WEBVTT 00:00:18.039 --> 00:00:25.579 Come in. Welcome. I'm E .G. Marshall. Welcome 00:00:25.579 --> 00:00:29.780 to the terrifying world of the imagination. I 00:00:29.780 --> 00:00:32.560 am a man normally filled with the milk of human 00:00:32.560 --> 00:00:36.479 kindness, but prepared, I'm afraid, to curdle 00:00:36.479 --> 00:00:39.679 your blood with a tale not of life and death, 00:00:40.500 --> 00:00:44.840 but rather death and life. I offer you one small 00:00:44.840 --> 00:00:50.179 comfort. It could hardly happen today. But in 00:00:50.179 --> 00:00:53.179 the last century, on the old Montgomery estate 00:00:53.179 --> 00:00:56.679 in Maryland, in the great dark rambling house 00:00:56.679 --> 00:01:00.340 called Westerly, it was easier to be marked for 00:01:00.340 --> 00:01:07.700 death than in this one. Yes, Mother. You look 00:01:07.700 --> 00:01:13.959 at home in your coffin. Sleep fast. It's taken 00:01:13.959 --> 00:01:18.659 many years. But you've made your son a very happy 00:01:18.659 --> 00:01:25.920 man. It's all mine at last. Westerly, the money, 00:01:26.799 --> 00:01:33.719 the jewels. I'm my own man. How I've hated you 00:01:33.719 --> 00:01:36.560 the way you kept me on the leash like some old 00:01:36.560 --> 00:01:43.670 hound dog. Well, now the money's mine. You'll 00:01:43.670 --> 00:01:46.230 hardly need those rings. They've let you wear 00:01:46.230 --> 00:01:51.030 to your grave I'll take them so I can buy me 00:01:51.030 --> 00:02:01.750 You would hang on to them even if I Should have 00:02:01.750 --> 00:02:04.750 known you'd come back to haunt me even before 00:02:04.750 --> 00:02:14.939 we got you to the grave Our mystery drama, Cold 00:02:14.939 --> 00:02:17.819 Storage, was written especially for the Mystery 00:02:17.819 --> 00:02:22.419 Theatre by Ian Martin and stars Ruby Dee and 00:02:22.419 --> 00:02:25.719 John Barragay. I'll be back shortly with Act 00:02:25.719 --> 00:02:42.270 One. Some ghouls robbing a grave. Many years 00:02:42.270 --> 00:02:45.069 before, Buford Montgomery found himself engaged 00:02:45.069 --> 00:02:48.069 in essentially the same activity, where every 00:02:48.069 --> 00:02:50.409 bit is shocked when the corpse whose rings they 00:02:50.409 --> 00:02:55.590 were tearing off suddenly sat up, alive. An epileptic 00:02:55.590 --> 00:02:58.710 seizure in other times could counterfeit death. 00:02:59.669 --> 00:03:03.590 The ghouls, of course, had a recourse. They ran 00:03:03.590 --> 00:03:07.930 away. Buford Montgomery has to stay and face 00:03:07.930 --> 00:03:13.219 his problem. Buford, will you put me down? When 00:03:13.219 --> 00:03:17.039 I'm ready. I am quite able to walk. I want to 00:03:17.039 --> 00:03:19.759 make sure you don't run. What are you talking 00:03:19.759 --> 00:03:26.439 about? What are you doing locking me in? No, 00:03:26.439 --> 00:03:29.060 no, no, keep away from me. It's all right, mother. 00:03:29.699 --> 00:03:33.819 I'm not going to harm you. I heard you standing 00:03:33.819 --> 00:03:38.620 over me in that coffin. I want... I need Dr. 00:03:38.860 --> 00:03:42.080 Wayne. That doddering old numbskull. He almost 00:03:42.080 --> 00:03:45.039 had you buried alive. You know he signed your 00:03:45.039 --> 00:03:49.719 death certificate. But how could he? I am alive. 00:03:49.780 --> 00:03:53.719 Oh, yes. I'm quite satisfied you are no ghost. 00:03:53.979 --> 00:03:58.180 But what happened? Another of your epileptic 00:03:58.180 --> 00:04:01.620 seizures. We were all convinced this one was 00:04:01.620 --> 00:04:08.199 fatal. At last. Only it wasn't. Quite a... disappointment 00:04:08.199 --> 00:04:14.039 to my beloved son well at least I know now where 00:04:14.039 --> 00:04:19.459 we stand now you open that door and send Hannah 00:04:19.459 --> 00:04:25.240 up to me not yet mother why because you see we 00:04:25.240 --> 00:04:27.839 don't really know just quite how we stand do 00:04:27.839 --> 00:04:33.399 we you foot don't don't you look at me like that 00:04:33.399 --> 00:04:38.420 how was I looking mama dear You want me dead 00:04:38.420 --> 00:04:42.199 back in that coffin. I want all the things I 00:04:42.199 --> 00:04:45.939 thought were finally mine The house the estate 00:04:45.939 --> 00:04:50.399 the money and most almost of all the freedom 00:04:50.399 --> 00:04:55.259 to be a man Look at me mama Listen to me call 00:04:55.259 --> 00:05:00.259 you that mama a grown man 38 years old Tied to 00:05:00.259 --> 00:05:03.279 his mother's apron strings like like some sniveling 00:05:03.279 --> 00:05:07.600 little boy I never meant to keep you tied down. 00:05:07.660 --> 00:05:10.839 Oh, yes, you did. You even did it with the judge. 00:05:11.639 --> 00:05:14.720 Father's life wasn't his own, either. You killed 00:05:14.720 --> 00:05:19.379 him. You... You are mad. Keep away. Keep away. 00:05:19.480 --> 00:05:21.680 You want to kill me? I'm not going to kill you, 00:05:21.759 --> 00:05:24.899 Mama. You know I haven't got the strength of 00:05:24.899 --> 00:05:29.639 will for that. Of course you won't, son, but... 00:05:29.399 --> 00:05:31.759 You can have anything you want. Now we've had 00:05:31.759 --> 00:05:33.959 this little talk. Now, now please get Hannah 00:05:33.959 --> 00:05:37.480 like a good boy. Oh, no, Mama. I don't need you 00:05:37.480 --> 00:05:41.240 anymore. You left me everything in your will. 00:05:41.759 --> 00:05:45.060 But I'm not dead. To all the world except me, 00:05:45.060 --> 00:05:49.560 you are. And you're going to stay that way. If 00:05:49.560 --> 00:05:52.240 you come one step closer, I'll scream. No one 00:05:52.240 --> 00:05:57.019 will hear you. Not in this big old house. Westerly's 00:05:57.019 --> 00:06:01.540 thick walls have no ears. What are you going 00:06:01.540 --> 00:06:11.279 to do to me? You'll see mother You'll see You're 00:06:11.279 --> 00:06:16.699 going to put me back in that coffin and bury 00:06:16.699 --> 00:06:22.920 me alive Yes, I haven't any choice now Please, 00:06:23.040 --> 00:06:27.000 please, please Don't worry You'll be quite comfortable 00:06:27.000 --> 00:06:36.649 I'm going to bury you alive But not in the coffin 00:06:36.649 --> 00:06:46.129 Anna yes, mr. Buford. I want you here in the 00:06:46.129 --> 00:06:50.509 hall. What is it sir? Where's William? He's in 00:06:50.509 --> 00:06:52.550 the stable master grooming the horses for the 00:06:52.550 --> 00:06:55.550 funeral tomorrow You want I should fetch him? 00:06:56.529 --> 00:07:02.350 No, not yet sit down I want to talk to you. Yes, 00:07:02.370 --> 00:07:08.009 sir. Now, where to begin? Hannah, you were mighty 00:07:08.009 --> 00:07:11.250 beholden to my father, weren't you? Judge Montgomery 00:07:11.250 --> 00:07:14.430 was a fine man. Was very kind to you and your 00:07:14.430 --> 00:07:17.449 son. The judge was powerful good to me and William. 00:07:18.230 --> 00:07:22.569 And my mother? Mrs. Montgomery is a fine lady. 00:07:23.170 --> 00:07:25.470 It's been a privilege to have served her as housekeeper. 00:07:25.709 --> 00:07:28.110 And will you consider it a privilege to serve 00:07:28.110 --> 00:07:31.449 me in the same capacity? If you want me, sir. 00:07:32.269 --> 00:07:36.769 And William? Where I go, William goes. You know, 00:07:36.769 --> 00:07:41.829 he's just a great big overgrown baby. Has to 00:07:41.829 --> 00:07:45.410 be cared for like one. Or they'd shut him away 00:07:45.410 --> 00:07:48.290 somewhere, isn't it? I wouldn't ever let them 00:07:48.290 --> 00:07:50.970 do that to my boy. He couldn't stand being shut 00:07:50.970 --> 00:07:54.860 in. He'd... Why, he'd... You wouldn't let them 00:07:54.860 --> 00:07:57.379 do that to him, would you, Master Buford? Not 00:07:57.379 --> 00:08:01.240 if I can count on you to help me. You can, sir. 00:08:01.579 --> 00:08:06.319 You can. Well, what about William? He does what 00:08:06.319 --> 00:08:10.279 I tell him. He's old as you are, but he has the 00:08:10.279 --> 00:08:15.220 mind of a child. I'd want to be absolutely sure 00:08:15.220 --> 00:08:18.180 of both of you. I don't understand you, Master 00:08:18.180 --> 00:08:22.329 Buford. Then I'll make myself plainer. I think 00:08:22.329 --> 00:08:25.829 you must have always hated my mother. Why did 00:08:25.829 --> 00:08:29.930 you stay on after father died? I stayed because 00:08:29.930 --> 00:08:34.149 I... Where else could I go? You're sure it wasn't 00:08:34.149 --> 00:08:38.250 because you were afraid? Afraid of what? Not 00:08:38.250 --> 00:08:46.610 of, Hannah. For. For William. Right? Oh, don't 00:08:46.610 --> 00:08:50.620 look so terrified and trapped. I know it all, 00:08:50.799 --> 00:08:53.960 Hannah. I know it all. Master Buford, I... How 00:08:53.960 --> 00:08:57.559 you must really hate us all. Even father at the 00:08:57.559 --> 00:09:01.480 end. Not the judge. Never the judge. Even after 00:09:01.480 --> 00:09:05.059 what he made you sign? What would the judge ever 00:09:05.059 --> 00:09:07.840 have wanted me to sign? A confession that you 00:09:07.840 --> 00:09:10.419 saw your son William commit a murder ten years 00:09:10.419 --> 00:09:17.210 ago. How did you know? It's one of the advantages 00:09:17.210 --> 00:09:20.570 of my dear mother's unexpected death. It was 00:09:20.570 --> 00:09:23.129 among the papers the lawyer turned over to me. 00:09:24.090 --> 00:09:31.690 So she did know. All these years. How could Randolph 00:09:31.690 --> 00:09:35.210 had done that to me? You know why. You were an 00:09:35.210 --> 00:09:38.009 eyewitness. And you know that William wasn't 00:09:38.009 --> 00:09:41.230 alone. It was an accident. And you were only 00:09:41.230 --> 00:09:44.990 boys. Pretty old for boys, Hannah. We were both 00:09:44.990 --> 00:09:48.690 going on 19, and the Copley kid was only 15. 00:09:49.529 --> 00:09:51.929 It was only my father being a judge that saved 00:09:51.929 --> 00:09:55.669 us all. Any jury in horse country like this could 00:09:55.669 --> 00:09:57.889 have told that boy's neck wasn't broken by any 00:09:57.889 --> 00:10:01.269 fall from a horse. The finger marks were gouged 00:10:01.269 --> 00:10:04.629 into the flesh. The rope burns were raw on his 00:10:04.629 --> 00:10:07.470 wrists. Why did you do it, Master Beaufort? Not 00:10:07.470 --> 00:10:11.860 I, Hannah. Remember? William was the culprit. 00:10:12.240 --> 00:10:14.860 William didn't know what he was doing. You egged 00:10:14.860 --> 00:10:18.399 him on. If I did, I didn't mean it to go so far. 00:10:19.279 --> 00:10:22.539 William didn't... doesn't know his own strengths. 00:10:23.799 --> 00:10:27.779 What does it matter? It's nearly 20 years ago. 00:10:28.679 --> 00:10:31.740 Why do you rake up old ashes? There are certain 00:10:31.740 --> 00:10:36.460 things I have to be sure of. What? In spite of 00:10:36.460 --> 00:10:42.080 everything, your complete loyalty to me. I have 00:10:42.080 --> 00:10:44.919 little choice if you have any confession. I have 00:10:44.919 --> 00:10:48.700 it in your own handwriting and William's squall, 00:10:48.799 --> 00:10:52.519 too I'm going to ask you to stretch your conscience 00:10:52.519 --> 00:10:56.299 further Come with me. No, no master Beaufort 00:10:56.299 --> 00:10:58.639 Don't bring me to the coffin. I don't want to 00:10:58.639 --> 00:11:03.620 look at us. I don't want to stop Look open your 00:11:03.620 --> 00:11:12.279 eyes. Oh It's empty she's gone What have you 00:11:12.279 --> 00:11:15.840 done with her she's in her bedroom upstairs, 00:11:15.840 --> 00:11:22.700 but she I'm afraid that blind old boggler. Dr. 00:11:22.860 --> 00:11:25.840 Wayne slightly exaggerated my mother's untimely 00:11:25.840 --> 00:11:31.120 end Mean she's alive and unfortunately quite 00:11:31.120 --> 00:11:37.159 well I See the news is it disappointing to you 00:11:37.159 --> 00:11:40.500 as it was to me. Oh don't try to hide it Hannah 00:11:40.830 --> 00:11:43.750 You know you hated her quite as much as I. I 00:11:43.750 --> 00:11:48.669 won't deny it. The humiliation, the day -by -day 00:11:48.669 --> 00:11:51.409 degradations your mother has put me through all 00:11:51.409 --> 00:11:54.610 these years since your father died. I can never 00:11:54.610 --> 00:11:58.929 forgive her for them. I'm glad to hear it. When 00:11:58.929 --> 00:12:04.929 she was dead, I was glad. God forgive me. It 00:12:04.929 --> 00:12:07.450 was one of the happiest days of my life. And 00:12:07.450 --> 00:12:10.490 mine. That's why she's going to stay dead, Hannah. 00:12:10.830 --> 00:12:14.590 You're mad. You can't murder your own mother. 00:12:14.769 --> 00:12:18.950 Nothing is further from my mind. No. Dear mama 00:12:18.950 --> 00:12:22.710 will come to no physical harm. You and William 00:12:22.710 --> 00:12:24.809 will see to it that her bodily needs are well 00:12:24.809 --> 00:12:29.230 taken care of. And I, as complete master of Westerly 00:12:29.230 --> 00:12:32.090 at last, will see to it in turn that you and 00:12:32.090 --> 00:12:34.850 William are taken care of. What are you going 00:12:34.850 --> 00:12:38.190 to do with her? First of all, Hannah, you're 00:12:38.190 --> 00:12:40.980 going to explain to William. Then bring him here 00:12:40.980 --> 00:12:42.919 so we can nail up this coffin and the very old 00:12:42.919 --> 00:12:45.220 services can be completed tomorrow. Master Buford, 00:12:45.299 --> 00:12:47.320 no, you can't. Better tell William to bring a 00:12:47.320 --> 00:12:49.899 sack of meal or corn. Won't do to have the coffin 00:12:49.899 --> 00:12:54.299 too light. How, how on earth can you hide your 00:12:54.299 --> 00:12:58.879 mother from, from everyone? On earth. That's 00:12:58.879 --> 00:13:02.659 very apt. I'll tell you what we're going to do 00:13:02.659 --> 00:13:05.700 with her, Hannah. Just what we do with the roots 00:13:05.700 --> 00:13:09.379 and the preserves. We're going to put Mama in 00:13:09.379 --> 00:13:22.120 cold storage. Make sure to drive them home, William. 00:13:22.740 --> 00:13:26.120 Do see machine burying a whole good sack of good 00:13:26.120 --> 00:13:30.100 feed. I picked up the worthiest one I could find. 00:13:30.519 --> 00:13:36.580 That's enough now. Finish up. Finish now. Got 00:13:36.580 --> 00:13:41.440 the ladder in, Hannah? Yes, sir. All right. Did 00:13:41.440 --> 00:13:43.580 you strip the bed in the spare room, Hannah? 00:13:44.039 --> 00:13:48.340 Yes, sir, I did. William, you go on up there 00:13:48.340 --> 00:13:50.779 and bring that bed and all the furniture downstairs 00:13:50.779 --> 00:13:55.039 to the old hidey hole, right? Sure will. Where 00:13:55.039 --> 00:13:58.659 is this hidey hole? William could tell you as 00:13:58.659 --> 00:14:01.980 good as me, or better. He's the one who found 00:14:01.980 --> 00:14:07.519 it. Must be 15 years ago. 16, Master Buford. 00:14:08.139 --> 00:14:10.659 That was the year Miss Prudence dropped her first 00:14:10.659 --> 00:14:14.320 foe. That's when old Mr. Todd Hunter, the vet 00:14:14.320 --> 00:14:17.620 man, told me all about his daddy and your grandfather 00:14:17.620 --> 00:14:20.139 and how they dug out the hidey hole and made 00:14:20.139 --> 00:14:23.279 it out of a big room like a station on the Underground 00:14:23.279 --> 00:14:26.379 Railroad. William, go see to the furniture. Yes, 00:14:26.379 --> 00:14:30.220 sir. Take me a while to get the bed apart. Take 00:14:30.220 --> 00:14:36.029 your time. The Underground Railroad? You mean 00:14:36.029 --> 00:14:38.950 this was a slave station? To hide out escaped 00:14:38.950 --> 00:14:41.590 slaves being passed to the north? What it was. 00:14:42.330 --> 00:14:44.490 But you can't put your mother in a place like 00:14:44.490 --> 00:14:47.990 that. Why not? She spent her lifetime trying 00:14:47.990 --> 00:14:51.049 to turn the clock back, make a slave of everyone 00:14:51.049 --> 00:14:56.029 else. Why shouldn't it be her turn for a change? 00:15:00.780 --> 00:15:04.840 How sharper than a serpent's tooth it is to have 00:15:04.840 --> 00:15:08.779 a thankless child as King Lear had occasion to 00:15:08.779 --> 00:15:13.659 remark Still on the record Mama is not much of 00:15:13.659 --> 00:15:17.679 a prize either Let's leave her in cold storage 00:15:17.679 --> 00:15:33.210 until we return shortly with act two In the weeks 00:15:33.210 --> 00:15:37.110 that pass, Mrs. Randolph Price Montgomery is 00:15:37.110 --> 00:15:39.570 finding her quarters somewhat less elegant than 00:15:39.570 --> 00:15:42.590 she liked. But at least they are less confining 00:15:42.590 --> 00:15:46.669 than a coffin. Buford, her son and now heir, 00:15:47.110 --> 00:15:49.809 has been living as high as he promised himself, 00:15:50.409 --> 00:15:52.809 and cutting a swath as the county's most sought 00:15:52.809 --> 00:16:02.090 -after bachelor. I declare, Buford, I thought 00:16:02.090 --> 00:16:04.330 I'd never be able to coax you away from all the 00:16:04.330 --> 00:16:07.750 other ladies. Nancy Lee, they may have had my 00:16:07.750 --> 00:16:10.169 arms, but my heart was with you. Well, I'd have 00:16:10.169 --> 00:16:12.570 felt a lot sure of that if I'd had your name 00:16:12.570 --> 00:16:15.789 a little more often in my car. I just don't want 00:16:15.789 --> 00:16:18.690 us to get talked about too much. Why ever not? 00:16:19.350 --> 00:16:21.889 Would you be ashamed to have your name linked 00:16:21.889 --> 00:16:24.710 with mine? Why, Nancy Lee, you know better than 00:16:24.710 --> 00:16:29.419 that. Aren't you gonna sit with me, sugar? Oh, 00:16:29.519 --> 00:16:34.039 why, why, sure, honey. Hold my hand. Just lies 00:16:34.039 --> 00:16:37.879 in mine like a little bird. Now that's more like 00:16:37.879 --> 00:16:46.360 my Beaufort. Kiss me. Angel. Still the same old 00:16:46.360 --> 00:16:50.519 thrill. Gives me goosebumps all over. Oh, that's 00:16:50.519 --> 00:16:55.059 nice. I wouldn't want to think I'd lost the power 00:16:55.059 --> 00:16:58.850 to get you going. Why would you think that? Well, 00:16:58.850 --> 00:17:01.809 I'll tell you, Beaufort. I thought when your 00:17:01.809 --> 00:17:04.730 mother died, it would give us a chance to be 00:17:04.730 --> 00:17:07.210 closer than ever. I mean, since we could come 00:17:07.210 --> 00:17:10.109 right out in the open. I didn't think it would 00:17:10.109 --> 00:17:12.609 start you chasing after every pretty girl inside. 00:17:13.329 --> 00:17:16.430 I wouldn't take a one of them or exchange any 00:17:16.430 --> 00:17:18.630 of them for you. Now, I'm right glad to hear 00:17:18.630 --> 00:17:23.170 you say that, sugar, because I'm afraid you're 00:17:23.170 --> 00:17:29.460 not going to be a bachelor anymore. Huh? I got 00:17:29.460 --> 00:17:33.039 something to tell you. You're going to have to 00:17:33.039 --> 00:17:36.119 go back to being a family man again, I'm afraid. 00:17:37.000 --> 00:17:42.099 What? What are you saying? That you're going 00:17:42.099 --> 00:17:47.500 to be a daddy. Aren't you proud? Good Lord! Are 00:17:47.500 --> 00:17:51.140 you sure? That I'm in a family way? Well, it's 00:17:51.140 --> 00:17:55.369 very easy for a girl to be sure of that. What 00:17:55.369 --> 00:17:57.930 are we going to do? Well, with Mama gone, there's 00:17:57.930 --> 00:18:00.509 no problem at all. You're just going to have 00:18:00.509 --> 00:18:03.930 to make an honest woman of me. My parents surely 00:18:03.930 --> 00:18:06.769 won't object. And you wouldn't want the Colonel 00:18:06.769 --> 00:18:08.869 to come after you with a gun, knowing that my 00:18:08.869 --> 00:18:11.150 daddy is the best shot in South Carolina. Now, 00:18:11.150 --> 00:18:13.549 wait a minute, Nancy Lee. Oh, Sugar, you know 00:18:13.549 --> 00:18:15.630 I'm only funnin'. And I know you're going to 00:18:15.630 --> 00:18:18.289 be every bit as happy as I am once you get used 00:18:18.289 --> 00:18:22.549 to it. Oh, honey, aren't you just thrilled to 00:18:22.549 --> 00:18:37.529 death? We're going to get married Come in Excuse 00:18:37.529 --> 00:18:41.730 me master. What is it Hannah? It's about mrs. 00:18:41.869 --> 00:18:45.910 Montgomery She isn't that yet. I meant your mother 00:18:45.910 --> 00:18:50.450 sir. Oh What about her? She keeps asking for 00:18:50.450 --> 00:18:54.710 you. Well tell her I'm Just don't tell her anything. 00:18:55.670 --> 00:18:57.269 You haven't said anything about the wedding tomorrow. 00:18:57.670 --> 00:19:01.309 No, sir, but... But what? About your mother. 00:19:02.849 --> 00:19:05.910 She... She wants to talk to you. And it does 00:19:05.910 --> 00:19:08.430 seem so inhumane to keep her locked up alone. 00:19:08.470 --> 00:19:10.430 She sees you or William every day, doesn't she? 00:19:10.589 --> 00:19:12.829 Yes. Her quarters are comfortable and clean, 00:19:12.930 --> 00:19:15.849 aren't they? Yes. She's in perfectly good health? 00:19:16.029 --> 00:19:19.329 Oh, yes. Never better. More's the pity. Well, 00:19:19.329 --> 00:19:24.200 then? She's... She's lonely. So was I all those 00:19:24.200 --> 00:19:26.880 years. She had me under her thumb, and I'm not 00:19:26.880 --> 00:19:29.619 going back to that By tomorrow. I'm going to 00:19:29.619 --> 00:19:33.500 have my own woman and a beauty at that Mother's 00:19:33.500 --> 00:19:37.440 not going to spoil that for me. Yes, sir I'm 00:19:37.440 --> 00:19:41.279 sorry sir good now get out of here and take the 00:19:41.279 --> 00:19:43.119 whiskey carafe with you and fill it up. It's 00:19:43.119 --> 00:19:50.680 almost empty again Yes, sir master Buford sir 00:19:50.680 --> 00:19:55.529 William Yes, mama. Take this carafe and fill 00:19:55.529 --> 00:19:58.009 it with Master Buford's bourbon and bring it 00:19:58.009 --> 00:20:02.450 back to him in his study. Yes, sir. I reckon 00:20:02.450 --> 00:20:04.970 old Master Buford's getting himself licked up 00:20:04.970 --> 00:20:09.069 for the bachelor party. I reckon he's trying 00:20:09.069 --> 00:20:13.170 to build himself some Dutch courage. What do 00:20:13.170 --> 00:20:17.690 you mean, ma? I mean... I don't think he exactly 00:20:17.690 --> 00:20:20.309 figured on getting tied up again when he cut 00:20:20.309 --> 00:20:35.690 his mama's apron strings. Beautiful. Oh, look 00:20:35.690 --> 00:20:38.430 at that. It started into rain. Such a pretty 00:20:38.430 --> 00:20:44.410 night, too. Let's go on up to bed. My husband. 00:20:44.759 --> 00:20:47.339 All he ever seems to think of, now he's made 00:20:47.339 --> 00:20:50.660 me his little goods and chattel. Nancy Lee, all 00:20:50.660 --> 00:20:55.019 I mean was I'm tired. Tired of me after two short 00:20:55.019 --> 00:20:57.539 weeks? You know I didn't mean that. Well, come 00:20:57.539 --> 00:20:59.759 here then. Lay your head on Mama's breast. Don't 00:20:59.759 --> 00:21:02.460 say that. What happened? Don't be so sensitive. 00:21:02.559 --> 00:21:07.579 Your Mama's dead and gone. Yes. Although sometimes, 00:21:07.640 --> 00:21:09.779 I swear to goodness, I get the feeling in this 00:21:09.779 --> 00:21:13.119 rickety old house she's still sort of around. 00:21:13.819 --> 00:21:17.799 Huh? What makes you think that? Well, don't jump 00:21:17.799 --> 00:21:21.480 so, darling. It's just a... just a spooky feeling. 00:21:22.940 --> 00:21:25.099 Maybe you and me should have gotten rid of Westerling, 00:21:25.160 --> 00:21:27.579 gone back on to South Carolina with Mom and Papa. 00:21:27.920 --> 00:21:31.829 No! We can't leave here. Well, all right sugar 00:21:31.829 --> 00:21:34.890 don't take on so I didn't mean to jump at you 00:21:34.890 --> 00:21:37.569 Of course you didn't you're just so kind a little 00:21:37.569 --> 00:21:39.849 old me and you were so generous to lend the Colonel 00:21:39.849 --> 00:21:42.509 all that money To go back south with mama to 00:21:42.509 --> 00:21:45.210 build up our old lovely old plantation again 00:21:45.210 --> 00:21:47.869 It must be the size of half the state what it's 00:21:47.869 --> 00:21:49.990 costing to restore it Well, it had gotten run 00:21:49.990 --> 00:21:53.089 down sort of but you've nothing to worry about 00:21:53.089 --> 00:21:55.369 Buford You'll get the money back. Of course, 00:21:55.369 --> 00:21:58.559 of course Nancy Lee What is it? Oh, this old 00:21:58.559 --> 00:22:01.500 porch. It's starting to leak like a sieve. I'll 00:22:01.500 --> 00:22:03.220 have William look at it in the morning. That 00:22:03.220 --> 00:22:05.980 big old lame brain. Buford, if we're gonna stay 00:22:05.980 --> 00:22:08.660 here at Westerly, I want some changes made. I'd 00:22:08.660 --> 00:22:11.039 like to do some rebuilding. We can discuss that 00:22:11.039 --> 00:22:12.859 in the morning. And I want some new servants. 00:22:12.980 --> 00:22:15.000 I don't want that silly old William and Hannah 00:22:15.000 --> 00:22:17.720 around. They've got to go. No. But, Buford... 00:22:17.720 --> 00:22:20.980 Whatever happens, William and Hannah stay. And 00:22:20.980 --> 00:22:26.190 we stay. That's final. My Beaufort, you are so 00:22:26.190 --> 00:22:28.569 masterful when you get mad, I could just swoon. 00:22:29.349 --> 00:22:33.329 Come on, let's go on up to bed, and I'll show 00:22:33.329 --> 00:22:40.829 you just how wonderful it is to be married. I 00:22:40.829 --> 00:22:42.809 came out with your mother's tray, Master Beaufort, 00:22:43.269 --> 00:22:46.130 and she nearly caught me. What the Sam Hill was 00:22:46.130 --> 00:22:48.309 Nancy Lee doing in the cellar? I don't know. 00:22:48.650 --> 00:22:51.670 She didn't see anything? I'm sure not. Does she 00:22:51.670 --> 00:22:53.789 suspect anything? I don't think I... Damn that 00:22:53.789 --> 00:22:59.369 woman. That's her now. Get out, Hannah. I'll 00:22:59.369 --> 00:23:05.910 handle this. Yes, sir. Nancy Lee. What the devil 00:23:05.910 --> 00:23:08.190 were you doing down in the cellar? No need to 00:23:08.190 --> 00:23:10.950 take on, so I was... I was just making up my 00:23:10.950 --> 00:23:14.410 mind where to put the wine cellar. What wine 00:23:14.410 --> 00:23:16.750 cellar? The one we're going to build in the back 00:23:16.750 --> 00:23:20.240 there. What for? Well, I intend to start entertaining, 00:23:20.579 --> 00:23:22.460 having guests to stay... Well, bring this house 00:23:22.460 --> 00:23:26.099 alive. No. No wine cellar and no guests. And 00:23:26.099 --> 00:23:28.299 you stay out of that downstairs. Don't you order 00:23:28.299 --> 00:23:30.980 me around. I'll do what I want in my own house. 00:23:34.819 --> 00:23:36.839 What did you mean by locking me out of our bedroom 00:23:36.839 --> 00:23:39.539 last night? I don't allow anyone who can't behave 00:23:39.539 --> 00:23:42.140 like a gentleman in my room. If you think just 00:23:42.140 --> 00:23:44.079 by withholding your favors from me, you can get 00:23:44.079 --> 00:23:46.640 your own way. You listen to me, Buford. One way 00:23:46.640 --> 00:23:49.359 or another, I always get my own way, and don't 00:23:49.359 --> 00:23:56.740 you forget it. Master Buford, Master Buford, 00:23:56.859 --> 00:23:59.039 you can't sleep here on the floor, sir. Why? 00:23:59.900 --> 00:24:05.039 Oh, yes. I've got to, Hannah. Oh, my wife won't 00:24:05.039 --> 00:24:08.940 let me in the bedroom. Come on, sir. You've been 00:24:08.940 --> 00:24:11.519 drinking. I've made you up a bed in one of the 00:24:11.519 --> 00:24:14.980 guest rooms. I wanna sleep on the bedroom. Not 00:24:14.980 --> 00:24:21.039 guest room. Ironic, isn't it, Anna? Don't have 00:24:21.039 --> 00:24:26.779 much luck with the ladies. All of the frying 00:24:26.779 --> 00:24:33.440 pan into the fire. She's got to go. Except can't. 00:24:33.500 --> 00:24:37.660 Because of baby. Got the child to think of. Can't 00:24:37.660 --> 00:24:46.980 figure that one out. William, is my horse ready? 00:24:47.740 --> 00:24:52.200 Morning, Nancy Lee. My, ain't you the prettiest 00:24:52.200 --> 00:24:55.279 thing? I asked about my horse. Oh, yes, Miss 00:24:55.279 --> 00:24:59.000 Nancy. I combed and curried and shined that old 00:24:59.000 --> 00:25:00.519 horse. Would you bring him around to the front? 00:25:00.920 --> 00:25:05.039 Yes, sir, Miss Nancy. And the name is Mrs. Montgomery. 00:25:06.000 --> 00:25:09.910 Yes. Mrs.. Montgomery. Oh get out of my sight 00:25:09.910 --> 00:25:11.710 when you bring them around. Let me know. I'll 00:25:11.710 --> 00:25:18.269 be in the parlor Buford here Hannah said you 00:25:18.269 --> 00:25:21.130 want to see me. I want to talk to you. I'm afraid 00:25:21.130 --> 00:25:23.230 I don't have time I'm going riding. That's what 00:25:23.230 --> 00:25:26.049 I want to talk to you about Do you think it's 00:25:26.049 --> 00:25:30.230 wise? All this riding in your condition in my 00:25:30.230 --> 00:25:38.410 condition I'd near forgotten Forgotten? How could 00:25:38.410 --> 00:25:41.549 you forget the baby you're carrying? I'm sure 00:25:41.549 --> 00:25:46.410 I wouldn't if I were. Only I'm not. I never had 00:25:46.410 --> 00:25:50.609 one. What? Oh, Buford, don't splutter so. If 00:25:50.609 --> 00:25:52.829 you'd have a brain in your head, you'd have realized 00:25:52.829 --> 00:25:57.049 that long ago. It was all a trick to get me to 00:25:57.049 --> 00:25:59.650 marry you. At the time, you seemed such a catch, 00:25:59.670 --> 00:26:02.630 and the competition was a little heavy, so I 00:26:02.630 --> 00:26:05.470 thought I'd just make sure of you. And it worked. 00:26:06.099 --> 00:26:08.380 I'm really sorry to have disappointed you about 00:26:08.380 --> 00:26:14.019 the child. Disappointed? You don't know how relieved 00:26:14.019 --> 00:26:17.720 I am. Now there's no problem. What do you mean, 00:26:17.819 --> 00:26:21.200 no problem? To end this marriage, to get a divorce. 00:26:21.859 --> 00:26:24.319 You think that's no problem? It shouldn't be. 00:26:24.680 --> 00:26:26.380 I'm prepared to make a reasonable settlement. 00:26:26.859 --> 00:26:28.839 And just what would you consider reasonable, 00:26:28.859 --> 00:26:31.319 Mr. Montgomery? We can waive the money I loaned 00:26:31.319 --> 00:26:35.890 your father and call it a day. The money you 00:26:35.890 --> 00:26:39.470 loaned my father That wasn't alone that was a 00:26:39.470 --> 00:26:42.029 little payoff for a nice background of southern 00:26:42.029 --> 00:26:45.289 gentility to trap me a man The Colonel and his 00:26:45.289 --> 00:26:47.849 wife are just as phony as I am dear heart and 00:26:47.849 --> 00:26:50.970 they are long gone I'm where I want to be with 00:26:50.970 --> 00:26:53.869 a name I like and I'm not giving it up for anyone 00:26:53.869 --> 00:26:56.789 You are never going to get rid of little Nancy 00:26:56.789 --> 00:27:01.589 Lee know how no way at all Now if you'll excuse 00:27:01.589 --> 00:27:07.609 me dear husband Hannah, hello. Did you get a 00:27:07.609 --> 00:27:10.390 nice earful? The door was open, Mrs. Montgomery, 00:27:10.549 --> 00:27:12.410 and William asked me to come in here and tell 00:27:12.410 --> 00:27:14.470 you that he's waiting outside with your horse. 00:27:14.549 --> 00:27:17.630 He could have told me himself! And I hope that 00:27:17.630 --> 00:27:21.789 damn beast throws her and breaks her neck. All 00:27:21.789 --> 00:27:24.289 right, Hannah, what are you waiting for? It's 00:27:24.289 --> 00:27:27.130 your mother, sir. She's in a state. She insists 00:27:27.130 --> 00:27:30.750 on seeing you. No! I've had enough of Montgomery 00:27:30.750 --> 00:27:36.339 women for one day. Tell her I... No. Forget that, 00:27:36.440 --> 00:27:40.339 Hannah. I've changed my mind. I think I will 00:27:40.339 --> 00:27:43.480 pay Mama a visit. I have a little surprise for 00:27:43.480 --> 00:27:53.180 her. But you can't be so cruel, Buford. Keeping 00:27:53.180 --> 00:27:57.759 me here locked up like an animal. You've got 00:27:57.759 --> 00:28:00.160 to let me go. You know I can't do that, Mother. 00:28:00.509 --> 00:28:02.970 I've explained again and again why you can't 00:28:02.970 --> 00:28:05.789 suddenly turn up alive. But I can't stand it 00:28:05.789 --> 00:28:11.210 anymore. It's like being buried alive. Oh, Buford, 00:28:11.349 --> 00:28:16.650 it's so lonely. I know that, Mama. And I know 00:28:16.650 --> 00:28:20.970 it just plain isn't fair. So I thought of a solution. 00:28:22.369 --> 00:28:26.309 What, dear? How would you like to have a nice 00:28:26.309 --> 00:28:34.009 permanent companion? Did I make an unguarded 00:28:34.009 --> 00:28:36.869 statement that Buford was no match for the ladies? 00:28:38.109 --> 00:28:42.069 Perhaps in one sense that's true, but in another 00:28:42.069 --> 00:28:46.150 Well, it seems that Nancy Lee is going to have 00:28:46.150 --> 00:28:49.650 cause to regret her match with Buford We'll find 00:28:49.650 --> 00:29:06.220 that out shortly when we return with act 3 Now 00:29:06.220 --> 00:29:08.960 it's one thing to get away with disposing of 00:29:08.960 --> 00:29:12.460 someone already legally certified as dead and 00:29:12.460 --> 00:29:16.859 supposedly suitably interred. Nancy Lee is another 00:29:16.859 --> 00:29:20.720 problem. She can't have a convenient epileptic 00:29:20.720 --> 00:29:25.640 seizure. Can Buford get away with it? Nancy Lee, 00:29:26.559 --> 00:29:29.099 I've been thinking about us. Don't waste your 00:29:29.099 --> 00:29:31.940 time. Nothing's going to change. I've got nobody 00:29:31.940 --> 00:29:34.160 but you and nowhere's in the whole wide world 00:29:34.160 --> 00:29:36.799 to go. I'm a permanent fixture, Beaufort. Oh, 00:29:36.799 --> 00:29:39.279 I know that, honey. And I was wrong to think 00:29:39.279 --> 00:29:42.440 anything else. Don't you know I really want you 00:29:42.440 --> 00:29:46.480 here with all my heart? On my terms. Don't you 00:29:46.480 --> 00:29:49.380 try to fancy talk me. Won't you please let me 00:29:49.380 --> 00:29:52.119 tell you what I was thinking about? If you make 00:29:52.119 --> 00:29:56.359 it sure. And sweet. What I was going to suggest... 00:29:56.410 --> 00:29:59.390 Just to clear the air, sort of, and give us both 00:29:59.390 --> 00:30:02.069 the chance to get a new perspective was a trip. 00:30:02.710 --> 00:30:05.009 I don't want to go anywhere as with you. Oh, 00:30:05.210 --> 00:30:08.529 I didn't mean together. I meant just you alone, 00:30:08.730 --> 00:30:13.390 sugar. Washington, Baltimore, Philadelphia. You 00:30:13.390 --> 00:30:16.069 could buy yourself a whole new wardrobe, like 00:30:16.069 --> 00:30:18.390 it was the trousseau you never really had. Oh, 00:30:18.609 --> 00:30:21.509 Washington, Baltimore, Philadelphia. Even... 00:30:21.599 --> 00:30:24.700 Paris, France, if you want. Paris, France? Oh, 00:30:24.920 --> 00:30:27.880 Beaufort, do you mean it? Anything's worth trying 00:30:27.880 --> 00:30:30.519 just to work things out for us. And to prove 00:30:30.519 --> 00:30:32.759 I mean it, you just go tell all your friends 00:30:32.759 --> 00:30:34.559 and everyone around that you're on your way. 00:30:35.299 --> 00:30:39.019 Oh, won't I make them squirm with envy? Washington, 00:30:39.220 --> 00:30:41.779 Philadelphia, Paris, France. There you'll go? 00:30:42.079 --> 00:30:44.180 What woman would pass up the chance? Well, I'll 00:30:44.180 --> 00:30:46.240 ride everywhere this week and let everyone know. 00:30:46.779 --> 00:30:49.000 Just one thing, Beaufort, you ought to understand. 00:30:49.279 --> 00:30:51.460 Well, what's that sugar? This doesn't change 00:30:51.460 --> 00:30:53.579 anything. I'm still going to spend the rest of 00:30:53.579 --> 00:30:56.039 my life right here in this house. Oh, I know 00:30:56.039 --> 00:31:08.660 that, Nancy Lee. I know that for sure. Master 00:31:08.660 --> 00:31:10.680 Buford, you just can't get away with it. Now 00:31:10.680 --> 00:31:13.380 you hush up, Hannah. I'm going to. But what will 00:31:13.380 --> 00:31:15.339 other people say? There's nothing for them to 00:31:15.339 --> 00:31:17.960 say. Nancy Lee went off on a little trip and 00:31:17.960 --> 00:31:20.740 she never came back. Master Buford, you're flying 00:31:20.740 --> 00:31:23.200 in the face of God. Hannah, to the devil with 00:31:23.200 --> 00:31:27.759 it. Now you do as I say here. Yes, sir. Now you 00:31:27.759 --> 00:31:29.859 and William have already got the extra bed set 00:31:29.859 --> 00:31:32.680 up downstairs and the chest of drawers and so 00:31:32.680 --> 00:31:36.539 on. Yes, sir. Fine. Then get busy and take all 00:31:36.539 --> 00:31:39.279 Miss Montgomery's clothes downstairs. Shouldn't 00:31:39.279 --> 00:31:42.279 take you too long. Most of her wardrobe is already 00:31:42.279 --> 00:31:44.500 packed. What am I going to tell your mother? 00:31:44.880 --> 00:31:47.119 Ever since we moved the extra furniture in, she's 00:31:47.119 --> 00:31:50.039 been like to drive me out of my mind asking questions. 00:31:50.359 --> 00:31:52.299 You haven't told her who to expect. You said 00:31:52.299 --> 00:31:55.039 not to. That's quite right, Hannah. We have to 00:31:55.039 --> 00:31:58.000 preserve the proprieties. I think it's my place 00:31:58.000 --> 00:32:06.700 to introduce my mother to my bride. Oh, Miss 00:32:06.700 --> 00:32:09.319 Montgomery? What is it, Hannah? Master Buford 00:32:09.319 --> 00:32:11.279 asked me to have you go right downstairs soon 00:32:11.279 --> 00:32:13.140 as you got back from ride, but I want a bath 00:32:13.140 --> 00:32:16.000 and change He said right away the moment you 00:32:16.000 --> 00:32:19.579 got here. Why? He said he had a little surprise 00:32:19.579 --> 00:32:26.859 for you. Oh very well Buford yes, what do you 00:32:26.859 --> 00:32:30.220 want me for come on down? I'll show you oh for 00:32:30.220 --> 00:32:33.200 Goodness sake hold that lantern a little higher. 00:32:33.220 --> 00:32:38.299 I can't see how's that better? Right over here 00:32:38.299 --> 00:32:40.819 by the back wall. Hannah said you had a surprise 00:32:40.819 --> 00:32:48.000 Why Buford you're going to do it Do what? Put 00:32:48.000 --> 00:32:52.380 in my wine cellar while I'm gone Something like 00:32:52.380 --> 00:32:54.839 that. Of course. We'll have to build regular 00:32:54.839 --> 00:32:57.759 bins instead of these old rickety shelves You 00:32:57.759 --> 00:32:59.240 know what? I thought when I was looking about 00:32:59.240 --> 00:33:02.650 down here before what was that? If we tore down 00:33:02.650 --> 00:33:05.609 these shelves, well, what I mean is, I was sort 00:33:05.609 --> 00:33:08.470 of stepping off the house upstairs, and it's 00:33:08.470 --> 00:33:12.130 some longer than this cellar. Is it? Yes. I walked 00:33:12.130 --> 00:33:14.829 off the cellar, too. You suppose there might 00:33:14.829 --> 00:33:18.109 be any room behind there we could sort of scoop 00:33:18.109 --> 00:33:21.730 out to make it bigger? Now, why don't you and 00:33:21.730 --> 00:33:25.589 me just try and find out? Why don't we? Of course, 00:33:25.630 --> 00:33:28.650 I reckon we'll need help. Oh, I don't think so. 00:33:28.849 --> 00:33:32.839 It might be quite easy. Like, um, like this, 00:33:32.920 --> 00:33:41.000 for example. It's a secret door. And a room. 00:33:42.500 --> 00:33:44.759 There's someone in there. A room you're going 00:33:44.759 --> 00:33:49.519 to be sharing for a long time. No. No. No, I 00:33:49.519 --> 00:33:52.019 won't go in there. Oh, yes you will. I'll scream. 00:33:52.259 --> 00:33:56.220 You'll do as you're told. You bit my hat. Get 00:33:56.220 --> 00:33:59.279 in there. You can't keep me in here. I'll scratch 00:33:59.279 --> 00:34:02.279 your arse out of... Oh, no, you won't. You'll 00:34:02.279 --> 00:34:04.420 keep your mouth shut for once and do as you're 00:34:04.420 --> 00:34:07.859 told. Oh, no, I won't. You wouldn't dare shoot 00:34:07.859 --> 00:34:11.099 me. Don't tempt me. Your foot. Put that pistol 00:34:11.099 --> 00:34:19.880 down. No. It can't be. Who are you? Don't you 00:34:19.880 --> 00:34:24.800 remember the first Mrs. Montgomery? But she... 00:34:24.800 --> 00:34:29.940 Your mother. Your mother's dead. A popular misconception. 00:34:30.599 --> 00:34:36.480 Let's just keep this private, shall we? You... 00:34:36.480 --> 00:34:41.980 You really judge Montgomery's wife? Certainly. 00:34:43.320 --> 00:34:47.039 Buford, what is this slut doing here? Now, Mama, 00:34:47.539 --> 00:34:51.420 that's not nice. Isn't this that Nancy Lee person 00:34:51.420 --> 00:34:54.980 I warned you to stay away from? Yes, sir. Maybe 00:34:54.980 --> 00:34:57.750 about the one time you were right, Mama. Get 00:34:57.750 --> 00:35:00.809 her out of here. I don't want her. And I demand 00:35:00.809 --> 00:35:03.949 you release me too. You know I can't do that. 00:35:04.530 --> 00:35:06.889 The best I can do is provide you with Nancy Lee. 00:35:07.050 --> 00:35:09.250 You're not going to lock me up with this horrid 00:35:09.250 --> 00:35:12.110 old woman. Now, that's no way to talk to your 00:35:12.110 --> 00:35:17.409 mother -in -law. Her what? Oh, I'm sorry, mama. 00:35:17.989 --> 00:35:21.130 In all the excitement I forgot to tell you, Nancy 00:35:21.130 --> 00:35:25.480 Lee's my bride. We got married. That makes you 00:35:25.480 --> 00:35:28.800 both mrs. Montgomery's That's how come I thought 00:35:28.800 --> 00:35:31.920 it would work out real nice to have you roommates 00:35:31.920 --> 00:35:47.139 sort of Keep it all in the family Ma Ma six alive 00:35:47.139 --> 00:35:49.639 William you startled me so I almost burnt my 00:35:49.639 --> 00:35:52.840 hand on the stove ma What are we going to do? 00:35:53.300 --> 00:35:57.630 What is it son? Here, sit down. It's shaking 00:35:57.630 --> 00:36:01.369 all over. You know that big old stone you wanted 00:36:01.369 --> 00:36:04.449 down in the preserve cellar to make a table of 00:36:04.449 --> 00:36:09.710 for making cornmeal and such? Yes. Well, a while 00:36:09.710 --> 00:36:13.150 ago I took it to bring it on down for you. You 00:36:13.150 --> 00:36:15.469 lifted that heavy stone by yourself? It's what 00:36:15.469 --> 00:36:20.449 happened when I was down there. What? Well, I 00:36:20.449 --> 00:36:23.820 didn't have no light. And I didn't hear Master 00:36:23.820 --> 00:36:27.219 Buford come on down there. But all of a sudden, 00:36:27.679 --> 00:36:31.139 I see him light a -lattin'. And of course, I 00:36:31.139 --> 00:36:35.400 can say anything. Mrs. Montgomery come on down 00:36:35.400 --> 00:36:38.219 there to join him. I know. I sent her down there. 00:36:39.219 --> 00:36:43.280 You? You knew what he was gonna do to her? Son, 00:36:44.159 --> 00:36:48.840 you gotta understand. I can't help myself. You 00:36:48.840 --> 00:36:52.039 knew he was gonna throw her in that... hide a 00:36:52.039 --> 00:36:56.719 hole with old Mrs. Montgomery? I knew. But she's 00:36:56.719 --> 00:37:01.179 so pretty. And he hurt her, Ma. Master Buford 00:37:01.179 --> 00:37:04.420 hurt her. He took that little girl that's like 00:37:04.420 --> 00:37:08.719 a... like a little chickadee bird. And he's gonna 00:37:08.719 --> 00:37:11.340 shut her up in there. Don't think about it now, 00:37:11.719 --> 00:37:15.460 son. I gotta think on it. I couldn't be shut 00:37:15.460 --> 00:37:18.900 up, Ma. I couldn't be shut up nowhere else. I 00:37:18.900 --> 00:37:23.849 know that, son. I just take my own throat with 00:37:23.849 --> 00:37:26.929 my hands like I've done with... with someone 00:37:26.929 --> 00:37:30.610 a long time ago. Don't, William. Don't do that 00:37:30.610 --> 00:37:38.849 to yourself. No. Not to me. To Master Buford. 00:37:40.610 --> 00:37:46.489 To Master Buford, unless he lets her go. That's 00:37:46.489 --> 00:37:49.449 who I got to. No, William, no. Listen to me. 00:37:49.570 --> 00:37:53.829 Let me explain. Let me go, Ma. Let go. Wayne, 00:37:54.590 --> 00:38:00.550 you've got to understand that I... Ma? Ma, you 00:38:00.550 --> 00:38:11.409 all right? I hope I didn't hurt you. Ma? No. 00:38:13.150 --> 00:38:22.179 You all right. Just sleeping. I'll wake you, 00:38:22.360 --> 00:38:28.039 Ma. I'll wake you just as soon as I set that 00:38:28.039 --> 00:38:35.059 poor little bird free. I spent my life trying 00:38:35.059 --> 00:38:38.880 to get free of you, Mama. And I did. Then I got 00:38:38.880 --> 00:38:42.239 myself trapped again. Now I've got to get free 00:38:42.239 --> 00:38:45.949 of Nancy Lee, too. Goodbye. You'll never see 00:38:45.949 --> 00:38:48.530 me again. You can't leave me here with this old 00:38:48.530 --> 00:38:51.449 woman. I can't be shut up anymore. You've been 00:38:51.449 --> 00:38:54.769 drinking again. You look drunk. I feel drunk. 00:38:55.130 --> 00:38:58.329 Drunk with relief. Hannah and William are all 00:38:58.329 --> 00:39:00.989 you'll ever see from now on. As far as I care, 00:39:01.050 --> 00:39:09.889 you can both rot. What's that funny smell? My 00:39:09.889 --> 00:39:16.329 head. I need a drink. What? Who's that? It's 00:39:16.329 --> 00:39:21.829 me, Master Buford. I'm sorry for what I got to 00:39:21.829 --> 00:39:28.570 do. Master Buford. Master Buford. I didn't mean 00:39:28.570 --> 00:39:31.829 to do nothing, Master. I didn't mean to do nothing. 00:39:33.170 --> 00:39:41.250 It was just a bird has to fly free. You can't 00:39:41.250 --> 00:39:45.920 keep it locked up. William. William? Are you 00:39:45.920 --> 00:39:48.940 down there? I'm here, Ma. What are you doing? 00:39:49.639 --> 00:39:53.119 What's happened? Where's Master Buford? I'm glad 00:39:53.119 --> 00:39:57.139 you woke up, Ma. Something's happened to Master 00:39:57.139 --> 00:40:01.980 Buford. Oh, my God. Move aside. Let me see. I 00:40:01.980 --> 00:40:05.599 didn't mean him no harm. It was just Miss Nancy. 00:40:06.699 --> 00:40:12.019 I didn't want to hurt him, Ma. Ma? He's dead. 00:40:12.880 --> 00:40:19.199 Oh, William. William, you killed him. I never 00:40:19.199 --> 00:40:24.420 even touched him, Ma. How would you know? Poor, 00:40:24.760 --> 00:40:29.880 twisted mind. How would you know? Heaven help 00:40:29.880 --> 00:40:34.900 me. What are we gonna do now? I've got to think. 00:40:45.760 --> 00:40:49.860 Well, I'm all packed. And William is taking my 00:40:49.860 --> 00:40:53.960 things down to the carriage now. What about you, 00:40:54.159 --> 00:40:59.579 Mother? I suppose you have to call me that. We 00:40:59.579 --> 00:41:02.639 might as well get used to it. Just as you have 00:41:02.639 --> 00:41:05.059 to try to sound a little fonder when you talk 00:41:05.059 --> 00:41:10.320 to your daughter, Nancy Lee. Very well, Nancy 00:41:10.320 --> 00:41:14.619 Lee. And I not only am all packed... But my trunks 00:41:14.619 --> 00:41:16.840 have already been taken to the railroad station. 00:41:17.360 --> 00:41:21.059 All ready for our new life. Yes. Oh, come on 00:41:21.059 --> 00:41:23.420 now. This was all worked out before the funeral. 00:41:23.579 --> 00:41:26.400 And you've had a lovely time of it, haven't you? 00:41:26.639 --> 00:41:29.860 Playing the bereaved widow, being whined and 00:41:29.860 --> 00:41:33.460 dined in sad farewell. Well, I had to stay hidden 00:41:33.460 --> 00:41:35.500 at home. Well, you could scarcely come poppin' 00:41:35.519 --> 00:41:37.940 out of the grave without creating a legal snob. 00:41:37.940 --> 00:41:42.059 I know, I know. It's better this way. Hope we 00:41:42.059 --> 00:41:46.239 can smuggle me out successfully at night in Hannah's 00:41:46.239 --> 00:41:49.659 Cape. There'll be no question Nothing left to 00:41:49.659 --> 00:41:52.800 be done. I don't think so Hannah and William 00:41:52.800 --> 00:41:54.860 will stay with the house until the estate is 00:41:54.860 --> 00:41:57.059 sold and the lawyer will forward us the money 00:41:57.059 --> 00:42:02.239 wherever we settle Wherever we settle you and 00:42:02.239 --> 00:42:06.010 I Not much of a life to look forward to. It's 00:42:06.010 --> 00:42:09.710 the best your son left us. Your husband. Buford. 00:42:09.989 --> 00:42:17.869 Buford. I wonder about his death. Why? The doctor 00:42:17.869 --> 00:42:22.389 certified it is a heart attack. You don't think, 00:42:22.650 --> 00:42:25.010 William... Oh, no. William is so simple -minded 00:42:25.010 --> 00:42:27.309 that if he says he never touched him, he never 00:42:27.309 --> 00:42:33.639 did. No, it was something else. What? That was 00:42:33.639 --> 00:42:36.460 the same doctor who wrote out my death certificate 00:42:36.460 --> 00:42:41.119 You don't suppose Buford by any chance could 00:42:41.119 --> 00:42:47.679 have had epilepsy It's a disease that does run 00:42:47.679 --> 00:42:57.539 in the family, you know If Sarah Montgomery should 00:42:57.539 --> 00:43:01.349 have been right Then poor Buford went to far 00:43:01.349 --> 00:43:06.710 more than his just reward After all the coffin 00:43:06.710 --> 00:43:11.070 was already in the ground for over a week But 00:43:11.070 --> 00:43:13.690 that's really too horrible a prospect to dwell 00:43:13.690 --> 00:43:30.840 on Isn't it? I'll return shortly Before I go, 00:43:31.460 --> 00:43:34.639 I really do owe you an apology for that quite 00:43:34.639 --> 00:43:38.139 dreadful picture of poor Buford Montgomery, awaking 00:43:38.139 --> 00:43:41.159 to far more confined quarters than he condemned 00:43:41.159 --> 00:43:45.079 his mother to. But as a storyteller, you have 00:43:45.079 --> 00:43:49.619 to agree, the irony is perfect. And then, of 00:43:49.619 --> 00:43:53.239 course also, I did promise to curdle your blood. 00:43:53.929 --> 00:43:57.849 Our cast included John Barragray, Ruby Dee, Bryna 00:43:57.849 --> 00:44:01.650 Rayburn, Roxy Roker, and Todd Davis. The entire 00:44:01.650 --> 00:44:04.050 production was under the direction of Hyman Brown. 00:44:05.010 --> 00:44:07.269 Inviting you to return to our mystery theater 00:44:07.269 --> 00:44:11.070 for another adventure in the macabre. Until next 00:44:11.070 --> 00:44:14.170 time, pleasant dreams.