miserable, disgusting brat!

-Mark, no!

He's only a child.

-You think you can handle him better than I?

-Mark, what in heaven's...?

You seem to have great sympathy for David. I can see why you might. I wish you'd try and understand ME!

I'm sorry, Mrs Lamphere...

..but you must never interfere between him and me.

You see...

..he killed my mother.

Funny.

Why do I keep on thinking about red carnations

and lilacs?

Maybe when pain is unbearable, one doesn't feel it any more.

I came down here

to write to tell Edith

that the gardener found her husband's wallet.

David is leaving.

I shouldn't have let him go like that.

I should have defended Mark.

The gardener said he had the lilacs dug up.

Oh, I'm thinking in circles. I must pull myself together. The whole thing is ridiculous.

David is over-sensitive and high-strung.

But how did Eleanor die? How...did...Eleanor...die?

She thought Mark didn't love her. She became ill, and didn't want to live.

She had no resistance left.

'She loved Mark, but he didn't love her.

'Can one kill by purposely denying someone love? By taking away the desire to live?'

Mr Mark couldn't do enough to care for her.

He brought her books, fruit, flowers,

and he gave her her medicine himself.

Mr Mark is the soul of kindness.

I know, Sarah.

I know.

CAR APPROACHES

He was hit by a car. It didn't stop.

Miss Robey, get the first aid kit.

-Don't bring him in the house. He's bleeding.

-'The soul of kindness.

'What goes on in his mind, that he can change so suddenly?

'He keeps it locked, like this door. I have to open them both - for his sake.'

Mark!

-Yes?

-If you won't come to my rooms any more, I have to come to yours.

-Do we have something to talk about?

-I think so. David.

I've no intention of discussing David.

Mark... Mark, it's such an impossible situation.

I have no time to listen.

I'm in a hurry. I'm having dinner in town.

Stupid of me to...take it off.

It's just... Mr Lamphere stayed in town overnight, and it's so early...

-Why do you want people to think you're disfigured?

-There WAS an unpleasant scar.

When I saved David's life, I saved myself too. I was going to be fired.

Is the word too blunt for you? To me it's basic English.

Mark was going to...?

No, not he.

Caroline and...Eleanor wanted me out of the house.

Afterwards, everybody was grateful.

Their gratitude has been my social security.

But...

Plastic surgery during my vacation. I meant to tell them, but when I heard...

When you heard he'd married me? Was that why, Miss Robey?

-You hoped he might marry you?

-Now I suppose you'll tell him.

If you don't want me to, no.

I promise I won't tell anyone.

Come on, now, Miss Robey. Come on.

We'll both forget this morning.

Where is your purse?

Miss Robey?

DOG GROWLS

-DOG BARKS

-Is there anyone there?

I want New York. Gramercy 42757. This is 926.

Hello. Operator?

Hello? Is somebody there?

What?

-All right. Please call me back. No, MRS Lamphere.

-Are you busy?

Shall I come back later?

No. I was calling Edith.

-Were you in my room just now?

-No, Mark. Why?

I wondered. Celia, you're right. We do have to talk about David.

-Yes, Mark.

-That wasn't our first quarrel.

I like him really, but...

..sometimes I feel he rejects me, and I feel a sort of frenzy.

And when you defended him...

Celia, you mean so much to me...

What about David?

Everything here reminds him of his mother. If we send him to school in New York, he'll be with other boys.

-And you'll have time to tame me.

-I hadn't thought of that, but now that you...

-What is it, Mark?

-One of the candles is shorter than the other.

-Does it matter, darling?

-It jars me somehow. Breaks the symmetry.

-PHONE RINGS

-I'll tell Edith I'll call back.

No, I'll see you later. I have to shave anyway.

DOOR SHUTS

Hello? Edith...

Why can't Miss Robey go with me? She knows New York.

-I can buy your clothes.

-Bob says he'll get here later and drive David in if he can make it.

-Otherwise he'll meet him at Grand Central.

-Is David's registration there?

-Here's something.

-That's it.

From Edith.

'Time seems to stand still

'when you wait for everyone else to sleep.'

If I don't do it now, I'll never dare.

'Eleanor's room - the bed she died in.'

David was right.

But no...

This room is a copy. The others are actual rooms.

What can it mean?

Where are her things?

The little things that made the room hers?

Isn't the room finished?

But Mark said it WAS finished.

Oh Mark, darling, you blame yourself. You torture yourself.

You think you killed because you couldn't give her love.

-That's why the room is only a copy! You couldn't kill!

-CLOCK CHIMES

The candle!

It's MY room.

It's waiting for me!

Don Ignacio's room.

-I saw a light in your room.

-I want to get away.

-I want to leave.

-I'll get your coat.

-It's miles to the station. Here's the key to the station-wagon.

-Thanks, Miss Robey.

Constancia...

Maria...

..Isabella...

SHE SCREAMS

'It'll be a curious trial -

'People of the State of New York versus Mark Lamphere,

'charged with the murder of his wife, Celia.

'Exhibit A.

'What can I answer when I'm asked if the murder was premeditated?'

Premeditated? I've planned it all my life.

But you met your wife only this spring, in Mexico.

Yes.

I loved her very much, and... somehow I...felt as though I had been searching for her all my life.

-<

-To kill her? No! That came later.

Did you also kill your first wife, Eleanor?

No.

I blamed myself. That's why I built the room.

She died because I didn't love her,

and...maybe unconsciously, I...wanted her to die.

But no man is responsible for his unconscious thoughts.

If YOU aren't responsible for your thoughts, who is?

It depends how you live. I've always been dominated by women.

First it was my mother. When she left me - when she died - it was Caroline, then Eleanor.

I never lived a life of my own,

and I may have thought of... You can't try a man for his thoughts!

- But for their consequences! - I didn't kill Eleanor!

But you did kill your wife, Celia!

I tried not to kill.

The first time, in Mexico, I ran away from her.

The impulse to kill faded.

I thought I'd dreamed it.

Then, when she met me at Levender Falls, I...felt a deep and gentle kind of love.

Until...

..I don't know what it was.

It swept over me like a haze. She became someone else - someone I had to kill.

I fought it down, over and over again.

There are dark forces in us. We're all children of Cain. We've all thought of murder.

I can't help myself. I love her, but...so help me God,

if Celia were here, I'd still have to kill her.

< TAP! TAP!

KNOCKING

Oh, Mr Mark, you didn't answer.

Miss Caroline wonders - are you coming down to breakfast?

Breakfast...

Tell Miss Caroline I'll come down.

Mark, I can't run a household without some kind of co-operation.

I'm taking David to New York today, AND doing the breakfast dishes.

Andy and Sarah are going out. No-one has any consideration for me.

-Miss Robey overslept. Celia isn't even in her room.

-I know. She won't be here for breakfast.

DOOR OPENS

Miss Robey, make out your final check and leave here as soon as possible.

-Mark!

-I ask for a certain amount of loyalty from my employees.

Miss Robey has deceived me.

She told you?

I trusted her when she said she wouldn't! You needn't be grateful any more!

What does she mean?

Who told you what?

What did she do, Mark?

She tried to interfere in my life,

and I'm sick and tired of interference.

Yes...

I always thought she...

But Mark, now I'll have to stay.

I gather Celia has gone somewhere. I can't ask Andy and Sarah to stay, so you'll be alone.

I WANT to be alone, and for the first time in your life, Carrie, I'm going to have what I want.

DOOR OPENS

I thought you left last night.

I did. I ran into Bob on the road. He'd lost his way in the fog. I went with him to Levender Falls.

Why?

Why did you come back?

Because I love you. Because I married you for better or for worse.

-There you are. Andy's going to drive us to the station.

-Celia's back.

I'm glad, Mark. I'm so glad.

-I want you and David to stay.

-No.

Now I have to go.

Since breakfast I've been thinking. I always meant it for your good - arranging things for you.

-But instead I only kept you from being happy.

-You've got to stay!

-No.

You and Celia won't settle your differences with me here. Talk it out. I know you love her.

If we're going to catch the train, we've got to leave.

Goodbye, Mark.

'I can't be alone with her. I can't.'

Celia, I'm leaving. I have to go to New York.

I'll miss you.

You'll be all alone here. Everyone's left.

-You'd better go to Levender Falls for the night.

-I'm not afraid.

Celia, I love you very much.

I know.

'In three hours, there'll be 100 miles between us.

'In three weeks, 10,000 miles.

'I must get away from her - as far as possible.'

TRAIN APPROACHES

Going to New York?

I forgot something at home.

PHONE RINGS

-Hello, who is...?

-THUNDER CRASHES

Who?

Oh, Miss Robey. No, Mr Lamphere's gone to New York. No, I don't know when he'll be back. Good night.

I knew you wanted to kill me last night, and I know why you've come back.

I wanted to save myself - but now I'd rather die than lose you.

That would be a slow death, for a lifetime.

Yes, lilacs have something to do with it.

Search your mind, darling. There's something hidden so deep that you no longer know it's there.

You're keeping something locked up in your mind.

It's like this room - you don't want anybody to know what's in it.

Once you said you loved me. But something forces you to hate me, to kill me.

I don't hate you.

At the station, you wanted to kiss me - until you saw the lilac in my lapel.

My mother loved lilac.

But you had all the bushes rooted out when she died.

-I loved my mother.

-Caroline told me.

Did your mother hurt you when you were a child?

-LOCK CLICKS

-Did you hear...?

I locked the door in Mexico. It began then!

That summer...

A beautiful summer... I was ten. I'd forgotten that summer.

Because you didn't WANT to remember.

Mother and father were separated.

I didn't care. She was my whole world.

I was with her in the garden.

I can hear the bees humming on the flowers even now.

-She picked masses of lilac. I helped her carry it to the house.

-Locking the door?

-What about locking the door?

-She was going out dancing that night, and I was jealous.

Carrie teased me. She always teased me.

Mother said that when I was ready for bed, I could come to her room and she would read to me.

It would have meant so much. She should have known.

When I was ready for bed, I went to the door...

You were locked in?

SHE locked me in. I heard her turn the key.

I called her, but she left for the dance.

I pounded on the door until there was blood on my hands.

I ran to the window and I saw her drive away with a man. I called her,

and I cried. It was the last time in my life that I cried.

I snatched the lilacs and strangled them. I killed them. I wanted to kill her.

I was only ten. I hated her,

and I knew that some day...

..some day...

..tonight...!

Caroline locked the door! It wasn't your mother! It was Caroline!

She told me!

Mark!

-It's locked!

-That's what I heard! The key turned!

-Stand aside!

CRASHING AND BANGING

Celia!

Mark!

Celia!

Celia!

Celia!

THUNDER CRASHES

Mark! I didn't know YOU were in there.

That night, you killed the root of the evil in me,

but I still have a long way to go.

WE have a long way to go.

Subtitles by Zoe Fairbairns - 1993 -