- 6 hours ago
A move from the countryside to town leaves a retired lady prey to a cat named Evil and a young girl who forcefully moves in with her!
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00:15Come in.
00:18Welcome.
00:20I'm E.G. Marshall.
00:22Welcome to the sound of suspense.
00:24To the fear you can hear.
00:28Consider this.
00:30What is the nature of danger?
00:33Is it a clear threat to our safety?
00:36Or is it a murky product of our imagination?
00:39And what is safety?
00:41Do we ever really possess it?
00:43Isn't there always danger?
00:46Our tale is about a little old lady who ran from danger
00:50and was pursued by a cat.
00:55How did you get into this house?
00:57Now get...
00:58I didn't even touch you.
01:00What's the matter with you?
01:03Sooner or later you're going to have to get out of my house.
01:06Don't you think I want to feed you because I'm not?
01:08There's nothing in the house to eat anyway.
01:11How in the world did you ever get in here?
01:14How am I going to get rid of you?
01:16The...
01:26Our mystery drama, The Resident,
01:29was written especially for the Mystery Theater by Elspeth Erick
01:32and stars Carmen Matthews.
01:35It is sponsored in part by the Kellogg Company,
01:37makers of Kellogg's Special K cereal.
01:40I'll be back shortly with Act One.
01:55It's hard to live with danger.
01:58Hard if you're old.
02:00Elderly.
02:01Hard if you're a woman.
02:03And hardest if you're alone.
02:06Miss Malvina Thripp is elderly,
02:09a woman,
02:10and alone.
02:12Oh, my.
02:14Oh, how many years since I lived in a place with stairs?
02:17Forty at the very least.
02:19How am I going to navigate up and down six,
02:21eight times a day at my age?
02:23Well,
02:25I wanted to get out of the city
02:27and here I am.
02:29Oh,
02:30but it's a nice house.
02:31It really is
02:33a nice house.
02:35What was that?
02:36Was that a cat?
02:38Didn't I hear a cat?
02:39I'm sure...
02:40All right, Malvina.
02:42You heard a cat.
02:44There's nothing surprising about hearing a cat.
02:46Nothing alarming.
02:47The thing is that I...
02:49I haven't lived in a house since I was a child.
02:51It makes me feel
02:53very...
02:53alone.
02:55Not that I'm not used to being alone.
02:57I...
02:57I like being alone.
02:58But in the city there was always somebody around.
03:01Other tenants.
03:03Not necessarily anyone you'd want to know
03:05or even talk to.
03:06But...
03:06But you'd meet them maybe in the elevator
03:09and exchange a few words.
03:12Not that I even knew their names
03:14or cared to.
03:16Also,
03:17there were the children at school.
03:19But I never knew what to say to them either.
03:22What I really liked
03:23was to talk to people on buses.
03:26Because sooner or later
03:28one of us had to get off.
03:31Quiet out there, cat.
03:34Cat, go away.
03:36Honestly, cat,
03:37I will not let you in my house.
03:41Well, where are you?
03:42After all that racket,
03:44where are you?
03:45Cat?
03:47Gone off to howl at somebody else.
03:50Well, good.
03:52All that meowing.
03:57How in the world did you get in here?
04:00Did you skitter through the door
04:01without my seeing you?
04:03Now, you're...
04:04You're a big cat.
04:06Aren't you?
04:07Big yellow eyes.
04:09And you're sitting in my chair,
04:11you know that.
04:12My favorite wing chair.
04:13I'm probably getting cat hairs all over it.
04:15So, um,
04:16I think you'd better get down.
04:18Come on, cat.
04:19Get down.
04:21Get off my chair.
04:23Yes.
04:24I didn't even touch you.
04:26What's the matter with you?
04:29Who could that be?
04:31Maybe somebody looking for you.
04:32I devoutly hope so.
04:35Mailman.
04:36Mail?
04:37For me?
04:38Nobody knows I'm here.
04:39I just moved in.
04:40One letter
04:41addressed to resident.
04:43You the resident of this house?
04:45Oh, I'm the resident, all right.
04:47As of this morning.
04:48Here.
04:49Here's your letter.
04:52It says,
04:53Sam's Garage.
04:54Circular.
04:55Sam runs a good garage.
04:58I don't have a car.
05:00Better luck next time.
05:01Mr. Mailman.
05:03Huh?
05:03Do you know anybody who's lost a cat?
05:06You, uh,
05:07found a cat?
05:08It's in my house.
05:09It doesn't want to leave.
05:11Crazy about you, huh?
05:12I wouldn't say that, no.
05:14Maybe if you leave the door open,
05:16you'll sort of wander out.
05:19Well, is that safe?
05:20To leave the door open?
05:22In this town?
05:23Are you kidding?
05:25Well,
05:25it's good to hear that.
05:27I had a cooperative apartment in the city.
05:30Every cent I had was invested in it,
05:32and I,
05:32I traded it for this house.
05:34To be safe.
05:35Everybody here was born here,
05:37and is about to die here.
05:39I'll inquire around if anybody's lost a cat.
05:42Oh, thank you.
05:43I'd appreciate it.
05:46Oh, no.
05:47Leave it open, he said.
05:51Safe, he said.
05:53Well, now, cat,
05:55any time you're ready,
05:56the door is open,
05:57you can...
05:59Where are you?
06:00Where have you gone to?
06:02Are you still in this house?
06:04Looking for someone?
06:05Oh!
06:07You frightened me.
06:08The door was open.
06:10I left it open for the cat.
06:12You have a cat?
06:13No, no,
06:14I don't have a cat.
06:15It just showed up here a little while ago,
06:16and it didn't seem about to leave,
06:18so I...
06:19Did you, uh...
06:20Did you want something?
06:22Something in particular, Miss...
06:23Viola's my name.
06:25Viola?
06:26Hmm.
06:26The what?
06:27I've forgotten.
06:29Oh, you have a little scratch on your arm.
06:32Well, the cat did that.
06:33What did you do to the cat?
06:35I just wanted her to get out of my chair.
06:38Why did you?
06:39Well, it's my favorite chair.
06:41No wonder.
06:43It's nice.
06:44Oh, you, uh...
06:45You don't want to sit in it.
06:46Yes, I do.
06:47Well, it has cat hairs all over it.
06:49These old dungarees have been up against worse than cat hairs.
06:53Okay to drop my knapsack here?
06:54Oh.
06:56You...
06:58live alone.
07:00I just moved in.
07:02This morning.
07:03I saw you.
07:05You did.
07:06I should think you'd want a nice cat living here with you.
07:09Well, I don't.
07:11Anyway, it seems to have disappeared.
07:13Maybe she went upstairs.
07:14You think so?
07:15I think it's possible.
07:16Well, I must go and have a look.
07:18Good idea.
07:19If you, um...
07:20If you want to be on your way now...
07:22Not quite yet.
07:24Do you, uh...
07:26need some money?
07:27I...
07:27I have a little in the house.
07:28Not much, but...
07:29I just...
07:30want to sit here in this nice chair.
07:34You go ahead.
07:36Go upstairs.
07:37But I...
07:38I won't steal anything.
07:40Oh, I...
07:40I didn't mean to suggest...
07:41There's nothing to steal.
07:42Well, if you want to rest yourself...
07:46I do.
07:47I really do.
07:49Yes.
07:50Well, you rest yourself and I'll just look upstairs.
07:55Maybe I'll take a hot bath and change my clothes because I'm going out for dinner.
08:00Going out?
08:00There's no food in the house.
08:03I...
08:05I don't like leaving you here.
08:06You want me to come with you?
08:08Oh, no.
08:08No, I'll...
08:09I'll go by myself.
08:10Oh, wait.
08:11You forgot your letter.
08:13Oh, that's nothing.
08:14I guess it's yours.
08:16Resident.
08:17Is that you?
08:19What a nice name.
08:21My name is Malvina Thrip.
08:25Malvina Thrip.
08:28I think Resident is a much nicer name.
08:31It could be anybody.
08:32Miss Viola, why don't you leave right now?
08:36Miss Thrip.
08:38I shall leave when I'm good and ready.
08:43Now go on upstairs.
08:46I really don't understand why I'm letting myself be subjected to all this.
08:51I'll be back.
08:53Shortly.
08:55Oh, why, Miss Thrip.
08:57You were born to be subjected to all this and more.
09:06One bedroom door closed.
09:10You are a natural victim, Miss Thrip.
09:14Other door closed.
09:16Rest well, Miss Thrip.
09:18Pull the pretty pink and white afghan up around your shoulders and rest well.
09:23Well, there's excitement in store for you.
09:28Oh, there you are, my beautiful.
09:32Come here.
09:33Come.
09:35Come, evil.
09:37Come to my arms.
09:40Oh, my beautiful evil one.
09:44She's lying down now, upstairs on her little white bed.
09:49She's staring at the ceiling, making plans.
09:53She'll stay up there for a while, so you and I must make our plans, too.
09:59Our...
10:02Our careful, careful plans.
10:16Feeling better, Miss Thrip?
10:18You're still here.
10:19You've changed your clothes.
10:21What on earth are you doing?
10:23This is our dinner.
10:24I'm going out.
10:25I told her...
10:26A barbecued chicken and a bottle of wine.
10:28What on earth?
10:30I had them in my knapsack.
10:31On the road, I buy a chicken and a bottle of wine every day.
10:34Have a drumstick.
10:34I couldn't.
10:35Not hungry?
10:36Not a bit hungry.
10:37Oh.
10:38You pack up your chicken and your wine and your knapsack and you get out of my house.
10:44Miss Thrip, you sit down.
10:49Sit down.
10:51You old fool.
10:54Now listen to me.
10:57You're a selfish old lady.
11:00Here you are with a little gem of a house, two bedrooms, and you won't even share a little
11:04corner of it.
11:05Well, it's my house.
11:06It's my house.
11:07Mine, mine, mine.
11:08What a way to talk.
11:10But it is my...
11:11Don't you know what it is to share?
11:13Why should I share my house with you?
11:16With anybody?
11:17If I don't want to...
11:18It's sharing that makes life beautiful, Miss Thrip.
11:21Don't you know that, for heaven's sake?
11:23No.
11:23Well, then you are going to learn.
11:27Here.
11:28Have some wine.
11:30Well, perhaps I'd better.
11:33Of course you'd better.
11:35There you are.
11:37Do you like me, Miss Thrip?
11:39Well, I...
11:40I'm sure you're a very nice girl, really, but...
11:43Don't you think you are...
11:45I mean...
11:46Do your parents know where you are?
11:49What you're doing?
11:50What are parents?
11:51Your...
11:51Your father, your mother.
11:53Oh, my biological predecessors.
11:56Do...
11:57Do they know what you're doing?
11:59Wandering about with a knapsack?
12:01Living off of chicken and wine?
12:02Let me thin your glass.
12:06They don't care.
12:08And I don't care.
12:11It's very strange.
12:13Only the very weak cling to their families.
12:15Well, I know I'm not strong, but on the other hand, I'm not weak either.
12:20I don't think I am.
12:21Wishy-washy.
12:23I've...
12:23I've supported myself.
12:25I've lived alone.
12:26I haven't complained.
12:27You call that being strong?
12:30Well, it isn't being weak.
12:31Anyway, I...
12:32I've never thought it was.
12:34You've endured, Miss Thrip.
12:37Strong people don't endure things.
12:40They change them.
12:42Well...
12:42They take things and they change them.
12:44I wouldn't know how to change.
12:47If one way doesn't work, try another.
12:49That's how.
12:50The thing is, get what you want.
12:52I want my house.
12:54I want my house.
12:55Take it.
12:56If you'd just go.
12:58Make me.
12:58If the cat would just go.
13:00If I could just have my house back again the way it was when I moved in.
13:04You want more chicken, Miss Thrip?
13:05Oh, no.
13:06No.
13:08It's the cat.
13:09She's back.
13:13You like those bones, do you, my lovely?
13:17My evil.
13:19My beautiful evil.
13:22What did you call her?
13:24Eva.
13:25That's her name.
13:26How do you know what her name is?
13:28Because I just named her.
13:30Evil.
13:32It's a horrible name.
13:33No, it isn't.
13:35Think about it, Miss Thrip.
13:38Evil, spelled backwards, is Liv.
13:51E-V-I-L-I-L-I-V-E.
13:59The girl's right.
14:00I'll doubt about it.
14:02But wait.
14:03Take the same letters and mix them up again.
14:06And they spell vile.
14:09V-I-L-E.
14:10V-I-L-E.
14:11Think about that.
14:12I'll be back shortly with Act Two.
14:25Now let's get back to the story of a lady living alone.
14:29Until a cat moved in.
14:31A cat named Evil.
14:33Until a girl moved in.
14:35Named Viola.
14:37And the lady no longer lived alone.
14:41Wake up, Miss Thrip.
14:42It's morning.
14:43Time to wake up.
14:44What?
14:47What happened?
14:48You went to sleep on the couch, that's all.
14:50Why did I do that?
14:52Who are you?
14:53You know me.
14:54I'm Viola.
14:55Why are you holding that cat?
14:58This is evil.
15:00Evil slept upstairs with me on my bed.
15:03Your bed?
15:04Don't you remember anything at all?
15:06I wanted the cat to get out of my house.
15:09And evil wouldn't go, would you?
15:11You lovely thing.
15:13And then you walked into my house, a total stranger.
15:17I won't be a stranger for long, you can count on that.
15:20I want you to get out of my house.
15:23You and the cat, both of you.
15:25Can't you understand that?
15:26This is my house.
15:27Where's the telephone?
15:29I don't have a telephone.
15:31Why?
15:32Look at you.
15:33You've got my dress on.
15:35Why don't you have a telephone?
15:36How dare you put my dress on?
15:38My dungarees were dirty.
15:40Why don't you have a telephone?
15:42I haven't had one put in yet.
15:43No, I'll have to go out.
15:45You're leaving?
15:46I have to go out and get some food.
15:47We have to have breakfast, don't we?
15:49I don't care about breakfast.
15:50I want my house back.
15:52Miss Thrip, you really must stop being so selfish.
15:55I just want what belongs to me.
15:57That's not selfish.
15:58Listen, old lady.
15:59I'm going out, but I'll be back.
16:03Don't get any ideas in your foolish head that you can keep me out.
16:06I'll get the police.
16:08I'll tell them.
16:09Tell them a girl is in your house and a cat.
16:11Tell them they moved in and ate chicken and drank wine and so did you till you fell asleep on
16:16the sofa.
16:16But, but it's true.
16:18Does it sound true?
16:20But I'll show them.
16:22They'll see.
16:22I'll hide.
16:24Where?
16:24Where would you hide?
16:25Under the porch.
16:26Behind a bush.
16:27Up a tree.
16:29In the attic.
16:30In the cellar.
16:31Under the stairs.
16:32Oh.
16:33I know how to hide.
16:34You've done this before.
16:36You've moved in on people before.
16:38I do it all the time.
16:39I have to live, don't I?
16:42Well, I've got to get going or we'll all starve.
16:45Please, take the cat with you.
16:46And leave you all alone.
16:48I want to be alone.
16:50It's what I'm used to.
16:53I'm off to the store.
16:54I won't forget you, Evo.
16:57I'll bring you something delicious.
17:03Be quiet, cat.
17:06I want to think.
17:09I'm afraid.
17:10That's what I am.
17:12Scared to death.
17:13Meow.
17:15Meow.
17:15Oh, I wish I had my little apartment back in the city.
17:18I loved it there.
17:19I really did.
17:21Well, no use thinking about that.
17:24Those people have it now.
17:26They'd never let me have it again and take back this awful house.
17:31Meow.
17:32Why, you're purring, aren't you?
17:35Meow.
17:35Are you talking to me?
17:37Meow.
17:38Meow.
17:38Meow.
17:39What are you saying?
17:40Tell me.
17:41Oh, tell me.
17:41Because I'm not just frightened.
17:44I'm, I'm panicky.
17:47I don't know what to do.
17:48I don't want to do anything foolish.
17:51And when people are in a panic, they do do foolish things.
17:56Anything I did might be foolish.
17:59Meow.
18:00Meow.
18:00Meow.
18:01Meow.
18:01There's no use locking the door, is there?
18:02Meow.
18:03Meow.
18:03Well, that's, there's no use going to neighbors.
18:06They don't even know who I am.
18:08They've never seen me before.
18:09Meow.
18:10Neighbors.
18:11The police.
18:12Well, those are things I do in the city.
18:15Sensible things.
18:17Practical things.
18:19Not here, though.
18:21No, I'm, I'm in a strange place.
18:23In very strange circumstances.
18:28Meow.
18:30You're a very extraordinary cat.
18:33I'm not going to pretend I like you.
18:35I couldn't fool you anyhow, could I?
18:37Of course I couldn't.
18:39Meow.
18:40Meow.
18:40But you're very unusual.
18:42Meow.
18:42I'm sure you're very wise.
18:44Very knowing.
18:45You must know strange things.
18:48Secret things that I don't know, couldn't possibly know.
18:51Meow.
18:52Evil things.
18:53Meow.
18:55Evil, spelled backwards, is live.
18:58Meow.
19:00Meow.
19:00And I want to live.
19:01And I can't live being afraid like this.
19:05Fear is an impossible thing to live with.
19:08So, tell me, cat.
19:10Tell me what to do.
19:12I'm sure you know.
19:13And I'll do whatever you say.
19:17Meow.
19:19Meow.
19:21Meow.
19:25Meow.
19:25Meow.
19:27Meow.
19:27Meow.
19:27I'm back.
19:30Where are you?
19:33Meow.
19:34You wouldn't go out, did you?
19:34You wouldn't be such a fool.
19:36We're in the kitchen.
19:38Meow.
19:40Well, there you are.
19:42The two of you.
19:43Meow.
19:44We're hungry.
19:45Well, I bought plenty.
19:47Eggs and butter and all that kind of stuff for breakfast.
19:50Coffee, tea, and meat and vegetables for dinner enough for the whole week.
19:54The whole week?
19:55I don't want to keep going to the store.
19:56Meow.
19:57Meow.
19:57And for you, my lovely.
20:01Meow.
20:01Caviar.
20:02Meow.
20:06Meow.
20:07Did you, did you have enough money for all this?
20:10Of course not.
20:11I charged it.
20:12To me?
20:14To Miss Malvina Thrip?
20:18But, they, didn't they say anything?
20:21They don't even know me.
20:22That's how small towns are.
20:25They just went ahead and charged it.
20:28They'd never do that in the city.
20:30They gave me a couple of applications to fill out for charge accounts.
20:33I said I'd drop them by tomorrow.
20:34You'd better sign them.
20:36In the city, I always pay cash.
20:39You're not in the city now.
20:40Oh, I know, I know.
20:41So sign them.
20:43Huh.
20:44There.
20:46That fixes that.
20:48Viola, did you say, did you tell them at the store that you were me?
20:55I said my name was Malvina Thrip, so I guess they thought I was Malvina Thrip.
21:01Uh, are you just going to sit there?
21:05Or are you going to fix us some breakfast?
21:08What should I fix?
21:10Well, I don't know about you, but I want grapefruit and fried eggs and toast.
21:14Oh, and open the caviar for the cat.
21:16Put the coffee on.
21:18And start the eggs.
21:19Before the coffee's ready?
21:20And put the bread in the toaster.
21:22Well, I haven't unpacked the toaster.
21:24Well, then butter some bread.
21:25Cut the grapefruit.
21:26There's no knife to cut the grapefruit.
21:28Oh, let's have a little efficiency around here.
21:30There's no frying.
21:31Hurry up!
21:32I can't.
21:33There.
21:33It's the butter.
21:34There's the bread.
21:35Now put the butter on the bread.
21:36Use your fingers.
21:37I can't understand why I'm doing all this.
21:39I am telling you to.
21:41There's no reason.
21:41And you like it.
21:43I don't.
21:44You like being told what to do.
21:46I hate it.
21:48All right, Miss Thrip.
21:51You may not like it now, but you'll get where you like it.
21:55Never.
21:56I won't.
21:57You'll get where you can't live without it, Miss Thrip.
21:59You just wait and see.
22:02You're a very passive person, Miss Thrip.
22:06And passive people need someone to tell them what to do.
22:10And then when they do it, they get a pat on the head and they are very, very happy.
22:15Is that how it is?
22:16That's how it is.
22:17To the end of time.
22:20The coffee's ready.
22:22People like you need people like me.
22:24I tell you what to do and you do it, and that's what makes the world go around.
22:28Pour the coffee.
22:31Very nice.
22:33Hot and strong.
22:37Pour yourself a cup.
22:41I will.
22:42You're getting the hang of it.
22:44Of what?
22:45Of doing as you're told.
22:47Am I?
22:48Now, let's see.
22:49What will I have you do next?
22:51I'm not going to do anything next.
22:53Yes, you are.
22:54No, I'm not.
22:55Oh!
22:56Oh!
22:57Oh, hang on!
22:58You burned me!
22:59Get out of my coffee all over my dress!
23:01It's not your dress!
23:02It's my dress!
23:03It's not your coffee!
23:04It's mine!
23:05And it's my kitchen!
23:07And my house!
23:08And...
23:08Oh!
23:09It's me!
23:09One more word about your house and I'll slap you again!
23:15Now!
23:18I am going upstairs and change these clothes and put something on those burns.
23:24And when I come back, I want you to be in control of yourself!
23:29I can't possibly be in control of myself as long as you're in this house!
23:36You told me wrong, Kat.
23:38It didn't work.
23:39You told me to give in to her and do everything she wanted.
23:43And it didn't work at all.
23:48I don't think I want any more of your advice.
23:52She was asking me to be her servant.
23:54Pretty soon it would have been sweep the floor, scour the sink, take out the garbage.
23:58I'd be her personal slave for as long as she stayed here.
24:02Suppose she stayed forever.
24:03Suppose I never cut my house back.
24:06Is that possible?
24:08Sooner, our lady, surely somebody would...
24:11Would what?
24:12Come to the door?
24:14Who?
24:16Oh!
24:18Oh, I wish I had friends.
24:21People who cared about me.
24:23And would miss me.
24:25And worry about me.
24:27I used to think I only needed someone to talk to now and then.
24:31And not for very long, but...
24:32That's not true now.
24:35I need...
24:36Someone close.
24:38Someone who cares.
24:54Well, what's this?
24:57Both of you asleep?
24:59What kind of a household are we running here?
25:02I just put my head down on the table for a minute.
25:06Dirty cups?
25:08Evil, get off the table.
25:09I said, get off the table.
25:12Go lie down somewhere else.
25:15Okay, Miss Thrip.
25:18Wash the cups and then sweep the floor.
25:20Oh, here's something else.
25:22What?
25:22My dungarees.
25:23They're filthy dirty.
25:24I've been traveling in them for weeks.
25:26What am I supposed to do with them?
25:28Wash them.
25:29What?
25:29You want me...
25:31Draw them in the washer dryer.
25:32I don't have a washer dryer.
25:34Everybody has a washer dryer.
25:35And if I did, I wouldn't wash your dirty dungarees in it.
25:39Then you're just going to have to do them by hand.
25:41No.
25:42I am not going to wash them by hand.
25:44And I'm not going to wash your clothes or buy your food or cook your meals.
25:48We had an arrangement.
25:49You had an arrangement where you'd swagger around this house, my house, and give orders
25:54and act as if you owned the place.
25:56And I would do what you told me.
25:58And that's the way it's going to be.
26:00It's not.
26:01That's the way it has to be, Miss Thrip.
26:03It can't.
26:04There are people who give orders and people who take them.
26:07And nobody in between.
26:08That's the way it is.
26:11That's the way it always has been.
26:13And that is the way it's going to be.
26:16Not in my house.
26:18Right here.
26:19In your house.
26:21Now, pick up those dungarees.
26:23You pick them up.
26:24Pick them up.
26:26And take them to the sink and wash them.
26:28Wash them yourself.
26:30And then put them on and get out of my house.
26:32Don't talk to me that way.
26:35You stupid old woman.
26:37I'll show you if I have to kill you.
26:39Help!
26:40Help!
26:42Help!
26:45Help!
26:45Help!
26:46Help!
26:46Help!
26:46Stop!
26:48Stop!
26:58It's true what they say.
27:00Put two women in the same house.
27:01It never works out.
27:03Or am I being catty?
27:07I'll be back shortly with Act Three.
27:20Two women in the same kitchen.
27:24Plus a cat.
27:25Teeth are bared.
27:27Claws are unsheathed.
27:29Fur flies.
27:30It's a cat fight.
27:32What else could it possibly be?
27:34Meow.
27:36Did she hurt you?
27:37My arms are bleeding.
27:39Your face is bleeding, too.
27:41And my hands.
27:42What got into her?
27:44I can't imagine.
27:45I thought she was asleep.
27:46Have you got some iodine?
27:48I haven't unpacked it yet.
27:49Well, unpack it.
27:50I wouldn't know where to look.
27:52Then give me some soap and water.
27:54Yes, that will do just as well.
27:56I thought that damn cat liked me.
27:59Well, you can never tell with cats.
28:01Maybe she didn't like me, but she respected me.
28:06It is very hard to get respect from cats.
28:09As hard as getting them to like you.
28:12Oh, here's the water.
28:13And here's the towel.
28:14There's no soap.
28:16This water isn't very hard.
28:17It's the best I can do.
28:19Oh.
28:20Well, that's enough.
28:22You can use it now.
28:23I don't need it.
28:25Why don't you need...
28:28Why, look at you.
28:31You haven't got a scratch.
28:35That cat didn't even touch you.
28:39But we were standing right together.
28:41She came between us.
28:44Why didn't she scratch you?
28:46Why just me?
28:48I wouldn't know.
28:50It couldn't.
28:51It would be that she likes you.
28:52No, I don't suppose so.
28:56Once in a very long while,
28:59a cat falls in love.
29:01Well, I've never heard of that.
29:03When a cat falls in love,
29:06it's disgusting.
29:09They lose everything that...
29:13that...
29:15made them cats.
29:18proud,
29:20beautiful animals,
29:21aloof,
29:23untouchable,
29:24sitting in the softest spots,
29:27staring at things no one else can see,
29:31thinking their secret thoughts.
29:34Why, the ancient Egyptians worshipped cats,
29:37kept them in temples,
29:39bowed down to them.
29:40They knew what cats are.
29:43They knew what cats are.
29:43The inscrutable.
29:45The unknowable.
29:49But when a cat falls in love,
29:53everything is changed.
29:55What happens?
29:56Viola,
29:57the cat becomes the lowest of the low.
30:01Shameless.
30:03cringing,
30:04rubbing up against the person she loves,
30:06wanting to be...
30:09to be touched,
30:11to be held,
30:12not looking off into the distance anymore,
30:14only watching where the loved one moves.
30:16And when will he return to the cat
30:18who is waiting so patiently,
30:21loving,
30:22and longing without dignity,
30:25without pride.
30:27It sounds sweet.
30:29It's sickening,
30:30I suppose.
30:31And that cat
30:33is in love with you.
30:34Oh, I don't think so.
30:36It isn't reasonable.
30:38That's why she came between us
30:39when she thought I might hurt you
30:40and she didn't scratch you.
30:42She only scratched me.
30:44She's in love with you.
30:47She's put me out of her mind
30:49and she's in love with you.
30:53Well,
30:55that settles that.
30:56We'll get rid of her.
30:58Put her outside, you mean.
31:00What good would that do
31:01if she's in love with you?
31:02She'd get back in.
31:03No.
31:04We have to kill her.
31:05Kill her?
31:06Well, you couldn't do that.
31:08Have you got some poison?
31:09Poison?
31:10We'll put it in the caviar.
31:12I don't have any poison.
31:13Why would I?
31:14A knife.
31:14Give me a knife.
31:15Well, there isn't any knife.
31:16A poker.
31:17A shovel.
31:18I don't have any of those things.
31:20I'll strangle her.
31:21That's what I'll do.
31:23You better be polite.
31:24I can't.
31:25No, I'm staying in my house.
31:26I don't hate you.
31:29She loves you.
31:32Viola,
31:33you
31:34don't mean that I should.
31:36Oh, no.
31:37No, I couldn't do that.
31:38I just couldn't.
31:39Pick her up.
31:40No.
31:40No, I...
31:41Pick her up.
31:43I...
31:45I can't do
31:46what you said.
31:48I can't
31:49strangle a cat.
31:50You didn't mean it, did you?
31:51We'll take her upstairs
31:52and we'll throw her out the window.
31:55Come on.
31:55No, no.
31:55We can't do that.
31:57Nevertheless,
31:57it's what's going to be done.
31:59It's what you're going to do.
32:02Up the stairs now.
32:03I'm right behind you.
32:05Keep going.
32:06I...
32:07I never wanted this cat in my house,
32:09but...
32:09but that doesn't mean that I...
32:11I wanted this...
32:12Keep going.
32:14In here.
32:16Oh, good.
32:17The window's open.
32:19Go ahead.
32:20Throw her out.
32:20I can't.
32:22I can't do it.
32:23Yes, you can.
32:23Just lean out and drop her.
32:25The doorbell.
32:27The doorbell.
32:28Come back here.
32:29Come back.
32:29Oh, it's a friend.
32:31It's a friend.
32:32Someone remembered.
32:33I'm coming.
32:34Wait.
32:35I'm coming.
32:38Another letter, Miss Fritz.
32:39Oh.
32:41Come in.
32:42This one's addressed
32:43to you.
32:44Oh, please.
32:45Please come in.
32:46I'm so glad to see you.
32:47Miss Malvina Thrip, it says.
32:50Nothing like hearing from a friend, is there?
32:52Listen.
32:53They're in the bedroom.
32:54Hmm?
32:54She's going to kill her.
32:55Hold on now.
32:56Maybe she has already.
32:58She wanted me to do it,
32:59but I couldn't.
33:00What bedroom is this, Miss Thrip?
33:02The front one.
33:03Top of the stairs.
33:05I look outside.
33:06Maybe she's there.
33:07Maybe she fell in a tree.
33:09Or a bush.
33:10Or something.
33:12Cat?
33:13Where are you?
33:15Are you all right, Cat?
33:17Oh, please.
33:18Be all right.
33:20I didn't want you in my house,
33:21but that was all.
33:23I never meant that you should...
33:24Oh, oh.
33:26Where are you?
33:28Thrip.
33:29Yes.
33:29Yes, I'm here.
33:32What?
33:34What did you find?
33:36Upstairs.
33:37Nobody.
33:38Nothing.
33:39Nobody?
33:41No cat?
33:42No cat.
33:43Wasn't there a girl?
33:45A young girl?
33:46Nobody.
33:47Nothing.
33:48Oh, both of them couldn't have gone out the window.
33:50I...
33:50I don't think both of them...
33:52Look, Miss Thrip, you're all shook up.
33:54Why don't we go into the kitchen
33:57and I'll pour you some coffee?
33:59I, uh...
34:00I threw the coffee at her.
34:02There isn't any.
34:03Well, I'll make some fresh
34:05and you can tell me all about
34:08the cat and the girl.
34:10The whole dream.
34:13It wasn't a dream.
34:15Well, what if it was?
34:18You think it could have been a...
34:19a hallucination?
34:22Maybe it's something like that.
34:24You remember I told you
34:25there was a cat in my house.
34:27And I told you I'd inquire around
34:30about a lost cat
34:31and I did.
34:32But nobody's lost a cat.
34:34This girl,
34:35this Viola,
34:36she went and bought things at the store.
34:38Look, look,
34:39all these groceries.
34:40She bought them.
34:40I didn't.
34:41And caviar for the cat.
34:42She charged everything to me.
34:45You sure?
34:46It wasn't you charged all these things?
34:48I haven't been out of the house.
34:50What would I have done
34:51if you hadn't run the bell?
34:53Viola was going to make me
34:54throw the cat out of the window.
34:56Miss Thripp,
34:57maybe I should call a doctor.
34:59Oh, I'll be all right
35:00now that you're here.
35:02You're my friend.
35:03You brought me a letter yesterday
35:05from Sam's garage,
35:07you remember?
35:08Address to resident.
35:10Yes,
35:10and I'm the resident here.
35:12I'm Malvina Thripp
35:14and I'm the resident of this house.
35:16Sure you are.
35:17Although for a while there
35:18I didn't know
35:20if I really was
35:21the resident of this house.
35:22Well,
35:23I wouldn't have taken
35:24the letter from you
35:25if I wasn't,
35:26would I?
35:27The resident
35:27means anybody
35:29who's living here.
35:30And I'm living here.
35:32I was at the time
35:33and I am.
35:35Of course.
35:36Of course you are.
35:38You, uh,
35:40you don't
35:41think
35:43I'm out of my head,
35:44do you?
35:44Oh, not necessarily.
35:47You're, uh, upset.
35:49I'm going to call
35:50a doctor for you, eh?
35:51Well, there's no phone.
35:52I, I haven't had one
35:54put in yet.
35:54I'll go next door.
35:56Oh, don't go.
35:56Don't.
35:57Don't leave me.
35:59You don't believe me.
36:02You don't think
36:02there was any,
36:03any cat here
36:04or any girl
36:05or that we ate chicken
36:06and drank wine
36:07and the cat ate the bones
36:09and in the morning
36:10she came downstairs
36:10and she was holding
36:11the cat in her arms
36:12and I was on the couch.
36:14I'd been there all night.
36:16I think,
36:17I think I was drunk
36:19from the wine.
36:20Drunk, huh?
36:22Well, the bottle
36:22must be around here somewhere.
36:24Hmm.
36:24I don't see it.
36:26And,
36:26and she told me
36:27to get breakfast
36:28and wash the dishes
36:29and then to sweep the floor
36:30and wash her dungarees,
36:31her dirty dungarees.
36:33Look, look,
36:34there they are,
36:35her dirty, filthy dungarees.
36:37Are they not yours?
36:38Well, you don't think
36:39I'd wear anything like that,
36:40do you?
36:40Oh, lots of women
36:41wear dungarees these days.
36:44Um,
36:45what was this girl wearing
36:46if she wasn't wearing
36:47the dungarees?
36:49My dress.
36:50Can you imagine?
36:51She was wearing my dress
36:53till I threw the coffee pot at her.
36:54Threw the coffee pot at her,
36:56did you?
36:56Yes.
36:57And the cat attacked her.
36:59You don't say.
37:00Not me,
37:00just her.
37:01Mm-hmm.
37:02And she said the cat
37:03was in love with me.
37:05Now,
37:06I don't know
37:06if that was true,
37:08if such a thing
37:08could be true,
37:09but she said it was,
37:11and she said
37:12in that case
37:13we would have to
37:14kill the cat,
37:15poison it,
37:16or stab it,
37:17or strangle it,
37:17but I couldn't do that.
37:19Of course not.
37:20Not any of those things.
37:22Then she said
37:23we'd take the cat upstairs
37:25and throw it out of the window,
37:27and that's where we were
37:29when you rang
37:29the front doorbell,
37:30and oh,
37:31was I glad.
37:35You,
37:36you don't believe
37:37any of it,
37:38do you?
37:39Well,
37:39now,
37:40let's just say
37:41you've been through a lot,
37:43what,
37:43with one thing
37:44and another.
37:44Oh,
37:45I have.
37:46What you need
37:47is something
37:48to calm you down.
37:50I never take
37:51anything like that.
37:52Oh,
37:52just something mild
37:54to relax your nerves.
37:55I'll be all right.
37:56Now,
37:57now that I have
37:58my house back,
37:59there's a very nice doctor
38:01who lives not far from here.
38:03He's on my mayor route.
38:04I'll call him
38:05and ask him to stop over.
38:06please,
38:07don't go.
38:08He'll fix you up fine.
38:11Hey,
38:12look what's coming
38:13up the wall.
38:16Wyatt.
38:18Oh,
38:19cat.
38:20I'm so glad
38:21to see you.
38:22Careful.
38:23Don't let her in the house.
38:24Oh,
38:24that's all right.
38:25I've gotten sort of fond of her,
38:27and she's
38:27well,
38:29she's rather fond of me.
38:31Oh,
38:31say,
38:31almost forgot
38:32what I came by for.
38:34Got a letter for you.
38:36Another circular?
38:37Not Sam's garage again.
38:39Oh,
38:40no,
38:40no.
38:41Address to you,
38:42Miss Malvina Thrip.
38:43Well,
38:44for heaven's sakes.
38:46It's from the city,
38:47my old address,
38:48where I used to live.
38:49Miss,
38:49you're ready,
38:50do they?
38:50Well,
38:51I don't think anyone misses me.
38:52I didn't even tell anyone
38:53I was moving.
38:54Well,
38:55open the letter,
38:56why don't you?
38:56Imagine.
38:58My,
38:58my hands are shaking.
39:00Want me to do it for you?
39:02No.
39:02No,
39:03that's,
39:03that's all right.
39:08Why?
39:10It's from the people
39:11who took my apartment,
39:13the people who used to
39:13own this house.
39:14I told you,
39:15we traded.
39:18Well,
39:19dear Miss Thrip,
39:21we hope you are enjoying
39:22the little house
39:23as much as we are
39:24enjoying your apartment.
39:27One day soon,
39:28if it's all right with you,
39:30we want to drive up
39:31and see you.
39:32Well,
39:33and how you're getting along.
39:36Also,
39:37to pick up
39:39our cat.
39:41We came away
39:42in such a hurry,
39:43she got left behind.
39:45Will you be kind enough
39:46to let her share
39:47your house
39:48until we can make
39:49arrangements?
39:50She's a dear,
39:51sweet thing.
39:52Her name
39:54is Viola.
39:56And we know
39:57you will love her
40:00as much
40:03as we do.
40:17Dear Viola,
40:19sweet Viola,
40:21good Viola,
40:23or is she
40:24vicious Viola,
40:25violent Viola,
40:28vile Viola?
40:29Hmm?
40:31Well,
40:32anyway,
40:32for the time being,
40:33Viola has a home
40:35with Miss Valvina Thrip,
40:36the resident.
40:38May they both
40:39rest safe and sound.
40:40I'll be back shortly.
40:53There's so much good
40:54in the worst of us
40:55and so much bad
40:57in the best of us.
40:58It scarcely behooves
41:00any of us
41:01to talk about
41:02the rest of us.
41:03So the poet said,
41:05think about it.
41:07That's what I'm
41:08going to do.
41:09Our cast included
41:10Carmen Matthews,
41:11Joan Loring,
41:12and Gilbert Mack.
41:13The entire production
41:15was under the direction
41:16of Hyman Brown.
41:18This is E.G. Marshall
41:20inviting you
41:20to return
41:21to our mystery theater
41:22for another adventure
41:23in the macabre.
41:25Until next time,
41:27pleasant dreams.
41:28Pleasant dreams.
41:28Oh, my God.
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