Mildred Pierce

Mildred.

What's on your mind, lady?

You know what I think?

I think maybe you had an idea you'd take a swim. That's what I think.

Leave me alone.

If you take a swim, I'd have to take a swim. Is that fair?

Just because you feel like bumping yourself off, I gotta get pneumonia.

Never thought about that, did ya?

Okay, think about it.

Go on, beat it now. Go on home before we both take a swim.

Hey, Mildred.

What are you doing around this pigeon perch? Slumming?

- What? - You sick or somethin'?

No, I don't think so.

Well, if you're feeling weak, come inside and have a drink on the house, for free.

Come on.

You know, buying this joint was the smartest move I ever made.

J' you must have been a beautiful baby j'

- give us a couple drinks, will ya, Tony? - Yes, sir.

J' when you were only slanin' to go to kindergan'en j'

j' I'll bet you drove the little girls wild j'

I hope you're not sore at me about this afternoon. Strictly business, see?

I mean, it mightjust as well have been you selling me out.

You can't expect that...

What are you looking at me like that for?

You can talk your way out of anything, can't you, Wally? You're good at that.

In my business, you have to be.

Only right now, I'd rather talk myself into something.

Know what I mean?

- Still trying, huh? - It's a habit.

I've been trying once a week since we were kids.

- Twice a week. - Okay, twice.

Anyhow, I'm still drawing blanks.

Hey, you never used to drink it straight like that.

I've learned how these last few months.

- I've learned a lot of things. - Like, for instance?

Like, for instance, that's rotten liquor.

There's better stuff to drink at the beach house, Wally.

Is that a dare?

Could be.

All right, I'll take it.

You know I like good stuff.

Maybe this is my lucky day.

Maybe.

- Come in. - How about your husband?

Is he, uh, getting broad-minded all of a sudden?

- Monte isn't here. - Oh?

Besides, you can talk your way out of anything, can't you?

Oh, I get by all right.

You keep sayin' that.

- Nervous, Wally? - No, no. Cold.

Temporarily.

- Isn't this more comfortable? - Yeah, yeah, I guess so, but, uh...

- What's the matter? - Nothing.

- You don't seem very happy here. - Oh, I'm happy. Believe me.

Inside, my heart is singing.

- That's pretty corny, Wally. - Yeah, well, I'm a corny guy.

But I'm smart too.

- I wonder about things. - What things?

Well, for instance, I wonder why you brought me here tonight.

I mean, all of a sudden, voom! Husband gone, soft lights, quiet room.

Opportunity. Why?

- Maybe I find you irresistible, Wally. - Yeah?

You make me shiver, Mildred. You always have.

You make love so nicely, Wally. You always have.

You know, Mildred, all my life when I've wanted something, I've gone after it.

I get it too.

May take me a little time, okay, but I get what I want.

Do you?

- Must be nice. - Yeah.

- Oh, I'm sorry. - Hey, what's the score?

I feel sticky.

I think I'd better change my dress.

Yeah? Yeah, sure, Mildred. It's a good idea.

I'll, uh... I'll only be a minute.

Leave the door open so we can talk.

- I like to hear you talk. - Yeah?

So do I.

Somethin' about the sound of my own voice that fascinates me.

I'm glad you didn't get sore at me,

the way I took you over the hurdles, Mildred.

I didn't mean to cut up your business the way I did.

I just got started and couldn't stop.

I can't help myself.

I see an angle, right away I start cuttin' myself a piece of throat.

It's an instinct.

With me, bein' smart's a disease. Know what I mean?

Hey, Mildred.

Hurry up. You know I don't like to drink alone.

Hey. Say something.

This one-sided conversation is beginning to bore me.

Huh?

Say, uh, Mildred.

Mildred.

Hey, come on, Mildred. Don't play any games.

I'm a nice guy up to a certain point, but don't get me sore.

Mildred.

Hey, what's the matter?

What kind of a business is this anyway?

Mildred!

Mildred!

Hit that house with the light.

Hey! Stop, you!

Okay, okay.

What's the hurry, pal?

No gun.

Better take a look in that house, see what's going on.

This guy came through that window like he was shot out of a Cannon.

- Get that coming out of the window? - No. I out myself shaving.

All right, get goin', smart guy.

- You need some fixin'. - Oh, brother. I'm so smart it's a disease.

All right, go ahead.

What were you doin' in that house, pal? Picking up a few souvenirs, maybe?

No, pal. Nothing petty.

- This is a pretty big night for you. - Yeah?

Yeah. Lots of excitement. There's a stiff in there.

Is that so?

And I suppose you were runnin' right down to the station to report it.

- He says there's a dead guy in the house. - You never saw deader.

- Better call headquarters. - Yep.

Car 93 calling kqvb.

Car 93 calling kqvb.

Mother, where have you been? What's happened? They won't tell me anything.

- Who won't tell you anything? Who's they? - These men.

- Mrs. Beragon? - Yes.

We're from headquarters.

The inspector would like to have you come down

and have a talk with him, if it's convenient.

Why? What's the matter?

I'm sorry, lady. We only ask the questions.

Besides, we don't rightly know what the trouble is.

It's probably just something about the car or something.

At this time of night?

It's all right, darling. Whatever it is, I'll take care of it.

You're not to think about it at all. Now go to bed, please.

- Mother... - Please go on.

- Can't you tell me what's happened? - We'd better go.

What's wrong? What's the matter?

Didn't want to say anything in front of your daughter.

It's your husband. He's been murdered.

Murdered?

Hiya, Joe. What you got?

This is Mrs. Pierce. I mean beragon.

Which is it, Pierce or beragon? Make up your mind.

- Mildred Pierce beragon. - Okay. Wheel her in.

Right over there, please.

Mrs. Beragon just came in.

Sit down. He'll be right with you.

Look, I bruise easy.

-Ida, what are you — -no talking.

Yeah?

Ida con/vin.

Well, what is this, a class reunion?

Looks like it.

I'll have a tough time talkin' my way out of this.

- Keep movin'. - All right, all right.

Hi, ed.

- Charley, what's the good word? - My feet hurt. That's the good word.

You got me cryin'. How about a nice, juicy item for the morning edition?

Nope. Not today.

- What's she in for? - Parking gum under her seat in the movie.

- Satisfied? - Okay, Charley, okay.

I'm sorry, Mildred. I just couldn't help it.

No talking.

Take a seat.

Do you know that guy?

Yes. We were married once.

Paper, lady?

No, thank you.

Yeah?

Okay.

He wants you now. Now you can talk.

- Inspector Peterson, Mrs. Beragon. - How do you do, Mrs. Beragon?

- How do you do? - Won't you sit down?

Sorry about your husband. It must be a shock to you.

Well, I...

I'm afraid I don't quite know how to begin.

You see, the fact of the matter is, Mrs. Beragon, we don't need you.

You don't need me?

I don't know how to apologize for bringing you down here for nothing,

but, you understand, we had to be sure.

Well, now we are sure.

Aren't you going to ask me questions? I thought you would ask me questions.

I know, Mrs. Beragon.

Everybody thinks that detectives do nothing but ask questions.

But detectives have souls same as anyone else.

Cigarette?

- No, thank you. - Go ahead. It's all right.

You know, Mrs. Beragon, being a detective is like...

Well, like making an automobile.

You just take all the pieces and put them together one by one.

First thing you know, you got an automobile.

Or a murderer.

And we got him.

Oh, you're in the clear, Mrs. Beragon. The case is on ice.

You can go now.

All right, men.

Could you...

- Would you tell me who... - Who did it?

Sure. You're entitled to know.