02x17 - My Brother, Richard

[bunniefuu]

Good evening.

I firmly believe that everyone
should indulge now and then

in some form
of athletic sport,
don't you?

Personally, I don't
require much exercise,

since I lead
a very Spartan existence.

But when I do,
I find my needs are
adequately filled

by such sports as riding

or reading
the less violent portions
of the Sunday papers.

Of course, for a true test
of bodily coordination,

I think there's nothing better
than lying in a hammock,

but I suppose that would
only appeal to those of you

who enjoy living dangerously.

As for tonight's play,
it is called

"My Brother, Richard"

and it begins
in a country club.

By the way,

golf is one game
I've never cared much for.

I don't like the paperwork.

I find adding up my strokes
too fatiguing.

If you keep stuffing papers
in that case, Martin,

you won't have room
for a clean shirt.

It's just the notes
for tonight's speech, hon.

You can't expect me
to ad-lib my way into
the Governor's mansion.

Isn't that how you became
district attorney?

A little more
respect, please.

Yes, sir.

Well, now,
what's this for?

Just in case
I get lonely.

Well, you'll only
be away hours.

Besides, I thought you saw
my face in your dreams.

Supposing I get insomnia.

Well, that'll be the night.

Now, Martin, you'll be late.

Where is everybody?

We're in here, Richard.

Greetings.

Hello, Richard.
Hello.

You almost missed me.

I'm on my way
to the State Committee
dinner in Bridgetown.

Oh?

For my favorite
sister-in-law.

Hmm.

Oh, you spoil me.

But, of course.
Why bother with Bridgetown?
It really isn't necessary.

It is, if I want
the nomination.
Everything counts.

You'll have the nomination.
That's what I've come
to tell you.

There you go
with that crystal ball
of yours again.

But thanks
for the confidence.

You two admire each other
and I'll get dressed.

Are you coming to
the station with us, Richard?

I hope to persuade
Martin not to go.

And waste
that case full of speech
he's prepared? Never.

Truthfully, Richard,
I've made a few too many
speeches of late.

I wouldn't mind
skipping a few.

I wish you'd try
my tailor, Martin.

I can't afford him.

I'm a public servant,
not the owner of a successful
construction company.

The Governor of the State
will be able to
afford my tailor.

There you go
calling the sh*ts again.

But aren't you forgetting
my worthy opponent?

If you're referring
to Burton Reeves,
you don't have to worry.

Oh, he is just one of
the most important men
in our party.

Fine record in state politics,

third-term member
of the legislature and I...

Well, I'm your brother.

My brother happens to be
a man who can't lose.

All right, if you say so.

I'm going to send you
a case of my vermouth,
Martin, it's so much drier.

I promise you, Richard,
that if I win the nomination

I shall drink your vermouth
and I'll go to your tailor.

I'll even recommend you
as a fortuneteller,

but right now
I'm on my way
to Bridgetown.

Martin,

Burton Reeves is dead.

What? Dead?

Yes, dead.

When did it happen?

About half an hour ago.
I k*lled him.

I did it for you.
I should say, "Us. "

At any rate, Mr. Reeves
has conceded the nomination

with my assistance.

You k*lled Reeves?
You couldn't...

I must say that
I was very pleased
to find that I could.

See how that
suits your taste.

Oh, I forgot
you don't take an olive.

About half an hour ago,
in the shower room
at the club.

I very neatly and nicely
sh*t Mr. Reeves in the
back of the head.

No one saw me come in,
no one saw me leave,

so no one will ever know.

Come, Martin,
stop behaving as though
I'd committed a crime.

Burton Reeves meant nothing
to me. He was in the way.
You wanted to be Governor,

I wanted you to be Governor.
Now you will be.

We both know that
whoever wins the nomination
wins the election.

I made sure
that it was you.

k*ll a man
to win an election?

Perfectly acceptable
motive for m*rder.

Answer it, Martin.

Hello?

Yes, it is.

Sheriff Briggs, I...

Reeves?

How did it happen?

I see, I...

I'll have to
call you back.

Well?

It happened exactly
as you said it did.

I'll have to resign.

But you needn't worry,
Richard, I'll defend you.

Don't be
so melodramatic, Martin.

Sometimes
that halo of yours
gets a bit tiresome.

Of course you
don't have to resign.

You certainly don't
have to defend me.

All you have to do
is to find yourself
another m*rder*r.

No one will know that
it was I. Find someone
else, that's all. Anyone.

There must be half-a-dozen
of our fellow club members

who had something
against Burton Reeves.

Pick the most likely one,
build your case,

and at
the proper moment,

they'll find this
in his possession.

Exhibit A
in the State's case.

This conviction will get you
more votes than a hundred
speeches in Bridgetown,

I can tell you that.
Go to it, Governor.

Only remember, I get all
of the construction work
in the State from now on.

I always knew
you were ambitious, Richard,

but I never realized
it was a disease.

Now, look, I went to
a great deal of trouble
for you

and you don't appear
to be very cooperative.

Now, do as I say.

You calmly announce that
you've m*rder*d a man

and ask me
to find someone else
to take the blame.

And then you expect me
to say, "Congratulations,
brother, well done"?

Why not?
It was well done.

I'm the District Attorney,
Richard. I can't go around
framing people. It's insane!

I'm ready.

Oh my, doesn't she
look lovely, Martin?

You'd better do as I say,

if you want her
to stay alive.

You've been doing a lot
of thinking, Martin. I hope
it's been productive.

I'm just remembering, Richard.

When you started in
the construction business,
you had a partner.

Whatever became of him?

I didn't k*ll him,
if that's what you mean.

Not with a g*n perhaps, but...

I remember you said that

he wasn't aggressive
and that his ideas weren't
big enough to suit you.

So you taught him.

You taught him how to live,
how to dress, how to spend.

And you taught him so well
that he wound up exactly
where you wanted him.

Up to his ears in debt.

And you were the noble friend
who bought him out,
at your price.

You didn't k*ll him,
Richard, you ruined him.

That was only good business.

Yes, it was good business
to ruin a man, it was
good business to k*ll a man,

but what good is it
going to do to k*ll Laura?

I can't listen
to this anymore, I don't
want to hear it again.

Laura darling, please.

Now, Laura is upset
and there is no need for it.

Just do what
I told you to.

You know perfectly well
I am not going to allow

an innocent person to take
the blame for your crime.

And I know your threats
against Laura
are just that, threats!

How do you know?
How can you be sure?

My sister-in-law
seems to understand me
better than you do.

I'm very fond of you,
Laura, really I am.
I always have been.

I hate seeing you
upset like this.

Perhaps if I left
you two alone, you
could persuade Martin

that the only way
for all of us is my way.

Let's get this unpleasant
business over and begin
behaving normally again.

I won't be far away,
I promise.

I advise you
to listen to Laura
and don't use the phone.

No, don't use the phone.
Can't you see he really
means it? He'll k*ll me.

No, sweetheart, he won't.

What would be the point?
He can't get away with it.
Even he knows that.

But I'm afraid
that he will.

Darling, that's exactly
what he wants,

to frighten you
into forcing me
to go along with him,

but there's
no logic to his plan.

It might take weeks,
even months to find
a patsy for him.

And he can't hold you,
not even for hours.

He has to fall asleep
sometime.

Can't you see how insane
the whole thing is?

Yes, exactly, because
Richard is insane,
now that's why I'm afraid.

Laura, look.

We're going to
leave here now, together.

No. No, Martin, he's
probably waiting for us
outside in the hall.

He's not going to do
anything, you trust me.

No, Martin.

Laura, trust me.

Laura!

Laura.

She's only frightened,
the poor darling.

I didn't hit her.
Not this time.

Are you all right, Laura?

Answer it.

Answer it.

Hello? Yes, it is.

Sheriff Briggs?

Who?

I'll be right down.

It's Briggs.

He says he has
the m*rder*r of Burton Reeves
in his office right now.

Oh, by all means,
send him in.

It's the DA. I guess
you'll start talking now.

Martin, sorry to have
bothered you at home.
Hello, Jim.

But we've got this kid dead
to rights. It's all down here,
he just has to sign it.

Hello, Tommy.

You know him?

One of the best caddies
I ever had.

Will you tell him
he's nuts, Mr. Ross?

Will you stop?

That's all he keeps
on saying. Now here
are the facts, Martin.

This kid had an argument
with Burton Reeves

less than an hour before
the poor guy was found
with a b*llet in his head.

What was the argument
about, Tommy?

Reeves said
that he stole his wallet.

From the size of
that guy's tips, I'd never
know he had a wallet.

All right, so you didn't
steal it. We're not accusing
you of stealing anything.

Yeah, thanks for nothing.

Here's the way
I got it figured.

When Reeves threatened to have
this boy arrested, he panicked

because he'd been in trouble
with the law before.

Now, he catches Reeves
alone in the locker room,

waits until
he gets in the shower,

and while the water is
running, he sh**t him
and walks out.

Sure, the perfect crime.

All you have to do
is sign the confession.

I ain't signing nothing.

I'd like to talk
to him alone, Jim.

All right, Martin.

If you need me,
I'll be outside.

Thank you.

Hey, Mr. Ross,
you don't think I did it?

Sit down, Tommy.

You needn't be frightened.
Nobody is going to hurt you.

How's your ball club?

Pretty good, I guess.

You the pitcher?

No, sir, shortstop.

I bet you're pretty good.

Look, Mr. Ross, what's
going to happen to me?

The Sheriff keeps telling me
I k*lled this guy.

A thing like this
could be serious.

It is serious, Tommy,
that's why I wanted
to talk to you.

I need your help.

My help?

I want you to sign
that confession.

You're just like
all the rest of them.

Just because
I got into trouble once
when I was a kid,

everybody wants to blame me
for everything that happens
in this town.

What kind
of trouble, Tommy?

Look, I've never been
in jail or anything.

One time these kids borrowed
a car, without asking.

I went along for the ride.

Boy, was I a dope.

And you've never been
a dope like that again?

I'll say I haven't.
I haven't been
in trouble since.

Look, I made the ball team.
I got myself a swell job down
at the club caddying.

I...

At least it was a swell job
until this guy Reeves
gets himself bumped off.

Now I'm right back
where I started.

Tommy,

how would you like to
help me catch the man
that k*lled Mr. Reeves?

The man...

Then you don't think I did it.

I know you didn't do it.

But I want you to pretend
that you did,

just for a little while.
It's very important.

You mean, you want me
to take the rap?

Then you're going to start
looking for some other guy?
I don't get it.

I'm afraid
I don't have to look, Tommy.

I know where he is
and who he is.

He's a very sick man
and a dangerous one.

Will you help me?

Gee, I...

I don't know.

How do I know this
just isn't a trick?

I'm asking a lot, Tommy.

You just have to trust me.

If we can make him
believe that you've
confessed to the crime,

we can throw him off guard
and prevent another m*rder,

and put him where
he won't do any more harm.

And you'd be the one
who made it possible.

Will you do it?

Yeah, I guess so,

if you're really sure
it's going to help.

Thank you, Tommy.

Mr. Ross,
could I tell my mother?
See, she's kind of nervous.

She worries about me a lot.

It'll have to be
a secret between us,

but it won't be for long,
I promise.

Okay.

Sure hope I'm not
signing my life away.

Laura.

Hello?

Hello, Laura.
You all right?

Yes, Martin, I'm all right
but please come home.

I'm on my way, darling.

You can tell Richard
to put that g*n away.

Tommy Kopeck has
confessed to the m*rder
of Burton Reeves.

Tommy Kopeck.

It was very accommodating
of that caddy

to pop up like that
just when we needed him,

wasn't it, Laura, dear?

I've seen Tommy
at the clubhouse.

Rather surly fellow.
Not overly bright I imagine.

I never cared
for him very much.

There must be
more-likely suspects.

Still, I suppose Martin
knows what he's doing.

After all,
time is of the essence,
isn't it?

I hope Martin hurries.
I'm eager to know the details.

Do you know, Laura,

all one really needs
for success

is a worthwhile plan
and the courage
to follow through.

Have a drink with me,
my dear. We do have
something to celebrate.

Oh, come now.
That's a strange attitude
for you to take.

Now, think what's
in store for you.

You're going to be
the wife of a governor,

and perhaps, someday, even
the wife of a president, yes.

That's not beyond
the realm of possibility.

Martin, President
of the United States.

I think we'd all enjoy that
very much, except, of course,
for Tommy Kopeck.

It's not true about Tommy.
I don't believe it.

What isn't true,
my dear?

Martin wouldn't force someone
to confess to a m*rder

they didn't commit.
He couldn't do that.

Not even to save your life?

No, not even
to save my life.

Oh, such noble sentiments.

I'm afraid
you're wrong, my dear.

My brother is a bit more
realistic, also ambitious.

I don't think his conscience
will trouble him too much.

We're really
very much alike.

Oh, if I believed that,
I don't know what I'd do.

Poor little Laura,
with her head in the clouds.

I'm afraid you have
quite a shock coming.

Well, he'll find
some other way.
I know he will.

There is no other way.

Martin.

Very sensible
of you, Martin.

I'm trying...
Darling, I was so afraid.

Everything's going to be
all right, Laura.

Of course it is.

You had no trouble getting
his confession, did you?

It wasn't easy, Richard.

I had to talk to him about
circumstantial evidence,
his past record,

and because he trusted me,
he admitted to everything
I asked for.

The verdict will
have to be guilty.

Martin, you're not
going through with it?

What else can I do?

Richard's made me
a proposition.
Your life or Tommy's.

It's just a simple matter
of an exchange.

From now on, there'll be
no g*n necessary, right?

Right.

May I have the confession?

After I have the g*n, Richard.
That was our deal.

You can trust me.

I'm afraid I can't
afford that luxury.

Confession, please.

Martin.

Now get out of here.

Of course.

Ready, Laura?

Laura?

You don't expect me just
to go conveniently off
like that, alone?

Afraid I can't trust
that conscience
of yours, Martin.

It might tempt you
to confide in the police.

But if Laura is with me...

Oh, no,
you can't take her!

Of course I can take her!
Sit down!

Sit down.

I give you my word.

The day that
Tommy Kopeck is ex*cuted,
I'll bring her back.

Come, Laura dear,
we have a long trip
ahead of us tonight.

Martin.

Martin!

You were right, Laura.

He's not like me at all.

All my trouble was wasted.

I'm sorry, Laura.

We won't be taking
that trip together, after all.

We'll answer that together.

You are Mr. Martin Ross?

He's...
Laura.

Who are you?

Do you see
what they say
about my son?

It is a lie,
a terrible lie.

It's the truth,
Mrs. Kop... Laura.

Your son has made
a full confession.

No, he couldn't,
they made him do it.

Tommy is a good boy,
a little fresh sometimes
maybe, but he could not k*ll!

It's impossible!

Your faith in him
is very touching.

The facts are that your son
committed a particularly
cruel and senseless crime

and he must pay for it.

You do not believe this.

You are a good man, Mr. Ross.
Tommy has told me this.

You would know
my son could not k*ll.

You will stop
this terrible thing.

Please, Mrs. Kopeck,
I wouldn't think of
obstructing justice.

Justice? It's only
some bad mistake.

You will tell them
and they will let
Tommy go, please!

I simply cannot abide
sniveling women.

Show her out,
please, Laura.

I am poor, I can
give very little,

but I know how to sew.
That's how I make my living.

I could come to
your house many times.

I would make many
beautiful dresses for you.

You don't understand,
Mrs. Kopeck...

Are you
suggesting a bribe?

Please, Mr. Ross!

I've heard enough.

There is nothing I can do
for your son. The law must
take its course.

And what is this course?

It's very simple.
He'll be hanged.

He is only .

In the eyes of the law,
he is a man.

Now, if you will
excuse us. Laura.

I only did it
to make my boy safe.

Only to make him safe.

Laura.

Martin.

Laura.

Your boy is safe now,
Mrs. Kopeck.

We all are,
because of you.

That'll be our defense.
Yours and mine.

Thus ends
"My Brother, Richard. "

Needless to say, Mrs. Grant
was brought to trial,

but fortunately, the jury
took into account

many of the circumstances

which we saw
reenacted tonight.

On our next program,

we shall present
another story,

and I will also be back
to provide the marginalia.

Until then, good night.