Jonas by JCW Brook

Oldtuberadio

Saturday-Night Theatre: Jonas Sat 24th Jul 1976, 20:30 on BBC Radio 4 FM A radio play by J.C.W. Brook  An ouija board is something like a gilded cage. The upas forms the bars, the sandalwood - sweet-smelling, gentle, kind - the gilding. A spirit can be happy there, providing it is released in time by the mystic who summoned it forth. That mystic was now slain, and the sandalwood steeped in a murdered sister's blood. The gilded cage had turned into a torture chamber, and there was no escape. The board was cursed.  Julian Holloway as Max Brown, Anna Cropper as Julie Brown John Rye as Hugo Stevens, Prunella Scales as Pat Stevens David March as Mohammet Asif and Carole Boyd as the telephonist.  Producer/Director: Ian Cotterell The Monday Play: Tonic Water and Ice Mon 10th Aug 1981, 20:00 on BBC Radio 4 FM By Jane Beeson Dick and Jan are seen by their friends as the couple who have everything - looks, money, the perfect marriage. However, Dick's unusually close relationship with his mother has become a serious threat to their happiness. During a long, hot summer weekend at his parents' country house by the sea, the tension becomes unbearable. Director Cherry Cookson  Dick: -Michael Pennington Jan: -Francesca Annis Alice: -Avril Elgar Julian: -Michael Cochrane Sonia: -Phyllida Nash Charles: -Noel Howlett Dick as a child:m -Susan Sheridan

Transcript

00:00:00Jonas

00:00:10A play for radio by JCW Brooke

00:00:15With Prunella Scales, John Rye, Anna Cropper, Julian Holloway and David March

00:00:28Jonas

00:00:29Thanks and the rest of mine. I get a roughened discard on that diamond. Thanks Pat. Call the remaining trumps. Make the ace king of spades and rough up. Four hearts, bid and mail.

00:00:53Well done darling gay man. Rubber.

00:00:56If you don't need that diamond he must lose a spade.

00:00:59I don't like now darling but I didn't then.

00:01:01Well you could have worked it out. You knew I hadn't a doubleton because it didn't Peter.

00:01:04I make that the round thousand.

00:01:05I must have had three. With the three in dummy and the five in your hand he can't have had more than two.

00:01:09I thought you might be short and could over chump.

00:01:11How many times have I told you I always Peter with a doubleton?

00:01:15I'm sorry darling.

00:01:16I forgive you.

00:01:17What's the damage?

00:01:1930p.

00:01:21Who's for more coffee darling?

00:01:23Hugo?

00:01:24Thanks.

00:01:25Pat?

00:01:26Please. Do you want hands?

00:01:27Oh no it's okay. Won't take a minute. It's already percolating.

00:01:29Shouldn't take long.

00:01:30You stay here.

00:01:33Well good rubber.

00:01:34For you yeah.

00:01:35You had a couple of game calls.

00:01:36And each time you opened that suit that destroyed our tempo.

00:01:39And you were holding all the trumps and we were in four spades.

00:01:41Well it's luck.

00:01:42No such thing as luck.

00:01:43It's all chance.

00:01:45Same thing?

00:01:46Not at all.

00:01:47If you took all the hands I've ever held I wouldn't mind betting they'd even out at a flat ten points each for the square distribution.

00:01:53Same for you. Same for Pat.

00:01:55And the same for Julie.

00:01:57Even though she's got the reputation of being a lucky player.

00:01:59Have I?

00:02:00Yes.

00:02:01Well you always seem to get the cards when it matters.

00:02:03Now that's my psychic power.

00:02:05I sometimes know that things will work.

00:02:07I knew for instance that we'd make four hearts on the last hand.

00:02:10Not against best defence.

00:02:12It looked right. It felt right.

00:02:13And boy golly it was right.

00:02:15Only against bad defence.

00:02:16Hugo I've said I'm sorry.

00:02:18Well I believe in luck.

00:02:20Personally for straight forward rubber bridge I'd prefer to partner a lucky player.

00:02:24A lucky bad player.

00:02:25Than an unlucky good one.

00:02:26Any fool can make a cast iron contract but only lucky fools keeps picking them up.

00:02:30Well I don't believe in luck.

00:02:32I don't believe any of those fancy things that go bump in the night.

00:02:35Ghouls.

00:02:36Poltergeist.

00:02:37Ghosts.

00:02:38Luck.

00:02:39God.

00:02:40Careful Hugo.

00:02:41Your atheistic streak is showing again.

00:02:42Well sure you don't believe in God Max.

00:02:43Max will believe in anything to get an argument going won't you darling?

00:02:45Well I must admit that I can usually see both sides of a question.

00:02:49You know we used to call him uh...

00:02:51What was it?

00:02:52Max the...

00:02:53What was it darling?

00:02:54Sorry?

00:02:55What was it we used to call Max at school?

00:02:57Because he'd always argue on both sides at once.

00:02:58Oh.

00:02:59Max the...

00:03:00Trimmer.

00:03:01What's his name who taught us history?

00:03:02Father Gill.

00:03:03Oh yes him.

00:03:04He called Max the Trimmer.

00:03:05That's right.

00:03:06After the Earl of Shrewsbury I think.

00:03:07During the Wars of the Roses.

00:03:08Or was it the Civil War anyway.

00:03:09He always came down on the weaker side to trim things up again.

00:03:13Max used to do that during debates.

00:03:14So I did.

00:03:15What a good memory you've got.

00:03:16Oh dear.

00:03:17Must be all of 14 years.

00:03:18God that makes me feel old.

00:03:19I'm sorry Julie.

00:03:20It must be very boring for you.

00:03:21What?

00:03:22Hearing about Max's past?

00:03:23I wish you wouldn't talk about me as if I wasn't here.

00:03:24It's the only way to keep you out of a conversation.

00:03:26Darling uh...

00:03:27Haven't we better start thinking now?

00:03:28Oh no no you're not going yet.

00:03:29I just put the coffee on.

00:03:30With plenty of time for another rubber.

00:03:31I told Sally we'd be late.

00:03:32Yes I know but...

00:03:33Don't you want to go on playing Pat?

00:03:34Well...

00:03:35Oh come on darling.

00:03:36We must get our own back.

00:03:37Well I'd rather not.

00:03:38I mean...

00:03:39Are you all right now?

00:03:40Yeah I'm fine.

00:03:41I just don't want to play bridge for a while thanks.

00:03:42Well one more rubber at least.

00:03:43I'd much rather not.

00:03:44Is that coffee ready darling?

00:03:45Of course.

00:03:46I'll get it.

00:03:47I picked up an interesting bit of junk the other day.

00:03:48Yeah?

00:03:49I'll show it to you.

00:03:50Yeah.

00:03:51Careful.

00:03:52Where are you off to?

00:03:53To get the uh...

00:03:54You know what I picked up yesterday.

00:03:55Oh that.

00:03:56He's never happier than when he's poking about in some dusty old junk shop.

00:03:59Oh don't we know it.

00:04:00What is it this time?

00:04:01One of those things you know with letters around the outside.

00:04:04It tells your fortune something.

00:04:05Oh and the Ouija ball.

00:04:06That's right you put a glass of glass of glass.

00:04:07Is that coffee really darling?

00:04:08Is that coffee ready darling?

00:04:09Of course.

00:04:10I'll get it.

00:04:11I picked up an interesting bit of junk the other day.

00:04:12Yeah.

00:04:13I'll show it to you.

00:04:14Yeah.

00:04:15Careful.

00:04:16Where are you off to?

00:04:17To get the uh...

00:04:18You know what I picked up yesterday.

00:04:19Oh that.

00:04:20The Ouija ball.

00:04:21That's right.

00:04:22You put a glass in the middle to trap the spirit and it moves about to spell out messages.

00:04:25You have to put your fingers on top then.

00:04:27That's a load of old rubbish.

00:04:28He spent most of yesterday polishing it up.

00:04:30He's thinking of hanging it on that wall over there.

00:04:32It's about the only thing you can do with it.

00:04:33Help yourself a cream and sugar.

00:04:34Thanks.

00:04:35Here we are.

00:04:37There.

00:04:38What do you think?

00:04:39Victorian?

00:04:40Hmm.

00:04:41You're the expert.

00:04:43Have you looked it up?

00:04:44Well I've tried to but there's nothing remotely like it in any of the books.

00:04:49They all say it was an Edwardian craze but this looks much older.

00:04:53It's really beautiful.

00:04:54Was there a glass with it?

00:04:56For trapping the spirit?

00:04:58No.

00:04:59Hmm.

00:05:00It's interesting woods it's made of.

00:05:02What's this?

00:05:03Oak?

00:05:04Mahogany I think and the other letters are ebony I'm almost sure.

00:05:09The base seems to be sandalwood.

00:05:10What's that stain there?

00:05:11Do you expect?

00:05:12I don't know.

00:05:13It's sunk deep there under the polish.

00:05:17Hmm.

00:05:18This round the edge it's not familiar.

00:05:21It should be you pass.

00:05:23What?

00:05:24I mean to hold the spirit it should be you pass.

00:05:28It's poisonous.

00:05:29At college we used to talk about things like this.

00:05:33We made one with letters on bits of paper you know.

00:05:36Um.

00:05:37One of the girls got quite interested.

00:05:39Read books about it.

00:05:41Well that's how I know it should be you pass to be a proper one.

00:05:44Okay I'll certainly find out.

00:05:47I was thinking of hanging it on the wall over there.

00:05:49Sort of conversation piece.

00:05:51We could tell people at the dead of night we receive messages from above.

00:05:55Well it's better than wife swapping.

00:05:57Speak for yourself.

00:05:59Anytime.

00:06:00Why don't you suggest we use it?

00:06:02What?

00:06:03Oh come on darling you know you've been dying to see if anything would happen.

00:06:06He's been just like a kid with a new toy.

00:06:08Is it that obvious?

00:06:09Well anyway how about it?

00:06:11Should we give it a go?

00:06:12Oh you're joking.

00:06:13Well you never know.

00:06:14Might be fun.

00:06:15What about you Pat?

00:06:16Oh no she's tired.

00:06:17She doesn't want to.

00:06:18No I don't mind.

00:06:19But nothing ever happened at college.

00:06:20Ah now that's because you didn't have the right gear.

00:06:23But with this board who knows.

00:06:25Come on Hugo.

00:06:26Say you'll give it half an hour just to see what happens.

00:06:28I'd much rather have another rubber.

00:06:29You can record darling.

00:06:30Write down what it says.

00:06:32You don't want to bother with this do you Judy?

00:06:34I'll get no peace if we don't.

00:06:36Ever since yesterday he's been dying to see if it works.

00:06:38Too right I have.

00:06:39Well you never know it might give us the winner of the national or something.

00:06:43Well things like this intrigue me.

00:06:45I suppose it's the old fascination of having a chance of a glimpse into the future.

00:06:49Anyway let's take a vote and abide by the majority.

00:06:52All those in favour of giving my Ouija board a go lift your hands.

00:06:55Let's have a go.

00:06:56And all those against can record.

00:06:58Now Hugo.

00:06:59Oh it's a waste of time.

00:07:00Well we'll give it half an hour and then if it doesn't work we'll go back to bridge.

00:07:03Okay?

00:07:04Darling get a wine glass or something will you?

00:07:07Anything yet?

00:07:08Nothing that makes sense.

00:07:09And there were.

00:07:10We were wasting time.

00:07:11Five minutes more.

00:07:12Try asking it something.

00:07:13That might get it going.

00:07:14It's going.

00:07:15It's just not making any sense.

00:07:16I'm going to see what happens.

00:07:17That's stupid.

00:07:18I feel embarrassed at addressing the empty air.

00:07:19Pretend you're on television.

00:07:20Very funny.

00:07:21Is anyone there?

00:07:22It's moving more positively.

00:07:23What does it say?

00:07:24I.

00:07:25A.

00:07:26M.

00:07:27I am.

00:07:28Oh someone's knocking about.

00:07:29Not me.

00:07:30Not me.

00:07:31Ask them.

00:07:32Ask them.

00:07:33What does it say?

00:07:34I am.

00:07:35Oh someone's knocking about.

00:07:36Not me.

00:07:37Not me.

00:07:38Ask them.

00:07:39Nothing that makes sense.

00:07:40Nothing that makes sense.

00:07:41And there won't be.

00:07:42We're wasting time.

00:07:43Five minutes more.

00:07:44Try asking it something.

00:07:45That might get it going.

00:07:46It's going.

00:07:47It's just not making sense.

00:07:48What do you think about?

00:07:49Not me.

00:07:50Not me.

00:07:51Ask something quick before it goes.

00:07:52What do I ask it?

00:07:53I don't know.

00:07:54It's nothing.

00:07:55You ask something Pat.

00:07:56Don't be stupid.

00:07:57We've waited half an hour.

00:07:58The least we can do is ask it something.

00:07:59Go on Pat.

00:08:00Who.

00:08:01Who are you?

00:08:02M.

00:08:03E.

00:08:04Obvious when you think about it.

00:08:05In more ways than one.

00:08:06Hugo.

00:08:07Quiet.

00:08:08What is your name?

00:08:10Jay.

00:08:11O.

00:08:12Oh look.

00:08:13This is too much.

00:08:14Someone's mucking about.

00:08:15Darling please.

00:08:16Put your finger back Hugo.

00:08:17You can go on making your joke.

00:08:18Not bloody likely.

00:08:19Please.

00:08:20Oh.

00:08:21All right.

00:08:22I'll let him have his fun.

00:08:24There.

00:08:25Go on Pat.

00:08:27Ask it again.

00:08:28What is your name?

00:08:30It's gone dead.

00:08:32It's more like Max has run out of ideas.

00:08:34Let's play bridge.

00:08:36I've not done anything.

00:08:38It's moving again.

00:08:39Invention coming back as it means.

00:08:41It's not me.

00:08:42Quiet.

00:08:43Have you anything to tell us?

00:08:47My name is Max and I'm making a joke.

00:08:50O.

00:08:51M.

00:08:52E.

00:08:53O.

00:08:54F.

00:08:55Write it down a minute.

00:08:56U.

00:08:57W.

00:08:58I.

00:08:59L.

00:09:00D.

00:09:01I.

00:09:02E.

00:09:03T.

00:09:04H.

00:09:05I.

00:09:06S.

00:09:07W.

00:09:08E.

00:09:09K.

00:09:10It's gone dead.

00:09:11What did it say?

00:09:12Did it say something?

00:09:13Let me see.

00:09:14Um.

00:09:15The trouble is there's no indication when one word stops and the next begins.

00:09:18On.

00:09:19E.

00:09:20F.

00:09:21W.

00:09:22No, that's not right.

00:09:23Yeah, let me see.

00:09:24Here you are.

00:09:25Switch on the light, darling.

00:09:26Of course.

00:09:27The coffee's got cold.

00:09:28Anyone want another cup?

00:09:30Have you worked your day?

00:09:31No.

00:09:32No.

00:09:33No.

00:09:34No.

00:09:35No.

00:09:36No.

00:09:37No.

00:09:38No.

00:09:39No.

00:09:40No.

00:09:41What's that, darling?

00:09:42Yes.

00:09:43I've worked it out.

00:09:44If you ask me, it's in bloody bad taste, Max.

00:09:47I did nothing.

00:09:48What did it say?

00:09:49I know damn well.

00:09:50What does it say?

00:09:51It'll upset Pat.

00:09:52It's the sort of thing that does.

00:09:53Come on.

00:09:54I did nothing.

00:09:55What does it say?

00:09:56Darling, what is it?

00:09:57Just a joke in bad taste.

00:09:58Nothing more.

00:09:59Well, tell us.

00:10:00Nothing.

00:10:01Nothing.

00:10:02Please.

00:10:03All right.

00:10:04Then I think Max should own up.

00:10:05It was all a joke.

00:10:06Not a particularly funny one either.

00:10:07I own up to nothing.

00:10:08What does it say?

00:10:09Well, look for yourself, as if you didn't know.

00:10:12One of you?

00:10:14Yes, you.

00:10:15The letter you, meaning Y-O-U.

00:10:17Ah.

00:10:18A spirit that knows shorthand.

00:10:20I wonder if his name's Pitman.

00:10:21Oh, come on, darling.

00:10:22Read out the rest.

00:10:24One of you will?

00:10:25Bad spelling.

00:10:26One of you will do...

00:10:28No, you're right.

00:10:29It is in bad taste.

00:10:30Um, but I didn't do it.

00:10:31Well, who else could it have been?

00:10:32Oh, for God's sake.

00:10:33What does it say?

00:10:34Here, see for yourself.

00:10:35One of you will die this week.

00:10:37Oh, no.

00:10:38Look, it's all right, darling.

00:10:39It was only a joke.

00:10:40A joke?

00:10:41Who...

00:10:42Who would play a joke like that?

00:10:43Oh, darling, it's all right.

00:10:44Look, own up, Max, for God's sake.

00:10:45I think you should apologize, darling.

00:10:46I think you should apologize, darling.

00:10:47I think you should apologize for playing such a stupid joke.

00:10:49Oh.

00:10:50All right, I can see it backfired.

00:10:51I'm sorry, Pat.

00:10:52It just seemed funny at the time.

00:10:53Yes, well, you might have known it.

00:10:54I just didn't think, that's all.

00:10:55Well, you were all sitting around waiting for something to happen, and my Ouija board

00:10:56didn't seem to be helping.

00:10:57So I thought, why not?

00:10:58Could you just shove here and there and bingo?

00:10:59A message.

00:11:00I just said the very first thing that came into my head.

00:11:01Look, I'm very sorry if it upset you, darling.

00:11:02It's all right.

00:11:03Oh, no, Max, for God's sake.

00:11:04I think you should apologize, darling.

00:11:05I think you should apologize, darling.

00:11:06I think you should apologize for playing such a stupid joke.

00:11:08Oh.

00:11:09All right, I can see it backfired.

00:11:10I thought, why not?

00:11:11Could you just shove here and there and bingo?

00:11:13A message.

00:11:14I just said the very first thing that came into my head.

00:11:17Look, I'm very sorry if it upset you, Pat.

00:11:19It's all right.

00:11:20Very sorry.

00:11:21But I was so annoyed at Hugo, scoffing at my nice Ouija board, so I thought I'd show him.

00:11:24There, darling, you see?

00:11:26It was just the stupid thing he would do.

00:11:28Are you all right now?

00:11:29Yes, thank you.

00:11:30It was a bit of a shock, that sort of bit of a shock.

00:11:31Of course.

00:11:32It really was you fooling, wasn't it, Max?

00:11:35Yes, it really was me fooling, and I'm very sorry.

00:11:38Yeah, and so you should be.

00:11:39Anyway, the half hour's up, nothing happened.

00:11:42So, what about another rubber?

00:11:53Bye!

00:11:54Bye.

00:11:55I'll call you tomorrow, Pat.

00:11:56Thanks for the evening.

00:11:57Yes, thanks for the evening.

00:11:58Bye.

00:11:59Bye-bye.

00:12:00And thank you, darling.

00:12:01Me?

00:12:02For one little white lie.

00:12:03Oh, yes.

00:12:04With you looking such daggers at me, what else could I do?

00:12:05Come on, let's go back in.

00:12:06I'm cold.

00:12:07Night, Kat?

00:12:08Thanks.

00:12:09Oh, thanks.

00:12:10Just a small one.

00:12:11I wasn't really looking daggers at you, darling.

00:12:13At the time, I half thought it might have been you.

00:12:14It was only after I'd had a chance to think I realized your taste isn't quite as bad as

00:12:18that.

00:12:19Thanks.

00:12:20Well, I must admit, I was toying with the idea of making it ask, which one of you has been

00:12:26eating girl?

00:12:27My name is Dracula and I don't like it.

00:12:28But it started moving before I got out of the way.

00:12:29Here.

00:12:30Thanks.

00:12:31What do you think caused it, darling?

00:12:32I'm not really looking daggers at you, darling.

00:12:33I'm not really looking daggers at you, darling.

00:12:34At the time, I half thought it might have been you.

00:12:35It was only after I'd had a chance to think I realized your taste isn't quite as bad as

00:12:36that.

00:12:37Thanks.

00:12:38Well, I must admit, I was toying with the idea of making it ask, which one of you has been

00:12:41eating girl?

00:12:42My name is Dracula and I don't like it.

00:12:45But it started moving before I got underway.

00:12:48Here.

00:12:49Thanks.

00:12:50What do you think caused it, darling?

00:12:55Well, I've been thinking about that.

00:12:58It seems to me there's three possible answers.

00:13:01First, it was one of us fooling a bat.

00:13:04Not likely.

00:13:05It wasn't you.

00:13:06I didn't.

00:13:07I don't think Hugo has the imagination.

00:13:09Don't underestimate him, darling.

00:13:10You think it might have been him?

00:13:12No.

00:13:13He's too fond of Pat.

00:13:14But he's not such a plodder of a thinker as you might suggest.

00:13:17All right.

00:13:18So it wasn't him for whatever reason.

00:13:19It couldn't have been Pat.

00:13:21Why do you say that?

00:13:22You saw her.

00:13:23She was the only one of us getting really involved.

00:13:26I don't think it would have occurred to her to...

00:13:28Cheat?

00:13:29Exactly.

00:13:30She would have thought it would have been dishonest.

00:13:32All right.

00:13:33So it wasn't Pat, Hugo, you or me, which disposes of my first explanation.

00:13:38Secondly, it could have been random.

00:13:42On the principle of the million monkeys and the works of Shakespeare?

00:13:45Well, given time?

00:13:46No.

00:13:47I don't think so.

00:13:48No.

00:13:49It answered the questions.

00:13:50It was too neat.

00:13:51And it was trying to spell a name when Hugo took his hand off the glass.

00:13:54J-O.

00:13:57John, I suppose?

00:13:59Well, it's common enough.

00:14:01Anyway, if it wasn't random, that brings us to my third reason.

00:14:04Don't tell me I know it's what all this has been leading up to.

00:14:08Why we're both worried.

00:14:09Your third reason is that it was genuine that we trapped a spirit.

00:14:13And that the spirit warned us that one of us only has a week to live.

00:14:17We'll die this week.

00:14:19Might mean tomorrow.

00:14:20Oh, lucky it's Sunday.

00:14:21It gives us a few days' grace.

00:14:22Don't joke about it, darling.

00:14:23Well, how else are we going to look at it?

00:14:25We'll never know.

00:14:27Even if one of us does pop off, we'll never know if it was anything more than a coincidence.

00:14:31Unless, of course...

00:14:32What?

00:14:33Well, there could be another reason.

00:14:35One much more in keeping with modern thought.

00:14:37Well, go on.

00:14:38Well, as you know, I'm no psychiatrist.

00:14:40But suppose one of us was guiding that glass subconsciously.

00:14:44Spelling out a message.

00:14:45A wish, even.

00:14:46A wish?

00:14:47Oh, why not?

00:14:48Let's stretch our minds a little.

00:14:51Let's suppose one of us wants to murder.

00:14:54What?

00:14:55Hear me out.

00:14:56It's only pure hypothesis, after all.

00:14:58Um, suppose I was having an affair with Angela.

00:15:01Your secretary?

00:15:02Well, she's an attractive girl.

00:15:03In fact, I really quite fancy her.

00:15:05As I think I've mentioned before.

00:15:07Several times.

00:15:08She isn't jealous as showing, darling.

00:15:10Anyway, supposing this affair was more than just an affair.

00:15:13It was a lifelong passion.

00:15:15I want, more than anything else in the world, to live with her.

00:15:18What?

00:15:19Leave me?

00:15:20Oh, no, no, no.

00:15:21No, I'd need to get rid of you, of course.

00:15:22So I plan to murder you next week.

00:15:24Oh, thanks very much.

00:15:25But at the same time, a residue of guilt remains in my mind.

00:15:29Well, that is a bit of a mean way to say thanks for seven years of reasonably happy marriage.

00:15:34Reasonably?

00:15:35All right.

00:15:36Perfectly happy.

00:15:37I'm not arguing.

00:15:38The point being that I think it's a pity to bump you off, so I give you a warning, subconsciously, anonymously.

00:15:46I tell you to watch out, but in such a manner that it's unlikely you'll believe it.

00:15:50And even if you did, you wouldn't know it was from me.

00:15:54That way I assuage my guilt somewhat.

00:15:56And at the same time, you won't be on the lookout for the untraceable poison I'm going to shove in your coffin.

00:16:01Charming.

00:16:02But it started to spell out a name, J-O, not M-A.

00:16:06Have you forgotten, Inspector, that my full name is Jonathan Maxwell Brown?

00:16:10No.

00:16:11Now, given the basic premise, darling, even what I'm saying now fits in.

00:16:15I tell you the truth, assuaging my guilt still further, but wrap it up in such a manner that you're not going to believe a word I've been saying.

00:16:22You're not, are you?

00:16:31What?

00:16:32No.

00:16:33Oh, it's stupid, you and your hypothesis.

00:16:36Oh, shouldn't it be hypothesized?

00:16:38I wish you'd never bought that board.

00:16:41We should have taken Hugo's advice and had another rubber.

00:16:44You believe we trapped a goat?

00:16:45I don't know what to believe.

00:16:46Well, nor do I.

00:16:47But it's getting through to you, isn't it?

00:16:48What is?

00:16:49That it might all be genuine, that one of us, for some reason or other, is due to die this week.

00:16:54Don't!

00:16:55Well, there's plenty of ways of dying.

00:16:56Car crash, train smash, falling off a bridge.

00:16:58Don't!

00:16:59Even if we locked ourselves indoors, the house might burn down.

00:17:01Darling, please.

00:17:02All right.

00:17:03I'll stop stating the obvious.

00:17:05But your safe, cosy little world has been threatened and you don't like it.

00:17:08Who would?

00:17:09Well, who would indeed?

00:17:10Life is very precarious, darling.

00:17:13Sometimes you realize it and it's a bit of a shock.

00:17:15Yes, it is.

00:17:16And I'll tell you who else realizes it as well.

00:17:19Pat?

00:17:20Yeah.

00:17:21Well, she's sensitive.

00:17:22She'll be upset.

00:17:23Unless she's fully swallowed my little white lie, which I think improbable.

00:17:27There's all that business about her brother.

00:17:29Oh?

00:17:30I didn't know she had a brother.

00:17:31Oh, she hasn't.

00:17:32Not now.

00:17:33It's a thing we all try to forget.

00:17:35I had, or I don't think I would have suggested that we use the Ouija board.

00:17:39That happened during the summer after A-levels.

00:17:42There was a group of us who used to go about together.

00:17:45Myself, Pat, Hugo, a couple of girls, and John, Pat's brother.

00:17:50John was different.

00:17:52He wanted to be a poet.

00:17:54Well, he certainly looked the part.

00:17:56Pale, fragile, intense, shy, you know.

00:17:59He sort of tailed along after us and we put up with him because he was Pat's brother.

00:18:04Anyway, he died, but was killed.

00:18:07We were all going to a party at a friend's house.

00:18:10John said he would be there, but he didn't turn up.

00:18:13We found out later that a car had run out of control and crushed him against a lamppost.

00:18:17Oh.

00:18:18Awful.

00:18:19Yeah.

00:18:20Well, the point was Pat knew before she had been told that it.

00:18:22She knew?

00:18:23Yeah.

00:18:24Quite early in the evening when we were dancing, she suddenly screamed, clasped her chest,

00:18:28went white and collapsed to the floor.

00:18:30I was with her at the time, and so was Hugo.

00:18:33We didn't know what it was.

00:18:34Some sort of fit, we thought.

00:18:36But when she came round, all she could say was John.

00:18:40Poor John.

00:18:41Nothing else.

00:18:43We wanted to take her home, but she wouldn't go.

00:18:46So we put her to bed.

00:18:48Oh, Matt.

00:18:49No, Hugo stayed with her.

00:18:50There was always a tacit understanding between them.

00:18:53We didn't find out what had happened until the next morning.

00:18:57Poor Pat.

00:18:59Yeah.

00:19:00Well, she went to college, but she had a nervous breakdown in her first term.

00:19:05She wasn't cut out for teaching anyhow.

00:19:07She was too highly strung.

00:19:09Most of the rest of us were at university or college.

00:19:12Not Hugo, though.

00:19:14He had to take over the business when his father died.

00:19:17They married before Easter.

00:19:20He had to practically look after her like a nurse for the first few months, I understand.

00:19:25But, and he's good like them.

00:19:28Yes.

00:19:29I've noticed he's very protective.

00:19:31Well, he's just right for her.

00:19:33You want another?

00:19:34Yes, please.

00:19:35John starts with J.O.

00:19:36I wondered how long it would take you to spot that.

00:19:37Why do you think Hugo took his finger off the glass?

00:19:38He had the same idea.

00:19:39Oh, thanks.

00:19:40I'm only surprised he let the whole thing go on.

00:19:41He must have thought it was me and banked on me not having such bad taste.

00:19:42But it wasn't you.

00:19:43No.

00:19:44But Hugo has to think so.

00:19:45He can't allow himself to consider anything else.

00:19:46But Pat will.

00:19:47She'll have thought it over and come to the same conclusions as us.

00:19:50Yes, knowing her.

00:19:51I'm not sure.

00:19:52You're not sure how long it would take you to spot that.

00:19:53Why do you think Hugo took his finger off the glass?

00:19:54He had the same idea.

00:19:55Oh, thanks.

00:19:56I'm only surprised he let the whole thing go on.

00:19:57He must have thought it was me and banked on me not having such bad taste.

00:19:58But it wasn't you.

00:19:59No.

00:20:00But Hugo has to think so.

00:20:02He can't allow himself to consider anything else.

00:20:05But Pat will.

00:20:06She'll have thought it over and come to the same conclusions as us.

00:20:11Yes, knowing her, I should think she's going to lose some sleep tonight.

00:20:25Oh, sorry.

00:20:26I didn't mean to startle you.

00:20:27It's all right.

00:20:28I'm looking for those sleeping pills.

00:20:32Oh, but you haven't needed them for years.

00:20:34You go back to bed, darling.

00:20:35I'll be all right.

00:20:36If I can't find them, I'll make myself a drink and read a book or something.

00:20:39I'll be all right.

00:20:40It's that stupid joke Max played, isn't it?

00:20:42No, no.

00:20:43I just feel restless, that's all.

00:20:45Too much coffee, you see.

00:20:46You know I never sleep well after too much coffee.

00:20:48It's the caffeine, you see.

00:20:49The caffeine keeps me awake.

00:20:50Look, you go back to bed, darling.

00:20:52You go back to bed.

00:20:53I'll be all right.

00:20:54Oh, it was only a joke, darling.

00:20:56He admitted it.

00:20:57I know it was a stupid thing to do, but, well, he admitted it.

00:21:00You come back to bed.

00:21:01I'll be all right.

00:21:03You come here, love.

00:21:05Come here.

00:21:06Oh, darling.

00:21:07You're freezing.

00:21:09J.O.

00:21:10It might have been John.

00:21:11It might not have been a joke.

00:21:12It might have been John.

00:21:13You silly girl.

00:21:14It was Max fooling.

00:21:15But it might not have been.

00:21:16Now, lovey, listen.

00:21:18It was Max, that's all.

00:21:20Max playing a stupid joke.

00:21:22John is...

00:21:23Dead, but...

00:21:24Yes, and it's all in the past.

00:21:25A long time ago.

00:21:26Max must have forgotten.

00:21:27He must have done it.

00:21:29No buts.

00:21:30No buts.

00:21:31Now, listen.

00:21:32Put all those stupid ideas out of your head and get back into bed.

00:21:36Switch on the blanket and get warm.

00:21:39I'll find your pills and make a cup of cocoa and bring it up to you.

00:21:42Okay?

00:21:43Okay?

00:21:44Sorry, darling.

00:21:45I just...

00:21:46I know, lovey.

00:21:47I know.

00:21:48Don't worry.

00:21:49Everything's all right.

00:21:50Now, you get back into bed.

00:21:52Now, go on.

00:21:53Off you go.

00:21:54Go on.

00:21:55I don't want to stand about here all night, even if you do, young woman.

00:21:58Okay.

00:21:59Thanks, darling.

00:22:00Well, the best thanks you can give me is to stop these silly thoughts in that silly little

00:22:05head of yours.

00:22:06I'll try.

00:22:07Good.

00:22:08Now, off you go to bed.

00:22:10She couldn't get up to sleep last night.

00:22:13I had to find those sleeping pills for her.

00:22:15Max, I'm very angry about that stupid joke.

00:22:17You could have put her back ten years.

00:22:19What the hell do you think you were playing at?

00:22:20Look, I really was...

00:22:21Look, for God's sake, ma'am.

00:22:22You of all people should know what she could be like about such things.

00:22:24Is this why you phoned me at work?

00:22:26To meet you here so you could give me a carpeting?

00:22:28Of course it was.

00:22:29If you'd seen her last night.

00:22:30Hugo.

00:22:31Groping about the dark.

00:22:32Hugo.

00:22:33Crying.

00:22:34Look, I didn't bloody do it.

00:22:35Nor did Julie.

00:22:36Of course you did it.

00:22:37You said yourself you did it.

00:22:38Only because I realised how upset Pat would get if I didn't.

00:22:39Yeah, but you said last...

00:22:40No, you listen.

00:22:41I'm not a stupid man.

00:22:42I hadn't been drinking last night.

00:22:43I didn't play that stupid joke.

00:22:45If it was a joke.

00:22:46What do you mean, if it was a joke?

00:22:47Of course it was a joke.

00:22:49Have you thought of the alternatives?

00:22:50There aren't any alternatives.

00:22:52Glasses don't go round spelling out messages and there's someone fooling about.

00:22:55Look, I know you're trying to protect Pat, but...

00:22:56You can take your sandwiches, are you?

00:22:57Yes.

00:22:58There you are, love.

00:22:59Right, who's next?

00:23:00Look, let's get another drink.

00:23:01Get some food inside us and then go through this thing rationally, shall we?

00:23:05Hello?

00:23:06Darling, it's me.

00:23:07Have you found Pat yet?

00:23:08No, not yet.

00:23:09Ah, good.

00:23:10Because I've just had lunch with Hugo and he was wondering if you'd go round there this

00:23:12afternoon.

00:23:13Apparently they had a bad night last night.

00:23:14He's rather worried about it.

00:23:15Yes, of course I'd go, but...

00:23:16Does he still think it's one of your jokes?

00:23:17I don't know.

00:23:18He was pretty angry about the whole thing, but I calmed him down.

00:23:20We decided in the end that the best thing is to convince Pat to go through this thing.

00:23:23Oh, by the way, I might be a bit late tonight.

00:23:24There's a contract needing attention.

00:23:25Can't you bring it home?

00:23:26No.

00:23:27There's one thing I don't intend to say about.

00:23:28You know what?

00:23:29I don't know.

00:23:30I don't know.

00:23:31I don't know.

00:23:32I don't know.

00:23:33I don't know.

00:23:34He's angry about the whole thing, but I calmed him down.

00:23:35We decided in the end that the best thing is to convince Pat it was all my fault.

00:23:37She'd worry herself silly otherwise.

00:23:39Are you sure?

00:23:40Yes, of course I'm sure.

00:23:42But believe me, darling, it's the best thing.

00:23:43All right, I'll do it.

00:23:44Look, I must go now.

00:23:45There's someone at the door.

00:23:46All right, I'll see you this evening.

00:23:47By the way, I might be a bit late tonight.

00:23:49There's a contract needing attention.

00:23:50Can't you bring it home?

00:23:51No.

00:23:52There's one thing I don't intend to start.

00:23:54I'll be in about seven or eight.

00:23:55All right, all right.

00:23:56I must rush now, darling.

00:23:57Bye.

00:23:58Bye, love.

00:24:10Yes?

00:24:11Mrs. Brown?

00:24:12Yes?

00:24:13My name is Mohammed Asif.

00:24:15Is Mr. Brown in, please?

00:24:17No, I'm afraid he isn't.

00:24:19Ah, that is a pity.

00:24:21I have some business I wish to discuss with him concerning an item he purchased last week,

00:24:26an Ouija board.

00:24:28My husband did purchase one.

00:24:30Then you have it.

00:24:31Tell me, are you familiar with its purpose?

00:24:34I don't understand.

00:24:36Some people would regard it as no more than an objet d'art to hang on the wall.

00:24:40Others might try to use it to contact the spiritual forces.

00:24:44Perhaps even as a party game.

00:24:45Have you and your husband done so?

00:24:47Why?

00:24:48Ah, I can see you have.

00:24:49Pity.

00:24:50And it's spelled out something unpleasant?

00:24:51I think you'd better come in, Mr.

00:24:52Asif.

00:24:54In here, this way.

00:24:56My card.

00:24:57Muhammad Asif, mystic and fortune teller.

00:24:58I will explain.

00:24:59But first, may I see the board?

00:25:00It's here.

00:25:01Ah.

00:25:02Ah.

00:25:03It has been a long time.

00:25:05It has been a long time.

00:25:06It is very beautiful.

00:25:07Yes.

00:25:08We were going to hang it on the wall over there.

00:25:09I see.

00:25:10Ah.

00:25:11It has been a long time.

00:25:14It is very beautiful.

00:25:15Yes.

00:25:16We were going to hang it on the wall over there.

00:25:17I see.

00:25:18Mrs. Brown, my information is that your husband paid ten pounds for it.

00:25:19I will give you fifty.

00:25:20Fifty pounds?

00:25:21I will also give him or you.

00:25:22Yes.

00:25:23Yes.

00:25:24Yes.

00:25:25Yes.

00:25:26Yes.

00:25:27Yes.

00:25:28Yes.

00:25:29Yes.

00:25:30Yes.

00:25:31Yes.

00:25:32Yes.

00:25:33Yes.

00:25:34Yes.

00:25:35Yes.

00:25:36Yes.

00:25:37Yes.

00:25:38Yes.

00:25:39Yes.

00:25:40Yes.

00:25:41Yes.

00:25:42Yes.

00:25:43Yes.

00:25:44Yes.

00:25:45I have it now.

00:25:46Yes.

00:25:47You have to.

00:25:48I have to.

00:25:49You have to?

00:25:50Fifty.

00:25:51Fifty pounds?

00:25:52I will also give him or you fifty pounds if you burn it.

00:25:54That is why I must have it.

00:25:55It must be destroyed.

00:25:57I have the money here.

00:25:58I, I don't understand that.

00:25:59No.

00:26:00Allow me to explain.

00:26:01May I sit down?

00:26:02Yes, yes.

00:26:03Of course.

00:26:04It is a long tale.

00:26:07As you may have gathered, I know that board of old.

00:26:10It was made by my father's grandfather.

00:26:12Oh dear. Excuse me a moment. Of course. Hello? Julie? Pat here. Oh, Pat, I was just about to ring you. Hang on a moment. Excuse me, Miss Rossi. Certainly. Sorry, I have a visitor. Oh, sorry. I just thought I'd call you. Thank you for last night.

00:26:39Oh, thanks. I was thinking of coming round, as a matter of fact. You're worried, too. Worried? About what happened? Oh, no, no, no. I've got to go into town anyway, so I thought I'd drop in. You didn't mention it last night. Must have forgotten. Look, I'll be along in half an hour or so, okay? I must go as I've got this visitor. Yes, of course. Okay. See you. Bye.

00:27:01Bye. So sorry to keep you waiting, Mr. Rossi, but... Where on earth has he got? What on earth?

00:27:20When I got back, he'd gone. He'd taken the board with him and left 50 pounds. Hugo, what am I going to do? I'm worried.

00:27:33Have you told Max? Well, he's out. I've tried. His secretary will know where he is. Well, she's out as well.

00:27:40Strange. Yes, but what am I going to do? Stop worrying about it, for one thing. Listen, are you going round to see Pat?

00:27:49Yes. Yes, well, whatever else you do, don't tell her about the board going.

00:27:53Convince her it was all a joke at Max's, or she'll have hysterics. Believe me, she will.

00:27:59Coming.

00:28:04Hello, Pat. Come in, I'll make a cup of tea. Lovely.

00:28:12Well?

00:28:12Well, what did you do all you had to do in town?

00:28:19It wasn't anything, really. Just a birthday present for Max.

00:28:23Oh, yes?

00:28:23Yes, a putting machine thing. You know, for his golf.

00:28:26Ah.

00:28:28It pings the ball back.

00:28:29Oh, yes.

00:28:31Won't be long.

00:28:33How are the kids?

00:28:34Since last night.

00:28:35Hmm?

00:28:36I mean, you asked me last night how they were. They haven't changed since then.

00:28:41Oh.

00:28:42They're fine.

00:28:43Oh, good.

00:28:45Look, Hugo asked you to come here, didn't he?

00:28:48He phoned you up and asked you to come here to make sure I'm all right.

00:28:50You haven't been to the shops. You haven't had time to go to the shops.

00:28:52Hugo got you to come here, didn't he?

00:28:54Well, he was worried about you.

00:28:55He enjoys it.

00:28:56I don't...

00:28:56He enjoys worrying about me.

00:28:58He likes to think of me being helpless.

00:29:00He likes to think I can't cope.

00:29:01He likes feeling noble and self-sacrificing.

00:29:05He's always trying to protect me, smooth things over.

00:29:08He's concerned about you.

00:29:09Yes, I know.

00:29:10I should be grateful.

00:29:11I know.

00:29:14But sometimes I feel smothered.

00:29:17I feel smothered now.

00:29:19I know Max played no joke.

00:29:23I've known Max all my life, almost.

00:29:24I know he couldn't have played a joke like that, not after John.

00:29:28Did he tell you about my brother John?

00:29:30Did he tell you about him?

00:29:31Yes.

00:29:33What he didn't tell you was...

00:29:36What I don't expect he told you was, I mean...

00:29:40What did he tell you about that time?

00:29:43That when your brother...

00:29:44No, not about John.

00:29:45John's dead, dead.

00:29:47But what did he tell you about that time, about the three of us?

00:29:51Max, Hugo and me.

00:29:52What did he tell you about us?

00:29:54Nothing, really.

00:29:55Just that there was always a tacit understanding between you and Hugo.

00:29:59Never noticed me.

00:30:01It was always Max.

00:30:02Max?

00:30:02Max was the one I was with.

00:30:04Max, not Hugo.

00:30:05You were hot.

00:30:06Max was the first boy I ever kissed.

00:30:09First boy I had real dreams about.

00:30:11The first boy I ever...

00:30:12It was always Max, never Hugo.

00:30:15Hugo never noticed me.

00:30:16I was strong, you see, independent.

00:30:19Didn't need him to lean on.

00:30:21I needed no one until John died.

00:30:24Then I needed Max, but Hugo came.

00:30:27Stayed with me all night.

00:30:28Hugo, not Max.

00:30:31Max hates dependence.

00:30:33You must have noticed.

00:30:34He hates illness.

00:30:35He treats people at face value.

00:30:38Hugo needs to be a knight.

00:30:40Hugo got to me.

00:30:42Married me when I was down.

00:30:43When I needed someone, he married me.

00:30:46Max went away and met you.

00:30:47Met you at university.

00:30:49I came back and married Hugo.

00:30:53Oh, don't think I'm not grateful.

00:30:55God knows what I'd have done without him.

00:30:56But he's only happy when I'm dependent.

00:31:02When I've been pregnant.

00:31:04When I've had flu.

00:31:05When I've been depressed.

00:31:07When I've had to lean on him.

00:31:11Last night I lent on him and he was happy.

00:31:14Put me to bed.

00:31:15Brought me a drink.

00:31:17Treated me like an invalid.

00:31:18A sick child.

00:31:19Me.

00:31:19I have a great fear.

00:31:28What?

00:31:30That.

00:31:32Oh, just a minute.

00:31:38I'm afraid that Hugo did it.

00:31:40What?

00:31:41To upset me.

00:31:41Oh, Pat.

00:31:42To make me lean on him again.

00:31:44Nothing happened until he came to the table.

00:31:46I'm afraid that he guided the glass.

00:31:49Made it spell out J-O.

00:31:51To make me think of John.

00:31:52And then went on from there.

00:31:54I know it's ludicrous.

00:31:55But I have this fear.

00:31:59Well, the only other possibility is that it was all genuine.

00:32:02And that frightens me more.

00:32:03Much, much more.

00:32:04Max, look, don't say it was a joke of Max's.

00:32:06Please.

00:32:08I shall pretend to Hugo that I think it was a joke.

00:32:09But don't you tell me that.

00:32:10Please.

00:32:12I've come to trust you, Julie.

00:32:14At first I was jealous.

00:32:16And you had Max.

00:32:19But no, I've come to trust you.

00:32:22Max didn't do it.

00:32:24I know.

00:32:26I knew all along.

00:32:28Uh, do you want sugar?

00:32:30No, no, thanks.

00:32:30I'm dieting.

00:32:31He thought it was for the best.

00:32:33On your prompting.

00:32:35He thought he did protest too much.

00:32:37Hmm?

00:32:38Well, Max always overdoes telling a lie.

00:32:40Goes on for too long.

00:32:42He tries to make it so convincing.

00:32:43You're unconvinced.

00:32:44And you begin to wonder.

00:32:46Or he might even tell you the truth and make you think he's telling a lie.

00:32:51Do you know his secretary?

00:32:53I don't think so.

00:32:54What's her name?

00:32:56Angela.

00:32:56Angela Thompson, I think.

00:32:59No, not by name anyway.

00:33:01Why?

00:33:02Oh.

00:33:03Oh.

00:33:05Just changing the subject.

00:33:15Good afternoon.

00:33:16Forbes and Hobbes.

00:33:17Mr. Brown, please.

00:33:18Oh, um, Mr. Brown.

00:33:21I'm afraid he's not back yet.

00:33:22Oh, this is Mrs. Brown here.

00:33:24I phoned earlier.

00:33:25Oh, yes, of course, Mrs. Brown.

00:33:27I want to get in contact with him rather badly.

00:33:29You still don't know where he is?

00:33:30I'm afraid not.

00:33:31How about his secretary?

00:33:32Is she back yet?

00:33:33Um, no.

00:33:35She went off with Mr. Brown, as I said, just after he got back from lunch.

00:33:38Oh, um, she isn't on the phone, is she?

00:33:41Oh.

00:33:42Um, no, I don't think she is, I'm afraid.

00:33:47Goodbye.

00:33:47I'm home, darling.

00:33:57Sorry to be so late.

00:33:59I'll get your supper.

00:34:00Good, I'm famished.

00:34:01How's Pat?

00:34:03Pretty worried.

00:34:04Sit down, I'll get it.

00:34:06Thanks.

00:34:08Were you with her long?

00:34:09You went and picked up Jane from school.

00:34:12Andrew was away on a day trip.

00:34:14Here.

00:34:15Thanks.

00:34:16Oh, you've eaten?

00:34:18Yes.

00:34:19Here, this looks good.

00:34:20It's a bit dried, I'm afraid.

00:34:22Well, I said I'd be late.

00:34:23Not this late.

00:34:24Well, I'm sorry, love, but you know how it is.

00:34:27Did you stay at the office?

00:34:29No.

00:34:29I had to go to St. Albans.

00:34:31Angela wasn't feeling too well.

00:34:33Flew, if you ask me.

00:34:34So I ran her home and went on.

00:34:35You never mentioned St. Albans on the phone?

00:34:37Well, it blew up just after I'd phoned you.

00:34:39One of those canny Scotsmen who demand the personal touch.

00:34:42Pathological about being diddled by a sussanax.

00:34:45Did you?

00:34:45Well, far from it.

00:34:46I think he diddled me.

00:34:48Still, it's all business.

00:34:50I tried to phone you, as a matter of fact.

00:34:52Did they tell you where I was?

00:34:53No.

00:34:54Said they didn't know.

00:34:55Oh, don't tell me.

00:34:56Sally.

00:34:57Sally?

00:34:58Yeah.

00:34:59A new girl on the switchboard and reception.

00:35:01Completely hopeless.

00:35:02Why Hobbs ever hired her is beyond me.

00:35:05Unless he's knocking her off, of course.

00:35:06Which, looking at his wife, is quite likely.

00:35:09What did you want to speak to me about?

00:35:11About...

00:35:11No, no, no.

00:35:13Wait.

00:35:13First, I must apologise.

00:35:15What for?

00:35:15This isn't that bad.

00:35:16No, not about the food.

00:35:18After what you said last night...

00:35:20Well, we've all been on edge.

00:35:23Well, I've been sitting here thinking that you and Angela were...

00:35:25Having it off?

00:35:27Oh, I'm surprised at you, darling.

00:35:29Mind you, it would have been much more enjoyable than sitting half the afternoon and a good part of the evening on a very hard chair.

00:35:36And he didn't even offer me a cup of tea.

00:35:38Or a drop of the hard stuff.

00:35:40I'm sure Angela would have run to coffee, at least.

00:35:42Yes.

00:35:43Well, I'm sorry.

00:35:44I'm surprised you didn't come at me with the rolling pin.

00:35:46I know.

00:35:47I knew it was nothing, really.

00:35:48But after what happened, and then again this afternoon...

00:35:50Sorry, I'm not with you.

00:35:52Partly, do you mean?

00:35:53Partly.

00:35:54Well, do you remember when you phoned me?

00:35:55I mentioned there was someone at the door.

00:35:58Well, it was an Indian called Mohamed Asif.

00:36:01Hmm?

00:36:01He asked for you, and then about the board.

00:36:03Well, he traced you from a junk shop.

00:36:07I let him in, showed him the board, and...

00:36:09He offered me £50 for it.

00:36:12£50?

00:36:13Yes.

00:36:14He said it had to be burnt.

00:36:16He was telling me why when Pat phoned, and I went to answer it, and when I came back in, he was gone.

00:36:20With the board.

00:36:22He left these.

00:36:24Good God.

00:36:26Did you run out and try to catch him?

00:36:27Yes, but he'd gone.

00:36:29Most odd.

00:36:31What did you do then?

00:36:32I tried to contact you, of course, but you'd gone, so I phoned Hugo.

00:36:35I had to tell someone.

00:36:36Well, what did he say?

00:36:36Well, he was mainly concerned I didn't tell Pat.

00:36:38Did you?

00:36:39No.

00:36:39Good.

00:36:40Now, I don't think it would have helped.

00:36:42This, uh, Mohamed...

00:36:44Asif.

00:36:45Um, he didn't say where he was from?

00:36:47No, he was only here for a couple of minutes.

00:36:49And in that time, he convinced you he knew about the board?

00:36:51Yes, well, I got the impression that...

00:36:54What?

00:36:56That it's not the first time it's spelled out something unpleasant, was the word he used.

00:37:04And you say he wanted to burn the board?

00:37:07Yes.

00:37:08He was about to tell me why when Pat rang.

00:37:10Oh, darling, what are we going to do?

00:37:12I don't know.

00:37:14We haven't got much to go on.

00:37:15Well, I thought afterwards that I should have gone to the police.

00:37:17They might have found him if I'd called them straight away.

00:37:19Oh, they might.

00:37:20In any case, they'd have asked a lot of questions and it would have got back to Pat.

00:37:24And, no, you were right to wait.

00:37:27But the only clear fact I can make out is that Pat's kept well out of it.

00:37:30And should be kept out.

00:37:31Why?

00:37:33Well, because I think she has a right to know.

00:37:34Do you?

00:37:35Well, keeping her in the dark like this, it's not fair.

00:37:37It's patronising.

00:37:38All right, so it's a bit patronising.

00:37:40But why should we tell her something that would upset her even more?

00:37:43Best thing is for her to believe it was all a joke on my part.

00:37:45Oh, she knows it wasn't.

00:37:46You told...

00:37:47Julie!

00:37:48Oh, she knew already.

00:37:50I'm dying, she was in a bit of a state.

00:37:51So you went and told her it was no joke?

00:37:52She was getting into a state about being in the dark.

00:37:55About Hugo suffocating her.

00:37:56About their marriage.

00:37:58Oh, about lots of things.

00:37:59Oh, she needed to be able to rely on me.

00:38:02She knew you wouldn't play a joke like that.

00:38:03Well, she would have done if you'd stuck to your guns.

00:38:05She wouldn't.

00:38:05She knew.

00:38:07It wouldn't have mattered what I said.

00:38:09Max, she's...

00:38:10Oh, I don't know.

00:38:12She's what?

00:38:14She...

00:38:14She thinks everyone's turning against her.

00:38:17Turning against her?

00:38:17No, no, that's not what I mean.

00:38:18Well, what do you mean?

00:38:19Well, she's...

00:38:19Come on, what do you mean?

00:38:20I'm trying to tell you.

00:38:23She's not as helpless as Hugo makes her out to be.

00:38:27She has a great grasp of what's happening and she feels very frustrated.

00:38:31Because no one will discuss it with her rationally.

00:38:33They treat her like a child.

00:38:35A sick child were the words she used.

00:38:37Except you.

00:38:38To a certain extent, yes.

00:38:40So what you want me to do is get on the phone, ring up, hope Pat answers, and then say,

00:38:46Pat, did you know Mysterious Indian called this afternoon and after hinting that the board

00:38:50has bought bad luck before, took it away for burning?

00:38:52She'd have hysterics.

00:38:54And to what end?

00:38:55No end.

00:38:56Darling, Pat is highly strung.

00:38:58When she gets worried her health suffers alarmingly and this makes her worry more and she gets into

00:39:02a vicious circle.

00:39:04I told you it took Hugo months to get her over, John.

00:39:07If you or anyone tells her everything now, you'd put her back ten years.

00:39:10That I promise you.

00:39:11How can you be so sure?

00:39:12Since when did Hugo ever let her face things?

00:39:15Since when did Hugo not treat her like a child?

00:39:17How the hell do I know?

00:39:19I'm not married to her.

00:39:20I don't have any divine insight into their private lives.

00:39:23It's not up to us to meddle.

00:39:26Honestly, darling, do you think telling her about Asif is going to help?

00:39:30Particularly when she doesn't suspect anything of the kind.

00:39:32If she half knew, then maybe yes.

00:39:34But why worry her about something she knows nothing about?

00:39:37It'd be stupid.

00:39:40Don't you agree, love?

00:39:43Yes, I suppose it would be.

00:39:46You see, you're seeing everything in black and white, darling.

00:39:48Like earlier, when you were concocting great love affairs between me and Angela.

00:39:53It never occurred to you that there was a perfectly reasonable explanation for it all.

00:39:57It did, but I didn't pay much heed, I must admit.

00:40:02Well, there you are, then.

00:40:05Any pud?

00:40:06Of course.

00:40:08I'll get it.

00:40:12But there's one thing we've forgotten, darling.

00:40:14Hmm?

00:40:15All this business of the Ouija board isn't in black and white.

00:40:18Nor is there any reasonable explanation.

00:40:21No, but then I don't expect there to be.

00:40:23Look, in a couple of weeks' time, when we're still all alive and Mr. Asif hasn't mysteriously reappeared and we spent the 50 quid, we'll still be wondering what the hell it was all about.

00:40:32Yes, I suppose so.

00:40:34There's no suppose about it.

00:40:35Now, come on, where's me pud?

00:40:36Oh, it's time for bed.

00:40:47I'll get your pills.

00:40:48I don't know if I'll leave them tonight.

00:40:50Well, you won't sleep.

00:40:51No, I think I will.

00:40:52I feel better now.

00:40:53Julie was very kind.

00:40:54She listened.

00:40:55You know what you're like when you start worrying.

00:40:57She told me it wasn't a joke.

00:40:59You mean you tried to convince her it wasn't?

00:41:01Now, I'll get your pills.

00:41:02Please, I don't want them.

00:41:04Well, you prefer to lie awake all night, because that's what you'll do.

00:41:06You know you will.

00:41:06Hugo, listen.

00:41:07I know what's best.

00:41:09That's a good night's sleep.

00:41:10Now, you toddle off to bed like a good girl and I'll bring out some cocoa.

00:41:13Don't treat me like a child.

00:41:16I'm sorry.

00:41:16I didn't mean to.

00:41:18But honestly, darling, you know perfectly well that you'll need a pill tonight.

00:41:22We usually have cocoa, don't we?

00:41:23I don't want a pill.

00:41:24Now, you're being childish.

00:41:25Now, be reasonable.

00:41:26Think of me.

00:41:26I'll sleep without one.

00:41:28You mean you're not worried about what happens?

00:41:29Of course it's worrying.

00:41:30And when you're worried, you can't sleep.

00:41:32You know that.

00:41:33After all, it's not as if the pills are powerful or anything.

00:41:35They just help you to get off, I think, more.

00:41:37I just don't want one, that's all.

00:41:39Not now.

00:41:40Not right now.

00:41:40I want to see if I can get off without one, without a pill.

00:41:42I want to try.

00:41:43Darling, you're working yourself up into a state already.

00:41:46You're highly strung.

00:41:46Only because you insist on treating me as highly strung.

00:41:49If you treated me as normal, then I wouldn't get like this.

00:41:53Oh, darling.

00:41:53No, please, no.

00:41:56I'm sorry, love.

00:41:58I know half of what I say isn't true.

00:42:00But I need to feel that something is left in my hands.

00:42:03Something I can control.

00:42:04Some decision I can make on my own.

00:42:06You're overwrought.

00:42:07That's all.

00:42:08Tired.

00:42:08You need a good night's rest.

00:42:09Things will be better in the morning.

00:42:11Darling, can't you understand?

00:42:12I don't want to be treated like a child.

00:42:14I don't want to be smothered.

00:42:17Well, I'm not smothering you, lovey.

00:42:20Trying to help.

00:42:21I know, love.

00:42:21I know.

00:42:22Look, I tell you what.

00:42:23Now, why don't you have a bath?

00:42:25And I'll do your pack.

00:42:27You haven't done that for a long time, haven't you?

00:42:29But doing...

00:42:29Now, look, I'm not going to have any more arguments, not one.

00:42:32Now, you leave everything to me.

00:42:33I'll make some cocoa, bring it up, and we'll see about the pill.

00:42:37I don't want...

00:42:38I'll put them by the bed with a glass of water.

00:42:41If you're still tossing and turning at midnight, I'll hold your nose and push one down your throat, eh?

00:42:47Now, you go up and run your bath and put in some bath salts.

00:42:52I'll join you later.

00:42:54Okay?

00:42:55Okay.

00:42:57Yes, all right, darling.

00:43:02Better for you.

00:43:04Thanks.

00:43:07Eat up, love.

00:43:08It's past eight.

00:43:10Something interesting.

00:43:12Julie?

00:43:15It's from Muhammad Asif.

00:43:17A mysterious Indian?

00:43:19Yes.

00:43:19Look.

00:43:20Very sorry to have taken the law into my own hands.

00:43:25Believe me, I know what's best.

00:43:27Seems I've heard that one before.

00:43:29The Ouija board is now burnt.

00:43:32I know that this will have made you curious.

00:43:34I'm willing to explain.

00:43:35Will you please telephone me and we can arrange a meeting?

00:43:38Yours sincerely, Muhammad Asif.

00:43:41Bayswater.

00:43:42He comes from Bayswater.

00:43:44Can't get much more prosaic than that.

00:43:47Well, do you think I should phone him?

00:43:49Too right I do.

00:43:50You remember those loose ends we discussed last night?

00:43:52Well, our Mr. Asif, mystic and fortune teller, is going to tie them up for us.

00:43:56Certainly you phone him.

00:43:57What, now?

00:43:58No.

00:43:59Give him a chance to have some breakfast.

00:44:02Phone him about nine or so.

00:44:03And then give me a ring.

00:44:06I've just called Asif, darling.

00:44:08Good.

00:44:08What did he say?

00:44:10He wants to hold a seance.

00:44:12A seance?

00:44:13Yes.

00:44:14With all of us.

00:44:15You, me, Hugo, and Pat.

00:44:16On earth for?

00:44:17He didn't say.

00:44:18He just said it was important.

00:44:18He said he'd explain everything there.

00:44:20Oh, yes.

00:44:21Oh, something at least.

00:44:23When?

00:44:23This evening.

00:44:24This evening?

00:44:25Short notice.

00:44:27Uh, look, listen, are you doing anything for lunch?

00:44:29Nothing planned.

00:44:30Why?

00:44:31Well, look, come down to the grapes about one, and I'll get Hugo there as well.

00:44:35We can talk it over.

00:44:36But I can tell you his reaction right now.

00:44:37A seance?

00:44:41Us go to Baysport and have a seance with this Asif?

00:44:44Oh.

00:44:45Well, you can go if you like.

00:44:46I'm not, nor's Pat.

00:44:47What did I tell you?

00:44:48But, Hugo, don't you think we ought to go?

00:44:50Why?

00:44:51Quite apart from it upsetting Pat.

00:44:53I'm not going to give up a whole evening while some quack sets us up as Patses.

00:44:56Well, he didn't look like a quack.

00:44:57Well, of course he didn't.

00:44:58A good con man never looks like a con man.

00:45:00He never mentioned money.

00:45:01He doesn't have to, yet.

00:45:04Oh, look.

00:45:05The whole thing's so obvious, I'm surprised you didn't see through it, Max.

00:45:08It's a classic case of creating a need before selling the product.

00:45:13Two days ago, you'd never heard of Mr. Asif.

00:45:15You'd have laughed at the idea of going to Baysport and a seance.

00:45:18But now, you're off there this evening.

00:45:21And you're trying to get Pat and me to come along as well.

00:45:24You're being taken for a ride.

00:45:25You're implying that Asif has arranged all this?

00:45:27Yes, in a way.

00:45:28You've walked right into his trap.

00:45:31Well, I'll tell you how he does it.

00:45:32He places the Ouija board in a junk shop.

00:45:35He waits until it's sold, gives the new owners a few days to polish it up and try using it,

00:45:39and then comes knocking at the door.

00:45:42Well, I expect it varies as to what happens next.

00:45:44He'd have to play it by ear.

00:45:46But he creates a great interest in himself and his profession.

00:45:50And from that to suggesting a seance at his place is but a short step.

00:45:53And along you go, to be subjected to a show calculated to make you want more.

00:45:58But more will cost money.

00:45:59And you'll start paying.

00:46:01And paying through the nose.

00:46:02But Hugo, he can't train a Ouija board to give a bad prediction.

00:46:06But he doesn't have to.

00:46:08If you'd said, no, nothing happened, we tried it out, then he'd say, thank Allah for that.

00:46:13Burn it, Mrs. Brown.

00:46:14Burn it before it's too late.

00:46:16I'm sorry, Hugo, but what you say doesn't hold water.

00:46:19You imply he runs it as a business.

00:46:21No business can pay £50 per new customer.

00:46:24Four new customers, if all goes well.

00:46:26Well, even so.

00:46:26I don't know if you know this, but Pat's father left her a bit.

00:46:33Well, not much, but tidy nest egg.

00:46:36It wouldn't take long to find out about that and about John.

00:46:39If we go there tonight, I'll lay you even money.

00:46:44The first person he contacts is John.

00:46:46And if he does that, Pat will be caught hook, line and sink.

00:46:50He'd go through her money like a dose of salt.

00:46:52It's Pat he's after, not us.

00:46:55You two go if you like.

00:46:57But she stays out of it and that's final.

00:46:59What's final, darling?

00:47:00Pat!

00:47:01What on earth?

00:47:02I didn't mean to listen.

00:47:03You must have seen her there, Julie.

00:47:04Yes, I did.

00:47:05You said nothing?

00:47:06Sit down, Pat.

00:47:07I'll get you a drink.

00:47:10Well, what are you doing here?

00:47:13I mean...

00:47:13I rang your office.

00:47:14They said you were here, so how long I came.

00:47:16I was in town, just had my hair done.

00:47:18Oh, what would you like?

00:47:19A dry sherry, please.

00:47:21No, I'll get it.

00:47:21How about a sandwich or something?

00:47:22No, thanks.

00:47:23Everyone else okay?

00:47:25Yes.

00:47:25Well, what do you want to see me about?

00:47:29Sorry?

00:47:30Well, you rang.

00:47:31What do you want to see me about?

00:47:32Oh, well, as I was here getting my hair,

00:47:35dinner, I thought we might meet for lunch or something.

00:47:37But we are, aren't we?

00:47:40What...

00:47:41What were you talking about?

00:47:43Hmm?

00:47:44Oh, nothing.

00:47:45You know, just gossip.

00:47:47Julie, what were you talking about?

00:47:48I've said nothing.

00:47:50Was it nothing, Julie?

00:47:51I, um...

00:47:52Here we are.

00:47:54What were you talking about, Max?

00:47:56I told her, it was nothing.

00:47:57Nothing.

00:47:58We were discussing the next time you could come round for bridge

00:48:00or we could come to you.

00:48:01Hugo thinks it wouldn't be a good idea to make it too soon.

00:48:04Not after last time.

00:48:05Isn't that right, Julie?

00:48:06I...

00:48:07I just thought we should give bridge a rest, that's all.

00:48:10Why?

00:48:11Well, after last time, as Max said.

00:48:14After last time, well, I...

00:48:15I just think we should give it a rest, that's all.

00:48:18I...

00:48:18I want to know the truth.

00:48:20I've told you the truth.

00:48:21Please, I can tell you, see.

00:48:22Tell...

00:48:23Tell when you're concealing something from me,

00:48:24trying to protect me, smothering me.

00:48:25I can tell.

00:48:26Oh, lover, you're working yourself up into a state over nothing again.

00:48:29As Max said, we were talking about bridge.

00:48:31That's right, about bridge.

00:48:33Julie, what were you talking about?

00:48:37Please, tell me, please.

00:48:40Tell her, love, tell her the truth,

00:48:41that we were talking about bridge.

00:48:43She'll trust you.

00:48:43Yes, I believe you, Julie.

00:48:44Tell me the truth.

00:48:47We weren't talking about bridge.

00:48:48Oh, for Christ's sake.

00:48:49I'm sorry, Hugo.

00:48:52The Ouija board has gone a...

00:48:54a Mr. Asif to...

00:48:55Now, look, this has gone on long enough.

00:48:56I'm taking a...

00:48:56No, go on, Julie.

00:48:58Yes, go on, Julie.

00:48:59Look, you keep quiet.

00:48:59You've done enough damage.

00:49:01Come on, Pat.

00:49:01No.

00:49:02Come on, I said.

00:49:02No.

00:49:03Look, can't we...

00:49:03Look, shut up.

00:49:04Darling, please, I must know now.

00:49:06Can't you see that?

00:49:06I'm taking you home.

00:49:07We'll have to tell her everything, Hugo.

00:49:09You must see that now.

00:49:09Yes, we have to.

00:49:10A half-truth is worse than the whole truth.

00:49:12Well, look, if you...

00:49:13She did what she thought best.

00:49:15She may be right, I don't know,

00:49:16but the cat's out of the bag.

00:49:17Hugo, you've no alternative now.

00:49:19Tell her everything, darling,

00:49:20and then let Hugo say

00:49:21why he's against going to Bayswater this evening.

00:49:24Bayswater?

00:49:24I'm coming to that.

00:49:26Remember I mentioned a Mr. Asif?

00:49:28I was talking to Max on...

00:49:30That's what it is.

00:49:39A confidence trick aimed right at you.

00:49:42I see.

00:49:44Well, thank you for being so honest.

00:49:47Max, what do you think?

00:49:48Is Hugo right?

00:49:49Well, I don't know.

00:49:51I think it might be likely.

00:49:52Julie?

00:49:53I don't know either.

00:49:54I'm sorry, I just don't know.

00:49:56Do you think we should go tonight?

00:49:57I think...

00:49:58I think Max and I should go

00:50:01for the explanation, if nothing else.

00:50:03And me?

00:50:04That's up to you.

00:50:06I wouldn't advise it.

00:50:07Why not?

00:50:08If what Hugo says is true,

00:50:10then he is aiming at you

00:50:11and he'll be quite ruthless

00:50:12to get you on the hook.

00:50:13It could be very upsetting.

00:50:16He could pretend to hear

00:50:17the spirit of your brother.

00:50:19Yes, I can see that.

00:50:23Julie, you're the only one of us

00:50:24who's actually met him.

00:50:25Do you think he's a charlatan?

00:50:26I don't know.

00:50:28He seemed very plausible,

00:50:29but then he would, wouldn't he?

00:50:31Look, the best thing is for Julie and me

00:50:32to go along and see what he says.

00:50:33There's no need for you two to get involved.

00:50:36We'll report back

00:50:36and then we can all make up our minds.

00:50:38Yeah.

00:50:39And we can stay in the background,

00:50:40stay out of it.

00:50:42No, I think we must go,

00:50:44all of us, this evening.

00:50:44No, darling, I'm sorry,

00:50:45but it's out of the question.

00:50:46We have to go.

00:50:47Can't you see that?

00:50:49We have to go

00:50:49because he might be genuine,

00:50:50might be trying to help.

00:50:51The prediction.

00:50:52Oh, that was just someone fooling about.

00:50:54No, we know that it wasn't.

00:50:56We all know that.

00:50:58We're threatened, darling,

00:50:59and this man might be trying to help.

00:51:02I know you might be right

00:51:04and that it could be very unpleasant for me,

00:51:06but I'll be all right, you see?

00:51:10I'm quite calm

00:51:11and now that I know what you all know,

00:51:12I'm quite calm.

00:51:15I think we'd better take your car, Max.

00:51:16It's bigger.

00:51:17We're not taking anybody's car.

00:51:18Max and Judah can go if they like,

00:51:19but not us.

00:51:20We're staying at home.

00:51:21You stay if you want to, darling,

00:51:22but I'm going.

00:51:22No.

00:51:23Yes.

00:51:25Well, we haven't been a babysitter.

00:51:26Sally will be glad to.

00:51:27She might be going out.

00:51:28Then I'll get someone else.

00:51:30What time did you say we'd be there, Julie?

00:51:32I said I'd phone him back.

00:51:33Right.

00:51:34Max, how long will it take to get there?

00:51:36Half an hour, three quarters.

00:51:38Well, if you tell him

00:51:39we'll be along about eight, Julie,

00:51:41and then you pick us up about seven,

00:51:43we'll have plenty of time.

00:51:45Can you make it back by seven, darling?

00:51:47Well, I might have to work late tonight.

00:51:51Well, that's up to you.

00:51:52Well, I'll get to sit around just before seven.

00:51:55You'll phone me if you can't make it, won't you?

00:51:58Yes.

00:51:59Good.

00:52:00Well, that's settled, then.

00:52:01Completely settled.

00:52:04He, he, he, he, you will come, won't you, darling?

00:52:08You, you won't leave me?

00:52:10No.

00:52:10Of course I won't.

00:52:15But I still say you'll be upsetting yourself

00:52:17to no good purpose.

00:52:19And if I get one indication

00:52:20that this Asif is a charlatan,

00:52:22so help me, I'll strangle him.

00:52:33Ah, good evening, Mrs. Brown.

00:52:34I am glad you could come.

00:52:36Good evening, Mr. Asif.

00:52:37This is my husband.

00:52:38Mr. Brown.

00:52:39Mr. Asif.

00:52:40Mrs. Stevens.

00:52:41Mrs. Stevens.

00:52:42Good evening.

00:52:42And Mr. Stevens.

00:52:43Mr. Stevens.

00:52:46Thank you all for coming at such short notice.

00:52:50Would you like to leave your coats here

00:52:52and come through?

00:52:55Does all right for himself, if you ask me.

00:52:57Go easy, won't you,

00:52:58until we know what it's all about.

00:52:59I know what it's all about, all right.

00:53:00Through here.

00:53:06Would you like some refreshment?

00:53:08I can offer coffee or tea,

00:53:10maybe something stronger.

00:53:12No, thank you.

00:53:13Well, won't you all sit down?

00:53:17That's right.

00:53:18And you sit here.

00:53:19Good.

00:53:20Now, I have much to explain,

00:53:24and we have a lot to do.

00:53:25Hold a seance, you mean?

00:53:27You do not believe in,

00:53:29for want of a better word,

00:53:30the supernatural, Mr. Stevens?

00:53:32No, I don't.

00:53:33Mrs. Stevens?

00:53:34I don't know.

00:53:36I think so, but I'm not sure.

00:53:38Mr. Brown?

00:53:39Well, I'm very dubious.

00:53:40And Mrs. Brown,

00:53:41I would say you were not sure either.

00:53:43No, I am not.

00:53:44It's always the same.

00:53:46Very few say they believe.

00:53:48A number scoff.

00:53:49And the majority are undecided.

00:53:51But no matter, no matter.

00:53:53All I require is an open mind this evening.

00:53:56I bet you do.

00:53:57Darling.

00:53:58Oh, if not an open mind,

00:54:01at least a willingness to listen.

00:54:03Look, about the Ouija board.

00:54:04Yes, I took it, stole it, if you like,

00:54:07because it had to be destroyed.

00:54:10It has now been burnt.

00:54:11Why?

00:54:12Because it is cursed, Mrs. Brown.

00:54:15Let me explain.

00:54:17I am an Indian.

00:54:18My family come from near Calcutta.

00:54:20For many, many generations,

00:54:22at least one male member

00:54:23has been gifted with psychic power,

00:54:25second sight, if you like,

00:54:27an ability to contact and learn

00:54:29from the spirit world.

00:54:32You must understand that

00:54:33words are not really adequate

00:54:36for describing this process

00:54:37and the forces involved.

00:54:40They must be experienced

00:54:41to be understood.

00:54:44The psychic gift that runs in my family

00:54:46made us venerated to a certain extent.

00:54:50The coming of the British Raj

00:54:51did not change that.

00:54:53Indeed, such was our renown

00:54:55that the British sometimes consulted us.

00:54:58And in particular,

00:54:59they consulted my father's grandfather,

00:55:02perhaps the greatest mystic

00:55:04our family has ever produced.

00:55:05His fame and knowledge

00:55:08was such that

00:55:08even Viceroy would seek his advice.

00:55:12For not only was he

00:55:14supremely gifted,

00:55:17but also wise

00:55:18and did much to ease

00:55:21the tensions

00:55:21between the two cultures.

00:55:24He was a great man,

00:55:26a very great man.

00:55:26One day,

00:55:30a woman called to see him,

00:55:31a white woman,

00:55:32young, attractive,

00:55:34English.

00:55:35She had come out

00:55:36with her husband

00:55:36who was in the army.

00:55:37I don't know her name.

00:55:39I shall call her

00:55:40Mrs. Smith.

00:55:41Sit down,

00:55:50Mrs. Smith,

00:55:51please.

00:55:53You are worried.

00:55:55Yes.

00:55:56And,

00:55:57and frightened.

00:55:59You did right

00:56:00to come to me.

00:56:02Whom have you lost?

00:56:03My brother.

00:56:05I cannot believe

00:56:06that he is really gone.

00:56:09He died of malaria

00:56:10last month.

00:56:12And I...

00:56:12You need him?

00:56:13Yes.

00:56:15Badly.

00:56:16I need to feel

00:56:18that I can...

00:56:19I need his comfort.

00:56:21I will try for you,

00:56:23but it will be difficult.

00:56:26Malaria saps the spirit,

00:56:28and it may be too early

00:56:30yet to contact him,

00:56:31but I will try.

00:56:34He tried,

00:56:36but without success.

00:56:37Mrs. Smith, however,

00:56:38would not give up.

00:56:39One day,

00:56:41for they had grown close,

00:56:43she told him why.

00:56:46I adored Jonas,

00:56:48my brother.

00:56:49He was wild and reckless,

00:56:51loved horses.

00:56:52He was the finest horseman

00:56:53in the regiment.

00:56:55He introduced me

00:56:55to my husband.

00:56:57They were in the same regiment,

00:56:59but when they were posted

00:57:00out here,

00:57:02I followed more to be

00:57:03with my brother

00:57:04than my husband.

00:57:04and my husband

00:57:07is not kind.

00:57:12He is cruel,

00:57:14jealous,

00:57:15violent.

00:57:17While Jonas lived,

00:57:19my husband was checked,

00:57:20but now I need Jonas

00:57:22to give me strength.

00:57:23I need him badly.

00:57:25I understand.

00:57:26You must reach Jonas for me.

00:57:28You must.

00:57:29If it's a question of money,

00:57:31I...

00:57:31No, no.

00:57:33It is more

00:57:34how to reach him.

00:57:36We have to push

00:57:37through the barrier

00:57:38that separates

00:57:39your brother from us.

00:57:41We have tried

00:57:42the normal methods.

00:57:43Now,

00:57:44we must try

00:57:45something stronger,

00:57:47more potent.

00:57:48I will build

00:57:50an Ouija board

00:57:51and dedicate it

00:57:53to Jonas.

00:57:53It will be useless

00:57:55for any other spirit.

00:57:57I will build it

00:57:58of the finest woods

00:57:59and with the greatest

00:58:01skin I have.

00:58:03Then

00:58:04he should come.

00:58:07And so

00:58:08my father's grandfather

00:58:09built the board.

00:58:10Just a moment.

00:58:11Did you say

00:58:12the brother's name

00:58:12was Jonas?

00:58:13Yes.

00:58:14J-O.

00:58:15We asked

00:58:16who was there

00:58:17and the board

00:58:18spelt out J-O.

00:58:19It would have gone on me.

00:58:20That would have been Jonas.

00:58:22What?

00:58:22After a hundred years

00:58:23or more getaway?

00:58:24The board

00:58:25was dedicated

00:58:26to him.

00:58:28And

00:58:29for other reasons

00:58:30that will become apparent,

00:58:32it could not have been

00:58:33anyone else

00:58:34but him.

00:58:35I thought

00:58:36it might have been John.

00:58:37John?

00:58:38My brother.

00:58:40He was killed

00:58:40ten years ago.

00:58:41Pat,

00:58:42Mrs. Stevens knew

00:58:43before she was told it is.

00:58:44You did?

00:58:45You seem surprised.

00:58:46I am.

00:58:47But

00:58:47now

00:58:48is not the time

00:58:49to say why.

00:58:50Things must be explained

00:58:51in their proper order.

00:58:54I was telling you

00:58:55of the Ouija board.

00:58:56And how your great-grandfather

00:58:57and a flash of inspiration

00:58:58built it.

00:58:58It took several weeks.

00:59:00A board like that

00:59:01cannot be made

00:59:02without,

00:59:03how shall I put it,

00:59:04without love,

00:59:06without a concentration

00:59:07of thought,

00:59:09without reverence.

00:59:11Also,

00:59:12the woods

00:59:13were not always

00:59:13easy to obtain,

00:59:14for the letters

00:59:15he used,

00:59:16mahogany and ebony

00:59:17from Africa.

00:59:18The base

00:59:19was of polished

00:59:19sandalwood

00:59:20and the rim...

00:59:21Upas.

00:59:22Yes,

00:59:23Upas.

00:59:24One of the most

00:59:25poisonous woods

00:59:26in the world,

00:59:27found only in Java.

00:59:28And the lettering

00:59:29was in English,

00:59:30so this Jonas

00:59:30could read them,

00:59:31I suppose.

00:59:31You may scoff,

00:59:33but the spirit

00:59:34when free

00:59:35knows little more

00:59:36than when it is

00:59:37within our bodies.

00:59:38It can glimpse

00:59:39the future,

00:59:40perhaps,

00:59:40but otherwise

00:59:41it is much the same.

00:59:43Please, go on.

00:59:44Yes, of course.

00:59:45I am sorry.

00:59:46He completed the board

00:59:48and with it

00:59:49tried to contact

00:59:50her dead brother.

00:59:51He succeeded

00:59:51and Mrs. Smith

00:59:53was comforted,

00:59:54but not for long.

00:59:57Her husband

00:59:58had grown suspicious

00:59:59of her visits

01:00:00to the native quarter

01:00:01and said spies.

01:00:04Soon he knew

01:00:05where she went

01:00:06and what she was doing.

01:00:08He was a violent

01:00:10and jealous man.

01:00:12One evening

01:00:12he followed her

01:00:13to my great-grandfather's house,

01:00:15burst in

01:00:16when they were

01:00:17in contact with Jonas

01:00:18and killed them, Boone.

01:00:22He shot my forebear

01:00:24through the head

01:00:24and his wife

01:00:25through the heart.

01:00:26She fell across the board,

01:00:29breaking the glass,

01:00:30they were using

01:00:31and staining

01:00:32the sandalwood

01:00:33with her blood.

01:00:35The stains remained.

01:00:38You may have noticed them

01:00:39under the polish.

01:00:40What happened next?

01:00:41There was an inquiry,

01:00:43of course,

01:00:43but her husband

01:00:44claimed that

01:00:45Mrs. Smith

01:00:45and my father's grandfather

01:00:46had been lovers

01:00:47and was acquitted.

01:00:51We believe

01:00:52that he paid his spy

01:00:53handsomely

01:00:54to say what he wanted

01:00:55him to say.

01:00:56But the important thing,

01:00:59as far as we are concerned,

01:01:02was

01:01:02that in breaking the glass,

01:01:05Mrs. Smith

01:01:06had trapped

01:01:06Jonas's spirit

01:01:08in the board,

01:01:10bound there

01:01:10by the upas

01:01:11round the edge

01:01:12and the blood on top.

01:01:14Why didn't you slip out

01:01:14of the bottom?

01:01:15Darling, please.

01:01:16Oh, come off it.

01:01:17Love, you don't believe

01:01:17any of this rubbish, do you?

01:01:18Will I allow me?

01:01:20Human blood

01:01:21is very symbolic.

01:01:24A sister's blood

01:01:25even more so.

01:01:27Jonas was unable

01:01:28to depart

01:01:29and in his imprisonment

01:01:32he took on

01:01:33the poisonous aspects

01:01:34of the upas.

01:01:36I'm sorry,

01:01:36I don't understand.

01:01:38And Ouija board

01:01:39is something

01:01:40like a gilded cage.

01:01:43The upas forms

01:01:44the bars,

01:01:46the sandalwood,

01:01:47sweet-smelling,

01:01:49gentle,

01:01:50kind,

01:01:51the gilding.

01:01:53A spirit

01:01:53can be happy there,

01:01:55providing it is

01:01:56released in time

01:01:57by the mystic

01:01:57who summoned it forth.

01:01:59That mystic

01:02:00was now slain

01:02:00and the sandalwood

01:02:02seeped

01:02:03in a murdered

01:02:05sister's blood.

01:02:07The gilded cage

01:02:08had turned

01:02:09into a torture chamber

01:02:11and there was

01:02:12no escape.

01:02:14The board

01:02:15was cursed

01:02:16whenever it was

01:02:17used by someone

01:02:18with psychic power

01:02:19Jonas could reach

01:02:21out into the

01:02:22material world

01:02:23and give vent

01:02:24to his anger,

01:02:26his frustration,

01:02:28his malevolence.

01:02:30He gave predictions

01:02:31of illness,

01:02:33accident,

01:02:35death.

01:02:37And did they come true?

01:02:39Yes,

01:02:40inevitably.

01:02:40Oh, God.

01:02:44What is it?

01:02:44What's wrong?

01:02:45She's fainted.

01:02:47Get some water,

01:02:47someone.

01:02:48Some water,

01:02:49for Christ's sake.

01:02:50Allow me.

01:02:51Get her outside,

01:02:51some fresh air.

01:02:52Are you all right,

01:02:52love?

01:02:52Hold her head up.

01:02:53Come on, Pat,

01:02:54I'm taking you home.

01:02:56What's that?

01:02:57Brandy.

01:02:58Give it to me here,

01:02:58Pat,

01:02:58sit this,

01:02:59make you feel better.

01:02:59Come on, love.

01:03:01When she's better,

01:03:02I'm going to put her

01:03:02in the car

01:03:03and then I'm going to

01:03:04come back

01:03:04and wring your blasted mech.

01:03:05You better control yourself.

01:03:06Control myself?

01:03:07Do you realise

01:03:08what this bastard

01:03:08has done to my wife?

01:03:09I did nothing

01:03:10but tell the truth.

01:03:11Nothing but a bloody

01:03:12tissue of lies,

01:03:13you mean.

01:03:13For God's sake.

01:03:14I'm going to wring

01:03:14his bloody neck.

01:03:15I don't care who

01:03:16in hell tries to stop me.

01:03:17Hugo,

01:03:17Pat wants you.

01:03:18Look,

01:03:18you're all right,

01:03:18darling.

01:03:19I'm taking you

01:03:20out to the car.

01:03:20Can you walk?

01:03:21All right,

01:03:22I'll carry you.

01:03:23Now,

01:03:23put your arms

01:03:24around my neck.

01:03:24No,

01:03:24darling,

01:03:25no,

01:03:25I'm not leaving.

01:03:26Yes,

01:03:26you are.

01:03:27Get her out to the car,

01:03:28Julie,

01:03:28and stay there.

01:03:29You too,

01:03:29Max.

01:03:29Not me.

01:03:30It's not your wife

01:03:31he's got at.

01:03:32Not your wife.

01:03:32Calm down,

01:03:33for God's sake.

01:03:34Do you remember

01:03:34ten years ago?

01:03:36Well,

01:03:36look at her now.

01:03:36I'm all right,

01:03:37darling.

01:03:37Don't do anything.

01:03:38Please,

01:03:39please.

01:03:39It'd serve no purpose

01:03:40if you went for him now.

01:03:41You'd only upset her more.

01:03:43You sure you're all right?

01:03:43Yes,

01:03:44darling,

01:03:44I'm okay.

01:03:44It was just a shock.

01:03:45That's why I've been

01:03:46a bit tense.

01:03:47Bit tense.

01:03:47Anyway,

01:03:48we're going right now.

01:03:49One moment.

01:03:50Out of my way.

01:03:50Hugo.

01:03:51Please,

01:03:51darling,

01:03:52please.

01:03:52There are still

01:03:53some things

01:03:54that have to be explained.

01:03:56They will perhaps

01:03:57help your wife.

01:03:58Certainly,

01:03:59they should not

01:03:59upset her more.

01:04:00Go on.

01:04:05First,

01:04:06I must apologize.

01:04:08I did not realize,

01:04:10Mrs. Stevens,

01:04:11that you could be

01:04:12so affected.

01:04:13And you call yourself

01:04:14a mystic?

01:04:15I could have known

01:04:16had I been concentrating

01:04:17on her.

01:04:19But I was far more

01:04:20interested in you,

01:04:21Mr. Stevens.

01:04:22Well,

01:04:22of course you're

01:04:23bloody well aware.

01:04:24I was the one

01:04:24you had to win over.

01:04:25The others were already

01:04:26half convinced

01:04:26before they came.

01:04:27No,

01:04:27it was not for that reason.

01:04:28I was interested

01:04:29because you are

01:04:30like me,

01:04:31gifted.

01:04:32You also have

01:04:33psychic power,

01:04:34Mr. Stevens,

01:04:34and of a very

01:04:35high order.

01:04:37Well,

01:04:37that's ridiculous.

01:04:39No.

01:04:40It is very often

01:04:40those that have

01:04:41the power,

01:04:42but do not realize

01:04:43it,

01:04:44who scoff the loudest.

01:04:45They are frightened

01:04:46of what they sense

01:04:48inside themselves

01:04:49and try to mask

01:04:50this fear

01:04:51by delusion.

01:04:53Oh,

01:04:54I forgot to say.

01:04:55It's not me.

01:04:56I'm not.

01:04:56No.

01:04:57But,

01:04:57John,

01:04:57my brother,

01:04:58I knew...

01:04:58You were

01:04:59close to him.

01:05:01Very close.

01:05:01Then it was probably

01:05:03a last desperate

01:05:04appeal from him

01:05:05to you.

01:05:06Because you received it,

01:05:08it does not mean

01:05:08that your power

01:05:09is anything

01:05:10out of the ordinary.

01:05:12Your husband,

01:05:13however,

01:05:14is on a different

01:05:15plane altogether.

01:05:16Am I?

01:05:17Then how come

01:05:18I didn't pick up

01:05:19any of his final

01:05:19outbursts?

01:05:20I was no more

01:05:20than three yards

01:05:21away from her

01:05:21at the time.

01:05:22A matter of direction,

01:05:23of concentration.

01:05:24But you might

01:05:25well have received

01:05:26some of it

01:05:27and been unaware.

01:05:29Tell me,

01:05:30were you married

01:05:31at the time?

01:05:31No,

01:05:32but...

01:05:33A matter of attraction.

01:05:36Would you say

01:05:37your husband

01:05:38paid you

01:05:38more attention

01:05:39after your brother's

01:05:41death than before?

01:05:43Yes,

01:05:44but...

01:05:44In fact,

01:05:45would you not say

01:05:46that your relationship

01:05:47really started

01:05:48at that point?

01:05:50Yes,

01:05:50yes,

01:05:51it did.

01:05:51he would have

01:05:52been attracted

01:05:53to you

01:05:53because your

01:05:54psychic power

01:05:55was temporarily

01:05:56heightened.

01:05:58He would not

01:05:58have been able

01:05:59to help himself.

01:06:01Now,

01:06:01where are the reasons?

01:06:03It was...

01:06:05Oh,

01:06:05for God's sake,

01:06:05this is too much.

01:06:06I am sorry.

01:06:08I may have

01:06:09stumbled

01:06:10on an exposed

01:06:11nerve,

01:06:12but I assure you

01:06:14this was inadvertent

01:06:15on my part.

01:06:18Mr. S.,

01:06:19if there are

01:06:19several questions

01:06:20I would like answered.

01:06:21Some points

01:06:22are not clear.

01:06:22I would be glad

01:06:23to help,

01:06:24but first,

01:06:25please,

01:06:26won't you all

01:06:26sit down?

01:06:28Darling,

01:06:29sit down,

01:06:30please.

01:06:30Are you sure

01:06:30you're all right?

01:06:31Yes,

01:06:31really,

01:06:32I'm okay.

01:06:32Sit down,

01:06:33please.

01:06:35Very well.

01:06:36Now,

01:06:37Mr. Brown.

01:06:39Well,

01:06:39first,

01:06:39you say a spirit

01:06:40knows no more

01:06:41after death

01:06:41than before?

01:06:42Apart from

01:06:43an ability

01:06:43to glimpse

01:06:44the future.

01:06:44Well,

01:06:44then,

01:06:45how can a malignant

01:06:45spirit,

01:06:46such as you say

01:06:46was in the board,

01:06:48make predictions

01:06:48come true?

01:06:49I don't know.

01:06:50There are many

01:06:50things we do

01:06:52not know.

01:06:53But I should say

01:06:55that as the spirit

01:06:57grows in hate

01:06:59or is changed

01:07:00by peculiar

01:07:01circumstances,

01:07:02then it eventually

01:07:03reaches the stage

01:07:04when it is powerful

01:07:05enough to reach out

01:07:07and touch the

01:07:08material world.

01:07:10Also,

01:07:11the longer a spirit

01:07:12is in contact

01:07:13with our world,

01:07:14the stronger it gets.

01:07:15Jonas has been

01:07:16in continuous contact

01:07:17now for over

01:07:18a hundred years

01:07:19through the board.

01:07:20The prediction

01:07:21he gave for us?

01:07:22Will it come true?

01:07:25I am not sure.

01:07:26I hope not.

01:07:28I hope

01:07:29that by burning

01:07:30the board,

01:07:31I have released him

01:07:32and thus

01:07:34reduced his power

01:07:35or made him benign.

01:07:37it is to establish

01:07:39this a séance

01:07:40must be held.

01:07:42Séance?

01:07:42Bloody séance.

01:07:43Mr. Stevens,

01:07:44I know this is

01:07:45difficult for you.

01:07:46Difficult?

01:07:47It's bloody impossible.

01:07:48Can't you see

01:07:49what he's doing?

01:07:50He's nudging us

01:07:51into a position

01:07:52of acceptance

01:07:52of him

01:07:53and his powers.

01:07:55Before you know

01:07:55where you are,

01:07:56money will be mentioned

01:07:57and the hat will be

01:07:57passed around.

01:07:58So that is

01:07:59what you are afraid of,

01:08:00that I am a shyster.

01:08:02Mr. Stevens,

01:08:04my great-grandfather

01:08:05made that board

01:08:07and it has brought

01:08:08you four people

01:08:09great worry

01:08:10and placed you

01:08:12under a threat.

01:08:14It is my responsibility

01:08:15to help.

01:08:17I do not want

01:08:18and I do not need

01:08:20your money.

01:08:21Yet.

01:08:22Well, that's another thing

01:08:23I can't understand.

01:08:24How did we get hold

01:08:25of the Ouija board?

01:08:25Yes.

01:08:26If it's so precious

01:08:27and dangerous,

01:08:28how come it ended up

01:08:29in a junk shop?

01:08:29A mistake.

01:08:31I was born

01:08:32and brought up

01:08:32in India

01:08:33and followed my calling

01:08:34there under my father.

01:08:35He told me

01:08:36of the Ouija board

01:08:37and made me a promise

01:08:38never to use it

01:08:39except in revenge.

01:08:41The spirit could be

01:08:42controlled by an adept.

01:08:45I have never been

01:08:45certain enough

01:08:46of my powers

01:08:47to attempt this.

01:08:49When my father died,

01:08:50I came here

01:08:51and the board

01:08:51came with me.

01:08:52I've been here

01:08:5320 years now.

01:08:54All that time

01:08:55it remained

01:08:55in my box room,

01:08:56half forgotten.

01:08:59Two weeks ago,

01:09:00my daughter asked me

01:09:02if she could clear out

01:09:03the box room

01:09:03as a friend was

01:09:05joining her

01:09:05from university.

01:09:06I said yes.

01:09:07It was only later

01:09:08that I remembered

01:09:09the board

01:09:10and started to trace it.

01:09:12It took eight days,

01:09:14days of great worry.

01:09:16When I saw it again,

01:09:19polished and clean

01:09:20and deadly,

01:09:22I knew it had

01:09:24to be destroyed.

01:09:26I took it,

01:09:28came here,

01:09:29wrote the letter

01:09:29to you,

01:09:30and then burnt

01:09:31the board

01:09:32in that fireplace.

01:09:34I built a pile

01:09:35and ritualistically

01:09:37burnt it.

01:09:39It will be,

01:09:40I hope,

01:09:41enough,

01:09:42but now we must

01:09:43hold a séance

01:09:43and find out

01:09:44if I succeeded.

01:09:45Why hold a séance?

01:09:47Why not just go

01:09:47into a trance

01:09:48and ask the empty air?

01:09:49You are the one

01:09:49who called him forth,

01:09:50Mr. Stephens.

01:09:51You are the one

01:09:52to do that.

01:09:53If you were skilled enough,

01:09:55you could talk to him

01:09:56at this moment,

01:09:57but as you are not,

01:09:58we must link minds.

01:10:00In other words,

01:10:01hold a séance.

01:10:04Then we will find out

01:10:05what he wants

01:10:06and, if necessary,

01:10:08reason with him.

01:10:10It gets worse and worse.

01:10:12He's going to do

01:10:12some rigmarole

01:10:13of pleading with a spirit

01:10:15to stop one of us

01:10:15dying this week.

01:10:17Well, can't you see

01:10:18he's a phony?

01:10:19All that rubbish

01:10:19about him forgetting

01:10:20the ball was there

01:10:21and his daughter

01:10:22clearing it away

01:10:22and selling it.

01:10:24Where is this daughter?

01:10:25Have you a daughter?

01:10:26Can't we see her?

01:10:26She is now back

01:10:27at university.

01:10:28Ah, how very convenient.

01:10:29The reason she came down

01:10:31was her mother's death.

01:10:35My wife died

01:10:36a fortnight ago,

01:10:37Mr. Stephens.

01:10:37I am still in mourning.

01:10:40I am used to having

01:10:41my calling derided,

01:10:44but do not count

01:10:45on my good humour

01:10:46for much longer.

01:10:47I am sincerely

01:10:50trying to help.

01:10:53I need no money,

01:10:54only cooperation,

01:10:56particularly yours,

01:10:58Mr. Stephens,

01:10:59for it is only

01:11:00with your power

01:11:01I will be able

01:11:02to lift the curse

01:11:03from you,

01:11:04if it is still there.

01:11:06From how?

01:11:07Me?

01:11:08Of course.

01:11:10He would have to work

01:11:11through you.

01:11:12You are now

01:11:13his contact

01:11:14with this world.

01:11:15He would work

01:11:16through you

01:11:17to achieve his ends.

01:11:20Please,

01:11:20Mr. Stephens,

01:11:21accept,

01:11:22just for this evening,

01:11:23everything I have told you

01:11:25as true.

01:11:27Afterwards,

01:11:27call me what you will be,

01:11:29but for the space

01:11:31of a few minutes,

01:11:32accept.

01:11:33what do you want us to do?

01:11:36Nothing.

01:11:36We are doing nothing.

01:11:37Please, darling,

01:11:38please.

01:11:38Max,

01:11:39I think you should.

01:11:41He destroys his whole case

01:11:42if he asks for money now.

01:11:44Anyway,

01:11:44I have never attended

01:11:44a seance before.

01:11:46I thought I would die first.

01:11:47I think you must.

01:11:48For Pat's sake,

01:11:49you must.

01:11:53All right,

01:11:54Mr. Asif.

01:11:55The floor is yours.

01:11:59Now,

01:12:00will you please

01:12:00draw up your chairs

01:12:01so that we can all

01:12:03link hands?

01:12:05And,

01:12:06Mr. Stephens,

01:12:07if you could sit

01:12:08opposite me, please,

01:12:08so we face each other?

01:12:11What,

01:12:11no special table?

01:12:12No candles?

01:12:13No mood music?

01:12:14No lowering of the lights?

01:12:15Those things are merely

01:12:17trimmings to impress

01:12:18the credulness,

01:12:19nothing more.

01:12:21With both Mr. Stephens

01:12:22and myself here,

01:12:23we have power

01:12:24and to spare.

01:12:26Now,

01:12:27are you all comfortable?

01:12:29Then we'll begin.

01:12:30Clasp hands.

01:12:32Lean back.

01:12:34Relax.

01:12:37Close your eyes.

01:12:40Think of nothing.

01:12:43Breathe evenly,

01:12:45deeply.

01:12:45Think of nothing

01:12:49but my voice.

01:12:52Imagine nothing

01:12:53but a total blackness.

01:12:57See nothing

01:12:59but a total blackness.

01:13:03Feel nothing

01:13:05but a total blackness.

01:13:07It grows,

01:13:08it grows,

01:13:09the blackness grows,

01:13:13and your mind

01:13:15sinks back,

01:13:17feels tired,

01:13:19drops back and back,

01:13:22down and down

01:13:24into a black,

01:13:25deep pit.

01:13:26and you'll relax,

01:13:28and you'll relax,

01:13:29and you'll relax back and back,

01:13:33further and further.

01:13:35Mr. Stephens,

01:13:39Mr. Stephens,

01:13:40do not resist.

01:13:41Sink back with us,

01:13:44back,

01:13:47back,

01:13:47further and further,

01:13:51and let Jonas in.

01:13:56open your mind,

01:13:58open your mind,

01:13:58Mr. Stephens,

01:14:00and let Jonas in,

01:14:03let him in,

01:14:05let him flood into you,

01:14:09allow him entry.

01:14:13let Jonas in,

01:14:17let him in,

01:14:19in,

01:14:20let him in,

01:14:23in,

01:14:24let him in,

01:14:26in,

01:14:27in,

01:14:28let him in,

01:14:33in,

01:14:34let him in,

01:14:37in,

01:14:38in,

01:14:39let him in,

01:14:42Are you there?

01:14:52Are you there?

01:15:01Are you there?

01:15:12Yes, I am here.

01:15:23Jonas?

01:15:24Yes, I am Jonas.

01:15:28And I know why you have called.

01:15:31You are released from your torment.

01:15:35Torment?

01:15:36I do not understand you, little man.

01:15:40What torment?

01:15:40When I burnt the board...

01:15:44You released me.

01:15:45And now I am free.

01:15:47Free!

01:15:48I know that is what I intended, but...

01:15:51But what?

01:15:53That I do not sound grateful.

01:15:55I am grateful, little man.

01:15:57For now I can live out my life.

01:15:59Mr. Stevens, help!

01:16:00He has gone mad.

01:16:02Not mad, but lustful.

01:16:04I have so seldom escaped.

01:16:06But now I am free.

01:16:08I was bound to that board.

01:16:09I couldn't escape.

01:16:10But now I am free.

01:16:13Mr. Stevens, drive him out.

01:16:15Wake up and drive him out.

01:16:17To where?

01:16:18How?

01:16:19I have spent a day settling in.

01:16:22I have spent a day settling in, writhing inside his mind like a serpent.

01:16:28He did not know I was there.

01:16:29But I nudged him gently, nudged him here, nudged him into accepting his seance, nudged him into relaxing the grip on his mind.

01:16:40And now I am nudging him into his death.

01:16:45All of you, link minds and drive this abomination out.

01:16:51A failing mystic, and three incompetent people drive me out.

01:17:02You get above yourself, little man.

01:17:05Fight him, Mr. Stevens.

01:17:06Fight him.

01:17:08Hear me.

01:17:09Out, out, out.

01:17:12Oh, you're late.

01:17:13Far, far too late.

01:17:16He is dead.

01:17:17Oh, no.

01:17:17He is bluffing, Mrs. Stevens.

01:17:19Do not break the circle.

01:17:22Join me.

01:17:24Out, out, out.

01:17:27I will help.

01:17:28Out, out, out.

01:17:31You cannot do it.

01:17:33You cannot do it.

01:17:34Out, out.

01:17:36Help us, Max.

01:17:37Out, out, out, out.

01:17:40Out!

01:18:00Dear darling, drink this.

01:18:05I'm here. Go to your love.

01:18:07What? What happened?

01:18:08You fainted.

01:18:11It would have been surprising had you done otherwise.

01:18:16Jonas tried to take you over.

01:18:19Shake me over.

01:18:21He had gone mad.

01:18:23It was horrible.

01:18:24I should have guessed, perhaps.

01:18:27But when I burnt the board, I released him as I intended.

01:18:33But he did not become grateful.

01:18:35He took the chance to try and take you over.

01:18:40He already had access to your mind.

01:18:44But he needed you to voluntarily ease your grip and...

01:18:50I should never have insisted on a seance.

01:18:54If you hadn't driven him out...

01:18:57Tell me, what can you remember?

01:19:05Nothing.

01:19:05Nothing, really.

01:19:07I was thinking it was all a bit stupid.

01:19:12I was sitting in a circle, holding hands.

01:19:14Were you trying to hypnotise us or something?

01:19:17Then I...

01:19:18I remember thinking, oh, what the hell?

01:19:21Trying to relax my mind and...

01:19:24Well, it was easy.

01:19:25Almost too easy.

01:19:26I...

01:19:27I remember nothing more.

01:19:31Except a kind of growing excitement and pressure and yelling and crying and...

01:19:36Nothing.

01:19:40What happened?

01:19:40We drove him out.

01:19:41We drove him out.

01:19:43Or rather, you drove him out.

01:19:45He had forced you right back.

01:19:48Was laughing about it.

01:19:50It was terrifying, wasn't it, darling?

01:19:51Yes, it was.

01:19:52I thought maybe he had won.

01:19:57But then you recoiled and forced him out.

01:20:00Well, where to?

01:20:01I am not sure.

01:20:03It is possible he no longer exists.

01:20:07If he does exist, then...

01:20:08Could he take Mr. Stevens over again?

01:20:11No.

01:20:11He was only susceptible because he had the power, but was unaware of it.

01:20:18Now he will be ever on his guard.

01:20:21Even if he doesn't believe.

01:20:23Even if he explains away the whole thing as some sort of chicanery on my part.

01:20:30As he probably will.

01:20:31His mind will remember.

01:20:34Set up defences.

01:20:36The curse has been lifted from you.

01:20:38Oh, I thank you.

01:20:42I cannot retire with an easy mind.

01:20:45You're retired?

01:20:46Yes, I have felt for some time now that my power was waning and this confirmed it.

01:20:54Also...

01:20:54Go on.

01:20:57Your husband is safe, and so are you.

01:21:00All of you.

01:21:01But if Jonas still exists, then he might turn his attention to me.

01:21:06I don't wish to give him an entry by practising my calling again.

01:21:12As you have seen, the mind is very vulnerable when in a trance.

01:21:17You would be well advised never to attend another seance, Mr. Stevens.

01:21:23Don't worry.

01:21:25I have no intention of doing so.

01:21:27None at all.

01:21:28Mr. Asif, we thank you.

01:21:34We all thank you.

01:21:45Bye.

01:21:46Thanks for the evening, Julie.

01:21:48Bye.

01:21:56Well, quite a successful evening.

01:21:58We had some good hands.

01:22:00Yes.

01:22:01It's funny to think a couple of months ago we did exactly the same thing and ended up in

01:22:06bayswater at a seance.

01:22:07Yes, I know.

01:22:09Well, it's cold.

01:22:10Let's go in.

01:22:11Let's go in.

01:22:12Let's go in.

01:22:13Let's go in.

01:22:15Right, Cat?

01:22:19Oh, just a small one.

01:22:22Pat looks fine.

01:22:24I thought she looked a bit tired.

01:22:26A bit tired, yes, but otherwise fine.

01:22:28Yes.

01:22:30Here.

01:22:31Oh, thanks.

01:22:34Well, strange, wasn't it?

01:22:36I'll say.

01:22:39My trouble is that I can't stop my mind wondering, speculating.

01:22:43Even after all this time, I've still come up with new angles.

01:22:47Such as?

01:22:48Well, let's take as a premise that it was all genuine, that Jonas, a malignant spirit from

01:22:52the past, tried to take Hugo over.

01:22:54Oh, but we've been over this again and again.

01:22:57Wait a minute, look.

01:22:58I mean, how do we know that Jonas didn't succeed in taking Hugo over?

01:23:02What?

01:23:03Let's look at things from the other angle for a while.

01:23:05Let's assume that we didn't drive Jonas out.

01:23:08Let's assume that the Hugo we know got pushed out somehow and Jonas took over.

01:23:12Now, the last thing he's going to say is, ha, ha, you failed, I'm Jonas, ha, ha.

01:23:17No, he's going to go right on being Hugo.

01:23:19I don't understand.

01:23:21Well, it's simple.

01:23:21If Jonas has taken Hugo over, he'll have all of Hugo's mind to play with.

01:23:26All his memories, response patterns, skills, everything.

01:23:30If he doesn't want to be found out, as he won't be, he's got the perfect camouflage.

01:23:34He behaves like Hugo.

01:23:36He reacts like Hugo.

01:23:37He is Hugo.

01:23:38But not really.

01:23:40Really, it's Jonas.

01:23:41You're joking.

01:23:43No, I'm just speculating.

01:23:45When you come to think about it, Jonas could have got into any one of us.

01:23:49You, me, Pat, Hugo, Asif.

01:23:55We'd never know.

01:23:59I could be Jonas.

01:24:00Oh, stop it.

01:24:02Jonas was evil.

01:24:03There'd be changes.

01:24:05Yes, but not right away.

01:24:06He won't show his hand right away.

01:24:10It'd be the small things that change.

01:24:12The small, almost imperceptible things.

01:24:15Things you could explain away by saying you're getting old or under a strain.

01:24:21He'd be very careful not to be found out.

01:24:22Very careful.

01:24:24He'd throw up smoke screens like at the seance.

01:24:27At the seance?

01:24:28Oh, what better way of making us all think he'd been beaten.

01:24:31It was very dramatic and very effective.

01:24:33It wasn't until I started mulling it over a few days ago, I realized that if I were Jonas, I would have done exactly the same.

01:24:41Or slipped quietly into someone else's mind.

01:24:45Mine, for example.

01:24:47What I'm saying now could be no more than an elaborate double bluff.

01:24:51In case you thought of it first.

01:24:54Hadn't you, by the way?

01:24:54No.

01:24:56God, darling, you almost got me worried now.

01:25:00Sorry.

01:25:01I'm just playing with ideas.

01:25:03That's all.

01:25:05Just playing with ideas.

01:25:06Pleasant evening.

01:25:14Yeah.

01:25:17They had all the luck, though.

01:25:18I thought you didn't believe in luck.

01:25:21Perhaps I've changed my mind.

01:25:23Oh.

01:25:27I'll be glad to get to bed.

01:25:28Oh, yes, so will I.

01:25:30Have a hard day tomorrow.

01:25:33One day I'm going to chuck everything, sell up and get the hell out.

01:25:36Start a new life again.

01:25:38Again?

01:25:39Oh, just a figure of speech, that's all.

01:25:42Oh, darling.

01:25:44You have to drive so fast, darling.

01:25:46You know it makes me nervous.

01:25:47Oh, sorry.

01:25:49But I enjoy it.

01:25:50So much more exciting than horses.

01:25:52What?

01:25:53Oh, nothing, darling, nothing.

01:25:56Everything's under control.

01:25:57Everything's under control.

01:25:58Oh.

01:26:02Everything.

01:26:22Jonas was written for radio by J.C.W. Brooke.

01:26:28Prunella Scales and John Rye were Pat and Hugo Stevens.

01:26:34Anna Cropper and Julian Holloway were Julie and Max Brown.

01:26:38And David March was Mohammed Asif.

01:26:42Carol Boyd.

01:26:43Carol Boyd played...

01:26:45Carol Boyd

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