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CBS Radio Mystery Theater (a.k.a. Radio Mystery Theater and Mystery Theater) is a radio drama series created by Himan Brown that was broadcast on CBS Radio Network affiliates from 1974 to 1982, and later in the early 2000s was repeated by the NPR satellite feed.
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00:15Come in, welcome, I'm E.G. Marshall, welcome to the terrifying world of your
00:26own imagination. I would like to offer a few observations on the vagaries of the animal
00:33called man. Take the popular saying, seeing is believing. What idiot first said that?
00:42And all the idiots would repeat since. Do you believe in love? Tell me the color of it.
00:50Do you believe in truth, goodness, mercy? What shapes do they come in? No, my friends,
01:01seeing is not believing. Only believing is believing. And we'll prove it to you in the
01:09story that follows. Our mystery drama, The Ghost at the Gate, was written especially for
01:17the Mystery Theater by Elspeth Erick, and stars Beatrice Strait.
01:32With how much ease believe we what we wish? An English playwright named Dryden wrote that
01:41in the year 1679. Brilliant man, Mr. Dryden. But wait, listen to this. Men freely believe
01:52that which they desire. Someone else seems to have had the same idea. And he wasn't a 17th
02:00century English playwright. He was a Roman emperor named Julius Caesar, proving once again that no man
02:08in any age has a monopoly on wisdom. Now, let's get on with our story.
02:20Come in, Dorothea.
02:22Your chocolate, Mrs. Emery.
02:25Oh, good.
02:27Shall I light the fire in the fireplace?
02:29Yes, please. I think it's chilly enough for...
02:33Oh, Dorothea.
02:34Ma'am?
02:35You forgot the other cup again.
02:37I did.
02:38I told you to always bring two cups.
02:40Oh, it seems so silly.
02:43I'll decide what's silly.
02:44When it's just you to drink it.
02:46I've explained that to you, Dorothea, more than once. I like to drink two cups of chocolate
02:51before retiring. And I don't like that icky sediment in the bottom of the cup.
02:56I'll try, Mrs. Emery. Now, if that's all... Or do you want me to go downstairs and fetch
03:02up another cup? Oh, no, no. Go to bed.
03:05Oh. Good night, Mrs. Emery.
03:08Good night, Dorothea.
03:10All right now, darling. Chocolate's all poured. Fire's lighted.
03:17Charles! Everything's ready.
03:19Now, come on, darling, or the chocolate will get cold.
03:22Don't want any chocolate.
03:24Oh, Charles, you love chocolate. You've always loved chocolate.
03:28Tastes like mud.
03:29But it's very good chocolate. You know what good chocolate Dorothea makes. Now, come on,
03:35Charles, don't make me wait. You want me?
03:39Want you? Oh, Charles, how can you ever ask such a thing? Why, I go through the whole day
03:46thinking of you. All afternoon at the community chest, I think about you. Why, darling, it's
03:52torture for me listening to those other women whose husbands are with them in their conventional
03:57way. I want to scream at them, but I have my Charles, you silly females. Every night he
04:04comes to my bedroom and he's tall and handsome and brilliant and romantic and adorable and
04:11manly and we sit and talk together and he's...
04:14All right, Alice. That's enough.
04:17Ah, there you are. Oh, Charles.
04:23Missed me?
04:24Oh, darling, the days are so terrible. I can't think of anything but this moment when we're
04:30together. But you know that, my dear, I tell you every single night.
04:34I need to hear it, Alice.
04:35Yes. We who have more or less left this world can't come back unless we are wanted by someone
04:41who is still here. Wanted a lot. Otherwise, we can't make the trip, as it were. We can't
04:49even purchase a ticket, so to speak, unless we have a destination that is vibrant with love
04:54and need and desire.
04:56But I love you and I need you. I desire you. You should know that, Charles.
05:03Well, it doesn't hurt to hear it.
05:06Here's your chocolate. Try it.
05:08I don't want it.
05:10Oh, Charles.
05:11The longer we're away from this earth, Alice, the less we rely on our senses. The senses, in
05:17a manner of speaking, start to fade. Mashed potatoes begin to taste like cold cream. Coffee
05:24tastes like iodine, and this chocolate tastes like mud. They tell me this is quite normal.
05:30Charles, when you say they, they tell you this, and they tell you that, you mean...
05:38I mean them, of course. All those.
05:43The ones up there?
05:45It isn't up there, Alice, and it isn't down there, either.
05:50Well, where is it?
05:52It's simply there. Meaning not here. Heavens, I thought you knew that.
05:59Are there a lot of... of them?
06:02Of course there are a lot of them.
06:05It's all so vast, so endless, and so damnably peaceful.
06:11I know what it is to be lonely, Charles.
06:14Well, this big house, I couldn't bear to move out of it after you weren't here all the time,
06:18because I couldn't leave the place where you and I had spent so many happy years together.
06:23Why don't you ask someone to move in with you?
06:27Move in?
06:29Why, I never thought.
06:31Such a large house.
06:32You could have separate quarters.
06:34You wouldn't be forever bumping into each other.
06:37But who would want to move in?
06:39Who would I want to move in?
06:42Oh, some old good friend.
06:45Well, like who, Charles?
06:47Oh, someone like Connie, maybe.
06:50Connie Lawrence.
06:51Connie Lawrence.
06:53Well, I've certainly known her long enough.
06:56We were roommates at school.
06:58What, do you think she'd want to?
07:00She'll jump at the chance, would be my guess.
07:03She still lives in that tiny one-room apartment.
07:05I know she's saving for her retirement.
07:07And where the pay school teachers get in this town.
07:10Well, Charles, I'll call her tomorrow.
07:15She gets home from school at three.
07:29Come in, Dorothea.
07:31Your breakfast, Mrs. Emery.
07:35Um, you don't want two cups in the morning, do you?
07:38Oh, no.
07:39No.
07:40Coffee doesn't leave that icky stuff the way chocolate does.
07:45Actually, I think I won't have chocolate at night anymore, Dorothea.
07:48I feel like trying something else.
07:50But two cups, just the same.
07:52Don't forget.
07:53Yes, ma'am.
07:54Don't go just yet, Dorothea.
07:56I want to talk to you about something.
07:57Sit down, won't you?
07:59Oh, yes, ma'am.
08:03Dorothea, do you find the work too hard in this big house?
08:07No, ma'am.
08:08Well, we used to have a houseman and an upstairs maid and a cook.
08:11Oh, I have no complaints, Mrs. Emery, if you don't.
08:14Oh, I don't.
08:15This is the only job I've ever had.
08:17I've worked here for 22 years.
08:20I was so fond of both you and Mr. Emery right from the start.
08:24And I still am of you.
08:26And, well, goodness knows I practically worship this house.
08:30It's so beautiful.
08:31I love taking care of it.
08:33And I love living in it.
08:35Do you still have that little room on the third floor in the back?
08:38Oh, I love that little room, Mrs. Emery.
08:40I can look out and see the garden.
08:43I was thinking, why couldn't we give you all the other rooms as well?
08:48The rooms the other servants used to have.
08:51All of them?
08:52Well, why couldn't we knock out the partition between your room and what used to be the cook's room?
08:57I'd have...
08:59I'd have two windows.
09:00And make one of the other rooms into a really big dressing room.
09:03Oh.
09:04And maybe put in some kind of a kitchen for you with a hot plate and a refrigerator.
09:08Oh.
09:09Mrs. Emery, I...
09:12Never thought I...
09:14I never imagined in my wildest dreams.
09:17No, no.
09:19It's all settled.
09:20Oh.
09:21I'm going to stay right here in bed all morning and make plans.
09:25I don't know how to thank you, Mrs. Emery.
09:29Don't try.
09:30It's my pleasure.
09:31I just hope I deserve all of...
09:34Before I forget, Dorothea...
09:36Oh, yes.
09:37Last night, while I was drinking your lovely chocolate, an idea came to me.
09:41You and I are rattling around in this big house.
09:45Oh, we certainly are.
09:47And I was wondering...
09:48Well, how would it be if we invited Miss Lawrence to stay with us?
09:54Miss Constance Lawrence?
09:56Do you remember her?
09:58Isn't she the one who teaches school?
10:00Used to come to dinner once in a while.
10:02And after, she'd help Mr. Emery with the double cross stick?
10:05That's Connie.
10:06Oh.
10:07I thought we could open up the two big rooms on this floor in the back.
10:11In that way, she and I would have separate quarters and not be, you know, bumping into each other all
10:15the time.
10:16Of course, I imagine she'd expect to take care of her own room.
10:20Oh, I wouldn't mind.
10:22What's two more rooms?
10:23You wouldn't mind cooking for her?
10:25What's one more person to cook for?
10:27Nothing.
10:29Well, then, it's all settled.
10:31My goodness.
10:33The house will be kind of lively again.
10:37Almost like before.
10:39Not quite, of course.
10:41But, well, you know what I mean.
10:45I know what you mean, Dorothea.
10:47It will be more lively.
11:04Here I am, Goldie.
11:06Let me take my coat off, will you?
11:08Then I'll scratch your head for you.
11:13Oh, dear.
11:15You're just going to have to wait.
11:17I'm sorry, Goldie.
11:19Hello?
11:20Connie, this is Alice Emery.
11:22Alice, how are you?
11:24Long time no see.
11:26Well, I don't get out a great deal.
11:28Maybe we could have dinner some evening.
11:30Would you like to come here?
11:32Well, I thought you might like to come here.
11:34Well, if you'd rather.
11:37Heaven knows your dinners are better than mine.
11:40Connie, I want you to come here for good.
11:43I mean, to live.
11:44To live?
11:46To live with you?
11:47Why not?
11:49We've known each other practically all our lives.
11:51And I've got this huge house.
11:53I've got Dorothea to look after us.
11:55You could have your own quarters overlooking the garden.
11:58We live quite independently since I'm in the front.
12:01And you're at school till three.
12:03And by the time you get home, I'll be at the community chest.
12:06We'll just meet for dinner.
12:08Maybe have a little nip together first.
12:11Oh, Connie, say you will.
12:13Oh, Alice.
12:14I don't know.
12:16I've lived here for so long.
12:19That tiny little place?
12:21High time you got out of it.
12:24But I'm used to it.
12:26And then there's Goldie.
12:28You know, my canary.
12:29Bring Goldie with you.
12:31We'll find a nice sunny window.
12:33Alice, it's all very tempting, but I don't know.
12:38Think about having two big rooms and vegetables out of the garden and being waited on.
12:44And Connie, think of the money you'll say.
12:47Well, yes, but all the same.
12:50You've just got to say yes, Connie.
12:53Take the afternoon to think about it and call me back.
12:56I will, Alice.
12:58I'll call you soon.
12:59Fine.
13:00Bye.
13:01Bye, Alice.
13:03Oh, dear.
13:05It all sounds so luxurious.
13:09Two rooms and fresh vegetables.
13:13And someone to cook for me.
13:16But I can't leave this little place.
13:19I can't give up my afternoons.
13:22Why, I couldn't live without my afternoons.
13:26I know this place is small and dark and furniture is dingy and the bathroom is old-fashioned.
13:34But we've never minded.
13:36Have we, dearest?
13:38Have we?
13:40It's a very small place, Connie.
13:43But if I'm moving to Alice's house, I might lose you forever.
13:49You might never come to visit me again and all my lovely afternoons will be really over.
13:54You're not to worry, Connie.
13:57You mean we can go on as we always have?
14:00Only we'll have more room.
14:03Well, if you say so.
14:05Trust me, Connie.
14:07Oh, I do trust you, Charlie.
14:09Haven't I always trusted you?
14:11All these years.
14:20His flesh may be weak, but the spirit of Charles, or Charlie, is very, very willing.
14:30Also, very inventive.
14:33And very persuasive.
14:35Ah, well, there's nothing like the love of a good woman.
14:41Unless it's the love of two good women.
14:44We'll come back in a bit for Act Two.
14:57Now we come back to our story.
15:00We seem to have uncovered a triangle here.
15:04Connie, Alice, and Charles.
15:06Or Charlie, as Connie calls him.
15:09And the apex of the triangle is naturally, if you will pardon my chauvinism, the man.
15:17Listen now to the second act of The Ghost at the Gate.
15:23What a lovely dinner that was, Alice.
15:26Was it, Connie?
15:27It was the wine that made everything taste so good.
15:31Whatever gave you the idea of bringing home a bottle of wine?
15:34Alice, it's the first anniversary of me moving in here.
15:38Don't you realize?
15:39I've been here a month.
15:41Well, for heaven's sake.
15:43Why, it seems like a week.
15:45Or it seems like you've always lived here.
15:47I don't know which.
15:48It has worked out, hasn't it?
15:50Has it ever worked out?
15:52I was so afraid it wouldn't.
15:54You know what?
15:55It's meeting just for dinner that's done it.
15:57Leading separate lives except for dinner.
16:00Connie, let's have wine every night.
16:03This wine.
16:04What kind is it?
16:06I can't quite make out what the label says.
16:09Oh, it's in French.
16:10Oh, so never mind.
16:12It's got a picture of a house on it.
16:13If it's French, it's a chateau.
16:16I didn't know that.
16:17But you're very clever, Alice.
16:20Save the label and I'll order a case of it.
16:23Must be really nice to have money.
16:25I've always found it to be nice.
16:28I guess money is about the nicest thing in the world.
16:31Money isn't.
16:32Love is.
16:33Oh, yes.
16:34First comes love.
16:35Friends come second.
16:37Then money.
16:38How about friends who have money?
16:43Oh, Connie, you're very witty tonight.
16:46So are you, Alice.
16:47Witty and profound.
16:50See, obviously, though, Connie, you have been happy here, haven't you?
16:53Oh, Alice, my beautiful room.
16:56The marvelous food.
16:58Having Dorothy to make my bed and clean up is heavenly.
17:02You're stuck with me.
17:03Oh, I am so glad, Connie.
17:06You can't imagine how glad.
17:09Is there any more of that wine?
17:11More than half a bottle.
17:12Oh, good.
17:14Let's see.
17:14Mrs. Emery.
17:15What?
17:16Oh.
17:18Dorothy.
17:19What is it?
17:20It's after nine o'clock, Mrs. Emery.
17:22Well, you don't say.
17:24I was wondering, should I bring your clear consomme upstairs to you?
17:28What clear consomme?
17:30Well, Mrs. Emery, we talked about it last night.
17:32Remember when you decided to give up the chocolate?
17:34And then we tried apple juice and prune juice and lemonade.
17:38And last night you said clear consomme because it has a nice aroma.
17:42Well, I did say that, didn't I?
17:44Uh-huh.
17:45What time did you say it was?
17:47Quarter past nine.
17:51My goodness.
17:52What's the matter, Alice?
17:53Past time.
17:54Past my bedtime.
17:55You want the consomme?
17:57Oh, to heck with the consomme.
17:58I'll take the wine.
17:59You don't mind, do you, Connie?
18:01Why no, Alice.
18:02Oh, let me have your glass, too, all right?
18:04Sure, Alice.
18:05I've got my glass, Connie.
18:07Forgive me for eating and running.
18:09Alice, it's your house.
18:12I simply didn't realize the time.
18:14A quarter past nine.
18:16Heaven.
18:17She'd better not drink any more of that wine.
18:20She's not used to it.
18:21Neither am I.
18:23Only tonight we were celebrating my being here a month.
18:26Why did she want two glasses, Dorothea?
18:29Oh, she always wants two.
18:31Two cups, two bowls, two glasses.
18:34One of her little ways.
18:35But tonight she took my glass.
18:38Do you suppose she wants me to join her?
18:40I wouldn't know, Miss Lawrence.
18:42Maybe.
18:44Maybe she's always expected me to join her after dinner.
18:47Only she didn't want to suggest it.
18:50When I moved in here, we agreed that we'd lead absolutely independent lives.
18:54Not get in each other's way.
18:56We've been very careful about that.
18:58Going to our separate rooms after dinner.
19:01Maybe all this time she was hoping I'd stop by her room on my way to my room.
19:06And I never noticed Dorothea.
19:09That must be it.
19:10I wouldn't really know.
19:12I never guessed.
19:13Oh, how self-centered.
19:15How insensitive.
19:16I'll never forgive myself.
19:18I'm going up there right now and apologize.
19:21Can I clear the table now?
19:22Do whatever you like.
19:25She's got to forgive me.
19:27That's all there is to it.
19:29Dear, sweet, generous Alice.
19:31She'll understand.
19:32And she'll know I didn't mean to hurt her feelings.
19:37Alice?
19:38May I come in?
19:40Come on, darling.
19:41Have some wine.
19:42Alice?
19:43Connie and I had it for dinner.
19:45We just loved it.
19:46Try it, Charles.
19:48Charles?
19:50Not at all bad.
19:52Nice bouquet.
19:53Charlie!
19:56Charlie!
19:58Where did you come from, Connie?
20:00You never told me.
20:02How could you, Charlie?
20:04Charlie?
20:05Just give me a moment and I'll explain everything.
20:08But I need a moment to think.
20:10Then I'll explain.
20:17What did you think of Charlie's explanation?
20:20I've heard it all before.
20:22How he needs lots of love to make the trip from there to here.
20:25He always needed a lot of love, even when he was just here.
20:28Well, he got a lot.
20:29Did he really spend all those afternoons with you?
20:33I mean, before he left here and went there?
20:35Five afternoons a week.
20:38Alice, do you hate me?
20:40I should.
20:42I know, but do you?
20:44I guess I do when it comes right down to it.
20:46I'll move out.
20:47I'll move back to my one room.
20:49But I don't want you to move out.
20:51Oh, we were having such a good time.
20:54Remember how we were laughing and carrying on at dinner?
20:57I haven't laughed like that in years and years.
21:00Could have been the wine.
21:02There's half a bottle left.
21:05Should we?
21:06Let's.
21:07You don't think we'll turn into a couple of alcoholics, do you?
21:10Not on half a bottle of wine.
21:12Like white wine.
21:14Well, here's to...
21:17To what?
21:19Here's to Charles.
21:21To Charlie.
21:24I feel as if I've just buried him.
21:26Said goodbye forever.
21:29Did he really come to see you five afternoons a week, Connie?
21:33At three o'clock.
21:34You see, my school and his bank let out at the same time.
21:38It was practically inevitable.
21:40Charlie was a no-good man.
21:43He still is.
21:44Only now he's a...
21:46A no-good ghost.
21:49Oh, Alice.
21:51There's enough wine left for a glass apiece.
21:54Fill her up.
21:55Hold out your glass.
21:58All that guff about needing to be loved and wanted or he couldn't make the trip.
22:03Remember what we were saying at dinner, Connie, about love being the most important thing?
22:07I've always believed that.
22:08And friends being the second most important thing?
22:11Especially friends like you, Alice.
22:13And like you, Connie.
22:15I feel closer to you right now than I've ever felt to anybody.
22:20My mother, my father, my canary.
22:23We've been through a lot, Connie.
22:25Just in the last half hour.
22:28And yet we're still friends.
22:31Isn't that amazing?
22:34Truly remarkable.
22:36It must mean something.
22:39Something very profound.
22:41Like what?
22:43Like, well, like there are times in a person's life when love isn't the most important thing.
22:51Friends are.
22:53A friend.
22:55Yes.
22:56Stupid ghost.
22:57Silly, pompous ghost.
22:59You believe in ghosts?
23:00Certainly not.
23:01Neither do I.
23:02Never have.
23:03Except Charlie, of course.
23:04Why should Charlie be an exception?
23:06He is for you too, Alice.
23:07You know he is.
23:08Tell me something.
23:10Why do you believe in him?
23:11Because.
23:12Why?
23:13I want to.
23:15That's why I believe in him too.
23:17Is that wrong?
23:18Not wrong, but you've got to stop and I've got to stop.
23:20We can't have him visiting you in the back of the house from three to six and then coming to
23:25see me in the front of the house from nine to twelve.
23:27Now that we know, it wouldn't be nice.
23:31We couldn't be friends anymore.
23:33Oh, Alice.
23:35But if we don't believe in him, if we don't, well, don't desire him, then he'll have to go back
23:43there and stay there.
23:45He won't be able to come here anymore.
23:49He can't make the trip.
23:52Connie, can you do it?
23:54Stop wanting him?
23:56Yes.
23:57Of course I can.
23:59Why, I'm having a wonderful time.
24:01I don't need him.
24:03Neither do I.
24:05We'll be better off without him.
24:07We'll be free, Connie.
24:09Liberated women.
24:10Let's drink to that.
24:12Right you are.
24:13Bottoms up.
24:22Ah, what courage lies in the bottom of a glass.
24:26Courage for the shy, the lonely, the frightened, the frustrated, and for the two elderly ladies determined to forget a
24:38ghost.
24:51Alice and Connie are bravely resolved to forget the man both had loved so long.
24:59But what of him, poor, lonely, unloved ghost, doomed to live on forever in the there, banished forever from the
25:13here.
25:15What of him?
25:21Connie.
25:26Connie.
25:28Connie.
25:30Speak to me, Connie.
25:32That's my sweet goldie.
25:34That's my lovely bird.
25:36Happy to see me, sweetheart?
25:38Connie.
25:39Connie, I know you're here.
25:41I'm here, Charlie, but you're not.
25:45I am so.
25:47I don't believe in you anymore.
25:49You do, too.
25:51And I don't love you or want you.
25:54So there.
25:55Connie.
25:57You are being very cruel.
25:59I expect I am.
26:01If you don't believe me, why are you talking to me?
26:05Don't try to confuse things, Charlie.
26:07Answer my question.
26:09Why are you talking to me if you don't believe in me?
26:13Goldie.
26:15Tell that ghost to go away.
26:25How did it go today, Connie?
26:27Oh.
26:28He was around.
26:29I could hear him.
26:31What did he want?
26:32The usual.
26:33To be loved.
26:34To be wanted.
26:36I told him no more of that.
26:37You had a conversation with him?
26:39Not much of a one.
26:41You haven't stopped believing.
26:43Have you stopped, Alice?
26:45I think so.
26:47You haven't?
26:48If you'd stopped, you wouldn't say, I think so.
26:50You'd know.
26:51Oh, Connie, how can I know?
26:53Mrs. Emery?
26:55What is it, Dorothea?
26:56Do you want clear confirmation in your room tonight or what?
27:00Nothing.
27:01Not anything?
27:02Not a thing.
27:04Oh, well, all right.
27:06I had it already, but...
27:08That ought to show him, don't you think, Connie?
27:16Alice.
27:17Alice.
27:17It's Charles.
27:22It's Charles, Alice.
27:26What delicious surprise do you have for me tonight?
27:30Orange crush?
27:33Pomegranate juice?
27:33Not a blessed thing, Charles.
27:36Ah.
27:37You spoke.
27:39I didn't mean to.
27:40But you did.
27:41How beautiful to hear your voice.
27:44Don't tell me that old malarkey, Charles.
27:46Malarkey?
27:48I never thought I'd hear my wife use a word like that.
27:50I'm not your wife.
27:52I'm your widow.
27:54And I'm using a lot of words I never used before.
27:57Alice.
27:58Say you love me still.
28:00I can't make the trip unless you love me.
28:03I loved you for 35 years.
28:05Alice, I'm facing eternity.
28:08What's 35 years?
28:10Maybe not much there where you are.
28:12But it's a long time here.
28:15Now I'm going to turn off the light and go to sleep.
28:27I was talking to him before I could stop myself.
28:30It was the same with me.
28:31But he couldn't complete the trip because I wouldn't say I loved him.
28:34Same here.
28:35And I really don't think I do love him, Connie.
28:38I think I just got into the habit.
28:41Me too.
28:42What does he want to hang around for?
28:44I can't imagine.
28:46Must be so beautiful there where he is.
28:48Why should he want to come here?
28:49He says it's very peaceful there.
28:51Sounds heavenly.
28:53Not much like here, Alice.
28:56That's why he keeps coming back.
28:57He can't stand the peacefulness.
28:59He isn't having any fun.
29:01I bet you're right.
29:03No worries, no troubles, no arguments, no problems.
29:07He can't stand it.
29:08That's the way he was when he was here.
29:11That's why he took up with me.
29:13Why else would he want to have a clandestine affair in the afternoon with a middle-aged schoolteacher
29:17when he had a wonderful wife like you?
29:20He was bored.
29:21He wanted a little excitement.
29:23He still wants it.
29:26It's funny.
29:28I always thought people changed when they left this terrible world.
29:31I guess they don't.
29:32I hope I change.
29:33I'd hate to go on the same way for, for eternity.
29:37Being petty and jealous and suspicious.
29:40Oh, no.
29:42Well, how can it be so peaceful there
29:44if everyone's the same as they were here?
29:47Maybe.
29:48Maybe the others don't stay the same.
29:51Maybe they accept all that eternal peace and enjoy it.
29:55In the meantime, Connie,
29:57while we're still here,
30:00we have a problem that must be dealt with.
30:03Let's face it.
30:04Neither of us has stopped believing in Charles completely.
30:07Alice, I don't know if I'll ever be able to stop completely.
30:10Maybe there'll always be some little corner of my mind
30:14that goes on believing that Charlie is here.
30:17It's the same with me.
30:19And as long as we both have that last little shred of belief,
30:22he will be here.
30:23Wandering around the house making bleating noises.
30:26But we won't answer it.
30:27We've got to be strong.
30:29Use firm measures.
30:31Like what?
30:32Like...
30:35Like rejecting him.
30:36Utterly.
30:37How do we do that?
30:40I have two rooms in the front of the house.
30:42Two big rooms with a big bath between.
30:44Would you consider taking one of them?
30:46Why, I...
30:47That would be what I call rejecting him utterly.
30:51He'd never try to visit one of us if the other one was there.
30:54Could I bring Goldie?
30:55Of course you can bring Goldie.
30:57I'll get a canary, too.
30:59Of the opposite sex.
31:01You'll hear some real singing then, all right.
31:04Let's skip dessert.
31:05Let's go upstairs now and look at the room
31:08and you can decide what furniture you want to keep
31:10and which you want to get rid of.
31:11So terribly exciting.
31:14Oh, Alice,
31:14I don't want to be dead for a long time.
31:24There.
31:25The desk between the windows
31:27and the chair here.
31:29We'll take out the love seat.
31:31And that'll leave room for the bed.
31:34What do you think, Connie?
31:36I think it's perfect.
31:39Alice.
31:40Listen to him.
31:42He sounds miserable.
31:44I expect he is.
31:45You really dye your hair, Connie?
31:47Do it myself.
31:49Want me to?
31:50I'll show you how.
31:51I wonder why I ever let myself go gray.
31:55You'd look lovely.
31:56Sort of a pale ash blonde.
32:00Pale ash blonde.
32:03I like the sound of that.
32:06Connie.
32:08Connie.
32:10Where are you, my darling?
32:12Poor old thing.
32:13Don't you get in.
32:14Oh, I won't.
32:15I won't.
32:15Be strong.
32:16Oh, I will.
32:17I swear.
32:18Connie.
32:19Now, you said blue for the walls.
32:20Now, what shade of blue?
32:21Aquamarine?
32:22Turquoise?
32:23Robindegg?
32:24Turquoise.
32:24Good.
32:25And we'll put white crisscross curtains at the windows.
32:28With turquoise chibax.
32:30Right.
32:31And we'll get a turquoise and white spread for the bed.
32:33Beautiful.
32:34Could I possibly have a white rug?
32:38A white shag rug.
32:39Why not?
32:40Alice.
32:42Connie.
32:45Somebody.
32:46Somebody.
32:54Do you mean to sit there and tell me you didn't even take one peek at your new room?
32:58I wanted to wait till you got home from community chairs.
33:01Well, right after dinner, we'll look at it together.
33:03What if the color is wrong?
33:05The painter showed me a sample.
33:06Pure turquoise.
33:07We'll eat fast.
33:08I can't wait to see it.
33:09Dorothy had the bed moved in.
33:12Oh, Connie.
33:14I hope we'll get along as well as we've been getting along.
33:18After you move in.
33:19We will.
33:20We will.
33:21And Charlie will go back there and settle down.
33:23He'll be much better off.
33:25He'll thank us.
33:27If I know Charles, he won't.
33:31Well, if you don't know him, I don't know who does.
33:34Unless it's you.
33:36You know you're right there.
33:40Connie.
33:42I had a thought.
33:45What if I went to the community chest in the morning instead of the afternoon?
33:51That way, when you get through school, we could do things like go to the movies.
33:56Oh, Alice.
33:57What fun.
33:58And do you know what else?
34:00Weekends, we could take a train into the city and see a play.
34:04Or a concert.
34:04Or go to a museum.
34:05Oh, Alice.
34:07All those things I've been wanting to do.
34:09Only I didn't want to do them alone.
34:11And do you know what else?
34:13You mean there's more?
34:15Well, you have that two months off in the summer.
34:19We could go to Europe.
34:21Europe?
34:22I'll pay, of course.
34:24Now, don't argue.
34:26I'm your rich friend, so I'll pay.
34:29Alice, say it again.
34:31We're doing the right thing by Charlie, aren't we?
34:34Charles must stop being a ghost and settle down.
34:36And be happy.
34:38He will be happy, won't he?
34:39Charles will be happy there in whatever way they are happy there.
34:45Just as we will be happy here.
34:47I dare say the ways are different, but to each his own.
34:50Isn't that the expression?
34:51Oh, Alice, you do have a way of making everything sound simple.
34:55It is simple.
34:56If you stare the facts in the face and don't waver.
35:00I hope we're not being selfish.
35:02We're being realistic, that's all.
35:05Sometimes realistic and selfish look like the same thing, but they're not.
35:10Finished your coffee?
35:11Uh-huh.
35:13Then guess what we're going to do?
35:14Go look at my new room.
35:16Yes, only wait a minute.
35:18Dorothea!
35:18I simply can't wait to see you.
35:20Yes, Mrs. Emery?
35:22You know that case of French wine I ordered?
35:25Did it come?
35:26The one with the picture of the chateau on the label.
35:28It came last week.
35:30Well, will you uncork a bottle and bring it upstairs to my suite?
35:35To our suite?
35:37Oh, Alice.
35:38And two glasses.
35:40Yes, Mrs. Emery?
35:41Connie, you and I are going to drink to a brand new life.
35:47Three new lives.
35:50Yours, mine, and his.
35:54Come along.
35:56Come along.
36:05Come in, Dorothea.
36:07Oh, good.
36:08The wine's arrived.
36:10Just set it down here, Dorothea.
36:11Yes, ma'am.
36:13Dorothea, Miss Lawrence, and I have decided to go to Europe for two months this summer.
36:18Oh.
36:19So you'll have a good long vacation instead of your usual two weeks.
36:23Full salary, of course.
36:25You're free to go where you like, or you can stay here.
36:28Oh, thank you, Mrs. Emery.
36:30Honey, uh, I don't know where I'd go exactly.
36:34Well, suit yourself.
36:36Pour the wine, Connie.
36:39Will, uh, that be all for this evening?
36:42That'll be all.
36:43Oh, then I'll say goodnight to you both.
36:46Goodnight.
36:47Sleep well, Dorothea.
36:54Two whole months.
36:57They'll be gone two whole months.
37:00What'll I do with myself?
37:03Dorothea?
37:04Where would I go?
37:06Dorothea?
37:06What would I do if I stayed here in an empty house?
37:10Dorothea?
37:12Can't you hear me?
37:13I'd be all by myself.
37:15No, you wouldn't.
37:17No, you wouldn't.
37:18If there were just somebody...
37:20There is.
37:21There is.
37:22There is.
37:24If you'd only listen.
37:26Somebody like...
37:28Like him.
37:30There is me, Dorothea.
37:33Oh, Dorothea, hear me.
37:35But he's gone.
37:37Believe in me.
37:38Never to return.
37:40Love me.
37:41Want me.
37:43And I loved him so.
37:45Dorothea, listen.
37:48And I still do.
37:50Oh, I love him still.
37:54Dorothea, look at me.
37:59Why, Mr. Emery.
38:03I thought you'd never notice.
38:06Have you...
38:07Have you been here long?
38:10Not too long.
38:11Oh, I'm so surprised.
38:16I thought I'd never see you again.
38:19Ever.
38:20Well, now you do.
38:22It's like a miracle had been performed.
38:25A lot of good hard work is more like it.
38:28I've never forgotten you.
38:30Really?
38:32I...
38:32Well, I know it was just that one weekend when Mrs. Emery went to her 25th college reunion,
38:40but I've never forgotten.
38:43That...
38:44That was quite some time ago.
38:47I was younger then, of course.
38:50You haven't changed, Dorothea.
38:53Not an iota.
38:54Oh?
38:55Still fresh, plump, and...
38:58And adorable.
39:00Oh?
39:01You mean that?
39:03I've never met anything so much in my life.
39:06Or since.
39:08Dorothea, could you love me?
39:12Oh, but I...
39:14I do love you, Mr. Emery.
39:18You do?
39:19I've never loved anyone else.
39:22Not since that weekend.
39:25You came up to my room on the third floor, don't you remember?
39:29That tiny little room.
39:32Yes, I do remember.
39:35Oh.
39:37Um...
39:38You're going to be around for a while?
39:43For a long while, Dorothea.
39:45Practically indefinitely.
39:48Will you be here this summer?
39:51This summer?
39:52And this fall?
39:54And all next weather and next year?
39:56For as long as you want me, Dorothea?
39:59Oh.
40:00Come on.
40:01Let's go up to the third floor.
40:04Mr. Emery.
40:06Could I...
40:08Ask you something first?
40:10Anything, Dorothea.
40:12Anything.
40:13Uh...
40:14Do you mind if I...
40:16Call you...
40:18Chuck?
40:19Of course I don't mind.
40:23Then...
40:24Come on, Chuck.
40:26Follow me.
40:28I'm right behind you, darling.
40:31Right behind you.
40:40So, Charles continues his mad pursuit of life after death.
40:45And I, for one, wish him the best of luck.
40:48And the best of luck to Connie and Alice.
40:51With their new hairdos and their new pants suits.
40:55Good luck to them all.
40:57Good luck to all of us.
40:59It's what we need the most.
41:01I'll be back shortly.
41:05Our cast included Beatrice Strait, Paula Truman, Joan Loring, and John Baragrave.
41:11The entire production was under the direction of Hyman Brown.
41:14And so, when the majority� didn't end up the store, we had to come into Dallas and say that it
41:14doesn't necessarily have to happen.
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