Hush... Hush, Sweet Charlotte

'This house, this plantation,

'this whole damned parish belonged to my family

'before your people stepped aboard the stinkin' cattle boat

'that brought 'em to this country.

'Don't you dare talk back to me, boy!

'My family's seen this state

'crawlin' with lousy carpetbaggers

'that knew more about behaving like a gentleman than you do.

'I can't even look at Charlotte

'without ugly thoughts rip my guts.'

I'd sooner it'd been one of my field boys.

I could've killed him.

Do you know what it's costin' me not to kill you?

My daughter and Jewel Mayhew's husband.

You gutless, soft, sucklin' swine!

My daddy sat out there on that veranda.

Let this whole place slide to dust.

When he died, there was nothin' but debts and dirt.

I touched that dirt and made it blossom.

I fought to keep this house and to bring it back up.

I don't have a son to give it to.

Only Charlotte.

And she ain't gonna give it to you.

You ain't gonna have my home or my child.

I created both, and I'm gonna keep 'em.

I ain't watched over my girl all these years...

..to have some...

..to have someone...

..to have some creature like you take her away.

Listen, I'm gonna tell you somethin'.

Your daughter ain't a little girl any more,

and there's gonna be other men in her life besides you.

That's not funny.

Tell me somethin', boy.

How did you have this elopement planned out?

How were you fixin' to go about it?

Tomorrow night during the dance,

Charlotte and I had planned to meet out in the summerhouse.

She was gonna have her bags packed,

and we were gonna go away together, that's all.

And I had got us a room in Baton Rouge. We're gonna stay there.

I don't wanna hear about that.

Well, you asked me, so I just told you, that's all.

Now...

..you shut your filthy mouth

and you listen to me.

Charlotte doesn't know about this.

She doesn't know you're here now.

She doesn't even know Jewel was here last night.

How do you mean, Jewel was here last night?

You mean to tell me that my wife come over here to talk to you?

As I recollect, she was sittin' right about here.

Now...

..you're gonna come to that dance tomorrow night with your wife.

You're gonna meet Charlotte in the summerhouse

just like you planned,

but what you're gonna whisper in her ear,

that's gonna be somethin' else again.

LIVELY MUSIC PLAYS

Come on, baby. We haven't even danced once.

Champagne wouldn't be half the fun without prohibition.

Sure would like to meet Sam's bootlegger.

Sam Hollis sure knows how to give a party.

I just love to Charleston.

Ginny Mae? Ginny Mae, you seen Charlotte anyplace?

I got some killing news to tell her.

I haven't seen her for a long time now.

The last time I saw her, she was dancin' with John Mayhew.

Yeah, and it looks like it's gonna be quite a spell before you see her again.

I just gotta find...

SHE SOBS

I made a mistake, Charlotte, that's all.

Don't cry.

Look, I-I know it's no consolation to you,

but I really loved you at one time.

Try and understand that. I really loved you.

I could kill you!

SHE CONTINUES SOBBING

James! You ought to know you can't open them cases with a thing like that.

Look here. Why do you think I brought this special?

-Good evening, Mr and Mrs Howard.

-Geraldine.

Hasn't this been just the loveliest evening?

We have to go now. Be a dear and thank Mr Hollis for us.

-I just can't find him anywhere.

-I'll do that little old thing, Mr Howard.

Thank you, dear. Good night, ladies.

-Good night.

-Good night, Mr and Mrs Howard.

BIRDS SQUAWK GENTLY

Charlotte?

Charlotte... Aah!

No!

No!

My God!

APPLAUSE

Come on. Once more.

OK. Now, one more time!

BAND STARTS UP

There's Charlotte.

GUESTS GASP

Somebody ought to call a doctor.

Charlotte, honey,

you come with me now.

No, Papa.

No, Papa. I-I don't want to, Papa.

No, Papa.

-I don't want to, Papa.

-Come with me, baby.

No, Papa.

Boy, it sure is spooky around here.

Especially the graveyard. Gets spookier. You'll see.

Hurry up. It's gettin' late. You think there really is a ghost?

Who knows? Sure, there's a ghost. There's the house now.

Gives me the creeps every time I see it.

-What if she catches me?

-Shh!

Then you tell her you're Jewel Mayhew from down the road...

..and you come a-lookin' for your poor, little old husband's head.

What if she catches me?

Now, look, you wanna join the Spiders, don't you?

Well, get on in there.

Don't forget to get somethin' she touched with her own hands.

Watch out for that cleaver, now. She's just liable to chop off your little head.

Well, go on! We haven't got all night.

Go on! Go on!

CLOCK BELL STRIKES

MUSICAL BOX PLAYS A MELODY

John?

-Get out of here!

-Hurry! She'll catch us!

She ain't catchin' me! Come on! Move!

-I'm scared!

-I'm runnin', I'm runnin'.

# Chop, chop, sweet Charlotte

# Chop, chop, till he's dead

# Chop, chop, sweet Charlotte

# Chop off his hand and head

# To meet your lover you ran, chop, chop

# Now everyone understands

# Just why you ran to meet your love, chop, chop

# To chop off his head and hand

# Chop, chop, sweet Charlotte

# Chop, chop, till he's dead

# Chop, chop sweet Charlotte... #

HEAVY MACHINERY RUMBLING IN BACKGROUND

Damn you!

Damn you!

Get off my property, or I'll shoot!

I told you to get off my property!

Stan, look out! Look out up there! Stan!

-Man, oh, man!

-That crazy woman. I'm tellin' you.

I wouldn't go out there if I was you.

Now, what do you think you're doin', firing on my man like that?

That's my land he's plowin' up down there.

Damn it! Ma'am, you could have killed him.

If I'd been aimin' to kill him, I would have.

Now, see here, Miss Hollis. We done everything we could to accommodate you.

But this time, you've gone too far.

Now, we got a bridge to build and roads to lay,

and we ain't got no more time to fool with ya.

Where you are, I could spit in your eye...

..with no strain at all.

Now, Miss Hollis, I ain't in no mood for jokes.

I'm goin' straight into town and see the sheriff.

I don't care where you go straight to,

just so long as you go and take that and them with you.

Now, Miss Hollis, you know as well as I do the State of Louisiana...

requisitioned this whole area, includin' your house, more than six months ago.

Just because some old fool in Baton Rouge signed a little bitty piece of paper

doesn't make it so.

Nobody ever asked me to sign anything,

and nobody's gonna tear down my house...

..to build a piddlin' bridge or anything else.

So you just clear off my property once and for all!

I don't know. Some folks seem to think

they got a natural-born right to get away with murder.

Hey, look out!

You sure had yourself a good time today, didn't you, missy?

You just cool down now.

What are you gonna do, boss?

I'm goin' into town, and you keep those boys out of sight till I get back.

-OK, boss.

-I'll bring that sheriff back out here

in a half hour if I have to drag him out.

You fixed things up for fair.

Come on. Come on.

But they're gonna dig up the graves. Papa's grave.

They wasn't within 100 feet of them graves.

Anyhow, they're fixin' to tear down the whole house.

I don't see what difference plowin' up the grounds is gonna make.

Come on. Come on, now.

They offered to move your pappy's remains. You should've let 'em.

They can't do him any harm now.

Now, go on in there and get yourself quieted down.

You've done enough for one day.

Let me tell you somethin'.

Ain't gonna be but a half an hour before that sheriff comes over here.

So you get yourself dressed up real pretty...

..and you come on downstairs and get your breakfast.

If Luke Standish ever comes out here, he'll be real sorry.

You hush. That ain't no way to talk, Miss Charlotte.

Now, you come on. Get yourself dressed.

Velma'll go downstairs and fix you a nice breakfast.

Don't you worry about that sheriff when he comes out here.

Velma'll get rid of him.

Yes, sir.

Yes, sir.

It's not very often we have a homicide

and never able to find the victim's head and hand.

I'm not much concerned about examining your credentials, Mr Wills.

I'm happy to go along with anything you say.

I just have my doubts about what you can expect to find.

We've had newsmen and all sorts comin' down here for 35 years or more,

and none of 'em any the wiser.

I don't expect to unearth anything extraordinary.

After all, there's nothing really unusual

about an unclaimed insurance policy.

It's just that I don't want to upset anybody.

So if you'll just go along with my little masquerade

of a reporter from one of our more esoteric crime magazines,

I'd be most awfully grateful to you.

Well, Mr Wills, since you've come all the way from London, England to see us,

I guess we'll just have to oblige you,

esoteric magazines and all.

I'm sorry, Mr Standish.

You're gonna to have to come out to the Hollis place. We got real trouble this time.

What a remarkable coincidence.

By the way, Sheriff,

I wonder if you could arrange for me to meet Jewel Mayhew?

I guess we'll just have to oblige you.

Thank you very much.

CAR APPROACHES

-Velma!

-What?

The sheriff's comin'. Get rid of him. Hear?

She's not really crazy. She just acts that way

because people seem to expect it of her.

You can wait in the car.

She ain't a-gonna come down.

You can't see her. She's sick.

All that dust and all that racket from your machines

has made her real sick.

She's waiting for Dr Drew to come and tend to her right now.

That's too bad, cos there's a little matter of an unlicensed gun.

I was hopin' Miss Hollis maybe could help me find it.

Well, I reckon I'll just have to look for it myself, Miss Cruther.

Mornin', Miss Charlotte.

Get out, Luke Standish!

You smirkin' Judas,

comin' around here with your lyin' tricks!

You oughta be ashamed of yourself.

Papa gave you the first job you ever had in this town.

-Without him, you wouldn't be sheriff or anything else.

-I know that, Miss Charlotte.

-That's why I'm trying to help you.

-Help me?

You had orders to leave this house long ago.

If I'd been doin' my job, you'd have been long gone by now.

If you are so anxious to help me,

why don't you leave me alone?

And tell everybody to stop threatenin' me with cuttin' off my water and electricity.

I can't, Miss Charlotte.

What you did today puts it right out of my hands.

Threatenin' people's one thing, but shootin' at 'em's another.

I got orders now to see that you're gone within 10 days.

They can hold up on the blastin' they've gotta do

and keep the men and equipment workin' on the approach road on the other side of the river.

But if you aren't out of here by the end of next week,

the county commissioner is gonna have you up for criminal action.

But this is my home. I haven't any other place to go.

-They can build their damn bridge anywhere.

-No, ma'am.

They have to build it to meet up with the road on the other side of the river.

There isn't any alternative.

End of next week, this house is comin' down.

When my cousin Miriam comes,

she'll know how to deal with the county commissioner.

-I didn't know you were expectin' her.

-Well, I am.

Afraid she won't make a bit of difference as far as the bridge is concerned.

We'll wait and see.

I reckon we will. I ain't gonna take that gun away from you, Miss Charlotte.

I certainly hope you aren't plannin' on using it again.

Comin' in here to fetch you out is the last thing I wanna do.

Then don't come!

CAR ENGINE STARTS

What'd you wanna go tellin' him stories about Miss Miriam for?

She ain't even answered your letters.

Well, she's comin' anyway.

Be the saddest day of your life, missy, if she does come.

Your cousin Miriam ain't never had but one idea in her head,

and that was lookin' out for herself.

She's gotta come.

She's the only kin I got left.

Miriam's just gotta come.

She's the only one who can help me now.

She's just gotta come.

I guess there's been a whole heap of changes

-in this part of the country since you was here last, miss.

-I imagine there have been.

Course, things ain't changed much in this parish,

exceptin' folks are gettin' a lot older than they used to be.

I suppose they are.

There's absolutely no point you're gettin' so upset

the way you did this morning.

Anyone who knew you less well than I do might be forgiven

for thinkin' you had a persecution complex.

Yes, Dr Drew.

Charlotte,

they are asking you to leave this house...

..because they are going to tear it down,

not because of any of the ulterior motives

that you seem to imagine.

-CAR HORN TOOTS What's that?

-Charlotte, please.

Don't get so jumpy about everything.

It's Miriam!

Miriam isn't expected till tomorrow evenin'.

Now, come on. Calm down.

Well, ma'am, this is it.

They say that places you knew as a child

always seem smaller than your memory of them.

It's not true.

Velma.

Velma Cruther.

Shall I take these in, miss?

Thank you. Just put them up there.

It's just as I left it.

-How much is that?

-2.50, ma'am.

-Keep the change.

-Thank you, ma'am.

You nearly beat your telegram here.

I know I'm a day early. I hope it won't inconvenience anybody.

Miriam!

I just can't believe it.

-You look marvellous.

-What is it that you can't believe, Drew?

That I'm here, or that I look the way I do?

Come on. Don't make fun of an old man.

You know I never was any good at expressin' myself.

That's not so at all, Drew.

You were always very quick with your compliments.

It was just your intentions...

..that were sometimes a little vague.

You all want this stuff upstairs?

I'll give you a hand in just a minute.

I suppose you wanna see Charlotte.

I think I already have.

-Won't she be coming down?

-I think we'd better go up. She's a bit upset.

-Well, there was a little trouble here this mornin'.

-Trouble?

Nothin' serious.

And, besides, you took us by surprise. We weren't expectin' you till tomorrow.

There was a mix-up. I had to take an earlier plane.

What kind of trouble?

Just plain, blind stubborn.

With her money, she could live anywhere in the world like a queen.

But as it is, I'm afraid you'll have more than your hands full

gettin' her out of this place.

The three of us used to slide down this banister.

I was always the champion.

We just let you win because you were the youngest.

An old house is difficult to keep clean.

If you can get anybody out from town to work in this place,

you're doin' a lot better than I can.

Don't misunderstand me, Velma.

I know how exhausting it must be,

having to do all the work out here alone.

There's a lot more bags out there.

Charlotte, it's Miriam.

How good it was getting your letter asking me to come.

Miriam! I knew you'd come! I just knew you would.

-And you're gonna help me.

-Of course I'll do whatever I can.

I've thought of you and the house. It's like coming home.

But everything is-is-is such a mess.

You see, I wasn't expectin' you until tomorrow.

Don't worry. We're together again. That's the important thing.

Yes. Of course it is.

Miss Charlotte's room.

Remember the night you taught me how to smoke my first cigarette, and you...

..or was it I... set the drapes on fire?

I was the one they whopped, I know.

No! That's Velma's job!

Yes, but Velma's well, Velma.

It's just that we haven't seen each other in so long,

you'd think we'd have other things to talk about.

I mean, arguing about who's gonna make up the bed.

If you all want me to fix supper for you...

..you better eat early,

because I gotta get home.

Well, thank you, Velma.

-Is that an invitation?

-No!

I just reckon you'd be sniffin' around here more than usual

now that Miss Miriam's back.

There's nothin' like a family reunion.

I think I'll just get the key to the cellar.

Hmph! Just thinks he's gonna get the key to the cellar.

Well, it's the only thing.

SHE CONTINUES TO MUTTER

I didn't know I ever told you where the keys to the cellar were.

Thank you, sir.

I can't remember when I last dined in here.

Papa used to say this was his favourite room.

I guess maybe that's cos he loved to eat so much.

You know, Miriam,

when all this nonsense about the house is straightened out,

we could give parties here again.

Why not? What's so impossible about that?

It would be lovely.

Yes, it would be nice.

Aren't you forgettin' about the limit they put on vacatin' the house?

You've got to be out of here a week from Monday, and there's no two ways about it.

Drew, you carry on as if you're a member

of the Department of Roads and Bridges, or somethin'.

Miriam will tell them where to get off, won't you, Cousin, darling?

I wish I could.

Charlotte, you have just got to understand

that there's nothin', absolutely nothin',

that Miriam or anybody else can do about it.

Now, they are going to tear down this house, and that is final.

You're so stuffy.

They took their smelly old equipment out of here, didn't they?

Miriam isn't frightened of a bunch of crooked politicians.

You know, it wouldn't surprise me to find out

that Jewel Mayhew is behind all this.

Charlotte, that is ridiculous!

Is it? You notice they're not laying a finger on her land.

They're destroying my house, but they're not touching hers.

I've rented a car for you, Miriam.

-You can go tomorrow.

-Go where?

To Baton Rouge to put that damn county commissioner straight.

Charlotte,

there's nothing I wouldn't do for you if I could.

You know that. But I'm afraid Drew's right.

There isn't anything we can do about the house.

You have to leave.

What do you think I asked you here for?

Company?

I thought you were gonna help me!

But I shall. That's why I came to help, to be with you.

To be with me?

I've lived alone here ever since Papa died.

The only people I've ever seen are Velma and Drew,

who comes out when he feels like it just to see if I'm still alive.

-Charlotte, that's not true.

-And a bunch of sniggering idiots

who come out here to make fun of me.

Do you think I'd ask you back here

just-just to be with me?

Charlotte, she's only tryin' to lend a helpin' hand.

Yes. I can see that.

She's just breakin' her back.

God, do you have gratitude!

When you first came here after your precious papa died,

you acted as if we weren't good enough for you.

And your mama, a sorry, up-north waitress...

Charlotte, that's enough.

Let her talk, Drew, if insulting me gives her any satisfaction.

When you first came here, Papa took you downtown, bought you a whole new wardrobe.

-Does it insult you to remember that?

-Yes, I remember.

You took your poor, up-north cousin downtown for a whole new wardrobe

down to a sleazy store he wouldn't even let you set foot in.

That wasn't good enough for you? Papa didn't give you enough?

Well, maybe that's what you came back here for...

..to get the rest of Papa's money.

Charlotte! I have a career, and I've given up valuable time to come here.

I know. Now, let me see. What-What is it you call your job?

Yes. Public relations. Sounds like somethin' pretty dirty to me.

The dirt, Charlotte, is entirely in your own mind.

I wouldn't dwell on it if I were you, Charlotte.

She didn't come here to be insulted.

No, most likely she came back here to help Jewel Mayhew

-drive me out of my own house.

-Charlotte, you don't believe that.

Why wouldn't Miriam conspire with Jewel against me?

Who was it went sneakin' off to Jewel...

..and told her about her husband and me in the first place?

Didn't know about that, did you, Drew?

That's somethin' you never told your precious boyfriend, isn't that so, Miriam?

Isn't it, Cousin, darling?

Yes, I told Jewel. And I told your father too.

Why wouldn't I? After all, I wasn't much more than a child then.

And all I ever got in this house was people telling me how lucky I was...

..and your father always favouring you and holding you up as an example!

Why wouldn't I tell him that his pure, darling little girl

was having a dirty little affair with a married man?

You're a vile, sorry little bitch!

How was I to know it would end in murder with John being butchered?

No, you couldn't have known that.

And you couldn't have known that when Drew found out,

he was so frightened of having his fine old name linked with ours

that he'd walk out on you.

But Drew's still here,

and you're both still alive and...

..and I'm still here.

But, John...

John never even...

John? John?

John?

John.

SHE SOBS

She is deranged, Drew. She must be.

Well, no. She's certainly worse than when I last wrote you,

but not to the extent of being committed.

I'm sorry. There's just no way to avoid the problem.

There are times when...

..she genuinely doesn't know what she's saying, but...

On the other hand, I thought she described

the way you left me rather accurately.

If it's any comfort, I've always regretted...

..having let you go.

We don't have time for regrets now, Drew.

And there is a lot to regret.

John?

John?

What a shame. With all that money,

she could have done such wonderful things with this place,

made it so beautiful again.

How could she stand being alone here all these years?

People who oblige to live alone have a habit of creatin' company for themselves.

Innocent fancies can become fixed delusions.

I think she never fully accepted John Mayhew's death.

At least, part of her mind hasn't.

Sometimes, she speaks of him...

..as if he were still alive here in this house,

as if she could still feel his personality.

She plays that old harpsichord, the song he wrote for her.

Often at night, she sits up dressed...

..as if she were still young

and expectin' a beau.

I seem to remember expecting something like that once myself.

You going to be all right here? I could stay over.

You've been content to let me get along on my own all these years.

I don't think another night is gonna kill me.

I guess you're right.

Maybe you'd better have this.

-What on earth for?

-Well, you never know.

You do have people skulkin' around here occasionally.

-Anyway, you'd better take it.

-Thank you.

-Good night.

-Good night.

Good night.

DOG BARKS IN DISTANCE

DOG CONTINUES BARKING

BARKING CONTINUES

BARKING CONTINUES

BARKING CONTINUES

BARKING CONTINUES

My dress.

Somebody slashed my dress.

They certainly were attractive youngsters.

Yes, sir. That was just about the biggest story that ever broke in this town.

Yes, I can see you gave it what you might call "the full treatment."

Well, we couldn't very well bury it on the society page, could we?

Anyhow, help yourself. I think you'll find everything that you need here.

And that's a pretty good picture of Miss Charlotte.

Yes, it is.

I was working for the press when she arrived in London.

Not one of us succeeded in getting an interview with her.

Well, they said that Big Sam sent her over there

to prevent her from being charged and tried.

But that wasn't so.

Sending her out of the country wouldn't have helped.

I reckon Sam's political connections had more to do with it.

As I remember, the district attorney tried hard to make the charge stick,

but the whole thing was transferred over to Baton Rouge.

I reckon Sam's friends in the capitol got busy, because nothin' ever did come of it.

Lack of evidence was the official explanation.

You wouldn't think so from the headlines.

Hi, Mr Blake. Thanks for the use of the hall.

Tell me, are you running anything on the return of Miriam Deering?

Just an insert in the social column.

The social column. You gotta be kiddin'.

Excuse me, Mr Wills. This is a colleague of yours, Mr Marchand from New York.

-How do you do?

-And who are you covering the story for?

Don't worry about me, old chap. My status is that of an amateur.

By the way, what journal do you represent?

Crimes of Passion and Century Crime Classics.

You know, that Hollis dame hit the news again over that business with the bridge.

We did a special issue on her. Here, take a look.

No head, no hand. Just like the way it was.

Yes.

-Very colourful.

-Yeah, we're really going to town on this one.

Hey, Mr Blake.

You never showed me this stuff.

Well, one thing they didn't do then was to play up the sex angle like you can today.

-WHISPERS:

-Miriam Deering.

Miss Deering!

My, it's good to see you back.

Jewel.

-Jewel Mayhew!

-Joseph.

-Here. Let me help you.

-You leave me be.

If I ever prayed for anything,

it was that you would never dare show your face to me again.

After all these years, what do you mean?

Do you honestly believe

that time can excuse all the things you've done to me?

-Jewel, please don't. Not here on the public steps.

-I see.

Not in public.

We mustn't speak the truth out in the open, you and I?

It's not about me that I'm worried.

Well, right here on the public street...

..in the light of day,

let me tell you, Miriam Deering,

that murder starts in the heart,

and its first weapon is a vicious tongue.

At the time, would anyone else have been as kind to you as I?

-Would they?

-Go away from me.

I'm ill. I'm very ill.

I won't give up one more thing to you,

not even one more minute.

It's all right, Mrs Mayhew. Come along.

A world full of monsters!

Don't you ever show your white-trash face in this house again!

Damn! Just some damn meanness all day long.

Just one filthy mess to clean up after another. She's nothin' but a child.

She never does anything anyway.

Velma.

Who brought this into the house?

I did! I brought it in.

It was in the mailbox just like that.

I reckon somebody put it there. You know,

she broke that dad-burned teapot up there.

Tea runnin' all down the wall. Shoo-ee!

Incidentally, I've managed to find some women to do the packing.

Please let me know when they arrive.

Them women, they just steal you out of house and home.

I got to get something to fix this filthy stuff.

"Incidentally, please tell me when they arrive."

I told you to stay out!

Charlotte, you're behaving like a child,

throwing a tantrum over a trivial bit of rubbish like this.

How can you touch that piece of filth?

It's only a magazine, cheap and disgusting,

and only cheap and disgusting people will read it.

It's Jewel Mayhew devilling me in my own house.

You think Jewel Mayhew brought it here?

-She couldn't have.

-Why couldn't she have brought it here?

I just saw her. She's seriously ill.

Much too ill to be running around playing silly games with magazines.

Well, she deserves to be ill.

She deserves to die!

Charlotte!

It's just possible that Jewel Mayhew hasn't given you a sustained thought in years.

You think so, do you?

You think she's never given me a thought?

I've been gettin' these in the mail ever since John died.

That idiot Luke Standish told Papa they were...they were crank notes.

But then some reporter got a hold of 'em and put it in the newspaper.

And then they started to come in from all over the world.

But the first one was mailed right here in Hollisport,

and that's where the last one came from.

And nobody can ever make me believe that Jewel Mayhew didn't send them!

-You saved all these?

-All of 'em...

..to show how mean and unforgiving she can be!

Well,

it's time you got rid of them.

-What do you want now?

-I come to tell her somethin'.

She could use some tellin'!

Them packin' women you've been lookin' for, they has arrived.

I'll take care of it.

This is my favourite place now...

..here in the shade.

Yes, it's very pleasant here.

Very pleasant indeed.

Tell me, Mr Wills, weren't you a little surprised

when I agreed to see you?

After all, you must've been told that I don't normally receive visitors.

Well, yes. But then, I found the hospitality

of this part of the country extraordinary.

Besides, I imagine you had your reasons.

Would you have anything else, ma'am?

Um, no.

-Thank you, Lewis.

-Thank you, ma'am.

I did have my reasons, Mr Wills.

-I did.

-I hope you won't regret it,

but I did warn you I'd have to touch on some painful subjects.

Which leads me to confess

to my own reasons for this meetin'.

I have a particular need for a stranger now.

Yes, they...they have their uses, don't they?

Well, in this little town,

our interests are all too... too tightly interlocked.

If you confide in one person, you confide in the whole community.

You mean you'd like somebody to talk to?

Only in a sense.

I'm not a well woman.

You can see that much for yourself.

Who was it said, "This long disease, my life"?

Well, it's...it's comin' to an end.

Perhaps a month, a few weeks. Who knows?

I'm terribly sorry.

No, no. Don't be, not for me.

I think I'm even glad.

But never mind that. I take it you're no stranger

to the unhappier aspects of people's lives.

In fact, the only way to trust someone is on instinct alone.

I want you to have this.

I only ask that you don't open it until after I'm gone.

Then I want you to use your own judgment and experience.

You'll know what to do when the time comes,

or what not to do.

It seems a dreadful responsibility.

It is. A terrible one.

My honest advice is to refuse it.

You know I won't, of course.

I know.

Ruined finery.

That's all I have left.

I'm, stony broke. Is that the phrase?

It's a relief to admit it.

But your...your policy with Lloyd's?

You know how long it would take to process an old claim like that.

By the time I received it, I'd be past needin' it.

Well, now I think you're ready for another cup of tea.

Would you?

# I hold two roses within my hand

# Two roses I give to you

# The red rose tells you

# Of my passion

# The white rose

# My love so true

# Hush, hush sweet Charlotte

# Charlotte, don't you cry

# Hush, hush sweet Charlotte

# I'll love you till I die

# And every night

# After I should die

# Yes, every night

# When I'm gone

# The wind will sing to you

# This lullaby

# Sweet Charlotte was loved

# By John. #

SHE SOBS

Charlotte.

Charlotte?

Come. Come to bed, Charlotte.

Come to bed.

Miriam,

he really... isn't here, is he?

Just now I thought I heard...

Sometimes at night when I wake up,

it seems as if he really is here.

Don't turn on the light.

It's not real when it's light.

It's only real when it's dark...

..dark and still.

I won't turn on the light.

Come along. You must go to bed.

CHARLOTTE SCREAMS He's dead!

He's dead! He's dead!

He's dead! He's dead!

-Dead! He's dead!

-Charlotte!

-No, no, he's all right.

-He's dead!

He'll be fine.

-He's dead! He's dead!

-Charlotte, don't...

PIANO PLAYS

DOG BARKS

Stop starin' at me!

Man, she sure acts

like she's crazy sometimes.

That's what all the folks in town say,

but I wouldn't bet on it.

I wouldn't bet on it at all.

Well, upon my word.

Charlotte Hollis.

Now I've frightened you. I'm terribly sorry.

Please don't run away.

I'm quite harmless, I assure you.

Would you like a cigarette?

Well, I won't either.

What are you doing on my property?

Yes, my dear, it is your property, isn't it?

Well, as a matter of fact, I'm snooping. There's no other word for it.

-Are you one of the surveyors?

-No, no.

-I have nothing to do with all that sort of thing.

-Then what's that camera for?

This is a sort of conversation piece.

I say, may I introduce myself?

My name is Harry Wills.

I've come all the way from London in the hope of meeting you.

Why?

Well, we have met before, you know,

a long time ago.

On the first night you arrived in London...

..when I was a newspaper reporter

and stood as close to you as I am now...

..for two delightful minutes.

But I didn't talk to any reporters.

I know you didn't, and you had every reason not to,

the way they behaved toward you.

That's one of the reasons why I've always hoped I'd meet you again...

..to apologise.

-You really were there?

-Indeed I was.

And I can prove it to you.

Let me see now.

You were dressed in, um,

a sort of,

grey... No, green...

a green suit with a sort of...

tam-o'-shanter to match.

Am I right?

You see, I was there.

You know, ever since that night I've read almost everything they've ever printed about you.

In fact, I'm quite an authority on you.

-You are?

-Yes, indeed I am.

You're my favourite living mystery.

Have you ever solved me?

No.

But then you wouldn't be a mystery any more, would you?

No, I wouldn't.

And I'm your-your favourite case when you got so many to choose from?

That's only natural.

You have everything.

You're unsolved. Perhaps even insoluble.

And you have passion and glamour in your past.

I say, I hope I'm not offending you.

It's the oddest thing. You're not.

I don't usually talk to people.

Not about that.

That's why I'm so flattered that you're talking to me now.

I say, let's go and sit up there and have a nice little chat, shall we?

Mr Wills,

since you're an authority on me,

you think I'm a murderess?

Do I look like one?

Well, now, let's see.

It's rather difficult, isn't it? But that's as it should be.

They've told you I'm crazy.

Everyone says you are.

Are you?

I used to be positive I wasn't.

But just lately,

at night, it...

..it seems as if...

I really don't know any more.

If it comes to that, how does anyone know?

Would you like to see inside the house?

I've been wanting to see it for years.

Come on.

Papa used to give the most beautiful parties here.

They went on for days and days.

You're very fond of this house, aren't you?

I'll show you Papa's library.

Papa built this place up again, you know.

He bought back a lot of the original pieces.

You're Miss Deering, aren't you? I had the pleasure of seeing you yesterday.

-My name is Wills. Harry Wills.

-How do you do?

Your cousin's kindly consented to show me around this lovely old home.

I see.

Excuse me.

Come on.

Papa's library was like a playroom to me when I was a little bitty.

That's Papa. He never minded me underfoot.

He never minded a thing I ever did. He was always so...

Take your hands off that!

You give that to me!

Now you get out! You get out, all of you!

-Get out, do you hear me? You get out and stay out!

-Go outside. Wait for me outside.

-You get out and stay out!

-Charlotte, what's the matter? What did they do?

And you, too, snooping around.

Don't you think I know what you're looking for in my house?

But what does it matter if you haven't anything to conceal?

But I have. I have things concealed. Vile things.

Where do you suppose I keep 'em? Haven't you guessed?

In here.

A memento of my sinful romance. My lover's hand.

Look! Just look!

MUSICAL BOX PLAYS

It's allall I have left of him.

A love song he wrote for me

and gave me in a music box.

-My dear, Miss Charlotte.

-Please.

-John.

-You'd better leave now.

I was trying to help her.

If you hadn't come here, this might never have happened.

I'm sorry.

Who put that box in there?

How in the world would I know?

THUNDER CLAPS

Charlotte.

Charlotte.

Charlotte.

Charlotte.

Charlotte.

John?

GLASS SMASHES

MORE GLASS SMASHES

Charlotte?

Charlotte? Charlotte, let me in.

The mirrors.

Charlotte, what happened to the mirrors?

Charlotte.

What have you done?

It was Papa. He was soso tall and so angry.

He still hasn't forgiven me.

-No, Charlotte, he loved you. He wouldn't have harmed you.

-But it was Papa.

It was Papa. I know it was.

-No, it just seemed that way.

-He was there. He really was.

-He really was.

-No, come along.

We'll talk about it tomorrow.

-Miriam, what are you doing?

-Charlotte.

I'm taking you away from here today.

-No.

-Drew and I have talked it over.

-And we found a place where you'll be real comfortable.

-No, I won't go.

-You just get some sleep.

-You have to go before next Monday anyway.

II won't go, not while Jewel Mayhew's still down there.

I won't have her see me driven off my own place.

Would you rather she sees you arrested and taken off to jail?

Luke Standish wouldn't do that.

There'll be policemen and reporters and photographers everywhere.

Charlotte, after last night, you must leave here.

You must.

-Last night?

-The music room.

The mirrors.

Where will you take me?

To a nice place...

..where people will be kind to you.

You'll see.

But I won't go in the daytime. I won't go till it's after dark cos Jewel will see me.

Now, Charlotte, what difference does that make?

Jewel will have to know sooner or later.

I want Charlotte to get some sleep.

I'll go downstairs and see about cleaning up down there.

-What are you gonna do to me?

-I want you to get all the rest you can.

You're going to feel a lot better after you've had a little sleep.

Drew, I didn't break those mirrors. Really, Drew, I didn't break those mirrors.

Of course you didn't break the mirrors.

Mr Wills's room.

Yeah. Will you hurry it up?

Mr Wills? Velma Cruther.

You told me to call you if...

I'll talk to you later.

I was just using the phone.

So I see.

Miss Charlotte will be leaving tonight, Velma.

You'll be given your wages till the end of the month.

You trying to hand me my walkin' papers?

No, it's just that you won't be needed any longer.

Is that so?

Well, what about when she comes back? Or ain't she comin' back?

Since the house won't be here, I hardly think that's relevant.

You think so? You know what I think?

I think if she leaves this house with you,

she ain't never gonna be seen nor heard from again.

Anyways, I take my orders from Miss Charlotte and not from you!

It should be obvious, even to you, Velma,

that my cousin is in no condition to run a household.

Is that so? Well, there's a whole lot of things that's obvious to me.

The childish tricks you've been playing here, trying to frighten me into leaving,

are more than sufficient reason to dismiss you.

Tricks?

What are you calling tricks?

Wasn't me that ripped your dad-burned old dress.

But you seem to know it was ripped.

And I haven't mentioned it to anyone.

Besides, it isn't just the dress.

I don't even know what you're talking about.

But I do know one thing, though.

You're just jealous because Miss Charlotte always favoured me!

You're trying to dupe me out of the money

that she promised me when she passes away!

That's charming.

Quite charming.

My cousin just happens to be a little ill,

and you're already dividing up the spoils.

I didn't mean it.

I did not mean it that way, and you damn well know it!

Anyways, you don't have no call to be so high and mighty.

I seen all that fancy foreign mail that you've been gettin'.

You think I don't know a due bill when I see one?

You had it in for me since the first time you come to this house.

And you know why? Cos I can see right through you.

You didn't fool me then, and you sure as hell don't fool me now.

My dear Velma, I wouldn't dream of trying.

But the point is you're fired. You're just not needed any longer.

Well, I'm not gonna clear out just cos you say so.

I've been lookin' after Miss Charlotte since before you come here, and she knows it.

Where do you think you're going?

I'm goin' upstairs, and I'm gonna tell her what you've been up to!

Don't you dare go up there and bother her.

What's going on up there that you don't want me to see?

Now, Velma, Miss Miriam's more than qualified

to look after Miss Charlotte...

..and to take care of closing up the house.

So you're in on this together?

You and her.

You ought to be ashamed of yourself.

Miss Charlotte's sick.

You're not gonna help her get well by kicking up all this ruckus.

All right!

All right, I'm goin'.

But don't think you're not gonna be sorry!

Both of you!

What in the world does she think we're gonna be sorry about?

She's always been insanely jealous

of anyone who was close to Charlotte.

I guess it's something she just can't be rational about.

You haven't got much to go on, really.

I got what I know, don't I?

I know the state Miss Charlotte's been in ever since that fool woman come here!

She wouldn't have smashed them mirrors that way

if somebody didn't have her good and worked up about something.

She loves that old house.

She really does.

Yes, but even allowing that there may be some cause for concern,

what can I do?

You could do somethin'!

She likes you.

I seen how she was with you.

Now, if you was to... if you was to go out there...

..and you were to tell her not to listen to them,

I think she'd mind what you say.

I must admit, the whole thing seems strangely odd to me.

If they take my Miss Charlotte away from that house,

I ain't gonna never see her again.

I knows it. I just knows it!

You feeling all right, Charlotte?

Somebody has to finish your packing for you, don't they?

You don't want to leave all your things behind, do you?

Do you?

Papa.

Papa, I'm going to have to leave the house.

I tried to keep the house, but they're tearing it down.

I can't help it.

Don't be angry.

I've lived alone here all these years to protect you.

You know that.

Just because I loved John more than I loved you...

..didn't give you the right to murder him just to punish me!

John never hurt you. John never even...

KNOCKING

One more time, baby.

Just one more time. Nice. Now hold still.

Once again.

Thanks. Remind me to send you one for Christmas.

Charlotte?

Charlotte? Charlotte, what is it?

How is she?

She'll keep...

Wanna help me get rid of this?

It's almost too real, isn't it?

Your artist friend in New Orleans has quite a talent.

-And a minimum of curiosity.

-Do you think it's done the job?

Not quite. We could probably achieve the rest with this drug,

but the effect wouldn't be permanent.

Besides, chemically it's traceable.

Then we'll have to go through with the rest?

Don't you worry. After the last phase of treatment,

there won't be a doctor in Louisiana who wouldn't commit her.

Then establishing your right to handle the estate...

should take,

just a few days.

Good morning, Charlotte.

-Where's Velma?

-You let her go yesterday.

You fired her.

-Fired?

-You're not going to need her any longer.

I had a terrible dream.

-Terrible.

-I know.

You'll stop having them once you're away from here.

Now you eat your breakfast.

And I'll come back later and see how you are.

Miss Charlotte?

Miss Charlotte?

Miss Charlotte.

What have they been givin' you?

That's some kind of drug, ain't it?

Miss Charlotte.

-I thought you'd gone.

-Well, I was gone. They kicked me out,

Miss Miriam and your friend Dr Drew.

I told that to Mr Wills, but he wouldn't listen.

You can't go that way. Miss Charlotte, I've gotta go get your coat.

Your shoes. You can't go there.

Come on, Miss Charlotte. Come on, Miss Charlotte.

I've gotta get you out of here.

Come on, honey. We gotta go outta here.

DOOR SHUTS

Miss Charlotte. Come on, darling.

Don't you say anything. You hush now, ya hear?

Don't you say a word. Come on, Miss Charlotte.

Miss Charlotte, don't say anything. Shh.

Shh. Be quiet. Don't say anything.

My!

Shh, Miss Charlotte.

You'll be able to eat something later.

I'll take this away.

Is there anything you want before I leave?

I'll look in on you later.

Now get some rest.

Come on, Miss Charlotte. You gotta wake up now. Come on.

-No. No, Velma, no!

-Shh! You gotta be quiet, honey.

Come on. Put your legs over here. That's right.

You gotta put this coat on. Put your little hand in here now.

Come on. Put your little hand in there. That's right.

Come on. Now give me your other hand.

That's good. Get it in there.

Come on. Give me your other one.

You just can't keep hogs away from the trough, can you?

I come to get my things.

Is my cousin one of your things?

I'm taking her outta here,

away from you!

The only thing you're taking out of here is you!

Miss Charlotte! Miss Charlotte!

So you're finally showin' the right side of your face, ain't ya?

Well, I seen it all the time.

That's some kind of drug that you've been givin' her.

You've been makin' her act the way she's been.

Well, I'm goin' into town,

and I'm goin' to tell them what you been up to.

Dr Bayliss, please. Yes, Bayliss.

And hurry. Please hurry.

Sit down.

You seem awfully nervous.

He was always fighting to keep two things -

his daughter and his money.

And now he's gonna lose both.

Gotta hand it to him. He held on to both of 'em an awful long time,

even after he died.

I suppose in a way he's got Charlotte to thank for that.

If she hadn't deluded herself into believing

it was dear old Papa who killed John Mayhew,

she might never have stayed here guarding that so-called, secret.

She might have gone off and spent the entire fortune.

Are you sure it's all right?

Sure what's all right?

Don't make fun of me!

You mean Velma.

Of course it's all right. Nobody's ever gonna know it wasn't an accident.

Except me, of course.

Which rather tends to make me the senior partner

in our little enterprise, doesn't it?

Charlotte's still asleep. Do you want me to give her anything else?

No, no. She'll do quite nicely as she is.

Well, I'd better put in an appearance in town.

Come on, Miriam.

Don't start weakenin' now.

This may be our last chance of acquiring the wealth

to which I'd like to become accustomed.

See you.

It's all yours, Mr Wills.

Thank you, Sheriff.

Hi, Mr Wills. I'll bet this is the first time

you've ever seen the county coroner operate out of a funeral parlour?

Yes. It's a bit different where I come from.

It's a bit different most places.

Still, for a town of this size, it's kind of handy.

I just heard the news about Velma Cruther's death

at the newspaper office.

-It was Miss Cruther he came to see, wasn't it?

-Yes, indeed, sir.

She certainly had a nasty accident, all right.

-Would you like to see the body?

-No, thank you.

Well, step inside anyway.

May I ask how it happened?

Well, it seems sheshe fell off a ladder.

She must have been up there fixing her roof.

The roof at her place has always let in the rain.

And, well, it's done it for years.

You mean this happened at Miss Cruther's home?

Well, I'd hardly call it a home, sir.

But she did fall in her own backyard.

I see. Who found her?

Well, I couldn't tell you that, sir,

but it was Dr Bayliss that brought her in.

-Charlotte.

-Charlotte.

Charlotte.

Charlotte.

# Hush, hush sweet Charlotte

# Charlotte, don't you cry

# Hush, hush, sweet Charlotte

# I'll love you till I die

# Hold me, darlin'

# Please hold me close

# And brush the tears

# From your eyes

# You weep because you had a dream last night

# You dreamed that I said goodbye

# Hush, hush, sweet Charlotte

# Charlotte, don't you cry. #

Charlotte.

John?

John, wait! Don't go.

MUSIC STARTS UP

# Hush, hush, sweet Charlotte

# Charlotte, don't you cry... #

John?

John?

SHE PLAYS A FEW NOTES ON THE PIANO

MUSIC PLAYS

John?

Don't go away.

John?

Please don't go away!

Papa?

Charlotte.

John.

GLASS SHATTERS

CHARLOTTE SCREAMS

You idiot.

You wretched idiot!

He's dead.

And you killed him.

Miriam!

Don't call the sheriff.

People staring at me and hating me.

It will be just like the night when John was murdered.

But you killed Drew. We can't just pretend it never happened.

You don't know what it's like when hate is everywhere. You can feel it.

Miriam, don't you hate me too.

Please, Charlotte. Please, please don't.

I didn't mean to kill him. The gun was just there in-in my hand.

And-And when I saw him, he looked so horrible.

It was just like the night whenwhen the mirrors were all smashed

and just like the night when I saw that head.

MiriamMiriam, please don't call the sheriff. I just couldn't stand it!

Charlotte, don't.

We could get rid of the body. We could hide it somewhere.

Then people would think someone else had done it. That's the only thing to do.

MiriamMiriam, I've got lots of money.

I'll give it to you, all of it.

We really could get rid of the body if you'd help me.

We could get rid of it if you'd help me.

I wish to God I'd never come here.

I'll get the car. You turn out the lights.

Well, go!

KNOCK ON DOOR

Get in there and stay quiet.

Get in there!

Miss Deering, I hope you'll forgive me for popping in at this time.

I happened to be out driving with a friend when I noticed the lights.

I've heard the news about Velma Cruther's death.

What a terrible thing. She was such a loyal person.

I'm quite sure Miss Hollis must be terribly upset about it.

I wonder if there's anything I can do?

It's very kind of you, but, no, there isn't anything.

Charlotte was upset.

I've given her a sedative and put her to bed.

-It was a dreadful shock for her.

-I'm terribly sorry.

Please give her my sympathy.

I'm sorry I can't ask you in.

It's quite all right. I shouldn't have come.

It's very late. I just happened to be passing, that was all.

-You understand.

-Yes, of course. Thank you, Mr Wills. Good night.

By the way, I understand you'll be leaving this house

in a matter of days now, you and your cousin.

Well, of course our plans are indefinite now.

Naturally, they would be.

Mr Wills, you'll have to excuse me.

I must look in on Charlotte.

Excuse me, please. Good night.

Good night.

I don't think I can help you.

You can't help me?

I'm the one that's helping you!

Do you want me to wash my hands of the whole thing?

Call the sheriff? Is that what you want?

Well, all right, then.

Hey, turn your lights on!

I must be the worst person in the world

to have killed Drew.

Will you please shut up?

Miriam, I-I can't touch him.

Don't make me do it, Miriam.

Get out.

Do what I say!

Well?

Will you stop that!

Miriam, they'll they'll be finding him soon

and-and they'll be asking questions

and I-I-I don't think I-I could lie to 'em.

You-You-You You'll have... You'll have to tell 'em, Miriam,

I'm not able to answer questions.

Cos they'll find out if you don't. They'll find out, Miriam.

Damn you.

Now will you shut your mouth?

You'll do as I tell you.

And if I tell you to lie, you'll do that too.

I'm never going to suffer for you again.

Not ever.

Do you understand?

Get out.

Get out and go up to your room.

Go ahead!

I'm going to clean out the back, and I'll be up in a minute.

Well, go on!

'Go up to your room.

'Well, go on!

-ECHOES:

-'Go on! Go on!'

SHE SCREAMS HYSTERICALLY

SHE MUMBLES TO HERSELF

Hush...

hush, sweet Charlotte.

I'm sorry to have kept you waiting.

To your very good health.

-You look absolutely ravishing.

-Thank you, sir.

I bet Lazarus never felt as good as I do.

To Venice in the spring.

Venice?

Well, as a matter of fact, I'm not certain

that I shall want to live in Europe.

I don't see that what you want

has anything to do with where we go.

You forget that Velma's tragic departure

has allowed me to become the senior partner of our little enterprise.

Are you sure you have the brains to be the senior partner?